Level 0 Summoner

The Royal Capital was a marvel, the most important city in the human kingdom. Merchants from the elven forests, dwarven forges, and other faraway lands gathered here, bringing treasures and goods from their long journeys. For Ren, who had never left his hometown, the sight was overwhelming.

From the carriage window, the city ramparts loomed high, casting long shadows over the bustling queue of travelers waiting to enter. Guards in polished armor patrolled every corner, their presence a reminder of the city's importance.

"Wipe that expression off your face, if someone sees you it'll be humiliating for our family," Noah said with a frown as he watched Ren enjoying the scenery with a bright smile, the wind brushing his hair.

"It's not because you never left the Allen estate that you need to act as if all this is impressive. Have some dignity, trash."

As usual, Ren ignored him as he continued to observe the Royal Capital, more precisely, the only building that was taller than the city ramparts. A tower that was almost on the verge of reaching the sky, the Royal Academy.

Ren's gaze fixed on the academy. It was the place where he'd failed twice before, and yet, instead of despair, determination burned in his chest.

This time… I'll get in. I'll show everyone that they were wrong about me. I need to.

Getting into the Royal Academy was the most important thing on Ren's agenda. Because by getting in, he would get access to so many resources such as high-leveled Awakened acting as professor, countless books about summoning, opportunities to make a name for himself, and more importantly, become an official Adventurer. Something the past Ren had dreamed of ever since he was a boy.

The carriage passed through the gates with ease, bypassing the queues. Now inside the city, Ren's attention shifted to the streets. People of all races moved through the crowded avenues: elves with their elegant features, stout dwarves with thick beards, and even a few members of other, rarer races. For someone who had only read about these beings in books, seeing them in person felt surreal.

"Luna," Ren asked, turning to his eldest sister. "Is it normal to see so many elves here?"

Luna tucked a strand of her white hair behind her ear, her expression thoughtful. "Haven't you heard? The king has been working on mending relations with the other races. This year, the academy is accepting applicants from all over the world. You'll be competing with the best of the best."

Before he could respond, Noah sneered.

"Don't look so worried. It's not like you had a chance anyway. This just ensures that even more people will beat you." He grinned, leaning back smugly. "You might as well save yourself the embarrassment and drop out now."

Ren could feel Suki tense in his lap, her small fox form ready to lash out at Noah. He placed a calming hand on her head, smoothing her fur as he spoke.

"Care to make a bet, little brother?" Ren said, his voice calm but laced with confidence.

Noah's grin faltered. "A bet? With you? Don't waste my time."

"This one will interest you." Ren's gaze sharpened. "If you place higher than me in the entrance exam, I'll leave the Allen family. Permanently."

The carriage went silent. Noah sat up straighter, his interest clearly piqued.

"Never see you again, huh?" Noah rubbed his chin, a slow smile creeping across his face. "And what do I get if I win? Watching you crawl back to whatever hole you came from?"

"You get exactly what I said. I'll disappear from your life. You'll never have to deal with the 'family disgrace' again." Ren leaned forward, meeting Noah's eyes. "What do you say? It's the easiest win of your life."

Noah burst into laughter, slapping his knee. "You really are desperate, aren't you? Fine, I'll take your bet. But don't think I'll go easy on you. I'll crush you so thoroughly, Father will throw a feast in my honor."

"Then it's a deal," Ren said evenly. "But remember, there's always a price for losing."

Noah waved dismissively. "Who cares? I'm not the one who'll be crawling in the dirt."

At those words, Ren just smiled, happy with how his proposal went down. There was truly no downsides to this bet. If he lost, then he would be gone from his toxic family once and for all. And if he won, then he will humiliate his little brother and be deemed as the new generational talent of the family, which meant that his father and the elders would be giving him a ton of resources to become even powerful, not knowing that those resources they gave would bite them back in the future.

Luna, who had been silent until now, frowned. "Ren, are you serious about this? You'll cut ties with the family if you lose?"

Ren nodded without hesitation. "It's not like I've ever been welcomed here. This family has done nothing but push me down. I don't need them."

"But-"

"No buts, Luna." Ren's gaze softened slightly as he looked at his sister. "And don't worry. I have no intention of losing."

Luna tried to say something else but when she saw Ren's determined gaze, her mouth closed on her own. Ren had this look in his eyes as if it was impossible for him to lose and Luna believed that Ren would not make such rash decisions out of nowhere. Instead of trying to convince him, she decided to trust him.

***

"Young master, are you sure that we should still proceed with that bet?" Emma asked.

Emma and Suki, who was still in Ren's arms, were now walking down the streets of the Royal Capital. Ren was very curious to see elves, dwarves, even demons, if possible. Coming from Earth, he had never seen people from those races apart from movies and comics. However, now that he was seeing them in person, he had to admit that the stereotypes he had seen in movies were shockingly accurate.

Elves were all beauties with long pointy ears. The dwarves were all extremely short with bulky builds and long beards. As for demons and other races, they were a lot more scarce. So much, that Ren had still not managed to see any.

"Young master…" Emma repeated with a sigh, truly desperate as she looked in Ren's direction. "Stop ogling every elf you see and focus on what I say."

"Um, um." Ren cleared his throat, his face reddening. "I-I wasn't. I was just admiring them since I have never seen any in my life. That's all. Yeah… I was just curious."

Emma raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk. "Hm… is that so? I guess you're getting enough attention from Suki lately."

"Nuu!" Suki's cute voice suddenly resounded. "He never wants to play with me… even if I beg him!"

Emma found that weird since she remembered the conversation she had gotten with the cute fox-girl a month ago. As she thought of that, she also got memories of when she dressed him. Ever since then, every time she would dress Ren, his cuck would be hard and… she would grab it every time, even if Ren offered many times to do it in her place.

Emma acted like she didn't particularly liked grabbing his dick, but the more she did it… the more she started to like it.

Ah… what am I even thinking about? He's my master, it's not like he's even interested in me. He never tried anything on me, even after I touched it.

Shaking her head, Emma focused on the ongoing conversation.

"Emma, we already talked about this a week ago. If we're able to win, then we'll be getting a lot out of this and if I can humiliate my little brother even further… why wouldn't I do it?"

"But what if you lose?" Emma looked down.

"That… won't happen."

It wasn't the first time that they were having this discussion, and every time Emma asked that very question. It would get dismissed the same way. And truth be told, Emma also believed there was no way they would lose. But there's always an if, and that's what worried Emma the most.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to tell Ren about her worries, an annoying voice resounded from behind.

"If it isn't the trash of the Allen Family? I thought you would have given up after last time, the Royal Academy has no place to give to some trash summoner!" He sneered. "What was your name again?"

As the three of them turned around, they noticed a young man walking in their direction proudly, followed right behind by two of his friends. They glared at Ren as if he was better than nothing, mocking him with only their gazes.

"When I ask a question. You answer, you fucking trash," the young man repeated.

Watching the man's actions, Ren remembered how his brother had treated him a month ago. It was almost the same as back then. However, this time, there was only one difference. He wasn't as weak as back then.

"Use that empty mind of yours and think," Ren replied arrogantly, bringing his face even closer to the young man.

Depending on the young man's answer, Ren would make a choice. Beat him up in the middle of the street? Strip him of his clothes? The options were limitless.