Chapter 68: Gains from Binding
Jaden did the same with others and new messages appeared before him.
[Congratulations! You have been bound with a bronze grimoire of the sun.]
[Congratulations! You have been bound with a silver grimoire of nature.]
[Congratulations! You have been bound with a silver grimoire of storm.]
[Congratulations! You have been bound with a gold grimoire of the moon.]
He finished binding with everyone and called out to the system.
————[System]————
Host: Jaden Cross
Job: The Shutter Summoner
Level: 10
Experience: 88/100
Mark: [Shadow], [Sun]*, [Moon]*, [Nature]*, [Storm]*, [War]*
Grimoire: Platinum (Bound – 5/7)
▪︎ Bronze - Sun [+]
▪︎ Bronze - War [+]
▪︎ Silver - Nature [+]
▪︎ Silver - Storm [+]
▪︎ Gold - Moon
Skills:
• [Capture] – Seal targets into pictures using Slots (Film).
• [Picturebook] – Codex of Summons, Spells, and Arts.
• [Summon] – Manifest sealed creatures temporarily.
• [Binding Codex] – Synchronise growth with bound Grimoires.
Available Features:
• [Profile] – Status overview.
• [Epiphany Zone] – Training & comprehension mind space.
• [Picturebook] – Codex of Summons, Spells, Arts.
• [Quests] – Track active missions, objectives, and rewards.
Slots: 8
————[System]————
’What’s this?’
He raised an eyebrow and focused on the button at the end of Arden’s grimoire, and a message appeared before him.
[Upgrade Grimoire?]
[Requires: A or higher-ranked capture.]
[Confirm | Deny]
’Oh?... I can upgrade the bound grimoires, but this requires me to capture a being of higher ranks, what about silver to gold then?’
He focused on the button at the end of Navin’s grimoire and read the message.
[Upgrade Grimoire?]
[Requires: S or higher-ranked capture.]
[Confirm | Deny]
’S? What’s this bullshit? Why not just take my soul instead?’
He dismissed the screens and looked at the others who were still reeling from the effects of the binding.
Jaden was also feeling new changes within himself, such as he now had six aether cores, and had all of the passive abilities these marks gave to their holder.
The others, however, only had a short boon compared to him. Their mana regeneration—The process of body absorbing mana without the need of mana absorption art—had increased, their soul had become purer, allowing them to keep their grimoire summoned for longer and lastly their understanding became sharper.
’I should’ve done it before.’ Jaden thought, but he knew that he wouldn’t have done it since he himself didn’t trust them enough to do so; the only reason he did it now was because of the C rank being waiting for them.
’Only if I had all of my memories... It would’ve been way easier for me to trust them.’
He clenched his fist and heaved a sigh as he spoke.
"We have to reach the pillars and activate them before that nightmare awakens and attacks us."
"Understood," Navin replied before heaving a sigh and stepping towards the right stairs, Jamie and Shelly followed behind him. While Jaden, Selina and Arden stepped towards the left stairs. As they would lead them near to their respective pillars.
All of them wore determined expressions on their faces; they knew what they were about to step into, and they needed absolute focus for it.
"Jaden, what are you going to do once you are back in the mortal realm?" Arden questioned as they descended the stairs.
Jaden didn’t reply as he had no answer.
"I am going to stay with my family, try new sweets, and make more friends within the academy."
Arden glanced at Selina and spoke with a disheartened look.
"Selina would be busy in all the politics that come with being the youngest of a ducal house."
He once again turned his head to Jaden and questioned expectantly, "What about you Jaden? What are you going to do?"
Jaden didn’t react much after knowing that Selina was from a ducal house—It was not much of a surprise after how Shelly called her ’Young lady.’
He parted his lips and answered darkly.
"I don’t know, Arden... I don’t know what I will do. The life you are talking about, I lost it with my memories, and now all I can do is fight to either get it back or fall deeper into this ravenous life."
His words made Selina and Arden halt their steps, Selina was first to speak.
"Jaden... you don’t have to worry about it, things will turn out fine."
"And you also have us, there’s no need for you to lift this burden alone, let us help you. Like how you helped us before," Arden added sombrely.
Jaden’s lips curved faintly as he responded playfully.
"I can’t really do that, you know? I don’t remember any of it, after all."
Arden’s expression turned dark as he mumbled.
"That’s not what I meant..."
Jaden chuckled at his reaction and suddenly felt a pull at his left, turning his head, he saw Selina looking at him with a sour look on her face.
"What’s wrong?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.
To which Selina replied in a low voice.
"I am always here for you, so you don’t have to do everything alone... just take me with you."
He looked into her eyes for a moment, and all he saw was sincerity and love, but he couldn’t respond to that love—for now.
"I will keep that in mind."
Selina looked at him with a bittersweet smile before she forced a faint smile and quickened her steps. Arden and Jaden followed, and all three of them soon reached the floor.
"It is huge...." Arden commented with wide eyes as he looked at the pillars and the nightmare that slept at the centre of the room.
"It’s also dangerous," Jaden added as he stared at the nightmare, but Selina nudged him.
Jaden frowned and questioned.
"What are you doing?"
"Don’t stare at it... High-ranked beings can feel the gazes of others." Selina replied seriously.
Jaden arched his eyebrow and mumbled.
"Is that so..."
The second group of Navin, Shelly and Jamie, who were descending the right staircase, also reached the floor and stood at the opposite side of the room. Jaden turned just in time to meet Navin’s gaze, and both of them nodded and spoke at the same time.
"Run."