Leaving Philes
Philes outer castle had undergone a series of upheavals in the past week. It all started seven days ago when Wolf's gang was wiped out, leading to the closure of countless brothels and the disappearance of more than half the beggars from the territory.
The locals rejoiced that the territory had finally been cleaned up, but merchants and mercenaries passing through on their way to the great cities of the empire's central region lamented the loss of places to relieve their stress. Caravans that once rested for days in the mild climate of Philes Territory now hurried on after just one or two, which meant an immediate drop in the territory's revenue—a clear misfortune.
Of course, such concerns were for the lord who collected taxes. But just two days ago, even that lord had met his end.
"Is that rumor true?"
"What? What is it?"
"What happens now?"
"To our territory?"
The residents buzzed with the same topic whenever they gathered. But no conversation mentioned that the lord was a black mage or that the knight captain was the killer. So the boy who knew the truth could only smirk as he overheard them.
The knights must have kept their mouths shut tight.
Everything was going smoothly. Now it was time.
First, head to the duke's house and confirm what the duke said. Then decide on my training path.
With one major obstacle from right after his regression cleared away so cleanly, Tiny's mind was filled with that single thought.
The power of Glutterni that he'd witnessed in his previous life's final moments, and the Demon King's power, which was surely even greater. Their emergence was a catastrophe twenty years from now, but for someone without a plausible faction or sharp wits like him, the only sure thing he could do was...
Raise my strength enough to smash the legion commander's and Demon King's skulls.
That was it. Glutterni, the monster that had forced mutual destruction even when he'd attacked with comrades.
That bastard, at least...!
He had to build enough power to take down that pride-shattering foe alone. Ideally, enough to fell the Demon King too.
Of course, assuming it would happen just like that would be arrogance.
I think I have the potential, but...
If reaching Aura Master—or beyond—was that easy, it wouldn't be legendary. So for now...
I have to survive the catastrophes to come somehow.
As if heralding the Demon King Army's descent, disasters large and small struck one after another during this era. They shook the continent every one or two years, greatly weakening humanity's overall strength even before the Demon King Army arrived.
The problem was...
...I don't know many of the incidents properly.
It was the limit of a life spent wandering alone. The silver lining was...
- The old folks say the disappearance of the first holy relic marked the start of all those catastrophes. The real issue was everyone dismissing it as just a horrific accident.
Thanks to his comrade Argon, he knew a fair bit about the first disaster: the loss of one of the Seven Great Relics.
That incident happens around the end of this year...
There was still time, but after visiting the duke's house for his promised gift, he needed to head to the maritime kingdom of Karon. They wouldn't let just anyone near their symbolic relic. Considering the hassle, he had to go as soon as possible and find a way.
Overcome each disaster one by one, grow stronger, then face the Demon King Army with humanity's full might intact.
With his thoughts sorted, Tiny finally reached his destination.
First things first.
A faded sign with crossed swords. Confirming it, Tiny flung open the door of the rundown two-story building.
Creeeak.
"So I told him...!"
"Wahahaha!"
The moment he entered, he saw rough-looking burly men raising mugs and chattering noisily. Most were gossiping about the territory.
"What the hell happened?"
"Yeah, right? Some big job coming up?"
"Big job? Like what?"
"The lord's dead, so maybe a territory war..."
"You kidding? Think this is the Eastern Kingdom Alliance? This is the Empire! What territory war?"
"Nah, I wish it was."
The mercenary guild. The sword-for-hire crowd's talk carried a savage edge absent from ordinary folk. As a boy slipped through them nonchalantly, eyes locked on, followed by mocking jabs.
"Kid, here for mommy's errands?"
"This ain't a playground. Scram, kid!"
"Leave him, let's see what he wants. He's cute."
"Heh heh, yeah. Don't scare him too much."
Ignoring the noise, Tiny strode to the front counter. The one-eyed bartender—also the Philes branch chief and sole staffer—Tarren glowered down at him.
"What? Booze run? We don't sell wimpy wine here."
Laughter erupted from the tables.
"Real men's drink is whiskey."
"Bull. Rum!"
"You a pirate? Gin rules!"
The giants bellowed their preferences from midday, grinning wickedly at the out-of-place kid. But then...
Grrr.
A translucent wolf the size of the ceiling materialized. The raucous mood vanished into heavy silence.
"Huh...?"
Hic.
As Tarren hiccuped with a bizarre expression...
"Here for mercenary registration."
The boy's clear, pre-pubescent voice rang out.
Rushing straight to the duke's house would be fastest, but to flash the ring at the main gate without suspicion, I need basic ID. Mercenary or merchant—those are the only options for commoners traveling territories.
That was the first reason he'd come to the mercenary guild. No need to show off unnecessarily, so he'd revealed Wolrang. Spirit summoners were rare; it was perfect proof of ability.
One slight issue, though.
"Haha... Even so, we need legitimate guarantor... You know..."
"Guarantor?"
"Someone to vouch you're not a runaway criminal or serf... Not saying you are! It's just policy. No need for a noble; anyone known here works... Haha."
Tarren waved sweatily, unbefitting his bulk. Tiny tilted his head.
Was there such a rule?
Memories from ages ago were fuzzy, but solving it was easy.
Thirty minutes later, Tarren eyed the bucktoothed old man Tiny brought.
"Hins, old timer?"
"Uh, um. I'll vouch for him. For Sir Tiny's identity."
"Sir Tiny? More importantly, you look awful pale..."
"Wh-what? No, I'm fine. I vouch for this kid."
The old man kept glancing nervously at the boy—odd, but no issue.
- Is, is that really all you need?
- Yeah.
- Haaah, th-thank you!
The muffled talk outside was suspicious, but not his concern. Tarren rubbed his hands at the returning young spirit summoner.
"ID'll be ready soon. Needs intricate engraving. Just wait a bit."
"Whatever."
"Heh, bold kid."
"Oh, got horses to rent? I have coin."
"Horses?"
Second reason for the guild: mercenaries could buy or rent mounts there. Even with his stamina, horses ruled long trips. Especially mana-charged gallops, a knight's basics, boosting endurance and speed.
He was confident of reaching the duke's house in three days mounted.
Tarren didn't get it.
"Horse? With an animal spirit?"
"...Wolves are for orc-types with busted balance."
"R-really? If a spirit summoner says so."
Tiny smiled wryly at Tarren's head-tilt. He loved everything about Wolrang except it being a wolf. Sleek and dynamic, but no good for riders. Orcs rode bizarre war beasts by tribe. Some even giant direwolves over mountains.
But most orc mounts prioritized combat over balance—pure war creatures. In his past life, he'd eyed a direwolf for his size, but...
- Human on a direwolf? Pukes guts in ten minutes flat! Grahaha.
Orc Warlord Zerik's warning proved true; he quit fast. Numbing senses with mana might work, but it'd hinder fights. Horses, with stable backs, were best for humans.
Yet...
Gr.
Wolrang's soul-link vibe differed.
No?
Gruff.
Firm denial. Tiny followed the signal out of the guild right away.
* * *
Following Wolrang's will, Tiny left the guild and Philes outer castle. Tarren offered quests since newbies got only C-rank ID, but he declined. Reaching the duke was urgent; C-rank sufficed for the gates.
Still...
"You sure it's possible?"
He hadn't expected conditions on Wolrang's claim of being rideable.
"...You need to grow first?"
Spirit growth?
"Don't spirits just get stronger with their summoner? Naturally until regaining full power..."
He recited half-remembered lore. But...
Woof!
Wolrang, materialized at eye level, barked irritably, disappointed.
"No?"
Spirits amassing mana for spirit stones grew far beyond normals, except rarities. Ethereal, they looked original size; manifested, scaled to summoner's realm. Only surpassing the spirit's peak power allowed true evolution.
Estina the Sky Knight had explained that. Plus...
Size-wise, it's grown with my realm.
Still smaller than ethereal, so recovering past form. But definitely bigger now.
Gr.
Reading his mind, the over-1m wolf nudged his face, eyes narrowed.
"Right, but no?"
Gr.
"Ah! Something else?"
Grk.
Wolrang nodded knowingly. Tiny pondered the human-like gesture.
Not perfect talk, but spirit links shared inexpressible senses. Focusing, he grasped it.
"Spirits don't exist alone?"
Woof!
"Ah...! When manifesting from my trait to you, the spirit..."
True growth for fused summoner-spirit?
Woof! Woof!
Spot on. Delighted his intent landed, Wolrang spun silver tail like a propeller, circling Tiny.
Yeah, I get you're happy and what you meant, but...
"...What trait?"
...Gr?
Tail halted, steps stumbled, ears drooped pitifully. But he truly didn't know. Pitying it, Tiny stroked its head silently.
Sniff.
Wolrang sighed human-like, then hummed ethereal, giant form overlapping him.
"What now?"
Perplexed, Tiny stepped back, but Wolrang overlapped again. The incoming emotion gave the clue.
"Ah! Synchronization? Merge first? Not just contract?"
...Kwang.
Pathetic whine, like you didn't know that? Tiny chuckled.
Didn't know this existed.
His spirit knowledge was scraps from comrades; no wonder. Estina wouldn't detail for a non-summoner. But understanding, acting was simple.
Childish body, superhuman soul—an Aura Exceeder mana master.
Will rose, mana flowed, souls merged slowly. Suddenly, Tiny comprehended Wolrang's thoughts clearer. And wielded its true power and senses at will.
I see. This is...
Spirit summoner stage two.
- Sensory Synchronization (Soul Link).
Awareness hit.
Vwooom.
Ambient mana surged into Wolrang, fur glowing brighter.
Crack crunch.
Bones realigning, it shook its head. Meeting eyes, changes were stark.
Much tougher. Like me now.
Body stronger, springier than size suggested. The "summoner's trait" clicked. Combat power leaped several-fold, but not all.
Woof! Woof!
"Ride?"
Grk.
Over-1m wasn't huge, nor rider-friendly. But for a boy just over 1m?
"Plenty possible."
Past memories soured, but this felt right.
Movements, sight, smells—all feel like mine.
No one gets motion-sick from their own body. He finally got Wolrang's guild intent. Mounting was effortless.
As Tiny settled securely...
"Awoooooooo!"
The howl shattered the air. Silver wolf bearing the black-haired boy tore across the plains at terrifying speed.