Chapter 20: The Pact of Three


    <hr>


    <blockquote>


    [LEVEL UP: VOID SUMMONER – LVL 3]


    [NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: VOID LINK]


    Allows the user to share sensory awareness and minor buffs with bonded allies.


    </blockquote>


    I exhaled as the system notification faded.


    Not a massive power-up, but enough to notice.


    More importantly—


    It was proof that I was getting stronger.


    <hr>


    The Aftermath


    The battle had ended. The academy was still on edge.


    Instructors were tight-lipped about the attack, and whispers of another potential breach spread fast.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    But my concern?


    Was them.


    Iris and Emilia.


    We had fought as one.


    And we had won.


    So, naturally, I made a decision.


    "We should do that again," I said.


    Iris raised a brow. "You want to almost die again?"


    I sighed. "I mean we should work together. You saw how we fought—we covered each other’s weaknesses."


    Emilia blinked. "So… like a team?"


    "Exactly."


    Iris leaned against a tree, arms crossed. "The academy doesn’t assign teams unless you reach A-Rank."


    I smirked. "Then we just don’t tell them."


    <hr>


    Forming the Hunting Team


    A silence stretched between us.


    Then—


    Emilia smiled first. "I think it’s a great idea."


    Iris clicked her tongue. "It’s reckless."


    "But?" I prompted.


    She sighed. "But… effective."


    That was her way of saying yes.


    Noctis curled around my shoulders, purring. "Ah, an unofficial hunting pack. I approve."


    Nyx hummed. "Let’s hope they can keep up."


    I grinned.


    "Then it’s settled."


    We weren’t just students anymore.


    We were hunters.


    And our journey was just beginning.