Chapter 3: The Awakening of the Bond
The egg was warm in Lian Shen's hands, a constant pulse against her skin. It had been three days since she found it in the hidden corner of the academy's underground storage, the place where no one dared venture. A faint glow came from the cracks on its surface, light rippling beneath the shell like a heartbeat of some ancient creature. It wasn't like any other pet egg. It wasn't even a typical beast egg.
Lian couldn't explain it. All she knew was that she was drawn to it, as if something inside was calling her.
The students around her had tried to take the egg, curious about its glow and strange aura, but they hadn't dared touch it. It was too… powerful. Too unknown.
Lian wrapped her fingers gently around the egg. It had been growing heavier each day, a strange pull binding her to it. Sometimes, at night, she could feel a faint pulse inside, like a soul awakening, trying to speak to her.
Lian's heart raced as the egg began to crack. The small fractures spread across the surface like webs of glass, each crack releasing a burst of vibrant, radiant energy. Her breath hitched, and she instinctively took a step back, but then—she hesitated.
The egg trembled in her hands as a soft hum resonated from within. Lian clenched her teeth. No. I can't be afraid. I need to protect it.
Her fingers tightened around the cracked shell, the pulse within the egg growing louder, more urgent. With one final burst, the egg split open entirely, revealing a small, glowing creature nestled inside—a baby beast, wings already twitching, claws sharp and delicate.
Lian gasped as the creature's eyes fluttered open, glowing with a deep, mystic light. It stared up at her, its form flickering between transparency and solid, like something not fully bound to the world. The creature let out a soft, melodic chirp as it nuzzled into her chest.
It's beautiful, Lian thought, a strange warmth flowing through her as she cradled the creature.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop above, Luo Shen watched silently from the shadows. His eyes narrowed as he observed the bond that was forming between his sister and the creature. He had no doubt that this was no ordinary pet. The system had been clear: Mythic-Class Bonded System Detected.
The future was unfolding before him, and he knew that the power she was about to unlock would be incredible. But was she ready for it?
She can't know yet… he thought, turning away.
But deep inside, a question lingered in his mind: How long before she discovers the truth?
Lian slowly stood, still holding the small beast in her arms. Her heart fluttered with something she hadn't felt before: a sense of purpose. The creature blinked up at her again, and its small, yet powerful wings beat softly against her chest. She smiled, an overwhelming sense of warmth filling her chest as she whispered to it, "We're going to be strong together."