Liam walked the cobblestone street back home. He stood outside looking at their small section of the worn out row houses.

The structure was the same to all those in the slums. He walked up to the door that long needed to be replaced.

Luke’s everyday heavy knocking and his mother’s frantic pounding left it slightly loose.

“I’ll get it replaced when I come back from the academy tomorrow.”

It was a small sum that Liam used, but he felt wrong after being so frugal his entire life. Yet it was such a nice feeling to Liam, not having to worry about money for a change. He felt his luck was finally changing. His stagnant growth was now starting to sprout and shoot up. He was truly happy to have Ordinance as his summon. He felt bad about previously lamenting his choice.

Opening the door and entering his parent’s home, he was greeted with his mother, who was still sitting worriedly by her husband’s side.

“Welcome back honey. What’s all that? Did you find what you needed?”

Liam cracked the biggest smile his mom had long not seen. He proudly walked over to his mom.

“Mom, open your hands.”

Kanna was confused, but she went with the flow. Her son had a vibrant energy, and she was happy to see him no longer depressed and anxious.

Liam dropped a middle grade origin crystal into her hands. She was shocked.

“Liam! Where did you get this? Is this what you wanted to find? Please don’t tell me you got yourself into some sort of debt or trouble?”

Seeing his mother full of worry and concern, he immediately cooled her down.

“No, mom. I used my summon and we found some good herbs like the Late Safils and sold them. Take this potion too.”

Kanna was overwhelmed. She and her husband knew that being a summoner would allow their son to live a better life, but she didn’t think it would happen so suddenly. It was a miracle, but she didn’t believe in miracles.

“You got this too! Are you sure honey? Are you truly alright? I’m sorry if I’m putting pressure on you and made you do something that tied you down. Are you really not in debt or something? We can return the crystal and potion. We’ll find another way.”

“Mom! Don’t worry! I’m telling you the truth. My new summon and I went to the Forest of Gonda and collected lots of herbs. You can ask Wayne, I sold them to him.”

It finally hit Kanna that her son was probably telling her the truth. But she thought about the implications of her son's words.

“You must have gone deeper into the forest if you found Late Safils. How far did you go? You know it’s not safe to go so close to the dungeon.”

“Don’t worry mom, my summon will keep me from harm. Let’s use the potion first and save dad. I have some more surprises later.”

Kanna wondered what more could Liam have to show. Just the middle grade crystal was shocking enough already. The toils of her and her husband would take around a week to make that much.

Focusing on Leon, she uncorked the bottle and fed the contents slowly to her husband.

He glowed with a slight silver light and the terrible wound on his shoulder was healing quickly before their eyes.

Steam could be seen rising slightly from Leon’s wounds as they closed and sealed over with new soft skin. A muffled groan escaped Leon’s face as he started to regain consciousness.

Kanna wiped her tears. She had many thoughts running through her mind. Her husband was now fine. The relief and joy made her cry in happiness.

“Kanna? Liam?”

“Dad!”

“Leon!”

Leon slowly sat up. He felt a bit groggy, but he was fine.

“How? Did you guys have to find a summoner capable of healing? Or did you guys get a potion? How much do we owe!”

Liam chuckled. “We owe nothing dad. Here I got you this. Oh! And I got these for you mom! Let’s eat too! I got some takeout for us too!”

Liam pulled out the leather armor his father had been raving about. He also pulled out the beautiful pair of blue teardrop earrings his mother longed for.

Both Kanna and Leon were speechless. They interrogated their son long into the night. Liam had to force them to eat first along the way. His parents believed him after one point, and the family of three was in a joyful mood. They ended the night with new hope as they all went to sleep.

The morning light broke through the curtain-less window of Liam’s room. His pile of sheets were thin, but he was sound asleep. It had been a while since he had such a deep sleep without any worries.

Gentle knocking at his door woke him up from his slumber.

“Liam! Time to get up! You’ll be late soon if you don’t get going in a bit!” His mother shouted from behind his door.

Liam woke in a daze. He felt well rested. He stretched out his refreshed body.

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“Ok mom, I’m up. I’ll be out after getting ready.”

Liam sat up on his makeshift futon and with one final stretch he began his day. Getting his clothes, he went and took a quick shower and cleaned himself before entering the one room that served as a kitchen, dining, and living room.

A fire was going into the small chimney. And the aroma of spices he bought from yesterday filled the air.

“Hey Liam! You’re finally up! And look at you! You’re so clean shaved today!”

“…” Liam forgot about Luke, who came everyday to walk with him to the academy. Liam frowned and sighed at his friend’s joke.

Liam sat down on the small table beside Luke as his mother served him some toast and greens.

“Your mom’s cooking is so good! I’m glad you woke up late. I got a treat today! Oh! You know Mr. Leon. I heard Liam used a potion and was finally able to grow some whiskers!”

“What!? I didn’t say that! You did! Don’t believe him dad!”

Liam’s father chuckled as he stoked the fire in their chimney.

“I guess your facial hair won’t take after me.” Leon stroked over the thick stubble of his chin, making a moving sandpaper-like noise.

“Just give me another year! I can feel it! My beard will be so full!”

Luke looked at the smooth hairless face of his friend and broke down laughing. Liam gave a kick at Luke’s shins. But that didn’t phase him. His mother consoled him.

“It’s a blessing in disguise Liam. You don’t have to shave everyday.”

Liam slumped in defeat. “I’ll be just like Wayne…” Liam’s dad laughed, and so did his mother. Luke nearly fell off his chair from his uncontrollable laughter.

They had a lively breakfast. Liam’s parents were going to stay in today. They told him they were going to come see his graduation once they got things settled.

Luke and Liam went ahead to be early for the graduation ceremony at the academy. Soon they would be climbing the tower. Luke was still upset over the events after the first trail of the tower.

“Ms. Maribell was pretty ruthless. I can’t believe she’s just like the many others. A summon is still a summon. Didn’t she lecture us about there being infinite creatures in the expanse of creation? Now she’s judging and even gave you a punishment.”

“Yea, nothing new. But I didn’t expect her to be prejudiced against summoners who can bring forth their summons.”

“Yea. That was unexpected. She’s a cold hard stick, and that stick is pretty straight-laced. She’s strict and holds herself righteously. I guess even the righteous have a bad side to them. I just didn’t see Ms. Maribell’s being that.”

Liam nodded his head in agreement. He didn’t mind as much as his teacher had given him a perfect opportunity to copy all of the academy’s books.

Luke looked nonchalantly around and then to the clear blue sky.

“Feels the same huh? Everyone puts so much expectation, but it seems like any other day.”

“Wait until we climb the tower. I’m sure it’ll definitely be something different,” Liam stated.

“Yea, that’s true. Hey. Speaking of. We’re still going to try to get into the Fortuna guild right?”

“...” Liam went silent.

He remembered the talk amongst Luke, Reld, and himself. They all came from poor households. However, they were selected into the Lazar Institute. They became friends due to a common trait they all had. No money. The three dreamed of riches and fortunes that hid on the floors of the tower.

It was common to form parties when traversing the towers, but practically all parties were formed from the guild members. It was rare to see a party unaffiliated with a guild. There was safety in numbers. Additionally, the reputation of the guilds stopped any nefarious intentions between the climbers. A solo summoner was unheard of.

The flaunting of the Fortuna Guild was good advertisement to draw in new recruits wanting to become affluent. Knowing so, the three were determined to join the Fortuna Guild. They were going to form a team to raid the treasures of the tower.

However, circumstances changed. Liam didn’t have a powerful summon, and Reld was already making his disdain for Liam known. He didn’t want to limit Luke’s potential either. With Liam on his team, new members would most likely keep away from their small party.

“I don’t know Luke. We should wait to see first. I think you have a high chance of being scouted during the graduation ceremony by one of the guilds. Your rhino summon has potential.”

“Seradonia is not a rhino! She’s a dragon!”

“Well that is true too.” Liam really did know as Ordinance’s abilities showed Luke’s summon being part earth dragon.

“But we three should stick together! We’ve known each other for 6 years! We’d make a great team! I can be the vanguard and attacker. We can work around each other to create an awesome team!”

Liam already knew there was not going to be a team of 3.

“Let’s wait and see. Com’on we can’t be late.”

The two friends walked faster to the academy grounds. At the gate they were met with a crowd of people again. There were many more people there. Besides the graduating students and their families, the 3 guilds were there along with many reporters trying to get a scoop on the next up and coming climbers of the tower.

Darrell and his entourage were currently getting interviewed by a similar looking lady dressed in a gaudy ensemble of overly-exaggerated gold and silver clothing. Noticing Luke and Liam, he smirked, wanting to get some revenge from the last time they argued in the tower.

“Well. If it isn’t “poor” and “broke”.” The reporter and others around looked in Luke’s and Liam’s direction. Their clothing said it all. One of Darrell’s lackeys snickered and pointed at Liam.

“What’s worse is “broke” over there can’t even call out his contract. He’s a Dysfunctional!”

The reporter scoffed at the two friends writing down details on a juicy story. The reporter looked outraged with Liam.

“I can’t believe the tower made a blunder again and chose a loser who can’t even bring out their summon. What a waste. The tower should have chosen someone who could actually do something for the kingdom.”

Darrell didn’t say much. Though he had beef with Luke and Liam, he wasn’t like the others who looked down on the Dysfunctional. He knew better as a valuable member on his father’s team was a Dysfunctional. A summoner and their contracts could not be judged until action had already been taken. However, his lackeys were not of the same thinking. Lackey number 2 made another statement surprising Luke.

“That trash! Even their other friend ditched the loser! Pathetic! HAHAHA!”

Luke was confused and dumbstruck by the ridiculing.

“What the hell would you know!”

Darrel looked to the side as Reld walked by.

“Speak of the devil. You can ask your so-called friend yourself.”

Reld walked by as if Liam and Luke weren’t even there.

“Hey! Aren’t you going to say anything?!”

“Oh. It’s you Luke. What? Aren’t you going to go to the ceremony?” Reld didn’t even acknowledge Liam’s existence. Liam already knew, but he was still hurt. The changes were too sudden, and the wound was still raw.

“What the heck man! You didn’t greet Liam! Are you ignoring us now?”

“I thought you were smarter than this. I’ll advise you as I still somewhat consider you a friend. You should stop hanging out with a Dysfunctional. He’ll only drag you down. No one will even team up with you. He’ll probably be fodder if he even gets into a guild.”