Spirit Gathering (3)
The undines let out victory cheers as they swarmed around Aqua. The salamanders, having lost twice in a row, hung their tongues out like dogs, utterly spent. The fire spirit users were whispering among themselves in astonishment.
"What is that water spirit, anyway?"
"A spirit that takes down an A-rank spirit user and an advanced spirit all by herself? Never heard of such a thing."
"That's not an undine. Look at the size difference. What the heck is it?"
"Not a Spirit King, that's for sure…?"
I approached the Flame Captain. He sat dazed on the ground, clearly in shock.
"Um, you okay?"
He barely nodded and asked, "From the moment I first saw it, I knew it was on another level… What is that spirit?"
"That's Aqua. She's a supreme-grade spirit."
"Supreme-grade?"
The captain let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "First time hearing that term… But this situation leaves me no choice but to acknowledge it."
He gathered himself and sprang to his feet.
"I wanted to teach them that softness can overcome strength, but in the end, all I got was the lesson that true strength renders it meaningless."
Haha, he burst into loud laughter and thrust both hands high.
"We admit our defeat!"
The murmuring fire spirit users followed suit, raising their hands.
"We lost!"
It was a clean concession. The fire spirit users began hugging and comforting their dejected salamanders.
Aqua, trailed by the undines, stepped forward and shouted,
[Don't be glum!]
She crossed her arms matter-of-factly.
[Let's play together!]
The salamanders slowly began flicking their tongues. Though humans couldn't hear it, some conversation must have passed between them, as Aqua shook her head.
[What does winning or losing matter between fellow spirits? Today, we play as one!]
The salamanders flicked their tongues joyfully. The fire spirit users smiled gratefully at Aqua. The water spirit users watched the heartwarming scene with obvious delight.
"Well then, thanks for the meal?"
Mulsuja handed her fur coat back to the captain with a smile. He smiled back.
"Hahaha! If letting the salamanders play here is the price for that pop-up buffet, it's a steal!"
The two community leaders clasped hands.
"Long time no see. How've you been?"
"Great on my end. You? Heard your guild cleared a big gate recently."
"Heh heh heh! All thanks to our fire lizards' heroics!"
After the song of water and fire concluded, the spirit users mingled naturally, exchanging updates.
"Mulsuja, you brought some seriously tough dark horses this time."
"Right? Inviting you to the next gathering too."
"Whoa, should we call in the Fire Spirit King next?"
Mulsuja and the Flame Captain chatted as well. It had all been role-play for fun—water and fire spirit users got along just fine.
Media always portrays water and fire as rivals, so they play along.
No bad eggs among spirit users. The fire ones were quirky, sure, but good-hearted. Above all, undines and salamanders adored each other. No way their contractors wouldn't.
Salamanders had a bad matchup against undines, but it was just that—undines never harmed them.
If anything, undines are the ones putting out fires when salamanders accidentally start them in the Spirit Realm.
Salamanders were precious to undines too. Among spirits, undines loved human contact most because their watery bodies ran cool. They adored the salamanders' high body heat.
[Ooo~ So warm!]
Even now, undines clung to salamanders, playing happily. Salamanders, eyes half-closed in bliss at the cool touch, flicked their tongues contentedly.
Perfect friends filling each other's gaps.
As I watched, Aqua climbed onto a salamander's back.
[Dragon rider!]
She beamed with excitement, but the salamander below hissed as if demanding she get off.
[What's wrong? Still sulking? It's not my fault you're chubby!]
[Shiiik!]
Ah, it was the same salamander from the bathhouse that morning.
[Pigmander!]
[Shaaak!]
[Oinkmander!]
[Shaaaaak!]
I couldn't help chuckling at Aqua teasing the salamander.
I shouldn't laugh at that.
But honestly, it was fat.
Most salamanders are overweight, though.
Unlike water spirits, salamanders couldn't adjust their size. In the human world, full of food, they inevitably packed on pounds. Spirit users couldn't help sharing tasty treats with their beloved spirits.
"…Ngh."
Nearby, a fire spirit user groaned, eyeing the salamander under Aqua—his own, apparently, and he knew it was pudgy.
Undines and salamanders played wildly until sunset. Aqua joined in too. As the sun dipped, Aqua and the undines gathered at the fountain's center, singing to the fading light.
[Ning-ppa nang-ppa morgai~]
The unified song's meaning escaped me, yet it stirred my heart. The "Spirit Song," sung only when undines were truly joyful. Salamanders listened from their contractors' sides, tails swaying gently to the rhythm.
"Haa~."
One spirit user sighed in pure bliss and contentment. The chorus warmed the chest and healed the soul. Ripples spread across the fountain, tapping the walls like orchestral percussion in perfect sync.
Some undines began dancing—graceful glides over water like figure skating.
[Kyahaha!]
[Try it like this!]
[Too hard!]
They danced and sang, capping the gathering beautifully.
"Ah… This is my favorite part of these meetups."
Mulsuja filmed the chorus with a special camera that captured unmanifested spirits. The others nodded silently in agreement.
Me too.
"Whoa…."
I'd never seen it live—only lurked community clips of past gatherings. I'd longed to witness it, but as an F-rank unable even to contract a low-grade spirit, I had no qualification.
Here I am, sitting through the real thing.
I gazed at Aqua, waving her arms like a conductor atop the undines.
My spirit.
I was truly happy. My heart brimmed with 100% pure joy. I'd brought Aqua for her fun, yet I felt more healed than anyone.
Thank you, Aqua.
My heartfelt thought.
We exchanged goodbyes.
"Shame. Wanted to see the spirits play with Aqua more."
The spirit users smacked their lips regretfully. I felt the same. Finally, I bid Mulsuja farewell.
She handed me her business card.
"Junior. Call when you graduate the Academy."
'Phoenix Guild, Spirit Knights' stood out boldly. I was stunned.
Phoenix Guild topped Korea's guilds for raw power and gate clears. They even owned this Phoenix Resort.
But what really shocked me was the next part.
"Mulsuja, you're with the Spirit Knights?"
The Spirit Knights: Korea's strongest spirit user group. Led by the nation's first S-rank spirit user—and the only one besides Spirit King contractors.
Every Academy spirit user's dream!
Mulsuja smiled, finger to lips—separating her community admin and knight personas.
She whispered, "Not something to say after just hours, but you and Aqua give off major 'jackpot' vibes. Graduate and if you're inclined, definitely call."
With that, the gathering ended. Spirit users departed with their spirits one by one.
But I couldn't move.
A scout from Phoenix Guild's—no, the Spirit Knights themselves.
Unbelievable. Half a month ago, grad school was my only path. Now, Korea's top spirit elite handed me their card.
It didn't guarantee instant membership, but compared to weeks ago, it was heaven and earth.
[What're you doing?]
Aqua climbed me like a tree, peering at the card.
[What's this? Spirit Knights?]
I looked at her. I knew this was all thanks to her.
I whispered sincerely, "Thank you, Aqua."
[What's with the thanks again? Quit it already!]
Her exasperated tone cracked me up.
"But no matter how much I thank you, it's never enough?"
[Stop thanking and just enjoy it!]
"Yeah. Gratitude's basically my daily routine with you now."
Aqua suddenly clammed up. Curious, I waited. She fidgeted, then blurted like a scream,
[I'm thankful too!]
"For what?"
[Everything!]
She hugged me tight—don't ask more, I'm embarrassed.
A smile spread across my face. So happy it hurt, and that happiness was thanks-worthy too.