Magus Reborn

163. Binding

The Storm Sovereign unleashed a lightning bolt that tore through the clearing, lighting everything up in a mili-second. Everyone including Kai was blinded for some time. But soon, their shock recovered when the ground shook as a shockwave rippled outward, sending elves scrambling for cover.

Some cried out in alarm, while others quickly called upon their spirits in a desperate bid to defend themselves.

Kai didn't hesitate. He threw up his hands, channelling his mana into a massive wall of ice. He needed distance from the Storm Sovereign to do anything at all.

The barrier rose swiftly, glittering in the storm's eerie light. The lightning struck it with a deafening crash, shattering the wall into sharp fragments that rained down like shards of glass. The impact forced Kai back a few steps, his boots dragging against the dirt as he steadied himself.

"Get behind me!" he shouted, pushing his mana outward to form another shield. But before he could finish, energy flared around him as the elves began to act.

Elders called forth their spirits, summoning power to counter the rampaging deer.

From Caelith's palm emerged a giant hawk-like wind spirit. Its feathers were completely silver, similar to the elder's hair. Beside him, Flossbor summoned a massive earth spirit, similar to a buffalo, its rocky form shaking the ground with each step. Another elder from behind, who Kai didn't know the name of, brought forth a storm spirit, a spirit that looked similar to a falcon, its crackling body mirroring the deer's lightning.

"Hold it back!" Elder V'aleirith commanded.

The spirits surged forward, their power clashing against the deer spirit. But the creature was relentless. It roared, the sound echoing like thunder, and stomped its hooves. Cracks split the ground, snaking toward the elves. Lightning leapt from its antlers, striking the advancing spirits with deadly precision.

Kai spun around and saw Claire frozen in fear, her hands trembling. With a sharp motion, he raised another wall of ice between her and the battle. "Stay down!" he barked. She nodded, pale. She was visibly shivering as she looked at the horror with wide eyes.

Turning back to the fight, Kai hurled a volley of fire spells at the deer. Explosions rocked the clearing as fireballs hit their mark, shattering the creature's mana. But it quickly reformed, shaking off the attacks like they were nothing. The Storm Sovereign's laughter came mocking. Lightning crackled around its body, lashing out randomly and scorching the ground.

"It's feeding on the mana in the air!" Kai muttered, realization dawning. The creature wasn't just powerful—it was pulling energy from the dense mana in the air, making it almost impossible to weaken.

But Kai wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

The elder spirits fought eye-to-eye, all of them focused on a different aspect of the Storm Sovereign's attacks. The wind hawk darted through the air, intercepting the lightning bolts, while the buffalo charged forward, its massive horns slamming into the deer's legs to disrupt its balance. The falcon mirrored the deer's own nature, unleashing bursts of lightning that clashed with its opponent's attacks.

But the deer wasn't done.

It roared again, and clouds spilt from its body, climbing into the sky. The atmosphere darkened as the clouds thickened, swirling into a massive storm.

"Protect yourselves!" Elder V'aleirith yelled as the first lances of lightning rained down, accompanied by a torrential downpour.

Kai gritted his teeth, reinforcing the ice barrier around Claire as lightning struck dangerously close. She crouched down, clutching her knees as the chaos intensified.

"Lord Arzan!" she called out, her voice shaking. "I'm so sorry! It's all my fault. I didn't mean—"

"It's not your fault," he said firmly, his eyes locked on hers. "According to the rules of summoning, it wouldn't have answered your call if it wasn't interested in making a bond with you. This spirit has anger issues, that's all. We need to beat it into submission, and it will respect you."

Claire swallowed hard, her trembling hands clutching her knees. "But how can I—"

"You can," Kai interrupted. "When I create an opening, you move in and try to form a bond. I'll make sure you're safe, no matter what."

She hesitated, the fear still clear in her eyes, but soon, she nodded. "I'll try."

You've got to try, Claire, Kai inhaled deeply and gave her a quick nod before standing and stepping out from behind the ice wall. His voice rang out above the storm, commanding and unyielding.

"I'm going to create a spell to bind it. Distract its attention until I'm ready!"

Caelith sneered. "You reckless human! Because of you, we're facing the wrath of a rare grade three spirit!"

Despite his words, he raised his hand, directing his giant hawk spirit to shield the others from the relentless lightning strikes and torrential rain.

Flossbor and the other elder with the falcon exchanged a glance before unleashing their offensive attacks. Flossbor's spirit charged at the deer, its horns still focusing on the spirit's legs. The falcon coiled through the air, sending extremely sharp gusts slicing toward the deer's glowing form.

"Prove yourself, Claire."

She nodded and placed her hand on her heart, breathing heavily. After all, the whole process wasn't easy. Her adrenaline must've spiked. When the sigils faded, the deer spirit disappeared, its presence now residing within her.

Before she could say anything, Kai stepped forward. "Congratulations," he said. "You are now a Grade 3 Spirit Trainer." He couldn't help the pride that swelled his heart. Claire did it. It had taken a lot from her, but she had done it.

Claire blinked. "Grade 3?"

Kai nodded, folding his arms. "Spirit Trainers are as strong as the level of the spirit they're bound to. It doesn't work like a Mage's progression. Just by forming a bond with a Grade 3 spirit, you've gained immense strength. Even if it's temporary. I believe you'll prove your worth."

Her eyes filled with gratitude as she turned to him and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Arzan. I know all of this happened because of you. I'm eternally grateful."

Kai simply nodded, his gaze shifting to Elder V'aleirith, who stepped forward. Her voice carried across the clearing, strong and clear. "Everyone, this year's Rite of Binding has been an overwhelming success! Not only have our young ones forged bonds with rare spirits, thanks to Fatebreaker's aid, but for the first time in centuries, we have a human Spirit Trainer among us!"

She gestured toward Claire with a proud smile. "And one who has bonded with a Grade 3 spirit, no less! This is a momentous occasion, one that deserves to be celebrated. Let us thank the Elder Tree for its blessings and rejoice tonight!"

The clearing erupted into cheers, the elves raising their voices in celebration. Spirits danced in the air, their glowing forms adding to the festivity as laughter and joy spread like wildfire.

Claire looked around, her cheeks flushed as the weight of her achievement settled in. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Kai giving her a small nod. "Enjoy the celebration," he said simply before stepping back into the crowd, leaving her to soak in the moment.

The night turned lively with music, dancing, and feasting. And for just a little while, Kai felt like he could take a step back from thinking about how to save the world.

***

After the celebrations of the Rite of Binding, Kai put Claire in the hands of Flossbor who agreed to teach her the basics of being a Spirit Trainer and turned his attention to a far graver matter—How to save the Elder Tree.

It was an ancient anchor of life and magic that connected everything. It wasn't just the forest's heart but the wellspring of ambient mana that made spells and cultivation thrive. Without the tree, the mana would stagnate, and dead mana zones would spread like a blight. The implications of its death stretched far beyond the forest, threatening the balance.

The elves had poured centuries of wisdom and effort into saving the tree, but their theories and attempts had all failed. If they had found even the smallest success, they would have already acted. The weight of this realization gnawed at Kai as he buried himself in their ancient tomes, searching for something—anything—they might have overlooked.

Days blurred together in a haze of reading and frustration. The ancient script of elven texts, once so captivating, now felt like an endless maze with no way out. Kai's mind raced as he cross-referenced theories, his fingers tracing over faded diagrams of mana flows and roots. But nothing worked. Each path he explored led to a dead end, another failure to add to the pile of failed attempts by those who came before him.

His frustration grew into desperation. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire

The future he had glimpses of offered some reassurance. In the history he knew of, the Elder Tree hadn't died so early. But by now, he knew that his knowledge about historical events was fragmented and unreliable. Could he trust them? Could he afford to?

And then, when he had been about to give up, a thought sparked. A small, fragile idea nestled in the back of his mind.

It wasn't anything the elves had documented, nor was it part of the knowledge they shared. No, it was something that came from him—his memories, his understanding of arcane knowledge.

It felt audacious, borderline impossible. But it was also their only hope. He poured all his time, trying to work on the idea until finally he felt like he had a definite way to do what the elves have failed to do in his previous life.

Two days later, Kai stood before the council of elders. Their faces bore the lines of age and worry, their anticipation tangible. He took a steadying breath before speaking.

"I've thought of a way to save the Elder Tree," he began. "It isn't a guarantee, and I can't promise success. But it's the only chance we have left."

"What is it?"

"Well, actually, there's not one way. I have found two ways through which we can try to save the Elder Tree," he said and prepared himself for the barrage of questions that was about to come.

***

A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

PS - sorry for delay. Been sick.