Jade and I sat on the front steps of the house, in all honesty. I don''t know if it''s morning, afternoon or evening. But the sea breeze is nice.


    Neither of us spoke much. We just stared out at the horizon.


    Mom had been gone for a while retrieving our belongings. I kinda feel like sh** for asking her to go get them.


    I wanted to go but wouldn''t let me leave.


    Suddenly...


    A blue portal flickered into existence a few feet away from us, and Mom stepped through, carrying a large sack over her shoulder.


    She didn''t look hurt at all, but I could tell from the tension in her movements that something was wrong.


    She dropped the sack in front of us with a quiet thud, "This is everything I could recover." shivering in place.


    "Are you okay?" Asked Jade


    "It''s freezing." She said laying down on the ground.


    Jade and I exchanged glances before I started reaching for my things.


    I pulled out my summoning book first, flipping through the pages, making sure it was intact. The familiar inked words and diagrams stared back at me, untouched.


    I looked over at Mom, "What''s the situation over there?"


    She hesitated for a moment before answering, "…Cold, dark and quiet."


    My stomach twisted.


    "The cold nights have completely overtaken the ruins. No one can live there anymore. It''s so dark that without a source of light, you basically dead meat."


    "…And Zero?" I asked


    Mom''s remained silent.


    That''s not surprising honestly...at least I was able to make that kid have fun life.


    Mom exhaled and got up before walking toward the house, "I need to rest. Nero, train if you want, but don''t push yourself too hard."


    Mom had a bracelet on her arm...that looks like Violet bracelet.


    Our home was truly gone.


    The place where I spent my childhood, where I met Zero, where I lived my second chance… reduced to nothing but frozen ruins.


    Jade shifted beside me, "Are you going to be okay."


    I gently gripped my necklace and said, "Hopefully."


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    She gently pat my back, "If you want to talk about it... I''m here if you need someone shoulder to cry on."


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair, "Thanks but in all honesty, I rather learn this summoning magic crap as soon as possible."


    Jade offer a soft smile before standing up, "I will leave it to-"


    Before she could finish, I interrupt, "Actually, do you want to train with me?"


    She raised an eyebrow, "Me?"


    For starters, I can be a dumbass sometimes. Having someone who can point out certain points or offer some advice might be helpful.


    "I believe we might progress faster with two people. Might as well join me. Also think of this as two siblings bonding with each other." I said


    She crossed her arms, pretending to think, "Alright, look like my little brother wants to spend time with his big sister huh."


    It''s crazy how chill she is something.


    I smirked, "You''re on. But let''s go read the book inside."


    Important thing is that she feels welcome here. Mom already giving her a bad vib so I better feel comfortable since we staying together for a well.


    With that, we stepped off the porch and headed toward my bedroom.


    ---


    Jade and I sat cross-legged on the floor of my bedroom, the summoning book layed in front of us.


    When I opened the first page. The pages were worn, the ink slightly faded, but the diagrams and instructions were still perfectly legible.


    The first page talk about the magic reading gem on the final page. It''s highly recommend to use before casting magic.


    I flipped over to the last page and we saw a small white crystal. Then there were multiple colours.


    Turns out magic was predetermined by birth. The darker the gem, the more magic you had.


    I placed my hand and I was blue. The fourth best colour on the list. And Jade, she had green. The six best colour.


    "Looks like I''m the best." I said to her with a cocky smile.


    Jade slightly pout and said, "Well green happens to be my favourite colour. Let''s just move on." She immediately turned back to the first page.


    Jade traced a finger along the script, reading aloud, "Summoning Bonds: The process of forming a pact with a creature from beyond the veil of existence. Through this bond, the summoner may borrow magic and abilities unique to their chosen summon in exchange that the monster receive something in return."


    I leaned over, scanning the next section, "The contract is sealed through the act of naming. If the summon accepts the name, the bond is complete. If rejected, the summoner must either release the creature or force it into submission."


    Jade frowned, "Sounds… a little aggressive."


    I shrugged, "I guess some creatures don''t like being told what to do."


    She huffed, "I wouldn''t either."


    We flipped to the next page, which was filled with intricate summoning circles. Each one had different purposes: some for binding creatures of flight, others for elemental beings, and a few marked with ominous warnings about unstable entities.


    I reached for the chalk set near my bed and grabbed the largest piece. "Alright, first step drawing the summoning circle."


    Jade nodded and took a smaller piece for herself, "What are you summoning?"


    I smirked, "Something basic and useful."


    I started sketching the lines of the circle carefully, making sure to follow the book''s example, "Alright, fine. I was thinking of summoning a Backpack Cat."


    Jade blinked, "…A what?"


    "A cat that has a backpack." sounds stupid but it one of the most easiest summon.


    Jade stared at me, "That''s the weirdest thing I''ve ever heard."


    "It''s practical."


    She shook her head and focused on her own circle, "Well, I''m summoning something pretty. A Boundless Butterfly."


    I raised an eyebrow, "A butterfly?"


    "They''re not just butterflies," she shot back. "They can guide people through unknown paths, detect danger, and even carry messages through the wind."


    "Alright, alright." I held up my hands in surrender. "That actually sounds useful."


    We finished drawing our circles, double-checking the markings. I flipped to the next page, reading through the final steps.


    "Okay, next step. We channel a bit of our energy into the circle, focus on the creature we want, and then call out its name."


    Jade exhaled. "Simple enough."


    I reached forward, pressing my palm against the chalked lines. A faint glow began to emanate from the circle. Jade did the same, her own markings shimmering with a soft blue light.


    Now, the real test began.