"Leonardo Ashborne, huh?"
Igaris engraved the name deep into his memory. Despite the awe-inspiring vow and the grandeur of his power, if Leonardo ever dared to betray him... Igaris would end him by any means necessary.
Because if there was one thing he truly despised it was betrayal.
Joining the Freedom Summoners wasn’t about loyalty or cause. It was a calculated move. He needed knowledge. Power. And understanding of the true nature of this world and the summoners within it.
As for the war against the Perfect Society? He’d choose his own path when the time came.
He wasn’t some noble warrior fighting for ideals.
He was a shadow. A sneaky ghost who had entered this world for just thirty days.
Whether he’d return with power... or die trying, only time would tell.
Igaris turned to Leon and gave a small nod. "Then I’ll hold you to it."
Leon’s lips curled into a confident smirk as he climbed onto the back of his fire-breathing dragon.
"Well then, Igaris..."
He glanced down, his eyes gleaming with a fire that matched his summon’s breath.
"—on the path to freedom."
Nina leapt onto her icy blue wyvern with practiced grace, wings spreading wide as the creature let out a chilling screech.
Without hesitation, Igaris mounted his Wind Griffin. The beast beat its wings powerfully, rising into the desert sky.
And together, the three soared into the night. Toward the unknown.
Igaris sat comfortably on back of Griffin.
As a low rank beast, it shouldn’t have been able to follow the Dragonbloods, but because of its Wind elemental affinity it somehow kept up.
The wind stung his face, but his eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
Leonardo flew beside them, riding atop the massive dragon Helios, his posture regal and at ease. Below them, the dunes stretched endlessly, glowing faintly under the moonlight.
After an hour, they landed in a canyon where the walls looked ordinary to the untrained eye.
Leonardo placed his palm on a smooth slab of rock. Instantly, Red runes shimmered under his touch.
The ground rumbled. And a circular platform emerged from the sand.
"Come," Leonardo said simply.
Igaris followed, stepping onto the platform. Nina gave him a sidelong look but said nothing.
The platform began to descend rapidly. For several seconds, only darkness surrounded them. Then a soft glow appeared below—torches lining a metallic corridor, flickering gently like welcoming beacons.
The platform clicked into place.
They stepped into a wide tunnel with engraved stone walls reinforced with steel braces. Strange machinery lined the sides, mixed with natural rock, giving the place an eerie blend of ancient ruin and future tech.
"What? They were not the only ones who knows to use machines. But we not overly pessimistic about them." Leon said noticing the confusion on Igaris’ face.
"This is just the entrance," Leonardo said casually. "Our true base lies deeper. They perfect society had set up surveillance system above us. So we need to hide in here."
Igaris nodded, remembering the unnatural flickering lights in the Sky.
Although, in truth it was his mother’s Mecha who was watching over him.
Nina led the way now. Her presence was more commanding here, her earlier doubts about Igaris forgotten or at least set aside for the moment.
They passed several checkpoints. Summoners stood guard, their beasts resting beside them—snakes of wind, elemental golems, and even a twin-headed tiger. All stared at Igaris with mild curiosity and suspicion.
"You better not screw this up," Nina muttered without turning back.
Finally, they reached a giant dome-like chamber that seemed to hum with energy. Metal walkways connected to different levels above and below, forming a vast circular complex.
It was like an underground city, lit by bioluminescent crystals and rotating core engines embedded into the walls.
Hundreds of summoners moved around—some training, others tending to wounded beasts or meditating in silence.
For a moment, he forgot his fatigue.
This was no mere faction. It was a hidden force. Organized. Resilient. Dangerous.
A young woman with sharp black eyes and silver armor approached them.
"Leon, You’re back early."
"Mm.. I found someone, Marina." he said simply. "A potential weapon."
The woman’s eyes slid to Igaris. She studied him for a full ten seconds before saying, "Hmph. He looks half-dead."
"The Name is Igaris," he said with a forced smile. "And I’m very much alive thank you."
She arched an eyebrow. "We’ll see."
Leonardo gestured at the center tower. "Come. Let him rest, and later, he’ll meet the Inner Circle."
They led him to a small chamber at the outer edge. A resting bed, some food, and healing tonics were already set up.
"Get some rest," Nina said, almost reluctantly. "You’ll need your strength tomorrow."
Igaris didn’t argue. The bed wasn’t fancy, but it was heaven compared to sleeping on rocks. As soon as he lay down, exhaustion crashed over him like a wave.
"Evernight," he whispered mentally.
I am here, my Liege, she replied inside his thoughts.
Keep watch while I sleep. Always.
Hours passed, morning arrived.
When Igaris woke up, his body felt lighter.
He washed his face then summoned a Fire Spirit to name it.
This one was small in dear.
"Your name will be Esprit from now on."
[ Congratulations! You have successful named your subject. ]
Igaris frowned. He was expecting an fire ability of sorts.
Still he kept trying. If one was not enough he would try with 10.
And even he got the ability he desired.
[ Congratulations! You Have Acquired "Fireball" ability ]
Igaris was satisfaction. Now all that remained to try the Fireball out.
So he changed into the provided robe and exited the room. The corridor was dim, but he could see signs directing him to the "Training Hall."
As he followed the path, two young summoners fell in step beside him without a word.
They said they were his escorts, but acted like he was a prisoner.
Soon, he was back in the wide field where the Summoners were training.
Here, he would finally get to learn more about Summoners and how much he compare against them.