Descend chapter 3

A OLD FRIEND

Shyne and the rest of his class followed their department's dean to the West Garden. Before them, to the east, loomed a forest so dense that the light struggled to pierce more than a few meters past its edge.

Dean Shaman turned to face this year's cohort of fifty students. "Ahem. Listen up, class," he announced, his voice carrying over their quiet chatter. "I have a few things to tell you before we invite our magical companions."

The students fell silent, their attention fixed on the dean.

"Your class designation is 4601," he continued, "and the knight class will be 4602. Now, I need all of you to step back. Some magical creatures are aggressive towards anyone they don't feel a link with. I will call you forward one by one. When you stand beside me, I will cast a spell. This spell will create a zone of silence; to any creature within a kilometer, only you will exist. They will not see or sense me, or your classmates. If a beast feels a connection, it will show itself. You will then place your hand on its head to form a contract."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the nervous faces. "Do not worry. If an aggressive creature appears and tries to harm you, I will protect you. Also, after the contract is formed, we will assess your companion. If it possesses immense power or a nature that could harm others, we will perform a binding seal. This will suppress its more dangerous abilities, preventing accidental harm. Only you, the contractor, will be able to release its full power, and only with express permission from the faculty.
Understood?"

Everyone nodded, taking a large step back as instructed.

"First up," Shaman called out, "the class leader, Curolion."

As Curolion stepped forward, the dean lifted his wand and chanted, "Memorial Silentus."

Curolion felt the world go deafeningly quiet. For a second, he thought he'd lost his hearing, as even the vibrant mana signatures of his classmates and the powerful, sage-like aura of the dean had vanished completely. A mischievous smile touched his lips. So, this is the power of an Archmage, he thought. How amusing.

Watching from behind the barrier, Shyne’s expression was unreadable. What kind of creature will he get? He’s the most talented in our class, with an incredible mana level. My own was 355 when I started. Officially, my mana is listed at 246 because of the suppression seals. If I released my true power, everyone here besides Curolion and the dean would fall unconscious. Even Curolion would struggle. A mana level of 3579 is no laughing matter.
A few seconds later, Shyne sensed a dangerous wave of mana. He focused on the forest in front of Curolion.
A tiny mouse had emerged from the shadows. Curolion was smiling at it. "So, you're the one I was looking for. I've heard many stories about you, Master of Secrets."

The mouse suddenly went limp and collapsed, its form dissolving like smoke. In its place rose a mysterious, divine monster. It was draped in a black cloak that hid its face and body, but from its back and lower torso, writhing dark green tentacles emerged. It was easily twice the size of a man. The creature approached Curolion and bowed its head. Curolion placed his palm upon its hidden brow.

"Let's show this world a true spectacle," he whispered.
A golden light flashed between his hand and the creature's head. A complex symbol, like a coiled dragon intertwined with tentacles, burned itself onto the back of Curolion’s palm.

A wave of terrifying pressure washed over the students. A collective gasp echoed as many stumbled backward, their faces pale with shock.
The Archmage’s and Shyne’s expressions had both turned serious.
Wait, Shyne thought, his eyes wide. He made a contract with the Master of Secrets? That's a mythical 'S' grade creature. There are only three left in the world—one here, and two deep in the Amazon. It’s said they hold the authority to control minds and turn people into living puppets.

Shaman lowered the barrier and approached Curolion, his eyes fixed on the imposing creature. "You actually summoned a mythical 'S' grade beast," he said, a note of awe in his voice. "And the Master of Secrets, no less. You truly are a prodigy. However, as you know, he is not a friendly creature. We must perform the sealing ritual."

Curolion nodded and followed another mage toward the sealing chamber.
One by one, the other students took their turn. Some acquired a mischievous magic monkey, another a flying gator, and one even partnered with a talking crow wearing a bowtie. The strongest among them was a 'B' grade creature, and a few students, dishearteningly, were not chosen at all.
Finally, Shaman called out, "Shyne Eggers, come forward."

Shyne stepped into the circle where Curolion had stood, and the dean raised the barrier once more. Shyne waited. A second stretched into ten. Nothing. He was beginning to think no creature would choose him when the air suddenly chilled.

A woman materialized before him. She had a pale face and a translucent, faintly glowing yellow body.
"You left me alone," she said, her voice flat and cold.
Shyne was stunned. "What the hell are you doing here, Maya?" he whispered fiercely. "I told you that you were free to go wherever you liked after my death. Why did you come back?"

"I was bored," the ghost replied tonelessly.

"Fine," Shyne sighed. "Just stay quiet and don't let them know we know each other, alright?"

"Okay," Maya said coldly.

The crowd of students murmured in astonishment, staring at the strange, human-like creature.

Dean Shaman’s expression was grim. He knew exactly who Maya was. He lowered the barrier and walked toward Shyne. "Well, it looks like our class leader has some competition. But your mana power was recorded at only 246. How did you attract this… spectral lady?"
"Just lucky, I guess," Shyne said with a shrug.

"I was bored in the forest, so I thought I’d join someone," Maya added, her voice devoid of emotion.

"Is that so," the dean said, his tone unreadable. "Shyne, since you seem to be unaware of who your new partner is, allow me to introduce you. This is the spirit of an Archmage who lived 700 years ago. She was cursed, preventing her soul from finding eternal rest, so she wanders the world alone. The only person she ever formed a contract with was the Arcane Knight, Merlin Cristic, fighting alongside him in all his battles. Ten days before Sir Merlin’s death, he sent her on a mission to the Indian subcontinent. During that time, he was killed by black magic. She became a partnerless familiar once more and has not made contact with the academy since."

He looked from Maya to Shyne. "She will tell you about her powers herself, but I can tell you her last recorded mana level was 1234. She does not require a seal; she has been cooperative and has helped us many times in the past. We trust her."

Shyne threw his hands up in mock despair. "Yeah, yeah, I know her whole story! I accidentally opened a cave where she was sleeping, and ever since, she’s been glued to me. Never leaves me in peace. She even enters the bathroom while I'm bathing without knocking! She's so annoying. I was hoping I’d get some low-level creature to maintain a low profile, but she just had to come back. What luck I have."
With a final grumble, he went to stand with the other students until the ceremony was complete, then headed back to his hostel room.

He collapsed onto his bed and closed his eyes. A moment later, he felt the unnerving sensation of being watched. He opened his eyes to see Maya floating beside his bed, staring at him without blinking.

"For crying out loud, Maya!" he hissed.
"Can't a man even sleep in peace?"

"You may," she replied in that same cold tone. "I did not make a single sound."

Shyne sat up, rubbing his temples. "Watching people while they sleep is also disturbing. Especially with those button eyes of yours… they're terrifying." He sighed in resignation.

"Well, my sleep is ruined now. We should discuss some important matters to talk."