"Not every monster comes from a summoning circle. Some walk in willingly."
The next class was one of the most prestigious courses at the Divine Academy—Summoning Class. Each student was to call forth their bonded creature using the sacred contract circle.
Jiwoon watched from the back, arms crossed.
Most students were excited.
Some anxious.
And a few—like Vera Aclaine—glanced toward him, wondering what kind of entity a person like him could summon… if he could summon anything at all.
Summoning Begins
The professor, an older woman with silver tattoos glowing faintly, clapped her hands.
"Today is the day you demonstrate your compatibility. Each of you will step forward, draw your summoning glyph, and call upon your bonded beast. Divine Marks will guide your success."
Students began stepping forward one by one.
A boy summoned a flame leopard.
A girl called a crystal-winged owl.
Another drew forth a bronze-scaled warhound.
Applause followed each success.
Then it was Jiwoon's turn.
The Room Changes
He walked toward the summoning circle, calm as always.
But the moment he stepped in…
The torches in the room flickered.
The lights dimmed—then died.
And the floor under Jiwoon's feet cracked slightly, not from pressure—but recognition.
The professor narrowed her eyes.
"This summoning circle… it's shifting on its own. That shouldn't be possible."
Jiwoon didn't draw a circle.
He simply placed one hand on the floor.
Black glyphs bloomed like blooming thorns from his palm, spiraling outward in a perfect yet alien formation.
Summoning: The Abyssal Qirin
A dark roar echoed through the room.
A shadow formed—a beast without shadow, its hooves burning with silent fire, eyes like collapsing stars.
Its body was serpentine and elegant, shaped like a divine qilin, but its aura was ancient and terrifying.
[Summoned: Abyssal Qirin – Herald of Forgotten Sins]
[Affiliation: Jiwoon – Master of the Sinbound Path]
[Special Trait: Can travel through shadows and past sins. Devours guilt. Gatekeeper of the City of Sin.]
Every student collapsed to their knees.
Even Vera fell backward, eyes wide in awe.
The professor clutched her chest, barely breathing.
"You… summoned a creature that predates the Divine Marks… That's no spirit. That's a relic of a forgotten system."
Jiwoon's Words
Jiwoon calmly walked up to the Qirin and placed his hand on its head.
The beast nuzzled him like a loyal guardian.
"I didn't summon it," Jiwoon said softly. "It returned to me."
System Log (Hidden)
[Sinbound Creature Verified: Abyssal Qirin]
[Note: Former mount of the Black Dragon Emperor. Legendary bond reactivated.]
[Alert: Dimensional anomalies converging near summoner. Suppression advised.]
[Status: Jiwoon is no longer bound by local dimensional protocols.]