Awakening: I Became a Legendary Spirit Summoner-Chapter 6 - : Meeting Celeste in the Trial, Mutual Appraisal

Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Meeting Celeste in the Trial, Mutual Appraisal

Celeste Frost, his alleged rival, though it was mostly her that said that, was now before him.

She hadn't lied when she said that Karl would have been in danger if it was a monster or anyone else.

You don't gain experience from killing humans, but you could still be crazy enough to do that.

There had been cases of massacres inside the floors of the tower, or inside dungeons.

After all, levels weren't everything, sometimes, a simple powerful item could make people betray you.

"So, why are you here," Karl said calmly, getting up and extending his arm to the left to use [Spirit Summoning].

"Well, I saw you napping under that tree and thought you were insane—"

She cut herself off mid-sentence as the hulking [Demonized Bear] materialized before her.

"—What the hell?"

Her instincts kicked in immediately.

She stepped back into a combat stance, her staff aimed directly at the bear as her mana surged, ready to unleash a spell.

"Don't," Karl said firmly, shaking his head. "He's a friend."

"How is that a friend?" Celeste didn't budge, her grip tightening on the staff.

But just as she was about to attack, the [Frenzied Rabbit] and [Wild Boar] appeared as well.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that they weren't attacking, but even then, she had learned to never let her guard down.

Her father had told her he saw dozens of people die because they underestimated someone else, or were taken by surprise by a monster.

She wouldn't allow it to happen to her.

Celeste's staff crackled with mana as she prepared to fire her spell at the [Demonized Bear].

But before she could release it, she felt something tugging at her awareness.

Glancing down, she spotted the [Frenzied Rabbit] sitting at her feet, its crimson eyes calmly locked on hers.

'Why isn't it attacking me? I didn't even sense it!' she thought, startled.

Her grip on the staff tightened, and she swiftly redirected her aim toward the rabbit.

The [Demonized Bear] tilted its head, seemingly puzzled, while the [Wild Boar] let out a low grunt.

None of them were attacking since their master hadn't ordered them too, as well as the fact Karl didn't feel any ill intent toward the girl.

But as Celeste pointed her staff at the rabbit, she hesitated.

Its small, twitching nose and unblinking gaze disarmed her.

Her stance softened.

Slowly, she crouched down, lowering her hand.

Tentatively, she reached out and patted the rabbit on the head.

"T-These things are cute!" she blurted, a smile breaking across her face as she glanced back at Karl.

"...?" Karl tilted his head, caught off guard by her sudden shift in tone.

Realizing how out of character she sounded, Celeste's face flushed.

She cleared her throat, hastily pulling her hand back and standing upright again.

"Ahem. Anyway," she said, regaining her composure, "I see they're harmless."

Karl blinked, unsure whether to laugh or question her.

"So... we good now?"

Celeste gave a curt nod, though she avoided looking at the [Frenzied Rabbit], which had hopped closer, nudging her leg.

"Fine. But don't think I'm letting my guard down."

"Right," Karl replied.

With that, the tension dissipated, and Celeste stood alongside Karl, silently pondering how such an oddball group of spirits could belong to someone like him.

"Your talent is... peculiar," she muttered.

"I mean, it's called [Spirit Summoner], what did you expect?"

"That's... true."

But to be honest, even though he was talking calmly, Karl was itching to check her [Status Panel].

The curiosity gnawed at him, and judging by the way Celeste kept glancing at him, she was thinking the same thing.

"Let's appraise each other," she finally suggested, her voice steady but tinged with anticipation.

"Alright."

In this world, you could see anyone's level by simply looking at them.

But you could only check another person's stats if they allowed you to or if you had a skill for that.

On the other hand, there was another way to exchange both of your [Status Panels] with one another: [Mutual Appraisal].

"As you know," Celeste began, "We just need to touch index fingers and say [Appraisal]."

Karl nodded, already aware of the procedure.

Without further delay, he extended his hand, their fingertips meeting briefly.

"Appraisal," they said in unison.

Ding!

[Appraisal successful.]

A new window materialized before Karl, displaying Celeste's stats.

[Name: Celeste Frost]

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[Profession: Elemental Mage (SSS-Rank)]

[Level: 4 (12.00%)]

[Strength - 13] [Stamina - 12]

[Agility - 14] [Mana - 47]

[Skills: Fireball (E), Thunder Strike (E), Mana Missile (E), Camouflage (F), Elements of Magic (SSS)]

"Level 4?" Karl tilted his head, "How?"

"Magic!" Celeste grinned, seemingly satisfied as she saw Karl's panel too.

By the way, do note that to her, Karl's talent rank was SSS, not EX.

"Looks like my level's above yours, that's all I wanted to see!" she laughed before walking toward another direction, "See you later!"

"See you."

But after a few steps, she spun back, crouched to give the [Frenzied Rabbit] a quick, affectionate pat, then bolted off without another word.

Karl was now alone again.

"Let's go," he said to his spirits, "We can't slack off, I'm sure many people should already be at level 3."

But he barely had time to reflect on Celeste's departure before the ground began to tremble.

Rustling leaves and the thundering of heavy paws signaled the arrival of danger.

Dozens of monsters emerged from the shadows of the forest.

Among them were hulking [Level 3 Giant Bears] and [Level 3 Demonized Boars].

But slithering between the larger beasts were [Level 4 Nature Foxes], their emerald-green fur shimmering as if infused with the forest itself.

Karl's grip tightened as he assessed the incoming threat.

"Alright. Let's handle this."

The [Demonized Bear] growled, stepping forward as if to shield its master.

The [Wild Boar] pawed at the ground, ready to charge, while the [Frenzied Rabbit] twitched its ears, its crimson eyes locked onto the closest target.

Spirit Flames!

Karl launched a wave of searing flames that engulfed the first wave of monsters.

The fire consumed a [Giant Bear], its roar of defiance silenced as it fell to the ground, charred and lifeless.

With a sharp whistle, Karl signaled his spirits.

The [Wild Boar] charged at full speed, slamming into a [Demonized Boar], their clash reverberating through the forest.

The impact sent the enemy stumbling, giving the [Frenzied Rabbit] the opportunity to leap forward and slash at its exposed flank.

They had used that exact same tactic before, so Karl thought they made a good team.

Meanwhile, the [Demonized Bear] roared and barreled into two [Giant Bears], using its massive horns to impale one while swiping the other with its claws.

Blood spattered the forest floor as the beast roared in triumph.

It was obvious at first glance, but his spirits were much stronger than the normal monsters.

A [Nature Fox] darted toward Karl, its movements fluid and almost too quick to track.

But Karl didn't flinch.

Spirit Flames!

He summoned a surge of ghostly white fire that erupted in the fox's path.

The flames roared toward their target, but the fox's agility was unparalleled.

It twisted mid-leap, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth.

Karl narrowed his eyes.

"Not bad. Let's see you handle this."

The [Demonized Bear] roared, its massive frame moving surprisingly fast as it intercepted the fox's charge.

The fox attempted to dodge again, but the bear swiped with a thunderous claw, slamming the fox to the ground.

The battle raged on, with Karl alternating between hurling [Spirit Flames] and commanding his spirits to attack.

The forest floor was soon littered with the bodies of defeated monsters.

Ding!

[You have slain a Level 4 Nature Fox.]

[You have slain a Level 3 Giant Bear.]

[You have slain a Level 3 Demonized Boar.]

Notifications flooded his vision as the last of the monsters fell.

[Level: 2 (46.00%)]

Karl exhaled, his breath visible in the cooling night air.

"Not bad at all," he muttered, surveying the battlefield.

Stepping over the fallen, he raised his hand and began gathering the faint, shimmering spirits left behind by the defeated monsters.

Each spirit wavered in the air like a dying ember before being drawn into his palm.

The ethereal energy coursed through him, filling his [Spirit Cemetery] to capacity.

[Spirit Cemetery: 10/10]

Satisfied, Karl closed his eyes and whispered, "Spirit Cemetery."

The world around him faded, replaced by the familiar desolation of the cemetery in his mind.

Ten tombstones stood in a perfect line, each one etched with the essence of the monsters he'd slain.

"Link," he commanded.

The tombstones trembled as the spirits merged together, a surge of energy radiating from their union.

Slowly, a figure began to take shape, a majestic [Giant Nature Fox], its sleek emerald fur gleaming under the ghostly light of the cemetery.

[Summon Cemetery: 4/10]

Karl opened his eyes, now back in the real world, and the [Giant Nature Fox] materialized before him, its presence commanding and serene.

"Welcome to the team."

Then with a flick of his wrist, he gestured forward.

That's to make sure one of the people doesn't cheat the other, as both status panels are sent at the same time it makes it easier.