Spirit Arts Exchange
Viscount Fortran von Pinnell, who ruled the border city of First One, did not make a big fuss over the disturbance. Instead, he even handed out gifts to those who had witnessed the chaos, doing his best to stifle the rumors.
The fact that the person who had exposed the con artist was none other than a genuine Light Knight turned out to be a stroke of luck for him. And with one of the Seven Great Saints—the North Wind Knight—accompanying him, Viscount Fortran decided to cover the scandal with an even more lavish and grand party, smoothing over his blunder.
That is, until the very guests of honor expressed their intent to leave.
"Ah, no, if you leave like this, what becomes of my reputation? Sir Jenas, Sir Tiny, please... just a week... no, three days. Stay just three days."
Viscount Fortran pleaded desperately, his elegant mustache quivering. It was an odd sight—a viscount humbling himself before knights who were barely equivalent to sub-barons—but none of the parties involved found it strange.
And why would they? This was a duo featuring one of the continent's Seven Great Saints and another hero who had recently surpassed even that legendary title: the Light Knight. Even half their expected potential would guarantee them at least a barony in the future.
For Viscount Fortran von Pinnell, this was essentially an opportunity to forge ties with future high nobles. Bowing his waist felt like no humiliation at all—just pure earnestness.
But.
"I'm sorry, Viscount. Our schedule is tight, so we can't accept. It's His Grace's orders."
Speaking on behalf of the group, Jenas refused flatly, his expression unchanging. And since it was Duke Valentia's command, who could possibly object?
Still, it was an awkward situation. The viscount's gaze, unable to hide his twisted expression, shot toward Raphtan, who was bound at the back of the group.
With his mimicry undone, Raphtan's true form was revealed: brown hair, blue eyes, and a kindly face. At a glance, he looked no different from any common pedestrian.
To a punk like that? Me?
The viscount spat out his resentment without hiding it.
"Then at least his life..."
Raphtan flinched and averted his eyes, but Jenas swiftly stepped in front again.
"My apologies. In compensation, the House of Valentia will ensure you're not shortchanged. I stake my honor on it."
"Sigh... If the North Wind Knight says so, I must believe it. Yes, very well."
A declaration of surrender, essentially. But it was inevitable anyway, and they got the assurance they wanted. With this promise, Viscount Fortran had planted a debt of gratitude in the heart of a future member of the Seven Great Knights—enough to overlook the dent to his pride from one con artist.
For now, at least.
If he ever crosses my path again...
The viscount etched Raphtan's face firmly into his memory while murmuring an unfulfilled wish inwardly.
And with that, the group could finally leave First One with light hearts.
Thud thud thud thud.
The group's galloping figures along the highway drew every passerby's gaze. And small wonder.
"Eek!"
"A w-wolf? Lion???"
"What the hell is that huge?!"
"A monster!!"
Every time they thundered past merchant caravans heading inland from First One, the majority of people freaked out in panic, causing a minor uproar. But since the group moved at overwhelming speed, the commotion stayed behind them.
By the time the caravan's mercenaries even assumed alert postures, they had already veered around and surged ahead in an instant. Those left behind could only stare blankly, committing the unforgettable sight to memory.
Amid this, the owner of the massive lion spirit trailing behind the giant wolf spirit at the center of the procession couldn't hide his bewildered expression.
Is my body still not fully recovered?
He had treated his severe injuries with emergency potions, but aftereffects lingered. Especially his right ankle, mangled by that brute— even high-grade potions had only barely restored its shape, not fully healed.
Maybe that's why his senses felt off.
...His knightly prowess aside, that spirit is clearly 4th stage, right? Does that even make sense?
It was common knowledge among all ability users that the gap in power between stages widened dramatically at higher levels. Spirit arts were no exception, so he couldn't fathom how his 5th-stage Rami had been subdued in one shot by that 4th-stage wolf-whatever.
No matter how unique our Rami is...
- Grrr.
"No, no, I'm not blaming you. I know you're strong, our Rami. King of beasts, lion and all... Ah, that wolf's the monster?"
- Grrrng.
In their soul-linked conversation, Raphtan glanced down at Rami's shadow after receiving that inconclusive response. That was the very reason he wasn't even thinking of fleeing and was chasing the group at full speed.
Not the North Wind Knight focusing mana sprint ahead to match the spirit's pace, but the shadow at his own feet.
- What're you looking at? Want me to kill it?
A chilling voice rang directly in his ear, from the purple-haired woman melted into his shadow, her form concealed.
"N-no, sir."
Raphtan hurriedly looked away, refocusing on the wolf ahead. After nearly dying from a single blow, he had zero desire to fight that Light Knight again. It felt like defying an unstoppable force of nature.
But as a spirit user, his pride kept making him compare that wolf-thing to Rami.
Definitely below me, 4th stage for sure?
Even setting the spirit user's combat prowess aside, his spirit should at least win.
Rami, if you max out gigantification, could you beat that wolf?
- Grrrng.
Rami conveyed negation. Her second ability, gigantification, massively increased both volume and mass proportionally—an insane technique. Since reaching 5th stage, she could grow up to eight times her size.
Originally developed by the timid Rami to puff up and intimidate foes, it luckily boosted actual combat power too.
- Grrrng!
"Ah, no. Right, a brave power for battle? Yeah, got it."
In life, Rami had been just slightly larger than a normal lion for a spirit beast. Now, matching the wolf's rumors in size, she was four times bigger than usual.
Meaning max power would make her twice that. Yet she still lacked confidence.
Even with Pierce too?
- Kkhun!
Even her third ability couldn't guarantee victory. Considering Rami's cowardice, such a negative reaction meant...
"Grroooaaar!"
"Whoa! Ah, got it! You're not a coward!! I said you're not!"
As they raced, Rami's offended roar drew vicious killing intent from front and rear.
"What now?"
"Sorry, so sorry..."
Raphtan could only shrink and bow apologetically.
Anyway, that wolf's a monster. If 4th stage is that strong, it must've been famous even in life?
The more he thought, the more convinced he became.
Damn! Why do some get spirits like that, and others...
"Grroooaaar!"
"Gyaak! Sorry! Rami! Just a crazy thought!!"
Another minor commotion mid-gallop. The wolf's rider glanced back briefly.
I can guess what he's thinking...
Tiny smirked. No way could he miss Raphtan's mana probing Wolrang's body.
- Grrrng.
Leave him. It's not hurting us.
- Kkhun.
Naturally curious for a higher spirit user. A lower spirit dominating a higher one would nag at anyone. Possible only because Wolrang inherited Tiny's traits for denser manifestation, amplified by the transcendent weapon Animus...
- Grrrng.
Ah, you win anyway? Well, if you say so.
Tiny readily accepted. Animal spirits were rare to begin with, and compared to elves', Wolrang was abnormally strong—despite non-combat awakenings.
Tiny himself wondered what Wolrang had been in life. Their contract started so uniquely, he was curious about other spirit users too.
His first non-elf 'human' spirit user. Just recalling Estina's grueling training, elf methods seemed different from his.
Maybe because most elves inherit ancestral spirits.
So how did pure human spirit users handle theirs? Raphtan, clearly higher realm than him now, could be a good reference.
Under a full moon, by a crackling campfire.
Tiny, volunteering for watch, confirmed Jenas lay down and beckoned Raphtan.
"Got a question."
"Y-yes. Ask anything."
Eying Raphtan's eager bow oddly, Tiny cleared his throat and cut to the chase.
"Tell me how you trained your spirit arts. If it's useful, I'll pay accordingly."
Raphtan could only awkward-smile.
"Why would you..."
Asking for secret techniques was taboo, even kids knew.
But.
"If you share honestly, I'll teach you the basics I learned from elves. Plenty to reference mutually."
A trade, not one-sided. At "elf spirit arts," Raphtan's eyes lit up.
"You sure you need to? He's a prisoner. Con artist."
Luna, suddenly awake, narrowed her eyes and interjected. Her prior snoring behind Tiny felt like a lie.
But Tiny shook his head impassively.
"I need to get stronger, no matter how. Can't be picky. Told you? You should too, sis."
Luna paused, then nodded agreeably but popped back up.
"Then I'll teach one too. Our family's sleep method. For sleeping."
He knew: wake instantly to preset changes, like her just now.
But Tiny smiled and refused.
"I know it."
"What!?"
"Learned from you."
"...Oh. Then what do I learn?"
"Sorry, my methods are too hard for others. Needs insane mana sensitivity or whatever."
In his past life, the Ten Knights shared most secrets. Demons descending non-stop, he wanted comrades strong enough to survive together.
But they were all peak experts in their paths, mana cultivation vastly different—only minor tricks like Luna's to share. Still helpful.
"Tch."
"You got what I said. Refine your techniques more."
"...Yeah."
What the hell are they talking about...
To bystander Raphtan, the absurd exchange ended. Tiny turned to him.
"So, what do you think?"
"Pardon? About what?"
"My proposal. Exchanging spirit arts secrets. Interested?"
"O-of course!"
Raphtan shouted unwittingly, launching a night-long talk.
Slight issue though.
"What? Spirits gain reason at 2nd stage?"
"Yes. Isn't it obvious? Humans' sole edge over beasts. That's what makes spirits worth contracting."
...Not me? Wolrang got physical boosts?
- Yelp!
Ah, preferred body over smarts?
...Praise?
- Kkhun.
Ah, already smart? But I'm human...
...Just take it as praise.
Barring the initial scratch to Tiny's pride, the long night proved hugely beneficial for both.