The total number of demi-humans was 129, many of whom were mainly Ravari and Eluwyn. It wasn't hard to guess why; these were the two closest tribes.

Among them, there were 48 Ravari, people Horin recognized, some of whom had been taken long before she was even born.

Of those, eight were compatible with an aether stone. Horin was thrilled. These new summoners could help strengthen their dwindling tribe, especially after so many had died during the invasion. She hoped to have them rejoin the Ravari to restore what they had lost.

Next came the Eluwyn, totaling 24. Many already had creatures, but some, those who had been kept as personal slaves, did not. Fay didn't pressure them to form a summon. He knew it was Elaruîn's will to leave that choice to them.

"Thank you, Fay. I haven't had the time to speak to you since… I've been busy caring for my kin," a serious girl called out to him as he was considering the Eluwyn.

"There is no problem, I am just glad you are safe, Vaenya."

Fay was glad Vaenya stayed. She reminded him of Selûne, only older.

The elf had beautiful silver-blue hair, which made sense once she summoned her water-based creature.

"As you can see, I have my own summon, so I won't need a core," she said. "But please help the others. Most of us, Eluwyn, will be returning to the forest, so don't mind us."

Fay nodded at her suggestion and moved on to the next largest group.

The Brundari, tusked humanoids with muscular builds and boar-like faces, numbered 16. They sometimes squealed involuntarily when excited or surprised. From their group, four managed to summon a creature.

Next were the Nokar, the serpentfolk. They resembled mythical lamias, with legs fused into a single powerful tail, allowing them to move quickly and fluidly. They numbered 12, with only two able to bond with a creature.

Their close relatives, the Zirkin, were 10 in total. These lizardfolk had hardened hides and sharp eyes. Three of them successfully formed a bond.

Korren helped organize the Drelkan, the werewolf-like demi-humans. Their group had nine members and, unlike the others, resembled a real family, a tight-knit pack. Of them, only two were able to summon a creature.

Last of the many races were the Aviankin, winged humanoids with feathers and beak-like features. There were only five of them, and just one succeeded in forming a bond.

The remaining five demi-humans were a mixed group, either hybrids or members of rare races.

One was a Durnhar, what most would imagine when thinking of dwarves: short, stout, and strong, with a heavy presence despite his height.

Another resembled a halfling, smaller than most adults and even Fay.

Yet well-proportioned and nimble.

The last three were far stranger. They were hum hybrids, similar to Horin in lineage, but even rarer:

- One carried the traits of an imp, with small horns and a mischievous aura.

- Another looked rodent-like, with fur-covered arms and sharp teeth, but he spoke clearly and politely.

- The final one was the most unusual of all; her body seemed adapted to aquatic living. She required a water source just to speak. They had to place her in a bathtub before she could communicate properly.

What surprised Fay most was that all five of them were able to summon.

It wasn't entirely shocking, but it did make him wonder.

Perhaps being part hum granted them some innate trait that made bonding with aether stones easier, something many full-blooded demi-humans lacked.

After the last summoning, Fay felt extremely tired, and even Horin couldn't hide her yawns.

"That's all for today," Fay said, stretching his back. "If possible, keep helping with clearing the rubble. With the six land users, we'll start clearing the entrance tomorrow and see what we can do to rebuild it."

They still had a door to enter and exit, the same one the king and his soldiers had used to flee, but it was too narrow for more than one person at a time and dangerous in emergencies. If something happened, they needed another way out.

Fay was just about to begin teaching the land-based users how to channel their aether when a silver-haired girl descended, her powerful wings flapping as fog coiled beneath her dress to conceal her landing.

"I grew bored of waiting for someone to enter my palace," Mirage announced, brushing her hair aside. "Tell me, Fay… what are you doing out here?"

Everyone around him instinctively began to bow, but she waved off the gesture after giving them a brief nod.

"Good to see they know who leads them," she said with a smirk. "Now tell me, Fay, what is there to do? I want food. And I know I can't eat those creatures over there…"

She pointed to the few livestock they had gathered.

"Well," Fay replied, "we were thinking of clearing the rubble here so we can find a better way out. After that, I guess I can lead a hunting group outside."

Mirage turned toward the rubble she herself had created and let out a dismissive huff.

"So that's why you wanted those higher quality earth stones," Fay muttered.

The dragon did what none of them expected. She simply lifted a hand, and using the powers of her mind, began to telekinetically move the massive stones blocking the entrance as if they were nothing more than pebbles.

"There. Go hunt. I want something tasty," she said, rubbing her temple. "Especially after getting a headache from helping you."

Fay's eyebrows twitched. He knew she could do that all along… she just hadn't wanted to.

"Well, there's still the hole in the wall. I guess that'll be left for us to fix," he said with a sigh.

He didn't complain further. Instead, he climbed onto Grin's back and turned to the others.

"Anyone who wants to join the hunting party, come along."

He wasn't sure if the barren wastelands beyond the ruins would yield anything, but they were wide and open. It was worth a try.

"No problem," said Korran, stepping forward. "My pack will join you. We might've gotten a little rusty staying inside for so long, but when it comes to finding food, our instincts return fast."

Without hesitation, Korran enlisted the Drelkan, already shifting into their alert, hunting-ready posture.

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