The Extra's Rise
Chapter 623 - 623: Divine Beast (3)

The massive ceremonial hall that Father led us to took my breath away, even though I'd seen it countless times throughout my childhood. The space soared upward for what seemed like impossible distances, its crystalline walls channeling and amplifying Purelight until the entire chamber hummed with concentrated divine energy. At the center, a ritual circle carved from pure starlight marble gleamed with inscribed runes that had been crafted by the finest enchanters the Creighton family could commission.

'This facility represents centuries of research and development,' I thought, studying the intricate magical arrays that covered every surface. 'My ancestors built this specifically to help Purelight users achieve Divine Beast bonding—something that was previously only possible if they were found in nature.'

Arthur walked beside me, his presence both comforting and slightly intimidating now that I could sense his advancement to mid Ascendant-rank. The power radiating from him was stronger than when he'd left for the Western continent, refined and focused in ways that spoke to intense combat experience.

'He's grown so much stronger,' I realized with a mixture of pride and determination. 'I need to prove that I can match his development, that I'm worthy of standing beside him as an equal partner.'

Kali and Reika followed behind us, both studying the ceremonial hall with obvious professional interest. Kali's black hair caught the ambient Purelight as her sharp eyes analyzed the magical infrastructure with the precision of someone who understood complex enchantment systems. Reika maintained her characteristic composed expression, though I could see her violet eyes tracking every detail with the thoroughness that made her such an effective subordinate for Arthur.

Though her gaze seemed to be teetering on something a bit beyond.

"The spire above us," Father said, his voice carrying easily through the vast space as he gestured toward the crystalline tower that rose through the chamber's center, "has been designed to channel concentrated Purelight across multiple layers of space-time simultaneously."

"Divine Beasts exist all over the world," he continued, his sapphire eyes bright with enthusiasm for the subject. "The spire creates a resonance cascade that attracts compatible entities from across the entire world, allowing them to manifest here for the bonding process."

Arthur nodded with obvious understanding, his own magical knowledge sophisticated enough to appreciate the complexity of what Father was describing.

I'd been preparing for this moment for years, training in Purelight manipulation and spiritual discipline until both had become second nature, as that was my duty as the future Saintess of this world. But knowing that Arthur would be watching, that this ceremony would determine what kind of Divine Beast would fight alongside me for the rest of my life, made the stakes feel overwhelming.

'I want to do well for him,' I admitted to myself as we approached the ritual circle. 'I want to prove that choosing me was the right decision, that I can be the kind of partner he deserves.'

"Rachel will attempt the bonding first," Father announced.

Arthur turned to look at me, his dark eyes warm with encouragement and something deeper that made my heart skip. "You've got this," he said softly, his confidence in my abilities both touching and slightly intimidating.

'He believes in me completely,' I realized, feeling some of my nervousness transform into determination. 'I can't let him down.'

"Cheer for me?" I asked, rising on my toes to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. The simple contact sent warmth through me that had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with how much I'd missed being close to him.

"Always," Arthur replied, his smile carrying the kind of warmth that made me feel like I could accomplish anything.

'He doesn't seem anxious at all,' I noted, finding his calm confidence both reassuring and slightly puzzling. 'Either he has complete faith in my abilities, or he knows something about this process that I don't.'

I stepped into the ritual circle, feeling the ancient runes respond to my presence with subtle vibrations that resonated through my bones. The starlight marble beneath my feet began to glow more brightly, while the crystalline spire above me hummed with increasing energy as Father's technology activated in response to my Purelight signature.

'This is it,' I thought, closing my eyes and beginning the meditation techniques that would prepare me for channeling maximum Purelight output. 'Everything I've trained for, everything I've worked toward, comes down to the next few minutes.'

The first step was establishing perfect internal balance—aligning my magical energy, emotional state, and spiritual focus into a unified whole. I breathed deeply, feeling the familiar calm that came with proper centering as stress and anxiety melted away.

'I am Rachel Creighton,' I reminded myself. 'Future Saintess of the world, daughter of one of the most brilliant mages alive, and someone worthy of standing beside Arthur Nightingale. I can do this.'

With my internal state stabilized, I began channeling Purelight through my mana circuits, feeling the familiar warmth build from my core and spread throughout my body. The spire above me responded immediately, amplifying and focusing my energy with precision that spoke to Father's engineering brilliance.

'Time to add the supernatural element,' I decided, activating my Gift.

Saintess. The supernatural ability that marked me as the future best Purelight user of the world, a Gift that amplified my Purelight prowess beyond the norm. As it activated, my Purelight transformed from mere energy into something that carried the weight of celestial power.

The transformation was immediate and dramatic. My Purelight blazed with intensity that made the ceremonial hall's ambient energy seem dim by comparison, while waves of divine authority radiated outward from my position. The spire channeled my enhanced energy across the fabric of space-time.

'Something's responding,' I thought with growing excitement as I felt presences stirring. 'Multiple somethings, actually.'

I could feel their evaluation, their assessment of whether I was worthy of partnership.

'Please,' I found myself thinking as the magical resonance built toward a crescendo. 'I need a partner worthy of supporting Arthur's ambitions. Something that can help me protect the people I care about.'

The response came like a lightning strike.

Fire erupted around the ritual circle as a presence of such overwhelming majesty manifested that even I, channeling divine authority through my Gift, felt humbled by its magnificence. Wings of living flame spread across the ceremonial hall while a voice like controlled thunder resonated through dimensions.

A phoenix. Not just any phoenix, but a male phoenix, whose very presence transformed the ceremonial hall into something approaching a divine sanctuary.

'Oh my,' I thought, staring up at the magnificent creature that had chosen to answer my call. 'This is... considerably more than I expected.'

A small phoenix settled onto the ritual circle beside me, his flame-bright eyes bright with youthful curiosity and inherent nobility that spoke to his divine nature. Though he was barely larger than a large eagle, his presence filled the entire ceremonial hall with warmth and potential. When he spoke, his mental voice carried the clear tones of youth touched with ancient wisdom.

"I am Aurelius," he said, his mental voice carrying excitement that matched my own. "I have been waiting to find my partner, someone worthy of growing strong together!"

Around the ceremonial hall, I could hear stunned silence from everyone present. Even Father, who had witnessed dozens of Divine Beast bonding ceremonies, seemed shocked that a phoenix—even a young one—had responded to my call.

'A phoenix,' I thought with wonder and growing exhilaration. 'I called forth a baby phoenix.'

Arthur's voice cut through the amazed silence, carrying pride and satisfaction that made my heart soar. "Incredible, Rachel. A phoenix—that's extraordinary."

'He's proud of me,' I realized, feeling tears of joy gather at the corners of my eyes. 'I did well. I proved myself worthy of bonding with the rarest Divine Beast.'

The bonding process itself was surprisingly gentle after the dramatic manifestation. Aurelius extended one small but magnificent wing toward me, and when I touched the offered feathers, I felt our life forces intertwining with a completeness that suggested perfect compatibility.

'We are bonded,' Aurelius said, his mental voice now carrying undertones of affection and excitement. 'Your light called to mine across the world, Rachel. Together, we will grow strong and achieve great things!'