Chapter 644

644.

-The Deep Spirit?

At the palm-sized Ista, her eyes widened.

The Deep Spirit Undine.

As the Great Spirit of Water and known as the strongest spirit of the current era, she once contested with Ista.

At the beginning, Ista was overwhelmingly stronger.

The measure of a Great Spirit’s strength includes not only their raw power but also the strength of the forces under them.

Naturally, the forces of Ista who had lived longer were stronger.

Back then, Ista devastated Undine’s domain.

-That’s why they became sworn enemies.

As Rael expressed disdain, Elshi looked puzzled.

-Why did you do such a cruel thing?

-A competition for dominance, I suppose?

While Ista muttered with an anguished look, Rael spoke up.

-Probably because she was too arrogant.

-Glorious Spirit! How dare you slander Chief like this and distort my impression of him…

-If Miss Elshi just says a word, the spirits under you would have surrendered easily, wouldn’t they?

With Rael’s remark, Ista fell silent.

-Such. Pity for the Deep Spirit.

-Although, in the end, the Deep Spirit is just the same as any other spirit.

Rael sharply interjected.

-Even the Deep Spirit bullies other spirits.

-That’s correct! Chief! That spirit is purely evil!

At Rael’s words, Ista pleaded.

Since being suppressed by Elshi, Ista had become her lapdog.

More than being a distant senior Great Spirit, it happened because Elshi’s overwhelming power surpassed that of Ista.

The Dominion Power to command lower spirits of the same attribute was hers.

Elshi’s dominion power surpassed that of other spirits, extending across not only spirits of the same rank, but even to those of other attributes.

Even the ability to take away underlings from other Great Spirits.

With her forces wiped out, Ista had no choice but to flatter Elshi in order to survive.

-Acts of Undine are unforgivable! Our glorious Chief must punish that wicked spirit! I, the Purifying Spirit Ista, will be your sword to liberate the suffering water spirits from that malicious Deep Spirit!

Ista spoke firmly.

The reason for her eager response was simple.

‘d*ath together.’

Ista had already met her ruin.

She had lost her stronghold and had to live by the whims of her subordinate spirits.

It was unjust.

Therefore, the Deep Spirit she hated most in the world should face the same fate.

-The Great Spirit of Fire having a grudge against water spirits? How unexpected.

-Old woman, stay out of it.

Upon Ista’s words, commotion could be heard from afar.

-Release me! I’ll k*ll! Let me k*ll!

-That anger! Can’t I unleash it upon her… Grrrr…

Apparently, over where Leo’s familiars were, Arti was holding back an agitated Rael.

‘Elshi.’

-Yes, Leo.

‘I might need you to train the kids a bit while holding me down.’

-Um… I’ll try.

With a small sigh, Leo looked at Runba.

“Fire spirit? You sure look unique.”

Looking at the fire spirit on Leo’s palm, Runba wore an expression of disbelief.

The spirit was the size of a lower-level spirit yet instead of the usual round shape, it was muscular and bared its torso like it was showing off its well-built body.

‘If the “The Power” guys saw this, they would definitely shout “pass!”’

Recalling the ‘The Power’ physical training club at Lumeran, Runba shook his head.

‘However odd his appearance, this is a spirit summoned by Leo. I should be on guard…’

-That’s…!

At that point, a previously disinterested Undine at the edge of the ritual suddenly reacted sharply.

‘Eh? Mistress Undine?’

Whooaaaaa-!

The swirling water around Runba began to gather in one place, then revealed a beautiful maiden.

The top half of her body had ivory white skin while the bottom half resembled a fish, exactly like the mermaid from the stories.

“What brings you here?”

Runba asked with a slightly astonished tone.

In response, Undine smirked at Runba’s question.

“To settle an old score.”

Kraaaack-!

A trident made of water appeared as Undine stretched out her hand.

Tshh-!

Holding the trident in one hand, Undine pointed it at Leo.

“Are you Leo Flove with the famed reputation?”

“Are you the spirit of the deep sea, Undine?”

Leo smirked as he glanced at Runba.

“I didn’t know you had a vow with him?”

To be honest, Leo was surprised that Runba had summoned the Great Spirit of Water.

Because if Runba had contracted with Undine, it would have been common knowledge by now.

With Leo’s words, Undine gave a derisive laugh.

“Hmph. Runba the Third and I are not in a vow-keeping relationship. He once helped me, so as repayment of that debt, I have pledged to help Runba the Third once, and only once.”

“Is it a temporary vow?”

“Indeed, you catch on quickly.”

Undine smirked.

“Allow me to offer some advice then. Leo Flove.”

Tshhhaaarkk-

The surrounding water currents converged into a throne.

Sitting on the throne, Undine said,

“Break your vow with that despicable Great Spirit of Fire.”

Undine narrowed her eyes as she looked at Ista.

“For reasons unknown, that despicable spirit lost their stronghold recently. Too bad, it was something I should have done myself long ago. Looks like divine punishment for harming me so long ago.”

Undine openly mocked Ista.

“That despicable Great Spirit is now relying on you after losing their stronghold, but that vow was a mistake.”

“Mistaken vow?”

“Yes. Making a vow with Ista is the same as going against me, the spirit of the deep sea.”

“Would ending the vow change anything?”

“It would. Moreover, I, Undine, hold you in high regard. I’m well aware that you’re the Vow Keeper of the Three Familiars. Hence, I make a proposal.”

“Proposal?”

“Yes. Release the vows with those familiars. If you do, I—Undine the Deep Spirit—will grant you the opportunity to serve me.”

Sitting on her throne, Undine smirked.

“Although I don’t appreciate you having vows with other spirits and familiars… someone like you worthy for a vow, I can endure it.”

Tshaaahhhaak-

The water throne on which Undine sat shot up high, creating a water column. Looking down from it at Leo, she said,

“This is not a bad offer for you. I, Undine, am literally the ruler of the oceans. Making a vow with me means you would become the ruler of the ocean too. Moreover, this body has never entered into a vow with anyone. It means the Strongest Great Spirit will be yours, and it will certainly help greatly with any path you choose. What do you intend to do?”

-That girl, so arrogant! Leo! Chicken! Turn that girl into fried fish!

-Piak! Piak!

-How dare she try to take Master’s hands from me! Unforgivable! I’ll roast her with electricity!

An excited Kiran, Fiora, and Arti showed harsh reactions.

Following their outburst, Leo started to feel a headache.

-Guys, shhh.

Elshi’s gentle voice quickly silenced the three familiars.

-Chief! Look what that arrogant girl says! You must give her a piece of your mind!

-Didn’t you hear Elshi tell you to quiet down, Rael!

-Grk!

A Rael emerging from a spatial rift soared like light and delivered a drop kick into the chest of Ista.

“Radiant Spirit?”

Undine’s expression changed drastically.

Upon seeing this reaction from Undine, Rael crossed her arms and sneered.

-You’re still the same, huh?

“Are you also a Vow Keeper to Leo Flove? Hohoho! After acting all high and mighty, sharing a Vow Keeper? How pitiful! Radiant Spirit!”

-Your words grow tiresome. He’s already done what you’re saying.

Rael pressed the head of the prostrate Ista with her feet.

“Whatever. I will need to converse with you.”

“What did you say?”

Leo extended his palm towards Undine.

Zzzzuzz! Flash! Kaaang!

The beam extending from Leo’s hand instantly sent Undine flying.

With Rael’s strength, Leo glanced at Runba.

“Wow, seriously. The Great Spirit of Light and the Great Spirit of Fire both hate unfaithful Spirit Masters, right? Apparently, it’s a lie!”

Runba scratched his head fiercely.

Looking at such Runba, Leo grinned.

“They don’t prefer it much.”

“Still, how did you make the vow?”

“Isn’t it because I’m so charming?”

“Haha.”

Runba burst out laughing.

“Well, is this beneficial for me? I only wanted to borrow manpower from the Deep Spirit. Now that the Deep Spirit herself has appeared, it seems I can buy some time until the others finish their preparation.”

“Will stalling change anything?”

“I don’t fall for such provocations.”

Runba smiled.

“I’ll strive to meet your expectations, so you can certainly count on it.”

Tshhhaaaaa-!

Giant gates of water appeared on either side of Runba.

The gates opened wide, and water spirits began to emerge.

They were the water spirits under Undine.

The army of the Deep Spirit, known as one of the most powerful among the Great Spirits.

‘This surpasses Ista’s force.’

Even more astonishing was Runba’s ability to continuously summon spirits of such magnitude.

It wasn’t just about summoning them but also about reinforcing them with his own energy.

‘Then this is truly the second best of the fifth graders after Eleana.’

Moreover, his gaze had changed.

Leo smirked.

‘I would love to fight him myself, but….’

Undine was surely going to charge back at him soon.

“Elshi.”

In response to Leo’s call, shadows under Leo began to expand.

From there, fire spirits began to emerge.

Seeing this, Runba wore an expression of intrigue.

‘Their summoning method is somewhat unique?’

Unbeknownst to Runba, the master of these spirits wasn’t the Great Spirit of Fire but the Great Spirit of Darkness.

-Water spirits…

-I expected to end up in a fight. But I never expected to fight as a subordinate of the Shadow Spirit, rather than the Purifying Spirit.

-So you’re dissatisfied?

-On the contrary, I’m pleased.

-It’s a chance to prove to the Shadow Spirit that he’s the strongest.

The fire spirits grinned.

-…Why does your morale seem higher now than under me?

-Wasn’t I clear? I told both you and the Deep Spirit. Be nice to your subordinates.

Rael took care of the light spirits, at least the other elemental lower spirits.

-Old hag! This body feels sorrow!

-Who are you calling ‘old hag’!

Rael kicked Ista in the side.

From the shadows emerged the last of the fire spirits, Alcia, with her hands clasped together, supporting Elshi.

-Elshi, your command.

With a polite inquiry from Alcia, Elshi smiled.

-If things get tough, hide behind me.

-Ooooooh!

The fire spirits’ bodies began to burn fiercely.

Impressed, Runba watched as Leo walked in the direction Undine had flown off to.

Before confronting the upperclassmen, he had to defeat Undine first.

Kaaang-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-KAANG-!

At that moment, a colossal tidal wave approached from afar.

“Leo Flove! How dare you!”

Undine’s voice, filled with anger, echoed.

Seeing this, Leo, with an indifferent expression, raised his palm.

Whooshh-!

Ista began to burn on Leo’s hand.

Transforming into blue flames, Ista immediately took the form of a spear.

-Does such Spirit Magic exist?

With a smirk, Leo responded to Ista’s surprised cry.

“Doesn’t it?”

-Is this your creation, Vow Keeper?

“Not mine.”

Leo took aim.

“It’s an imitation of the strongest Spirit Master.”

Kwaak-!

The blue spear of fire, launched from Leo’s hand, traced its trajectory toward the tidal wave.

Puuuhh! Sshoooaaahhhhhhaaaa!

A lukewarm rain began to fall from the sky.

Surveying the steam-filled surroundings, Leo said,

“If you don’t want to vow, I’ll make you want to.”

-It won’t be that simple.

“Hmm. But I also learned from the strongest Spirit Master how to persuade unruly spirits.”

-What is that method?

Rael gleamed with interest.

Smiling, Leo replied.

“Violence.”