The Wind Spirit King
"This... what in the..." I couldn't finish the sentence. This... is a precursor...?
While preparing for this contract, I had looked into numerous cases. Records of what kinds of phenomena different spirits caused when summoned. I'd heard that on rare occasions, when a high-grade or greater spirit appeared, the precursors could be quite massive. I'd even confirmed a few such examples myself.
But nothing on this scale. I'd never even heard of it.
What on earth...
What was happening here?
That was when it came.
"Interesting."
⟨ Voice of the Wind ⟩
It wasn't a human voice. It resonated as if echoing from every direction at once. I recognized it immediately. This was the voice of a spirit. It was common knowledge that upper-grade spirits and above could communicate in human speech.
"To think a human possesses this level of affinity."
The unknown spirit's interest was clearly directed at someone specific. Only then did I snap back to my senses and look at Lana.
This was no ordinary storm. Strangely, it hadn't affected this spot or the house at all, but in a sudden situation like this, Lana might have been startled or frightened. I scolded myself for only thinking of that now and quickly checked on her well-being.
That was when I realized my worries had been pointless.
Lana wasn't scared in the slightest. If anything, her eyes sparkled with fascination as she stared up into empty air. Seeing her like that, I understood. She was sensing something I couldn't perceive.
"Child, will you form a contract with me?"
The spirit's words brought me to my senses. I shouted urgently.
"Wait...!"
"You are...?"
The spirit finally seemed to acknowledge my presence. I swallowed hard.
This could be dangerous. Spirits weren't necessarily benevolent toward humans. They were kind to those with high affinity, but indifferent—or even hostile—to those without. And if this being could generate a storm of this magnitude with nothing but its precursor, I could easily find myself in peril.
Even knowing that, I couldn't stay silent.
"That child is still too young."
A spirit of this caliber would place an enormous burden on Lana just by forming a contract. It might even endanger her life. I couldn't allow the contract to proceed so easily.
Of course, whether the spirit would listen was another matter. Even if communication seemed possible now, it might rampage if something displeased it.
If it comes to that... I might have to forcibly destroy the magic circle. Even if the recoil injured Lana. It wasn't a particularly powerful array, so the damage shouldn't be severe.
I had steeled myself for that possibility when the spirit spoke again.
"It's all right. As you said, contracting with me right now would put the child in danger."
"So for now, I intend to leave only my trace behind."
Trace? I furrowed my brow. What did that mean?
"You might call it a mark. Or, to borrow your human terms... yes, something like a reservation."
Reservation. I turned the word over in my mind, feeling a faint sense of confusion.
At the very least, it was clear this was a high-ranking spirit. That alone made the situation far from bad. No matter how capable you were, encountering a truly excellent spirit still required a degree of luck.
If she could form a proper contract later, it wouldn't be a bad outcome. But that would throw my plans off course. What Lana needed right now was a spirit she could command directly—one that would help expand her vessel.
...I should refuse.
I made my decision. It was a shame, but I would turn down the spirit's offer. It was clearly a magnificent being, but given Lana's talent, she should be able to summon something on this level again later. There was no need to cling to it.
I was about to voice my refusal when the spirit spoke once more.
"If my trace takes root in that child, my children will follow her."
I froze. A possibility had just flashed through my mind.
"...By children, you mean...?"
I asked carefully, heart pounding, and the spirit answered with a touch of amusement in its voice.
"All wind spirits are my children."
"......!!"
My mouth fell open. All wind spirits were her children. There was only one being that phrase could refer to.
The Spirit King...!!
I had sensed the precursor was extraordinary, but I never imagined it would be the Spirit King itself. Something impossible had occurred.
The Spirit King. The literal sovereign of all spirits. Even the mighty elemental lords with their own true names became nothing but fireflies before the sun in its presence. A legendary existence that had rarely shown itself throughout human—no, this world's entire history.
...Insane. I swallowed the word.
"Will you form a contract with me?"
The Wind Spirit King's voice pulled me from my daze. I regained my composure and looked at Lana. Thankfully, she remained unchanged—neither afraid nor anxious. She simply gazed upward with sparkling eyes.
Then she suddenly turned to me. She didn't speak, but I understood the question in her gaze. What should I do?
That look filled me with an odd sense of pride. It seemed Lana truly saw me as her protector. Still, this was hardly the time for sentiment.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and spoke.
"Go ahead. Form the contract."
***
And so Lana formed a contract with the Wind Spirit King.
Strictly speaking, it was a temporary or provisional contract, but since a formal one would follow with time, the difference was largely academic.
To think she would contract with the Spirit King...
I hadn't anticipated this at all. The Spirit King was an existence beyond the rules. Even in the game, maxing out the Spirit Master tree didn't allow a contract with it. Not even the game's version of Lana, who had reached the pinnacle of spirit arts, had been able to command the Wind Spirit King.
Yet here she was—her vessel not even prepared—forming a contract with it. The outcome had completely exceeded my expectations.
Still, it wasn't a bad thing. She couldn't borrow its power yet, but in the future it would become an immense source of strength for her.
...Though this isn't exactly something to brush off lightly.
In truth, this was no small matter. Even as a provisional contractor, the appearance of the Wind Spirit King's chosen was a historic event. If word got out, the repercussions would be unimaginable. The entire continent's attention would turn here—not just humans, but every other race as well. The elves in particular might descend on us with burning eyes.
"Wow...!"
Yet the person at the center of it all seemed completely uninterested in any of that.
Lana ran around the area with a bright smile. A few small motes of light trailed behind her. Those were Sylphs—lowest-grade wind spirits. Just as the Spirit King had said, Lana, now bearing its temporary mark, could freely summon and command wind spirits.
For now only a handful of Sylphs, but over time both the grade and number of spirits she could call would increase. It was the best possible outcome, one I hadn't dared hope for before the contract.
...Though I am a little tired.
In any case, Lana's education was essentially complete. I had no affinity for spirits and no ability to handle them in this body. There was nothing more I could teach her beyond a few minor tips and precautions.
So Lana's lessons ended today. From now on I would simply monitor her progress.
Which meant only one person remained.
. . .
"So? What is it?"
Alice, the last to be called out to the clearing, asked in a surly tone.
After spending some time together, both Julia and Lana had lowered their guards toward me somewhat. Alice, however, remained unchanged. She suspected me at every turn and still kept her blades sharpened against me in daily life.
Her tone and attitude were incredibly prickly, but I didn't dislike her for it. If anything, I approved.
The time we'd spent together was still short. Far too short to trust a complete stranger. If anything, Julia and Lana's quick acceptance was the unusual part.
Above all, I believed Alice's wariness was necessary. One day they would step out into the world, and that caution would protect them. She might seem sharp, but where Julia and Lana fell short, Alice filled the gap.
Besides, she's not just sharp, either.
Even now. Though her face was set in a grumpy expression, her eyes betrayed an unmistakable flicker of anticipation.
Cute.
Hiding my smile, I took out the item I had prepared.
***
The man named Gunter had suddenly declared he would educate them.
From what she'd seen of the process, he didn't appear to be using any strange tricks, but Alice refused to let her guard down. There might be hidden motives beneath the surface.
They're all too naive.
Alice still didn't trust the man. It wasn't simply because they hadn't known each other long. The root of her distrust ran deeper: she couldn't fathom his intentions.
It was true he had saved them. Under normal circumstances that alone would warrant gratitude. But the man had gone far beyond that.
People didn't usually risk their lives to help others. And even when they did, they rarely took responsibility for everything that followed.
The initial rescue could be called coincidence. But his actions afterward made no sense.
If someone happened to help a child in distress, a few might choose to take them in. The odds were low, but possible.
But what if that child was being targeted by an unknown, extremely dangerous organization? What if sheltering them put your own life at risk?
Almost no one would make that choice. They would know it could get them killed.
Yet the man before her had chosen exactly that path, fully aware of the danger.
Alice couldn't understand it. And it wasn't just talk. She didn't know the details, but she knew Gunter had spent a considerable sum on them. Simply moving to this new residence proved it—he had left their familiar home and purchased what was clearly an expensive building.
The same care showed in their meals, clothes, and belongings. Nothing was chosen carelessly. Everything was of the highest quality.
That only deepened her suspicion. She still couldn't tell whether his words were true. The story about some enormous group targeting them was hard to believe. She had even considered the possibility that it was all a lie.
But if it was a lie, why go to such lengths?
Whether his words were true or false, what his real purpose was—Alice couldn't tell.
One thing alone was certain.
I have to stay sharp.
True or false, she couldn't afford to lower her guard. Since the other two lacked vigilance, she would have to be twice as cautious. And no matter what happened, she needed to obtain the power to protect herself.
Yes. That's what this is for right now, too.
She still couldn't trust the man, but for the sake of their future she had to grasp at even a rotten straw. So Alice had decided to attend his so-called lesson.
Her heart beat faster than usual. Her body was probably tensing instinctively, not knowing what trick he might pull. It was definitely not anticipation for whatever she was about to learn. She was not envious of Julia, who now swung a sword with breathtaking skill after his lessons, or Lana, who had contracted with a spirit powerful enough to summon storms. The idea that her own chest might be swelling with excitement at the thought of receiving similar instruction was absolutely, positively not the case.
With her heart pounding purely from tension, Alice waited for the man to begin. Soon he produced something.
A book.
Now that she thought about it, he had taken out a book when Lana formed her contract too. Could it be that she, like Lana, was about to contract with an incredible spirit?
The moment that expectation took root in her mind, the man held the book out to her.
Naturally, Alice's eyes went to the title on the cover.
Introduction to Basic Magic.
"......"
After reading the title, Alice looked up at the man. He smiled and said,
"Alice, you can learn this one on your own."
Alice's face twisted violently.