C3 Summoning Ceremony!

On September 1st, at 9 AM, the stadium at Patriot School was abuzz with activity. At its center stood a three-foot-high platform, shrouded in darkness, with eighteen steps ascending from each cardinal direction. Atop this platform was a stone pillar, two meters in diameter and one meter tall, its surface polished to a sheen. This was the fabled pet altar, a relic only found in sites of level S or higher.

On the planet Orithyia, eighteen-year-old students could approach the pet altar and, with a mere drop of blood, summon a pet. The variety of pets was vast, and summoning a battle pet could serve as a key to the prestigious doors of Tamer University. Naturally, the pet's aptitude couldn't be too low, or else its progression would be painfully slow.

Pets were categorized by a thirteen-star system. Those rated between one and six stars were considered black iron tamers, seven to nine stars were elite tamers, ten to twelve stars were overlord tamers, and thirteen stars or higher were recognized as divine level tamers. A pet's aptitude indicated its potential for growth. For example, an elite 7-star pet could reach its peak at elite 7-star status. To break through this ceiling, one would need the expertise of a pet breeder, investing significant funds and effort to enhance the pet's natural talents. The higher a pet's level, the more challenging it became to improve its aptitude.

Becoming a pet breeder was no small feat, and their status in society was held in high regard. Their earning potential was formidable; Symas himself, in a past life, had worked tirelessly to achieve the rank of a black iron 3-star pet breeder. He was well aware of the lucrative nature of this profession.

With the acquisition of the Void Territory, Symas was confident that his breeder level would soar to elite status or beyond. An elite pet breeder was considered a distinguished guest in any major company within any city of the Trintis Dukedom.

In Symas's Third Class, there were thirty-seven students, but only thirty had successfully summoned their pets. Of these, half were unsuitable for combat, lacking the necessary battle skills. Those students would likely find their path leading to the logistical or pet crafting colleges within Tamer University, rather than the more combat-oriented programs.

In Third Class, only six students had pets with combat attributes, and Symas had been one of them in his previous life. He had summoned a Witchwood, a battle pet with a black iron three-star aptitude. Its battle skills included fire-enhanced Bless and Spirit Snake Strangle. Typically, black iron grade battle pets had only one to three skills.

If a battle pet had more than three skills, a pet breeder would need to cultivate them, and the cost to cultivate a pet's skill was astronomical. Black iron breeders simply lacked the capability to do so.

"Symas."

"What's on your mind?"

"Don't worry. You've consistently topped the theoretical exams in our class. You've never slipped. You're bound to summon a formidable battle pet."

With a pat on the shoulder, Idod snapped the daydreaming Symas back to reality. Idod stood beside him, the picture of ease, speaking with a carefree tone.

Idod had tested his aptitude at his family's company and was sure to be above a five-star black iron level. The chances of him summoning a battle pet were at least 80%, a sure bet.

Noticing Symas zoning out, Idod figured he must be feeling the pressure. After all, the entire class was on edge, knowing the outcome would shape their futures.

A black iron Summoner could contract up to three battle pets. Yet, aside from the free summon provided by the dukedom during the Summoning Ceremony, even the least expensive pet from a store would cost over a million federal coins, a sum too steep for many affluent families.

"No worries, Idod. You have an old butler at home, right?"

"How did you know?"

"I saw him once when he came to pick you up from school. But be careful around him; he doesn't seem to look at you kindly."

Symas gave Idod a sidelong glance as he chuckled. Remembering that Idod would face an assassination attempt after the Summoning Ceremony, he decided to offer a friendly warning.

Idod was his current deskmate, always bringing in valuable items. He had even given Symas a pet encyclopedia worth tens of thousands of federal coins.

When Symas was killed by the Dark Order, he was deeply saddened. After all, these were companions he had known since childhood, and they were of good character.

This was his first encounter with the world's darker aspects, which altered the worldview of many in his class.

"Butler Austin."

"Something wrong? You must be joking. Butler Austin has been with our family for nineteen years," Idod said, initially taken aback before breaking into laughter.

"You know Uncle Callahan, right? He's the one who taught me about microexpressions in psychology. Just be careful, and don't get betrayed by someone you trust."

"Uncle Callahan, I'm aware of him."

"A black iron six-star battle pet master who has withstood over a dozen beast tides."

Seeing Symas's grave and earnest expression, Idod's smile faded. He realized Symas wasn't joking; his gaze seemed to transform him into someone else entirely.

"I will, thanks for the warning," Idod nodded.

He had become somewhat overconfident in the past few days following an internal company review.

"You're suggesting that the black..."

Idod paused, his thoughts racing, and as he began to speak, his pupils dilated. But before he could articulate his thoughts, Symas placed a hand on his shoulder, cutting him off mid-sentence.

These few sentences were enough to plant seeds of doubt in Idod. That was sufficient; the man was no fool, and a bit of caution was always beneficial.

Symas didn't elaborate further, leaving Idod with a solemn look, seemingly preoccupied with heavy thoughts.

The Summoning Ceremony was about to commence. This time, the ceremony at Patriot School was being presided over by an elite demon hunter from the association.

A piercing cry from a giant eagle echoed from above the stadium.

A majestic golden feather eagle, with a wingspan of nearly twelve meters, descended, its presence commanding awe and aspiration from all the students. To soar through the skies and vanquish enemies from afar was the dream of many high school students.

The golden feather eagle, an elite seven-star battle pet, was adorned with black feathers, save for a tuft of gold atop its head, signifying its noble stature. As it landed, its wings beat the air, flattening the grass around the pet altar at the center of the stadium.

As the giant eagle's wings beat the air, the grass around the altar at the center of the stadium was visibly pressed down. Egil leapt from the eagle's back, landing on the altar with the poise of a standard-bearer, and swept his gaze over the many students gathered with a cool detachment.

"Students, I am Egil, an elite tamer from the Littlewell Tamer Association. I will be presiding over this year's Summoning Ceremony. Let's skip the formalities and get straight to testing your aptitude," he announced.

With over three hundred individuals awaiting their turn at the Summoning Ceremony and only one altar available, time was of the essence. Egil's presence served not only as a facilitator but also as a deterrent to the Dark Order, who had historically launched attacks on the ceremony, coveting the pet altars. These altars, scarce in number, had been wrested from the clutches of formidable magical creatures within level S relics.

"What are you standing around for?" Egil barked. "Let's begin with the top student from Class One. Step up."

Egil, standing nearly 1.9 meters tall in his deep brown coat beside the altar, called out commandingly. A slight girl, clad in a black and red school uniform, made her way unsteadily toward the pet altar.

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