The dawn mist clung to Haewon's lower districts like a shroud as Dan made his way through the winding stone paths toward the city's heart. His gray spore cloud drifted beside him, barely visible in the pale morning light—a constant reminder of yesterday's humiliation.
Around him, other children traveled with their families, their newly bonded beasts padding alongside them or perched on shoulders. He caught glimpses of Kael Stonefist's Crimson Salamander leaving scorch marks on the cobblestones, and heard the excited chatter of a girl whose Jade Serpent coiled protectively around her arm.
Dan's mother had wanted to come, but he'd insisted she stay home. His father's leg made the climb to the upper city painful, and Dan couldn't bear the thought of them watching him fail again.
Because today wasn't just about bonding—that had already happened. Today was the Maturation Ceremony, where the newly bonded would undergo the Trial of Resonance to determine their beast's true potential and their own compatibility rating.
The ceremony would reveal everything: growth potential, evolutionary paths, and most importantly, the Resonance Grade—a score from 1.0 to 12.9 that determined a summoner's future.
Low Resonance (1.0–3.4): Laborers, farmers, city guards.
Elite Resonance (3.5–5.4): Skilled craftsmen, soldiers, minor officials.
High Resonance (5.5–7.9): Military officers, administrators, wealthy merchants.
Lord Resonance (8.0–10.0): Noble families, generals, the King's inner circle.
Sovereign Resonance (10.1–12.9): Legends. Heroes. The stuff of songs.
Dan's spore guaranteed him a Low Resonance. The question was only how low.
***
The Platform of Ascension stood at Haewon's highest point, where the cliff city met the sky itself. Ancient stone pillars carved with glyphs surrounded a massive circular platform inlaid with six glowing **Essence Cores**—crystallized magic harvested from the depths of Rift Gates, the mysterious dungeons that had appeared a century ago when the world shattered.
Hundreds of families crowded the observation terraces. Dan spotted wealthy merchants in silk robes, military officers in polished armor, and even a few minor nobles in their family colors.
And there, standing apart from the crowd with her silver-white hair catching the morning sun, was Riu.
Her Celestial Wyvern perched on her shoulder, no longer cat-sized but already grown to the size of a hunting falcon. Starlight scales shimmered across its body, and golden lightning crackled faintly along its spine.
She noticed him watching and gave the slightest nod of acknowledgment.
Dan looked away quickly, heat rising in his cheeks.
"Attention!" The Ceremony Master's voice cut through the murmuring crowd. She stood at the platform's center, her Moonwolf sitting regally beside her. "The Maturation Ceremony will now begin. This trial will measure your Resonance Grade and reveal your beast's evolutionary potential."
She gestured to the glowing cores surrounding the platform. "The Essence Cores will amplify your bond, forcing your beast to reveal its true nature. Some of you may discover hidden talents. Others..." Her gaze swept across the crowd, landing briefly on Dan. "...will have your fears confirmed."
"We will proceed in order of yesterday's bonding. First—" She consulted a scroll. "—Kael Stonefist."
Kael strutted forward confidently, his Crimson Salamander leaving small flames in his wake. He stepped onto the platform, and immediately the six Essence Cores flared to life.
Light engulfed him.
The salamander *grew*, its body elongating, scales brightening from crimson to deep scarlet. Flames wreathed its form, and when the light faded, the creature had nearly doubled in size.
A number appeared in the air above Kael's head, glowing gold:
4.2
"Elite Resonance, grade 4.2," the Ceremony Master announced. "Evolution potential: Silver-rank, level 2. Specialized path: Flame Manipulation. Well done, young Stonefist."
Applause rippled through the crowd. Kael's chest swelled with pride as he descended, his salamander now large enough to coil around his shoulders like a living scarf.
Several more children went forward.
A girl with a Jade Serpent scored 3.8—Elite Resonance, Bronze evolution potential.
A boy with a Stone Tortoise scored 3.1—Low Resonance, but solid defensive capabilities.
Then came a moment that silenced the entire platform.
"Riu of the Stormborn Clan."
Every eye turned as Riu walked forward with unhurried grace. Her wyvern took flight from her shoulder, circling above as she stepped onto the platform.
The Essence Cores didn't just flare—they *sang*.
A harmonic resonance filled the air, making Dan's bones vibrate. The wyvern descended, landing before Riu, and then the transformation began.
Lightning erupted from its body in golden arcs. Its scales shifted from starlight silver to deep midnight black threaded with veins of pure gold. Its wings spread wide, crackling with electricity that scorched the stone beneath it.
When the light faded, the wyvern had grown to the size of a war horse.
The number that appeared above Riu's head burned like a second sun:
8.7
Gasps tore through the crowd.
"Lord Resonance, grade 8.7," the Ceremony Master's voice trembled slightly. "Evolution potential: Platinum-rank, level 3. Specialized path: Storm Dominion and Celestial Lightning."
Silence.
Then chaos.
"LORD RESONANCE?!"
"She's only ten!"
"Platinum potential—that's..."
"The Stormborn bloodline..."
Even the nobles in the observation terraces stood, their expressions a mix of shock and calculation. A Lord Resonance at age ten meant Riu would likely reach Sovereign Resonance by adulthood. Perhaps even surpass it.
Riu's expression remained calm, but Dan saw it—the fierce satisfaction burning in her golden eyes. She had proven her family's legacy. Redeemed her grandfather's shame.
Her wyvern lowered its massive head, and she rested her hand on its scales before descending the platform.
The crowd parted for her like water around stone.