Target 37 : Aureon

The quiet click of the door closing behind him left Tsuna in the dim solitude of his dorm room. He exhaled softly, the day's events still weighing on his mind.

Juzo, Nishiki, and Mamushi insisted on inviting him to dinner, and their camaraderie was genuine and persistent. He appreciated the offer—he really did—but he declined.

With Neuhaus busier than ever due to the summoning incident, the man had hardly been around even before all the chaos. Tsuna had grown accustomed to being alone. It didn't bother him as much anymore.

Besides, I have something I need to take care of.

His gaze drifted toward the small creature perched atop his desk.

Its golden fur shimmered under the soft glow of the room's lantern. Its bright, intelligent eyes met his as if it had been waiting for him to acknowledge them. Its wings—still a little too big for its small body—rustled lightly before folding neatly against its back.

Tsuna let out a sigh, stepping closer. "Guess it's just us now, huh?"

The creature chirped, the sound high-pitched but soft, almost questioning.

Tsuna hesitated before rubbing the back of his neck. "You know… I can't keep calling you 'it' or 'the gryphon' forever. You need a name."

At his words, the creature flapped its wings excitedly, hopping a little closer to him. Its tail flicked, anticipation clear in its body language.

Tsuna blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle. Does it actually understand me?

He leaned against the desk, arms crossed, thinking. "Something that fits you… Something strong, but not too flashy."

The creature tilted its head, watching him closely.

"Maybe something related to the sky or flames," Tsuna murmured. "Since you seem to have that whole Sky Flame energy going on…"

He tapped his fingers against his arm, his thoughts drifting back to the moment it had hatched. The golden light, the way it absorbed the demon instead of letting it loose, and—more than anything—the strange, deep connection he had felt when it first met his gaze.

It wasn't just a summoned creature.

It was something more.

"How about…" Tsuna glanced back at it, the word forming naturally. "Aureon?"

The creature's ears perked up.

"It means 'golden' or 'light,'" Tsuna explained, testing how it felt on his tongue. "It sounds kind of regal, but not over-the-top. And it fits your whole… golden, flame-y vibe."

For a second, there was silence.

Then, with an excited chirp, the creature flapped its wings and launched itself at him.

"Whoa—!"

Tsuna barely had time to react before it landed on his shoulder, its small but surprisingly strong claws gripping onto his uniform. It nuzzled against his cheek, its fur warm against his skin.

Tsuna let out a startled laugh. "I'll take that as a yes."

Aureon let out another happy chirp, fluffing up proudly.

Shaking his head in amusement, Tsuna reached up to gently scratch under its chin, earning a pleased rumble in return. "Alright, Aureon it is. Let's get along, okay?"

The gryphon nudged his hand affectionately in response, its warmth a quiet reassurance.

Despite the uncertainty of everything that had happened today, despite the growing list of unanswered questions about himself, the summoning, and his own abilities—this moment, right here, felt… solid.

Real.

His fingers curled slightly in Aureon's fur.

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The morning sun hung lazily in the sky, its golden light reflecting off the academy rooftops. Today was an off day for Tsuna—something he hadn't had in a while. But unlike the rare days off back at Mafia School, he wasn't allowed to leave the academy grounds due to the conditions of his internship.

It was frustrating.

He could still recall the afternoons spent with his classmates—Raul, Basil, Naito, Pantera, and Lunga—when training was done. Whether it was playing games, talking about dumb things, or simply enjoying each other's company, those moments felt normal. Despite their lives being intertwined with the Mafia world, they could still pretend, even for a little while, that they were just kids.

His fingers idly stroked the soft fur of Aureon, who was perched on his shoulder, watching the path ahead with curious golden eyes.

I miss them, Tsuna thought, sighing. I wonder what they're doing right now…

It was days like these when he wished his life had been simpler. If he weren't tied to the Mafia, if he wasn't training to be an exorcist, if he didn't have all these responsibilities weighing down on him, maybe he could've just had a normal childhood.

But he shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. That kind of thinking wouldn't change anything.

At the very least, today he had something to focus on—Aureon.

He was still unsure what his familiar truly was. It had hatched from an egg laid by Leon, Reborn's shape-shifting pet, but had also absorbed the high-level demon he had summoned. That alone was baffling. He had seen Dino's pet, Enzo, grow in size, and Leon could morph into just about anything Reborn wanted. Would Aureon be similar?

Time to find out.

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The sun cast long rays over the academy grounds, signaling the start of another slow day. For once, Tsuna had nothing to do—no training missions, no exorcisms, no grueling lessons from Neuhaus.

If he were back at Mafia School, he'd probably be spending his free time with Raul and the others, sneaking snacks into their dorms or engaging in impromptu battles that always ended with someone getting scolded by the instructors.

But here? His "day off" wasn't truly free—he wasn't even allowed to leave the academy grounds.

So, he did the next best thing.

He decided to spend the day testing Aureon's abilities.

Juzo had agreed to tag along since Mamushi and Nishiki had been called away by their families. That left just the two of them, plus Neuhaus, who seemed far too interested in Aureon's potential to ignore the invitation.

And so, they found themselves on the open training grounds, watching a tiny golden gryphon flutter in the air.

Aureon's golden fur and feathers gleamed under the sunlight, shimmering faintly with Sky Flames. It chirped, effortlessly perching itself on Tsuna's shoulder like it had been there all its life.

"So… what exactly can this little guy do?" Juzo asked, crossing his arms.

"That's what I want to find out," Tsuna admitted. He gently nudged Aureon off his shoulder, and the gryphon flapped its wings, hovering in place.

To start, Tsuna decided to test something simple. He stepped toward the shaded area of the training hall, where the sunlight failed to reach.

As soon as he entered the dim space, Aureon reacted. Its body emitted a soft golden glow, bathing the area in a warm light.

"Huh," Tsuna muttered. "Flame Glow?"

Juzo snorted. "Are you seriously naming its moves like some kind of Pokémon trainer?"

Tsuna reddened. "Shut up!"

But Juzo wasn't done. "What's next? 'Flame Tackle'? 'Sky Wing Slash'?"

"Stop it!"

Juzo cackled, clearly enjoying himself, while Neuhaus sighed, looking more exhausted by the second.

"Regardless of what he calls it," Neuhaus cut in, "this ability has practical applications. The fact that it activates instinctively in dark spaces suggests that it may function as a passive support skill rather than an attack move."

Tsuna blinked. "You're making it sound even more like a video game move."

Neuhaus gave him a flat look. "That was not my intention."

Tsuna sighed and turned back to Aureon, stroking its soft fur. "Well, at least now we know it has some kind of light-producing ability."

As they continued their tests, a wooden training dummy suddenly tipped over with a loud thud, startling Tsuna.

Before he could react, Aureon puffed up and flapped its tiny wings aggressively. It let out a series of sharp, high-pitched chirps, its feathers bristling as if ready to fight.

Juzo burst out laughing. "Oh my god, it's adorably protective!"

Tsuna rubbed his temples. "Don't encourage it."

But Aureon, still fluffed up, hopped forward and slapped its tiny talons against the fallen dummy, as if warning it to stay down.

Neuhaus observed quietly. "It recognizes threats on an instinctual level. This defensive behavior is likely an extension of its bond with you, Tsunayoshi."

Tsuna scratched his cheek. "So it's basically a tiny guard dog?"

"A very tiny one," Juzo teased.

Aureon chirped indignantly, then flew back to Tsuna's shoulder, giving Juzo a look that almost seemed like a glare.

Tsuna chuckled. "I think you just made an enemy."

Juzo grinned. "Worth it."

As their testing continued, Neuhaus sat down and began writing in his notebook. His sharp gaze flickered between Tsuna and Aureon, clearly deep in thought.

Finally, he spoke. "I've noticed something peculiar."

Tsuna and Juzo turned to him. "What is it?"

Neuhaus tapped his pen against his notes. "Aureon possesses significant spiritual energy—enough to compare to a middle-level demon, even as a newborn. However, none of its abilities so far seem to be utilizing that power."

Tsuna frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Everything it has displayed so far—the Sky Flames, the protective barrier, even the light-emitting ability—these are all properties of Dying Will Flames, not spiritual energy."

Juzo raised an eyebrow. "So, it's not using any exorcist powers at all?"

"Correct," Neuhaus confirmed. "Despite having a notable spiritual presence, it seems to function entirely on the energy source you are most familiar with—your Dying Will Flames."

Tsuna furrowed his brows, glancing at Aureon. The gryphon cocked its head, as if sensing his confusion.

"So… does that mean it's not an exorcist familiar?" he asked slowly.

Neuhaus shook his head. "Not necessarily. It has spiritual power. But for some reason, it's not tapping into it yet. Instead, it operates in a manner closer to your old master's pet Leon—the shape-shifting creature belonging to Reborn."

Tsuna let out a breath. "Leon… yeah, I was wondering if it'd be like him."

Leon could transform into anything Reborn wanted. Meanwhile, Dino's pet, Enzo, could grow in size depending on his emotions.

But Aureon? It seemed to have an unusual mix of traits.

A creature born from an egg laid by Leon. A body infused with Tsuna's Dying Will Flames. A demon's essence is somehow absorbed into it.

The sheer complexity of it made his head hurt.

Tsuna paused, eyes narrowing slightly as a thought crossed his mind. "Wait... how do you know about Reborn being my master?" His voice held a mix of curiosity and wariness. Reborn was a man of many secrets, and the idea that Neuhaus, someone he'd just met, would know about him felt odd.

Neuhaus raised an eyebrow, giving Tsuna a look that suggested the answer was obvious. "Basic news, Tsuna. Of course, we've already done a complete scan of your history before your internship. How could we not know about your training with Reborn, the world's best hitman?" He leaned back, almost casually. "Your identity as a Vongola heir candidate isn't exactly a secret. It's widely known among those in certain circles, especially the higher-ups in the world. You're a key figure—of course, people are going to keep track of you."

Tsuna felt his stomach tighten. He had always known that his life was under scrutiny, but hearing it so plainly made the reality feel more suffocating. "I guess that makes sense…" he muttered, his mind racing with thoughts of how much attention he was really under, and how little he could truly hide.

"At the very least," Neuhaus continued, "this suggests that its primary combat abilities will rely on your flame mastery rather than traditional spiritual techniques."

Tsuna sighed. "Figures."

Juzo slapped a hand on his back. "Hey, don't sound so disappointed. This just means you get a really cool fire-bird-lion thing instead of some creepy ghost familiar!"

"That's… not what I'm worried about."

Juzo grinned. "You're overthinking it. Just keep training with it and see where it goes. Who knows? Maybe it does have some secret spirit powers you just haven't unlocked yet."

Tsuna exhaled. That was true. For now, they had only scratched the surface of Aureon's potential.

I guess I'll just have to figure it out as we go…

Aureon chirped softly, as if in agreement.

Neuhaus observes Aureon perched on Tsuna's shoulder, his sharp gaze betraying nothing. "A summon's combat prowess is a crucial factor in determining its value," he states. "We should test its capabilities in battle."

Tsuna hesitates, his fingers tightening slightly. A battle? Testing Aureon like this feels... strange. He isn't like the other summons Tsuna has read about—those bound by contracts, acting on command without hesitation. Aureon isn't just a tool. He's something more.

Yet, as Tsuna turns to look at him, the small creature meets his gaze with quiet understanding. There's no fear in those molten-gold eyes, no uncertainty. Only trust.

Something in Tsuna shifts. Maybe it's the connection between them, something deeper than words. Maybe it's instinct. Either way, Tsuna takes a slow breath and raises a hand, reaching out—not to command, but to see.

A flicker of Sky Flames dances at his fingertips, then flows into Aureon's small body.

The moment the flames make contact, Tsuna feels it. A surge of energy—not overpowering, but vast, boundless. It crackles in the air like static, an invisible thread linking them together. Aureon shudders, his golden fur rippling as if caught in a phantom wind. Then—

A flash of radiant light erupts around him.

Tsuna shields his eyes as warmth floods the space between them. The glow intensifies, flickering with wild bursts of Sky Flames, growing, expanding—until, finally, the brilliance fades.

And in Aureon's place stands something breathtaking.

A gryphon. Majestic, powerful, its form easily the size of a motorcycle. Its lion-like body is covered in gleaming golden fur, each strand shifting like molten sunlight. Its massive wings spread wide, flame-kissed feathers shimmering with untamed power, wreathed in Sky Flames that seem almost alive. Razor-sharp talons dig into the stone floor, radiating heat, and its piercing eyes burn with intelligence.

Juzo takes an involuntary step back. "That's... way more intense than I expected."

Aureon lets out a piercing cry that reverberates through the room. The sheer force of the sound sends a ripple through the air, vibrating in Tsuna's bones. His talons pulse with concentrated Sky Flames, searing glowing marks into the stone beneath him.

And Tsuna understands.

He doesn't need to give an order—Aureon already knows. Their connection is clearer than before, stronger.

"Let's see what you can do," Tsuna murmurs, steadier now.

Aureon moves.

In a single motion, his powerful wings tuck close, and he dives forward with breathtaking speed. A golden blaze trails in his wake, a streak of concentrated Sky Flames. The moment his talons strike the target, there's a brief moment of silence—

Then an eruption of fire.

The explosion is controlled yet immense, swallowing the row of training dummies in golden flames. When the smoke clears, the center dummy is nothing but ash.

"Horizon Dive," Tsuna breathes.

But Aureon isn't finished. With a single, mighty flap of his wings, he sends out a powerful gust of wind laced with Sky Flames.

The Sky Gale surges forward in a controlled cyclone, ripping through the training grounds. It slams into the remaining dummies, sending them flying across the room. The wind doesn't stop there—it shifts, swirls, and redirects. The flames spiral back toward Tsuna just as a barrage of simulated projectiles fires from hidden turrets.

But they never reach him.

The burning gust shields him completely, intercepting the attacks mid-air, incinerating them before they can even touch the ground.

Tsuna exhales, heart pounding. He knew Aureon was strong. But this... this is something else entirely.

Neuhaus watches, his gaze calculating. There's a long silence before he finally speaks.

"Its abilities are exceptional—far beyond what's expected." His sharp eyes flick to Tsuna. "But what's more intriguing… it only responds to you. This bond is… unique."

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The training hall was eerily silent after the display of Aureon's power, the embers of Sky Flames still smoldering on the scorched stone floor. Tsuna let out a slow breath, his pulse steadying as he stepped closer to his partner.

Aureon, still in his gryphon form, turned his golden gaze to him, lowering his head slightly as if awaiting further instructions. Tsuna hesitated for a moment before raising a hand, brushing his fingers gently against Aureon's feathered mane.

"You did amazing," he murmured, feeling the warmth of his flames still lingering beneath Aureon's fur.

The gryphon let out a pleased rumble, its tail flicking once before its form shimmered. With a flicker of light, Aureon shrank back down, his large, powerful frame collapsing into golden motes until the small, fox-like creature perched effortlessly onto Tsuna's shoulder once more.

Juzo exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Man, that was something else," he muttered, stretching his arms. "I knew summons were useful, but that thing is an absolute monster in battle."

Neuhaus gave a slight nod, his gaze still fixed on Tsuna. "Aureon's combat form is indeed formidable. Its power is refined, well-controlled… it moves with precision, almost like an extension of your own will." He folded his arms. "You're lucky to have formed such a connection."

Tsuna rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little self-conscious at the praise. He hadn't really thought about it in such a grand way—it just felt natural. Like Aureon understood him, like they worked together instead of one commanding the other.

"Well, that's that," Juzo said, rolling his shoulders. "I think we've seen enough of what your little guy can do. Anything else you wanna try out, Tsuna?"

Tsuna blinked, glancing at Aureon. The small creature merely yawned and curled slightly against his neck, clearly content. A soft chuckle escaped Tsuna as he shook his head. "No, I think we're good."

Neuhaus gave a short nod. "Then that concludes today's assessment." His tone shifted slightly, carrying a weight of finality. "With this, I can safely say that your combat skills have improved significantly since arriving here. While your spiritual energy control is still lacking, your combat level is now at a point where you are ready to participate in an actual demon extermination mission."

Tsuna stiffened slightly at that. "Wait… a real mission?"

"Of course." Neuhaus's sharp gaze met his. "You didn't think you would be training forever, did you? This internship is not just for observation—you are here to gain practical experience as well."

That was true, but… Tsuna hadn't really thought about it. Fighting during training was one thing, but going out on an actual mission? Against real demons? The thought sent a nervous flutter through his stomach.

Juzo grinned, clapping Tsuna on the back with enough force to nearly knock him over. "Relax, kid. You won't be going in alone. Missions are always assigned with a team. Just follow your orders, don't do anything stupid, and you'll be fine."

Tsuna still wasn't sure how he felt about that. But before he could dwell on it too much, Neuhaus spoke again.

"And that's not the only thing you need to be aware of," he continued. "This week, Chairman Mephisto has announced that the World Conference is scheduled to commence soon—within the next few days."

Tsuna stiffened. He hadn't heard about that before. "World Conference?"

Neuhaus adjusted his glasses. "A gathering held every few years where the three major factions of Earth convene to discuss matters concerning the supernatural balance of the world. Only those of high rank or significance are permitted to attend."

The information sent a shiver down Tsuna's spine. He had been so caught up in his training that he hadn't thought about what Mephisto had originally brought him here for. Now, that time was creeping closer.

"Chairman Mephisto himself will come to pick you up when it's time," Neuhaus continued. "Until then, be prepared. You will be attending alongside the school's most important members."

Tsuna swallowed hard, feeling a pit form in his stomach. He wasn't sure what was more nerve-wracking—the idea of fighting a demon on a real mission or standing in a room full of the most powerful figures of the supernatural world.

Juzo let out a low whistle. "Man, talk about getting thrown into the deep end."

Tell me about it, Tsuna thought bitterly.

Still, there was no escaping it. The clock was ticking, and ready or not, his time at True Cross Academy was already halfway over.

And the real challenges were only just beginning.