Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Spirits Represent People's Emotions
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In the lush outdoor area overgrown with vegetation,
"One of the reasons spirits grow is changes in emotions."
Maria tapped on the wooden blackboard.
"Can any student tell me when a spirit becomes incorporeal?"
"When there's no trigger to acknowledge their emotions."
"Correct! Licht, great job!"
Something felt off. Game knowledge still seemed to apply in situations like this.
I bit my lower lip as I answered the professor's question.
This Lupus was nothing like the one I knew. What on earth had happened in his past to turn him into a completely different person?
'I couldn't protect her back then.' That's what he'd said.
From what I knew, there were no dark backstory cutscenes like that. Could this really be the same guy?
Nex had at least some familiar traits, but the crown prince only shared his obsession with the strong.
Ah, damn it. How did I not think of this sooner?
What the hell did the Demon King do?
Yeah, these guys had all crossed paths with the protagonist. Just look at Dennis or Ariel.
There could be others I didn't know about. They were MacGuffins, after all.
That would explain it, at least.
A few hamster spirits popped out as the lecture continued.
"Your own emotions can be heavily influenced by others, so powerful spirit mages tend to have wide social circles."
So that's how Nex ended up with his harem. I jotted down lecture notes on one side of my notebook.
'Love? Never again. Not with those lowly commoners.'
I recalled his expression from Knight Heart.
Even up to the sequel, community posts like "[231st Nex Main Wife Battle]" kept popping up steadily.
But in truth, he never showed affection to anyone. In that light, he seemed somewhat likable. It meant he'd only had eyes for Sharutineth in the end.
'Heard there were a lot of pretty characters, but it's so famous even I, who doesn't care, know about it.'
As the story progressed, Asha Aureus forced his marriage.
Posts with titles like "[Parents Building Harem to Find Someone to Strengthen Son's Spirits vs. Guy Who Ignores It All and Doesn't Care]" were everywhere.
The harem wasn't his doing at all.
Any player knew he wasn't a playboy. I just never expected to learn why here.
Formally, the orca beastkin was his main wife, but there was no spark of love between them.
Hell, there were scenes where people insulted her for getting close to Nex, and in Black Heart, the long black-haired woman even cursed him out.
"Reasons why spirits don't appear vary from person to person. So..."
And yet, seeing that human flirting with the black-haired nun.
This had to mean the vampire was his canonical wife. One more post to make when I got back to reality.
Lost in pleasant daydreams, I couldn't focus on the professor's words.
"Today, I've brought a very special guest!"
In the blink of an eye, Maria beamed brightly.
"One of the Ten Heroes famous for spirits, here from the Aureus family for a demonstration!"
Someone emerged from between the trees.
"Hello, underclassmen!"
"It's senior Nex Aureus! He's one year ahead of you all!"
"Thank you for accepting my sudden request, Professor Maria."
"No, no, Nex. We're the grateful ones."
The sly Purple Fox.
"Hey, Black Knight junior."
"Hello. Senior Nex."
It was Nex Aureus.
"Truth be told, I was someone who couldn't summon spirits until a few years ago."
True enough. In Knight Heart, he was a spearman who rarely used them.
I was shocked when he later pulled them out as a trump card.
"Our house... ahem, lady once said the famous line: 'Spirits are born from emotions.'"
That him who only used the phoenix in moments of crisis.
The setting collection said his spirits awakened right before entering the academy.
"Which means emotions shouldn't be swayed by others."
His hand clenched tight.
In the original, he'd gaze wistfully at the purple bird. Lingering resentment, huh.
'Did things fall through with that woman named Shar?'
I recalled the status window. No matter how I thought about it, too many couples showed no progress unless I intervened.
This guy's wasn't real-time updated.
Might pop up later like with Kainel. Did it only appear once the route was locked in?
"So... any student who wants to see their own spirit, even just for a moment?"
"Me."
"Oh, junior Licht!"
I raised my hand. For now, I needed to get as close as possible to him to avoid derailing the Grand Route.
Nex, with a sparrow perched on his index finger, continued addressing the students.
"Spirits are merely dormant in everyone's heart."
I stared intently at the purple phoenix.
"So, I'm thinking of using this one to wake them briefly."
"Chirp!"
The sparrow flicked one wing toward my forehead. Probably using it to hatch them.
Spirit resonance, as expected.
The technique Nex developed alone to avoid being disowned by his family. Could even a non-mage like me control spirits with this?
When I played, no matter how high I raised affinity with the Saintess, no spirit came from it.
In-game tips said spirits were born from emotions, so it should work here.
Honestly, a white wolf like hers would be ideal. Make finding the Nameless Saintess easier.
"Chirp, chirp...!"
Lost in thought, the purple phoenix chirped confusedly nonstop.
"...Huh? It's not working?"
"Is there a problem...?"
Was it me? Would it not work?
"...Something's off."
"I don't have much mana, and my circuits are messed up."
"Ah...!"
Nex examined me closely, groaning. Even Dennis couldn't fix this constitution. Should I give up?
"Hmm... This is real tricky. Might be tough, junior."
"Licht, are you okay?!"
"It's just my constitution."
Professor Maria looked at me worriedly. Her reaction seemed over the top.
Then, his purple eyes widened as if struck by inspiration.
"Ah, then we can do this."
There was a way? Could I go Spirit Knight build? Hope flickered in my eyes.
"Might hurt a bit, but I could use you like a magic circle."
What kind of insane idea was that?
Necromancy? Only dark mages used bodies like that, right?
...I like it. Let's do it.
"It might hurt and tire you out. No more classes after this, right, junior Licht?"
"One, but it'll be fine. Senior Nex."
"Then signal if it hurts."
No choice but to trust him. Affinity mattered, but I needed every edge against the Demon King.
'At this rate, protecting the Saintess will be impossible. I'm too weak—gotta use my head.'
A purple magic circle unfolded behind my back.
In-game, Nex's spirit resonance debuffs were four types: sleep, paralysis, fatigue, dizziness. No way it'd hit all here, right? Probably fine.
"Be reborn anew from the flames."
Purple flames pierced my heart. Something black like surging emotions billowed out as smoke.
"Ugh."
Damn luck-based game.
Smoke meant failure.
All four hit. There was even a no-debuff chance. Pain numbed my thoughts.
I collapsed to the ground. Too hurt to scream.
No strength in my body. The game never described it hurting this much?
'My constitution's the issue.'
Low mana and tangled circuits—same spell, worse strain. Made sense mathematically.
Spinning vision. Churning stomach. Felt like a massive awl was yanked out.
"Woof!"
A black furball burst from the center of my chest.
"...Oh my, a black wolf?"
"Not a Shadow Wolf... It's a new breed."
Like it was coated in charcoal dust—pure black wolf.
I held back tears. It really hurt. Like a knife pulled from my heart.
Fluffy ball-like spirit. Something rang a bell seeing it like this.
'...This is a Pomeranian, isn't it?'
Real-world experience? A Pomeranian-wolf mix spirit—fascinating.
"Hah, hah."
Did it like people? It kept trying to lick my cheeks as I lay there.
"Yip?"
My visor lifted slightly. Tiny tongue. Cute. It went for my cheek meat eventually.
"Junior Licht, you okay?"
"Kuh, cough. Hic."
Truth? Not okay. Hurt so bad I couldn't breathe.
Game knowledge had holes. Lesson learned: don't trust it blindly.
Hand on the ground, gasping air. Face going numb. No blood flow.
"A short nap should fix it. You forced it out, after all."
"Fine... now..."
Nex looked at me worriedly. Save me, elder. Crown Prince route's still derailed.
'Please, harem crusher, lead us to Saintess route.'
Swallowing those words, I fought to stay conscious.
"Hope everyone awakens their spirits like this. Huh?"
"...Junior. Where's that guy going?"
Panting breaths and pattering feet from the little beast.
All eyes gathered on the black Pomeranian sprinting across the grass.
"Why... that way...?"
My spirit bolted toward someone.
"Woof!"
"...Hey."
You maniac. Stop. Why the crown prince?!
And how'd it jump that high? It was tiny.
My spirit dove into Mardol's arms, rubbing its head frantically against his helmet.
'Why's he there.'
I barely lifted my head. The pup stuck out its tongue, ecstatic.
Owner's me, but felt robbed.
"So fluffy."
"Wang!"
Tail wagged like a motor, as if reuniting with an old master. Why? Should've tested spirits in-game.
"...Cute."
"Woof!"
He stared at my spirit. A glint of golden eyes showed.
"Real deal doggo."
"Hah."
Mardol buried his face in my spirit, helmet and all. Kinda scary.
Good, chance to stand.
"Knight... likes... helmets... huh..."
Seeing the pup hugged tight by the crystal knight, I tried salvaging the flag that finally stood.
"I... wear it... all the time..."
Maybe from the umbrella incident or delaying sword lessons.
Spoke harshly yesterday too.
'Did I treat him too badly?'
Sword training with Mardol tomorrow.
This was karma.
Eyes drooped. Vision blacked out.
"L-Licht?!"
"Ah, Professor Maria. He'll be fine. I was the same my first time."
"If you say so, Nex..."
A few minutes after Pine picked up the spirit, Licht fell asleep. He seemed healthy enough.
Even better—as a man asleep, all tension drained from his body. Better than his angry outburst yesterday.
The Black Knight's helmet was pressed down firmly.
'You pushed too hard, Licht.'
Her eyes were sharp enough to catch it. She knew.
The wolf looked up at Pine, as if begging for attention.
"He's smiling."
"Woof!"
Grinning wide, clear it held no hostility toward her.
'Likes rose scent...?'
Crystal Knight pondered, watching the twitching black nose. Roses, the Granasia Empire's national flower.
Pine's favorite bath additive.
'Cute. Still a baby.'
Nose moist. Paws dusted with dirt. Size of a small pup.
Soft. Adorable. She buried her face in its fur. No resistance.
She recalled Licht worrying about his spirit even as he dozed off.
'He said harsh words yesterday, but he's kind deep down.'
"Mrow!"
"Stop, that tickles."
The black wolf lapped at her face nonstop. Tiny tongue. Why act this way with a stranger?
'...Ah, he just loves people, huh?'
Spirits born from emotions.
If Licht truly hated her, this child wouldn't cling like this.
'Even then, he scolded me out of worry.'
"Unique one."
"Hah, hah."
Snuggled tight in her arms. Pine thought the floppy-eared spirit looked like a seal.
"Chirp!"
Moments later, the purple-haired man approached with his sparrow.
"Now, wolfie. Let's talk a bit..."
"Grrrrrr..."
"C-Calm down."
Nex's phoenix and Licht's wolf were in a standoff. He panicked at the murderous aura.
"Can't talk like this..."
"Chirp..."
"I know that too, chirpy."
The fox-like man looked unprepared for this. The two spirits faced off close by.
"Woof! Woof! Grrrr..."
"Just a sec, I swear. My phoenix is curious about you. Right?"
"Chirp, chaa!"
Nex tried acting like he was mediating a conversation,
'Huh...?'
But it didn't like everyone. Pine saw it bare teeth, threatening Nex.
Seemed terrified. Eyes full of familiar fear.
Like looking in a mirror—her tail stiffened inside her armor.
"Don't."
"...What, Mardol?"
"Stop."
The princess glared at the Aureus heir. Academy or not, hierarchy existed.
"Mm... Fine, we'll stop."
"Chirp... chirp!"
Nex backed down.
"Grrr..."
Up close, it did look wolfish. Long, cozy fur like a fluff ball.
"M-Mardol? Not getting bit or anything? Too close, no?"
"Whine."
"It's fine. This one's good."
"...Got it. Seems Shar's worries won't come true."
Nex and the sparrow eyed her oddly, but she didn't care.
This spirit seemed protective of her.
Surface-strong but inwardly weak—like the Black Knight running from rain.
Awkward contradictions.
'...Just like him.'
Same near-black brown eyes as that man.
So she thought.
Licht's spirit, tired from guarding the Crystal Knight in Pine's arms, yawned hugely.
"So cute. Super."
Thus, the black Pomeranian used her arm as a pillow and napped alongside its owner.
'Ugh, can't let go now...'
Fur poofed softly. Two black wolves—one big, one small—dozed in the classroom.