They ran toward the source of the sound. Aiden pushed through the dense undergrowth bushes, emerging into a clearing where a young boy—no older than twelve—stood trembling before a monstrous red bull.


    The boy, an elf with ragged clothes and a small mouth organ clutched in his hand, was visibly terrified. His wide, tear-filled eyes darted between the raging beast and the ground beneath him, as if searching for an escape. Panic overtook him, his body rigid with fear, but still, he stood his ground.


    Aiden didn’t rush in. He held back, observing.


    The bull lunged, its massive horns gleaming in the dim light, but the moment it neared, the boy let out a desperate cry. A shockwave of sound exploded from him, rippling through the entire forest. The sheer force sent the bull skidding backward, its hooves carving deep trenches into the dirt. Even Aiden and his group felt the blast, staggering as the wave of power pulsed through them.


    This was no ordinary child.


    Aiden’s sharp gaze studied him. The elf had an innate ability—sound magic, raw and untrained, but powerful nonetheless. Given the right guidance, he could become a formidable warrior, a sound mage, or perhaps even a legend.


    But the red bull was far from defeated.


    The next moment, It went berserk.


    With a guttural roar, its body began to shift, its muscles expanding grotesquely, veins pulsing with molten energy. The transformation was violent, the air distorting from the sheer intensity of its rage. Its aura, once a mere flicker of malevolence, now burned like a living inferno, scorching the ground beneath its hooves. The heat alone warped the air, crackling embers spiraling in its wake as an oppressive force radiated outward, suffocating everything in its vicinity.


    Aiden’s eyes gleamed with interest. This was no mere beast—it was a creature of raw destruction, a force to be reckoned with. And he wanted it under his command.


    Before he could act, a streak of motion cut through the chaos.


    The one-horned flamingo, moving with precise intent, swooped down and seized the elf boy in its talons. It had not waited for Aiden’s command—it had simply known. Known what he would have wanted, known that the boy was valuable. Aiden smirked. The ancient creature understood him well.


    The red bull snarled, its blazing eyes tracking the flamingo’s ascent. It bared its fangs, prepared to attack—


    But then she stepped forward.


    Alina, the Spirit Queen.


    Her presence alone was enough to send a ripple of unease through the battlefield.


    She met the bull’s furious gaze without flinching, her posture exuding absolute confidence. The fire around the beast roared higher, a manifestation of its unrelenting rage. It pawed the ground, nostrils flaring, the earth trembling beneath its weight.


    And yet, she stood there, calm.


    Unmoved.


    Daring it to charge.


    The bull obliged, launching itself toward her in a blind, furious rush.


    Aiden didn’t spare them another glance. He knew Alina could handle herself. His focus now was on the boy, the sound mage in the making.


    The child, now free from immediate danger, had shifted his attention entirely to the flamingo. He stood in silent awe, his fear momentarily forgotten, reverence flickering in his gaze.


    The moment the ancient bird let out a low, resonant call, the boy straightened, his expression shifting.


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    He bowed.


    Aiden’s brows lifted slightly.


    Respect.


    The boy knew.


    The boy wasn’t just standing before any creature. He was in the presence of something far greater than himself.


    And for the first time since their arrival, Aiden’s interest in the boy deepened.


    Aiden stepped closer. The boy immediately dropped to his knees.


    "Please accept me as your slave."


    Aiden froze.


    Of all the things he had expected, this wasn’t one of them.


    His gaze flickered toward the ancient flamingo, wondering if the creature had somehow frightened the child into submission. But even the one-horned flamingo looked puzzled, tilting its head in silent inquiry.


    Aiden let the moment stretch before speaking. "Why do you want to be under me?"


    The boy lifted his head, meeting Aiden’s eyes with startling honesty. His voice trembled with uncertainty, yet beneath it lay an unshaken resolve.


    "You have the universe’s sound within you," he said, his tone reverent. "And another sound—something mysterious, something I have never sensed before." His breath hitched, but he pressed on. "Your underlings… they radiate trust and confidence in you. I can tell from the sounds they give off. And you… you don’t have any bad sound coming from you."


    Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly.


    "You’re also not a good person," the boy added, his voice steady. "You’re a mirror. You reflect what you receive."


    Aiden didn’t react, but he listened.


    "You don’t have any ill intentions toward me," the boy continued. "I can hear it."


    Aiden wasn’t just impressed—he was stunned.


    The boy hadn’t spoken with blind devotion, nor had he tried to flatter him. Every word had come from pure perception, an ability beyond normal comprehension.


    Without hesitation, Aiden activated the spell.


    A glowing rune spread beneath the kneeling boy, intricate patterns weaving into the ground. Energy crackled in the air.


    The boy bowed lower. "My name is Lyrus," he declared. "I will serve you with my life."


    A notification appeared before Aiden’s eyes.


    [You have enslaved a spirit.]


    "Lyrus," Aiden commanded, "stand."


    [Universal contract formed.]


    Aiden felt an undeniable connection forming—one that mirrored the bond he had forged when he enslaved Flame and bestowed her with a name. But this time, it was different. It was ten times stronger. He hadn’t felt this overwhelming surge of resonance when binding Alina. Was it because he had grown stronger? Or was there something more to it?


    A flood of information and power surged into him. His vision blurred for a moment, and then suddenly, the world before him transformed. He could see sound. It wasn’t just a concept anymore—it was a living, breathing world of vibrations. His senses sharpened, attuned to the very fabric of sound itself, as if he had become a part of everything around him.


    Every object, every being, every movement emitted a tune—some harmonious, others discordant. He turned his gaze toward Lyrus, and what he perceived was an exquisite melody, pure and innocent. It was soothing, yet layered with unfathomable depth. The longer he focused, the more intricate it became. Beneath the gentle rhythm lurked something potent, something devastating. Aiden narrowed his eyes. Just how destructive could this child be?


    Then, another presence caught his attention. A majestic yet chaotic tune resounded from behind him. He turned, already knowing what he would find.


    Alina stood atop the massive Evil Red Bull, her command over the beast absolute. She had subdued it with ease. Aiden’s mind raced. This wasn''t mere coincidence—it was power, raw and undeniable. His thoughts flickered as he closed his eyes, pushing his senses outward. How far could he reach?


    He exhaled slowly, tuning himself into the sounds around him. A torrent of semi-berserk vibrations pulsed from the south. He instantly recognized it—the tribe of the Evil Red Bulls. His mind stretched further, reaching beyond. The stronger the sound, the farther it echoed. Sound was eternal. It resonated through the universe itself, and every being contributed to its grand symphony.


    Then, he felt something else. Something distant. It was neither strong nor weak, neither clear nor faint. It was... a presence. A tingling sensation rippled through his body as he focused on it. This sound was not coming from a single direction. It resonated from everywhere yet did not belong to everyone. It was like the sound of the universe itself, but distinct, elusive. And strangely, he could feel a fragment of it inside him.


    No—this was the very sound Lyrus had spoken of. The universe’s sound.


    But within him, there was another sound. A noise. A deep, chaotic, destructive noise. Not a melody, not a vibration, but something primal and untamed. Aiden’s breath hitched. What was this? And why was it inside him?


    A sudden shift in the vibrations snapped him back to reality. He felt them—approaching figures. Powerful. Too powerful. And distant, yet moving with unshakable certainty.


    Enemies.


    His mind worked fast. He measured their strength against his own, against his group. The conclusion was clear. They were outmatched.


    "Alina," he said firmly, "head south and gather every Evil Red Bull you can find. Quickly. I’ll hold them off."


    She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. "Who?"


    Aiden didn’t have time for explanations. He reached out with his mind, telecommunicating directly. We have enemies incoming. Move now.


    Alina still wavered, sensing the urgency but questioning its validity. Aiden exhaled sharply, clarifying, They’re hundreds of miles away, but I can sense them. We have time, but not much.


    He turned to Lyrus and smirked. "Let’s prepare an orchestra for our guests."