Heroine Creation: All My Summons Are Custom Made

Lancet snapped the envelope with excitement before remembering he was supposed to look composed.

The gold seal gleamed from the light above the corridors. An invitation to the Grand Auction. He finally had it.

”I had to convince my parents,” Renan continued. ”They were not pleased about extending a family invitation to someone outside our household. But they eventually agreed.”

Lancet ran one thumb over the falcon crest. ”Thank you.”

Renan watched the hunger in his eyes. ”Why do you want to attend so badly?”

Lancet tucked the envelope safely inside his tux and smiled. ”Don’t worry about it.”

”That makes me worry more.”

”Hey? It’ll be fine.”

”I am not the one using the invitation.” Renan stepped closer and lowered his voice. ”You will enter under the Falconhart name. Anything you do there will reflect on my family.”

Lancet placed one hand over his chest. ”I promise to behave with dignity.”

Renan stared at him. Lancet lowered his hand. ”Mostly.”

”Lancet.”

”I won’t cause trouble.”

”That is different from not getting caught causing trouble.”

Lancet snapped his fingers and pointed at him. ”Renan, you savage! You know me too well.”

Renan’s stare hardened. Lancet sighed. ”Fine. Fine. I promise not to cause any trouble.”

Suddenly, a trumpet sounded outside.

The note rolled through the Academy with enough force to stop every conversation in the corridor. A second trumpet followed, then the humming of a ship, deep and strong, descending over the grounds.

Students rushed toward the windows. ”What is that?”

”Someone’s arriving.”

”Look!” a student pointed enthusiastically. ”That’s the royal signal.”

Lancet turned with the others.

Beyond the glass, a vast gold-and-black ship lowered over the Academy’s central grounds. Gothic fins curved from its sides, and bright Grace streamed beneath it in broad columns. The royal crest of Aethelgard covered the hull, large enough to be seen from every tower.

Students crowded the corridor windows. As they saw the ship settle above the landing court, the gasped, woahed and whispered.

”It’s the King!”

”King Romsgard is here.”

”Why would he come to the Academy?”

”It has to be Solaris. What else could it be?”

Lancet watched the ship’s doors open. Golden stairs extended toward the ground.

After a procession of Brigadiers, King Romsgard Goldstone descended beneath a line of royal guards, his coat bright against the dark stone of the courtyard. Academy security moved out to meet him while professors hurried from nearby buildings.

Lancet remembered that back in the Kingdom Council, Romsgard had told him he would visit Awakener Supreme soon.

Apparently, he had meant very soon.

A group of Academy guards entered the corridor and began clearing a path through the students.

”Return to your classes.”

”Do not block the windows.”

”Move aside.”

One guard spotted Renan and changed direction immediately. ”Renan Falconhart.”

Renan turned

”You are required to accompany us.”

Frieda looked between them. ”Why?”

”The King has requested his presence.”

The guard’s gaze moved toward Lancet. ”And yours.”

Lancet touched the invitation inside his tux’s pocket once, then looked toward the royal ship.

Across the Academy, the same message found the others.

Vernon Heavenblum stood inside an advanced elemental chamber with water circling one arm and fire twisting around the other. A guard entered as Vernon forced both elements into a single spinning sphere.

”Vernon Heavenblum.”

The sphere collapsed cleanly into steam. Vernon lowered his hands and looked at the guard with anger. ”What do you want?!”

The guard swallowed and feigned some courage to respond. ”You are required before King Romsgard Goldstone.”

With a sigh, Vernon collected his cape and turned to leave the chamber.

Valeria Bloodgood was in the upper combat yard, driving her spear through a row of moving targets. Gold fire snapped from the weapon each time she changed direction.

When she turned to drive it into another target, she saw an Academy guard standing near the door.

”Valeria Bloodgood.”

She caught the spear behind her back and turned.

”The King has summoned you.”

Valeria rested the weapon across her shoulders. ”The king?” she looked surprised.

”Immediately.”

She walked off the field without breaking stride.

Espel sat alone beneath one of the greenhouse towers, a glass flower turning slowly between her fingers while Bloomwings moved around the stem.

She heard the guard’s footsteps and looked at where he ended up stopping, just several feet away. ”Espel Fyrebloom.”

She raised a cold brow.

”You must follow me.”

”Why?” Espel plainly stated.

”King Romsgard has requested you.”

Espel placed the flower inside its case and rose without another question.

Nereus Grimlake was meditating in the Grace Hall. A sphere of shadows had surrounded him and the entire chamber was reacting to his power.

The mechanical doors wheezed open and light entered the room causing the shadows to quickly pull back from it.

”Nereus Grimlake.”

Slightly annoyed that he was interrupted, Nereus looked toward the guard, his long dark hair fallen over his face.

”You have been summoned to meet the King.”

Nereus’s eyes narrowed, uncertain if he had heard that correctly. ”The king is here?”

Lancet was escorted across the central grounds with Renan while students continued watching from windows and bridges overhead.

Kasto and Anita appeared at one railing.

Kasto shouted down, ”Where are they taking you?”

Lancet called back, ”To the King.”

Anita grabbed Kasto before he leaned too far over the edge. ”Why?”

Lancet spread both hands. ”I’ll tell you when I know.”

The guards led them into the Academy’s largest reception building. The main chamber had been cleared before they arrived.

King Romsgard stood near the far end beneath the Academy crest. He looked pleased the moment Lancet entered, though that expression did not answer any questions.

Vernon was already there, seated with his hands resting calmly on his knees.

Valeria stood beside her chair rather than using it, spear secured across her back. Nereus occupied the darkest corner of the arranged seats. Espel sat apart from all of them, watching the room without interest.

Renan entered beside Lancet.

Headmistress Danistasia stood near the King, wearing her formal gown again. Dean Ordenance waited at her other side with several documents tucked beneath one arm.

Then Lancet noticed the final man.

President Alistair Bane of the Kingdom Rangers Board sat close to Romsgard, broad shoulders filling the back of his chair. His attention moved over each student as they entered, measuring them without making any effort to hide it.

Lancet slowed.

Romsgard’s smile widened. ”There he is.”

Every eye turned toward Lancet. The King gestured toward the remaining chair.

”Take a seat, Lancet.”