"Hey, is that the middle schooler Awakened?"
Three years ago.
The initiation ceremony of the Gemini Order, where new members’ levels were determined, buzzed with whispers.
"Is that Cheon Seong-jae?"
Gathered from Star-level to Order Masters, everyone had their eyes on Cheon Seong-jae. Not only because of his age, but because he had placed first in the entrance test. And because the Gemini Order’s awakening ritual was even more unique.
Why?
[First Summon, Spirit Calling Contract]
In the Gemini Order, rank is decided by the grade of the summoned spirit. The awakening ceremony was the moment to summon that spirit and determine one’s level.
"They said spirits are categorized as Slave, Normal, Knight, High, and Lord grades, right?"
"Yes, the Order Masters (S-Class) all have High-grade, which are nobility."
"I heard that to become an advanced star disciple, you need at least a Knight-grade..."
"Correct. Not 100%, but it's fairly accurate. That's why last year, the one who summoned a Grand Noble-grade spirit was the biggest sensation."
"Oh! Then a Lord-grade might appear today too!"
"!"
At the journalist's remark, the Order Masters burst out laughing.
"Lord-grade can only be summoned by Saint-level!"
"Even the Order Masters never managed it!"
"Well... but spirit summoning is supposed to draw on latent potential alone, not current rank."
"That's true, but last year an incredibly powerful spirit emerged."
"It's unlikely a rookie will appear who can top that..."
But that day, Cheon Seong-jae rewrote the history of the Gemini Order.
Why?
"He failed the spirit summoning!"
"Did he really fail?"
"Of course he failed! Nothing appeared!"
That's right. Cheon Seong-jae didn't summon a single spirit.
"Good heavens, he's utterly talentless...! Even the most mediocre summon at least a Slave-grade...!"
"How did he get first place in the entrance test?"
"Well... some said he got a perfect score on the written exam."
Of course, two years later, Cheon Seong-jae worked hard and did reach A-Class...
"Just because he's a bit smart and can follow magic, he'll hit his limits eventually."
"He's just a talentless brat who couldn't even summon a spirit."
Thus, everyone mocked him.
But at this very moment.
A solemn man appeared above Cheon Seong-jae's head.
[It has been a long time.]
Because of that, the Gemini Order mages couldn't help but foam at the mouth.
"Th-that really is a spirit!"
Those who had jeered at Cheon Seong-jae more than anyone were now utterly confused.
"Wait, didn't Cheon Seong-jae fail to summon a spirit?"
"No... maybe he actually succeeded back then?"
"Th-then what grade is that thing?!"
Some mages sneered.
"It's something no one's seen before, so obviously some nobody."
"Right? Order Master?"
The mages turned their heads, but the expressions of the Order Masters who were looking at the spirit were strange. In fact, they had gone pale.
"Order Master?"
They couldn't help it.
"F-Fairy King...!!"
"What?"
"Lord grade!!!"
"Excuse me?!"
It was unmistakable. From the magical aura to the sheer presence. This was the supreme spirit, the same class as the one Heiji had summoned. A Lord grade that none of the star disciples had ever called forth! A class that only a Saint-level could ever summon.
But the bigger problem was something else.
"That's the First Fairy King!!"
"What?!"
Indeed. It was clearly the spirit Heiji had desperately sought! The being said to be the strongest of all Fairy Kings in history, capable of making all fairies and Fairy Kings submit. An unprecedented Lord of Lords that not even a Gemini Saint had managed to summon. Moreover, the only spirit king capable of releasing the Prison Grimoire that Yun Tae-u had stolen! That very being had descended before their eyes!
And sure enough.
[My name is Elysion. The first and last Fairy King. Contractor, speak your name.]
The Order Masters, legs giving way, plopped down.
"No doubt about it...! That face and name, I've seen them in the book!"
"The one even Lord Heiji couldn't summon...!"
The situation was dire. That Cheon Seong-jae, of all people, had called forth such a thing. Choi Seong-hyeok's jaw dropped as well. He had thought there was talent above S-Class, but this...!
At the same time, he thought, 'Perhaps he might become a Saint-level in the future.' He shuddered, goosebumps rising. But that wasn't the important thing now.
"Ah, anyway, recover that spirit along with the grimoire!"
At that voice, the First Fairy King turned his head, looking displeased. And in that instant.
BANG!!
The Gemini Order mages were blown away in an instant.
"Gah!"
"Ugh...!"
[How dare mere humans prattle about recovering someone like me.]
Damn it. He's on a whole other level. Even the fairies they had summoned with their First Summons were trembling in fear—despite being at least Noble-grade spirits.
But that was the moment. The First Fairy King entered Cheon Seong-jae's body. Simultaneously, Cheon Seong-jae's eye color shifted to gold.
"!"
And then, as if the power just displayed was nothing more than a greeting, Elysion, now within Cheon Seong-jae's flesh, raised a hand. The moment magic converged on his arm.
"Kneel, you savages."
BOOM!!!
"Argh!"
The Gemini Order mages who had used First Summon were blasted away in a single blow. Their summoned states were canceled in an instant. It was truly overwhelming.
But just then.
"Cough...!"
Cheon Seong-jae suddenly spat blood. At the same time, the Fairy King was ejected from his body.
[As expected, unlike three years ago, you are qualified, but your body is still too weak. You need further growth.]
But right at that moment.
[Enemies annihilated.]
[Conditions for the Ophiuchus mission have been met.]
[Will you become a star disciple of Ophiuchus?]
A blue-green light fell upon Cheon Seong-jae. At the sight, the fallen Order Masters convulsed in shock.
"It's a conversion!"
The scene was familiar to them. After all, all Awakened went through that process to become star disciples.
And even though they didn't know which deity Cheon Seong-jae was going to...
"Wait! If he transfers in that state, won't he take the Fairy King with him?"
"That's right...! When you transfer, you usually take most of your skills!"
Changing the deity you serve, even when transferring, skills you've developed yourself remain. While blooming comes from the deity's grace, it's considered the star disciple's own strength that nurtured them. However, among those, characteristic skills unique to the constellation, or precious skills that could threaten it, are removed upon leaving. That was the industry standard. Those who left in disregard were pursued by the Inquisition.
And the Fairy King spirit was the Gemini Order's one and only treasure. It absolutely must not be taken outside. Of course, they wouldn't care about deserters or criminals transferring to a criminal constellation like Cancer.
And it didn't seem like Cheon Seong-jae would return that spirit and leave either. Proof of that was a subordinate gulping.
"Isn't this dangerous?"
But Choi Seong-hyeok scoffed.
"The Fairy King is a Gemini Order skill, but it's also a Demi-God-level entity. It's bound by a special contract. It can never be taken away."
Sure enough, Elysion spoke.
[Contractor. I am a spirit bound to the Gemini Deity. Therefore, only one who belongs to Gemini can be with me.]
As if to say "I told you so," Choi Seong-hyeok smiled.
"See. There's no way he'd betray Gem... "
But then.
[The magic enveloping your body. I know not who, but it is a very powerful deity. Very well. I shall transfer with you.]
"?!"
With that, blue-green magic burst forth.
[Cheon Seong-jae and Fairy King Elysion have become star disciples of Ophiuchus.]
The Order Masters were aghast. That thing, of all things, was taking the Gemini treasure!
Just then.
[Now, let us proceed with the contract.]
The Order Masters' eyes flashed.
"Now's our chance! Take it back by force before the contract is made!"
"If we kill Cheon Seong-jae, we can recover the First Fairy King!"
But at that moment.
BOOM!!!
"......!"
A fire arrow blocked the Order Masters' path. They were shocked at the direction it came from.
"Th-that person...!"
It was Lee Jae-won who had fired the flaming bow. People gaped at his presence.
"He was definitely the former Sagittarius Order Master...!"
Having removed his oxygen respirator, Lee Jae-won glared murderously at the Order Masters.
"All of you, step away from the young master if you don't want holes in your heads."
"......!!"
Everyone was astonished.
"How can someone who was lying down just moments ago...!"
"He opened his eyes after 10 years and can move like that?"
But Cheon Seong-jae knew the reason.
[Deed 0, Return] is active.
[Effect: Temporary super regeneration, temporarily restores body to optimal condition.]
[Deed 2, The great saint called the Divine Archer is impressed by the master of Ophiuchus.]
[Effect: Borrows power from the Sagittarius Deity.]
Feeling the difference in strength instinctively, the Gemini Order Masters surrendered.
At this, Cheon Seong-jae smiled and took out his phone.
"First, I'll call my uncle..."
But his face went pale as he looked at the phone.
[20 Missed Calls]
[Seong-jae] 13:01
[Cheon Seong-jae] 13:04
[Hey] 13:06
[Answer me] 13:30
[I'll buy you food] 13:31
[Please, Seong-jae] 13:32
[Seong-jae ♡] 13:33
[If you become a star disciple of my uncle before me, you die] 16:48
(Unnamed has left the chat room)
Terrified, Cheon Seong-jae dropped the phone.
* * *
"In any case, that is how I was able to come here. The young master has grown very strong."
At Lee Jae-won's words, Hugo had been unable to speak. The man before him, in his late thirties, was unmistakably his first star disciple and the Sagittarius Order Master, no matter how many times he looked. Of course, Lee Jae-won being able to come here was surely due to the first star disciple's special privilege skill.
[Return]
Wherever and whenever, it brings one to where the deity is. Since deities are usually connected to their Saints, the destination was naturally Hugo.
"And the young master has withdrawn from the Gemini Order."
Hugo felt relief. Finally, he was going to quit being an Awakened like his father had said. Even if not, he could stop him before he joined another order.
"Then Ji-woo?"
"Ah, yes. The lady of the house has not yet opened her eyes, but she can now breathe without a respirator. If all goes well, she may open her eyes within today."
Hugo gently dabbed at his damp eyes. That alone was enough.
And then.
"Hahaha! The eunuch's sanctuary is overflowing with materials!"
Hunting demigods in the destroyed Virgo sanctuary, Lee Geon seemed quite exhilarated.
"Hahaha! Top-tier fabric, one piece, two pieces, three!"
[Ugh! A human is killing demigods!]
[You madman!]
[Argh! Save me!]
Hugo pressed his forehead. Finally, as if telling him that was enough, Hugo shouted.
"Geon!"
Only then did Lee Geon appear before Hugo, his eyes wide. It was because he saw Lee Jae-won. He seemed quite surprised to recognize him.
"So you're the bastard who was lying on his ass for 10 years?"
Lee Jae-won had been the one who played porter when they teamed up with Hugo.
"A brat who used to tremble at monsters is an Order Master now."
Despite the rudeness, Lee Jae-won, as if very accustomed, instead knelt and bowed to Lee Geon.
"It's been a long time, Lord Lee Geon. And this debt of saving my life, I shall never forget."
Lee Geon smirked.
"Forget it. If you're grateful, be good to my friend."
At those words, Hugo was deeply moved.
"Geo—"
"Otherwise, dump this bastard and become my star disciple."
"Hey!!"
Right then.
"Dad!"
"!"
Hugo was startled by the familiar voice. Looking toward the sound, a very familiar face was running over.
"Yu-ha!"
Cheon Yu-ha seemed to have rushed here, breathing heavily. She was relieved to see Lee Jae-won, having already heard the story through Gort’s communication.
"You said you had woken up...!"
Lee Jae-won smiled.
"I will guide you to where your mother is first."
Cheon Yu-ha nodded. But she looked around.
"By the way, where is Seong-jae? Is he not here? He isn't answering."
"Ah. The young master is likely at the lady's side. And he used a great deal of magic, so he's probably tired."
"Is he okay?"
"Ah, yes. He became S-Class after becoming Lord Lee Geon's star disciple. He'll be fine."
"Right, since he became Geon's star disciple, there shouldn't be a problem. I mean, with whose star disciple he is..."
At that exact moment.
Hugo and Cheon Yu-ha's heads turned.
What? Who just became whose star disciple?
(To be continued)