046
Parque, Sha.
Sha, Parque.
As I murmured, Teacher Cedric rapidly recited words in ancient language, looking determined not to lose.
“‘Hui’ means to wrap around, ‘Naina’ means to dwell, ‘Malaka’ means dance, ‘Sii’ means to exist, and ‘Yur’ means history!”
As I pondered deeply, I somehow remembered that the Spirit King’s name consisted of three syllables.
‘The meaning of my name is said to come from the North Star that guides navigation and the goddess of battle.’
Then what could be the meaning of the Air Spirit King’s name?
While fiercely contemplating, I recalled a passage from a book I had read before.
I’d read it so many times that I had it memorized.
–
Air is present everywhere in the world, so it can go anywhere and exist everywhere.
Cherishing its freedom, it rarely contracts with humans.
Though making a contract is very difficult, once it does, the Air Spirit King stays with the contractor until their death.
–
‘Brother Elzen said there’s no hint of the Air Spirit King’s name within the country.’
Perhaps it’s because the Air Spirit King is so free that it exists nowhere.
If a hint were left behind, someone might guess it, and if they guessed it, they could form a contract.
‘But air truly is everywhere.’
Hmm, so—
“Freedom that exists everywhere…?”
Boom!
At that moment, multiple golems exploded simultaneously. Letters began to light up in rapid succession.
[The Spirit King of Emotions ‘■■■’ applauds enthusiastically.]
[The Spirit King of Fire ‘■■■■■’ awkwardly clears his throat, hiding they delight.]
[The Spirit King of Water ‘■■■■’ boasts, saying, ‘My child is quite skilled with languages.’]
I guess that was the right answer!
Beaming with excitement, I quickly pieced the words together.
Freedom is Sha.
To exist is Sii.
Everywhere is Parque.
[The Spirit King of Fortune ‘■■■■■■’ advises on the order of the ancient words.]
Freedom that exists everywhere.
Let’s tweak that slightly…
‘Freedom exists in all places.’
Thump, thump.
My heart pounded rapidly.
“Air Spirit King, Shaparsi! Please form a contract with me!”
A wind started blowing from somewhere.
At first, it was faint, like the sound of someone chuckling quietly, but it soon transformed into a threatening roar.
“Huh, what’s happening?!”
“The wind… it’s like a typhoon!”
“I feel like I’m going to be blown away!”
People screamed from all directions.
Lina clung to me tightly, shielding me with her entire body, but I shook my head resolutely.
After all, I didn’t feel the slightest sense of danger.
“Did you come here?”
As I asked this, I began stepping forward, raising my head as far as it would go.
Transparent birds with long wings soared gracefully on the wind.
When their iridescent feathers floated down and touched the tip of my nose, they shimmered with white light, eventually forming an incredibly pure, white silhouette.
[Yes, I am Shaparsi. I am one of the oldest Spirit Kings, existing since the moment this world was created.]
“………!”
The Air Spirit King had hair so long it reached the ground.
Like a bird, wings sprouted from both arms, and the upper body was bare, adorned only with tattoos across the chest and abdomen.
The Spirit King’s empty, pupil-less eyes were an intense shade of sky blue, exuding an intimidating presence. It was difficult to discern any emotions, making it slightly unnerving.
[Young contractor, I can lend you my power for only three minutes. State your wish.]
The Air Spirit King’s voice was solemn and low, echoing like a giant bird speaking.
Finally, I wasn’t just reading letters—I was meeting a Spirit King in person!
“Please defeat all the golems outside.”
[Very well. Will you come with me?]
Can I?
I quickly nodded.
Of course, there was no reason to refuse!
“Hey, where are you going?!”
Naiad, struggling to maintain the protective barrier, shouted at me.
Lina, startled, chased after me in a panic. Unexpectedly, though, Teacher Cedric and the crescent-moon sister just watched quietly without intervening.
“Young Miss, it’s dangerous! You mustn’t go outside. If you insist on going, at least step over me first!”
“I don’t want to step on you… but I don’t have much time. I’ll be back in just 3 minutes.”
I gently pushed Lina aside as the Air Spirit King embraced me from behind.
The feathers tickled my nose and cheeks, making me feel like I was about to sneeze.
[Let’s go, young contractor.]
A gust of wind lifted my hair high into the air.
It felt funny, so I burst out laughing, but when I glanced down, I saw Lina trembling on the ground.
Other people stared with wide eyes.
[Oh, right. My form is visible only to you. To them, it looks like you suddenly started floating in the air.]
“Wow, that’s so cool!”
[Ha-ha! You’re quite young, so your reaction feels refreshing.]
The Air Spirit King sat me on their left shoulder and extended their right hand. A sharp whirlwind erupted from it, instantly destroying one of the golems.
It was one of the massive golems brother Elzen and Joy had been fighting.
“What the… Is that the youngest?!”
“Brother, look over there!”
“How did she get up there… Ugh!”
Brother Elzen looked at me and nearly fainted.
It was amusing, but now wasn’t the time for laughing; we were in the middle of a battle.
[Observe. This is the power of the wind.]
At that moment, the Air Spirit King called to me.
“…….…!”
As soon as the Air Spirit King clenched their fist, what was previously a single whirlwind split into dozens, heading toward the ground.
Naiad, panicked, reinforced the vine shield, sealing off the entrance completely. I could see brother Elzen and Joy retreating inside for safety.
But where were Ilyad and class leader Leviwood?
‘Wait, they’re not going to get hurt, are they?’
That small worry crossed my mind too late.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The whirlwinds touching the ground unleashed an overwhelming destructive force, swallowing everything around them.
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ expresses mild irritation.]
[Take it easy, Shaparsi. Don’t destroy everything. Do you know how long it takes for a single tree to grow?]
Although the Earth Spirit King seemed to be scolding Shaparsi, the wind was blowing too fiercely for me to catch all the words.
I squinted my eyes and grabbed my hair, which kept hitting my forehead, with both hands as I looked down.
“Uh…”
What should I do?
Let’s see, let’s see—
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ clicks their tongue.]
[Everything is completely scorched.]
Trees had been uprooted and sent flying.
The golems were entirely destroyed, leaving only chunks of stone. The ground was torn apart, and the river overflowed.
Amid all that chaos, only Naiad’s protective shield remained intact, which was a relief. But…
Am I going to get scolded?
[The power I used today is about 3% of my total. Even that must have put a strain on your body, so make sure to rest for several days.]
As I blankly surveyed the situation, the Air Spirit King chuckled and carried me back to the ground.
[Since it’s the day of our contract, I was able to lend my power with ease. However, summoning me again will take several years. Eat well and grow strong.]
The Air Spirit King lightly patted my head, like a breeze brushing by, then straightened their enormous form.
Compared to their massive size, I was only as tall as their shin.
With a gentle smile, the Air Spirit King disappeared, leaving me to slump onto the ground.
“Shupetty!”
“Brother Elzen.”
“How on earth… Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? What were you even looking at?”
Soon, Naiad’s vine shield gradually opened, and people poured out.
Brother Elzen hugged me tightly as I gave him a weak, silly smile. My energy was completely drained, and even speaking felt too difficult.
I was also extremely hungry.
“Whatever you did, you did well, vice leader.”
It was at that moment.
