"The Summoner System," Zephyr spoke first.

A queen draped in blue veils leaned forward, her projection casting faint ripples across the table "Mana has always been our constant. From birth until death, it defines our limits. Even those who break through, archmages, ascended warriors, saints they do so within its lattice. People are always finding ways to go past these limitations and ascend to higher power.. Summoners could bridge gaps we have long accepted as walls."

Wulv with a thoughtful look on his face said "Each continent has forged its own system. Our people rise through methods tailored to our lands and traditions. We endure trials, temper bloodlines, shape mana into unique forms. Yet always, always, it converges toward the same end. To walk higher. To grasp power enough to change fate. And now Krogan would place his path alongside ours."

Before the Mage System, there had been no shared foundation across the continents. Its introduction had given the world a common language of power, yet even then it had been limited, confined to those with the affinity, talent, or bloodlines to bear it. For many, the Mage's path was forever closed, their lives bound by the ceilings of birth and fate.

Krogan's system was different. Similar in its universality, yes, but frightening in its accessibility. Unlike magic, it did not demand years of study, nor did it bow to talent or lineage. By all appearances, anyone could walk this path. Even those whose potential had long since reached its end, mortals with no spark left to kindle could divert into it, finding a new route forward.

It sounded good. Too good.

And that was the danger.

Such a power, open to all, was not something the godlings nor the kingdoms of men would easily allow. Hierarchies were built on scarcity, on thresholds of worth and ability. To give every commoner a road to greater strength was to invite chaos into every throne and council. What kings could stand unshaken, if the masses no longer needed them to dream of power?

Zephyr's green eyes darkened as he exchanged glances with Wulv, Kael, Drowz, and Raina. For the first time, they all seemed aligned in thought. The path ahead was clear in their coming meeting with Krogan.

They would confront Krogan again, as rulers bearing the weight of nations. They needed to press him, to uncover whether his Summoner System carried boundaries flaws, costs, limitations. If it did not, then for the sake of balance, he would need to forge them.

And if he refused…

The silence between them said what none dared to voice.

The day of the final discussion came swiftly. The palace chamber, vast and echoing, felt strangely hollow without the presence of Krogan's generals or the envoys who had filled it days before. This time, there were no distractions, only the six monarchs, their forms shimmering as projections, standing like pillars of authority before Krogan himself.

Krogan, who had once spoken with the ease of a host entertaining guests, now bore the stern composure of one meeting peers, equals. His eyes burned with quiet intensity as he gazed upon the direct offspring of ascended gods.

It was Drowz, the first son of Tide, who broke the silence.

"We would like to begin by offering congratulations, Lord Krogan. To find a path toward ascension is no small feat. For many of us, it still lies shrouded, more illusion than reality."

The others followed suit, their words of formality and respect joining together in a chorus. Some were sincere, others perfunctory, but all acknowledged what could not be ignored, Krogan had touched upon divinity, and that demanded recognition.

Krogan inclined his head, lips curving in a measured smile. His tone was calm

"I thank you all for your words. But to call ascension illusionary for you is an understatement. You are heirs to the divine. Even if your paths seem unclear, you carry within you a legacy that will open doors others could never reach. To speak plainly, should you choose to climb higher, you will find the steps. They will bend to you."

His eyes swept over them, lingering on each in turn, as if weighing their measure.

"Mine is different. I was not born of that blood. I carved this way myself"

The godlings smiled faintly, a brief silence lingering before Zephyr's calm voice filled the hall.

"We have been informed by our children about your goal, and the new path you aim to bring into this world. We have questions we wish to ask, but before that, can we ask you to show us the full picture of this Summoner Path?"

Krogan's golden eyes swept across them. For a moment he said nothing, then raised his hand. The air rippled, and before all present words began to etch themselves into light. Alongside each word, shifting images took form, scenes that gave shape and meaning to the system he spoke of.

A progression was revealed, from the first stage to the sixth, each step clear in its intent.

Krogan began to speak "The Summoner System is a tiered progression following the path of all power systems, a ladder that practitioners must climb. With each new stage, a summoner forges a pact with a more powerful creature, building a stable of allies that reflect their own growth"

Krogan began to speak "The Summoner System is a tiered progression follow the path of all power system, a ladder that practitioners must climb. With each new stage, a summoner forges a pact with a more powerful creature, building a stable of allies that reflect their own growth"

Stage One: The Companion's Vow. This is the foundational stage. The summoner forms a simple pact with a low-tier magical beast. The growth of the summoner is heavily dependent on the talent of their first companion, making the choice of the first summon crucial. The summoner gains minor physical or magical boosts. This stage decides how far one can go in this system of power.

Stage Two: The Allied Bond. Once the summoner and their first companion reach a certain threshold of power and growth, the summoner can forge a new pact with a more formidable, mid-tier beast. This is where the first bond begins to showcase its strength, if the beast summoned at the stage is stronger than the first summon, the status quo changes meaning growth is no longer accessible for the first summon and the same goes for the summoner. The same can't be said for the second summonest beast as it can still grow but once it perceives the limit of its summoner depending on the bond it can choose to break that bond. This stage allows the summoner to borrow significant magical power for short bursts.

Stage Three: The Primal Conduit. This stage is a critical test of a summoner's dedication. To forge a third pact with a high-tier beast, the summoner must first raise the strength of their first companion to the level of a Stage three creature. If a summoner attempts to bypass this step and summons a new beast before their first companion is strong enough, the new summon will immediately perceive the summoner's lack of leadership. The new beast's immense power will supersede everyone else's, causing the growth of the first two summons to stagnate completely.

By successfully elevating their first two summons, a summoner proves their worth. The third summon will respect their ability to lead and nurture their subordinates. The summoner can then command a powerful trio, each of whom acknowledges their master's strength and vision.

Stage Four: The Soul Weave, at this point, a summoner can forge a fourth pact with a creature that is a step away from being a true beast king. To be successful, the summoner must first elevate, most importantly their first summon or one of their summon to the fourth stage. If they succeed, the bonds between the summoner and all their creatures begin to intertwine, creating a unified power source. This soul weave is possible only because every single summoned beast sees the summoner as a capable and powerful leader. The summoner's consciousness merges with their collective, allowing them to wield their entire stable of creatures as a single, devastating force.

A failure to meet the requirements means the Stage Four creature will not even answer the summoner's call. It will sense the imbalance and weakness within the summoner's existing bonds, deeming them unworthy of the spiritual connection required for a successful pact.

Stage Five: The Monarch's Pact. This is the pinnacle of the system for any mortal. It is the final, most dangerous stage, a direct pact with a Beast King. The beast king, a Fifth Stage being, is immensely powerful and will only consider a bond if the summoner has proven their worth beyond a doubt.

A summoner can only attempt this pact after they have raised all their previous four summons to the level of a Stage Four creature. The beast king's decision is not based on the summoner's individual strength, but on their proven ability to lead and guide their entire stable of creatures to a level of power that rivals the beast king itself. The first companion's immense growth, from a small beast to a colossal force, is the ultimate proof of the summoner's talent.

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