章 9: Hidden Truths
"Umm..."
Khalil listened silently, his expression patient as each tried to sway him with their promises of wealth, influence, and access to knowledge that would otherwise be unreachable. Part of him was awed by their offers, but he knew his mind was already made up.
Once they had finished, Khalil dipped his head in apology. "Thank you, truly, for thinking so highly of me. But I have already decided." He offered a polite smile. "It means a great deal to know that you would consider me for such opportunities, and I'm honored by your words."
The blue-haired woman sighed, crossing her arms with an almost reluctant smile, though her eyes held a spark of admiration. The white-haired man glanced away, clearly displeased but somewhat resigned.
As they stepped back, he muttered, almost too low for Khalil to hear, "If only you knew your potential... you'd understand the chance you're giving up."
Khalil couldn't help but think it was like choosing between a startup's lucrative job offer and pursuing his own path of learning. Sometimes, the best choice wasn't the most obviously rewarding one.
"Come on, follow me."
The man in indigo gestured for Khalil to follow him toward a winding staircase tucked away in a corner of the hall. As they ascended, Khalil noticed the subtle gleam of protective runes etched into each step, pulsing faintly with each footfall. The patterns reminded him of security protocols, each step like a layer of authentication protecting what lay above.
From their elevated position on the observation deck, everything was laid bare before them - the guide elder standing sentinel near the shimmering portal, the nervous candidates waiting their turn, and the intricate runic patterns etched into the stone floor that Khalil hadn't noticed from ground level.
The patterns formed complex geometric designs that seemed to ripple with energy, converging at the portal's base like a sophisticated network diagram.
As they settled against the ornate railing, Khalil realized they weren't alone.
The other figures who had surrounded him earlier were also present, spread out along the deck's perimeter. The blue-haired woman was leaning forward intently, while the white-haired elder stood with his arms crossed, his keen eyes missing nothing. Below, a young candidate was just approaching the portal, their steps hesitant but determined.
Khalil frowned slightly as he watched. "I thought the bonding process was meant to be private," he said, more to himself than anyone else. Like a secure connection that shouldn't be monitored.
The man in indigo smiled knowingly. "Ah, you've noticed our little necessary deception." He gestured to the assembled group. "We maintain that impression to help the candidates remain at ease, but there is a far greater purpose to our presence here. We are not mere observers - we are guardians, protectors, and seekers of talent."
His voice took on a more serious tone as he continued. "Since you've already proven yourself worthy of trust, I will share something crucial with you." He paused, studying Khalil's reaction.
Khalil blinked, confused by the man's words. Proven himself? Then understanding dawned - the man must be referring to his bonding with the light creature. Before he could ponder this further, the man continued, his voice dropping lower.
"There exists a darker truth behind these ceremonies," he said, eyes fixed on the proceedings below. "Sometimes, young tamers bond with beings we call the Dark Corrupt Beasts - ancient enemies of our world. Some are tricked, lured in by promises of power or knowledge, while others..." he trailed off meaningfully, "choose this path willingly."
The blue-haired woman, who had drifted closer during their conversation, added softly, "The corruption can be subtle at first. A whispered promise here, a glimpse of forbidden power there. By the time we notice, it's often too late."
Khalil fell silent, processing these revelations.
'I see...'
The revelations and the true purpose of their observation struck Khalil like discovering a critical vulnerability in what he thought was a secure system. The concept of corruption spreading through bonds reminded him of how a single compromised connection could threaten an entire network.
However, the concept seemed almost incomprehensible to him - why would anyone willingly choose to bond with corrupted beings? Were they crazy? Yet his experience had taught him that human nature was complex, filled with contradictions and hidden depths.
The white-haired elder, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "You're thinking like a scholar, young man. Good. But remember - even the most learned people can be led astray by promises of forbidden knowledge or power." His eyes held a hint of past regrets. "I've seen it happen to the brightest minds."
The man in indigo nodded solemnly. "This is precisely why we're here - not only to prevent such corrupted bonds but to identify and nurture diamonds in the rough like yourself. Those who will stand as guardians of our people and our world." He gestured to the assembled observers. "Each of us represents different paths of power, different traditions of knowledge. But we all share this sacred duty."
Below them, the current candidate emerged from the portal with a small, fox-like creature by their side. The assembled masters watched intently, their experienced eyes assessing both tamer and beast for any signs of corruption.
"The stakes are higher than most realize," the blue-haired woman murmured. "A single corrupted bond in the wrong place, at the wrong time, could spell disaster for entire regions."
The white-haired elder nodded grimly. "We've seen it before. Cities fallen, lands tainted, lives destroyed - all because we failed to detect a corruption in time."
Khalil absorbed their words, his mind racing with newfound understanding. His years of observation had taught him to look beneath surface appearances, to question assumptions. Now those lessons seemed more relevant than ever.
The man in indigo smiled, noting Khalil's thoughtful expression. "You begin to understand now, don't you? Why we take such care in observing these ceremonies? Why we sought to recruit you so earnestly?"
Khalil nodded slowly. "Everything has layers of meaning," he said quietly. "The ceremony, the selection, even the competition to recruit new tamers - it's all part of a greater purpose."
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