Subraces. (5) Spirits.
Long, long ago... well, not that long ago. It's only been a few thousand years, after all. Anyway, back in the day, the spirits who used to be dragons wandered the world like innocent children, completely forgetting their own origins. If there was a Spirit King to rule over those spirits, it would be those seven kids who became the ancestors of dragons... but let's skip that for now.
After the dragons turned into spirits, even smaller and more numerous spirits were born under their influence. To put it simply... the original dragon-spirits became upper-grade spirits, while the new ones were mid-grade or lower-grade spirits. Anyway.
It wasn't hard to borrow the power of those spirits. You just make a contract with a spirit and supply it with mana to materialize it. Easy if it's easy, hard if it's hard. You have to consider compatibility with the spirit and your aptitude for mana... but the elves should be able to manage it. The Lizardmen have such low mana aptitude that they can't materialize spirits; they just borrow their power through shamanistic rituals... but that has its own charm, I suppose. No big deal.
Ahem. I got sidetracked. Back on topic. Elves, who can communicate with spirits, also have high mana aptitude, so they should be able to materialize them just fine.
"Contract with the spirits and provide them mana to materialize them. Then the spirits will grant your requests."
With a casual wave of my hand, various spirits began dancing in the air. Wind spirits lightly tracing circles in their dance. Flame spirits wildly flinging orderly flames as they danced. Water spirits flowing smoothly like running water, and earth spirits expressing faint emotions through static movements. The ballroom created by the four elemental spirits exuded a dreamlike atmosphere.
"Beautiful..."
"Show this beautiful sight to Yggdrasil and soothe her."
"Couldn't you do it yourself?"
I shook my head at one elf's words. Who does this guy think he is, trying to freeload?
"What stems from your own mistakes must be resolved by your own hands. I merely provide the method."
With another wave, the spirits joined hands and formed a large circle. Seeing all four attributes' spirits gathered, holding hands amicably—what must the elves be thinking? I'm showing them this scene of harmony right in front of their eyes; if they still don't get it, I might have to smash some pots myself.
"Understood. Please teach us the method."
Fortunately, it looked like I wouldn't need to intervene directly. I explained to the elves how to contract with spirits.
"Spirits are innocent but also cunning and capricious. To handle them easily, you need a contract."
Ah, of course, dragons like me don't need that. We're inherently superior—in power and position.
"Talk sufficiently with the spirits who approach you, and form a contract where you provide mana in exchange for borrowing their power. Then the spirits will move like your own limbs."
No need for a formal contract document. A spirit's contract is engraved within the spirit itself. Of course, if an elf abuses the spirit harshly, the contract would void immediately... but who would abuse their own limbs? Only an idiot.
"Sorry, but... how exactly do we use mana?"
Hm? Ah... right. Mana. Mana, huh. Dragons use it instinctively, so I forgot I never taught it. Makes sense; they've probably never handled mana before.
"Mana is the power that permeates this world, dwelling within all beings."
In flowing streams, solid rocks, even the cool blowing wind. Mana exists everywhere. And inside their bodies too...
"Close your eyes and focus on the mana flowing within you. The mana entering with your inhale, leaving with your exhale. The mana gradually accumulating in your body through that process."
They don't have techniques yet to filter mana from breathing—like internal energy cultivation methods in wuxia. So, just gathering mana through simple breathing is the way for now. With an elf's lifespan, they should accumulate enough to sense it.
And as I expected, the elves began to gradually notice the mana dwelling within their bodies. Lucky for me; things got easier. If they couldn't sense it, I might've had to increase the local mana density to force it. That could've been painful for them— like a human drowning, breathing air in water. High concentrations are risky, but I can control it fine...
Hm. Anyway, moving on. The elves started sensing the mana in their bodies. But sensing it and moving it are two different things.
"Many spirits will speak to you. Talk to the largest, strongest-looking one."
Spirits follow a strict hierarchy. Contracting with even one strong spirit will make all subordinates follow automatically.
And so, the elves began contracting with the spirits approaching them. Some with one or two based on aptitude. The most talented managed three. Impressive? Who knows. I can command spirits with a nod, having raised the kids who are basically Spirit Kings like my own children. Why wouldn't the spirits obey me?
Even the fewer flame spirits, the wind and water ones splashing about, the rising earth and verdant tree spirits. Come to think of it, I don't see light or darkness spirits. Hm... picky ones, huh. Especially darkness, since their 'parent' Erebos has vanished. That ungrateful brat... just wait till I catch him. I'll give him a good scolding.
"Now that everyone's spirits are ready, let's soothe Yggdrasil."
At my words, the elves began moving their spirits.
"It's said this marked the beginning of the elves' Great Spirit Festival."
"Great Spirit Festival?"
"Yes. The Great Spirit Festival."
At the elf's words, the man—the Hero—gazed out the window. The streets filled with spirits' ballroom dance. A scene like falling into a world of spirits alone. The white flower festival at the Lizardmen village had been beautiful, but this sight held a different kind of beauty.
"After displaying such a beautiful spirit dance, the World Tree softened and began nurturing the elves again. In reward for the beautiful festival, the World Tree bestowed a single branch. That became the elves' treasure and symbol of their royal family: the Branch of Harmony."
Branch of Harmony. A branch of the World Tree adorned with jewels containing spirits' essence. The elves' symbol, a treasure that maximizes spirit power for spirit mages. They had come beneath this World Tree to borrow its power.
"And according to legend... the one who taught the elves that spirit arts was a Dragon Priestess just like you."
"Like me?"
"Yes. Just like you."
At the elf's words, the silver-haired girl with dragon horns merely tilted her head slightly.
And so, the elves' internal conflicts were fully resolved. They held a spirits' ballroom to show Yggdrasil they got along, moving her to tears, and she gave them one of her branches. I even crafted jewels to enhance spirit power as a gift.
Hm. They shouldn't fight like before now. I might miss the haughty high elves a bit, but if they fight, Yggdrasil would be sad. Yeah. I'll hold back here.
Having left Yggdrasil, I headed to the next group of humans.
Maybe I was underestimating humans. Human potential might be so vast and immense that someone like me can't even imagine it. Otherwise... how could there be humans married to those furry bipedal dogs or cats! And they even have kids!!! Humans with animal ears! These furry freaks!!!! No, that cat girl's daughter looks just like her mom! Suspicious furball!!! Furry!!! How the hell did this happen... The end of the human era might be upon us...