SSS-Ranked Summoner: Only I Summon All Heroes And Heroines Of Legend-Chapter 32: A Whole New Truth
Master Oz moved to one of the central tables, his fingers tracing over a carved structure that looked like a palm housing several mystical rings in all fingers.
"Your summon," he said quietly. "I don’t know its name, or if it truly is what I think. The records I’ve uncovered never specify it. But they speak of an ancient book. A grimoire that has been passed down through the ages."
He looked up at Altair.
"What’s strange is that I’ve failed to identify the pattern of this passing. There’s been no clear bloodline, or consistent holders. It simply... appears. In the hands of someone new. Then vanishes when it’s holder passes. This cycle continues over and over again across centuries."
Altair felt the weight of the Codex in his soul-bond, pulsing quietly like a second heartbeat.
"That’s why I got interested when you manifested something similar in appearance," Oz continued. "A dusty old tome. Bound in materials I couldn’t identify. Radiating power that only a few can perceive"
His hands left the structure.
"I’ve been searching for that book for twenty years. And I think I found it that day. In the hands of an eighteen-year-old."
The words carried no malice, Just a stated observation.
Altair said nothing.
Oz moved to the wall where the hieroglyphic patterns were displayed. Dozens of them. The same symbols that had covered Ghrangoroth’s body.
"And these," Oz said, tapping one of the papers. "The hieroglyphs. This was not the first time they’ve been scripted in our world in such a unique sequence."
He pulled down several photographs from the board and laid them on the table.
"I’ve documented seven separate occurrences over the past century. Beings that bore these patterns. Entities that appeared during moments of planar instability. They always carried the same message."
"What message?" Altair asked.
Oz looked at him directly.
"Reclamation."
The word hung in the air like a curse.
"They come to reclaim something," Oz continued. "And every time they appear, someone dies, disappears, or loses something they can never get back."
He gestured to the wall of maps.
"Now let me ask you something, Altair. Why do you think that at certain periods in history, summoners battle to the death to claim a single prize?"
Altair frowned. "You’re talking about the Summoner’s War?."
"Precisely." Oz crossed his arms. "A contract to a tool that can reshape the universe. That’s what they say, isn’t it? The ultimate prize. The power to rewrite reality itself."
He let the question linger.
"But here’s what no one asks: what happens after the war ends?"
Altair’s mind raced. He’d never thought about it before. The Summoner’s War was always framed as the end goal. The ultimate achievement.
"After a while, the tool vanishes," Oz said, answering his own question. "Along with its master, gone without a trace. And then, decades later, the cycle begins again. Another war, another prize, and eventually something or someone is lost."
He leaned against the table.
"I believe the Watchers are behind this cycle."
Altair felt his chest heave.
"The Summoner’s War benefits them," Oz continued. "I don’t know exactly how yet. But I have yheirues. Hundreds and thousands of summon crossing at the same time, thins the veil between planes. They create massive amounts of mana displacement. While feeding them with a large supply of mana from the deceased. It gives the perfect environment for them to... extract."
"Extract?" Delilah said weakly from her position against the table.
"Harvest, reclaim, extract." Oz shrugged. "Choose whatever word makes it easier to sleep at night. The result is the same. The winner of the Summoner’s War disappears. And whatever tool they won? It returns to the Watchers."
He turned back to Altair.
"I assume the Codex you carry was probably one of these tools in earlier Summoner’s Wars. But it failed to return to the hands of the Watchers. Someone hid it, and put it somewhere even they couldn’t reach."
"Until now," Altair said quietly.
"Until now," Oz confirmed.
---
Silence filled the underground chamber.
Arthur stood perfectly still, his hand resting on Excalibur’s hilt. Delilah had gone pale, her usual mischievous demeanor completely absent. And Altair felt the realization of his responsibility overwhelm him like a physical force.
"Another Summoner’s War is coming," Oz said. "And you need to be ready."
Altair looked up sharply. "When?"
"The main war?" Oz considered for a moment. "Still a decade away, by my estimates. Maybe less if the current instability accelerates."
"A decade," Altair repeated.
"But families and organizations have already begun acting early," Oz warned. "Under the shadows, in secret. This is the longest wait before another Summoner’s War in recorded history. And long waits breed desperation."
He stepped closer to Altair.
"People are moving pieces already. Alliances are being strengthened. Potential enemies, eliminated. Houses and organizations are actively securing every bit of advantage they can under the radar. The war may not be official for another ten years, but the real conflict has already begun."
Altair felt his jaw clench.
"You need to be careful," Oz said. "The Codex makes you a target. To the Watchers, to rival families, and to anyone who thinks they can claim its power for themselves."
"Then what do I do?" Altair asked.
Oz’s expression hardened.
"You get stronger as a person, and learn to use the Codex properly. So when the time comes..." He paused. "You should win the Summoner’s War."
"Win it?" Altair said incredulously. "You just said the winners disappear."
"They do," Oz agreed. "But winning the war is also the closest path to reaching the Watchers directly. If you want answers. If you want to end this cycle. You need to reach the top of the ladder."
He let that sink in.
"And when you get there, you break the system from the inside."
---
Altair stared at him for a long moment.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"Alright. What do I need to do?"
"Training," Oz said simply. "Real training, not the watered-down curriculum the Academy teaches. I’ll teach you what the Oz clan has preserved for centuries. A path to unlocking the full potential of a mage."
He tilted his head.
"But only if you’re willing to put in the work."
Altair didn’t hesitate. "I am."
"Good." Oz extended his hand for a handshake.
Altair shook it.
"I’ll also need your contact information," Oz said, pulling out a sleek black phone. "For scheduling sessions. And in case of, emergencies."
Altair pulled out his phone and they exchanged information.
Then Altair hesitated.
"One more thing," he said. "Would it be possible for others to join this... unique tutoring?"
Oz raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess, your companions from the alternate plane?"
Altair nodded.
Oz considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "If they can keep up, I don’t see why not. Besides, you will need all the help you can get on this journey. But know this, I won’t coddle them. If they fall behind, they’re out."
"Understood, Master Oz." Altair responded
"Good." Oz stepped back. "You may leave know. I have research to continue."
Altair turned to Arthur and Delilah. "Let’s go."
Arthur dissolved into golden light, returning to the Codex. Delilah gave Oz one last glare before her form shimmered and vanished as well.
Altair headed for the stairs.
---
He emerged from the underground chamber into the study, then made his way out of the residence entirely.
The night air was cool against his skin as he stepped outside.
And then—
DING.
---
[Summoning 3/3: Achievement Unlocked — Summoning Master lvl1]
[Bond Skill Acquired lvl1]
[Borrow Skill Acquired lvl1]
[+1000 XP]
---
[Self-Imposed Mission: Rescue Delilah — COMPLETE]
[+2000 XP]
---
[Task Completed: Acquire Knowledge]
[+500 XP]
---
[Daily Tasks Completed: 3/3]
[+3000 XP]
---
Altair’s eyes widened as the notifications flooded his vision.
Six thousand five hundred experience points.
All at once.
"Great," he thought, a slow grin spreading across his face.
He closed the interface and pulled out his phone.
He opened a group chat with Finn, Svenja, and Ryka and typed out a quick message.
"Let’s meet up later, I’ve got news."
He sent the message and slid the phone into his right pocket.
The pieces were starting to fall into place.
He had an ally in Master Oz. He had training lined up. He had his core group forming into something real.
This was solid foundation, to embark on his path.
And he was going to make the most of it.
