Spirits.
A race that loves nature and enjoys playing with humans or elves.
They are beings who love purity and generally hold goodwill towards others.
Even though they have been forgotten by people nowadays, spirits still exist.
They’ve merely withdrawn from this world, now residing in the Spirit Realm.
“Why is that?”
In response to my question about spirits, Arin crossed her arms as if pondering something. After tapping her fingers on her arm, she sighed deeply and spoke.
“Because of the royal family.”
“Huh?”
I looked at Arin in confusion, wondering what relationship there could be between the spirits leaving this world and the royal family.
She shook her head, placing her index finger on her lips as if sensing my bewilderment in my gaze.
Soon, I caught on to what Arin wanted to say.
“Binding…”
The restriction imposed by the royal family, one that prevents her from speaking about their secrets. Even if she tries to talk about it, her words would twist and fail to convey the truth to others.
I felt that same irritation in the village. Truly, an inconvenient restriction.
“Returning to the main point, the term ‘Spirit Summoner’ refers to someone who forms a contract with these spirits.”
Generally, spirits hold goodwill towards other beings.
Whether human or elf, if only they can communicate, they will express this goodwill.
Thus, it’s rare for spirits to show particular fondness towards a specific individual.
However, if a spirit comes across a human they approve of, they will be the first to propose a contract.
Only after accepting that proposal can one truly become a Spirit Summoner.
Additionally, refusing a contract brings no drawbacks. You would merely have to humor the spirit’s somewhat brash pranks.
The most crucial part is that humans cannot initiate a contract themselves.
Arin especially emphasized this point in her explanation.
“Then talent must be important, I guess…”
“That’s correct.”
She nodded in agreement with my words.
Magic is something you can quickly use once you learn to sense mana and the different types of spells. Ascending to higher levels may be difficult, but the basics are relatively simple.
Aether is similar; if you train your body properly, sensing that energy isn’t too hard.
However, spirit magic is different.
If a spirit doesn’t suggest it first, you can’t even begin, can you?
This realization made me slightly worried if any spirit would deign to approach me.
Seeing my thoughts, Arin continued speaking.
“You don’t need to worry too much. We have this.”
With that, she pulled out a wooden music box from her clothes.
It was the very same item Abel had given her earlier. Though it appeared to be a normal music box, was there something unique about it?
Curiosity struck, and I inquired about its nature.
“It’s the token of a spirit’s promise. It grants the holder’s wish.”
“So you mean…”
“Yes. We’ll use this to form a contract with a spirit.”
Even just hearing about it, it was clearly a very precious object. I wondered if it was okay to use something like this just to make me stronger.
“You don’t need to feel too guilty. The Ducal House has plenty of such items.”
Arin said this as if sensing my apprehension. Had my unease been that obvious?
I scratched my cheek while slightly nodding at her kind tone.
“Then let’s begin.”
Arin placed the music box on the table and slowly started turning the handle.
A refreshing melody of piano music resonated, and the cover of the music box slowly opened. Inside, a small wooden figurine of a girl became visible.
The figurine began to rotate slightly as the handle turned.
‘This is…’
Green energy began to spread around the vicinity.
Even without much knowledge of spirits, I could sense that something significant was occurring.
Vines sprouted from the ground, coiling around the legs of the table and slowly making their way up.
I now understood why we started the spirit magic lesson in the garden—it was because of this.
Clearing away any distractions, I focused my attention on the music box as the vines climbed up onto the table.
Simultaneously, various kinds of flowers began to bloom across the vine’s branches—pink, blue, light green, red—all splendid and vibrant in color.
“This is…”
A small gap opened above the music box. Through this void in the air, sparks of fire began to erupt.
The flames were of three colors:
One green, one red, and the last, blue.
They were similar to the flames that had appeared in Arin’s palm earlier.
[Is that… Louis? Did Louis call us?]
[Really?! It’s been forever since I saw Louis!]
[Idiots. These people aren’t Louis.]
A faint, whisper-like voice resonated in my ears.
It was so low that any loss of focus would cause me to miss the conversation.
Is this how spirits sound?
[Salley’s being too rough!]
[Let her be. That’s just how she is.]
[Quiet! Who are they, anyway?]
There was a cute, playful rivalry in their banter.
Meanwhile, Arin bowed her head respectfully, introducing herself.
“Hello?”
Her tone was unmistakably brighter than before. She must really love spirits.
Though her more public demeanor seemed distant, it was clear that she had a genuine passion.
[Who are you?]
[Is this a half-elf? Why is a half-elf here?]
[Did you call us?]
“Yes. My name is Arin, and I’m a spirit summoner.”
I strained my ears to catch every word, fearing that one misplaced moment might cause me to lose part of the spirits’ dialogue.
[Summoner? Are there still such things in this land?]
[Salley. Be careful with your words.]
[Tsk, fine, I’ll be good.]
The green spirit cautioned the one named Salley, who in turn grumbled and distanced herself.
The green spirit sighed before turning and continuing the conversation with Arin.
[It seems Louis gave you this. No problems with the contract, so it should be fine. What is it you wish?]
Arin nodded. As the spirit’s figure slightly faded, Arin spoke.
“Please allow the person next to me to form a contract with a spirit.”
At this, the green spirit seemed to notice my presence for the first time, slowly approaching me. It felt strangely warm and comforting, even inducing a bit of drowsiness.
“You can hear my voice, can’t you?”
“Really?!”
Arin suddenly moved closer, her face nearly touching mine.
It was rather uncomfortable, but I couldn’t help but notice her proximity, so I lightly pushed her back by placing my hand on her shoulder. Realizing her mistake, she stepped back slightly.
“I’m sorry. I got carried away.”
“It’s okay. But why are you so surprised?”
At my question, Arin paused to clear her throat before calmly answering.
“It’s rare for someone to be able to hear a spirit’s voice from the very start. Even I, at first, could only understand the gist of what they were saying.”
So, being able to understand the spirits from the start makes me something of an irregularity, does it?
“Hmm…”
“In most cases, people don’t even realize the spirits are speaking.”
Her words began to make sense regarding her initial reaction.
I hadn’t anticipated being able to understand the spirits so readily during our first meeting.
Could that mean I have some talent for spirit magic?
[Heh, it’s rare, but occasionally such an individual exists.]
[Really? They can understand us!]
[Stop being such a chatterbox, Salley.]
The red spirit, called Salley, moved around restlessly, seemingly agitated by something Sibyl said.
[Go away, Salley! I want to observe humans for the first time in a long while!]
“How exactly does one form a contract?”
[Contract?! I want to form one too, umph!]
[Let’s calm down first. Let’s hear what they have to say.]
Salley seemed to settle down after Sibyl’s words. Despite their banter, their closeness was unmistakable.
The green spirit then approached me and asked.
“What’s your name?”
It occurred to me that I hadn’t introduced myself properly. In a hurry, I bowed my head in greeting.
“My name is Adelle von Este. Please take care of me.”
[Your name is Este?]
[Idiot. That’s the surname. Adelle is the name.]
The spirits bickered for a brief moment again. Ignoring the interruption, the green flame introduced itself.
“I am Silvana, the spirit of the forest.”
[Spirit of the wind, Sibyl. Just call me Sibyl.]
[Ah, I am the spirit of fire, Salamander! You can call me Salley if you like!]
Self-introductions with personalities distinct as the spirits of the forest, wind, and fire. Since a summoner can only make a contract with one spirit, I would have to choose carefully.
Fire spirits were out of the question.
While they likely had great destructive power, I couldn’t predict what might happen if I misused their abilities. Plus, flashy powers like that didn’t appeal to me.
That left the spirits of wind and forest…
“..I’ve made my decision.”
[!– Slider main container –]
