Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Felicia's Spirit Contract
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‘No helping it now.’
Philip, who had returned after being summoned by the Chief Professor, steeled his resolve.
‘I have to win, no matter what.’
The others could afford to lose, but he absolutely could not. If he defeated a knight from the Silver Knights, neither the Dean nor the Chief Professor would interfere with whatever he did.
‘And I should build some favor while I’m at it.’
He glanced at Felicia and Diana.
In the original story, neither of them even got a chance to shine before suffering crushing defeats. Only Professor Cumbel, from the Orum Knights, put up a decent fight before losing.
Philip intended to help them win as well.
Felicia was his superior, and Diana was essentially his colleague and mentor at work. Owing him a debt would prove endlessly useful down the line.
“How about we all head to my place and discuss our strategy?”
At Philip’s suggestion, Instructor Diana Frenhal tilted her head.
“What’s there to discuss? We’ll just have to prepare on our own… We’re already swamped with classes as it is.”
That’s why you’d lose.
“The Silver Knights are probably clashing swords right this moment, preparing for the duel. They proposed it, so they must be confident they’ll crush us. We need to prepare thoroughly too.”
“True, but…”
Diana glanced at Felicia as she spoke. Whether Felicia would agree was anyone’s guess.
“…”
She didn’t like it, but she knew this wasn’t some trivial matter where personal feelings could get in the way.
“Get ready and come over, then. I’ll be waiting.”
With that, Philip left first.
“Felicia. You still can’t accept him?”
Felicia bit her lip at Diana’s question.
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing. Forget it.”
Felicia’s face turned as pouty as a sulking puppy, so Diana Frenhal averted her gaze.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back at the mansion, Philip immediately summoned Lizriel.
She arrived in a carriage just twenty minutes later.
“Can you prepare a top-grade spirit stone and a spiritist capable of arranging a spirit contract? Ideally, right now.”
It was a sudden and outrageous request.
A top-grade spirit stone was a hefty sum even for her.
And a spiritist who could broker a contract was on par with an Aura Master among swordsmen.
…Unless he thinks I’m some bottomless money pouch, he wouldn’t ask this.
Lizriel’s anger flared as she opened her mouth.
“Of course not…”
But just as the refusal was about to spill out, she paused.
Come to think of it, it might actually be doable.
“…I’ll make it happen. Who am I doing this for? Just give me a moment.”
Lizriel hopped back into her carriage and returned thirty minutes later.
In her hand was a top-grade spirit stone emitting a brilliant glow, and beside her stood a young man in a green robe.
How did this even work out?
She stared blankly between the spirit stone in her hand and Senior Spiritist Eponel.
It was pure coincidence.
The branch warehouse happened to have a top-grade spirit stone in stock, and a friendly senior spiritist was staying nearby.
“You’re amazing, Liz.”
Philip praised her sincerely. Lizriel blushed faintly and shook her head.
“Th-this is nothing.”
“No, really. I couldn’t have imagined you’d pull this off so quickly.”
Philip decided he owed her something in return. Fortunately, he had plenty of valuable information that could help her.
“Let me introduce him. This is Eponel, contracted with a senior spirit.”
Senior Spiritist Eponel was a delicate-looking young man with a kind face. He offered a faint smile and a light bow.
“I’ve heard I can be of assistance. Do you wish to contract a spirit?”
His voice was a beautiful tenor. Philip shook his head.
“No, not me. I’ve brought him to contract for my family. I’m Philip Oswald.”
Philip had no intention of contracting a spirit himself.
He was already overwhelmed mastering just the Moonlight Sword, and he didn’t have the confidence to handle chatty spirits on top of that.
The mere thought of Neria’s chatter mixed with spirits’ babble made his sanity fray.
“I see. Watching new bonds form is always a joy. Thank you for calling me for such a meaningful occasion.”
Impressed by Eponel’s character, Philip bowed deeply.
“Thank you so much, Spiritist.”
“No need for thanks. Sylph says you smell nice. You’ll make a good friend someday, I’m sure.”
With that, Eponel followed Philip’s guidance and began preparations for the contract.
That’s when Felicia and Diana arrived at Philip’s annex.
They were shown to the parlor, where a maid explained that Philip was preparing something and would be a bit late.
As Diana admired the lavish, elegant room, she spoke up.
“Nice place… Pel? Why not reconcile with your brother soon? There’s plenty of room here—you could live together.”
“Sis, why do you keep taking his side lately? Do you owe him or something?”
“Why say it like that? I’m just frustrated. How do you think Instructor Philip feels when you act this way? What if he thinks he can never make up with you, no matter how much he changes?”
Felicia flinched at her words.
She didn’t want to see Philip revert to his old spoiled ways.
She was just starting to get used to this more subdued version of him.
“You need to make an effort too, Felicia. Start treating him well from now on. Besides, you weren’t even really mad at him to begin with.”
“…”
A heavy silence fell briefly, filling the awkward parlor air. Then Lua arrived.
“Hello, Professor. Instructor.”
Felicia smiled brightly and returned the greeting.
“Hi. Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
“…You’re Lua, right?”
Instructor Diana Frenhal remembered the girl.
The student with suspiciously high stamina.
Her endurance might even surpass Diana’s own as an instructor.
Diana couldn’t forget the sight of the child running laps in the grand plaza with a face like she was about to die of sadness.
She’s completely different now?
The girl’s skin was glossy, her expression bright. Dressed in a cute dress with her hair in twin tails, she looked like a doll.
How did he do it?
It was the result of pouring money and affection into her, of course. Diana was about to ask if Philip was treating her well but closed her mouth.
She could tell from the girl’s face and complexion.
“Instructor Philip asked both of you to come to the backyard. I’ll guide you.”
They followed Lua to the annex’s backyard.
There, a green-robed young man, Philip, and Branch Manager Lizriel Yusuf of the Yusuf Merchant Guild were conversing.
“Ah, you’re both here. Let’s get started, then.”
“Started? With what?”
Felicia asked. Now that she thought about it, something felt off.
In the center of the well-manicured yard, a stone-like object emitting a brilliant glow floated in the air. Ignorant of spirits, Felicia and Diana had no idea what it meant.
This is killing me.
Lizriel’s stomach churned.
Converted to cash, that top-grade spirit stone could buy two hundred well-trained warhorses.
It was over twenty percent of her liquid assets. She’d get dozens or hundreds of times the return eventually, but right now, it hurt like hell.
“You’ll understand once we do it. Professor, could you come here for a moment? This is something good.”
Philip coaxed her like a grandmother offering tonic to her grandson. Felicia backed away in panic.
“N-no, you have to tell me what it is first! What’s with the suddenness?”
Growing impatient, Diana Frenhal grabbed Felicia’s arm and dragged her toward Philip.
“Professor. Have you already forgotten what I said?”
“Fine! I’ll walk myself. Hold on.”
Philip let out a small sigh as he watched.
Even if I spoon-fed her, she’d fuss. Well, she’s much tamer than before.
A few days ago, she wouldn’t have even considered visiting his annex. Thinking about it that way, it was touching progress.
“Let’s begin, Spiritist.”
Spiritist?
Felicia tilted her head.
“Very well. I’ll open the gate to the spirit realm. Silairon, Siqueel. Lend me your aid.”
As Spiritist Eponel waved his hand in the air, his contracted senior wind and water spirits materialized.
An eagle made of wind and a transparent girl of water flew toward the spirit stone, unleashing an explosive surge of natural force.
Ah… so this is it?
Something flashed in Philip’s mind. He could sensually feel that this natural force wasn’t much different from mana.
So that’s how it works.
Now he felt ready to seriously research the Moonlight Sword.
In the meantime, Eponel opened the pathway to the spirit realm.
Philip watched as spirits, drawn by the immense natural force, peeked through from the other side.
“A small skirmish will break out beyond the gate. The winner of the hierarchy battle will be the one to contract. Ah, there it is—the senior fire spirit, Ignis.”
As Eponel explained, a wolf engulfed in blazing flames pushed through the gate.
“Now, miss. This is a bond your brother offers you. I’ll assist with the contract, so relax your mind and approach Ignis.”
Felicia had been entranced by the mystical, beautiful sight she’d never witnessed before. She snapped back at Eponel’s words.
“…Me?”
“Hurry, Professor. If the spirit leaves, Branch Manager Yusuf looks like she’ll be furious. That thing isn’t cheap.”
Philip urged her on.
Without time to think deeply, Felicia walked forward as if entranced.
“Fortunately, you have affinity for them, so with my mediation, the contract should be easy. It’ll want the natural force within the spirit stone, after all.”
The senior fire spirit Ignis lay belly-up before the spirit stone, then rose as Felicia approached.
…It’s on fire, but it’s not hot at all.
The flames enveloping the spirit felt completely cool. Instinctively reaching out, Felicia felt Ignis lick her hand with its tongue.
And she sensed a connection forming between her and the spirit.
“…?”
―Hi.
Ignis’s voice echoed in her mind.
“Huh? Oh… hi.”
―Nice to meet you.
“Me… too.”
Philip smiled warmly as he watched Felicia commune with the spirit.
Now a newborn spirit swordsman was on his side. No way she’d accept such a lavish gift and stay cold toward him.
It wasn’t without regret, but it was a peach he couldn’t eat anyway.
He didn’t have enough time to research both spirit swordsmanship and the Moonlight Sword.
He drew the mithril sword at his waist and offered it to Felicia.
“There’s one more gift.”