The 20 novices were divided into four teams, each led by an Advanced-Rank Summoner. As for Nina and Igaris, their presence wasn’t due to training—they were simply here to gain more field experience. Both of them understood that well.
Igaris had been assigned to one of the groups.
"Instructor! Igaris has run off again!" a panicked novice reported.
The instructor, a sharp-eyed man with rectangular glasses, raised an eyebrow but remained calm.
"Let him be," he said flatly. "He’s not like the rest of you. A lion needs the wilderness to grow—don’t expect him to follow the path of sheep."
With that, the group moved forward, silencing their complaints.
Igaris was already on the move, moving far ahead of the rest.
This time, he carried a proper weapon—an elegant silver dagger he’d obtained from the Freedom Force. After acquiring it through his ability, he’d named it Silver, honoring both its composition and the craftsmanship behind it. It gleamed under the fading light, its edge honed and deadly.
He halted at a quiet section of the forest, far from prying eyes. Then, in a low, commanding voice, he called out:
In response, a burst of energy filled the air. One after another, his summons appeared—Evernight the Griffin, the White Tiger, the Fiery Lion, Iron Fang Hawk, and the flickering Fire Spirits. They emerged around him, forming a semi-circle like a royal guard answering their king’s call.
Only the Undead remained absent, their presence tied to the shadows of night. But once the sun dipped below the horizon, they would rise—and when they did, they would turn this quiet woodland into a battlefield.
Igaris looked at the griffin, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He wanted its wind abilities—mobility, agility, speed. That much was clear. But naming a beast was a gamble. You didn’t always receive something in return, and the bond wasn’t guaranteed to form.
Still, the creature watched him silently, its large scarlet eyes glowing with something between challenge and curiosity. As if it, too, was waiting.
Evernight stood off to the side, observing the moment with quiet interest. The other magical beasts simply watched, puzzled by the tension in the air.
Igaris exhaled slowly, then raised his voice just enough to be heard.
"From today," he said, "I name you... Quirky."
A radiant platinum glow enveloped the griffin instantly, and a notification flashed before Igaris’s eyes:
[ Congratulations! You have named your Subject ]
[ You have Acquired "Gale Wings" as a return.]
[Gale Wings: The user can generate powerful wind wings for pushing back enemies, clearing arrows, or launching themselves with blinding speed.]
Igaris blinked. He’d hoped for something more flexible, maybe full wind manipulation but Gale Wings wasn’t a bad deal.
He activated it on impulse.
A sudden blast of wind burst beneath him, launching him straight into the air. His body rocketed skyward in a controlled arc, rising nearly ten meters in seconds.
At the apex, the force waned. The winds faded from under his feet, and Igaris began to descend.
Gale Wings didn’t provide sustained flight—only temporary wings made of compressed wind, perfect for directional bursts and evasive movement.
He landed hard, knees bent to absorb the impact. Thanks to his enhanced body strength, he absorbed the shock without injury.
Rising to his feet, he gave a short exhale and looked at Quirky. The griffin gave a low screech, almost as if amused.
The moment the platinum light faded, a subtle ripple spread through the surroundings.
Quirky—the newly named griffin—gave a piercing screech as radiant winds coiled around its body. Its feathers shimmered with a fresh sheen, and a notification flashed again in Igaris’s mind:
[Quirky’s Rank has increased! ]
[ Species: Royal Griffin → Imperial Griffin ]
[ Power Rank: Champion -1 ]
[ Abilities: Wind Manipulation, Stone Body ]
From the side, Evernight stared with parted lips and wide eyes. For someone who always held an aloof, elegant poise, her current expression was almost... reverent.
She stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You’re almost like a God," she said, her crimson eyes fixed on him. "No... what are you?"
To her understanding, only the divine had the power to name beings and bestow blessings. Only the Gods gave something of themselves—and in return, received loyalty, faith, and offerings.
Yet Igaris, a human, had just done the same. He had named a griffin. Blessed it. And it had offered its gift in return. Like a devoted follower kneeling before a higher force.
Her gaze didn’t waver as she added, "That power... it breaks the laws I know."
Igaris didn’t reply at first. He looked at Quirky, now calmly standing beside him, wind subtly circling its talons. It bowed its Eagle head slightly toward him, the gesture more knightly than beastly.
"A god?" Igaris chuckled, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. "You think so highly of me, Vixen."
Evernight didn’t rise to the bait. She simply crossed her arms, watching him with a mix of wonder and wariness.
Turning from her, Igaris shifted his gaze toward the Iron Fang Hawk—a lean, sharp-eyed creature perched atop a jagged boulder, its talons digging into stone as it observed him silently. He still had the energy to name another. Might as well test the limits.
"Alright," he said. "Let’s give you the name Iron."
The moment the words left his mouth, a subtle pulse of energy spread outward.
[Congratulations! You have Successfully Named your Subject.]
[You have Acquired "Iron Fangs" as a return.]
[Iron Fangs: Grants the user the ability to transform their teeth into fangs.]
Igaris blinked again.
"...Teeth into fangs? Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. Not exactly the grand Metal Manipulation he’d once dreamed of.
Still, it was something. Even a useless gain was better than none.
Beside him, Evernight’s eyes remained fixed on him.
Her voice dropped again:
"No," she said, shaking her head slowly. "Even the Gods offer their names. But they choose who is worthy. They descend, bless, and take. But you..." Her voice narrowed. "You didn’t wait for worth. You just did it."
Igaris met her gaze, curious. "And that bothers you?"
She didn’t answer immediately. The wind picked up around them gently as if even nature itself had begun to listen.
"It frightens me," she finally admitted. "Because power like that doesn’t belong in mortal hands."
Igaris smiled faintly. "Good thing I’m not like most mortals, then."
"Now, enough chatter. It’s time to hunt some Dragons."