THE GIFT CEREMONY

  The underground sanctum beneath the House of Scorpio was filled with the stench of blood and burning incense. Dark-cloaked figures stood in a perfect circle, their faces hidden behind ritual masks, whispering incantations in an ancient tongue. Torchlight flickered against the damp stone walls, illuminating grotesque carvings—symbols of power long forgotten by the rest of the Academy.

  At the center of the chamber lay several bound figures—humans, trembling, weak, and powerless.They were from the Slums, the district outside the Academy’s reach, home to those who had no star-gifted abilities.

  They were sacrifices.

  Before them, caged and restrained, were twisted hybrid beasts—creatures that had once been normal animals but had mutated over time due to moonstone exposure. Their bodies pulsed unnaturally, their cores—small glowing orbs of raw energy—beating like hearts within their chests.

  A Scorpio High Priest stepped forward, his long ceremonial robes dragging against the bloodstained floor. His voice was a whisper, but it carried through the chamber with a chilling weight.

  “Through blood, we awaken. Through sacrifice, we ascend.”

  With a swift motion, a Scorpio acolyte drove a curved dagger into the chest of the first hybrid beast, slicing it open. Its death cry echoed through the chamber, but the cloaked figures remained still. The High Priest reached into its open chest cavity and pulled out the glowing core, dripping with dark fluids.

  The restrained human prisoner struggled violently against his chains, eyes wide with horror.

  Two acolytes forced his mouth open.

  The High Priest held the beast’s core above the man’s face, murmuring a final incantation before shoving it down his throat.

  The room fell silent.

  At first, nothing happened.

  Then—the man’s body convulsed violently.

  His veins darkened, twisting under his skin as an unnatural glow filled his pupils before they turned completely black. His breathing turned ragged, his fingers clawing at the air as if trying to rip something out of himself.

  The cloaked figures watched in eerie silence.

  The High Priest stepped back, observing the transformation with cold fascination.

  “The body rejects, then submits,” he murmured.

  The acolytes slashed the man’s arm, letting his corrupted black blood drip into the carved engravings on the stone floor. The runes drank it hungrily, glowing faintly as they led toward the massive moonstone resting in the center of the sanctum.

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  Above it, an open ceiling exposed the stone directly to the night sky, where the moon’s rays descended like a divine spear, striking the core of the moonstone.

  The chamber shook, the energy within the moonstone intensifying.

  The ritual had begun.

  And soon… the House of Scorpio would claim power beyond what the Academy could ever imagine.

  -Back at the Academy

  Back at the Academy, in the Virgo classroom, the students sat attentively as their instructor, Professor Greybourne, addressed them. The usual hum of quiet conversation was absent today—there was an air of excitement in the room.

  Today was the Gifting Ceremony.

  Professor Greybourne stood at the front, his emerald robes draped neatly over his tall frame. His sharp green eyes scanned the room before he spoke, his voice steady but filled with reverence.

  “Today, each of you will receive your gift—an offering from the Virgo deity herself, a blessing that will guide you through your path of mastery.”

  The students sat in anticipation as he continued.

  “Every gift is unique. Some will receive enchanted tools, others will be given relics to aid in their craft. The nature of the gift depends on your affinity and potential. Whatever you receive today is yours alone—a companion in your journey of creation and discovery.”

  Some students exchanged excited whispers. This was one of the most important milestones for a Virgo adept, the moment when they were truly recognized as part of their house.

  “Now,” Greybourne concluded, “make your way to the Statue Hall. It is time to receive your gifts.”

  —

  -The Statue Hall

  The Virgo Hall of Mastery was a grand, ancient chamber. High ceilings stretched above, lined with celestial carvings, while the marble floors bore intricate sigils of old alchemical symbols.

  At the center stood the great Virgo statue—a majestic stone figure of a woman, robed in flowing garments, hands stretched outward as if bestowing knowledge upon her followers.

  The students lined up before the pedestal in an orderly manner, the weight of tradition heavy upon them.

  Professor Greybourne stood before them, his hands clasped.

  “Step forward, place your hands on the pedestal, and receive what has been chosen for you.”

  —

  One by one, students stepped forward and knelt before the statue, pressing their hands against the pedestal.

  With each turn, a different gift materialized, appearing in a shimmering glow before them.

  ? Callan received a pair of silver-threaded gloves, woven with enchantments to enhance precision in delicate alchemical work.

  ? Orion was given a small engraved wooden staff, pulsing with energy that allowed him to amplify transmutations.

  ? Others received enchantment tools, alchemy kits, spellbound chisels, or infused gemstones meant to aid in crafting and inscription.

  Then—it was Ethan’s turn.

  Murmurs rippled through the students as he stepped forward. His presence at the Academy was already unusual—his talent in alchemy and crafting had far surpassed expectations, drawing both admiration and resentment.

  Taking a deep breath, Ethan knelt before the statue, placing his hands on the pedestal of offering.

  A deep hum resonated through the hall.

  The glow surrounding the statue intensified, the energy pulsing wildly. For a moment, it felt like something was different—as if the constellation itself was deciding something important.

  Then—a brilliant light flashed.

  Gasps echoed across the chamber.

  Where others had received tools or enchanted items, Ethan’s gift was not an object.

  A small, pure white cat with two tails materialized before him, floating slightly above the pedestal.

  It landed gently, blinking up at him with piercing silver eyes, intelligence gleaming in its gaze.

  Silence filled the room.

  No one had ever received a living being before.

  Professor Greybourne’s eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued.

  The twin-tailed cat stretched lazily before hopping onto Ethan’s shoulder as if it had always belonged there.

  Then—it spoke.

  “My name is Solis. And I suppose we’ll be together from now on.”

  The hall erupted in stunned whispers.

  Ethan, still kneeling, stared in shock.

  “What…?”

  The cat flicked its second tail, curling comfortably against his neck.

  Professor Greybourne stepped forward, studying the creature intently before addressing Ethan.

  “This… is highly unusual.” His voice was calm, yet filled with curiosity. “It seems the stars have chosen something… unique for you.”

  Lysandra, standing among the students, folded her arms, clearly displeased.

  “A summoned creature as a gift? Ridiculous.” she muttered under her breath.

  Ethan barely heard her. His mind was still reeling.

  Why had he been given a living creature instead of a tool?

  And more importantly… what exactly was Solis?