It’s already been four days since I stayed at the Duke’s estate.
It had been a while since I met Leisha, and the Duke had also asked me to spend some time with her.
I heard that dozens of board game players were invited, but not only did no one meet Leisha, no one even entered the turret.
In the midst of all this, the Duke seemed to have some kind of conviction when he saw that I, who had returned after just a month, was the one who met Leisha.
The conviction that I was the only one who could meet Leisha.
‘Well, to be fair, I did meet Sally and Adela too.’
After the first day, Leisha said that only I could enter, and Sally and Adela also decided not to go into the turret.
I thought the three of them had become close while I was playing Spirit Poker with the Duke, but maybe not.
When I asked Sally if something had happened.
──W-well, n-nothing really happened!
──Really?
──D-don’t worry, Young Master. I-I’ll definitely protect you!
Well, it’s true that Sally is my personal maid and knight guard, but why did she say that while fiddling with her dagger?
For some reason, my scar started throbbing, so I just ran away.
‘Anyway, it’s a relief that Sally is fine now.’
Was it thanks to that Spirit Technique? And with Adela’s Sleep Magic, we easily got through Sally’s episode.
Anyway, even if someone grabs me by the collar, I make sure to adjust my collar so the scar isn’t visible.
As I had been doing since the first day, I went up to the turret and played Spirit Poker with Leisha.
The win-loss record was 45 matches, 23 wins, and 22 losses.
Of course, it was a result I had controlled.
“This is… the Spirit of Lightning.”
“…That’s correct.”
“Actually, no! This is my win!”
“Of all times to mess up…”
Sometimes I would mislead Leisha about the cards I knew, or pretend to make a mistake while reciting card information to control the outcome.
Yes, I was going easy on her. But it was necessary.
Leisha’s Spirit Poker skills… to be blunt.
‘She’s really bad.’
I realized it when I first got close to Leisha, but even after a month, her skills hadn’t improved at all.
It’s only when the opponent has some level of skill that they notice when you’re deliberately losing. If I had played seriously, 22 losses? I doubt she would have even managed 2.
Considering that Spirit Poker is a game heavily reliant on psychological warfare, Leisha’s skills were… well, a bit concerning.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s not like I wasn’t having fun.
It’s just that I worry about what would happen if she played board games with someone else.
‘The Spirits… seem to just entertain her no matter what.’
Maybe she played a board game with Sally and Adela and got utterly crushed, and that’s why she’s upset with them. It’s a plausible theory.
Logically, if three people play a board game together, they should become closer.
Board games are divine and invincible. Unless you’re mortal enemies or trying to kill each other, you should be able to become friends through board games.
If that’s the case, it’s awkward for me to intervene. It’s up to the parties involved to sort it out.
‘Should I suggest a board game again?’
If I give Sally and Adela a heads-up and we all play a board game together, things might get better.
But it’s a bit awkward to outright ask Leisha, “Did you get upset because you got crushed in a board game?”
While I was thinking of a good opportunity to suggest a board game to the girls.
Leisha, who was organizing the Spirit Poker cards, looked at me.
“Kyle.”
“Yes, Princess. I won’t lose the next round.”
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
“…………….”
Well, of course, I have to leave. I can’t stay here forever.
I can’t stay in the Duke’s territory.
But I didn’t expect Leisha to bring it up first. When I left the Duke’s territory last time, it wasn’t on good terms.
What should I say?
“Princess, that…”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to get mad like last time… Still, it’s upsetting.”
“…Princess.”
“Kyle, if you leave, I’ll be alone again.”
“You have the spirits. And the Duke too…”
“You said it yourself, didn’t you? That I’m your board game friend. You might have many board game friends, but to me, you’re the only one.”
“………”
The spirits always give in to Leisha, and the Duke cares for her but also tries to pull her out of the tower.
In the end, it seems I’m the only friend Leisha can open up to and play board games with.
…It’s something I’ve been concerned about too.
“But Princess…”
“I have no intention of leaving the tower. You’re fine, but… if I follow you, I’ll have to see countless people. That’s too scary for me.”
Leisha, saying this, wore a very lonely smile.
If she decided to follow me, the Duke might reluctantly allow it after some thought, but the issue lies with Leisha herself.
“So… instead, take the Water Tiger with you.”
“The Water Tiger, you mean?”
“Talk to it like it’s me, pet it, hold it, smell it, and sleep with it. Oh, and don’t forget to write letters, okay?”
“…Understood.”
The Water Tiger must have returned to Leisha and told her everything that’s happened so far. There’s only so much news she can get from my letters.
Even in this way, Leisha seems reluctant to part with me.
Then, when I return to this tower later, Leisha will also know what’s been happening in the meantime.
“By the way, what a coincidence.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve been sleeping with the Water Tiger, petting it, and holding it too. It’s strange that you mentioned it… Ah, did you hear it from the Water Tiger?”
“…Something like that.”
“Anyway, I understand. It’s not like I’m leaving today, though.”
*Click.*
We can’t keep the mood gloomy forever.
Deliberately raising the tension, I use my hand skills to spread out the cards in a flashy manner.
“Then, shall we play board games all day today?”
“Yeah!”
Someday, the day will come when Leisha leaves the tower.
But I couldn’t help feeling regret.
Until the day Leisha steps outside the tower.
That I’m the only true board game friend this pure and kind girl has.
That was the only thing that saddened me.
*
“………”
On the top floor of the tower, Leisha, gazing out the large window where sunlight poured in, closed her eyes for a moment.
Doing so allowed her to recall only happy memories instead of reality.
Memories of meeting the spirits, memories with her mother.
And the memories of playing board games with Kyle Byron.
Though it was only a matter of days, every moment spent playing Spirit Poker with him was precious.
And because of that.
“You’re here.”
“…You called for me, Princess.”
“Q-quickly, just say what you need to. I, I need to be by the Young Master’s side.”
“It’s fine. It’ll be over soon.”
Today, I had no choice but to let those unwelcome guests into the tower.
Awe, friendship, atonement.
It was only a few days ago that I confirmed their respective thoughts and feelings.
Why is it? Deep in her heart, Leisha…
Discomfort and uneasiness were felt.
I had a gut feeling. Those two and Leisha could never get along.
And I bet it’s the same for them too.
“I heard you’re leaving today.”
“Y-you figured that out? Using those spirits to eavesdrop, huh? Like some creepy stalker.”
“I somewhat agree with the maid. You’ll just stay cooped up in the turret anyway, Princess. How pathetic.”
“Say whatever you want. I’m just fulfilling my duty as a friend.”
Just for today.
“It seems my last warning wasn’t enough.”
“W-what…?”
“……This is.”
“So, I’ll do it properly this time.”
*Crackle.*
In an instant, the room darkened.
It wasn’t because the lights in Leisha’s room went out or because curtains were drawn over the windows.
It was because the *something* that had been beside Leisha grew exponentially in size.
[Grrrr!]
[Whoosh!]
[Clatter!]
[Meow!]
Spirits.
Beings made of pure elements, taking on the forms of beasts.
A tiger made of water, a horse made of wind, a bird made of lightning—spirits often appeared gentle and even cute at first glance.
But that was just their usual appearance.
Wild spirits, and spirits contracted to a Spirit Master in combat mode, were anything but cute.
[Growl!!!]
Responding to the Spirit Master’s commands, they transformed their bodies, and reacting to the Spirit Master’s emotions, they dyed themselves in color.
That’s why, since ancient times, those who opposed Spirit Masters would gauge their emotions through the colors of their spirits.
Red for anger, purple for jealousy, white for forgiveness, and so on.
The maid and the magician knew this much.
And now, the color of the spirits was──
“……Black.”
“S-seriously, she’s insane…?”
“Who knows.”
──A pitch-black, inky darkness.
That color could only mean one emotion.
Hostility.
And not just any hostility—the kind a Spirit Master shows when facing their mortal enemy.
[Grrr.]
[Whoosh.]
[Clatter.]
[Meow.]
Their cries didn’t change. If anything, that made it even more unsettling.
Their forms shifted from beast-like to monstrous, their entire bodies dyed black, with only their eyes glowing red.
The strength of a spirit could be judged by the intensity of its form and color.
And right now, Leisha’s spirits looked no different from the ferocious spirits of the north, known for their savagery.
Spirits that were called calamities in their homeland, with similar colors and forms—what did that imply?
It gave a glimpse of just how far Leisha had come as a Spirit Master.
A single one of these spirits could easily destroy a village, and here there were dozens of them.
Their massive bodies blocked the windows, cutting off the light that had been illuminating the room.
In the dimly lit room, the spirits’ red eyes glowed.
And in front of them, Leisha smiled.
“I’ll warn you again. The eyes of the spirits are my eyes.”
“………….”
“…………….”
“If you…”
“If you dare hurt Kyle with your so-called awe and atonement, or try to meddle with him…”
[Grrrr!!!]
“My friendship won’t let you off the hook. Think carefully.”
A spirit in the form of a tiger roars. Once made of blue water, it now transforms into a dark, ferocious wave, threatening the maid and the magician with its massive form.
It was the appearance of a spirit that had been with a certain Spirit Master for the longest time.
In front of the Water Spirit, who had reached a status akin to the Spirit King, the Princess, beloved by spirits, sneered at the maid and the magician.
A mere maid wielding a dagger, a mere High Magician.
Her smile was one of sheer disdain.
“Ah, maid. If you can, try stabbing my neck again. Like you did in the imperial palace.”
“…I, I don’t think I can?”
“You could. But you’d die in the process.”
“……”
It was more than a provocation—it was a declaration of war.
All of this happened while Kyle was carefully dusting off the board games…
*
The Academy in the imperial capital.
Established by the first emperor himself, it was created to showcase the empire’s might after it became the dominant power on the continent.
Initially, it was purely for show, but as the empire solidified its foundation, its significance changed.
Nobles sent their children to gain the emperor’s favor, and those seeking to establish themselves in the capital did the same. Over time, the Academy developed its own networks and privileges, attracting more and more nobles.
Now, over 200 years since the first emperor, it stands as the empire’s premier educational institution.
Though somewhat ceremonial, the Academy is headed by an Archmage, and with the influx of noble children, the quality of education naturally rose.
In magic, High Magicians from the six major Magic Towers are sent to teach, and the competition between the towers depends on how many students attend their lectures.
And among the Academy’s magicians, one was writing a letter with grave determination.
“Lu, Lukesil… Are you really sure about this? I understand the situation, but still…”
“Do you see any other way? This is the last resort. Even if this letter might not reach him, we have to try.”
“You know the current influence of Arkhé Magic Tower! They appointed someone who isn’t even a magician as an elder! Do you think they’d send such a talent to us…?”
“If he’s that talented, he might solve our current predicament.”
“Lukesil!”
“It’s just a letter. If the Tower’s prestige suffers, I’ll take responsibility. I need him more than that.”
The long, detailed letter was addressed to Arkhé Magic Tower.
And the recipient was…
“The genius Board Game Creator… If anyone can, it’s him.”
“…Lukesil.”
“He can help us.”
It was Kyle Byron.
