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Shione’s shooting practice had just come to an end.

She approached me after exchanging a few casual greetings with her ranger friend, Flora, who timidly bowed her head as she turned to look back at me.

“You’re chatting quite well with the young lady of the Count’s household.”

Perhaps it had been a long time since we roamed around, catching kobolds. Now, it seemed more comfortable for her to treat her superior, Shione, differently than she did with me, her equal.

After a brief nod to her, I welcomed Shione.

“Good job.”

“Yeah, you too, Ray. You must have sparred with your sister… today, we even practiced archery together. Didn’t it tire you out?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

I’m no longer the person who had just broken free from the iron bars a year ago. Having cleared numerous quests, my mana and physical abilities had reached an acceptable level.

Well, this much is nothing. Although I felt a bit tired, it wasn’t bad enough to worry anyone.

We strolled out of the training ground and into the mansion’s corridor while exchanging trivial small talk.

Bright light streamed in through the elongated windows. The hallway, with its old wooden scent wafting around, seemed notably empty of servants today.

Thanks to that, the only sounds echoing through the tranquil corridor were the footsteps of Shione and me.

In that moment—

“Hmm…”

Shione gradually closed the distance between us, whispering softly, then shot me a glance resembling that of a child about to ask for a favor.

Looks like she’s going to get me to run an errand before we head back to the room.

“Ah, pulling the bowstring so hard made me a little hungry—”

See? I knew it!

“Should I bring cookies like usual?”

“No, I want something a little different today.”

Whoosh!

Shione raised her small hand.

“One of the sandwiches Ray made.”

She opened her tightly clenched fist and mimicked making one with her index finger.

Her fingertips bore the calluses from practicing the pinch style for a long time.

She then made a momentary perplexed expression, rolling her eyes around.

Whoosh!

She suddenly opened her middle finger, seemingly conjuring up another sandwich.

“Actually, I think two would be good.”

I stared at Shione in a bit of disbelief for a moment.

Asking for two when one was already a hassle?

It was kind of irksome how she demanded it without so much as lifting a finger.

Growl…

“Ah…”

“…Mmm.”

It seemed our lady was really hungry if she was now boldly requesting two sandwiches, so I quietly nodded my head.

“I’ll bring them.”

“…Okay.”

Shione couldn’t raise her head easily, perhaps feeling embarrassed for getting caught.

Shouldn’t a strong young lady in this continent be able to hold her head high and not cower over a little stomach growl?

To ease her embarrassment, I smiled gently as I spoke.

“There’s no need to feel so shy about it.”

“Ah, shut up. It’s noisy…”

“It’s not like the sound echoed through the corridor, it was just a little noise, right? So don’t just stare at the floor; lift your head up and look ahead.”

“Ugh, whatever—”

Finally, as Shione couldn’t withstand my teasing and lifted her head to look forward—

“Princess Shione?”

Shione halted, standing frozen in place.

Seeing her side profile while I held back a small smile, I noticed her pupils were fixated on something ahead.

I turned my head to follow her gaze.

‘What’s that…’

A figure appeared before us, drawing Shione’s attention.

Warm brown hair cascaded down to her shoulders in a medium length.

Her expression was so rigid it almost carried a cold, colorless emotion, and those sharp eyes were staring blankly at us.

While her demeanor could invoke feelings of fear, discomfort, or rudeness, her beauty far transcended that of the average noble lady, creating a unique charm.

She was the kind of woman who could easily receive decent treatment just based on her looks.

However, she had one notable flaw—

‘An elf.’

The pointed ears peeking through her hair confirmed that she was not human like us.

I was aware that another elf besides Friel Arielte was residing in the Count’s household.

However, considering the distance from the elves’ quarters, there was no reason for them to wander this way.

Why on earth had an elf come from the direction of Shione’s room and ended up crossing paths with us?

Clack, clack.

As we momentarily fixated our gazes on her, she slowly approached us.

Once she reduced the distance, she greeted us in a monotonous tone.

“I offer my greetings. Young Lady Shione Shianella, and—”

Her black eyes, full of unrecognizable intent, rolled to focus on me without much hesitation.

Sniff, sniff.

She took a breath in while observing my form.

When her upturned nose twitched slightly, a small flicker of emotion finally appeared on the mechanical face—curiosity and surprise.

She must have been startled by the energy of my spirit. She would have sensed not just the fresh scent of the wind but also the smell of burning firewood wafting from the spirit’s aura slowly leaking from me.

Looking at me with slightly widened eyes, she continued her greeting.

“Spirit Mage, are you?”

Her glance seemed to not please Shione much.

Shione stepped slightly forward, replying to her greeting.

I quietly bowed my head from behind her, and as silence returned to the corridor, the elf’s gaze began rolling back to Shione.

“I am Elisa, serving Lady Friel Arielte.”

Shione met her gaze silently and spoke.

“Elisa… do you have any message for me?”

“Lady Friel Arielte has sent me to convey her wishes to you.”

“Are you referring to the Friel Arielte from the Great Forest?”

“Yes, Lady Friel wishes to express great interest in your spirit magic, and if you permit it, she’d like to offer her guidance as a mere guest, not as a priest but a simple advisor regarding your spirit magic.”

“…I see.”

Shione, crossing her arms in thought for a moment, soon relaxed her arms to respond.

“…I am very grateful for Lady Friel’s kindness, but I may need some time to give you an answer. Would that be alright?”

“Of course.”

Elisa took a formal step back after feigning a light smile at Shione’s words.

“If you wish to heed Lady Friel’s offer, please come to the room assigned to her tomorrow morning.”

Having said that, Elisa bowed her head again respectfully before leaving.

*

After the conversation with the elf, Shione entered her room first.

I returned to her side after making the sandwiches for the both of us.

Two for Shione, one for me.

We settled at the table, slowly enjoying our sandwiches while talking.

“Ray, what do you think about what the elf, Elisa, said?”

“If Lady Friel Arielte is offering to provide me guidance on spirit magic…”

I gently set the sandwich I was holding onto the plate.

I needed to focus on thinking rather than chewing for a moment.

“I think it was a not-so-bad suggestion.”

Friel Arielte.

For an elf with such dark undertones, it sounded surprisingly promising. No, I actually think it’s a good offer.

“Lady Friel Arielte is among the most skilled elves in spirit magic, and the daughter of the Arielte family blessed by the spirits. It’s a chance that an ordinary spirit mage could never hope to get, even for a fortune.”

“Hmm… that’s true…?”

“Moreover, she mentioned not through a priestly relationship but merely as a guest extending a simple kindness. It indicates that she won’t hold any ulterior motives in this matter.”

After all, their mastery of spirit magic is indeed remarkable.

The magic power of enchanted arrows, techniques for conserving mana, and methods for easier resonance with spirits are exceptional.

They live with spirits all their lives, so it’s no wonder they possess deep knowledge of them. Their help would undoubtedly pay off, regardless if I only grasped it in my mind without experiencing it personally.

Especially since there’s no entanglement like in a priestly relationship, her simple offer as a guest hints that everything will be based purely on her goodwill.

It appears she’s aiming to win Shione’s and my favor through this opportunity.

“Then what do you think, Ray? How do you feel about receiving guidance in spirit magic from Friel?”

“I—”

But unfortunately—

“I don’t feel the need to bother her for advice.”

As I’m not your average spirit mage.

“My spirit magic is already superior to those of ordinary elves.”

Right now, it may not be as impressive due to my current state.

But based on understanding, I’m more knowledgeable than the average elf.

Confidently expressing my capabilities, I said, “I’m quite proud of my abilities.”

“Wow—”

Shione merely stared at me with a look that said I was being obnoxious, chewing on her sandwich.

 

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