Prambanan Ruins, 19^th May 2145

As they chatted about the previous battle and loot, it was Keith brought into the discussion about the water element chaotic beast egg. “The water element chaotic beast egg certainly will hatch a water element NEXRUPIKA,” Keith said.

Elara after a brief moment replied, “It wasn’t suitable for me, as I'm planning to contract with a lightning element NEXRUPIKA to better synchronize with my current element, and water just the opposite”

“Same for me! I’m planning for my first contract was the element I am used to” Justin exclaimed.

Keith fell silent and asked Angus, “How about you Angus?”

Angus while scratching his head replied helplessly, “Well, I don’t have quite a plan about the elemental path I’m going to take, so I don’t know if I need it or not”

Keith took a long breath and said, “It’s the same for me, I am planning to contract with a supportive NEXRUPIKA, as for the egg it’s going to be random, with a high chance be a Bubalus which frontline NEXRUPIKA”

Sylara with Lumikira beside herself then gave out an opinion “If no one wanted to contract with it, why not we auction or trade it to the Guild?”

Justin and Elara nodded their head regarding Sylara's idea, as Keith reconfirmed with Angus, “Angus, are you sure do not want to contract with water element NEXRUPIKA?”

“Yes, I want to familiarize myself with my awakened object first before I plan what element road I’m going to take” Angus replied while looking at the Lumikira before asking “Sylara, could I scan your NEXRUPIKA? It’s my first time seeing it.”

Sylara then telepathically communicates with her NEXRUPIKA, then Lumikira looks towards Angus's eyes before nodding in agreement.

Angus then scans into Sylara NEXRUPIKA.

Angus was startled by what he saw when he scanned Sylara NEXRUPIKA, it was a Bronze 3 star with an unknown cap, and its potential was limitless.

Justin who saw Angus's reaction couldn't help but tease, “Angus are you envious of Big Sis Sylara NEXRUPIKA? Hahaha… you need talent and luck to be able to awaken NEXRUPIKA like big sis! Beauty, curvy, talented, intelligent, perfect! Not like some flat-chested gal over there!”

“Fuck off Justin!” Elara shouts in anger while throwing her cup of water at Justin.

Keith, shaking his head in mold exasperation, facepalm hearing Justin's comments. Meanwhile, Sylara blushed, a bit embarrassed by the praise.

Angus couldn't help but awkwardly smile and trying to change the subject continued to ask, “In the previous battle I noticed Lumikira is a supportive NEXRUPIKA?”

Sylara, back into herself answered, “Yes, basically Lumikira is a support type of NEXRUPIKA but he can be an off-tank as he has decent agility” Sylara then displayed Lumikira's skill to Angus.

Angus was amazed by the set of skills Lumikira possessed, The Barrier type of skill is very hard to come by, and the utilities and usefulness were needed in every adventure team. He then continues to ask Sylara, “I could not help but ask about the naming, I heard that after awakened or NEXRUPIKA named, the synchronized rate improves significantly?”

The four of the team nodded in agreement before Sylara confirmed this “It was true Angus, as for the improvement rate varied from individual to individual”. Lumikira and I share a bond that goes beyond words. When he granted me his name, it was like unlocking a new level of communication. Now we can exchange thoughts, emotions, and strategies without uttering a single word.

Angus was dumbfounded by the information. When he awakened, he sensed he could hear the awakened sharing its name, but he was so exhausted at that time and until now he could not communicate with his awakened all he could do was maintain the quarterstaff at a decent length.

From Sylara, Angus learned more about contracting and communicating with NEXRUPIKA which is not taught in the education program. After they finished resting, the team decided to explore a bit more, since it was almost afternoon. They scouted the surrounding area but with no luck, they only encountered a single Gallus but the drop was abysmal. The team decided to get back to Bastion to regroup and plan the next moves.

***

As the team made their way back to Bastion, Angus couldn’t shake the feeling of frustration about his inability to synchronize better with his awakened. Sylara, sensing his unease, offered a reassuring smile. “Patience is key, Angus. The connection between an individual and their awakened builds over time, it’s a process that varies for each person. Do not worry, with time and practice you will synchronize better, as your mana capacity rises higher it will be easier.”

Back at the Bastion, the team rented a room in the Guild Hall. It was a cozy meeting room with decent decorated items. As the team sat to ease their exhaustion, Keith began the discussion, “Our trial run unexpectedly going well, Angus could fit into the team seamlessly, and from the hunt we hit a jackpot!” Keith then continued, “Angus mind sharing your experience with us?”

“Truthfully I was shocked at the beginning, I didn’t expect that the team could work seamlessly with me and since I was a novice, it was a huge leap for me, and I want to thank you all for giving me such chances.” Angus continues, “As for the experience, it was an eye opener to me, the experience fighting alongside NEXRUPIKA was mind-blowing, I never thought it would help a lot, and thinking back my decision to go solo was dumb, it was suicidal.”

A smile could be seen on the team, it was also fortunate for them to be able to recruit Angus into the team, Angus was a well-balanced front liner with a decent manner. Breaking the silence Justin shout with vigor, “My Bro! Please carry me from now on!”

Angus was startled by Justin's remark only dumbfound smiles. Elara on the other hand, quickly replies to the remark, “Just shut your trap, Justin! Hey Keith, so are we going to sell the loot today including the egg?” Keith chuckled at the lighthearted banter and then turned to address Elara’s query about the loot. “Yes, let's head to the marketplace and see what we can get from the loot. As for the egg, it’s kind of risky for a new team like us to openly sell it, I will post it on Guild Auction anonymously so we will not be targeted.”

The team nodded in approval to Keith's suggestion. Keith then quickly goes to the Guild Auction location to post the egg, and while waiting for Keith to come back the team gathers their belongings. It took Keith 10 minutes to register the egg discreetly, and when all was in order the team was ready on their way to the marketplace. Their destination was the marketplace near the Bastion center named Beringharjo, upon arrival they were greeted by the bustling atmosphere of the street market, filled with merchant vending their goods and adventurers ready to restock or sell their goods. It was the first time Angus visited the street market, and he could see most of the vendors selling loot from chaotic beast near the Bastion, some vendors also selling any kind of elemental mana stones and adventuring gear, as he walked behind the team, he could also see a chaotic beast completely new to him, various kind of colorful fruit it was not a normal fruit, it was like a fruit was undergo mutation because of mana or fruit that was harvested from spirited plant.

After a brief stroll, the team ventures deeper into the marketplace, and team steps stop at a stall decorated with mystical artifacts adorned with glowing runes and crystal shimmered with otherworldly brilliance. Angus's eyes are fixated on the middle-aged woman whose brilliance is on par with the crystal she sold.

The woman’s eyes lit up with recognition as Sylara and Elara approached. A warm smile graced her face, accentuating the air or familiarity between them.

“Sylara, Elara, you guys are back!” the woman exclaimed with an enchanting voice that carried a soothing melody.

Sylara and Elara returned the smiles, their expression mirroring a long-standing connection, as Keith replied to the greeting, “Yeah sis, we are back.”

***