Awakening with two legendary Summons-Chapter 43: The summoner Without a Summon

A few days had passed, and now, it was finally the day before the hunt. The air around the academy buzzed with anticipation, tension, and silent questions. Every student had stocked up on essentials: food, clothing, and specially-formulated potions sold by experienced market vendors. Some potions were for relieving pain, others to heal minor wounds—but each one had been bought with the reality of survival in mind.

To make transporting their supplies easier, most students had invested in a Digital Storage Ring—a marvel of modern technology. These rings, crafted using advanced nanotech, could store multiple items by shrinking the physical mass into a condensed digital pocketspace.

Kairos didn’t fully understand how it all worked. The science was too complicated, far beyond his current grasp. But regardless, he had spent every last coin from his academy’s allowance to purchase one. Now, he was completely broke. He had also used what was left to finally buy himself some decent casual clothing—no more borrowing from Carlos or Darnell. He could at least look presentable now.

But that was yesterday.

Today, every student was required to attend general class lectures, where their homeroom teachers would brief them about the upcoming hunt. Kairos, Carlos, and Darnell sat close together in the crowded classroom, the air thick with murmurs and occasional laughter. Students roamed the aisles, pitching alliances and asking to join groups for the hunt.

Several had approached their trio, but Carlos had thankfully taken on the role of gatekeeper. He had firmly turned each one of them down, knowing that trust was more important than numbers. Having someone at your back wasn’t the same as watching your back. One slip, one betrayal, and it could be the end.

Kairos, meanwhile, remained distracted. His mind was far from the conversations around him. He was troubled—haunted by the memory of what his summon had done. It had killed another summon, and in doing so, had grown stronger. The thought twisted like a thorn in his gut.

What if it happened again?

What if it happened during the hunt?

There were so many questions left unanswered, so many uncertainties he still wanted to understand—but now, it was too late. The hunt was upon them. He would have to find answers along the way.

He leaned forward, lost in thought—until his gaze locked with someone sitting at the front of the classroom.

Kaela.

Her eyes shimmered like the surface of a clear lake. Beautiful and calm, they seemed to cut straight through him, as if she could see the very things he was trying to hide. It only lasted a second, but for Kairos, it felt like time had slowed. Then, she smiled—softly, knowingly—before turning back to face the front.

Kairos blinked.

"Fuck... what was that for?" he asked himself, feeling an odd heat rise to his cheeks. He stared at the back of her head, still reeling from the moment. She was so warm... serene. Like I saw a whole new side of her.

But that would have to wait. Sergeant Henry had just stepped into the classroom, and the murmuring students quickly returned to their seats.

"Good morning, students!" the Sergeant’s voice boomed with authority. "As you all know, tomorrow begins the Hunt. By now, you should have your Storage Rings and all survival essentials prepared."

He paced in front of the class, hands behind his back.

"It may be labeled a one-week hunt, but I warn you now—do not treat this lightly. Many have gotten lost during previous Hunts, separated from their groups, or worse... the base itself. In some rare cases, people remained lost for months before being rescued. Or never found at all."

He paused, his face tightening.

"I remember when we were battling a fleet of Nyxaris on an alien world... Our entire unit was separated by the portal malfunction. Each of us had to survive for months with barely any supplies. The first few weeks, we ran out of food completely. This Hunt is no different. Take it seriously."

His tone was grim, heavy with the weight of past trauma. Then, he grabbed a textbook, flipped a few pages absentmindedly, and shut it again. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Today, I’ll teach you about the Ranks of Beasts you might encounter—here and beyond this world."

"Beasts are mutated versions of animals. Some are evolved through unknown, often terrifying means. They can be more dangerous than Nyxaris in some cases. Understanding their ranks will help you decide whether to fight... or run."

He turned and faced the class.

"The ranks are as follows:"

"BASIC RANK – The weakest type. Easily killed, and their cores have the least value in the market or in weapon crafting."

"SAVAGE RANK – Still on the low end, but tougher."

"APEX RANK – Powerful. If you must fight one, never do so alone."

"ABYSSAL RANK – These beasts are lethal. If you encounter one, run. You will not win. Not at your current level."

"MONARCH RANK – Extremely rare. Encountering one is improbable. But if you do... you’re likely already doomed."

"PRIMORDIAL RANK – The pinnacle of beast evolution. If you ever see one... that will be the last thing you ever see."

A heavy silence fell across the class as Sergeant Henry stepped back and gave the students time to process the information.

"Any questions?" he asked.

For a while, no one raised their hand. Then, finally, a boy stood up.

"Sir, what Rank of Beast is comparable to the Nyxaris?"

Henry didn’t hesitate.

"A low-grade Nyxaris? Abyssal Rank."

Gasps and uneasy murmurs rippled through the room.

Another student asked how they’d be able to identify beast ranks. Sergeant Henry reassured them that they’d be equipped with the proper tools upon arrival at the Hunt’s base.

Meanwhile, Kairos took in the information carefully. He leaned into his thoughts and whispered in his mind:

System... do you think Shadow Wolf can get stronger if he consumes beast cores like he did with Mike’s summon?

A pause. Then a reply came.

[Your summon can grow stronger by feeding off Beast Cores.]

Kairos’ eyes widened.

What about the second summon? The one in the egg... Can I awaken it by feeding it cores too?

[Yes. However, be mindful—some cores are unstable. Feeding the wrong one may harm the summon instead of helping it.]

Kairos couldn’t help but grin.

Finally... a way to get stronger.

You’re talkative today, he noted.

[You asked valid questions. That’s why.]

As the Q&A dwindled down, one final hand shot up—Rayla.

Sergeant Henry visibly tensed.

Rayla had a reputation for asking bothering questions, and he sensed this would be no different.

"Why are the preparations for this Hunt so... intense?" she asked, folding her arms. "Is this Hunt happening here on Earth, or are we being sent off-world? Because if it’s Earth, all this preparation feels like overkill."

Gasps filled the room. Even Kairos blinked at her boldness.

Henry’s expression darkened. Just as he thought—trouble.

—Meanwhile—

Far from the classroom, in the Academy’s infirmary, deep past restricted zones and behind sealed doors, a secret chamber gleamed in sterile white light. Within it, a boy stood surrounded by two officials in full white garments. Monitors blinked. Machines hummed softly.

Silver stood at the edge of the room, watching.

The boy was told to place his hand on a tall, glowing crystal at the center—a familiar object.

The Awakening Pillar.

Again and again, he placed his hand, each time data being recorded, notes scribbled.

Finally, he stepped away.

One of the officials gestured for Silver.

She hurried over. "What’s wrong?"

A tablet was handed to her, glowing with the details of the test. She scanned it carefully.

But before she could read too far, the boy’s voice broke the silence.

"My summon... I can’t—" he choked.

Tears fell from his eyes as he looked at her with a hollowed-out gaze.

"I can’t feel my summon anymore. It’s gone..."

This boy was Mike.

And his summon was gone.

***Author’s note***

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