Entering the infirmary, Arthur and Elara asked for Sarah.
"She's being discharged soon," the healer said, not looking up from her charts. "You can either wait here or go to room 1."
Arthur and Elara nodded, choosing the latter. The infirmary was pristine, with white walls, you could sll the faint scent of herbs.
Inside room 1, Sarah sat on the edge of the bed, fully dressed in her Academy uniform. Physically, she looked completely healed—the burns gone, skin restored to its natural color. But Arthur caught the stiffness in her shoulders, the slight downward pull of her mouth.
"Sarah, how are you feeling?" Elara asked, sitting beside her.
"Fine," Sarah replied, voice clipped. "The healers fixed everything."
Arthur leaned against the doorfra, studying her.
This wasn't the usual Sarah.
Although she wasn't crying or complaining, the defeat had clearly hit her hard. Her eyes kept fixed on the wall opposite, avoiding their gaze. Her fingers absently traced patterns on the bedsheet, Arthur noticed.
'Probably replaying her mistakes.'
"Ashencroft went too far," Elara said.
Sarah shook her head sharply. "No. That's how life is. Nothing is fair, and he did what anyone would have done," Her voice hardened.
Arthur recognised that tone.
'It's the sa tone I had when I hated my weakness,'
Arthur offered. "You held your own longer than expected."
"Not good enough." Sarah finally looked up, eyes glinting. "But it will be."
She stood abruptly, smoothing her uniform. "They're discharging . Let's go."
"Wait," Elara said, catching her arm. "You just took a significant magical injury. Should you be leaving already?"
Sarah lifted her chin. "Academy healers are the best in Caldera. I'm fine."
Arthur could see she wasn't, not emotionally, but he respected her need to maintain composure. Pride was a powerful thing, especially for soone constantly fighting to prove themselves worthy of the elite track.
"Get so rest. If you need anything, talk to ." Elara reassured her new friend.
Sarah nodded.
"Thanks,"
"By the way," Sarah said suddenly, voice forcibly casual, "did I miss any good matches?"
"Arthur beat Liora Gilderhaven," Elara offered.
Sarah nodded, her expression carefully neutral. "It's expected. He is an S-Class student while Liora is part of the A-Class batch."
Arthur caught the slight edge in her voice, comparing herself to Liora, both A-Class students with the sa outcos today. He decided not to comnt.
They walked through the Academy's sprawling grounds. When they reached the dormitory building, Arthur stopped.
"Thanks for dropping us off," Elara said with a charming smile.
"Thanks," Sarah said, nodding her head once.
"You're welco, it's not like you needed it anyway," he smiled back before turning to leave.
As Arthur left the academy and headed toward his guild, a notification chid in his mind, nearly making him stumble.
[Ding!]
[You have levelled up to Level 20]
[All attribute points will be increased by 1]
[You have gained 1 free attribute point and 1 Skill Point]
Several other notifications followed, but Arthur didn't check them imdiately. He could tell that he was being watched.
'The elite families are really taking seriously, huh?' he thought, maintaining his casual pace.
Still, they made no move to approach, even as Arthur entered his guild building.
Once inside his private quarters, Arthur secured the door and imdiately checked the new notifications.
[New Talent Effect!]
[New Skill Acquired!]
Arthur's heart raced. Leveling up was always significant, but level 20 was a major threshold in Armageddon.
He first checked his Primordial Summoner talent—his ultimate trump card.
[New Talent Effect!]
SSS-Rank Talent: Primordial Summoner
Talent Effect #1: You are able to summon primordial beasts once every 2 months. Additionally, you can summon normal beasts at will, though these beasts are random. Your summoned beasts level up with you.
Talent Effect #2: You are able to 'extract' one talent/Skill from your beast, and keep it as your own.
Talent Effect #3: You are able to summon any beast you have killed as your own summon.
Talent Effect #4: Cooldown of the first talent effect is reduced to 1 month.
Talent Effect #5: Grants the ability to communicate with all summoned beasts, allowing you to hear their thoughts. Summoned beasts are compelled to follow your commands, regardless of their will.
Talent Effect #7: Your summons are now able to communicate vocally.
Talent Effect #8: %"$& (Level up to unlock)
Arthur's excitent dimd slightly. The newest effect wasn't the combat boost he'd hoped for, but vocal communication instead of just telepathic could be useful in certain situations.
"Well, it's not bad. At least now I can talk to my summons. Right, Formicia?" He glanced at the spider nestled in the corner.
"Yes, master." Her voice was pleasant, lodic even, much like her telepathic presence had been.
Arthur nodded with a smile. "How does it feel to have a voice?"
"Strange but satisfying," Formicia replied, her mandibles moving slightly. "I've always had thoughts. Now I can share them more directly."
Interesting side effect—the summons seed more independent, more alive with their voices.
After checking his talent effects, Arthur moved on to his new skill.
[New Skill Acquired: Living Shadow]
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