The Last Celestial Tamer

Chapter 6

The awakenings continued one after another, each one drawing fresh excitement from the crowd.

Some children summoned mighty Earth Bears that radiated raw strength. Others awakened elegant Crystal Lions whose shimmering bodies sparkled beneath the sunlight. Thunder Hawks descended from the sky in flashes of lightning, while towering Forest Giants emerged like ancient guardians from forgotten ages. There were Stone Turtles whose shells resembled mountains and Fire Foxes whose crimson tails danced with living flames.

No two familiars were alike, and every successful awakening was greeted with thunderous applause.

Lucien watched everything in silence.

Each new familiar filled him with the same mixture of awe and dread. The creatures were magnificent, yet every success reminded him that his own turn was drawing closer.

Around him, noble families celebrated proudly.

"Our son awakened a Thunder Hawk!"

"Our daughter received an Emerald Deer!"

"The future of our house is secure!"

Parents embraced their children with tears of joy while relatives laughed and congratulated one another. The air overflowed with pride, hope, and happiness.

Lucien quietly lowered his gaze. He had never known what it felt like to make a family proud.

Hours slipped by as the sun climbed steadily across the sky. One participant after another stepped onto the platform, and the list of names grew shorter until only a handful remained.

Finally, High Summoner Aldric unrolled another scroll. "The next participant..." His voice echoed across the arena. "Cassian Ashcroft."

Excited whispers immediately swept through the audience.

"The Ashcroft genius!"

"I've been waiting for this!"

"They say he's extraordinary."

Lady Eleanor smiled with quiet confidence.

Cassian rose calmly from his seat, his elegant white uniform fluttering gently in the breeze. He walked toward the Sacred Crystal without showing the slightest trace of anxiety. His posture remained straight, his chin held high, and every measured step suggested that he already expected greatness to await him.

Before climbing onto the platform, he glanced toward Lucien.

A faint smirk crossed his face before he turned away and placed one hand upon the glowing crystal.

The instant his fingers touched its surface, the entire arena trembled.

Golden light burst outward like an exploding sunrise, forcing many spectators to shield their eyes. A powerful gust of wind swept across the platform as the floating crystal blazed with dazzling brilliance.

Then a deafening screech echoed across the heavens.

Everyone instinctively looked upward.

A pillar of divine light split the clouds, and something enormous descended from the sky. Its wings stretched wider than the platform itself, scattering brilliant white feathers that drifted gently through the air.

Its sharp golden eyes surveyed the arena before the majestic creature landed before Cassian.

It possessed the powerful body of a lion and the noble head of an eagle. Holy light shimmered across its snowy feathers while golden flames danced gracefully along its massive wings.

High Summoner Aldric's eyes widened. "A Divine Griffin..."

A wave of astonished gasps swept through the arena.

"A Divine Familiar!"

"The Ashcroft family truly deserves its reputation!"

Lady Eleanor slowly closed her eyes, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

The griffin lowered its proud head before Cassian, acknowledging him as its master. Cassian rested one hand upon its neck, and the divine beast answered with a mighty roar that echoed throughout the capital.

Thunderous applause erupted.

Many nobles rose to their feet in respect, while even rival families nodded with genuine admiration.

Cassian turned confidently toward the audience and raised one arm in triumph.

The cheers only grew louder.

"Lord Cassian!"

"The future Grand Duke!"

"A true genius!"

Cassian basked in every moment of praise. Eventually, his gaze drifted back toward Lucien. This time, the smile on his face carried nothing but absolute victory.

The ceremony continued as the remaining participants awakened their familiars one after another. With each successful summoning, the list grew shorter until, at last, only a single name remained.

Yet High Summoner Aldric simply rolled up the scroll. He exchanged uneasy glances with the other judges, and they began whispering among themselves.

Several nobles frowned in confusion.

The audience gradually became restless.

"Is it over?"

"What about the final participant?"

"I thought every eligible heir was called."

Lucien stood quietly beside the Ashcroft family. No one acknowledged his presence. No one invited him forward.

Several long moments passed before Lady Eleanor calmly stepped toward the judges. She spoke in a voice far too soft for the audience to hear.

The judges exchanged uncertain looks.

One elderly official frowned deeply.

Another hesitated before giving a reluctant nod.

At last, High Summoner Aldric released a weary sigh and reopened the scroll. His voice sounded noticeably colder this time. "There remains..." He paused briefly before continuing. "...one final participant."

Curious murmurs spread through the audience as spectators looked around the arena. "Lucien..."

The High Summoner hesitated once more before speaking the final name. "...Ashcroft."

An uneasy silence settled over the arena. Then someone laughed.

One laugh quickly became several, and within moments the entire crowd erupted with ridicule.

"So the rumors were true."

"The bastard actually came."

"Why waste the Sacred Crystal's time?"

"I heard he was born from a witch."

"I doubt he'll awaken anything."

"Maybe a rat."

A young noble laughed even louder. "No... a dung beetle."

The arena exploded with mocking laughter.

Lucien suddenly found himself at the center of hundreds of watching eyes.

Some people stared with open contempt. Others looked at him with pity.

Many simply watched out of curiosity, eager to witness what would happen.

He took a slow step forward. Every footstep felt heavier than the last.

Behind him, Cassian folded his arms across his chest. "I wonder," he said with a mocking smile. "What kind of creature reflects a disgrace?"

Several nearby nobles burst into laughter once again.

Lady Eleanor remained perfectly silent. Her silence carried far more cruelty than any insult spoken aloud.

Lucien continued climbing the platform alone. His worn clothes looked painfully out of place against the polished marble floor and the towering golden banners that surrounded the Sacred Crystal.

When he finally reached the center, he stopped directly beneath the floating crystal for the first time in his life.

Its warm golden light bathed his face. He slowly lifted his eyes.

The enormous crystal hummed softly above him, and its radiant glow reflected within his dark eyes.

Gradually, the arena grew quiet again.

Even those who had mocked him wanted to witness the outcome.

High Summoner Aldric cleared his throat. "Place your hand upon the Sacred Crystal."

Lucien nodded once. His heart pounded so loudly that he could barely hear anything else.

Thoughts rushed through his mind. He remembered Martha. He remembered the abandoned west tower.

He remembered the mysterious lullaby that had echoed through the darkness. He remembered the strange black feather.

Most of all, he remembered the words that years of cruelty had carved deep into his heart.

“You are nothing.”

“You are shame.”

“You do not belong.”

His hand trembled as he slowly reached toward the crystal.

The entire arena held its breath.

Lucien pressed his palm against the glowing surface.

Nothing happened.

One second passed.

Then another.

Five long seconds slipped by. The crystal remained completely silent.

A boy somewhere in the audience laughed. "I knew it."

Another voice quickly followed. "Even the crystal rejects him."

Cassian slowly shook his head, pretending to be disappointed. "What a fitting end."

Laughter rippled across the arena once more.

Lucien lowered his eyes.

Perhaps they had been right all along. Perhaps he truly had no place in this world. Then something changed.

A faint hum echoed from deep within the Sacred Crystal. The sound was so soft that only Lucien seemed to hear it. His eyes slowly lifted.

The golden light inside the crystal flickered once. Then again. Then a third time.

The laughter gradually died away as people sensed something was wrong.

The atmosphere grew unnaturally heavy, and a chilling wind swept across the arena. Confused spectators looked around while the floating banners suddenly became perfectly still, despite the powerful gusts that had been blowing only moments earlier.

High above the arena, every bird abruptly dropped from the sky as though seized by overwhelming terror.

Beside Cassian, the Divine Griffin jerked its head toward Lucien. Its magnificent feathers trembled. Its proud body stiffened.

The divine beast stared at Lucien with unmistakable fear. Then, without warning, the brilliant morning sun vanished.

An unnatural darkness swallowed the heavens, and the entire sky turned black.