Chapter 2: A Conqueror's Claim
As twilight gradually draped its violet hues over the land, Ethan and Seraphina found themselves standing before a sprawling castle, their reflection glinting off the polished obsidian walls. Their carriage, an extravagant affair swathed in opulent velvets and glistening metals, rested behind them, framed by the celestial spectacle above. An imposing canvas of shimmering galaxies unfurled across the vast, inky sky, punctuated by gargantuan planets that loomed like celestial guardians.
"No commoner, are you? The opulence seems a tad excessive for just a 'mentor'," Ethan quipped, rubbing his stubble-specked chin in contemplation as they disembarked. He scanned the grandeur around him with a raised brow, his gaze flitting between Seraphina and the castle.
"Well, it's more complicated than that. Wealth, you see, is a direct reflection of one's prowess in conquest here," Seraphina explained, her emerald eyes glinting under the ethereal light. "Most in that summoning hall were conquerors, warlords even, and they had gathered for the ritual, a spectacle only the elite witness."
Ethan, still grappling with the complexity of this world, furrowed his brow. "So, you are one of these conquerors? And the summoning... it just happened to be your lot?"
Seraphina's lips curled into a smirk of pride, "Indeed. I've reduced mighty nations to ashes, single-handedly. And yes, the summoning gift is a rare birthright, doled out randomly once every generation." She paused, then added with an icy glare, "It might serve you well to respect my authority."
"Sure, sure." Ethan brushed off her warning nonchalantly. "So, do we share a bed? Purely for training purposes, of course," he added quickly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a cheeky grin.
A blush flitted across Seraphina's cheeks, her green eyes shooting daggers at him. Their playful banter was abruptly cut short by the gruff voice of a man. A veteran of countless battles, his countenance was carved with deep lines of enduring struggle. As they strolled through the castle's lush courtyard, he stepped forward, offering a respectful bow before delivering his grave news. "My lady," he began, his voice resounding in the quiet of the evening, "the summoning has stirred the neighboring nations into a union against us. How shall we proceed?"
In the face of impending danger, Seraphina exhaled a resigned sigh, her shoulders squaring with the weight of her decision. "This was already expected. Hold our positions. The commanders would do well to follow suit. We must not falter now." Her words echoed through the silence, a beacon of unwavering resolve amidst the uncertainty. "General Duke, I believe it's time you met our savior. Ethan, this is General Duke."
The General looked taken aback, his stone-cold expression melting into one of incredulity. "With due respect, my lady, I fail to sense any significant power from him. How did King Malik permit this?"
Seraphina's gaze drifted upwards to the cosmic spectacle above, her eyes twinkling with hidden secrets. "When King Malik threatened to cast Ethan aside, his latent potential revealed itself."
"Oh, you mean when my towel inconveniently fell off?" Ethan jested, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
A flash of confusion flickered across Seraphina's face before realization dawned. An annoyed grimace replaced her thoughtful expression. "No... I'm referring to your dormant system. It came to life, remember? Back in Terra's Palace."
"Ah, yes. The part where we had to share an intimate moment to activate this astonishing power," Ethan teased, a smug grin creeping onto his face.
Seraphina's face blushed a radiant scarlet at Ethan's nonchalant remark in front of General Duke, her gaze hastily shifting away. On the other hand, General Duke, caught in an awkward situation, stammered, "I'll take my leave now, my lady. Please send for me if you require anything," he bowed curtly before starting to retreat.
"Wait!" Seraphina's voice sliced through the thick air, causing the General to halt in his tracks. "I didn't introduce Ethan just for the sake of it. He must join the battle tomorrow, to harness his potential power. Your duty is to ensure his survival. The other nations remain unaware of our summon's identity, so he should be relatively safe."
Caught off guard, General Duke hesitated for a moment, before replying with an acknowledging nod, "It will be an honor, my lady. I'll ensure Ethan reports to my station first thing in the morning."
As General Duke disappeared into the dusky shadows, Ethan's voice broke the stillness, a touch of protest lurking in his tone, "Does this mean I'll have to embrace the dawn each day? Mornings and I have never been on good terms."
Seraphina shot him a look of exasperation, expertly sidestepping his remark. "Perhaps it's time to decide on your class, wouldn't you agree?"
A spark of excitement ignited in Ethan's eyes as he nodded, a grin playing on his lips. "I believe I've found something intriguing during our ride here."
Curiosity crept into Seraphina's gaze, anticipation hanging in the air. "And that would be?"
Ethan reveled in the suspense, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he finally disclosed, "Celestial Avatar."
Shock danced in Seraphina's eyes before she closed the distance between them, her fingers brushing against his arm, pressing it to her bosom as she leaned in, her breath a whisper against his ear. "A class of such potential… It surpasses all previous summons," she murmured, her words wrapped in a seductive allure, her lower lip caught teasingly between her teeth.
A blush crept onto Ethan's face as he became acutely aware of her body against his arm, making him stumble over his words in a rare moment of awkwardness, "Uh, yes, I...thought you'd approve."
"If you excel in the field and achieve a higher level of power swiftly, I might have something special waiting for you," she hinted, her fingertips trailing off his arm, her eyes hooded, her smile intoxicating.
A defiant spark lit in Ethan's eyes, matching her gaze, "Bribes won't make me train harder. I'm just not that kind of guy."
"Then, I suppose I'll need to find other ways to...motivate you," she countered, her words tinged with a teasing lilt. "Now, let me escort you into the castle where my servants will guide you to your chambers. I must recover from the summoning and you should rest as well. Tomorrow awaits."
As she turned to depart, Ethan halted her, his voice firm, "Let me activate my class first." With his decision in mind, he triggered the option, setting off an astounding transformation.
Seraphina instinctively recoiled, her eyes wide as a halo of unearthly light began to swirl around Ethan. His form was cast into shadow, eclipsed by a spectacular nebula of radiant energy. As if orchestrated by unseen forces, the ethereal aurora danced and twisted around him, painting an awe-inspiring tableau against the backdrop of the night.
Suddenly, a raw, primal roar ripped through the silence, echoing ominously within the castle grounds. His body was caught in the throes of a cataclysmic metamorphosis, his muscles contorting, tensing, and relaxing in a rhythmic pattern as if warring against the immense power now coursing through his veins. The spectacle was as intense as it was beautiful, an embodiment of power that blurred the lines between agony and ecstasy.
As the torrent of power coursed through his veins, Ethan's face twisted into a grimace. 'Why does selecting a class have to be this painful?' he pondered amidst the maelstrom of sensations overwhelming him.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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