---

The moment the treasure that should have been sleeping in the Count’s House appeared on my palm. Shione and Edelin each showed their best reactions.

Shione, believing that her impressive knight sister wouldn’t steal the Spirit Stone, was mistaken, for the stone in my hand was no ordinary rock. Her gaze was shifting nervously.

That old High Elf claimed this Spirit Stone was a gift he personally presented to the first head of the Count’s House. Perhaps feeling nostalgic over the jewel he hadn’t seen in ages, he peered into the box, his expression turning genuine instead of a practiced smile.

And among us, the one showing the biggest and most certain reaction was—

─Myaang!

It was Cotton Puff, who had been tumbling around in my head.

Flap, flap!

The moment a thick energy began to seep from the Spirit Stone, Cotton Puff desperately flapped its tiny wings and put all its strength into its short legs.

Pop!

With its minuscule legs, it pushed against my head, lifting its body upward.

No matter how small it was, the effort felt powerful; it was only natural for my hair to become a chaotic mess.

─Mya, Mya, Myaang.

As if it had been waiting, Cotton Puff dove into the opened box and tightly hugged the Spirit Stone as if resolute that no one would get it.

‘This Spirit Stone was originally intended for Cotton Puff.’

The Spirit Stone not only amplifies the power of Spirit Magic by extracting the natural spirit inside but is also often used to help the spirits themselves grow.

Originally, this Spirit Stone was meant to be used after naming this little low-level spirit, allowing it to grow into a mid-level spirit, or even to aim for a high-level spirit. The growth of spirits provides great merit, making it a sound choice.

‘But…’

With just this one Spirit Stone, I could recover the high-level spirit I once handled. It was hard not to be drawn to that.

High-level. A spirit that, at a Spirit Mage’s level, could unleash natural disasters at any moment, akin to a high-ranking spirit.

If I could just summon that spirit from my previous travels, I’d be able to handle the cultists, who clamored about exterminating the elves and the destruction of the World Tree, much more effectively within the Great Forest.

Moreover, the fact that I had a contract with a high-level spirit would be another compelling reason, capable of easily knocking down the lofty noses of those noble wretches.

‘This cannot be helped.’

I glanced down at Cotton Puff, who was holding onto the Spirit Stone tightly.

“Can I borrow the Spirit Stone for a moment?”

─Myaang.

Zing!

─Myaang, Myaang.

As if it had heard everything Edelin mentioned just moments ago about the Spirit Stone’s usage, Cotton Puff glared at me, sounding off with a complaint.

It must know that the moment the Spirit Stone leaves its grasp, it would be saying goodbye forever.

“Come on, just for a moment.”

─Myaang!

Tap!

As I reached for the Spirit Stone, Cotton Puff lightly tapped my finger with its short little appendage. It might have been a weak protest that barely even registered, but it was enough to convey that Cotton Puff was eager to keep hold of the Spirit Stone.

“…”

─……

“I’ll give you a name. Would that be enough?”

─……?

“Isn’t that a nice name? When you get summoned again, you could show it off and everyone will be impressed, right? Most spirits in the Spirit Realm are nameless, so they’ll be jealous.”

─Myaang?

I had almost hooked it completely.

Although I had intended to name it all along, Cotton Puff seemed quite interested in the mere mention of a name, given that I hadn’t let on until now.

Of course, names are among the simplest and most direct symbols to express one’s existence.

For a spirit, a name isn’t just a means to engrave their existence in the world more clearly; it becomes a solid cornerstone etched into their essence, allowing them to build their strength and powers more stably.

For a spirit, receiving a name from its contractor is inherently significant.

At that moment, Edelin, who had been quietly watching us, joined in.

“Names are more important to spirits than anything. If you’d like, I can help you come up with a pretty name.”

─Myaang?

“Of course! I’ve named so many spirits up to this point. They were all satisfied with the names I gave them.”

─Myaang, Myaang.

“…As long as it’s not something like ‘moth’ or something. Calling such a cute spirit a moth is just cruel.”

─Hmph.

Cotton Puff snickered.

“…”

At this, Shione, after denying her sister’s reality, sealed her lips and shared a glance with Cotton Puff.

“Then… can we take the Spirit Stone?”

Nod, nod.

Only then did Cotton Puff release the Spirit Stone, which then floated back to my shoulder, while Edelin carefully held the Spirit Stone.

“Hmm.”

Her ashen pupils fixated on the Spirit Stone.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a pure Spirit Stone. Shall we call forth the spirit right now?”

I didn’t immediately answer Edelin’s question but gazed at Shione.

After all, this Spirit Stone was in my hands due to Siabel’s noble thievery. With Shione’s eyes on me, I felt hesitant to freely use it…

After scanning the atmosphere around me.

“Sigh….”

Shione pressed her temples and shook her head in resignation.

“…I don’t know either. If my sister handed that over to you, she must have had something in mind. And now that it’s come to this… it would be a bit odd not to use it.”

“Are you saying…?”

Shione smiled faintly at my words before facing Edelin.

“…Edelin, I’ll rely on you.”

“It won’t take long.”

Edelin grasped the Spirit Stone.

At that moment, a thick mana began to envelop the space around her. It felt overwhelmingly different from the mana scattered by the elders earlier to enter the presence of the great divine tree.

Once again, the pinnacle of the High Elves showed its wonders; the mana she exuded was amazing.

The light began to flicker in her ashen pupils, focusing entirely on me.

“You have established bonds with two spirits, haven’t you? The spirits of storm and flame… Which would you like to reunite with?”

“I—”

Prior to being trapped in this body, the spirits I had contracted were wind and fire.

With my thoughts in order, I answered her question.

“I wish to meet the spirit of flame once more here.”

Edelin nodded slightly at my response.

“The flame, I see. Let’s begin then. Please hold on for just a moment.”

In that instant, Edelin’s atmosphere transformed. The hint of frailty vanished, and a massive presence now sought to overwhelm everyone around.

Magical patterns filled with intricate geometric designs unfurled into the soil beneath the multitude of flowers in the garden. Maintained and cast solely by the mana of a single High Elf, no less.

As she infused the magic circle with thick mana, the spillage of energy washing over me was sufficient to daze my spirit.

‘…Tsk.’

It wasn’t a pleasant sensation.

Feeling the omnipotence radiating from her presence, even without the intent to kill or hostility directed at me culled my pride.

I had known all along that High Elves are formidable, but witnessing her power up close exceeded my expectations.

Furthermore,

‘How can such a powerful High Elf lead to the extermination of the elves?’

With such a strong High Elf standing guard over the World Tree, how could the demons from the prophecy burn the World Tree and ravage the elves? How were Shione and I supposed to face the lunatics planning to set the World Tree ablaze?

Even thinking about it made my frustration rise.

As I stood silently observing the position of the Grand Elder.

Vwoooom!!

The Spirit Stone in Edelin’s hand began to vibrate violently.

Fizzle…

At the end of that resonance, the Spirit Stone shattered into dust. The dense natural spirit contained within it scattered into the magic circle and the air, cultivating an environment closer to the Spirit Realm than any place else, near the World Tree.

As if expecting this, Edelin activated the vast magic circle that filled the expansive garden.

“…It’s done.”

Clearly, casting such enormous magic solo was burdensome.

Edelin’s voice became a tad strained, and I began to feel a rush of blood build up throughout my body.

“…Gah!”

As the blood, or rather the mana, surged within me, a kind of torment took hold that was almost unbearable.

I don’t recall this level of pain even when a part of my arm was bitten off by Arachne.

As I gritted my teeth against the excruciating pain, I could vaguely see Shione’s lips moving as she approached me.

Considering I was merely focusing all my energy on holding myself together, I couldn’t afford to listen to her words, but knowing Shione, she was probably asking if I was alright.

‘What the hell.’

The agony showed no sign of lessening, enveloping my senses.

Just when I felt like I was barely managing to endure it, I sensed a change.

‘This is…’

It felt as if the twisted and misaligned parts within me were finally aligning, the sense of peace washing over me occurred at that precise moment. The pain filling me finally eased.

And at that moment, remnants from the previous world reappeared.

[You cannot summon the corresponding spirit with your current physical abilities.]

[A spirit is coming through a path that has been forcibly widened and opened… very quickly.]

The status window was indicating that my current abilities couldn’t handle the existing spirit.

[The high-level spirit opens the door.]

[The World Tree connecting the spirit realm and the present realm is very close.]

[The rank of the spirit manifesting in the current realm remains as high-level.]

Even so, right now, due to Edelin’s techniques, the spirit I had contracted was beginning to manifest before me.

[The amount of mana necessary for summoning is insufficient.]

But indeed, my frail body had some flaws in summoning a high-level spirit.

『Danger.』

『Starting an equivalent exchange to compensate for the lack of mana.』

The status window began to flow frantically.

…I’d never seen a status window actively trying to save me like this before.

『Exchanging vigor for mana.』

『Insufficient.』

The strength fled from my body.

“……!”

My legs weakened, and I stumbled at the verge of collapse as Shione rushed forward, uttering something in haste to support me.

『Exchanging mental energy for mana.』

Even as my body began to wither away, my mind remained sharp.

My head spun; it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep my consciousness stable.

However, it appeared I had somewhat compensated for the required mana, since no further status windows appeared.

Whoosh!

The flames blossomed before me like a spectacular firework.

From within, a familiar-looking spirit emerged.

A spirit bearing a humanoid form, akin to Friel’s spirit, yet the refinement of its completion could not be compared to Piel, my former high-level spirit. Merely opening its eyes revealed a palpable presence that set it apart.

─…You crazy bastard.

The spirit looking down at me sent a message into my mind.

─I saw your limbs being torn apart, and a monster right up front smashing your head in…

The spirit quietly shuddered, opening and closing its small hand repeatedly.

─Even after I’m summoned back, the contract doesn’t break…… But even then, you couldn’t possibly be alive… you… bastard…!

“Tania.”

The spirit that manifested is the embodiment of blazing flames and obliteration.

─…Do you know how much I worried?

Having cleanly given up her life, she released a single arrow in a final flourish towards that damned last demon, then, until the moment she dashed towards the monsters that were slobbering at the sight of me, her last spirit was by my side.

 

---