Growth (4)
Chapter 83
Luna successfully formed a contract seal with a high-ranking spirit.
Ultimately, Luna now had under her command one mid-level spirit, two upper-mid level spirits, one high-level spirit, and one high-ranking spirit.
This force was comparable to that of even a graduate or high-level mage, leaving nothing wanting.
Ray slightly frowned as he stroked his chin.
“Uh, hmm…”
The spirits she contracted were lined up in a row, their presence more formidable than expected.
Despite forming the contract seal with the high-ranking spirit, Selomia still seemed to have plenty of room left for more.
Ray gently patted Luna’s head while looking into her eyes.
“Luna, you’re smart, so you must know this already.”
“…”
“The power of the spirits under your command is both mighty and dangerous. You shouldn’t use it recklessly.”
“…I understand. I’ll be careful.”
“Good, that’s my good girl.”
Ray smirked and glanced at the spirits.
There were five spirits in total, all wind spirits.
‘Then when the opportunity arises, I should help Luna form contracts with one of each type.’
Spirits usually disliked contracting with mages of different elemental alignments, but Ray didn’t care much about their preferences.
[Krrrrek…!]
Karga, the high-ranking spirit, finally came to his senses and began glaring at Ray.
Ray responded with a mocking laugh.
“Hey, Spirit Number 5. Aren’t you gonna show some respect?”
[My name isn’t ‘Number 5,’ it’s ‘Karga.’ Damn Harshia…]
“Alright, Luna, stop him from speaking human language.”
“…Understood.”
[Krrrrrek!]
Following Luna’s order, communication was cut off, and Karga bared his teeth at Ray.
Whether a spirit can speak human language depends entirely on the individual entity.
Some mid-level spirits can speak human languages, while others among the highest ranks cannot communicate linguistically with humans.
In Karga’s case, he could fluently speak human languages, but Ray wasn’t about to let him keep talking.
‘If I leave his mouth unchecked, it’ll only cause more trouble.’
Unable to contain his anger, Karga emitted a fierce aura after attempting to speak a few more times.
Before Ray could draw his sword with a chuckle, Luna moved the spirits first.
Kwagagak!!
The spirits Luna contracted below the high rank started slashing at Karga.
Both the spirits attacking the high-ranking one and Karga himself being disciplined by his subordinates were in a terrible predicament.
Eventually, Karga submitted and slammed his head back to the ground in a gesture of surrender.
Ray tapped Karga’s cheek.
“Let’s get along from now on, alright?”
[…]
Karga avoided further confrontation and looked away from Ray.
Ropheiren couldn’t help but gasp at the scene.
Even a naturally talented spirit summoner would find it nearly impossible to form advantageous contracts with powerful spirits in such a short period.
Yet, with Ray’s help, Luna gained the strength worthy of a high-ranking spirit summoner in less than a day.
What’s more, Selomia still had plenty of capacity left, they said.
‘If she starts seriously learning magic from here…’
A magician with power comparable to, or even surpassing, Rost’s might soon emerge.
Of course, without sufficient intelligence, even someone with a high-performance circle wouldn’t be able to properly master magic.
However, Ray had clearly stated that Luna possessed an exceptionally unique intellect.
‘Perhaps…’
It might be possible to witness the birth of a great mage surpassing Resina.
Ropheiren clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the overwhelming emotions rising within him.
Breathing heavily, Ropheiren turned toward Ray, who brought Luna over.
“Lord Ropheiren.”
“?!”
“That’s enough for today. On our way back, could you explain some precautions Luna should take when handling spirits?”
“Oh, sure. Alright.”
“Ahh, before that…”
Ray removed his shirt.
The cloth that had adhered to his skin fell away, revealing oozing burns.
Ray unscrewed the cap of a potion he’d received from Saria and extended it to Ropheiren.
“Could you apply this to the wound for me?”
Ropheiren silently nodded.
Luna stepped back slightly and quietly observed Ray’s scorched flesh.
How many times had this happened already?
She had often stood there silently watching Ray’s grotesquely wounded back.
In Luna’s memory, Ray always smiled brightly, assuring her despite bleeding profusely from his entire body.
Luna no longer wanted to see that smile.
*
Johanna had been displaying her dissatisfaction with a stiff face for several days.
Every time she felt the weight of the silver sword dangling at her waist, she was overwhelmed by frustration and self-loathing, unable to calm down.
Ideally, she didn’t even want to glance at the silver sword gifted by Ray.
However, every time Johanna carelessly tossed the silver sword aside, Luna would come running, nagging and retrieving the sword.
Due to Luna’s persistent urging, Johanna had no choice but to carry the silver sword around reluctantly.
Johanna truly hated the silver sword.
No women envied the silver sword Johanna had received as a gift.
The ones who lit up upon seeing the silver sword were all men—knights included.
“Oooh…! Oooohh…! Oooohhhh…!!”
Pikor, who had visited the orphanage to assist with the children’s swordsmanship training, opened his mouth wide in awe, letting out a half-formed exclamation.
“Is this the real thing…?!”
Pikor gasped for breath while asking Jenkins, who accompanied him.
“Ooooh…!! Oooohh…!!”
It wasn’t just Pikor; other knights, usually solemn and strict, rushed to the orphanage upon hearing his story.
The knights, upon seeing Johanna’s sword, drooled uncontrollably, unable to hide their greed.
Even the taciturn Didier fell to his knees, shouting in amazement.
“I never thought I’d see the Zephyr X Series with my own eyes during my lifetime…!!”
Didier’s eyes glazed over as he held the sword Johanna had lent him.
“Incredible…!! It really is the X Series…!!”
There was no trace of the knight who valued chivalry and shunned extravagance.
As the knights continued to make fools of themselves, Johanna became increasingly flustered.
Ray had given her a good sword. She knew that.
But Johanna had assumed that the value of the sword Ray gave her was merely expensive enough to impress children.
However, even the knights, who always wore grand armor, collapsed in shock upon seeing the sword Ray had gifted her.
‘Is this some kind of act? A setup between Ray and them?’
Johanna initially thought so.
But soon, she had to admit her assumption was wrong when even Mohamed, who always stayed close to the Count, rushed to the orphanage upon hearing the news.
“Zephyr’s X Series is here…?!”
“Father!! Come look over here!!”
Mohamed approached Didier hurriedly and stared speechlessly at the sleek silver blade.
Mohamed humbly pleaded with Johanna after carefully taking the silver sword in hand.
“Jo, Johanna, could you please overlay a sword energy on your sword just once…?”
“…Sure.”
As Johanna’s permission rang out, Mohamed raised the sword high into the sky.
Mana flowed smoothly through the blade, compressing rapidly to generate a sword energy.
Mohamed trembled.
He realized for the first time how smoothly and swiftly the sword energy could manifest.
The knights applauded, entranced by the dazzling sword energy.
“Ooooh…!!”
“Uooohh…!!”
“Indeed, a masterpiece lives up to its name…!!”
Addressing the knights lost in their own world, Johanna hesitantly asked,
“Is this… a very expensive sword?”
“My goodness!! Very expensive?! Are you serious, uttering those words…?!”
Jenkins lightly hit the back of Pico’s head as he yelled.
Pikor barely regained his composure and cleared his throat.
“Hmm, this is a sword crafted by the renowned craftsman and mage Zephyr. Especially the X grade, which has extremely limited production, commands whatever price it asks.”
Johanna looked troubled.
No matter how much the knights talked about Zephyr and the X grade, she couldn’t fully grasp how valuable it truly was.
“So… how expensive is it?”
1,000 gold? Or maybe 5,000 gold?
Johanna anxiously repeated opening and closing her hands, imagining an astronomical number in her mind.
The knights exchanged glances and closed in on Johanna.
It would do no good if the price of the sword got out.
“Johanna…”
Mohamed slid the sword back into her waist while placing his finger to his lips.
“It must remain a secret to others. The precious sword Ray gifted you is indeed of great value. To buy this sword, it would cost at least…”
Mohamed briefly glanced around at the knights.
“200,000 to 300,000 gold, perhaps?”
“If it goes to auction, it easily surpasses 400,000 to 500,000 gold.”
“There was even a case where it sold for 1 million gold due to the pride battles among nobles.”
“…?”
Johanna went into a panic.
200,000? 1,000,000? How many zeros does that entail?
One gold piece could buy ten loaves of bread for a meal.
The sword strapped to her side could buy 10,000,000 loaves of bread.
“…?”
Johanna’s eyes began to swirl.
Jenkins gently tapped Johanna’s shoulder as she lost herself.
“This is far too precious to give to a child…”
Jenkins then pulled out the silver sword, along with its scabbard, from Johanna’s waist.
“Compared to your brilliant talent, this weapon is rather modest.”
Swish!
The radiant silver blade was drawn out.
Jenkins replaced the sword into the plain scabbard Ray had prepared and reattached it to Johanna’s waist.
“Johanna.”
“Yes, yes?”
Still dazed, Johanna looked up at Jenkins, who smiled warmly.
“Ray may have done something thoughtless. Quite the mischievous deed, actually.”
Giving an incredible sword to a young girl like her is hardly meaningful compared to a cheap trinket.
“But…”
Jenkins had observed Ray for a long time.
His dedication, his efforts, his suffering—he had watched it all.
Even with incomprehensible talents, Ray chose to burn his life for others without hesitation.
Jenkins had watched Ray’s back for a long time.
“Let me assure you… throughout your entire lives…”
Humans are creatures that quickly become accustomed to favors.
But Jenkins wanted the children to understand one thing.
“You will never meet anyone who cherishes and loves you as much as he does.”
Even your parents—who abandoned you.
You, who were exposed to the world’s cruelty.
Ray gathered you, carving away at his own flesh.
“So, I hope you reconcile with Ray soon.”
Moved by Jenkins’ heartfelt voice, Johanna bowed her head deeply, unable to respond.
