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Borrowing the power of my spirit from Friel, I had summoned my third spirit.

Since the moment I first made the contract with this little spirit, I had always thought about giving Cotton Puff a name.

It had been quite some time since I entered into the contract with Cotton Puff, and although a leisurely time spent living in the carriage had stretched on for a while.

Nevertheless, the reason I hadn’t named Cotton Puff yet was precisely because I wanted to do so while using the Spirit Stone secretly handed to me by Siabel Shianella in the Great Forest, known for its spirit-friendly environment.

However, as of now—

The Spirit Stone has already been used.

Perhaps by now, Siabel would have been caught red-handed after sneakily stealing treasures from the storehouse and would be in big trouble with Ainel.

That Spirit Stone, through an encounter with the High Elf Edelin here, didn’t raise Cotton Puff’s rank as a spirit, but instead was used to reconnect me with another spirit I had already made a contract with.

Not only that, but—

“Since I used the Spirit Stone, I made a promise too.”

As if pleased with the Spirit Stone.

—Hie…!

Even letting out a bizarre cry, it had clutched the gem tightly.

Like catnip that drives cats crazy, this top-quality Spirit Stone didn’t want to part with the spirit.

To somehow detach it, I told Cotton Puff that I would use the Spirit Stone for it, so just hang in there a little, and I had promised to give a name in return.

“As Tania suggested, I should name it.”

It would be better not to delay any longer.

—Mya, mya, mya.

I brought the small spirit still chattering on Tania’s two hands closer to my level.

After matching Cotton Puff’s eye level, I spoke words that would fulfill the spirit’s shining anticipation.

“I will name you.”

Entering the eastern woods, rolling in the dirt, and swinging arrows and swords while the storm of blood rages around us.

Before the harsh days come, during the remaining peace and leisure.

This afternoon would be Cotton Puff’s time.

—Hieee…!!

“Oops, it broke.”

In joy, Cotton Puff began to wiggle around on my hand, going absolutely wild.

*

In the name of naming Cotton Puff, an emergency gathering was called.

An emergency gathering meant… there was really no one I could casually call over except for Shione.

So, all I could do was knock on Shione’s door nearby.

“Princess Shione, are you inside?”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve come to talk about something… excuse me for a moment.”

As soon as I turned the doorknob in my hand.

“Wait, just a second…!”

Bang!

First, there was a sound like something heavy crashing to the floor, followed by thudding footsteps approaching.

Before long, Shione reached the door, gripping the doorknob tightly to block my entry.

‘…What’s with her all of a sudden?’

Usually, she wouldn’t care at all whether I came in. No, she would even seem to hurry me to come.

The one who used to come running with cookies in hand without knocking was our Shione.

“…What’s wrong?”

“I-I’m changing clothes right now…! Just wait for a moment!”

“Oh… You’re still not changed?”

“No, I was going to take a short break first…! Just, just wait a little!”

As the brief commotion continued while Shione changed, Tania, staring blankly at the door, suddenly asked.

“Park Shin-woo. Didn’t you say your master is a noble from the Count’s House?”

“That’s right. She’s the daughter of the Beaufort Count.”

“Hmm… It seems like the kind of nobility I know is a bit different from this Shione.”

“Different how?”

“The nobility I know are elegant and composed individuals. Not someone who runs around all flustered like this.”

“Ah…”

Well, isn’t Shione just showing her slightly disheveled side?

Not all nobles present themselves with that kind of dignity.

“Nobles are people too, you know.”

“But the nobles I’ve seen weren’t like this.”

“All the nobles you’ve seen are from dramas. It’s all staged.”

“Tch.”

As I chatted casually with Tania, the door suddenly opened, revealing Shione.

Her disheveled silver hair and tired look reflected how exhausted she was.

It’s not like it takes that long to change clothes. She must have been in quite a rush.

I guess that loud bang earlier was probably the sound of her armor crashing to the ground.

Shione’s recent attempts to put on a cool demeanor, or maybe her desire to project calmness, made her more endearing in her current disarray.

“Haha…”

Shione, with a silly laugh, started fixing her hair as she spoke.

“Did you wait long? I said you could take your time…”

Taking a step out from the room, she glanced around the hallway a bit in a hurry.

Confirming quite quickly that there was no one else around except us.

Clearing her throat suddenly, Shione said.

“Hmm, hmm… Did you come quickly because you missed me?”

“……”

“……”

“……”

So this is what Shione is like, with a very serious expression while Tania nods knowingly.

And Cotton Puff seemed quite bored, yawning heavily as if accustomed to my master’s antics.

Blushing fiercely, as if embarrassed by her own words, Shione messed up her hair again just so she could hide her reddened cheeks perfectly.

“So… What is it you wanted to talk about?”

“I came to give our Cotton Puff a name. Since you said you’d help me choose a name before.”

“Oh. Right.”

“I thought it would be good to think together, so I came a little early.”

“Well then, shall we go inside the room and talk?”

“Then excuse me.”

Finally granted permission, I stepped inside the room, but just as I was about to close the door.

Thud.

Someone’s hand wedged between the door, preventing it from shutting.

‘……!’

I was quite startled by the sudden interference of an uninvited guest, and I instinctively pushed the door harder, but the uninvited guest seemed unwilling to give in, pressing the gap wider.

Revealing their eyes to us in the room.

Shione, who looked a little frightened while staring at the strange figure, quietly murmured.

“…Lady Diolia?”

What? Diolia?

Surely, if Diolia had knocked, she would have knocked. No way would she try to struggle her way in like this—

“Um… Ray, can you open the door for me?”

Whoa, seriously, it’s Diolia.

“…Understood.”

I let go of the handle as she requested.

The figure appearing through the open door was indeed… not only familiar by voice but also one of the proud knights of the Count’s House—Diolia.

She looked down at Cotton Puff, who was staring at her with wide eyes as she gently placed the little spirit on her hand.

“Phew… I was just hanging out with the soldiers from the Count’s House for a bit, but somehow, I ended up overhearing this conversation.”

“Lady… the conversation you mean…?”

“I heard you discussing naming the spirit Ray contracted…”

“……”

“Can I join in too?”

“Ah… I think it would be better for you to ask Ray instead of me?”

“Ah.”

Diolia’s eyes turned towards me, sparkling curiously.

Her serious gaze showing a hint of disappointment for not being asked could be felt through me.

“…Ray, can I join you in naming your spirit?”

Well, what… it would be better to think together. Naming it wouldn’t feel far-fetched.

I quietly assessed her for a moment, then adjusted my posture and replied.

“Of course. It would be even better if Lady Diolia helps think of a name.”

“Hmm.”

At that, a satisfied smile appeared on Diolia’s lips.

I spoke to her as she stepped inside and began to close the door.

“Lady Diolia, could you extend your hand for a moment?”

“Extend my hand? Here—.”

I gently placed Cotton Puff onto her outstretched hand.

“Ah.”

—Mya…!

In that moment, the small spirit rested atop the knight’s hand, caught between joy and annoyance.

—Mya.

Cotton Puff glared at me with a mischievous little voice.

—Hey, Park Shin-woo.

‘Yes?’

—This time, I’ll let it slide, so hurry up and give me a name.

 

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