Library (2)
Sudden wrestling caught me off guard for a moment, but I quickly understood Terra's intentions. She'd come to the human world to satisfy her curiosity, or so she'd said. But from what I knew, there was also a competitive fire inside her—a burning desire not to lose to Aqua. It was the natural rivalry between friends, the drive for self-improvement innate to any living being.
Rivals who grow through competition... From my time at the Academy, that seemed like the best path to progress.
[Ng-cha!] [Eut-cha.]
The two dove right into it. No spirit power involved—just grunting and straining in place. It was perfect for the reading cave, quiet enough not to disturb anyone.
Aqua and Terra clutched each other, twisting and shaking to topple their opponent. But neither budged easily.
Terra's definitely holding out longer than before. Unlike their quick matches back in the Spirit Realm. Maybe it was the Defense stat; she wasn't toppling under Aqua's strength.
But unfortunately, all Terra had was Defense. It wasn't much help offensively.
[Uyyat!]
After about two minutes of exhaustion on both sides, Aqua mustered one final surge of strength.
[Uaa.]
Terra, with no reserves left, flopped straight backward. Aqua tumbled on top of her.
Panting heavily from the effort, I gently scooped them both into my arms.
[Terra, you've gotten so much stronger!] Aqua praised her between gasps.
[Thanks. But still not enough.] Terra wasn't satisfied with this level of growth. She thirsted for more power, more knowledge.
The quest was complete, but Terra's studies were far from over.
At the Academy, she'll get access to higher-level lessons and training. Vacation had been fun, but school promised excitement too.
We finally left the library late that night, having read right up to closing time. I slung my bag of borrowed books over my shoulder and headed back to the guesthouse.
"Spirit user bro's back!"
"Bro!"
The kids waiting on the porch came rushing over as I crossed the entryway. Five of them, around eight or nine years old.
Room 201 and 202's guests. Two families staying together, and these were their kids.
"What's up? Need help with something?"
The mischievous-looking one in front piped up. "Bro! Where's Aqua?"
Aqua materialized from my arms at his words.
[Right here!]
"Whoa!"
"Eek!"
The kids jumped in surprise, then burst into giggles.
[Having fun, everyone?] Aqua's bright smile had them grinning back, hands outstretched.
"We've been waiting for Aqua!"
[Me?] Aqua was a total hit with the kids.
"Let's play, play!"
"Play with us!"
[Okay! Let's play!] Aqua hopped down from my arms. I set Terra and Mandu on the ground too.
"Play with Terra and Mandu too!"
Over the past few days, the kids had already bonded with the spirits.
[Ng.] [Shi-sit!]
Kids and spirits scattered into the yard to play. I sat on the porch, watching.
"Terra, make a slide!"
At their request, Terra reached toward the ground.
Rumble rumble—
The dirt shifted and piled up on its own, forming a slide in seconds. But it looked... unique.
That's... a dinosaur? The stairs were a tail, the supports legs, the slide a long neck. Terra must have been impressed by the dinosaurs in the encyclopedia.
[My turn now!] Aqua flicked her hand. Groundwater bubbled up from below, filling the slide's dip.
A water park attraction, complete in an instant.
"Woooow!"
"Water slide!"
The kids raced up. Whoosh—!
Cool water caught them safely at the bottom.
"It's cold!"
"Hahaha!"
They laughed innocently, splashing away. It was evening, but summer nights were warm—no risk of colds. The yard wasn't huge, but plenty for seven kids-and-spirits.
[Diving!] [Diving?] [You too, Terra!] [Shi-sit!]
The spirits joined the fun. Splash!
Terra, heavy as an earth spirit, created massive water bombs each slide down. Her crashes drew peals of delighted laughter.
Listening to those pure giggles drew the parents out too.
"Hello."
"Hi. Everything okay with your stay?"
"Of course. Thanks to you, we're having a great time."
We parents sat on the porch, watching the joyful scene.
"Eek?"
One kid slipped at the top.
[Eut-cha! You okay?] Aqua swiftly shaped water to cushion the fall unharmed.
The tense parents relaxed again. Spirits made the perfect playmates.
After a while, one parent turned to me. "Um, Hyunwoo."
"Yes?"
"Our kid wants to be a spirit user... Any special tips?"
I couldn't help smiling. It warmed my heart that they loved spirits so much.
"Hard to say. Awakening conditions aren't fully known yet."
"I heard you contracted Aqua at F-rank. Any secrets?"
My secret, huh. I watched Aqua, Terra, and Mandu play, pondering.
Then it hit me, and I chuckled softly. "In the end, that's it."
Cliché, but true.
"Never give up, believe in yourself, keep pushing forward."
Heaven helps those who help themselves, right? It worked for me, after years of waiting to meet these little ones.
Of course, I didn't do it alone.
"And my parents' endless faith and love gave me the strength to believe in myself."
The questioning parents nodded, eyes on their kids. I smiled too, heart full at the heartwarming sight.
"Whoa..."
Han Areum stared at her reflection, awestruck.
"The effects are insane..."
We'd just finished Aqua's skin massage.
"Ahh... feels great!"
Han Deuri struck poses in the full-length mirror. It was a facial, but he posed like it'd transformed his whole body.
Jang Gilsan scrutinized his face from every angle with his phone camera.
Han Areum, eyes glued to the mirror, asked him, "Do all healing waters do this? Or is Aqua special?"
"Aqua's special." Supreme-grade spirit plus Healing Power made her waters slightly superior even to Niagara's.
"Makes sense... That's why your brother hired us for VIP mental care."
Han Deuri nodded sagely.
[Hehehehe!] Aqua crossed her arms, nose high, laughing smugly.
Han Deuri rubbed her proud little nose, then turned to Jang Gilsan. "Bro, what're we doing with Aqua's healing water again?"
"Hunter rehab and cosmetics subsidiary."
"Going well?"
"Yeah. Supply's limited, so progress is slow."
[Oh? Really?] Aqua's face fell guiltily. Jang Gilsan waved it off.
"Not your fault. You're the only supreme-grade source. Slow's expected. Clearwater Cosmetics took ages too."
Aqua still looked down, so he added awkwardly, "I like it slow, actually."
[Huh?]
"If we had enough, I couldn't lounge here. Chairman would've dragged me to Seoul pronto."
[For real?]
"Why would I lie to you?"
[Heehee! Great!]
"Yeah. Thanks to you, vacation's been perfect."
He patted her cheek; she beamed.
I watched warmly, then spoke up. "I'm heading to Seoul this weekend."
Han Areum blinked in surprise. "Already? Two weeks of break left."
"Gotta shoot the ad."
I still owed Jang Gilsan's Union Guild that commercial. Schedule was the week after next.
"And scout a new place to live."
"Ditching the dorm?" Her eyes widened.
"Too cramped now."
Not just me anymore—Aqua, Terra, Mandu needed space.
"Where?"
"Not far from school."
"Whoa, our hideout's finally happening?" Han Deuri was weirdly excited for my place.
"Come over anytime. I'll feed you."
"How many rooms? One-room? Two?"
"Whatever fits the budget."
[Just you and us?] Aqua asked.
"Yeah. Parents stay here."
[Ng... Separation...] She looked glum already.
"Don't worry. I'll visit every break. Or weekly if you want."
[No! I can handle it!] She puffed up bravely. Pride wouldn't let her admit missing us.
Terra murmured softly beside her. [I'll miss it.]
Terra gazed at Aqua evenly. [Visit often.]
Aqua's lip twitched. [Hmph! If Terra insists!] Her smile betrayed her.
"Aww, so cute." Han Areum gently stroked Aqua's cheek.
[Heehee!] Aqua beamed happily.
[Great! Terra, lie down!] [Ng?] [I'll massage you!]
Aqua half-forced puzzled Terra flat. [Expect miracles! Skin'll be plump and firm!] [O...]
Terra eyed Aqua's damp hands with half-expectation, half-dread.
Just as Terra's tan face turned a deeper brown...
My phone buzzed with a text.
They'll be installed starting tomorrow, so stop by whenever convenient!
It was from Han Dong-su, the Phoenix Resort Water Park marketing lead. We'd discussed banner designs and placements during the ad contract.
Indoor water park ceiling. A whopping 5 meters wide.
5-meter banners. Including a solo shot of me.
Gulp. I swallowed hard.
My heart was a storm about to break. Pride or black history? Only time would tell.