Magus Reborn

The Lyre'pyron hovered in the air, the bird looked like it was made of mist and light. Its feathers sparkled, and the air around it seemed to ripple as if alive. The clearing was silent for a moment before gasps broke out among the elves.

"That's a rare spirit!"

"It's a miracle!"

Words were whispered in hushed tones around them.

Even Caelith, who had been so against Kai, stood frozen. He would normally throw a crude expression at Kai's way, but this time, his wide eyes showed shock and even a bit of respect. But Kai didn't focus on their reactions for long. The ritual wasn't done yet.

He turned to the young elf standing nearby and nudged him. "You need to form a contract now," he said.

The elf blinked, snapping out of his daze, and slowly stepped toward the hovering wind spirit. His hand stretched out, trembling slightly as he focused. Kai could tell the elf was trying to communicate with the spirit through his thoughts. He knew that was how it's done usually, Flossbor had explained it to him before.

The Lyre'pyron tilted its head, watching him closely. It seemed to study him, ignoring the rest of the elves. Finally, after a tense moment, the spirit leaned forward and touched the elf's fingers.

A wave of mana rippled through the clearing as a faint mark appeared around the elf's hand—a spirit sigil. It looked like a bracelet almost, but it sealed their contract. The elf stepped back, his face breaking into a wide smile as he held up his hand.

Flossbor stepped forward, his voice warm and proud. "With this, the first binding of the night is complete! Let's give a round of applause for our young one, Caladhron."

The announcement was the confirmation that everyone needed. The clearing erupted into cheers and applause.

Flossbor turned to Kai. "Would you be willing to call such rare spirits for the others as well?"

Kai nodded without hesitation. "I said I would, and I'll see it through."

Flossbor smiled and gestured for the next elf to step forward. A young girl approached, her hands clenched nervously. Kai looked at her and asked gently, "What kind of spirit are you hoping to summon?"

She hesitated and looked around. Kai's eyes traced and saw an extremely tall woman giving a warming smile and a nod at the little girl. The little girl in return gave a toothy grin and looked up at Kai.

"So?" Kai nudged her a little.

"Can you summon Terrak, the grade 2 earth spirit?"

He nodded, his mind quickly recalling the summoning circle for Terrak. He crouched down and began drawing convoluted patterns on the ground, carefully shaping the circle to call forth a Terrak. Once it was ready, he stepped back and began chanting.

The circle lit up with a deep green glow, and a huge spirit appeared—a turtle with a rough, rocky shell. The cracks in its shell glowed like lines of molten lava, giving it a powerful and ancient look. Its bright amber eyes studied the girl closely, as if testing her.

Kai glanced at the girl, who took a deep breath and stepped forward, her hand slowly reaching out toward the turtle. But the spirit didn't react right away. It stayed still, its gaze sharp and piercing. He recalled that unlike Lyre'pyron, Terraks had an aggressive and demanding nature, favouring battles.

The girl stood firm, her hand steady even as the spirit seemed to weigh her resolve. Kai could see the tension in her posture but also the determination in her eyes. She wasn't going to back down.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the turtle leaned forward. Its massive head moved closer, and its rough, glowing shell seemed to shimmer even brighter. When it touched her hand, a powerful wave of mana rippled through the clearing, sending a warm energy that everyone could feel. A glowing sigil formed around her wrist.

The turtle circled the girl, its movements slow but deliberate, watching her like it was making sure of something. Then, without a sound, the spirit disappeared into thin air, leaving only the glowing mark on her wrist. The sigil pulsed softly for a moment before fading, but Kai knew the bond was complete. The spirit was now part of her, ready to be summoned whenever she needed it.

The girl's face broke into a bright smile, her joy clear as she stepped back from the circle. Her bond with the spirit was sealed, and the pride in her eyes was impossible to miss.

The crowd cheered again, and Kai couldn't help but smile. Two bindings down—many more to go.

As the night deepened and the glowing summoning circles illuminated the forest clearing, the air grew heavier with respect and curiosity. One by one, as Kai crafted perfect summoning circles and called forth rare spirits, the eyes of the elves began to change. At first, they regarded him as an unfamiliar human outsider, but now their gazes held something else—respect, intrigue, and even awe. Whispers of a new title drifted through the gathering: Spirit Seer.

He heard more than a few people calling him that after each successful binding.

Kai had no idea what that meant, but he didn't stop. His focus remained on the circles and the spirits, pouring his energy into each chant.

The young elves approached him with requests for specific types of spirits. Wind and earth spirits were the most common, and he summoned them with relative ease. Mithyxs, Gale Whisker; Aerendyl, the Dancing Lythyp, Terrak, Stoneback Titan; Lythron, the Rooth Watcher. Occasionally, the demands were more unusual—a request for lightning or water spirits, such as Stormflash, the Azure Bolt and Mirenelle.

Each summon brought its own challenges. Not all spirits were willing to form bonds with their summoners, and Kai often found himself chanting again to call another spirit. Some elves left the summoning circles with disappointment clearly written on their faces, but even then, the persistence of Kai and their fellow rite takers ensured that none of these kids were left empty-handed.

Halfway through the summonings, the last of the hostile gazes have changed. Even Caelith who hadn't had a single positive thing to say about him ever since Kai set foot in Sylvastra seemed to soften. Though his lips remained sealed and tight, the hostility in his gaze had dulled to neutrality. It wasn't much, but it was a step forward.

By the time Kai had worked through most of the gathered elves, the clearing felt alive with energy, buzzing with new bonds and strengthened connections. The once-nervous young elves now stood taller, their spirit sigils glowing faintly as they talked to their family.

Finally, Flossbor called for the last participant, and Kai turned to see Claire stepping forward. She had been watching from the sidelines all evening, observing and familiarizing herself with the process. Now, as she walked toward the centre, murmurs rippled through the gathered elves.

"A human?"

"This rite has always been for elves."

"Can a human even bond with a spirit?"

Claire's expression tightened as she heard the whispers, but her steps remained steady. She reached the summoning circle and stood tall, locking eyes with Kai.

Flossbor raised a hand, hushing everyone in the process. "Tonight's Rite of Binding is unlike any other. Thanks to the Fatebreaker, we have witnessed spirits rarely seen by our kind. Now, we shall witness the birth of something equally unique—a human Spirit Trainer. Let this moment mark the beginning of a new path, not just for Claire, but for all of us."

The murmurs quieted, though some sceptical glances lingered. Claire glanced back at Kai, who gave her a small nod.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his tone softer than before.

She nodded. "Yes, Lord Arzan. I'm ready."

A few elves erupted in cheers as Claire inhaled deeply. Kai studied her for a moment before speaking.

"Unlike the elves, Claire, I can't rely on a single affinity to guide the summoning. Since we don't know which element resonates with you, I'll need to create a universal calling circle. This circle will connect to multiple planes, and any spirit that hears and answers your call will come forward. You'll have the chance to form a contract with it."

She nodded firmly. "I'm ready, Lord Arzan."

Kai crouched, his fingers brushing the ground as he began inscribing the circle. He used a fine white powder and carefully started drawing patterns and lines into the earth. The circle expanded outward, its design layered with overlapping symbols for wind, lightning, earth, water, fire, and more. At the centre, he added a convergence sigil, ensuring the summoning could draw from any plane.

As he worked, he explained softly, "Each line here represents a connection to a different plane. The intersections guide the spirit, while the sigil at the center acts as a beacon. When it's complete, the circle will call out to every elemental plane simultaneously. The spirit that resonates with your soul will answer."

Finally, Kai stepped back, brushing the dust off his hands. He turned to Claire and pulled a small knife from his belt.

"When I tell you, drop a single drop of blood into the center. Your essence will serve as the catalyst, anchoring the spirit to you if it chooses to bond."

Claire hesitated briefly, her fingers tightening around the knife as Kai began the chant. His voice was steady and rhythmic, the ancient words flowing like a river through the clearing. The circle responded, faint lines beginning to glow as the summoning took hold.

"Now," Kai said and looked at Claire.

She pricked her thumb, letting a drop of blood fall onto the centre of the circle. The glow intensified, the lines simmering as though absorbing her essence.

For a moment, nothing happened. The clearing was silent except for the hum of the circle's energy. Claire glanced at Kai. Her eyebrows knitted together as she hesitantly asked, "Did it fail?"

Kai shook his head, his gaze fixed on the circle. "It takes time. A being has to hear the call and decide to answer."

As if on cue, the circle pulsed with power, a low hum growing into a resonating thrum that seemed to shake the air itself. The gathered elves gasped, and Kai's initial smile faltered as the energy surged far beyond what he had anticipated.

"This... isn't normal," he murmured under his breath.

The elders noticed too. Their warnings were drowned out by the rising storm of lightning and wind that began to swirl above the circle. Claire instinctively stepped back as the storm condensed, spiralling downward with a quiet intensity.

From the eye of the storm emerged a figure. Kai squinted his eyes to take a better look—as the mist from the summoning circle still covered their vision. Finally, he could clearly see the figure—a majestic deer. The stormy clouds wreathed around its body and rolled with every movement as it shook its body. Its horns were long and sharp with wind gathered around them like two small tornados. Across its stormy pelt, lightning danced and it's piercing eyes glimmered with intelligence.

Claire stared in wonder, her breath catching in her throat. The spirit gazed down at her, its eyes studying her intently as though measuring her worth.

Kai heard Elder V'aleirith whisper in awe, "That's a Grade 3 spirit... and not just any spirit, but a Storm Sovereign. Intelligent, powerful, and willful."

As if to prove its dominance, the spirit's piercing gaze locked onto Claire, its storm-filled eyes glowing with an almost tangible intensity. A deep, gravelly voice filled the clearing, seeming to echo from the storm itself.

"Who dares call upon us?" the spirit demanded, its tone dripping with haughtiness. "Foolish mortals, do you not understand the weight of your actions? To summon one such as I—unworthy as you are—you invite wrath upon yourself!"

The air grew heavier with each word, crackling with electric tension. Without warning, a bolt of lightning arced from the spirit, striking the ground mere inches from where Claire stood.

***

Tharnok's hammer came down once more, igniting sparks in its wake. The strike reverberated like a heartbeat within the stone wall. Just like the one before had, and the one before. The glow of the molten steel before him made his eyebrows sweat. But he continued. He swung his hammer again, his broad arms moving in practiced arcs, the rhythm almost hypnotic.

He narrowed his eyes, focusing intently on the glowing blade taking shape beneath his hands. His lips moved silently, muttering age-old chants that infused the very air with a palpable hum of magic. He turned the blade slightly, inspecting the intricate etchings along its surface, ensuring that each strike of the hammer and stroke of the chisel served its purpose.

The forge, nestled deep within the earth, pulsed with the power of the molten veins running beneath it, an ancient lifeblood fueling the fires. Tharnok's tools gleamed in the fiery glow—hammers, chisels, and tongs of unmatched craftsmanship.

He struck the blade again, sparks flying like tiny stars across the cave. "Closer," he murmured to himself, his voice raspy from the heavy work. "Closer to perfection—"

He paused, holding the blade aloft. The glow of the steel dimmed slightly as he turned it, his experienced eyes scrutinizing every detail. He reached for a small vial on his workbench, the contents swirling with a silvery, glitter. Carefully, he poured a single drop onto the blade. The liquid sizzled on contact, sinking into the metal as if devoured by a hungry spirit. The entire blade seemed to pulse in response, its glow intensifying.

The dwarf allowed himself a rare smile, his teeth flashing through his bushy beard. "You'll be my masterpiece," he whispered to the blade, as if the blade could hear it.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the cave, carrying the light but fast footsteps. Tharnok froze, his sharp ears catching the sound. He straightened, gripping the hilt of the blade firmly.

He scowled, his voice low and steady. "Who dare' disturb my forge?"

He kept the weapon away as an irritated voice echoed through the cave.

"Oi, hammer-brain! Quit smashing rocks for a second!"

The dwarf spun around, his scowl deepening as he spotted his wife standing at the entrance, her hands on her hips and the usual unimpressed look on her face.

"What do ya want, woman?" he grunted, gripping his hammer like it was a shield against her presence. "I'll smash your head with Hammy if you keep distractin' me!"

She rolled her eyes. "Stop givin' your hammer stupid names, you stinky bastard. You've got a letter. Read it. Then, I dunno, maybe go dunk your head in the forge flames for good measure."

She jabbed a thumb toward the workbench, where a sealed envelope lay conspicuously next to a steaming pie. "Also, I made ya food. Eat it, or I'll smash your head in your sleep. Your choice."

With that, she spun on her heel and strode out, muttering something about Tharnok and his lack of appreciation for good cooking.

Tharnok grumbled under his breath, setting his hammer down with a thunk. "Always naggin'. Doesn't know genius when she sees it," he muttered, stomping over to the workbench. He snatched up the pie first, taking a hefty bite. His scowl softened briefly at the taste before he grabbed the letter and tore it open with stubby fingers.

As he read, his chewing slowed. His eyes widened slightly, scanning the page again to make sure he wasn't imagining things. "That damn brute Balen finally remembered me, did he?" he muttered. "What's this? Took a job in a county? Bah! He really became a human's slave. A bull's a bull, no matter how ya dress 'em up."

His amusement quickly faded as his gaze landed on the diagrams sketched on the parchment. Detailed, complete, and unlike anything he'd seen in years. He stopped mid-bite, the pie forgotten on the workbench. His hands shook slightly as he read through the letter again, carefully tracing the diagrams with a thick finger.

Tharnok's gaze flicked to the blade resting on his anvil, then back to the letter. His expression hardened, a rare gleam of excitement sparking in his eyes. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

He stormed into the adjacent room, where his wife was cleaning up. She looked up, arching an eyebrow. "Why haven't you finished the pie yet? It's not gonna eat itself."

"Shut yer trap, woman," Tharnok snapped, holding up the letter. "Pack my bag."

Her brow furrowed. "Pack your bag? For what? Where're ya off to now?"

Tharnok glanced at the letter again, then met her gaze with a grin that was equal parts determination and madness. "A place called Veralt. Somethin' interestin' just came up."

His wife snorted, shaking her head. "Fine. But if you're leavin', at least take the rest of the pie with ya. Might as well die with a full stomach if ya get 'self killed."

Tharnok just chuckled, already moving to gather his tools. "Don't worry, woman. If I'm right, I won't be the one dyin'."

***

A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.