CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178 - KUNPENG AWAKENED!!

The evening air outside was tinged with the soft hues of dusk, streaks of violet and gold melting into the deepening blue above. The academy grounds glowed faintly under the lanterns lit along the pathways, their light flickering gently against the cool stone walls. A breeze drifted through, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming night-flowers.

Luca stood still for a moment, drawing a deep breath before extending his hand. A ripple of mana shimmered in the air, and from it emerged a small Kunpeng in its bird form, feathers glowing faintly with azure and silver light. It spread its wings wide before twirling in the air with elegance, circling around him like a streak of starlight.

Luca’s face broke into a rare, unguarded smile. His voice trembled with joy as he exclaimed,

"You’re finally back, Aira!!"

The little Kunpeng instantly dived down and tapped him sharply on the head with its beak.

"Again with that stupid nickname."

Rubbing his head, Luca burst out laughing, the sound carrying easily in the stillness of the evening. Together they began walking along the lantern-lit corridor, his shoulders lighter than they had been in days.

"How are you? You’re fine now, right?" he asked, his tone carrying both worry and affection.

The Kunpeng puffed up proudly, landing on his forearm and folding its wings with a dignified air.

"Of course I’m fine. What about you? What kind of trouble have you stirred up while I was asleep?"

Luca chuckled nervously, scratching his cheek. They reached Block A, climbing the polished stairs to the fourth floor. Each step echoed softly until they reached the familiar door of his room. As it opened, the Kunpeng swirled joyfully through the air.

"No better feeling than returning home!" it declared, spinning in lazy circles near the ceiling.

Luca let out a quiet chuckle, closing the door behind them. But soon its voice returned, curious and insistent.

"So? What have you been doing?"

With a soft sigh, Luca leaned against the desk and began recounting the events—the missions, the fights, the burdens he had carried. It listened silently, its round eyes gleaming like twin stars. When he mentioned his adventure to the past, he asked little kunpeng with no expectations,

"Hey, did you know those weren’t visions at all? That was my soul traveling through the space-time tunnel."

Kunpeng said, as if it knew everything, "Of course ,I knew it."

Luca froze, blinking at it.

"What? Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

The Kunpeng ruffled its feathers, voice sharp yet oddly gentle.

"What would you have done with that knowledge? If I told you back then, it would’ve only confused you more."

He tilted his head, then slowly nodded. "...That’s true."

Satisfied, the Kunpeng perched on his shoulder, its feathers brushing lightly against his cheek.

"Still, you had all the fun without me. Hmph. You’ll have to make it up to me."

Luca raised his hands in surrender, lips twitching.

"You call that fun?"

But it ignored him, pecking his head again and again while chanting,

"Make it up to me! Make it up to me!"

"Fine, fine! What do you want?"

its eyes sparkled mischievously.

"First... bring out my little sister."

Luca blinked, baffled. "Little sister?"

Kunpeng’s voice was smug.

"The baby dragon, you idiot."

With a sigh, Luca summoned her. A small girl with soft blonde hair and bright crimson eyes appeared, her tiny form radiating warmth as she toddled forward curiously. At once, she burst into giggles and began chasing after Kunpeng, who swooped low to tease her.

Watching the two play together, Luca felt his heart unclench. The exhaustion from missions, battles, and burdens melted away as laughter filled the room. He couldn’t help but join in, letting the night deepen around them with chirps, giggles, and the soft echoes of joy—warm, fragile, and real.

***

The morning sun slanted through the tall windows of Arcadia Academy’s grand halls, painting the polished marble floors with streaks of gold. Luca strolled leisurely, hands in his pockets, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Perched comfortably on his shoulder, the little Kunpeng tilted its head, violet eyes sharp with curiosity.

"Where are we going?" it asked, wings twitching as if ready to take flight.

"For shopping," Luca replied with a mischievous smirk.

Kunpeng gave him a look. "Shopping? You’ve finally gone insane."

Luca ignored its sarcasm, mind racing with calculations. Alright, let’s see... ninety credits each for the mission with Selena. Then seven thousand for breaking the record. And a hundred and fifty each for Aurelia’s mission...

He counted on his fingers, lips moving as he added them up. "That’s... seven thousand two hundred forty credits."

He whistled low. "Woah, that’s a lot of credits."

Kunpeng flicked its tail against his cheek. "What are you muttering about now?"

"Nothing," Luca said, shooting it a sideways glance. "Don’t you want to rest anymore?"

"Hmph!" Kunpeng puffed up proudly. "What do you take me for? I contracted with you to see the world, not to nap all day. Keep walking, let’s see what’s worth buying!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Luca chuckled, finally stopping before an ornate door plated with shimmering sigils. The moment it opened, a wash of cool air and faint enchantment hum greeted him.

Inside was the Arcadia Exchange, a hall that looked more like a fusion of ancient bazaar and futuristic marketplace. Crystal lanterns floated above each section, casting gentle light over rows of neatly arranged displays. Magic circles hovered, projecting descriptions into the air beside each item.

"Whoa..." Kunpeng’s eyes widened, darting around. "It’s like a treasure vault!"

The room was divided into wings:

Potions & Elixirs: shelves glimmered with liquids in every color, some fizzing like they were alive. "Health potion – Holy Kingdom brew. Grade: Uncommon. 25 credits." Nearby, a dark vial radiated cold mist. "Mana Distillation – Elven Forest origin. Grade: Rare. 280 credits."

Kunpeng squinted at a bottle glowing gold. "That one looks like it could make you explode."

Weapons: racks of swords, spears, and sabers lined one wall, most crafted with the sturdy seal of Brymholde blacksmiths. "Iron Sabre – Common. 120 credits." A massive glaive shimmered with faint lightning. "Stormfang Glaive – Astravia origin. Rare. 950 credits."

Kunpeng chuckled. "Too big for you. You’d fall over trying to swing that."

Luca rolled his eyes.

Techniques & Grimoires: books hovered mid-air, flipping their own pages, each tagged by floating runes. "Arcane Blast – Uncommon. 340 credits.""Moonlight Step – Rare. 1,100 credits."

Luca’s eyes lingered on Moonlight Step. His fingers twitched. Kunpeng caught him. "Don’t drool on it. You already move like a lunatic in fights."

Armors & Artifacts: suits of armor stood tall like silent guardians. Some gleamed with polished steel; others shimmered faintly with enchantments. "Runed Leather Armor – Valdros make. Uncommon. 420 credits." A silver chestplate pulsed faintly with mana, runes carved deep into it. "Aegis of Dawn – Legendary. 7,200 credits."

Luca blinked at the price tag. "...That’s literally all my credits."

Kunpeng cackled, wings flapping as it circled his head. "Go ahead, blow it all! Then you can walk around broke with shiny armor and no food."

Luca shoved it back down onto his shoulder. "Shut up."

As he walked deeper, he kept pausing at items, torn between practicality and sheer curiosity. The marketplace was endless temptation—potions that promised power, weapons begging to be swung, armors whispering of protection.

Kunpeng stretched its wings dramatically. "So, what will it be, master spender? A shiny toy? A potion that makes your hair glow? Or maybe a book that makes you actually smart?"

Luca smirked, eyes narrowing as he scanned the rows. "Something useful. Something that’ll keep me alive."

But in truth, the sheer variety made his heart beat a little faster.

Luca paused before a rack of artifacts, his eyes narrowing on a dull-gray charm. A rune flickered faintly across its surface.

"Shadowveil Talisman – Brymholde craft. Rare. 680 credits," the tag read.

Luca muttered, "This could mask my presence for a few minutes... might be useful if I ever sneak into another cult hideout."

Kunpeng tilted its head. "Sneak? You don’t sneak. You storm in, chop everything down, and act cool afterward."

Ignoring it, Luca walked a little further, stopping at a pedestal where a small vial pulsed with soft blue light.

"Spirit Dew – Elven Forest. Uncommon. 260 credits," he read aloud. "Restores stamina and clears mental fatigue... that’s tempting."

He rubbed his chin. "Should I buy it now... or save up for something bigger?"

Kunpeng smirked. "You sound like an old man budgeting his grocery list."

Luca exhaled a long sigh. Just as he reached for the vial, a cold voice echoed behind him—sharp enough to freeze him mid-motion.

"What are you doing here?"