Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Spirit Forest
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After passing through the gate, we were guided straight ahead.
A dense, deserted forest appeared before us.
Commonly known as the Spirit Forest.
This place was also a kind of event map.
Later on, Aruru would form a contract with the Spirit King here.
The Spirit Forest was utterly serene.
The reason was simple: the rulers of this place were the spirits.
They strictly bar outsiders from entering.
But they welcome those with an affinity for spirits.
In other words, putting Aruru at the front was like having an all-access pass.
“There are so many spirits...”
Spirits of various kinds peeked out from all around us.
They emanated a soft glow, as if to welcome us.
It was a spectacular sight, to be sure.
But their numbers swelled past several hundred in an instant, making me dizzy.
Aruru and Ilensia, on the other hand, were even more at ease than usual.
The Spirit Forest is a sacred place for spirit contractors.
To them, it was no different from their own living room.
Perhaps even more so.
Being on their home ground, their combat power would likely double.
“Oh, a light spirit!”
The girl swiftly snatched one of the spirits.
Light spirits were rare due to their small numbers.
“Want to make a contract with me?”
It twinkled as if it had been waiting for those very words.
My little cutie beamed and hugged the spirit to her chest.
The very picture of innocence.
Just watching her warmed my heart.
“Ughhh...”
Meanwhile, the elf girl could only let out a pained groan.
She looked as lost as a little girl who'd just missed out on a limited-edition cake.
The sight of her sucking her thumb with an expression of pure envy was truly pitiful.
As time passed, more and more spirits gathered.
They circled around their preferred person, as if holding a popularity contest.
The results were quite interesting.
It was no surprise that Aruru attracted eighty percent of them.
But of the remaining twenty percent, half chose me.
“Huh??”
Ilensia was thrown into confusion.
That annoying fox, fine, but a human who just started with spirits is on par with me?
She vehemently denied reality.
Her elven pride had hit rock bottom.
“Wh-Why...”
Why was this happening?
It's because I also have my little cutie's trait.
The Blessing of the Spirits. Under the circumstances, that had to be the reason.
“You... Why are you so talented at everything? It’s impossible not to notice you!”
Doesn't seem like my fault.
It was utterly unreasonable, but I decided to be magnanimous and accept it.
“Anyway... I don't want you to get the wrong idea.”
“What wrong idea?”
“When I came here alone, the spirits welcomed me just as much as they did that fox!”
“...”
Somehow, it sounded like a typical loser's excuse.
Saying that doesn't change anything, does it?
Hmm, what should I do with this ditz?
I let the elf girl's whining go in one ear and out the other.
While formulating a plan in my head to reshape her.
Before long, we reached the heart of the forest.
The spiritual energy was so abundant it was almost overwhelming.
“This spot should be good.”
Aruru pointed at my spirits and gave a brief explanation.
She said if I just let them be, they would naturally evolve into intermediate-grade spirits.
“There are ways to force it, but I don't think that'll be necessary.”
I followed the expert's advice.
The weasel and the baby phoenix stared at me intently.
Evolve us already!
They seemed to be pestering me, but that was something they had to do on their own.
“Ah, it's starting.”
They began to emit green and red light, respectively.
Seeing it happen filled me with anticipation.
And for good reason—the difference between a low-grade and an intermediate-grade spirit was significant.
It was like comparing a pistol to a cannon.
I'll have to use their overwhelming firepower to sweep away all the A-rank students.
“Your mana is about to be drained. Be ready.”
From the intermediate grade onward, their upkeep cost was quite high.
And they needed even more now, since they were in the middle of an upgrade.
Ten percent, twenty, thirty... Nearly half of my mana was consumed.
It was because I was handling both of them at once.
Well, it was manageable.
Thanks to the Blessing of the Spirits, my mana was recovering quickly.
“Mhm, it finished safely. Just as expected of the ones I raised.”
The weasel and the baby phoenix, their forms now much clearer.
Having become intermediate-grade spirits, they had gained a certain impressive presence.
They'd lost their cute charm, but their current, more formidable state wasn't bad either.
With this, I'd shed the label of a low-grade spirit contractor.
Just possessing intermediate-grade spirits would probably raise my rank by about ten levels.
And I wasn't even done yet.
Next was to acquire a water spirit and an earth spirit.
Once again, my little cutie stepped up.
She effortlessly controlled the countless spirits.
“This cool big brother wants to make a contract with you. Any of you who are interested, please line up.”
The girl shouted cheerfully, pointing at me.
At her call, a considerable number of spirits formed a line.
They were surprisingly obedient.
Even the elf girl was astounded at the sight of Aruru treating wild spirits like her own subordinates.
“The more I watch, the more absurd it seems. It's as if she's received the blessing of the spirits.”
It's not 'as if'—it's the real deal.
When it came to spirits, no one could surpass Aruru.
“Ugh, maybe I shouldn't have come...”
Her shoulders slumped.
She muttered in a listless voice.
Watching the dispirited elf, I felt a little urge to cheer her up.
I'd have to look for an opportunity later.
Right now, anything I said would probably just make her more depressed.
Acting as if I knew nothing, I casually remarked,
“You communicate with them so smoothly. Is it always like that?”
“They understand most things. We just can't have a proper conversation. Anyway, time for the interviews.”
“Huh??”
Interviews? Why so suddenly?
Couldn't I just pick any of them?
“They might all look the same, but each one has its own personality. Some are violent, and others tend to be very willful.”
Hmm, the world of spirits was surprisingly profound.
If I had a choice, I'd prefer one that was gentle and loyal.
Aruru and Ilensia worked together to evaluate the spirits.
“Hm? You want to follow me? Sorry, but my slots are all full.”
“I sense that you're greedy and selfish. You're rejected.”
“...”
What on earth were they basing their judgments on?
Maybe because my abilities were acquired through a shortcut, I had no idea.
In any case.
It was admirable to see them working so hard for my sake.
They seemed to be having fun in the process, but from my perspective, I was simply grateful.
In the end, I acquired new slaves.
My combat power had skyrocketed in a short amount of time.
“Hey, I have something to take care of too. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Okay. Just wait a little bit.”
The girl wagged her tail gently.
Aruru began to seriously commune with the wild spirits.
She seemed to be laughing and chatting affectionately with them.
Then, at some point, she closed her eyes and opened her arms wide.
Her aura was endlessly benevolent, as if she would embrace every single spirit.
I realized it instinctively.
The form was slightly different, but this was clearly a process of moving toward enlightenment.
In other words, it was a situation where I shouldn't carelessly interfere.
She probably wouldn't hear me even if I spoke to her now.
“She's truly a natural. I'm at the point where I can't even feel jealous anymore...”
The elf girl's lament began.
Why am I so pathetic? Someone, please comfort me!
She showed signs of this while furtively glancing my way.
“There are all kinds of people in the world. You don't need to worry about it so much.”
“Even so, that's just too much. I feel like I can't even compete.”
“Aruru is Aruru, and you are you.”
“I know what you mean, but still...”
“You feel like you're seriously lacking?”
“Yes. I'm the only one falling behind. And on top of that, you're showing incredible growth.”
She mumbled that she couldn't help but feel anxious.
She was a Hero candidate, but she'd always been in the lower ranks, so she lacked confidence in her own abilities.
“Well, it's not like there are no options.”
At those words, the look in her eyes changed.
She was filled with anticipation, as if she'd found a glimmer of hope.
“Tell me anything. I'm listening.”
“So you're willing to follow my recommendation.”
“Of course. Everyone acknowledges your sharp eye.”
She wanted me to point out her problem right away.
I had suspected as much, but she seemed to have firm faith in me.
Then I might as well just go for it.
If I put it nicely, maybe the shock would be a little less.
“Right now, you're just as clumsy as you think. It's not that your spirit swordsmanship is weak, but it's inconsistent depending on your opponent. I recommend you change direction.”
“Don't tell me... you want me to give up the sword?”
“That's right. The bow suits you better than the sword.”
In that moment, the system window showered me with points.
It seemed this line also counted for something, but this wasn't the time to worry about that.
“Was my swordsmanship... really that terrible?”
As if to prove her mental fortitude was weak.
The elf girl's eyes trembled alarmingly.
When she looks like that... it makes me want to tease her, doesn't it?
I resisted the temptation and continued speaking.
“No one would belittle your swordsmanship. But you need to recognize reality. In the realm of the sword, Esterize has already proven herself to be the best.”
“Mmm...”
Good medicine always tastes bitter.
She groaned as if the fact pained her.
At least she didn't try to offer a clumsy rebuttal.
“That's right. There's you, too. The answer was decided from the start. That I can't compete with the sword...”
Has she finally realized it?
She probably already knew, but it seems she's only now accepted it.
“Tell me honestly. You can surpass someone like me in no time, right?”
“It'll take some time... but I'm confident that's what will happen.”
“You'll become just like you were before... no, even more perfect than before. You're improving even further, like by handling spirits.”
As if she'd made up her mind about something, she gazed at me steadily.
Ilensia finally said the words I'd been waiting for.
“I'll try focusing on the bow.”
“Good thinking...”
“But you have to take responsibility.”
“Huh??”
“I mean, I want to be your companion.”
I'll follow your advice.
Since I've made a big decision, you have to do at least that much for me.
She seemed to be stubbornly insisting, in her own way.
My deliberation wasn't long.
If raised well, she's a talent who can more than pull her own weight.
As long as she listens to me, there was no reason to refuse.
“From now on, we're companions.”
“Yes. I look forward to working with you.”
As if she'd never been depressed, she showed a faint smile.
The unique, beautiful charm of an elf radiated from her.
[Affection +1]
[Affection +2]
A reasonably smooth development.
There was one small concern, but it wasn't a major problem.
“Oh, right. What's the party composition like?”
“Can't you guess?”
“It's literally just a guess.”
Aruru and Esterize are confirmed.
The heal-shuttle... no, Saintess Luciel will be included as well.
Ceria will insist on staying by my side no matter what.
And in case I need a mage, I should consider Skadi too...
“Somehow... this feels a little strange, doesn't it?”
“...”
She narrowed her eyes and glared.
It was because the gender ratio was overwhelmingly skewed to one side.
Agh, it's not my fault!
My little cutie and the Saintess are irreplaceable assets.
The princess is obviously the number one recruitment target.
And Ceria is my fiancée, so she's in a category of her own.
In other words, it's not that I want a harem.
It's just that the most talented people happen to be women...
Would she really believe that?
It seemed highly unlikely, so I came up with another excuse.
The male students hate me.
Even if we somehow became companions, they'd be horribly disobedient.
When I explained it with that nuance, she nodded as if she understood.
“True, your problem is that you're too talented.”
“...”
Suddenly, I felt a sense of relief.
What if Jace had really been a scoundrel?
He would have been treated like an outcast by everyone.
The mere thought was dreadful, but reality was this warm.
“By the way, will you be able to get along with Aruru?”
“I'll have to try. To be honest, I don't dislike her. She's a little annoying, but she's cute, after all.”
I nodded.
It seemed there might be some minor squabbles, but no major discord.
Just then, my little cutie opened her eyes.
She was brimming with vitality, as if she had absorbed the spirits' energy.
With that, our business here was finished.
We left the forest, seen off by the spirits.
“Hm? You're accepting Ilensia as a companion?”
“Why? Do you have a problem with that?”
“Not really. I just follow Jace's decisions.”
“...”
The elf girl made a dubious expression.
She then slowly reached a hand toward the fox beastkin's head.
Aruru accepted the touch as if it were nothing.
The friendship between girls.
Just as harmony was about to blossom between the different races.
“This one, you want it?”
“!!!”
Aruru suddenly brought out the light spirit.
Ilensia's eyes were tinged with greed.
“Are you, are you giving it to me?”
“Why would I?”
“Huh??”
“I was just kidding.”
“...”
The untainted laughter of the girl followed.
The elf girl could only shake her head, as if to say she was hopeless.
Wow, she can take a joke like that? Maybe they're a surprisingly good match?
Anyway.
The world was peaceful today as well.
It looked like nothing major would happen until early next year.
Even if some variable appeared... there was no guarantee it would necessarily be a bad thing.
Well, for that part, I'll just have to trust in the protection of the system window.
For now, all that mattered was getting stronger.