The X Professional Academy—a place where you either forge a bond with a familiar or die trying. Admission begins at twenty-five, reserved for those willing to risk everything. Training lasts two brutal years: survive the first, and you're halfway there; survive the second without losing your mind, and you might just make it.

Ghost never thought he'd end up here. But with missions growing deadlier and those bonded to familiars far more effective thanks to their magical powers, he had no choice. He had to try. Surviving in a place where killing was allowed, where each day tested your limits, was daunting enough. But even then, there was no guarantee a familiar would choose him.

If one did? It meant a lifelong bond, linked by mind and spirit, communicating telepathically. Together until death. If your familiar died, so would you. If you died, the familiar would grieve but eventually move on. Simon needed that edge—power to become stronger, more efficient.

The first six months had been hell. Endless sparring, ambushes—he'd already survived two assassination attempts. All for the first trial: The Viewing.

In a vast clearing, familiars gathered, their eyes judging each candidate who walked by. One glance was enough to decide whether you were worthy—or prey. Tomorrow would be worse: candidates would be released into the wild to seek a familiar and forge a bond. Survival was, once again, the only rule.

Simon steadied his breath as he stepped onto the field. A long line of familiars loomed before him, radiating raw power. They obeyed no laws but their own. Many had taken on humanoid forms, though their true nature simmered beneath.

A blazing phoenix, appearing as a man wreathed in flames, stood proud, embers flickering around him. Ahead, a candidate stumbled. The chimera hissed, tentacles snapping forward to engulf the unlucky soul. In seconds, they were gone.

Simon swallowed hard, forcing down the knot in his throat. Then, with resolve tightening his every step, he moved forward.