In order for a spirit user to become stronger, they must develop two primary abilities.
The first is spirit affinity.
This grows by deepening the bond with one’s spirit through communication. In doing so, the spirit gains the ability to have a greater impact on this world.
When this affinity reaches its peak, the spirit becomes just as comfortable in this world as in the spirit realm.
Arin had only recently reached this level herself, showing how difficult the process can be.
The green-flamed spirit indeed looked quite at ease, as she had said – so much so that it was sleeping on a blanket spread over the grass, wearing a blindfold.
“So, are spirits stronger in the spirit realm?”
“Yes. To be precise, the power they display in the spirit realm is their true strength.”
Indeed. If we were to draw an analogy, it would be like a deity descending in a fantasy novel.
Their original power is formidable, but there are limitations on their interference in this world.
Upon understanding this and nodding my head, Arin moved on to the next topic.
The second is control ability.
This is the ability that determines how skillfully a contractor can wield the spirit’s power.
This aspect, purely a matter of sensation, is one where it’s difficult for others to lend a hand.
Arin said she had gone through many trials and errors in this regard herself.
Especially since she became a spirit user without a teacher or mentor to guide her, like myself, it must have been harder for her.
“Even if someone has high spirit affinity, without this ability, they will inevitably be weak in combat.”
Think of it like having a large water tank but a narrow faucet – the water won’t come out properly.
In other words, it’s necessary not only to increase the total amount of force that can be unleashed at once but also to hone the sensation of handling that force.
Thus, spirit users are unique beings that must train in both spirit affinity and control ability to grow stronger.
Pointing to the board with her finger where she’d written about control ability, Arin continued.
“What we will practice is the latter, control ability.”
[Isn’t this too intense for the start? Usually, bonding with the spirit comes first.]
In response to Sibley’s question, Arin shook her head.
“Your spirit affinity, Lady Adelle and Sibley, is already at a top-tier level.”
[..Is that so?]
Sibley frowned as if he didn’t understand. Seeing such an expression on Abel’s face felt strange.
After all, he rarely frowned.
While I was lost in thought, Arin approached Sibley and carefully observed his appearance.
“Usually, when a spirit transforms for the first time, it’s rare to have a form as distinct as Sibley’s.”
Having explained that, she extended her palm.
“Fi?”
[…Eh?]
At Arin’s call, the spirit, Fi, emerged from her nap, removed her blindfold, and sat carefully on Arin’s palm before changing her shape.
Compared to before, Fi’s form was quite rough this time.
While her features such as limbs and face were present, it resembled more of a clay figure rather than a figure – her nose and mouth were barely visible.
Only then did I grasp the significance of her words.
“This was Fi’s original form.”
[..How long do we have to keep doing this?]
“Aah, it’s fine if you go back now.”
As she spoke, with a “poof,” Fi returned to her original shape, a transformation that was night and day compared to before.
Afterward, looking at Sibley again, everything made sense.
[So, I’m a special case.]
Saying this as he scanned his own body while floating mid-air, Sibley, still in Abel’s form, somehow seemed a little cute.
[..Sigh.]
Taking a step away and sighing near me, he must have read my previous thoughts.
Seemingly unfazed by this, Arin continued her explanation.
“In short, you both already possess the minimum level of spirit affinity needed to train control ability.”
“How does one train control ability?”
In response to my question, Arin pulled a cart with wheels. On it were neatly arranged a considerable amount of wood chunks.
Picking one out, she carefully placed it atop a tree stump.
“The practice methods vary depending on the attribute, but for wind attribute, this will be the best option.”
[It’s just an ordinary piece of wood.]
Arin nodded at Sibley’s muttering.
“Yes, now all you have to do is split it into two equal halves.”
Arin emphasized that it must be exactly half.
But I doubted whether I could do it without having mastered the sensation of using my power yet.
Guessing my expression, she said with confidence,
“Don’t worry. You’ll master it in no time.”
[It sounds easy…]
As he grumbled and approached me again, Sibley seemed out of character in Abel’s form.
He usually didn’t get irritated by such minor things. However, this side of him wasn’t entirely unappealing.
[Severe case.]
As if reading my thoughts, Sibley clicked his tongue and reached out to me.
Realizing what he intended to do, I extended my hand in return. As we touched hands, I slowly inhaled.
[Contractor, imagine the image.]
Closing my eyes, I began to envision.
[Compress the wind into a line and fire it away.]
Following Sibley’s guidance, I imagined the image. I took cues from Evan’s blue aura blade shown in the past.
Imitating that form, I slowly began to utilize my power. A new sensation of energy surged, gathering wind from all directions.
[More aggressively. A mere breeze won’t cut it.]
Evan’s blade felt similar as well.
It appeared refined at first glance but went wild upon impact against the enemy.
“Sibley.”
[Ready?]
“Yep.”
In my imagination, it was the image of myself drawing a sword.
I followed the robust back of Evan that I had seen before.
‘Go.’
I swung my sword mentally.
As I did, a sharp whistling sound of air slicing through rent the atmosphere and a blade of wind shot out.
Unexpectedly, the power was immense, cutting the wood chunk without hesitation.
“…”
[Woah.]
However, the problem was…
I never expected it to cut the tree stump as well. Watching beside me, Arin seemed impressed.
Approaching me, she immediately grabbed my hands and shook them.
“Amazing! I thought you had high affinity, but this level is impressive!”
“Uhm, is it?”
I felt somewhat dazed. Is this what it feels like to have talent? I felt a bit deflated for some reason.
“Still, it’s a deduction in terms of control.”
“Ah…”
Of course.
She had instructed me to split the wood into two equal parts, not to demolish the stump as well.
“Still, you’ll get used to it quickly.”
Nodding at her confident statement,
She took out a new piece of wood from the cart and placed it on the grass. The spirit Fi, moving close to her, cleanly burnt the surrounding grass except for the wood chunk, without even her direction.
Even spirits can control at this level on their own when control ability increases, can they?
Fi muttered, sensing my gaze.
[Weeds interfere with practice…]
“I see. That’s fine.”
Was he scared that I would scold him?
This is merely a yard behind the house, not a garden. Burning a few weeds here shouldn’t cause much harm.
Besides, Arin’s spirit surely wouldn’t lack such discernment.
“Now try dividing this wood chunk into four equal parts.”
“Four… quarters?”
The wood was set vertically.
Unlike before, it wouldn’t be done just by shooting it in one direction. Indeed, the control ability training that Arin mentioned was something like this.
Not just controlling the power, but also contemplating how to use it depending on the situation.
This was likely the basic training for that.
‘So how should I do this?’
There is a method of simultaneously launching the wind blade from a different direction as before. But the image wasn’t easy to imagine.
And even if it were easy to imagine, whether that could be done was questionable.
‘Wait. Is there a real need to do that?’
“Do I just need to not touch the wood with my hands?”
“Yes, you don’t need to.”
Saying so with a smile, Arin watched as Sibley approached me and asked,
“Did you think of something?”
“Yeah. Want to try it together?”
As I extended my hand, Sibley smirked and, understanding my plan through our connection, slightly nodded.
“Hoo…”
I envisioned Abel’s space magic. I referenced his ability to move objects freely by simply raising his hand.
“Hooong…”
With the sound of wind, the wood chunk floated into the air. It tilted horizontally as it ascended.
“The X-shaped blade.”
It’s not much different from before.
All it takes is a slight angle adjustment and two consecutive launches. However, while doing so, it’s necessary to continuously hold the wood piece steady with the wind.
Although I’m not accustomed to multitasking, I could manage.
“Let’s go.”
“Alright.”
“Hooong.”
The blade flew out.
A simple wind blade in the shape of an X swiftly cut through the wood chunk. The wood fragments scattered into four pieces, and I relaxed.
“Amazing!”
Arin clapped her hands. It felt somewhat like a child receiving praise for the first successful step, but the sense of accomplishment made me feel good.
