- 2 days ago
Category
🐳
AnimalsTranscript
00:00Battlefield in ruins. The ground trembles. Lava cracks open. After the war, I was the one who
00:06kept the frostwing alive. The frostwing shifts into a man. And the first thing he did was choose
00:11her. Serafina in his arms. They kiss. Serafina ss.my jr. The ground splits. Lava surges. She
00:19smiled at me. Thank you senior. For raising him. For me. He turns back into a beast. Lifting her
00:25onto his back. He didn't even look at me. He lowers his head. Lifts the heroin in his
00:30jaws. And somehow, I thought he'd save me. He lets go. I falls into lava. Ten years, just
00:37to raise someone else's mate. Eyes snap open. No. Bright hall. Crowd murmuring. Banners.
00:43Sigils. The binding royal. This place. The gray marsh binding right. My name is Rowan Ashford.
00:50Top of my class, the headmaster's ward, the academy's brightest prodigy. The frostwing
00:55was the center of the hall, perched on a golden stand. His blue-green feathers glinting like ice.
00:59The bird's cold eyes passed over me as if I were nothing. Then Serafina stepped forward. In her arms
01:04lay a half-dead black sea serpent. Tears trembled on her lashes. And the frostwing lowered his head
01:09to her. Just like that, I became the villain. Professor Hargrove frowned. Serafina, your arcane
01:15vessel is too weak. You can't handle a creature like that. Rowan, I was never trying to compete with
01:21you. I just... Then I'll take this one. Since the frostwing likes her so much, she can have him.
01:27Has Rowan lost her mind? I ignored them. In my last life...
01:33I ignored them. In my last life, I gave that bird everything. In the end, he made me die. So
01:39this time,
01:39Serafina, he's all yours. Good luck raising that greedy beast. Professor Hargrove couldn't talk me
01:45out of it. But he looked sick to his stomach. Handing a legendary pureblood frostwing. To a rookie
01:50transfer student with zero foundation? It was a criminal waste of potential. But the frostwing
01:55acted like he was drugged. Clinging to Serafina as if he couldn't live without her. Afraid to hurt the
02:00bird, the professor sighed and activated the rite. A soul bond is a leash. Once the contract is sealed,
02:06the familiar is bound to the caster's will. If it ever dares to harm its owner. The magical
02:11backlash is lethal. The ritual array flared to life. Runes pulsing with raw power. The sudden surge
02:17of magic terrified the sea serpent. With its last bit of strength. It quilled tightly around my wrist,
02:22desperate. As if afraid I'd change my mind and throw it back into the trash. In the opposite circle,
02:28Serafina basked in her moment of triumph. She looked at me and smirked.
02:32You and that snake really are a perfect match, Rowan. I didn't even have to open my mouth.
02:37My classmates did it for me. Watch your tongue, boss! If Rowan hadn't handed him to you on a silver
02:43platter, you wouldn't even be allowed to touch a frostwing's feather! If I were you, I'd be
02:49kneeling in gratitude. Seeing Serafina get picked on, the frostwing grew frantic, trying to shield her,
02:54but he failed. There was a problem. After a bond, a familiar shares its master's mana.
03:00And Serafina? She's a total amateur. What magic could she possibly give him?
03:05Get used to it, buddy. Life with a weakbinder is a long, slow crawl. I looked down at the
03:10little serpent on my wrist. Finally sure that I wouldn't abandon it. It went limp and passed out in
03:15peace.
03:18Back at my house, I started studying my new familiar. He was tiny, by the looks of it.
03:23He had just reached maturity, but he wasn't like any sea serpent I'd ever seen. His tail was flat with
03:29a sleek fin, more like a fish. Most likely, he's a hybrid. Part sea serpent, part siren. My yard had
03:36a natural magic spring. The second I put him in, the little guy came back to life. Splashing around
03:41and greedily absorbing the mana from the water. You've got some nerve. Aren't you worried I'll
03:46poison you just to trade up for something better? He froze, staring at me with his tiny, bead-like eyes.
03:53Then, he spat water right in my face. I gave his head a playful flick.
03:58Fine, just focus on healing. I raised a frost wing. One little snake won't be a problem.
04:05The next morning, I opened my eyes, and immediately froze. A man was in my bed.
04:11Sun-kissed skin, dark lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. I shrank into the corner.
04:16Who are you? This is Graymarf Academy, don't even think about trying anything. He sat up lazily.
04:28The sea serpent? Rude, I have a name. It's Ness.
04:36Apparently, he'd been on the run from something trouble. And somehow, he ran straight into my
04:41Uncle Percy. You know Percy, the man has a gift for picking up treasures off the street. Broken clocks,
04:46cursed rings. Apparently, dying snakes included. Nix had disguised himself as one, half dead,
04:51barely breathing, just to get help. And Percy? He brought him home like he just hit the jackpot.
04:56The problem is, Nix isn't just anything. He can already manifest. Which means his power is off the
05:02charts. And if he's this strong, then whatever's punching him? Yeah, monsters.
05:09Great. Just great. Tell me something. Your enemies aren't going to track you here, right?
05:15Nix stepped closer. His golden eyes locked onto mine, pinning me against the wall like I had nowhere
05:20else to go. He smiled. We're bound now, a contract. Excuse me? You're the owner, and I'm your guardian.
05:38Nix actually had some tricks up his sleeve. My magical essence was water-based. Which perfectly
05:44complements his nature. He taught me an ancient spell weaving from the sea clans. To draw magic
05:49directly from the water. The results were incredible. Even the headmaster noticed my rapid progress.
05:54My new daily routine was simple. I'd soak in the magic spring to train. While Nix watched over me
05:59from the branches of the cherry tree. Under the sunlight. His bronze skin gleamed. His collar
06:04hanging open to reveal sharp collarbones. With his eyes narrowed in a lazy nap. He looked dangerously
06:10beautiful. The man was a total heartbreaker. But before I could enjoy the view. Someone had to ruin the
06:16mood. Serafina poked her head through the gate. Rowan? I rose from the spring. Nix flipped down from the
06:22tree in one smooth motion. Casually draping my cloak over my shoulders. The moment Serafina saw him,
06:27she froze. What are you doing here? She didn't answer. She was too busy staring at Nix. Who...
06:34Who is he? I took Nix's hand and gave her a thin smile. You remember him? The pathetic little black
06:42serpent from the right? Didn't you say he and I were a perfect match? Annoyance flashed in her eyes.
06:48Out with it. What do you want? She hemmed and hawed. I want you to help me raise the frostwing.
06:56I felt Nix's grip on my hand tighten. I looked back, met his displeased gaze,
07:00and gave him a reassuring smile before turning back to her. If you can't afford him, figure it out
07:05yourself. I don't owe you a thing. What do you mean you don't owe me? Serafina snapped. Her victim act
07:10finally slipping. Six months ago, you took my serpent and shoved that frostwing onto me!
07:16You don't get to just walk away from this! The audacity was breathtaking. It had been six months,
07:21and she'd finally realized the academy's standard rations were a drop in the bucket for a pure blood
07:26beast. She'd spent all her own potions on him, and now her own arcane progress had stalled,
07:31while everyone else in her year had surpassed her. He is your responsibility! If a divine beast
07:36can't evolve, it's a loss for the whole academy! I didn't wait for her to finish. With a flick of
07:42my wrist,
07:42a surge of mana swept her off her feet, and sent her tumbling out the gate.
07:47Don't treat everyone like a fool, Serafina! I called out as the gate slammed shut.
07:52What kind of martyr? Spend ten years doing the heavy lifting just so you can reap the rewards.
07:57If you can't afford him, cut him loose and stop hogging the spotlight.
08:03In just a few months, I transcended the senior ranks and was ordained as an arcanist. Right around then,
08:08the headmaster spent two top-tier artifacts to trade for a rare spirit wolf from the alchemy guild.
08:13He sent Professor Whitmore and me to escort the beast back to the academy. When we arrived,
08:18she suddenly giggled. Little Rowan, your serpent certainly is a clingy one.
08:22I didn't catch her meaning until I headed up the mountain and saw a figure leaning against a tree by
08:27the path. Nyx? He didn't move. Then he grabbed me, fingers locking at the back of my neck,
08:33forcing me to look at him. Golden eyes burning. Rowan Ashford, have I not treated you well?
08:39His grip tightened. What are you talking about? That woman came by again today.
08:43She said you left me to her. Are you regretting our bond already? You're replacing me with another
08:48mate? Just because you've ascended. Nyx's pupils narrowed into thin lines. He bent down,
08:53burying his face in the crook of my neck, and gave the skin a slow, deliberate lick,
08:57then bared his fangs, his voice a low growl against my ear. The scent of a spirit wolf? Your new
09:02mate?
09:03Nyx, listen. No need. Once I devour it. A faint smile. You won't have a choice. You'll keep me.
09:16You hit me? Over her? That's the headmaster's spirit wolf, you idiot. It's an academy asset.
09:22Ness stopped throwing a fit and followed me like a loyal shadow. The dorm area was quiet. A few lower
09:26years told me Serafina had taken the frost wing to the back mountain. Turns out, they were having a
09:31lover spat.
09:34Wipe that look off your face! I've done nothing wrong! Do you know how many potions I've wasted on you?
09:39I have nothing left for my own training! I gave you everything and you're still not satisfied!
09:44You want me to risk my life outside the academy for materials? You're insane! If you want me dead,
09:50just say it! Rowan C. Reflin has already shift! And look at you! You can't even speak!
09:58Stop scratching words in the dirt! I'm done reading your pathetic notes!
10:04In my last life, I spent 10 years begging for a single glance from that bird. Now, he was literally
10:09scratching love letters in the mud, just to get Serafina to look at him. The irony was delicious.
10:15Serafina, I've been looking for you. The frost wing immediately scrambled to claw over the words
10:19on the ground. When Serafina saw me with Ness, her face went pale, then tight with forced calm.
10:23What do you want Rowan? I patted Ness's arm. He let out a low,
10:27amused chuckle, dropped to one knee, and let me sit on his leg, his hand steady and possessive on my
10:32waist.
10:32Serafina bit her lip, her eyes glued to Ness. She completely forgot about the bird beside her.
10:37I'm here to ask why you've been stalking my familiar. The frost wing's feathers flared
10:41in a jealous rage. Serafina panicked. No, you've got it all wrong. I was looking for you.
10:46She's lying, master. She told me you snatched me away from her. Claimed I was rightfully hers.
10:52Ness rested his chin on my shoulder, acting like a kicked puppy. I kissed his cheek a little pat as
10:57a reward, then looked at Serafina. Beside her, the frost wing's chest exploded. He was livid.
11:02Finally, Serafina realized what was happening.
11:05You're trying to drive a wedge between us! You started this game,
11:09Serafina. Don't cry when I'm the one who finishes it. If you touch my famil again,
11:14I'll see you at the tribunal. On the way back, I was in a great mood. Ness,
11:18however, was strangely quiet. As we entered the yard, he grabbed my arm.
11:21You know that bird, don't you? Well...
11:23We have a history. A miserable one. Want to hear it?
11:27No. I'm 10,000 times better than that trash bird. You're never bonding with anyone else, period.
11:32Don't worry. I'm a one-fenishing kind of mage. You gave me your loyalty? I'll give you my word.
11:4810 years vanished in a flash. I climbed the ranks, rising from a lowly neophyte to an elite arcanist.
11:54Then, the former head of the beast taming hall suddenly went on a trip, and the position fell into my
11:59lap.
12:05Professor Whitmore told me,
12:06We thought the Frostwing would raise Graymorrow's strength to a new level.
12:11But even now, there's no sign of him achieving his human form.
12:15The faculty even tried pooling resources to fuel his evolution.
12:19It's not enough.
12:20I cut in. Graymarsh was small. We didn't have the deep pockets of the top magic academies or the alchemy
12:25guild.
12:25Raising magical creatures took massive amounts of time and resources. There was never a surplus.
12:31But more importantly, the Frostwing couldn't be allowed to manifest.
12:34I remembered the bloodbath from my last life. I'd avoided that bird at all costs.
12:39But I knew his kind. A divine beast with a dark heart is a walking apocalypse.
12:43I'd thought about killing him. But every time I tried to warn Nyx or the headmaster about the future.
12:48It was as if an invisible wall blocked my voice. They couldn't hear a thing I said about my past
12:52life.
12:53I could only watch him. Suppress him. After all, in my last flight. I didn't survive past this year.
13:02I was so busy I barely had time for Nyx. So he went off to find his own fun.
13:07That evening, before I even reached my front door. The world spun.
13:11Nyx had slung me over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
13:23The show was Serafina and the Frostwing arguing. Well, more like a one-sided screaming match.
13:28A loudspeaker yelling at a mute.
13:30Don't you dare blame me! I didn't took her that stick, Greyman, did it?
13:36Right odd, you fundy of Playmart! I didn't force you to come to Greymart!
13:42You said it was a good place to hone your magic!
13:45If it weren't for you, I'd be at the Alchemy Guild by now!
13:49Instead, I'm stuck in this pathetic, broke academy!
13:57Do you think I knew the monthly rations would be this meager?
14:01Professor Hardhack tried to give you to Rowan, but you had to be arrogant!
14:06You feel as the... Now she's the Headmaster's golden child! She has everything!
14:13If you'd stayed with her, you'd have ascended ages ago!
14:16I clenched my fists! So that was it! I always wondered why the Frostwing chose Serafina!
14:21They'd known each other all along! In my last life! If I hadn't been the pool who bled for them!
14:26It would've been someone else! Greymarsh was never a home to them!
14:30It was a stepping stone! The more I fought, the colder my blood ran!
14:34There are only two ways to break the soul bond! The caster willingly severs it, or the caster dies!
14:43So I must die!
14:47The Frostwing was lurking outside my gate, glaring at Nyx as he soaked in the spring!
14:51Nyx was being his usual petty self, shifting into human form just to mock the bird!
14:55I didn't give the Frostwing a second glance!
14:57You're a familiar, aren't you?
15:00Why aren't you with Serafina while she trains?
15:02Nyx followed my lead, dripping wet and leaning against me!
15:06Yeah! My mistress actually cares about me, so she lets me rest!
15:11Why aren't you with yours?
15:12He's decades older than me, yet he says master like it's candy on his tongue!
15:16I walked into the yard and glanced at the spring! At least that girl's manipulative aura hadn't tainted
15:21my spring! Nyx pressed closer, his damp skin radiating heat!
15:25I just wanted that bird to know there's no vacancy in this house, or our relationship!
15:29And what relationship is that?
15:30His golden pupils shimmered with mischief!
15:32We are whatever you desire us to be, master!
15:35Something shifted behind us! I went to turn, but Nyx caught my face in his hands!
15:40Don't bother! The trash bird flew away!
15:42I need to know why he was here! That bird is rotten to the core!
15:46He's regretting his choices, obviously! He realizes he's stuck with a loser novice and wants back in your
15:51good graces!
15:52I looked at the empty gate! My gut told me it was more than that!
15:56In this life, I've gone out of my way to avoid him!
15:58If he wanted a new master, he could've asked the faculty!
16:01Unless, he's reborn too! The thought sent a chill down my spine!
16:04I teleported to the back mountain instantly! The seal was intact, thank god!
16:09But then I saw them! Blue-green feathers scattered near the array!
16:12He'd been here! He's too weak to break the seal now! But he knows it exists!
16:16Only a handful of people knew about the abyssal monster sealed here!
16:20My parents died protecting this place! And in my last life!
16:24I'd only ever shared that secret with one person! The Frostwing!
16:27Why was he here? He hasn't even manifested yet!
16:31There's no way he could survive letting the monsters out!
16:33I'll have to watch him like a hawk! This just got a lot more dangerous!
16:39Rumors started flying through the academy! Mostly about Seraphina!
16:43What annoyed me was that I got dragged into the crossfire!
16:45Anyone with eyes could see that Seraphina and her familiar had hit a wall!
16:50The Frostwing was a high-profile beast! And at first, Seraphina lived for the attention he brought
16:55her! Now, he refused to even enter her room and openly defied her commands! She'd already made a
17:00fool of herself on the training grounds more than once! The reason I was involved was simple!
17:04While the Frostwing rejected Seraphina, he started obsessively hovering around me! Every time I appeared,
17:10he'd follow me like a lost puppy! If looks could kill, Seraphina would've left me dead in a ditch a
17:15thousand times over! Little Roba! Doesn't that bird remind you of the kind of guy who dumps you,
17:20then realizes you were totally out of his lage and comes crawling back? He ignored you when you were
17:25beneath him and now he can't get enough! Nix was currently coiled around my neck in his serpent form!
17:30If I hadn't gripped him in time, the professor's unicorn would've been his lunch! The professor
17:35clutched her unicorn, saying how terrifying, though her eyes were twinkling with mischief!
17:40Since that girl can't afford to raise him anyway, why don't I talk to her? We'll find her a more
17:46suitable pet, and just transfer the Frostwing to you! Professor Dawn, the unicorn's human form,
17:51a cute little girl, finally had enough! She clamped her hands over Whitmore's mouth,
17:55looking miserable! Please, stop talking! I patted Nix to calm him down! I'll pass! I'd rather stay
18:02far away from the tribunal! Besides, Nix is all I need! Besides, Nix is all I need! Whitmore looked
18:09disappointed! But the bird clinging to you like this isn't a long-term solution! A familiar estranged
18:14from its partner is worthless to the Academy, he's just a drain on Seraphina! She hasn't progressed
18:19past the novice stage in 10 years! The faculty is discussing sending her and the bird down the
18:24mountain for field training! I knew exactly what the headmaster and the professors were doing!
18:28They were protecting me! They had also officially given up on the Frostwing! This was largely thanks
18:33to the terrifying combat power Nix displayed! The Leviathan clan is born for war! Together,
18:38he and I could even hold our own against high-level professors!
18:42When Seraphina heard the Academy wanted her to leave for field training, she burst into tears on the
18:47spot! Grey Marsh might not be rich, but it never mistreats its students! She'd finally found a place that
18:52offered protection! There was no way she was going back to a life on the road! She even managed to
18:56convince herself this was all my idea! In her head, I was trying to drive her out, just so I
19:00could claim
19:00the Frostwing for myself! In front of the professors, she wept like her world was ending, refusing to
19:05budge an inch! If Rowan wants the Frostwing, she'd only have to ask! She's an upperclassman, of course I'd
19:11say yes! But if she takes my bird, shouldn't she give me Nix in return? Trading a mutt serpent for
19:19a
19:19pureblood Frostwing? No matter how you look at it, she'd be getting the better end of the bargain!
19:24The headmaster shut her down instantly.
19:39All of this was relayed to me later, while they were dealing with Serafina's drama. I was at the
19:43Beast Taming Hall investigating a series of strange disappearances. Any magical creature that was
19:47unbonded, or too wild to tame was kept here. But yesterday, two Kelpies and a unicorn had vanished
19:52into thin air. The Warden looked ready to break down. I don't smell their filth here.
20:12The Beast Taming Hall is carved directly into the mountain. The rock itself is enchanted with heavy
20:16anti-magic wards. Teleportation and phasing spells are useless here. Only those carrying the Academy's
20:21sigil can pass through. To steal three large creatures without a sound, the thief had to be
20:24someone who knew Grey Marsh inside and out. I was still running through the list of suspects,
20:28when I heard the curator using a high-pitched baby voice to comfort a trembling pixie.
20:32Don't be scared. Big Brother Nikes only looks fierce. He won't eat you, I promise.
20:38That one sentence made everything click. Professor, do magical creatures ever kill their own kind?
20:45What a terrifying thing to say! These creatures are sentient! They would never-
20:51Oh, it's okay, pixie. It's okay. Humans kill their own kind. Magical creatures are no different.
20:57There's a type of forbib and sorry. Do you want to hear the details?
21:00Wild magical creatures don't have potions to rely on. They want to ascend. The ultimate shortcut is the
21:04Magitrain essence. Ten years ago, Nikes nearly died at the hands of one of those monsters.
21:10The higher the rank of the target, the swifter the dark wizard gains power. Once they get a taste for
21:14it,
21:14they never stop. That night, we set an ambush at the Beast Hang Hall.
21:20But the night passed in silence. Nothing happened. A student came running toward us.
21:26Rowan, something's happened! At the dorms! His face pale as a ghost.
21:33Nikes shifted into the serpent form.
21:38And carried me straight there. His pupils narrowed into sharp slits.
21:43I smell blood.
21:44We heard the gut-wrenching sobs. It was one of the first years I'd been coaching. He'd come to
21:48Graymorph with a tiny kitten familiar. Now he was cradling a blood-soaked clump of fur,
21:52wailing in a voice that broke my heart. You were right. It was a professional hit.
21:55Gutted for its core and killed in a single strike. It didn't even have time to scream.
21:58The kid only ran out after he felt the soul bond snap. But by then it was too late.
22:02My heart tightened with a cold fury. Instinctively, my eyes searched for the Frostwing.
22:08He was standing obediently beside Seraphina. My vision blurred with rage.
22:12Don't look. It was him.
22:15How can you be so sure?
22:17I know the stench of a dark wizard. That bird reeks of it.
22:21I reported everything to the Headmaster. He listened in grim silence, then finally looked up.
22:26We can't alert him yet. We need to catch him red-handed. Keep a close watch on him. Wait for
22:31his next move.
22:33But from that day on, the bird went silent. Not a single creature went missing for two long years.
22:39But Nex could still smell the stench of a dark sorcerer on that bird.
22:43Night fell, and I was meditating inside. Suddenly, a pair of blood-red eyes flashed past my window.
22:49A chill raced down my spine. I rushed outside into the silence. The moon was thin,
22:53The spring was calm. But where was nice? I ran to the water's edge. A single blue-green feather floated
22:59on the surface.
23:00It was an invitation. Find me, and maybe I'll give him back.
23:04I focused, sensing the bond. The back mountain. The seal. What the hell was that bird trying to do?
23:10The moment I teleported in, a violent shockwave of mana nearly knocked me off my feet.
23:15Nox and the Frostwing were locked in a vicious duel. I froze. When had the bird attained his human form?
23:20He stood there in robes of teal, dodging Nox's strikes with effortless grace.
23:25And beside the sealing array, sat Seraphina. She looked like a discarded marionette.
23:30I stepped closer, horror clawing at my throat. She was bleeding from every orasis.
23:34Her eyes wide with a lingering, frozen terror. Her abdomen had been gutted.
23:38Her magical essence ripped out and stolen.
23:41Nox! Get back here! Stay away from him!
23:43Nox faltered the second he heard my voice, taking a direct hit from the bird.
23:47He stumbled back, to me, clutching his shoulder, and looking at me with those damn puppy dog eyes.
23:54The Frostwing hissed in rage.
23:55You did that on purpose!
23:57Nex bared his fangs.
23:59On purpose? You're the one who's rotten to the core.
24:02Killing your own binder wasn't enough? You had to come after mine too?
24:05If I hadn't followed your trail, she'd be dead by now!
24:09So those red eyes at my window had been his. He ignored Nex and turned to me, his gaze burning.
24:13Rowan, you were reborn too, weren't you?
24:17I stared back at him, cold as the abbess. What do you really want?
24:21Let me guess.
24:23You came back on the day of the rite. That's why you rejected me.
24:27Tell me, Rowan. What gave you the nerve to choose that snake over me?
24:31His face twisted into something monstrous. Fine. If we can't have this life, we'll try the next!
24:37I'll break the seal, let the monsters out, and we can restart this whole nightmare together!
24:42But next time, I won't give that snake a chance!
24:47Save your fake devotion.
24:51The Frostwing smiled.
24:52Too late. I'm only one step away.
24:55His hand moved through his flaring behind his back.
24:57The mountain groaned. The abyssal monsters sensed the array loosening.
25:01The ground groaned and trembled under their growing agitation.
25:04At that moment, a massive bolt of lightning tore through the clouds, gathering right above the bird's head.
25:09Beams of light erupted from the peaks of Grey Marsh.
25:12As the academy's defense systems flared to life, the headmaster's voice cut through it.
25:18Hold the line! I'll reseal the breach!
25:23Lightning above. A tide of monsters below. And yet, the Frostwing showed no fear.
25:29Rowan, it's over. You can't stop it!
25:32Just come with me to the next life.
25:34I died here once. Same sky. Same beard. I couldn't breathe.
25:36I promise. This time, I'll give you everything.
25:40Then, a warm, heavy hand landed on my shoulder.
25:43Nick fled out of the earth. Sharp laugh.
25:44Taking her? Try.
25:47Nick stepped in behind me.
25:49Lifting it. Just slight. Like this.
25:54Steadying the wand, adjusting the angle. Focus.
25:57His voice dropped low. Steady. Don't fight it.
26:01The tremor in my hand slowed.
26:05Say it.
26:05The wand flickered. His grip tightened.
26:07I guess.
26:08And then, his voice dropped over mine.
26:12The wand flared. Light burst from the tip, blinding. Violent.
26:15A barrier surged outward, tearing through the air.
26:21The barrier held. His hand, still over mine. I didn't pull away.
26:26Then the ground cracked again. Something below slammed against the barrier.
26:30Harder this time. My grip tightened instinctively.
26:33No.
26:34His fingers pressed tighter over mine, guiding the wand forward.
26:37We're not done. The fight's just starting.
26:40Stay with me. Nick shifted into his massive serpent form.
26:43And launched his attack. I immediately wove my seals to cast a heavy shield over him.
26:48Every familiar has its own nature. And a mage must adapt to match.
26:52A leviathan is built for war. So the caster must master defense.
26:56A spirit fox is built for deception. Requiring mastery of illusions.
27:00A frost wing is built for speed. It needs a partner who can keep up.
27:04In my last life, my skills were wasted. I was a shield maiden trying to catch a bird that didn't
27:08want to be caught. But now, fighting alongside Nick's. I finally understood that a binder and
27:13their familiar, are more than just owner and servant. They are partners.
27:17Someone you can trust with your life. A traitorous beast who kills its own kin
27:22would never understand that. Nick's pressed forward with brutal efficiency.
27:26Hurting the frost wing directly into the strike zone. Divine lightning coiled in the sky like a
27:30massive silver dragon. Ready to descend. At first, the frost wing relied on his pure blood arrogance.
27:36Assuming a mutt like Nick's could never defeat him. But a hundred strikes later.
27:40His face went pale. Nick's was hitting every vital point with lethal precision. While the bird couldn't
27:45even put a dent in Nick's shield. He finally realized the truth. I wasn't going to die in
27:49a monster's jaws today like he'd planned. He completely snapped.
27:53No! This is wrong! You're supposed to die! We're supposed to die together!
27:58I stopped weaving my seals. Nick splashed back to my side in a heartbeat. Looking down at the bird with
28:03a mocking grin. The frost wing froze. Realizing he was standing alone in the center of the array.
28:08I raised my hand and pointed to the heavens. I gave him one last smile. See you never.
28:13A pillar of lightning, thick as a wall. Rored down and struck him dead center.
28:18He didn't even have time to scream before he was erased from existence. Just like that,
28:22he was nothing but ash in the wind.
28:26With the frost wing gone, the real nightmare began. The monsters in the back mountain were on
28:30another level. They couldn't be killed, only seal. Especially the abyssal dragon. The previous
28:36headmaster gave his soul to anchor the seal. And even then, he barely managed to cage her.
28:40She's been stewing in her own rage for a century. The second she breaks free. She'll level this academy
28:46to the ground. The current headmaster and the professors were working frantically. But the seal
28:50was cracking faster than they could repair it. The freezing chill of the abyss was already crawling
28:54under my skin. Nyx was leaning against a tree. Teasing me about his reward for the fight. When he
29:00suddenly froze. He stared into the heart of the forbidden forest. His eyes sharp and predatory.
29:05What is that? He asked. The abyssal dragon. I replied, my voice trembling. His face turned
29:11grave. Wait for me out here. I have to go in. I caught his hand before he could move. I'm
29:16going
29:16with you. He frowned. Rowan, it's a death trap in there. I know. I said, looking him dead in the
29:22eye.
29:22In my last life, I died right here. I watched the frost wing shield Seraphina and fly away,
29:28leaving me to be torn apart by the monsters. I tightened my grip on his hand. I'm not letting history
29:33repeat
29:34itself. I'm not leaving you.
29:38Nyx and I charged headlong into the shattered seal. The forbidden forest was a graveyard of toxic mist.
29:43Thousands of eyes tracked our every move from the shadows, hungry and cold. Nyx was no longer the
29:48little snake on my wrist. He had shifted into his true form. A massive, lethal serpent. The abyssal
29:54monsters had lost their minds to the darkness. But instinct still screamed at them to keep their
29:58distance from him. I clung to his back, whispering. What exactly are we looking for?
30:03His voice rumbled through his massive chest. The dragon.
30:07I nearly lost it. I followed him straight into the jaws of death without even asking for the itinerary.
30:13Then, he added softly. Rowan. I can smell my mother here.
30:17I'd always assumed he was just a hybrid. Part sea serpent, part siren. He never spoke of his past,
30:23and I never pushed. Now I knew the truth. He had sea serpent blood, yes. But his mother was a
30:28literal ancient dragon. No wonder he fights like a god. And sings like a dying toad. He told me his
30:35mother wasn't always a monster. Two centuries ago, a dark mage ripped the magical essence from his
30:40father's chest. Consumed by grief and vengeance. She lost herself to the darkness and fell into the abyss.
30:45I didn't have the words to comfort him. All I could do was lean forward and press a hand to
30:49his scales.
30:50But there was no time for heart to hearts. The monsters around us were starting to close in.
30:55Their patience wearing thin. Nick set me down, shifting back into human form.
30:59We stood back to back, a circle of two against the dark. Rowan. He said, his voice tight.
31:04If things go south, I'm going to throw you out of here. Don't look back. Just run.
31:09In that moment, the fear vanished. I looked at the horde and felt a strange calm.
31:13If the Frostwing was right, and I can just start my life after I die, maybe that wouldn't be so
31:19bad.
31:20I felt him stiffen. I leaned my head against his shoulder.
31:22But you told me, I can only ever have one family, Max. I took that seriously.
31:28If you don't want to watch me get eaten alive, then you'd better fight like hell to keep me standing.
31:35The abyssal monsters had been warped by the void for too long.
31:38They were barely recognizable anymore. Just walking piles of teeth and homicidal instinct.
31:43They swarmed us in a frenzy.
31:46Forcing us onto a desperate defense.
31:49Max batted away a spray of toxic venom.
31:52His voice thick with regret. This is on me. I let my heart get in the way.
31:58I just wanted to see her one last time. Suddenly, I went turdy.
32:02Max whipped around, his face pale with alarm, thinking I'd been hit. But then he saw it too.
32:09The monsters that had been clawing at us just seconds ago vanished in an instant.
32:13The silence was deafening. Through the shifting fog, two blood-red beacons ignited.
32:19She was a mountain of scales and rage. Every breath she exhaled tore through the
32:24fog like a hurricane. Beneath the scales, a woman's face. A horrific mask.
32:30The second she caught our scent, she lunged. Her massive jaws opened to swallow the world.
32:35I wanted to scream. To run. But my limbs were lead. In two lifetimes, I had never stood before a
32:43true
32:43god. This wasn't just fear. It was a primal dread etched into my very soul.
32:49But the killing blow never came. Nyx stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body.
32:54Mother! Stop! Don't hurt her!
32:58It's me! It's Ness!
33:01Ness! N-Ness!
33:03The crimson in her eyes flickered. Little Nine, end this. Kill me. The dragon exhaled her magical essence.
33:10A shimmering, pulsing orb of pure power. And motioned for Nyx to shatter it. He caught the crystal.
33:16Those hands, strong enough to crush mountains. Were now trembling, unable to break a single,
33:21fragile stone. He looked at his mother with pleading in his eyes. I... I can't.
33:27The dragon was fighting for every second of control. Her body jerking as the darkness tried
33:31to pull her back under dot. The core slipped from Nyx's shaking hands and floated toward me.
33:38Good child. You do it. I caught the crystal, my heart racing. The core's power slammed into me.
33:45A bolt of pure lightning. Raw energy began tearing through my veins like wildfire.
33:49A warm hand covered mine. I looked up and saw tears streaming down Nyx's face.
33:54The first time I had ever seen him cry. He looked at the dragon one last time.
33:58His grip on my hand tightening with resolve. Goodbye mother.
34:02With a sharp, crystalline crack. The core shattered in my palm. The dragon let out a long,
34:07final breath. At last. I can sleep.
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