Chapter 224: Chapter 224 - Owen’s Struggles
It didn’t take long before Theo and his unicorn reached the university dorms.
The Galehorn Unicorn gradually descended from the sky, its wings beating gently as it approached the familiar buildings.
Several students walking outside looked up.
’’Is that... a flying summon?’’
’’It’s so majestic!’’
’’Who’s riding it?’’
Before anyone could get a better look, the unicorn landed behind one of the dormitory buildings, hidden from most of the campus.
Theo hopped off its back with a satisfied smile.
’’That was amazing.’’
The little unicorn’s body was immediately enveloped in emerald light.
Within moments, it had returned to its smaller form, quietly floating beside him atop its emerald cloud.
For the first time since arriving, its gaze slowly wandered across the university grounds.
Students chatted as they walked between the buildings, while others sat beneath the trees reading books or cultivating.
The little unicorn quietly observed everything.
’’So this is the civilization you spoke of,’’ it said at last.
Theo smiled faintly.
’’Yes,’’ he said. ’’But only a small part of it.’’
The unicorn’s eyes drifted across the rows of buildings.
’’It’s interesting, to say the least,’’ it murmured.
Together, they began walking toward the dormitory entrance.
Just before they turned the corner, Theo came to a halt.
’’I’ll need you to go for a bit,’’ he said, glancing at the little unicorn. ’’I’d rather not leak this yet.’’
The unicorn nodded its head.
’’A prudent decision,’’ it said before vanishing into thin air.
Theo let out a quiet breath.
With that, he appeared from behind the dormitory buildings.
A few people immediately pointed their fingers, recognizing him instantly.
Whispers quickly spread through the street.
Some stared at him with amazement, others with slight, judgmental frowns.
’Seems like they’re all still pretty divided because of the tournament,’ he thought, glancing around.
As some began approaching him, Theo simply smiled before quickly disappearing inside his dormitory building.
Quietly making his way up the stairs, the whispers slowly began fading behind him.
Before long, he arrived at his own room.
Click!
The door softly shut behind him.
’Home at last,’ he thought, letting out a deep breath.
With the flick of his fingers, an emerald cloud appeared beside him once more.
’’Contractor,’’ the little unicorn greeted respectfully.
Theo waved his hand slightly, then threw himself onto his couch.
’’Just call me Theo,’’ he said, glancing at his summon. ’’Also, what do I call you?’’
The unicorn’s body stopped in the middle of the air.
For a moment, everything fell silent.
’’My true name...’’ it started slowly. ’’Is Lingfeng Tian, third heir of the Heavenly Kirin Clan, bearer of the Eternal Winds.’’
Theo stared at it for a few seconds.
’’...’’
A deadpan expression slowly appeared on his face.
’’Feng it is,’’ he said, nodding once.
The unicorn stared back at him for a moment.
Then it nodded once.
’’I suppose that will suffice.’’
Theo couldn’t help but chuckle, his gaze shifting over to the ceiling.
’’Glad we settled that,’’ he said.
Feng floated around the room once more, curiously taking in every detail.
After a few seconds, it couldn’t help but clear its throat.
’’Your dwelling is... rather small,’’ he said, his voice strange.
Theo nodded once.
’’Don’t worry,’’ he said, raising a thumb. ’’We’ll be moving to something much bigger soon.’’
As the public unrest had died down, the university had officially lifted the restrictions on places of residence after the tournament.
That meant one thing.
He’d finally get to check out the property Alia had given him.
’We’ll do all of that tomorrow though,’ he thought, closing his eyes. ’First, I actually do want to sleep for a bit.’
Theo let out a long yawn.
The exhaustion from the past few days caught up with him all at once.
’Guess I was more tired than expected.’
He slowly pushed himself off the couch.
’’I’m going to get some rest,’’ he said, flicking on the television. ’’You can watch this or return, it’s whatever you want.’’
Feng quietly floated over to him.
Its gaze flicked between the strange object with changing pictures and the human who’d summoned him.
’’I’ll stay here,’’ it finally said, drifting back over to the television.
Theo only nodded, then walked over to his bed.
Without even bothering to change his clothes, he collapsed and fell asleep.
...
Feng quietly floated above the couch, its eyes locked on the glowing screen.
Images constantly shifted, revealing buildings, echoing music and even people’s voices.
’Interesting,’ it thought, slowly tilting upside down.
Every few minutes, it glanced over at the sleeping Theo before returning its attention to the television.
’This plane’s civilization truly is... peculiar.’
Hours quietly slipped by.
Outside, the university grounds gradually grew silent.
Yet, there were many people who were still awake despite it being the middle of the night.
One in particular stood in the training grounds, breathing heavily.
’’Fuck!’’ he cursed, tossing his sledgehammer aside.
Flaming earth spikes dissipated all around him.
’’It’s just not fucking working!’’ Owen continued angrily.
’’Relax,’’ Adrian’s voice rang out. ’’You’re never going to master a fusion spell like this.’’
Owen’s expression only darkened.
He sat down on a chair, his head between his hands.
’’I know,’’ Adrian said, sitting down beside him. ’’It’s been hard on you.’’
He handed Owen a bottle of water.
’’But you just can’t force things like this.’’
Owen accepted it with a frustrated sigh.
’’I just hate feeling like I’m not strong enough,’’ he muttered. ’’Theo’s already so much more powerful than I am...’’
’’And I just don’t want to become a burden to him in the future!’’
Adrian remained silent for a moment.
Then he patted Owen’s back lightly.
’’I know, I know,’’ he said. ’’But I don’t think you have to be as worried as you are now.’’
’’I was nowhere near as strong as you are when I was your age.’’
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Only the faint crackling of the burning earth echoed through the training grounds.
Then Adrian suddenly stood up.
’’Go get some rest,’’ he said.
Owen looked up, confused.
’’Why?’’
Adrian let out another sigh as he glanced up at the dark sky.
’’Because something far more... painful and annoying is coming up in a few days.’’
Owen frowned deeply.
’’What do you mean?’’
Adrian remained silent, his expression growing noticeably more solemn.
’’A funeral is being held near your hometown of Santa Barbara,’’ he finally said. ’’For all the victims and heroes who passed during the beast tide.’’
He paused for a moment before continuing.
’’Joop, my old friend and your benefactor, will be part of that too.’’
Silence settled over the training grounds.
Even Owen’s frustration instantly disappeared.
He slowly lowered his head, memories of the burning man flashing through his mind.
’’Right,’’ he muttered.
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