Embrace of the void

Michael and Nyxar arrived at school, the morning sun casting long shadows across the empty courtyard. Michael, keen to evade any trouble, kept his head down, hoping to slip past the other students unnoticed. He had one goal: to complete his exams and leave without drawing attention.

To his dismay, the halls were deserted. It seemed the students had already begun their exams. "Alright," he thought, "let's find a teacher and get this over with."

He first checked the office of the teacher who had sent him a message, but found it empty. Undeterred, he continued searching until he finally located a free teacher.

 "Hello, sir," Michael said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm here to take my exams—all of them at once."

The teacher regarded him calmly, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Are you sure about that? If you fail, there won't be another opportunity. You could take each exam separately."

Michael shook his head. "No, I'm ready. I don't have time for delays."

 "Very well. Follow me."

Michael gestured for Nyxar to explore the school while he tackled his exams. The teacher led him to an empty classroom, the air thick with the scent of chalk and paper.

 "I'll give you half an hour for each exam," the teacher explained as he distributed the question papers. "That way, you'll finish in four hours. Are you satisfied with that?"

 "Yes, let's get started."

With determination, Michael began answering the questions. To his surprise, he completed the entire set in less than three hours.

 "You finished quicker than I expected," the teacher said, raising an eyebrow. "You can come back next week to collect your certificate."

 "Thank you," Michael replied, relief washing over him as he bid farewell and headed to meet Nyxar.

Outside, he found Nyxar sitting in the schoolyard, observing two groups of students engaged in animated conversation. Michael approached, his gaze drawn to one group—the Duke's sons, notorious for their relentless harassment.

 "I had a mission before I died," Nyxar said, his voice low. "To eliminate those fools. I wouldn't mind finishing that job now."

 "There's no need for that," Michael replied, his tone firm. "They're just spoiled children. Let's leave before they notice us."

But it was too late. The group had spotted them and quickly closed in.

 "Look who's back, the coward!" taunted Ronan Fargo, the Duke's son, a smug smile plastered on his face. "Thought you were still hiding from us?"

 "Seems like he brought his little pet along," added Alden Fargo, Ronan's brother, sneering at Nyxar.

Laughter erupted from their group, a girl mocking Michael, "Did you finally manage to wake up, idiot?"

Nyxar's demeanor shifted; he laughed darkly, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Maybe we should teach these idiots a lesson," he said, releasing a fraction of his killing intent. The malevolence enveloped the area, and the group's expressions shifted from mockery to terror.

The students paled, their bravado evaporating in the face of Nyxar's aura. Once a formidable assassin, his return from death had amplified his presence to an extent that even seasoned awakeners would tread carefully.

A teacher, sensing the escalating tension, rushed over. "What's going on here?" he demanded, protective instincts kicking in.

 "Nothing much," Nyxar replied, a cold smile gracing his lips. "Just addressing some fools who thought they could make fun of my companion."

The teacher glared at Nyxar, but the two exchanged unwavering looks. The air crackled with an unspoken challenge.

"Come on, Nix. Let's go home," Michael said, his voice devoid of emotion as he turned to leave.

 "Who said you could leave?" the teacher snapped, attempting to intervene. But before he could act, shadowy chains erupted from the ground, binding him in place.

Unfazed, Michael and Nyxar walked away, leaving behind a teacher ensnared and a group of frightened students, their mockery silenced by the weight of their own cowardice.

"Why don't we just assassinate those idiots?" Nyxar asked, frustration lacing his voice.

Michael shook his head. "They're the sons of a duke. We can't underestimate them. We have no idea what strange treasures they might possess for protection or tracking. Plus, there's an A-rank awakened hiding nearby to guard them. Raven sensed him and warned me. It's fortunate he didn't interfere and let us leave."

Nyxar sighed heavily. "I'm just so angry. I need to vent my frustration on something."

 "Your chance will come soon enough. Just calm down for now," Michael reassured him.

Once they returned home, Vragoth and Morgoth emerged from the shadows, their presence a comforting reminder of their strength. Michael set to work roasting one of the monster corpses, the savory aroma filling the air. They ate in silence, each lost in their thoughts.

After the meal, Michael retrieved the monster guide from his ring, flipping through its pages with a sense of purpose.

"What are you looking for?" Nyxar asked, curiosity piqued.

 "I'm searching for our next companion," Michael replied, his eyes scanning the text.

He delved into the guide, exploring various monsters and their unique abilities. The pages revealed a vast array of creatures, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

{Wood Wolf}: He has an affinity for plants, and is known for his cunning hunting

{Blood Wolf}: Fierce and resilient with an affinity for blood, capable of enhancing its strength with each successful attack.

{White Bear}: A powerful guardian with immense physical strength and endurance and affinity for ice and water.

{Crystal Crocodile}: A master of ambush tactics, utilizing its environment to catch prey off guard.

{Storm Monkey}: Quick and intelligent, adept at using lightning-based attacks.

After thorough consideration, Michael narrowed down his options to five potential candidates for their summons. Each choice held promise, and he could feel the excitement building as he contemplated their next move.

 "Let's see who fits best with our plans," Michael murmured, already envisioning the possibilities that lay ahead.