Legend 20

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“Have a contract with Pirina?”

-Yes. When Ellen and I offered to repay our debt, Reina declined, stating that assisting a friend was an inherent obligation. However, I have always harbored reservations about it.

Pirina offered a faint smile.

-The source of Zerdingher’s power lies in the flame of the Phoenix. If you possess the qualities of a summoner, then there is no greater qualification than being a contractor of the Phoenix.

“But I never anticipated that the Phoenix would propose a contract directly.”

The proud Phoenix would never initiate a contract first.

-Of course, I am not suggesting that we make a contract right now. As you continue to develop as a summoner…

“Is it currently possible?”

-Hmm?

No matter how much Pirina desired a contract, it was unattainable with Leo’s current power.

However, Leo remained confident that he could achieve the contract.

After all, he was the one who had brought an end to the age of disaster and had controlled a powerful spirit in his past life.

‘I never entered into a contract with the Phoenix in my previous life.’

Even during his time as Kyle, he had aspired to contract with the Phoenix.

A contract with a powerful spirit, in and of itself, accelerates the growth of a summoner.

But Pirina appeared hesitant.

-I understand your determination, but you cannot contract with me at this moment. If you attempt it recklessly, you might risk your life.

Contracting with the Phoenix is an especially daunting challenge.

It’s something even Pirina cannot assist with.

“I comprehend. However, I am confident.”

‘He truly resembles Reina, unafraid to take on the impossible. But I cannot endanger her son.’

After pondering, Pirina came up with an idea.

-If you are so determined, I will permit the contract, but it will not be with me.

“Pardon me?”

Whoosh!

In front of Leo, a crimson flame danced.

As the flames dissipated, a gold-colored egg, the size of a fist, appeared, causing Leo’s eyes to widen.

“A Phoenix egg?”

-That egg will soon hatch into my offspring. Try to tame it.

Taming the yet-to-be-born Phoenix egg would naturally establish a contract.

Since it was still an egg, attempting a contract posed no danger.

However, the difficulty of taming equaled that of the top-tier spirits.

“A Phoenix egg. What a formidable test.”

Accepting the golden egg, Leo smiled.

‘For an ordinary individual, perhaps.’

Whoosh!

When Leo invoked his spirit energy, the Phoenix egg responded with a deep crimson flame.

Faced with the intense heat, Leo gritted his teeth.

‘Even if it is weak, the Phoenix’s flame is not something a young human boy can withstand.’

Pirina believed that Leo would soon give up.

But Leo proved her wrong. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

His consciousness began to drift.

When he reopened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by darkness.

It was a space where one is tested by top-tier spirits.

It was, in essence, a world of trials that assessed the worthiness of the contractor.

In the world of the unborn Phoenix, there was nothing but a burning crimson flame.

Without hesitation, Leo reached out.

Responding to his touch, the flames enveloped him and began to burn fiercely.

The Phoenix immolates itself to unleash potent flames, enduring unending agony throughout the process. Its ability to withstand this pain is what elevates it to the status of the mightiest spirit. The connection forged with this spirit is rooted in comprehension. To establish a bond with the Phoenix, one must grasp the depth of its suffering. This is precisely why entering into a contract with the Phoenix is an exceptionally daunting task.

“Ugh!”

Leo winced in pain, his facial expression contorting. Only unwavering determination could conquer this trial.

Pirina’s eyes widened in disbelief.

-Is he…?

Whoosh!

The intense flames were reabsorbed into the golden egg.

Crack!

A fracture appeared on the egg’s surface, leaving Pirina in stunned amazement.

-Did he succeed?

With all the flames drawn back, Leo slowly opened his eyes. For a fleeting moment, his red eyes gleamed a profound crimson.

Thud-

Exhausted, Leo slumped, taking deep, labored breaths. His entire body was drenched in sweat, but his face bore a self-assured grin.

“I’ve succeeded in establishing the contract.”

-Ahahaha!

Pirina burst into laughter.

-Incredible! Remarkable, Leo Plov! You’re a prodigy!

“Rather than being a prodigy… I suppose it’s more about effort.”

-If a summoner your age taming a Phoenix egg isn’t a prodigy, then who is? You possess the finest qualities of a summoner by birth!

As Pirina chuckled with genuine delight, Leo struggled to get to his feet.

‘What does a baby Phoenix even look like?’

Even during his previous life as Kyle, he had never encountered a fledgling Phoenix.

Crackle!

-It’s hatching, my child.

Fractures spread across the egg’s surface.

Snap!

Golden fragments scattered in all directions, resembling the shattering of a piece of glass art. Leo’s expression subtly shifted as he beheld the Phoenix emerging from the broken egg.

‘A chick?’

The newly born Phoenix bore a striking resemblance to a chick.

Whoosh!

Then, accompanied by a burst of flames, Pirina transformed into her human form and gently cradled her child in her hand, taking it from Leo.

-This child’s name is Fiora. Leo, despite your successful contract, she’s still very young. So, I’ll care for her for a while.

“Yes, but I need to show the spirit I’ve contracted with to the professor for the test.”

-In that case, you can keep her with you during that time.

With a warm smile, Pirina placed Fiora on Leo’s head.

Although she had just hatched, Fiora, true to her Phoenix nature, pecked at Leo’s head with her tiny beak a few times before settling down contentedly.

‘Is this truly a Phoenix? It looks more like a chick to me.’

However, when he gazed upon Pirina, who adoringly regarded Fiora, he refrained from voicing his thoughts.

Chirp!

‘Indeed, unmistakably a chick.’

***

Professor Yura retrieved a clock from her pocket, signaling that the allotted three hours were nearly at an end. Most of the students had already had their tamed spirits evaluated by Professor Yura, with some even successfully forming contracts.

‘Let’s see… only four students remaining?’

These remaining students were the ones Professor Yura had been eagerly anticipating.

Thump! Thump!

The ground suddenly shook, catching the students off guard. A massive blue bear emerged from the nearby bushes.

“Ah!”

“Kyaa!”

Terrified, the students screamed and scattered in all directions. Some recognized the blue bear and appeared horrified.

The blue bear approached Professor Yura and lowered itself. From its back, Chen Shia dismounted.

“Professor, there’s still time left, right?”

“Yes.”

‘Judging by her torn uniform, she went through quite an ordeal.’

“You claimed to only understand taming in theory, but you brought a juvenile Aqua Bear.”

“Should I call it taming… or just following me?”

Chen Shia awkwardly scratched her cheek. It wasn’t a perfect taming.

“If it’s following you to this extent, a bit more practice, and the taming will be complete.”

‘Maybe I should strongly encourage her to major in summoning studies.’

Even though it was a juvenile, taming an Aqua Bear was still an impressive achievement. It was regrettable that a top student like her wanted to major in knight studies instead of summoning.

While Professor Yura contemplated this, Chen Shia sent the Aqua Bear back into the forest.

Shortly after, Warden emerged from the bushes, a small crow perched on his shoulder.

“What kind of spirit is that?”

“For a top student, that’s a rather modest spirit.”

The students looked puzzled, but Vice Professor Carlo and the assistants were taken aback.

“Ho? Taming a Shadow Crow, especially when your major is spirit magic, is quite impressive.”

Professor Yura stood in front of Warden, admiring his achievement. Although the Aqua Bear was a mid-tier spirit, the Shadow Crow Warden had tamed was fully matured. Furthermore, taming a Shadow Crow was no easy task, and its difficulty level matched that of upper-tier spirits.

‘He truly possesses top-tier talent as a spirit summoner.’

“I couldn’t form a contract.”

“That’s more than sufficient.”

Simply taming a mid-tier spirit placed one among the top freshmen across all subjects.

‘Although Eliza will likely be the top in the spirit summoning subject.’

As if living up to that expectation, Eliza returned shortly after, appearing just as composed as she did at the beginning of the class. She approached Professor Yura, swinging her hair.

“Where’s your spirit?”

At Professor Yura’s inquiry, Eliza chuckled softly and opened her hand. A summoning circle materialized, revealing a gigantic snake.

Hiss! Hiss!

“Kyaa!”

“It’s a snake!”

As the colossal white snake, large enough to engulf a person whole, flicked its tongue, the female students panicked and scattered.

“Heavens… you’ve entered into a contract with a Gorgon Snake.”

“It’s a spirit not within our family lineage. I seized the opportunity to establish a contract.”

The Gorgon Snake.

It was a mid-tier spirit, and a exceedingly rare one at that.

‘Certainly fitting for the heir of the Hergin family.’

“Outstanding work, Eliza!”

“Thank you.”

Eliza gracefully lifted the hem of her uniform in acknowledgment of the praise.

‘Hehehe. This year’s harvest is quite abundant.’

Internally delighted, Professor Yura tilted her head.

‘But where is Leo Plov?’

Time was running out.

Once the allotted time elapsed, no matter which spirit they brought, it wouldn’t count.

Feeling thirsty, Professor Yura requested, “Could you fetch me some water?”

“Yes, Professor. Here you go.”

Opening the water bottle provided by Vice Professor Carlo, Professor Yura glanced at the time.

Just then, Leo emerged from the nearby bushes.

“Master Leo, welcome.”

Chen Shia greeted him with a smile and waved, then tilted her head.

Taming often involved physical exertion.

That’s why, except for Eliza, all the students had uniforms torn or dirtied.

However, Leo’s appearance was in a league of its own, far messier than the rest.

His uniform bore scorch marks in various places.

Judging by his condition, one might assume he had returned with an incredibly powerful spirit, but all that was visible was…

‘A chick?’

A small red bird chirped merrily on Leo’s head.

“Pfft! Did you just tame a chick?”

“Amazing! Our class representative tamed a chick!”

“Hey, hey, don’t laugh too loud; he’ll hear! Teehee!”

The students tried to stifle their laughter.

“I had high hopes for Leo after witnessing how he handled the Griffin earlier. This is rather disappointing.”

Carlo chuckled and turned toward Professor Yura.

“Pff-?! Choke! Cough! Cough!”

Upon hearing the comment, Professor Yura nearly choked on her water.

While Vice Professor Carlo appeared displeased, Professor Yura, having regained her composure, stared at Leo in astonishment.

‘Did this madman just tame a Phoenix?!’

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