Khalil stood rooted in place, his arm still outstretched as the radiant shield of light shimmered protectively around Sira and her serpent bond. The air thrummed with the intensity of the power radiating from him, and his glowing golden eyes reflected the brilliance of the shield.
The principal turned toward Khalil, his usually stoic face etched with surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, two figures appeared beside him in a blur of motion—the blue-haired woman with a sharp, assessing gaze and the white-haired elder whose presence felt like a gust of wind.
The blue-haired woman, Maria's eyes darted between Khalil and the shield. "Why didn't you stop—" she began, her tone sharp, but the words faltered as her gaze locked on Khalil.
Her expression shifted from confusion to shock as she took in the soft golden glow surrounding him. Khalil stood tall, his presence radiant with an almost tangible warmth that seemed to flow from within. The light emanating from his body wasn't harsh or overwhelming but soothing, like a beacon in the storm.
"H-He's using his bond's powers already?" Maria muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, a mix of awe and disbelief.
The white-haired elder, though more composed, frowned deeply as he scrutinized Khalil.
Khalil turned his glowing gaze toward them, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "I need to clarify something," he said, his tone cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Are corrupt Dark Beasts and beasts with the Darkness element the same, or are they different?"
The question hung in the air for a moment, and the three elders exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of astonishment and contemplation. Finally, the principal, who had been silent, answered, his voice measured.
"They're different," he admitted. "But it's nearly impossible to distinguish between them. Their auras, their powers—everything about them feels the same. And beasts with the Darkness element are exceedingly rare. Tamers avoid them entirely, fearing they'll succumb to corruption."
Khalil nodded, as if confirming something he already suspected. "That beast," he said, gesturing toward the serpent coiled protectively around Sira within the shield, "is a Darkness-element beast. And it's good. Please, stop the others quickly before this escalates further."
The blue-haired woman's eyes narrowed, skepticism flashing across her face. The white-haired elder's frown deepened, and his voice was low and gruff. "How do you know?" he asked, his tone sharp, bordering on accusatory. "Can you take responsibility if you're wrong? If that thing turns out to be corrupt—"
"I can," Khalil interrupted firmly, his voice unwavering. "My bond, the Guardian of Light, is helping me. With its power, I can identify a being's elements and alignment. For instance…" He paused, his glowing eyes shifting to the elder. "Your alignment is good, and your elements are Ice and Wind."
The elder stiffened, his eyes widening in shock. He opened his mouth to reply, but no words came. Maria stared at Khalil as if seeing him in an entirely new light, her skepticism giving way to awe.
The principal, however, wasted no time. His gaze flickered to the shield, then to the tamers who still hesitated, unsure whether to act. Straightening, he raised his hand and spoke in a voice that carried authority and finality.
"Stop what you are doing. The Guardian of Light has confirmed that the bond isn't as we thought it was. The girl is innocent, so her bond. She passes the exam and is accepted to the academy."
Khalil watched worriedly not knowing how others would react. And his worries grew seeing some tamers who wanted to argue, but thankfully the principal took care of the situation perfectly. He even descended below personally.
The tension in the bonding hall was palpable as the principal descended from the observation deck, his face a mix of regret and determination. The tamers who had hesitated to attack earlier now stood frozen, glancing at each other uneasily. The hall, once filled with the anticipation of the ceremony, was now heavy with the aftermath of their actions.
Sira remained within the radiant shield Khalil had conjured, her serpent bond coiled protectively around her. Its deep wounds were glaring, and its labored breathing tugged painfully at Sira's heart. She stroked its scaled body gently, her eyes burning with hostility as they darted toward the tamers who had nearly struck them down.
The principal approached with measured steps, his presence commanding silence as he reached the edge of the light shield. His usually authoritative demeanor was softened by genuine remorse as he addressed Sira directly.
"Miss Sira," he began, bowing his head slightly, "I owe you a profound apology on behalf of the academy and others. In our haste and caution, we made a grave error in judgment. We mistook your bond for a corrupt creature and acted prematurely."
Sira's jaw tightened, and she stared at the principal, her expression unwavering. Despite the principal's words, the hostility in her eyes didn't fade. As if an apology could wash away what they did, they were about to be killed.
The principal sighed, his tone heavy with regret. "Thankfully, the Guardian of Light intervened in time, identifying your bonded beast as a rare Darkness-element creature. You and your bond are innocent, and you've more than passed the exam. For the harm caused, I will personally ensure you're compensated appropriately. Additionally, I will let your bond heal immed—!"
The principal abruptly stopped mid-sentence, his gaze fixed on the serpent. Confusion flickered across his face as he noticed something strange.
The shield surrounding Sira and her bond pulsed with a gentle golden glow, and the serpent's wounds were mending before their eyes. Gashes along its sleek body closed seamlessly, and its once-labored breathing grew steady and strong.
Gasps echoed through the bonding hall as the tamers and assistants noticed the phenomenon. Whispers rippled through the crowd, their disbelief evident.
Sira's breath hitched as she felt her bond's energy stabilizing, its pain fading. Her serpent uncoiled slightly, its eyes blinking open as it stared at her with an almost grateful expression.
"How…?" Sira whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She looked at the light shield, her hand brushing against its fading radiance. "Light… is healing her?"
Others also shared the same question.
Wasn't light supposed to be the opposite of light? And wasn't light strong against corrupt and dark beasts? Wasn't light the bane of those beasts?
So how?
Above in the Observation Deck.
"Is he… healing it?" Maria muttered, her blue hair falling into her eyes as she leaned closer to the barrier, her sharp eyes glued to Khalil.
The white-haired elder frowned, his expression unreadable but tinged with awe. "He's not just healing," he said quietly, his tone both impressed and cautious. "He's pushing his powers far beyond what they should be capable of at this time. Extraordinary… and reckless."
Lily stood nearby, her hands clasped tightly together as she observed the unfolding scene below. Her wide eyes reflected a mixture of worry and fascination. She had long heard tales of individuals capable of using their bond's powers right from the start—legends of prodigies deemed monsters for their strength and potential. And yet, seeing one in the flesh made her heart race.
"He's really doing it…" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
Khalil, meanwhile, trembled under the strain. His teeth clenched, and sweat dotted his brow as he channeled the last vestiges of the strange energy inside him into the shield. It shimmered one final time, the golden light flowing over the serpent in a final, healing wave. The creature hissed softly—a sound of relief—as its injuries vanished completely, leaving behind pristine, unbroken scales.
As the golden glow faded, Khalil staggered, the strain too much for his body to handle. His glowing eyes dimmed, and his knees buckled beneath him.
"Boy!" Maria's voice was sharp, her body tensing as she prepared to move.
But it seems the principal was faster. In a blur, he appeared back in the deck and caught Khalil just as he collapsed, cradling the boy with surprising gentleness.
"He's pushed himself too far," the principal murmured, his expression soft as he studied Khalil's pale face. The faint, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest reassured him that the boy was still breathing, though completely drained.
"It's amazing he held on this long," the white-haired elder muttered, his tone a mix of respect and curiosity. "Defending and healing simultaneously… He's really something."
Maria nodded, her sharp demeanor softened for a moment. "A monster, indeed."
The principal adjusted Khalil carefully in his arms before straightening. "Continue the ceremony," he said firmly, his voice breaking through the awe-stricken silence of the observation deck. "I'll send him somewhere safe to recover and return shortly."
With that, he turned and exited the deck through a hidden passage.
---
Outside the Ceremony Hall
The principal emerged from a concealed portal entrance behind the ceremony hall. His figure was composed as ever, but his eyes held a deeper, contemplative glint as he stepped into the quiet exterior of the academy grounds.
He paused and raised his hand, summoning a bird-type magical beast. A crackle of energy filled the air, and a magnificent creature appeared before him—a massive bird with electric-blue feathers that shimmered with streaks of lightning dancing along its wings. The beast let out a sharp screech, its yellow eyes fixated on him.
The principal placed Khalil gently into the bird's waiting talons, ensuring the boy was secured in its protective grasp. He placed a hand on the bird's beak, his voice low but commanding. "Take him to my villa. Protect him and keep him company till I return."
The bird let out another screech, its wings spreading wide as it lifted Khalil effortlessly. With a powerful leap and a gust of wind that ruffled the principal's robes, it took off into the sky, lightning trailing in its wake.
The principal stood still, his gaze fixed on the receding figure of the boy. His lips pressed into a thin line before he murmured to himself, "Could it be… the end is near?" His tone was grave, as though the weight of some ancient prophecy hung over his thoughts.
---
"..."
"Ka..."
"..l..."
"K..em.."
"!"
Khalil's eyes snapped open abruptly, his chest heaving as he drew in a sharp breath. For a moment, he lay still, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling above him. Slowly, he sat up, wincing at the dull ache radiating through his body.
Looking around, he realized he was lying in a spacious, luxurious guest room. The walls were lined with soft cream-colored patterns, and the bed he was on was massive, draped in silken sheets that felt cool against his skin. Large windows to his left let in the warm glow of sunlight, casting a serene ambiance.
"So… it wasn't a dream after all," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
He leaned back against the headboard, his mind racing as fragments of memory resurfaced. The game. The revelation of his death and the impossible mission. The sudden surge of power when he'd stepped forward to protect the girl and her bond. The golden shield. The healing. And finally, the crushing exhaustion as he'd fainted after completing his task.
Khalil clenched his fists, his glowing eyes momentarily flickering in his memory. "The Guardian of Light…" he whispered. "Thank you for lending me your power...."
A part of him felt awe at what he'd accomplished, but another part felt dread.
The strain of controlling such power had pushed him to his limits, and he couldn't help but wonder if it had been too much. Yet, despite the pain and exhaustion, a sense of satisfaction lingered. He had protected the serpent bond and its tamer, proving that not all Darkness-element creatures were evil.
He found out what might have been the reason for Sira Nightsong to become a villainess and stopped it.
He proved she wasn't evil... at least for now.
He... saved her.
Khalil glanced toward the window, his gaze distant. He knew this was only the beginning. After all, he wasn't sure if Sira wouldn't change. He neither believed he could solve everything like today.
'I was just lucky.'
Lucky, that the Guardian of Light bonded with him and helped him to achieve his purpose - save the villainess and prove the bond wasn't corrupt.
'But... It is still amazing...'
'Amazing that I can help many others who might have been or will be seen as corrupt tamers...'
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