071
“But still, Luarel is the older sister, so she’ll be fine.”
“Yeah! If you come with me… huh?”
“I’ll call a maid to guide you. I need to take the youngest to her spirit studies class.”
“…..…!”
Her eyes widened, trembling as if hit by an earthquake.
As though she hadn’t expected that response.
“The youngest is still too little to find her way on her own. Right?”
“Ah… but… but…”
Her small hands clenched the hem of her dress tightly.
Children passing by glanced at the two of them curiously.
“But I’m still little too…”
“Saying that in front of a real baby feels a bit off, don’t you think?”
At Brother Elzen’s pointed remark, Luarel’s face turned bright red like a tomato.
“Let’s go, Shu.”
“Mhm.”
I wasn’t upset, so I was fine… but Luarel looked kind of sad.
As I kept glancing back, Brother Elzen gently spoke to me.
“Leave her be. Until the proof comes out and the head of the house acknowledges it, I don’t intend to treat her like a real sister.”
“I mean, I just…”
“You saved my life, Shupetty. And you led me to meet my partner. Other than Joy, you’ll always be my priority.”
His warm, reddish-purple eyes shimmered like gentle waves.
It felt like I was a jellyfish drifting in a warm ocean, and I smiled.
“Yeah!”
“Good. You were looking forward to the spirit studies class, right? I hope it’s fun.”
Spirit studies was a class only I attended in Pashayen.
Half a year from now, they said they’d select other children with spirit affinity to join me, but for now, it’s just me.
“Alright, we’re here. The garden.”
The spirit studies class was held in the vast garden of Pashayen.
There was a stream, soil, flowers, and a gentle breeze blowing through—it was a perfect place.
“Look, there’s the teacher!”
“You’re right.”
The spirit studies teacher was an elderly woman with short ash-gray hair, dressed sharply in a stylish suit.
She wore no jacket, just a rolled-up shirt. Her vibe was completely different from the empathetic grandma, which was fascinating.
“My, they said you were a baby, and you really are one.”
“Hello! I’m Shupetty Pashayen!”
“I’ve heard about you. My name is Lottya Lovlemary.”
Wait a second.
———
Author, Lottya Lovlemary.
Lifetime Professor, Department B-17, National Clavier Comprehensive Academy, Clavier City, Mondal.
———
As soon as I heard her name, a phrase flashed through my mind.
That book! The spirit studies textbook!
“You’re the Lifetime Professor!”
“Oh my, do you know me?”
“I read your book!”
She was someone who was genuinely devoted to spirits. I never thought I’d get to meet her like this.
I couldn’t hide my excitement at meeting the author of a book I had studied before.
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ expresses fondness toward Lottya Lovlemary.]
[Ah, so she’s an Earth Spiritist. Quite favored by my spirit.]
“Earth Spiritist…?”
“How did you know that?”
A flicker of curiosity passed through her blue eyes.
I just grinned without explaining, and Teacher Lottya continued the conversation.
“I’m a Spiritist contracted with a high-ranking Earth Spirit. I also have a daughter, and she’s contracted with a mid-ranking Fortune Spirit.”
“Wow…”
I’m contracted with the Air Spirit King!
I was dying to boast about it, and my lips wiggled trying to hold it in. Even my bottom squirmed from the urge.
Can I say it? The Admiral and Grandpa, the head of the family, never said not to…
“Let’s see… Have your spirit eyes opened yet?”
“No, I mean, not yet, but almost!”
“So they haven’t opened yet… but they will soon?”
“Yes!”
Once I become the darlings of the Kings.
But the two Spirit Kings haven’t shown themselves yet.
How do I invite them with a ‘Please come see Shupetty!’?
“Pop!”
While I was briefly lost in thought, a puff sound came from above my head—and Podong appeared.
“Piyap!”
“Oh my, a low-ranking Air Spirit! But it doesn’t look like you’ve made a contract…”
“The Air Spirit King gave it to me!”
Podong seemed to really like Teacher Lottya and fluttered around her with its tiny wings.
Teacher Lottya gently coaxed it to sit on her fingertip, then slowly knelt on one knee before me.
She reached out and softly stroked my forehead.
I didn’t dislike it, so I let her.
“Oh my, I thought the Pashayen head was mistaken, but it’s real? How could this be!”
Vmmm.
The bracelet on her wrist began to glow, and something on my forehead started to shimmer too.
I couldn’t see my own forehead, but… was something written there?
“Do you know what this bracelet is?”
“Nope!”
“It’s a tool that helps identify spirit contract marks. Normally, it’s impossible to tell what level of spirit someone’s contracted with.”
Ah, that’s true. I didn’t know either until she told me.
There’s no obvious visible sign like a badge or mark.
“Of course, there are exceptions. Some people rise to the level of ‘absolutes’ in their field. Among awakened ones, there are those exceptionally gifted—just by looking, they can tell the level of the spirit someone is contracted with. For example, they could identify that you’re contracted with a Spirit King even without this tool.”
“Wow!”
“But ordinary folks like me need help. This bracelet reveals the contract mark on the forehead.”
She demonstrated by pressing the bracelet to her own forehead.
A brilliant light flared—and markings appeared on her skin.
Naturally, I couldn’t read it. It was in ancient script.
“In any case… I never thought I’d meet such a noble one before I died of old age. Especially since the Air Spirit King rarely forms contracts!”
[The Air Spirit King ‘Shaparsi’ clears his throat in exaggerated pride.]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ tells him to quit showing off.]
[The Emotion Spirit King ‘■■■’ shoots a sharp glare at the Air Spirit King.]
Lottya looked deeply moved.
She then asked eagerly.
“What does the Air Spirit King look like? Was it just like I described in my book?”
“Hmmm… like a big bird? A bird-person?”
Seriously.
That really is the best way to describe it.
[The Air Spirit King ‘Shaparsi’ asks to please just call him a “bird-shaped spirit.”]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ lets out a loud laugh.]
[“Bird-person” fits perfectly. That’s exactly what he looks like.]
[The Air Spirit King ‘Shaparsi’ fires back at the Fire Spirit King, “Then you’re a dragon-human.”]
Dragon-human?
After hearing Lord Shaparsi’s comment, I tried to imagine what the Fire Spirit King might look like.
Maybe with horns, wild long hair, a burly build, and…
“Still, it’s surprising. You’re affiliated with Pashayen, yet you contracted with the Air Spirit King instead of the Water one.”
“That’s because… I don’t know the Water Spirit King’s name yet.”
I said it casually, hoping maybe the teacher would know—but it seemed she didn’t either.
A bit disappointing, but oh well.
“Forming a contract with a Spirit King is a rare and gifted blessing. You were chosen. I have a feeling we’ll be having many more conversations in the future.”
She gave me a warm, serene smile.
Then we walked through the garden together. It felt much better than just being stuck inside a classroom. I could look at flowers, feel the breeze…
“Do you know what the most important quality for a spirit user is?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It’s a heart free of hate. Spirits are drawn to positive emotions. In contrast, feelings like hatred or jealousy negatively affect them. It’s the opposite for Chaos Spirits.”
And it was wonderful to hear things that weren’t even written in books.
As we wandered the garden, the teacher told me many such things.
“People often think spirit users and mages don’t get along, but that’s not true. It’s just that we don’t mix well, like water and oil.”
“……!”
“But spirits absolutely despise dark mages. If there’s one thing they loathe, it’s black magic that distorts the natural order of the world.”
