Spirit Contracts Outrank All Magic
Maness hadn't even considered it until the talk of ancient contracts came up.
“I never imagined the other side was a high spirit...”
A student who had just entered magic school daring to aim for a contract with a high spirit? Unthinkable.
[Hmm...]
But despite it seeming like a solid plan, Flamma's reaction wasn't positive.
“Any issues?”
[Of course there are.]
The students snapped back to attention as the problem was laid out.
[As I said before, a contracted spirit's manifested power depends on the human's capacity.]
“Right.”
[And there's an unwritten rule in the spirit realm: A human contracted with a high spirit can't contract with any other spirits.]
No one had known that.
[It's to avoid placing too much responsibility on one human. Spirits belong to nature, after all—we can't ignore balance.]
Balance. If someone exceptionally talented contracted multiple high spirits, they'd wield enough power to topple a nation single-handedly. Reckless contracts would poison both sides.
“Even with that restriction, contracting a high spirit would still be...”
[If the contractor were an average joe.]
Maness caught on as the conversation shifted.
“The contract loses its meaning.”
[No matter the spirit's state when manifested, humans hit a wall just summoning a high spirit. Even if contracted, they might never see its face in a lifetime. That contractor would just end up shackled.]
“Unable to contract other spirits.”
Flamma pointed at Maness with the hand resting on its knee. More precisely, at the familiar's egg.
[Unlike familiars, where just owning one lets you show off power.]
Maness glanced at Iris. She was biting her nails, lost in deep thought. Among the three, she'd be the only one to proceed with the contract.
Conien didn't want spirit power—he just resented the empire for distorting history.
Maness already had his familiar.
That left one option.
“Just to be sure—can I even contract with you?”
[Why would a familiar's master need to? You'd just breed resentment in the newborn familiar for no reason.]
As expected.
“Fair enough.”
Iris, who had been staring at the ground, looked up. The troublemaker scratched the back of his head, offering uncharacteristically encouraging words.
“I think you could summon it. Might be tough at first, though.”
It was encouragement rooted in certainty. She was destined for the path of an archmage.
Contracting a high spirit here would propel her far faster, to far greater heights.
Maness trusted the knowledge he possessed. As always.
“Hmm...”
Iris, who had been staring blankly at him, flashed a grin.
“You can say nice things sometimes, huh?”
“Just stating the facts.”
Iris stepped forward to stand before Flamma. The mage, who had been trembling at the mere sight of it, had connected with a high spirit's life and now faced it boldly.
“How do I make the contract?”
[I don't recommend it.]
“Hmph, just so you know, I'm no average joe!”
Dismissing the spirit's concern with a haughty flick, Iris crossed her arms and declared.
“And even if I'm stuck never contracting another spirit my whole life just 'cause I'm the culprit here, I can just live that way, right?”
[Even though it'd be a huge help?]
“I don't wanna achieve what I can't do alone by relying on help.”
Just say you're pitiful trapped here and I'll contract to set you free. What an stubbornly honest spirit.
But that stubbornness was her strength too.
[...If that's truly your will.]
Flamma ignited a flame in its palm—not a simple fire, but one encircled by bizarre runes.
Iris swallowed dryly as it extended the flame, knowing full well the magic barrier was there.
[Contracting a high spirit is simple. We have unyielding egos. I offer my will—you accept.]
“Got it.”
[What's your name?]
The moment of choice. Iris gazed endlessly at the flame before reciting her name.
“Iris Jerman.”
[...Jerman.]
After a brief pause, Flamma echoed her family name with a cheerful laugh.
[Yes, Jerman! If you wish to contract with me, proclaim your will alongside your name!]
The flames roared fiercer, whipping up a typhoon-like blaze in the sealed space. A truly awe-inspiring moment.
Iris shielded her face with both arms but stood firm against the inferno.
“I, Iris Jerman, wish to contract with you!”
Whoosh— The runes encircling the flame churned wildly. Faster, ever faster.
Boom— They spun until they engulfed the fire entirely, then scattered in all directions with a massive explosion.
[This flame is yours now.]
Flamma handed the flame to Iris. It floated through the air, shrinking steadily until, upon reaching her, it was no bigger than a fingernail.
[Call my name, and I'll come. Once you have the capacity to reach me, that is.]
“...Thank you.”
[Don't even think about breaking the contract. I skipped it earlier, but those who do don't escape punishment.]
Crack— With its advice done, Flamma rose its massive body and returned to its original spot. The place where it had slumbered for centuries, awaiting its contractor's call—that was its duty.
[I'm tired. Seems that's it—continue on your way.]
The students exchanged glances before bidding a brief farewell to the high spirit.
As they headed toward the reopened passage, Maness turned back and vowed silently to the Flamma seeing them off with its gaze.
I'll find a way to set you free.
[...Do that.]
Ugh— The young mages squeezed out through the hole just as arduously as they'd entered.
After the commotion passed, lesser spirits flooded back into the now-silent space, wagging their tails furiously like pups greeting their parent.
Huff— huff—
Flamma watched them with a fond smile and murmured softly.
[Decard Jerman.]
Memories always felt distant.
[Fate's cruel joke, perhaps.]
The outside world beyond the hole was thick with tension.
Maness, barely extricated, spotted the source and deflated.
Hiteri Solik. The viper professor leaned against the wall, utterly soaked.
“P-Professor, why are you here...?”
He slicked back his wet hair forcefully, sharpening his already piercing features even more. It didn't feel like simple punishment would suffice. Even Conien swallowed hard under the pressure.
“You've pulled off quite the feat.”
The three jumped equally at the sharp remark, but Iris felt it worst—most of it was aimed at her.
“It just kinda happened.”
“Your life sure has a lot of 'just kinda,' Maness. Keep that up, and you might 'kinda' end up dead someday.”
“......”
Killing intent flickered from behind his closed eyes toward the troublemaker. Maness wisely chose silence.
Fortunately, the eyes that seemed ready to devour him shifted aside.
“A contract with a high spirit.”
“S-Sorry, Professor!”
Iris bowed deeply, seizing the initiative. She had built up goodwill—no way she'd risk losing it.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“...Huh?”
But the viper's response was unexpected.
“You forged a high spirit contract through your own efforts. You think you owe me an apology for that?”
“Well...”
“It's just a headache.”
Hiteri peeled off the wall and strode forward.
“How many points to award a high spirit.”
The delinquents trailed the departing professor with their eyes, finally exhaling in relief.
“Thought we were goners.”
“Same.”
Relief brought back the crashing fatigue, blurring Maness's vision. Iris tried to support him, but the size difference made it futile.
“...Sorry.”
“How wiped are you?”
“Enough to skip afternoon classes, no question.”
From dawn to lunch. Half a day, and his brain felt fried.
But the gains made it worthwhile.
The points Hiteri mentioned. Communion with a high spirit during spirit class—let alone a successful contract—was unprecedented. Massive points incoming.
Stock up freely in the shopping district. Offset any potential deductions. Endless uses.
As Maness, rejecting Conien's offer to help and walking alone pondered point strategies—especially black market ones—Iris stopped him.
“Hold up, look at me.”
Maness urged her on with hollow eyes.
“That pebble thing—it's your familiar's egg, right?”
“Oh, didn't tell you?”
“Not details, but Flamma... Lord? Something?”
“Drop the honorific.”
Iris nodded in agreement before pressing on.
“From Flamma's reaction and words, it seems amazing.”
“...Jealous?”
“Jealous? I'm a high spirit contractor now!”
Thumping her chest proudly, the new high spirit contractor kept her distance and passed on what she'd held back.
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Just... everything. You've helped a ton.”
Exhausted to the brink, but sticking with him this far was huge help. Maness swallowed his true feelings.
Iris's growth benefited him too. Ideally, she'd become an archmage ASAP and crush future headaches.
“So... if you need help next time, say so! I hate owing debts.”
“Got it—just lower your voice. Head's ringing.”
“Oh, sorry.”
The ordeal ended. Body in pieces, but inwardly satisfied. A packed, meaningful day.
Just hit the infirmary to wrap it up.
The infirmary bed was heaven. Plush pillow, sun-dried blanket. The view through the window soothed any patient.
“Urgh!”
Maness stretched after deep sleep. The fatigue potion was top-tier in effect and taste. No overdose side effects? He'd chug it daily.
Flap flap— A white owl flew in through the window. Curtains parted with the sound of it opening.
“Maness?”
“Yes.”
The curtain pulled back at his response. The nurse held a parchment.
“Letter for you—take a look.”
Student council seal. Their quick-contact method for activity changes.
“Let's see.”
Rustle. Maness hummed inwardly. Had to be about points. With their stunt, at least 1,000—he believed it.
The revealed contents left him speechless.
Students who succeeded in communing with and contracting a high spirit during the “Spirit Communion” class are awarded 10,000 points.
Maness Pictri.
Conien Mactatum.
Iris Jerman.
If you object, contact the Student Council.
—Student Council.
10,000 points. The maximum a Snowrobe student could receive.