Weakest Summoner

Chapter 12: The Enemy Inside the Rival

**[Vessel Selection Ritual: 13%]**

**[Estimated Time Until Possession: 71 Hours, 59 Minutes]**

**[Target: Darius Valen]**

Kael stared at the system window.

Seventy-one hours.

That was all the time he had to save the person who had once laughed at him in front of the entire kingdom.

Darius Valen.

The A-Rank Warrior.

The arrogant noble who had called Kael's F-Rank Summoner class useless.

And now, according to the ancient Archive System, Darius was becoming the vessel of an enemy who had survived the destruction of the ancient Summoners.

Kael clenched his fist.

"Where is he?"

Seraphina was already moving toward the library exit.

"The Valen family owns an estate outside the capital. But Darius is currently staying at the academy's eastern residence."

"Then that's where we're going."

"Kael, wait."

He stopped.

Seraphina looked at him seriously.

"We can't simply tell an A-Rank Warrior that an ancient entity is trying to possess him. He might think we're lying."

Kael gave her a tired smile.

"Then I'll show him proof."

"And if he attacks you?"

Kael glanced at Luna.

"Then I hope he listens before Luna bites him."

Luna's ears rose.

"I can hear you."

Kael blinked.

Seraphina stared at the wolf.

Then she slowly turned toward Kael.

"She really can talk."

"Apparently."

Luna lifted her head proudly.

"I could always understand you. I simply couldn't speak."

Kael looked at her.

"How long have you been hiding that?"

"I wasn't hiding it. I couldn't remember how."

"That's convenient."

Luna gave him a look that was almost offended.

"Would you prefer that I forget how again?"

Kael immediately raised both hands.

"No. You're doing great."

Seraphina laughed despite the situation.

For a brief moment, the tension eased.

Then the countdown appeared again.

**[Vessel Selection Ritual: 14%]**

Kael's smile disappeared.

"Let's move."

---

## 1. The Rival in the Eastern Residence

The eastern residence was one of the academy's most prestigious buildings.

Only noble students and exceptionally talented adventurers were allowed to stay there.

Its white marble walls were decorated with golden symbols, and magical lamps illuminated the gardens even after midnight.

Kael had never entered this part of the academy before.

When he had first awakened as an F-Rank Summoner, students from the eastern residence had been among those who laughed at him.

He remembered Darius standing before the Awakening Crystal.

The A-Rank Warrior had raised his head proudly while a Silverfang Drake appeared behind him.

The crowd had cheered.

Then Kael's turn had come.

F-Rank Summoner.

No unique skill.

No extraordinary potential.

The laughter had followed him all the way out of the ceremony hall.

Kael stopped before the residence doors.

For a moment, he remembered how helpless he had felt that day.

Then Luna nudged his hand.

"You're thinking about the past."

Kael looked down at her.

"Is that another ability of yours?"

"No. You're simply making that face again."

"What face?"

"The one you make when you're pretending something doesn't hurt."

Kael went quiet.

Luna's expression softened.

"You don't have to pretend with me."

Kael gently touched her head.

"Thanks."

Seraphina cleared her throat.

"Can we save the emotional moment until after we've rescued our possibly possessed enemy?"

Kael looked at her.

"You're terrible at comforting people."

"I'm excellent at comforting people. I'm terrible at waiting."

She knocked on the door.

No answer.

She knocked again.

A voice came from inside.

"Go away."

Seraphina glanced at Kael.

"That's him."

Kael stepped forward.

"Darius. It's Kael Arven."

Silence.

Then the door opened violently.

Darius stood in the doorway, wearing a black training shirt and dark trousers. His silver hair was disheveled, and his eyes looked unusually tired.

His gaze moved from Kael to Seraphina.

Then to Luna.

His expression immediately hardened.

"What do you want?"

Kael didn't waste time.

"You're in danger."

Darius laughed.

"That's interesting coming from you."

Kael ignored the insult.

"Something is trying to possess you."

Darius's smile vanished.

For a fraction of a second, his eyes turned black.

Then they returned to silver.

Kael noticed.

So did Seraphina.

Darius stepped backward.

"Get out."

"Darius—"

"I said get out!"

His voice echoed through the corridor.

The air around him suddenly became heavy.

A silver magic circle appeared beneath his feet.

Behind him, a massive creature materialized.

The Silverfang Drake.

Its armored body gleamed beneath the magical lights, and its sharp silver horns pointed toward Kael.

Luna immediately growled.

The Abyssal Iron Wolf stirred inside Kael's shadow.

Darius raised his hand.

"One more step, and I'll remove you myself."

Kael looked directly at him.

"I know you don't trust me."

"Excellent. Then we're making progress."

"But this isn't about our rivalry."

Darius's eyes narrowed.

"What could you possibly know about my problems?"

Kael lifted his hand.

The crown symbol appeared beside his summoning mark.

The corridor filled with blue light.

Darius froze.

His Silverfang Drake took an involuntary step backward.

And from somewhere deep inside Darius's mind, a voice whispered.

**Arven.**

Darius grabbed his head.

"Shut up!"

Kael's expression changed.

"Darius?"

The young warrior staggered.

His knees struck the floor.

The Silverfang Drake roared, circling its master protectively.

Darius pressed both hands against his temples.

"Get out of my head!"

A black symbol appeared on his neck.

Three claw marks inside a circle.

Seraphina raised her staff.

"Kael, that's the Void Court's mark!"

Darius looked up.

His eyes were completely black.

When he spoke, his voice belonged to someone else.

**"You should have remained the weakest."**

Kael stepped forward.

"Let him go."

The possessed Darius smiled.

**"You have no authority over me."**

Kael's crown mark blazed.

"Maybe not."

He raised his hand.

"But I have authority over the thing you're using to reach him."

The system activated.

**[Ancient Seal]**

**Target: Hostile Contract Influence**

**Connection detected.**

**Disruption probability: 18%**

**Warning: The target's soul may be damaged.**

Kael immediately stopped.

Eighteen percent.

If he used the skill carelessly, he could hurt Darius instead of saving him.

The possessed warrior laughed.

**"You see? Even your power knows you cannot save him."**

Kael lowered his hand.

"No."

He looked directly at Darius.

"I know I can't save him by attacking blindly."

The black eyes narrowed.

Kael took another step.

"Darius, if you can hear me, fight it."

The possessed warrior raised his sword.

**"Enough!"**

The blade swung toward Kael.

Luna leaped forward.

**AZURE DASH!**

Her claws struck the sword, deflecting it into the wall.

The impact shattered several stones.

Seraphina immediately created a barrier around the corridor.

"Kael! We need to move this fight somewhere safer!"

Darius's body trembled.

For one second, his silver eyes returned.

"Arven..."

Kael stepped forward.

"I'm here."

Darius's lips moved.

"Don't..."

His eyes turned black again.

**"Run."**

Then the possessed warrior attacked.

---

## 2. The Warrior Who Refused to Fall

The battle moved into the residence's training courtyard.

Students fled as the Silverfang Drake released a thunderous roar.

Darius moved with frightening speed.

His sword cut through the air, each strike reinforced by A-Rank mana.

Kael barely managed to evade the first few attacks.

He wasn't a warrior.

His physical abilities were still inferior to Darius's.

A single direct hit could break his bones.

"Darius!" Kael shouted. "You need to regain control!"

The possessed warrior laughed.

**"He cannot hear you."**

Darius's sword came down.

Kael rolled aside.

The blade struck the ground, leaving a deep c***k.

The Abyssal Iron Wolf emerged from his shadow.

**IRONHIDE!**

Its armored body intercepted Darius's next strike.

Sparks erupted.

The wolf slid backward.

Kael's expression tightened.

Even his C-Rank summon was struggling against the possessed warrior's enhanced strength.

"Luna!"

She charged from the side.

Darius's Silverfang Drake blocked her with its tail.

The two creatures collided.

The courtyard shook.

Seraphina raised her staff.

"Kael, his mana is fluctuating!"

"I can see that!"

"No, you don't understand! The foreign mana is feeding on his own!"

Kael's eyes widened.

The Void Court wasn't merely controlling Darius.

It was consuming his mana to strengthen its hold.

Every attack made Darius more vulnerable.

If the battle continued, the possession would accelerate.

Kael opened the system.

**[Target Analysis]**

**Darius Valen**

**Class: Warrior**

**Rank: A**

**Soul Integrity: 91%**

**Hostile Influence: 26%**

**Vessel Ritual: 18%**

**Warning: Continued combat may reduce soul integrity.**

Kael gritted his teeth.

He needed to separate the hostile influence from Darius without harming his soul.

But how?

Then he remembered the Forbidden Archives.

The Archive Core.

The ancient summoning system.

And Luna's newly awakened ability to resist forced contract interference.

Kael turned toward his first summon.

"Luna! Can you feel the foreign mana?"

She dodged the Silverfang Drake's attack and looked back.

"Yes!"

"Can you separate it from Darius?"

Luna hesitated.

"I don't know!"

Kael took a breath.

"Then we'll find out together."

He activated Shared Senses.

The world changed.

He could see through Luna's eyes.

The battlefield became a network of mana currents.

Silver light flowed through Darius's body.

Black threads wrapped around his heart, spine, and summoning channels.

They converged at the mark on his neck.

Kael's eyes widened.

"There!"

Seraphina followed his gaze.

"The mark!"

"The mark is acting like an anchor!"

He looked at Luna.

"Strike the mark, but don't touch his body!"

Luna's ears flattened.

"That's going to be difficult."

"I trust you."

She looked at him.

Then she smiled.

"That's all I needed to hear."

Luna sprang forward.

**AZURE DASH!**

The Silverfang Drake tried to intercept her.

But the Abyssal Iron Wolf slammed into its side.

**DARK ROAR!**

The Drake stumbled.

Luna passed beneath its claws and leaped toward Darius.

The possessed warrior turned.

Too late.

Her paw struck the black symbol.

A burst of blue energy erupted.

The mark cracked.

Darius screamed.

The black mana recoiled.

For a moment, his body became motionless.

Kael raised his hand.

"Ancient Seal!"

Blue chains emerged from the summoning circle.

They wrapped around the black threads, separating them from Darius's mana channels.

The system flashed.

**[Ancient Seal Activated]**

**Hostile Influence Disrupted: 26% → 19%**

**Darius Valen: Soul Integrity 91% → 93%**

**Warning: Enemy resistance detected.**

Kael's eyes widened.

"It worked!"

The black threads began to retreat.

Then something inside Darius laughed.

Not the Null Apostle.

Something else.

Something far more distant.

**"You think this is the entire ritual?"**

The courtyard lights went dark.

Darius's body lifted several inches above the ground.

Black energy spiraled around him.

The Silverfang Drake roared in distress.

Its summoning circle flickered.

Kael looked at the creature.

It wasn't attacking anymore.

It was trying to reach Darius.

"Your summon can feel him!"

Seraphina nodded.

"The bond is resisting the possession!"

Kael suddenly understood.

Darius's relationship with his Silverfang Drake might be the key to saving him.

Even if Darius had treated Kael cruelly, he had clearly formed a powerful bond with his own summon.

Kael looked at the Drake.

"Can you hear me?"

The creature's silver eyes focused on him.

Kael reached through the shared mana flowing across the courtyard.

"Your master needs you."

The Drake roared.

Silver light erupted from its body.

A system message appeared.

**[Foreign Contract Interference Detected]**

**Target: Silverfang Drake**

**Bond integrity: 82%**

**Hostile influence attempting to override contract.**

Kael clenched his fist.

"No."

He stepped forward.

"You're not taking his summon too."

The crown symbol on his hand glowed.

The blue chains spread from Darius to the Silverfang Drake.

For a brief moment, three bonds became connected.

Kael's bond with Luna.

His bond with the Abyssal Iron Wolf.

And Darius's bond with the Silverfang Drake.

The system flashed.

**[Temporary Bond Network Established]**

**Compatible bonds detected: 3**

**Resonance: 12%**

**Effect: Shared resistance to hostile contract interference.**

Kael gasped.

The pressure was enormous.

He could feel Darius's pain.

His anger.

His fear.

And beneath everything else—

his desperation.

Darius wasn't simply afraid of losing control.

He was afraid of becoming something he couldn't recognize.

Kael understood that fear.

He had once believed his own class made him worthless.

He knew what it meant to feel powerless.

He looked toward Darius.

"You're not alone!"

The black energy surged.

Kael shouted louder.

"Do you hear me, Darius?!"

For one moment, the possessed warrior's expression changed.

His lips trembled.

"Arven..."

Kael extended his hand.

"Fight!"

Darius's fingers twitched.

The Silverfang Drake roared.

And the black mark shattered.

---

## 3. The White Mask's Warning

The courtyard exploded with light.

Kael was thrown backward.

Seraphina caught him with a wind spell before he hit the ground.

Luna landed beside him.

The Abyssal Iron Wolf positioned itself between Kael and Darius.

The Silverfang Drake stood over its master.

For several seconds, nobody moved.

Then Darius fell.

His body struck the ground.

Kael immediately rushed toward him.

"Darius!"

The young warrior lay motionless.

His eyes were closed.

The black mark had disappeared from his neck.

Kael checked the system.

**[Emergency Status Report]**

**Target: Darius Valen**

**Soul Integrity: 96%**

**Hostile Influence: Suppressed**

**Vessel Ritual: Interrupted**

**Current Possession Status: Failed**

**Warning: External connection remains active.**

Kael exhaled.

"He's alive."

Seraphina knelt beside Darius.

"His mana channels are damaged, but he'll recover."

Kael looked toward the Silverfang Drake.

The creature lowered its head beside Darius.

For the first time, Kael noticed the fear in its eyes.

Not fear of the enemy.

Fear for its master.

Kael placed a hand on the Drake's armored neck.

"He's going to be all right."

The creature released a low, uncertain sound.

Then it bowed its head.

A strange warmth passed through Kael's palm.

His system flashed.

**[Foreign Contract Interference Resolved]**

**Bond Network Dissolved.**

**Shared Growth activated.**

**Experience gained: 450**

**Mana increased: 42 → 45**

**New information recorded in Monster Archive.**

**Monster: Silverfang Drake**

**Classification: Contracted Companion**

**Relationship with Summoner: Loyal**

Kael smiled faintly.

"Take care of him."

The Drake nodded.

Kael froze.

"Did you just understand me?"

Seraphina looked at him.

"Kael, after what happened tonight, I think we should stop being surprised by anything."

A weak voice interrupted them.

"Don't... tell me..."

Kael turned.

Darius's eyes had opened.

He tried to sit up, then immediately winced.

"Don't tell me you saved me."

Kael stared at him.

Then he sighed.

"Unfortunately."

Darius looked away.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Darius asked quietly:

"How much did I do?"

Kael's expression softened.

"You attacked us."

Darius closed his eyes.

"Did I hurt anyone?"

"No one died."

Darius's jaw tightened.

"That's not what I asked."

Kael hesitated.

"You almost did."

Darius looked at his hands.

They were trembling.

"I remember parts of it."

His voice became quieter.

"I could see what was happening. I could hear myself speaking. But I couldn't control anything."

He clenched his fists.

"I was trapped inside my own body."

Kael remained silent.

Darius swallowed.

"Why did you save me?"

Kael looked at him.

"Because you were in danger."

"That's all?"

"What else would there be?"

Darius stared at him.

"You know what I've said about you."

Kael shrugged.

"You've said a lot of things."

"I humiliated you."

"Yes."

"I called you weak."

"Repeatedly."

Darius looked away.

"Then why?"

Kael glanced at Luna.

She sat beside him, her silver-blue fur glowing softly beneath the courtyard lights.

"Because being weak doesn't mean someone deserves to die."

Darius's expression changed.

Kael continued.

"And because I know what it's like when everyone decides who you are before you get a chance to prove yourself."

Darius looked at him for a long time.

Then he lowered his head.

"I'm sorry."

The words were quiet.

Awkward.

But sincere.

Kael hadn't expected them.

He looked at Darius, then extended his hand.

"Get better first."

Darius stared at the offered hand.

After a moment, he took it.

Kael helped him sit up.

"Then you can apologize properly."

Darius gave a tired laugh.

"You're still annoying."

"And you're still arrogant."

For the first time, they both smiled.

It wasn't friendship.

Not yet.

But something had changed.

The rivalry between them had finally become something more complicated than hatred.

And Kael suspected that their paths would remain connected for a long time.

Unfortunately, the system wasn't finished.

A new message appeared.

**[Emergency Notice]**

**Vessel Selection Ritual: Interrupted**

**Primary Candidate: Darius Valen**

**Status: Rejected**

**Secondary Candidate: Selected**

**Ritual Progress: 21%**

Kael's smile disappeared.

"No..."

Seraphina read the message.

"The ritual moved to another candidate?"

Kael nodded.

"Yes."

Darius's face went pale.

"Someone else is going to experience what I did?"

Kael stared at the system.

The enemy hadn't been trying to possess Darius alone.

Darius had been one candidate among several.

And by saving him, Kael had forced the ritual to select someone else.

A map appeared.

Seven points glowed across the kingdom.

Six had turned gray.

One remained bright red.

Beneath it was a name.

**MIRA.**

Kael stopped breathing.

Mira.

The Elemental Mage who had fought beside him in Ironroot Dungeon.

The woman who had helped him survive the ancient guardian.

The person who had stood with them when the Second Gate opened.

The ritual had selected her.

Seraphina immediately rose.

"We have to find her."

Kael's expression hardened.

"Where is she?"

Darius looked up sharply.

"Mira? What happened to Mira?"

Kael showed him the message.

Darius tried to stand.

Pain crossed his face, but he ignored it.

"I'm coming."

Kael shook his head.

"You're barely able to walk."

"I don't care."

"Darius—"

"You saved me."

Darius looked directly at him.

"Now let me help you save someone else."

Kael studied him.

Then he nodded.

"Fine. But if you collapse, I'm leaving you with Luna."

Luna lifted her head.

"I can carry him."

Darius stared at her.

"Your wolf talks?"

Kael sighed.

"That's going to take some explaining."

---

## 4. The Candidate in the Dark

Far away from the Royal Academy, Mira stood inside a deserted magical laboratory.

She didn't know how she had arrived there.

The last thing she remembered was returning to her room after the Ironroot expedition.

She had been exhausted.

Her mana reserves were nearly empty.

She had fallen asleep.

Then she had heard a voice.

A voice that knew her name.

Now she stood in a circular chamber surrounded by black crystals.

Chains of dark energy hung from the ceiling.

A massive summoning circle covered the floor.

Mira raised her staff.

"Whoever brought me here, show yourself!"

Her voice echoed through the chamber.

No answer.

She tried casting a wind spell.

Nothing happened.

She tried fire magic.

The spell vanished before it formed.

Her eyes widened.

"What is this place?"

A mirror appeared on the far wall.

Its surface rippled like black water.

A figure stepped through.

White mask.

Black robes.

The same symbol of three claw marks.

Mira raised her staff.

"Stay back!"

The figure tilted its head.

"Elemental Mage. Twenty-one years old. D-Rank. Skilled in fire and wind magic."

Mira's expression tightened.

"How do you know that?"

"I know everything about the vessels I select."

She felt a cold sensation travel down her spine.

"Vessels?"

The figure lifted one hand.

A black mark appeared on Mira's wrist.

She screamed as dark energy spread beneath her skin.

[Vessel Selection Ritual]

Target: Mira

Compatibility: 74%

Ritual Progress: 21%

Estimated Time Until Possession: 68 Hours

Mira stared at the message.

"No..."

The White Mask stepped closer.

"Do not be afraid."

Mira struggled against the chains.

"Get this thing off me!"

The figure ignored her.

"Your soul possesses an unusual balance of elemental mana. Fire and wind. Destruction and movement."

Its voice became almost appreciative.

"You will make an excellent vessel."

Mira raised her staff with trembling hands.

"I said get away from me!"

She unleashed every remaining drop of mana.

A storm of fire and wind erupted.

For a brief moment, the chamber blazed with light.

Then the White Mask raised one finger.

The entire spell vanished.

Mira fell to her knees.

The figure crouched before her.

"Your resistance is admirable."

Mira glared at it.

"If you think Kael will let you get away with this, you're wrong."

The White Mask became completely still.

Then it laughed.

"Kael Arven?"

Mira lifted her head.

The figure leaned closer.

"Do you know why I chose you?"

Mira said nothing.

"Because he will come for you."

The White Mask rose.

"And when he arrives, I will have everything I need."

The black crystals began glowing.

The summoning circle activated.

Mira's wrist burned.

Ritual Progress: 22%.

She clenched her teeth.

"I won't let you win."

The White Mask walked toward the mirror.

"You already have."

Before disappearing, it looked back at her.

"Tell Kael something for me when he arrives."

Mira glared at it.

"What?"

The figure's voice became cold.

"Ask him why the First Summoner created the Void Court."

The mirror closed.

Mira was left alone in the darkness.

She looked at the mark on her wrist.

Then she whispered the only name she could think of.

"Kael..."

Far away, Kael's system flashed.

[Emergency Quest Unlocked]

Quest: Rescue the Captured Mage

Objective 1: Locate Mira.

Objective 2: Interrupt the Vessel Selection Ritual.

Objective 3: Discover the connection between the First Summoner and the Void Court.

Time Limit: 68 Hours

Failure Penalty: Unknown.

Kael closed his hand.

The ancient crown glowed.

Luna stood at his side.

The Abyssal Iron Wolf emerged from his shadow.

Seraphina raised her staff.

Darius tightened his grip on his sword.

Kael looked toward the distant horizon.

The Void Court had made its next move.

But this time, Kael wasn't going to wait for the enemy to attack.

He was going to hunt them down.

And somewhere beyond the kingdom, behind a mirror of black glass, the White Mask watched the young Summoner approach.

"Come, Arven."

The figure placed a hand against the mirror.

"Let us discover whether you've truly learned from your first life."

The ritual advanced.

23%.

Time Remaining: 67 Hours, 59 Minutes.

END OF CHAPTER 12