My Own Spirit (4)
Watching the sunrise with Aqua cradled in my arms, I mentally mapped out my vacation plans one by one.
First, I need to get some Magic Stones.
To buy Spirit Stones from the Spirit Shop with Magic Stones—that was the way to extend Aqua's time in the human world. Luckily, I knew someone who could get them for me without much hassle. A close classmate from the Academy.
Next up, I need to get stronger.
Having contracted with Aqua, I could feel her immense spirit power surging through me. She truly lived up to her title as a supreme-grade spirit. And she dreamed of becoming a Spirit King. To be a spirit user worthy of her, I'd have to power up too.
Good thing I have this growth-assisting trait now.
The Spirit Shop didn't just sell items.
◈ Random Quest Sales
◈ Quests to grow spirit users and spirits.
Quests are the best for leveling up, after all.
The Spirit Shop had two main tabs: the Sales List, showing all available items, and the Quest tab.
True to its name, the Spirit Shop even sold quests as merchandise.
◈ Random Quest Sales
◈ Quests to grow spirit users and spirits.
◈ Quests change weekly; first one is free.
[What's a quest?] Aqua, peering into the Spirit Shop with me, asked.
"Basically, it's like a request. The Spirit Shop asks you to do something, and you get a reward for completing it."
[Oh ho! And that reward is growth?]
"Pretty much."
[The Spirit Shop is truly wondrous!]
The Spirit Shop was classified as a unique trait. Unique traits often came with bizarre powers or functions compared to standard ones.
"Shall we take a quest, then?"
[Yes!]
I tapped the window, and a free quest registered in the Spirit Shop's quest tab.
Tour of the Human World
📍 Show your spirit—new to the human world—around.
🎁 Reward: Spirit user growth. Foundation for spirit growth.
The quest was straightforward.
Just show Aqua around the human world? It was so simple it caught me off guard. I'd expected something like "Do 500 push-ups" or "Hunt 100 monsters." There were actually awakeners with unique traits that worked that way.
[A tour of the human world!]
Aqua excitedly raised both hands high.
[We're going out to play!]
Seeing her like that, I smiled.
Yeah. No downside to an easy quest.
If spending fun time with Aqua could make us grow, there was no reason to refuse. I reread the quest's reward section.
'Spirit user growth and the foundation for spirit growth.'
My heart pounded. What changes would the quest bring? How much stronger would Aqua get? Anticipation swelled in my chest.
My parents' guesthouse was a two-story building. The first floor had our family's quarters, a kitchen and laundry for guests, and the guest rooms were all upstairs.
Heading into our quarters, I went to the bathroom to wash off the sweat.
[Are you going to wash up? I can do it for you!]
Water spirits could cleanse sweat and grime in an instant. Water spirit users often cleaned that way.
I knelt to meet Aqua's eyes and smiled. "That sounds nice, but how about we try the human way together today?"
[The human way?]
"Aren't you curious how we use water to clean ourselves?"
[Ha! Very curious!]
Aqua's eyes sparkled. I chuckled and turned on the shower.
It was the kind of thing that amazed every water spirit.
[Ooh!]
Aqua stared in shock.
[What is this? No spirit or magic, yet water comes out! Is this science?]
Aqua had never used a faucet or showerhead before. She'd even boiled yesterday's ramen with her own Healing Water.
"Science it is. A bunch of technologies combined."
I unhooked the showerhead and handed it to her. Aqua plopped her butt on the tile, gripped it with her tiny hands, and marveled at the spraying water.
[Science...!]
The wonder in her eyes shifted to curiosity, then competitive spirit.
[Hah!]
Aqua glared at the showerhead. The water stopped dead.
Pure water spirit power.
[Ha! Victory for the spirit! Science is nothing special!]
Aqua shrugged smugly, nose in the air. I laughed but turned off the wall faucet, just in case it broke.
Aqua sensed it.
[Hm? What? Already surrendering?]
Not knowing the mechanics, she thought the showerhead had given up. She fiddled with it triumphantly, then brought the nozzle close to her face.
Prankster impulse hit—I twisted the faucet back on.
Whoosh—!
Water blasted her face.
[Eeeek!]
Aqua flailed and dropped it. The showerhead writhed like a snake, spraying everywhere.
[Wh-what is it? Is it mad?!]
Aqua yelped and hid behind my back. Suppressing laughter, I snatched it up.
[Ooh! As expected of my spirit user! Subduing it in one go!]
"Heh heh heh..." I couldn't hold it in anymore.
[What? Why are you laughing?]
After laughing my fill, I sat Aqua on my lap and showed her how to use it.
[Oh ho. Lift this and water comes out...]
She raised the handle—water flowed.
[Lower it, and it stops.]
It did.
[Hm...]
Aqua pondered, head bowed. Then she whipped around.
[You were pranking me!]
Busted. I sighed inwardly.
Aqua puffed her cheeks huge—anger and betrayal, but so cute I nearly poked them. Heroic restraint won; I apologized.
"Sorry. Wasn't on purpose. I turned it off so it wouldn't break from pooled water, but you looked bummed, so I turned it back on."
Not a total lie. Our neighborhood was remote; if it broke, Dad or I would fix it. I didn't mind, but worried he'd do it alone and get hurt.
But her cheeks ballooned further. About to pop.
Then it hit me—Academy class, prof casually mentioned "How to soothe a sulky spirit."
"Sorry. I'll buy you a tasty drink as makeup."
[Think I'm a salamander? I don't fall for food!]
"Tastier than yesterday's cola."
[...!]
I caught her eyes waver.
"Koreans love it more than cola. National drink."
[...National drink?]
"Bet you'll love it too."
She still glared, but the puffing deflated. Then she huffed and turned away—muttering loud enough to hear.
[Overlooking a spirit user's mistake is part of a spirit's duty, I suppose.]
"Wow, water spirits really are magnanimous."
I lavished praise, silently thanking the prof. Learning was always right.
After bathing, I habitually reached for the hairdryer.
Oh, right.
I set it down and asked Aqua, who was playing with floor puddles.
"Aqua, wanna dry my hair?"
Spirit users cleaned and dried effortlessly—with water spirit help, of course.
Aqua grinned and jumped up.
[Leave it to me!]
She reached toward my head. Zap—moisture from my hair gathered one way, scalp tingling.
She flicked her hand, sending a fist-sized water ball flying across the bathroom.
[Hmph! How's that?]
She looked up expectantly, smug—praise me face.
I touched my hair. Bone-dry, fluffy. Unbelievable post-bath.
"Amazing."
Genuine awe. I'd known spirit help was great, but experiencing it? Beyond imagination.
No wonder so many water spirit users have long hair.
Aqua beamed at my sincerity, lips curling high.
[Heh heh! Of course it's amazing! I can do even greater things!]
"Can't wait to see."
I knelt. She lunged, hugging my neck.
Cuddling her, I rubbed our foreheads—soft hers against mine.
[Hee hee hee!]
She giggled, ticklish, face beaming with affection.
"Drink up, eat breakfast, then tour the human world?"
[Quest time!]
"Quest too, but gotta learn the local area, right?"
[True! Once you've nested, scout nearby threats!]
The Spirit Realm preserved primal nature, so spirits' lifestyles and mindsets stayed wild in parts.
"Neighborhood stroll, then beach water fun?"
[The sea! Playing in the sea?]
"Yeah. Boat, swim, go wild."
[So exciting!]
Her eyes sparkled like a starry night sea, smile radiant—buzzed for fun ahead.
[Hee hee hee!]
Her joy from my words filled me with pride.
How to share this happiness?
Sharing joy doubles it, right? I wanted her to feel mine.
Pondering, I pulled her closer, gently stroking her tiny back.
[Hm?]
She tilted her head. Then closed her eyes, savoring.
[Mmm...]
Spirits loved affection, petting especially. Head and belly top spots.
But Aqua's new to the human world—probably not used to it yet.
Yesterday, head pets were banned. Belly might not fly either.
I palmed her back, then tickled with fingers.
[Hee hee hee.]
She twitched; I soothed with broad strokes.
[Mmm...]
Her body relaxed. Mouth agape, endless smile.
[Feels good...]
Her face melted. Mine probably matched.
Even so, my feet kept heading to the vending machine.