C21 Fire Spirit Awakening

"I never imagined we'd actually end up as classmates," Feng Yixiu said with a glance at Han Xiao, teasing him.

Han Xiao offered a wry smile in response, "Guess that's on me."

"Next up, Shen Ruyu!"

Shen Ruyu's name suddenly echoed from the stage.

"It's finally my turn," Shen Ruyu stated solemnly.

"I hope you don't end up like us two," Han Xiao said to Shen Ruyu with a smile.

"Please, no more talking," Feng Yixiu quickly covered Han Xiao's mouth, then turned to Shen Ruyu with a grin, "We'll be here waiting for your good news."

Han Xiao made a token resistance, but it made one thing clear to him.

Feng Yixiu was incredibly strong!

"Just wait for my good news!" Shen Ruyu declared, then turned and strode toward the stage. Unlike the previous two, she appeared calm and collected as she took her place at the heart of the awakening circle.

"Are you ready?" the teacher overseeing the awakening ritual asked her.

Shen Ruyu steadied herself and answered, "Yes, teacher, you can begin."

The awakening circle then began to emit a slow burn of red flames. These weren't just any flames, but real ones, radiating intense heat!

Above her head, a tangible flame formed, an intimidating sight.

"Could she be about to awaken a fire spirit?" the teacher in charge of the awakening watched Shen Ruyu with astonishment. It took a moment before he regained his composure and added, "It seems Blue Sky Academy is quite fortunate this year! We've seen the emergence of a third Elemental Spirit."

Typically, the awakening ritual of a Battle Companion would have a sign, indicated by color—for instance, blue for water, green for wood, and red for fire Battle Companions.

However, the ritual for an Elemental Spirit differed from that of a regular Battle Companion. While a standard fire Battle Companion's awakening would only produce a red glow, mere light, it was unheard of for it to generate actual flames, much less the substantial fire that Shen Ruyu had conjured!

The manifestation of a tangible element, be it fire, water waves, ice crystals, or others, was a sure sign of awakening a corresponding Elemental Spirit.

But just half a minute before Shen Ruyu took the stage, Blue Sky Academy had already witnessed the awakening of a second Elemental Spirit—an Ice Spirit, composed entirely of ice crystals.

At that moment, all the teachers and students were captivated by something else, leaving Shen Ruyu's situation unnoticed.

The crimson flames surrounding Shen Ruyu began to coalesce, and as the flames atop her head dissipated, a crimson "Grimoire of Dark Companion" was revealed.

The grimoire radiated intense heat, its crimson hue vivid against the backdrop of the room. Small flames flickered and escaped from its pages intermittently.

"Quickly summon your Battle Companion. If all is as expected, it should be a fire spirit!"

The teacher overseeing the awakening ritual became even more convinced of his speculation upon seeing the Grimoire of Dark Companion in Shen Ruyu's hands and urged her on.

Shen Ruyu gave a slight nod and, with a thought, the crimson "Grimoire of Dark Companion" gracefully floated into her grasp.