SUMMONER'S JOURNEY

The battle was finally over.

Groff released his grip, stepping back with labored breaths, his armor slightly dented from the fight.

Now that the battle was done, he could finally breathe.

Richard stepped back, panting, his adrenaline still rushing through his veins.

Groff released the bear's neck, stepping away with labored breaths, a few bruises and scratches marking his otherwise sturdy frame.

Nyx limped slightly, blood matting her dark fur, but she still stood tall, her piercing eyes watching the fallen beast cautiously.

Both Groff and Nyx were panting, their injuries visible even in the dimming light of the forest.

Groff's fur was matted with dirt and blood, his once-pristine armor now dented and scratched from the Earth Bear's brutal attacks.

Nyx, usually sleek and composed, stood with one leg slightly lifted, a deep gash visible on her shoulder from where she had been thrown against the tree.

They had fought fiercely, and they had won—but not without cost.

Richard immediately moved to her side, kneeling down.

"You did great, Nyx," he said, running a hand gently over her fur.

She let out a low purr, though he could tell she was exhausted.

Groff stepped closer, nudging Richard's arm, as if asking about Nyx.

"You both need healing."

He cannot let his summons continue to suffer pain after fighting to protect him.

Even though his own magic reserves were running low, he would give his all to make sure they were healed.

He exhaled, steadying his mind, then raised his hand toward the sky.

He let his magic flow, pulling deep from his reserves.

"I call forth thee, heed my call—LUNARIS!"

A soft silver-blue glow filled the clearing, washing over the battlefield like gentle moonlight.

The chaotic remnants of the battle—the torn ground, the blood-streaked fur—seemed to fade under the calming radiance.

From within the shimmering summoning circle, a graceful, ethereal creature emerged.

Her delicate frame moved effortlessly, as though she were floating rather than walking.

Her rounded face, adorned with glowing lunar markings, carried an expression of pure serenity.

A majestic crest adorned her head, its silver luminescence shimmering softly, and a cloak-like covering draped around her elegant form, making her look like a celestial guardian descended from the night sky.

Her wide, soothing eyes settled on Groff and Nyx, instantly recognizing their pain.

Richard, despite his exhaustion, smiled.

"Lunaris, can you heal them?"

The Moonelle nodded, her voice soft and melodic, carrying a gentle resonance, almost like a song woven into the wind.

She closed her eyes, lifting her delicate paws, and murmured the spell:

"Tidal Mend."

A swirling stream of enchanted water formed around her, shimmering under the moonlit glow of her magic.

The water cascaded around Groff and Nyx, gently weaving over their wounds, the injuries closing as if time itself was reversing.

Groff let out a deep, content rumble, his breathing evening out, his fatigue melting away.

Nyx, who had been standing stiffly, relaxed, stretching out her injured leg with a satisfied sigh as the pain vanished completely.

The glow of the healing spell slowly faded, leaving the clearing in a calm, tranquil stillness.

Richard let out a breath, his body sagging slightly as the strain of another summon weighed on him.

But thanks to Lunaris passive bluff his Magic also Began to recover at faster rate than before.

"Thanks, Lunaris…" he murmured, gratitude filling his voice.

Lunaris dipped her head gracefully, her soft gaze lingering on him, as if silently reassuring him that she would always be there when needed.

With a final gentle hum, she faded back into the magic realm, so not to make it harder for Richard.

A cool breeze rustled through the trees, carrying away the tension that had once filled the air.

Richard ran a hand through his hair, feeling both relieved and deeply grateful.

His summons had fought with everything they had—and thanks to Lunaris, they could stand strong once more.

"At least… we got a massive profit out of this," Richard mused, running a hand through his hair as he surveyed the fallen Earth Bear.

The materials from an Earth Bear were highly valuable—its hide, bones, and liver alone could fetch upwards of 150,000J at the market.

But the real prize was the head.

Some wealthy nobles sought rare monster trophies, and an Earth Bear's head could go for as much as 400,000J to the right buyer.

"Not bad at all," Richard muttered.

With a simple motion, he activated his spatial ring—a gift from his parents. A soft glow surrounded the bear's corpse before it vanished into the small storage dimension within the ring.

Richard glanced at the silver band on his finger, his expression momentarily softening.

"Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father," he whispered.

This ring had been one of the greatest gifts they had ever given him.

It saved him countless hours of work, eliminating the need for dragging heavy monster corpses or worrying about transporting valuable materials.

He couldn't be more grateful for it.

But now, it was time to head back.

---

The late afternoon sun dipped lower into the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest.

With Nyx moving silently at his side and Groff pacing steadily beside him, Richard began the journey home, determined to reach Magnolia before nightfall.

The journey was quiet, the exhaustion from battle settling into his muscles, but it was a satisfying kind of tiredness.

By the time they finally reached Magnolia, the sky had already turned dark, the streets illuminated by warm lantern lights.

Richard exhaled deeply as he approached his home.

"I'll turn in the mission tomorrow," he decided, too drained to bother with a trip to the guild tonight.

Turning to his summons, he placed a hand on Groff's sturdy shoulder and ran his fingers through Nyx's sleek fur.

"Thanks for everything today, you two. You were amazing."

Groff let out a low, satisfied growl, and Nyx, ever composed, flicked her tail before vanishing silently back into the summoning realm.

With his trusted companions dismissed, Richard dragged himself inside, his body screaming for rest.

He stripped off his gear, tossing his cloak aside before stepping into a long, soothing bath, letting the warm water ease his aching muscles.

Every bruise, every bit of exhaustion—it was worth it.

And as he collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling, he felt a rare sense of peace.

Today had been exhausting.

But it had also been a damn good day.

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