Finally, they moved on to the fourth, and most important item, it was an amulet on a silver chain. The amulet itself was crafted in the shape of a stylized flame. At its center was a small crystal that pulsed with a faint inner light.

"This is for the phoenix." Merath said, looking lightly at the phoenix. It sat stably in Eden’s hands, filling them both. "It’s a bonding focus."

Eden did his best to understand, but he didn’t quite understand. "Bonding focus? Like... it makes it like me more? I don’t want that if it’s what I think it is. I don’t want to brainwash it..."

"No." Merath shook his head. "Allow me to explain. When you wear this and cast a spell, the amulet will transmit your intentions directly to your phoenix. It will understand what you want it to do, even if you can’t speak the command clearly."

"I see...?" Eden understood the explanation but he still had a doubt. "Me-, I mean, Sir Merath...? Sorry, I don’t know the right title for you."

Merath waved it away. "Whatever you want, just speak."

"Right." Eden nodded, then asked. "Then if that’s what a bonding focus is, why is it called a bonding focus? It doesn’t quite seem like the name matches."

Merath gently stroked his beard in thought. "A bond is an incredible thing, especially when talking about magical or combat applications. It isn’t limited to something so simple as how much two are affectionate for each other. There’s a matter of being in sync."

He held it up to the light. "Phoenix masters need this kind of connection tool. An Imperial phoenix is smarter than most humans. It can accept foreign mana, and freely infuse its mana to another. You are not two, but one. Without a focus to bridge the gap between your mind and its own, coordinating in battle would be nearly impossible."

"I think I’m understanding. We’re not just two creatures fighting together. We’re practically one. Down to knowing the exact thoughts of the other." Eden took the amulet carefully, examining it. "How does it work?"

Merath gestured lightly. "Put it on the phoenix. Your wand is already connected to it. The phoenix will feel the connection immediately."

The boy slipped the chain around the phoenix’s neck. As soon as he did so, it contracted, fitting snugly against its plumage.

"Chirp!" The phoenix cried out lightly as it felt the feeling.

"And now I...?" Eden looked for direction.

"Nothing yet." Lumi replied. "You can’t cast spells, after all. Just put on the rest of the equipment for now."

Eden nodded. He awkwardly put on the rest of the equipment, fumbling with the belt clasps and trying to figure out how the robes should sit properly.

Once he was done, he looked down at himself. He was unsure about this style. He had never worn anything like it in his life. "Do I look ridiculous?"

"No." Lumi put a hand on his shoulder and warmly complemented. "You look like a magician. A competent one."

He pointed to a mirror. "Look at yourself."

Eden looked over, and made his way to the mirror. He stared at himself for a good while. Eden adjusted the robes, tugging at the fabric. "I look... important."

"You are important." Lumi affirmed.

"I’m important." Eden repeated. "I’m going to end up changing the world, aren’t I? I’ll be like my ancestor..."

Lumi nodded. "That’s very possible."

"No." Eden replied. "I saw how everyone looked at you. You are legendary. And Merath is clearly a legendary figure as well. If the two of you are showing me such interest, it’s not just possible. You both know I am meant for great things."

Lumi and Merath froze. Merath then looked at Lumi, seeing how he would respond.

Lumi sighed, and looked directly into Eden’s eyes. "I’ll be direct with you, then, so that you know where we stand. I came to your farm for the Fancy Pig’s rare ribbon. I knew that it was run by Henry’s descendents, but I didn’t expect you to be special."

"Hmm." Eden considered his words. "Is the ribbon so important, that someone as important as you would come all the way to me for it? It must have been because I was Henry’s descendant."

"Eden." Lumi was entirely serious. "Yes, the ribbon is that important. It’s so incredibly important. While your lineage made me more likely to head to your farm for the ribbon, it was indeed for the ribbon."

"I see." Eden wasn’t sure how to take it.

"Moving on," Lumi continued explaining directly. "I was entirely earnest telling you that you had to leave that farm for your protection. No matter who you were, as long as those were the circumstances, I’d try to save you. However, I wouldn’t have made you a disciple."

"Of course." Eden replied, his expression shifting. He was subtly downcast. "Once I can protect myself, I’ll go back to my farm. Unless..."

"..."

He sighed. "I bet Henry said something similar. Yet circumstances forced his hand, and..." He held his Phoenix close. "He was amazing."

"You have an accurate read on the man." Merath noted. "Indeed, he was a quiet scholar. He spoke of the pastures he so dearly missed."

"Merath..." Eden looked up to the aged magician. "What were you to Henry?"

"Me?" Merath lightly stroked his beard. "Well, I was just a knowledgeable powerful ally. Not someone with significant personal meaning to him."

His gaze focused. "I will say this, however. You’ve been searching for meaning to having your life upended. Sometimes, things don’t have such a complicated meaning. You had to do this to survive, and it’s alright if it’s that simple. You need a few days to digest this. It’s impossible to ask you to feel well right now."

Before Eden could reply, he put up a finger and continued. "However, I will say this. The Wings of Darkness are an organization that serves the still sealed Dark One. If you lack meaning, perhaps your calling is finishing what your ancestor started?"

"...I see." Eden sighed. "Perhaps I do need a few days." He turned back to the mirror. "It’s fancy though." Eden admitted, looking down at himself. "I’ve never worn anything this nice."

The phoenix chirped, apparently approving of the new appearance. Lumi smiled. "See, even it approves."

"It." It may have been a strange area of focus, but it’s where Eden’s mind was currently at. "My Phoenix isn’t a mere pig or chicken. It’s my..."

He thought about everything he knew. The Phoenix was intelligent, it would be incredibly powerful, had immense status, and would be his life partner from now on. How could he possibly call it an it?

He lifted the Imperial Phoenix up higher. "My bonded partner, from now until forever!"

"..."

"How do I..." He gestured awkwardly. "I can’t tell if it’s a male or female."

"Male." Both Lumi and Merath replied instinctively.

"Okay, thanks."

He stood there awkwardly, then gently lowered his Imperial Phoenix. "Are there any naming conventions for Imperial Phoenixes I should know?"

Lumi responded first. "Henry’s Phoenix was named Astra Invictus Caelestum. So, if you wanted to keep the last name..."

"There’s no conventions." Merath replied, "Though as Lumi said, you should keep the last name."

Eden looked back up to his Phoenix. "Um... Invictus and Caelestum mean what?"

Lumi gazed at Merath. Merath replied patiently. "Invictus carries a meaning similar to invincible, unbeaten, or unconquered. Caelestum refers to ’of the heavens’ or ’celestial.’"

"Okay." Eden replied, then thought for a moment. "In that case..."

He rose his Imperial Phoenix back up. His gaze turned entirely serious. "My partner! We have both been destined for a fate we did not choose. We shall be hunted. We shall be persecuted. And thus, we must grow strong. In the end, I’m certain that strength alone won’t be enough. A destiny shall call upon us, thus be our lineage."

His gaze focused. "We shall rise above, or be buried in a shallow pit. There shall be no inbetween. In recognition of our destiny, given to us by our esteemed ancestors, I shall make you a hero. We shall make each other lord of this era."

"Thus, I proclaim you, my second half... Sol Invictus Caelestum. The Unconquered Sun of the Heavens!"

"CHIRP!" Sol creened his neck up into the air, and chirped loudly for all to hear. He spread his wings out impressively, catching the faint light from the window. Its flames expanded, burning brighter and hotter.

Despite being smaller than a chicken, the phoenix already looked as if it transcended mortality.

A divine beast.

"...Impressive." Lumi commented, in disbelief. "Eden, you did good!"

Merath didn’t speak at first. He took in the moment, his expression clearly expressing his appreciation. Only after Eden was done, bringing Sol back down to his chest, did Merath speak. "Henry chose a fine successor. Eden, you will do well."

A faint blush appeared on the boy’s face. "Thank you both. Truly."