Descend chapter 4

ANGEL OF RAIN AND MIGHTY FIRE

"Well, my sleep is ruined now," he sighed in resignation. "We need to talk."

Maya simply nodded.

East Garden, Horgon's University

Meanwhile, in the East Garden, Sharon followed Dean Shillion along with the rest of the knight class.

When they arrived, Dean Shillion gave them a similar set of instructions to the ones Dean Shaman had given the mages, but his were delivered with a blunter edge. "All of you, step back! The beasts here are unpredictable—they will attack if provoked. I'll be standing with you. If something truly dangerous appears, I'll release my aura to scare it off. But as for your own contracts? You are warriors. You are expected to handle your own partners. At the very least," he added with a grim smirk, "I won't let you die here."

A murmur of surprise and apprehension went through the crowd. Their dean was far more direct—and brutal—than they had expected.

He took his position beside the students and began calling them forward in a random order.

"Next! Sharon Rously, forward!"

Nervously, Sharon stepped up to the edge of the forest. Her heart pounded in her chest, but after only a few seconds, a magnificent white peacock emerged from the trees. It met her gaze, and an immediate sense of profound calm and joy washed over her.

The peacock spread its fantail of immaculate white feathers and began a slow, mesmerizing dance. A wave of tranquility and restorative energy radiated from it, calming the anxious students. Even Biles, who had been looking away with a cold and detached air, felt a strange stirring in his chest. A single tear threatened to fall, but he blinked it back with force.

Feeling a deep connection, Sharon reached out and gently touched the peacock's head. A soft, white light enveloped them both, and an elegant symbol bloomed on the back of her hand. The peacock then dissolved into motes of light that swirled around her, coalescing into a beautiful, feathery white breastplate over her existing armor. A pair of matching wings sprouted from her back, making her look like an angel of healing descended from the heavens.

Dean Shillion looked surprised, though a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. "A good catch," he admitted. "That is the Angel of Rain, an 'A' grade mythical creature that rarely forms bonds. However, it has almost zero offensive capability. You'll be fine in class, I suppose. A lady knight is best suited for a support role anyway. The others can protect you while you heal them from the back lines."

The divine light around Sharon seemed to dim. Her angelic features fell as the dean's words struck home. Lacking the raw physical strength of the other knights, she had hoped for a companion that would grant her offensive power. Now, that path seemed closed to her.
She retreated to her spot, and more students took their turn, though none contracted a beast above a 'B' grade.
Then came Biles.

He strode to the forest's edge, drew his massive sword, and swung it with ferocious force. A visible wave of energy tore from the blade, carving a massive swathe deep into the woods. Trees splintered, and the cries of unseen magical beasts were abruptly cut short.

Sharon and her classmates stared in stunned silence. What kind of monster is he? she thought, horrified.
He destroyed a huge part of the forest with a single swing! Did he go mad? He must have killed dozens of creatures... how is he supposed to find a companion now?
A furious roar erupted from the ravaged section of the forest, followed by a gale-force wind that knocked several students off their feet. A colossal crimson dragon, its scales crisscrossed with ancient scars, burst from the canopy.
It hovered above the destruction, breathing a torrent of fire that incinerated the splintered trees. In a voice that rumbled like an earthquake, it bellowed, "WHO DARED DISTURB MY SLUMBER?"

Shillion's face went pale, and he prepared to defend his students, but Biles's voice cut through the chaos, cold and imperious. "I, the Prince of Vinland, command you to serve me."

The dragon fixed its molten gaze on him. "Such arrogance from a human whelp," it hissed, smoke curling from its nostrils. "Serve you? I have killed three thousand of your kind. I could roast you where you stand."

Unfazed, Biles reached into his pocket and produced a small, ornate box. He opened it, revealing a ruby that burned with the intensity of a miniature volcano. "I have what you want," he said calmly.

Sharon gasped. It's an elemental ruby! The books say that if a creature of the same element consumes one, its power will increase significantly!

The dragon fell silent, its eyes locked on the ruby with raw, undisguised greed. "I could simply kill you and take it," it rumbled.

Biles snapped the box shut. "This is an 'S' grade seal box. It can only be opened by the will of the one who marked it with his blood, or by the power of a god. And I doubt the gods are very fond of you. Your only chance of getting this is to make a contract with me. Once you do, the ruby is yours. It will increase your power level by 500. My human life is a blink of an eye compared to yours. After I die or accomplish my goals, you will be free."

The dragon was silent for a long moment, analyzing the situation. Finally, it let out a low chuckle. "A clever child. You leave me little choice. A significant power boost for a few decades of service... I am at no great loss. But I have one condition: I am the master of my own will. You will not order me around for petty matters."

Biles nodded in agreement.
The dragon landed with a ground-shaking thud. "Then know that you have contracted with Flarion the Great, one of the five Elemental Drakes."

It lowered its massive head, and as Biles placed his hand on its snout, a blinding red-gold light flared, bright as a newborn sun.
Dean Shillion, who had been watching with stunned silence, began to smile. "The talent of a true warrior. I will train you personally, Biles. But this dragon is too dangerous. Its power must be sealed."

"I will do it myself," Flarion declared proudly. "My current power level is 1500. With this ruby, it will rise to 2000. For the sake of this contract, I will suppress it to 1000. I will reside in this forest, but you will bring me food. Otherwise, I will hunt for humans myself."

"Agreed! Agreed!" Shillion said quickly, his face paling again. "Just don't eat any humans! We will provide you with daily provisions."

As the knight class reeled from the display, the scene shifted back to Shyne's quiet dorm room, where a very different discussion was about to begin.