Long Live Summons Chapter 2 – Twin Star Inherent Skill

~7 minute read · 1,723 words
Previously on Long Live Summons...
Yue Yang is accidentally kicked by a Daoist priest into another dimension. He wakes up in a strange body, mistaken for someone named San-er who had just attempted suicide. Despite the misunderstanding, Yue Yang plays along to survive. He learns about a summoning grimoire and a failed engagement. Drawn to a mysterious golden book, he touches it and is overwhelmed with knowledge, awakening a strange power within him. This event leads his supposed stepmother to believe he has finally succeeded in making a summoning contract.
The beautiful woman's focus snapped back to reality as the little girl's question pierced the air. She swiftly wiped the tears that streamed down her face. Watching her distraught expression, Yue Yang felt a prickle of emotion behind his own eyes. He took a deep breath, composing himself, and reached out to help her wipe away the moisture. The beautiful woman, however, pushed his hand away. Without another word, she hurried from the room, leaving Yue Yang alone with his thoughts. He watched her retreating figure for a long moment. “Big Brother Xiao San, why was Mommy crying?” the little girl inquired, her curiosity piqued but not insistent. She then turned her attention to the large pinwheel in her hands, proudly exclaiming, “Look, isn’t my pinwheel lovely? I got it from a street vendor. They were even selling rock candy, but Mommy didn’t buy any for me… Big Brother Xiao San, I want to learn to ride a horse. My pinwheel spins faster when I ride a horse quickly…” Yue Yang couldn't help but break out in a sweat. This girl was truly a handful. Ride a horse? Was it possible that the previous owner of this body always took her horseback riding? He had to be careful not to let her realize he wasn't the same person. Yet, he couldn't simply let her ride a horse either; what if she fell? Instead of outright refusing, Yue Yang decided to humor her. He scooped the girl into his arms, lifting her high and then lowering her, eliciting delighted giggles. After a few rounds of this playful activity, the little girl completely forgot her request and happily nestled into his embrace. It was a simple matter for Yue Yang to charm the child. Outside the door, the beautiful woman, having composed herself, returned. Yue Yang gently placed the little girl down. But the girl clung to him, still wanting to be held. The beautiful woman then gently pulled her away from Yue Yang, her voice filled with excitement. “San’er, hurry! Let Si Niang see your [Inherent Skill] and [Guardian Spirit]… San’er, I always said you would succeed… Ah, this is wonderful! After all these years of hard work, you have finally done it. San’er, you have finally become remarkable! Quickly, open the summoning grimoire and let Si Niang have a look. I’m so eager to see!” [Inherent Skill]? [Guardian Spirit Beast]? Yue Yang’s mind reeled with questions, much like when he was bombarded with information by the mysterious light. He had already come to one crucial understanding: he had been transmigrated to another dimension. This was not Earth, but an entirely different world. On this world, known as the Soaring Dragon Continent, there existed individuals called Rankers. These were powerful cultivators who had successfully formed contracts with grimoires. Many of these gifted Rankers hailed from ancient and renowned clans and noble houses, such as the Three Royal Households, the Four Great Houses, and the Four Great Sects. While the Three Royal Households were responsible for cultivating future emperors, the Four Great Houses—Feng (Wind), Xue (Snow), Yue (Earth), and Yan (Fire)—held significant influence. Then there were the enigmatic Four Great Sects, who gathered powerful Rankers to pursue the Dao, typically remaining detached from mortal affairs. However, they would dispatch their disciples every three years for their final trials. Among the myriad of Rankers, aside from those from the Royal Households and Four Great Houses, only a select few possessed the extraordinary talent to form a contract with a rather unique treasure: the summoning grimoire. The potential of a summoning grimoire largely depended on its user, offering a pathway for anyone to potentially reach the pinnacle of all Rankers. No, scratch that. The chances of reaching the apex were exceedingly slim. Yue Yang discovered that the Soaring Dragon Continent was, in essence, a summoner’s world. There was no magic in the conventional sense, nor was there inner energy like Qi; only summons existed. Summoning abilities on this continent were incredibly diverse. Some were elemental, akin to magic, while others were strengthening types, bolstering one’s power similar to inner cultivation. There were also beast spirit summoning types. In short, summoning skills were as commonplace as attending school, with dedicated academies teaching the art. Although summoning was widespread, possessing a summoning grimoire was exceptionally rare. In fact, grimoire users were few and far between. To put it in perspective, a summoning grimoire user was like one student in a hundred million managing to enroll in an elite university like Harvard or Cambridge.

When entering into a contract with a summoning grimoire, every user endeavors to awaken an [Inherent Skill] dormant within their being. Simultaneously, they are granted a guardian spirit uniquely suited to them.

“Ah, I see, but I’m not really certain about my own Inherent Skill.”

Yue Yang harbored his own curiosities regarding the knowledge now held within his mind. What specific Inherent Skill would a summoning grimoire awaken within him?

He whispered a silent wish, fervently hoping it wasn’t something associated with instant noodles, adult videos, video games, lacy undergarments, or transparent *censored* items – anything of that nature would spell disaster. Please, let it not be a NEET-related Inherent Skill, for if it were, he'd be utterly ruined should a beautiful woman ever discover it.

As Yue Yang turned the pages of his summoning grimoire, his gaze fell upon the very first page, which featured his own likeness.

Hmm, he mused, he appeared rather comely.

Beneath the portrait, his status was clearly stated: Level 1-Beginner [Apprentice].

Following the designation of “Apprentice,” a concise description of his Rank was provided.

Apprentice: You are currently the weakest existence in this world. However, through diligent effort, as a grimoire user, you still possess the potential to grow stronger.

Yue Yang winced the instant he read that line. The weakest existences were akin to ants! No matter how insignificant he might be, he was still superior to ants. Such a demeaning description left him feeling quite wretched. Skipping past the rank description, the subsequent half-page detailed his Inherent Skill. According to the information imparted to Yue Yang by the grimoire, every individual possessed a unique Inherent Skill. Identical Inherent Skills were exceedingly rare, with nearly everyone’s being entirely distinct.

Naturally, this might also be attributed to the limited number of individuals who possessed summoning grimoires.

The moment he discovered his Inherent Skill, Yue Yang was utterly dumbfounded.

His Inherent Skill was not related to instant noodles, adult films, or games; instead, it was an Inherent Skill that caused Yue Yang to break out in a nervous sweat.

To be precise, it was the unusual, exceptionally rare, profoundly mysterious, and highly enviable Twin Star Inherent Skill. While typically, an individual’s Inherent Skill would manifest as a single image below the summoner’s portrait, Yue Yang’s Inherent Skill was depicted as two images merged into one.

lls2-1On the left side, a shadowy figure could be vaguely discerned as Yue Yang’s own form.

To the right, the silhouette of a person’s profile was obscured by darkness. Without the contrasting figure for comparison, it would have been challenging to identify it as Yue Yang. The facial features were indistinct, save for eyes resembling those of a wolf; no other recognizable characteristics were present. The entire image was dim and hazy, with the exception of eyes that gleamed like stars, providing the only source of light.

What truly drove Yue Yang to distraction was the description accompanying the Twin Star Inherent Skill.

[Counterfeit]: You possess the cunning of a fox and the treachery of a venomous snake. You are akin to an usurping chameleon, thriving under a guise of camouflage. You are a mere facade; none can truly perceive your inner thoughts. Your Inherent Skill will grow in power as your level increases. Your Inherent Skill is currently at Level 1.

[Divine Vision]: You are blessed with eyes like an eagle’s and reactions like a sage’s. You resemble a grim reaper, capable of discerning the very souls of living beings. Your all-encompassing vision pierces through the world, rendering you immune to illusions and deceptive debuffs. Your Inherent Skill will grow in power as your level increases. Your Inherent Skill is currently at Level 1.

“Whoa…” Yue Yang nearly collapsed to the floor. Was he truly that cunning and treacherous?

Although he enjoyed watching censored adult videos and often strained his eyes trying to discern details through the pixels, he considered this a common trait among perverts.

Regarding his vision, Yue Yang didn’t believe he possessed extraordinary abilities; typically, when actresses changed their attire and applied makeup, he could only recognize a select few like Sora Aoi, Akiho Yoshizawa, and Yuma Asami, failing to identify others.

Could this truly be considered [Divine Vision]?

As for [Counterfeit], it was even more perplexing to comprehend. He readily admitted he wouldn't know how to apply makeup and, at most, might occasionally tell a minor fib.

Furthermore, who hadn't told a lie before? Even a child would likely lie if their parents inquired whether they had viewed illicit material...

This peculiar Twin Star Inherent Skill...

Yue Yang felt so disheartened that he contemplated retreating to a secluded corner to draw circles on the ground in his despair.

“San-er, it’s alright even if you don’t manifest an Inherent Skill. As long as you dedicate yourself to diligent cultivation, I have faith you can become a formidable Ranker like your father…” the beautiful woman offered words of comfort, her eyes growing moist and her voice trembling with emotion.

“Ah?” Yue Yang was utterly bewildered. He demonstrably possessed the Twin Star Inherent Skill; why then would she assert he had none?

Could it be that she was unable to perceive his Inherent Skill?

Could this truly be the doing of the [Counterfeit] skill? Is it actually a passive ability? That's impossible... Yue Yang leaped forward, his finger jabbing at the image within the summoning grimoire. He swallowed hard, his voice laced with anxiety as he questioned, "Can't... can't you perceive the illustration presented here? And the inscriptions scribbled alongside it, do they not register with you?"