The next day, the Novice Summoners were gathered once again in the training grounds.
Each of them was handed a Summoner's Art tailored to the beast they were meant to contract.
Titles like Thunder Hawk Spiritual Rite, Twilight Wolf Spiritual Rite, Manual for Hydras, and Earth Golem Contract passed through many excited hands.
The group brimmed with enthusiasm, everyone holding their Arts like prized treasures.
Everyone—except three.
Osama, Nagi, and Barefoot glanced around, confused. Igor was nowhere to be seen.
Unable to hold back, Osama stepped forward and asked, "Instructor, why isn't Igor here with us?"
Marina paused. Her usual stern expression softened a bit as she replied, "Ah, yes… there was a miscalculation during evaluation. Igaris isn't a Novice. He's already at the Apprentice level. As of today, he's been promoted to a Core Member of the Freedom Force."
The announcement hit like a shockwave.
"Whoa!"
"He's already an Apprentice Summoner?!"
