Aren stood in the center of the village square, heart pounding.
and today was the day every child in Eldenbrook summoned their companion—their bonded partner who would grow with them for life.
The square was quiet, except for the low murmur of villagers and the soft crackle of magic in the air.
One by one, the other children had gone before him.
Lira, the elder daughter of the baker, had summoned a hawk with feathers that glowed like sunlight.
Joren, the blacksmith's son, had called forth a massive hound made of living stone.
Each summon drew gasps and applause from the crowd. The pressure mounted as Aren watched, hand clenched on the smooth summoning stone before him.
He took a deep breath.
"Focus," he whispered to himself. "Just feel the magic… and call it."
He knelt, placed both hands on the stone, and closed his eyes. He concentrated on the warmth of his mana, the flow that had been with him since birth. He imagined his companion—strong, loyal, someone to trust, someone who would grow alongside him.
The air around him shimmered.
The stone glowed faintly, then brighter, until the light spilled across the square. A soft wind picked up. Leaves danced around him.
Aren opened his eyes—and froze.
Sitting before him, in the center of the glowing circle, was a small gray cat.
It blinked slowly at him. Its fur was soft, its eyes calm and green. It yawned. Then it walked toward him, tail high, and rubbed against his legs.
For a moment, Aren just stared. This was… not what he expected.
The villagers whispered. Some looked disappointed. Others tried to hide smiles. Aren could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
He knelt down and reached out. The cat looked up at him, tilting its head as if studying him.
"Uh… hello," Aren said quietly. "I guess… you're my companion, huh?"
The cat purred and jumped onto his shoulder, settling there like it belonged. Its warmth was comforting, steady, familiar.
Aren smiled, a small, uncertain smile, but genuine.
The elder, standing nearby, nodded.
"You have formed a bond," she said softly. "Don't underestimate it. Strength isn't always obvious at first."
Aren looked at the cat on his shoulder.
It was ordinary. Small. Unassuming.
But as he held it, he realized something: he had chosen it. It had answered his call.
And somehow, that made him feel… ready.
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