Chapter 177 - Misgivings (7)

Luna spent time in her Witdruff Hall dormitory.

She piled dried flowers on her desk and separated seeds from the buds into a bowl. This was her evening routine.

The Velm flowers gathered from the foot of Mount Grace, rich in earth's mana, were good for feeding ethereal spirits.

After spending thirty minutes separating seeds, she pushed open the window. At the appointed time, Damian's spirit would fly to Luna's dormitory window.

Luna found small joys in fattening up that spirit.

She perched lightly on the windowsill, waiting for the spirit's arrival.

Eight o'clock.

Though it was the usual time, the spirit didn't come.

"...It's late."

The spirit that loved Velm flower seeds to the point of indulgence didn't appear even after ten, twenty minutes passed.

After a full hour passed, feeling something was wrong, she stuck her head out the window and called carefully, "...Ppiyak?"

There was no response from Damian's spirit.

***

That night, Olivia called me out in front of the dormitory. Then she shared detailed information, "Ruscus doesn't handle fire element magic. I'm sorry."

Olivia apologized for using only fire magic during our practice matches.

"It's fine."

Olivia walked with me along the night path and offered advice, "His specialty is ice element magic. He's not particularly outstanding in either swordsmanship or magic, but he knows how to use what he has effectively, making him very tricky to deal with."

"Is it okay to tell me these things?"

If he found out she provided me information, it surely wouldn't end well.

"Just win. I can't bear to see a broken person like Ruscus get more full of himself."

"What do you gain if I win?"

"Some satisfaction, I guess. I wanted to see that bastard get beaten up too."

"..."

Actually, scattered dark scars, not long healed, were visible on Olivia's body. Though she seemed to have treated them, the marks remained quite clear on her back and thighs where eyes couldn't easily reach. They looked like wounds from a whip or cane. I knew such wounds well, having been beaten myself.

"Well, you would have figured it out even if I hadn't told you. That bastard shows it off subtly."

"Shows what?"

"That he can use magic."

I responded calmly, "Isn't that a good thing? A source of pride of sorts."

When I didn't sympathize, Olivia, seemingly having bottled up much inside, poured out criticism about Ruscus, "Listen well. There's something truly disgusting. He thinks he was born with a mage's blood."

"Aren't all mages born that way?"

"It's different. Some people can only handle magic after memorizing magical theory and long training, while others are born as mages. Most mages are the former. The latter are geniuses who can handle magic instinctively from infancy. The formal magical academic term for them is 'Children of the Stars’."

"Hmm..."

"The most disgusting part is that Ruscus acts like he's one of the 'Children of the Stars’. And some people actually believe it!"

"Is it difficult to distinguish?"

"Yes, it is. One of the most representative characteristics of the Children of the Stars is that the surrounding space changes according to their mood. For example, when they're angry, sudden winds blow... or it rains... or crows suddenly gather... things like that."

What a mysterious trait, manifesting supernatural phenomena based on emotions. Thinking of the most skilled mage I knew... when staying with Teacher, it would sometimes get inexplicably hot—perhaps that was why.

Olivia continued her explanation.

"When Ruscus's mood changes, he secretly chants and releases cold air around him. Isn't it disgusting how he puts on airs like he's some genius mage?"

"Must be difficult to live with him."

"Right, it's horrible. Honestly, I wish a proper mage would teach him a harsh lesson. He needs to know his place."

"..."

Olivia realized she'd gotten overly excited and cleared her throat.

"Ahem, regardless, Ruscus is skilled in his own way. I can tell you about his habits and specialties... but the rest is up to you."

***

As “Candy”, beating Ruscus wouldn't be difficult. The problem was that I needed to defeat him without revealing my Candy identity during the evaluation match, where many eyes would be watching.

From what Olivia said, Ruscus was certainly not an easy opponent.

Though I had artifacts for defending against elemental magic, they were modified by Cecil, so I couldn't use them freely in the evaluation match.

Cecil's attitude had changed slightly recently, and I needed to meet appropriate expectations as Silveryn's disciple and the Duchess' guard.

It was a complicated situation all around.

After much consideration, I decided to head back to "Fillin's Forge" in Rigved.

The weapon shop where I'd obtained that strange magic-absorbing wooden sword.

Taking advantage of a day without classes, I moved out as soon as the morning sun rose.

The shop owner remembered me despite having met only once before.

He clicked his tongue and immediately brought up the wooden sword.

"My, couldn't adapt to that wooden sword after all?"

"No, I'm using it well. I just need another sword for a different purpose."

I have three swords. One given by Teacher, then the Sapling Sword, and finally the magic sword. For the match, I could only use the one from Silveryn.

That sword was sturdy but had no special properties. To face a magic swordsman like Ruscus... I needed something more special.

"Where is that wooden sword?"

He seemed more interested in the wooden sword than in me.

I drew the wooden sword from my waist and held it out. The owner's eyes widened in surprise. He apparently hadn't expected me to still have it intact.

"Wait a moment."

He retrieved special gloves from storage and took the sword.

He examined it carefully as if handling poison, then let out a small laugh.

"Heh heh, it's in good condition."

"...?"

"I thought you wouldn't be able to carry it long, but I was wrong. It's absorbed so much mana that the blade is clearer and even has a sheen."

Then he transformed the wooden sword into its sapling form.

"Look at this. It's grown more."

"...Pardon?"

"It's grown more than when you first took it. The leaves are bigger, and the stem is thicker. Can't you tell since you see it every day?"

I hadn't looked at it that carefully, so I couldn't tell the difference.

"Can you tell just by looking?"

"Of course, I raised this troublemaker for years, but it's grown more in your hands than all that time combined."

"...Does it get better as it grows?"

"Well, it'll probably absorb more mana as it grows."

"..."

Isn't that bad? It should only absorb what I can handle.

"Well, just carry it as best you can. The sword will adjust itself based on your condition."

"The sword can do that?"

"This isn't a sword, it's a plant. Of course, it changes and adapts to its environment."

"..."

"I'm glad it seems to have found its proper owner. I was worried after letting it go."

"Who was this sword's original owner?"

The owner frowned, trying to recall, "Hmm... some nameless elf. They weren't even the first owner. Said they found it somewhere. Well, one day they came and handed it over, saying they couldn't handle it anymore."

"Did they say anything else?"

"Said it blooms when fully grown. They didn't have the confidence to raise it until it flowered. That's all."

I wonder what it will look like fully grown. Surely it wouldn’t grow as large as a great tree.

I took back the wooden sword and stared at it thoughtfully. Though I didn't know how much it would grow, I'd raise it as long as I could handle it.

"Well then, you said you needed a sword?"

"Yes."

"What do you want?"

"Well, another troublesome sword would be nice."

"Hehe, ah, I do have one."

My curiosity piqued, and I probed further, "How troublesome is it?"

He slightly squinted his eyes and waved his hand.

"You won't need to touch it. It's a cursed item. First, let's move to the storage room."

He guided me to the underground storage as he had done before.

"Well, if you have abundant mana, you have more options. Are you not interested in enchanted swords?"

"Actually, I don't know much about that."

"Hmm... Do you need something long-lasting?"

"That would be nice, but it's not the top priority."

"An enchanted sword isn't bad. It has various added functions, but the downside is that it's consumable. It breaks after a few months at most, a few weeks at least. Let's see, do you have any specific functions you want?"

"...I need something hot enough to cut through ice."

"Tsk..."

The request seemed somewhat difficult, as the owner rummaged through the storage for a while, pondering.

He muttered to himself a few times, then pulled out a dust-covered sword from deep in the storage and held it out to me, "How about this?"

***

I tested the new sword at the foot of Mount Grace.

What I obtained from Fillin's Forge was an enchanted sword. Though it didn't contain high-grade enchantments, it was sufficient to perform the functions I wanted.

Moreover, it was made with proper attention to durability, so its lifespan was several times longer than typical enchanted swords. The mana consumption was much less than the wooden sword, so there was nothing to worry about. All in all, it was undoubtedly a reasonably useful item.

While I was getting used to it by cutting Plantera, someone came looking for me.

"Damian...."

It was Luna. However, her expression was urgent, unlike usual.

"Luna? What's the matter?"

"Ppiyak... isn't responding..."

Ppiyak?

Ppiyak surely referred to the spirit contracted with me. I know Luna was playing with it... but not responding?

I stopped the test and wiped my sweat with a handkerchief.

"How long has it not been responding?"

"Never this long... It's strange. I can clearly feel its energy, but...."

"..."

I immediately concentrated and called the spirit in my mind.

And this time, the spirit that had never disobeyed my call didn't appear.

"It's not answering my call either."

It was certain that there was a problem. But what should we do in this situation? Judging from Luna's serious expression, it didn't seem like something to take lightly.

"Luna, do you know what we should do?"

Could it be rebellion, or maybe it's not satisfied with my mana?

Luna shook her head.

"This shouldn't be possible... It's strange... It feels like someone has captured it."

Is she saying someone kidnapped my spirit? How is that possible?

"...Is Ppiyak still inside Eternia?"

"Yes. I can still feel its energy."

"Let's search for it then."

"...I know the places Ppiyak frequently visits.... I'll check those first."

***

After Damian left, Luna gathered all the lower spirits she could control.

"Tell me... if you sense Ppiyak's energy."

Hundreds of spirits taking the forms of squirrels, eagles, leopards, and various other animals signaled they'd received her command.

Then they scattered in perfect coordination.

Luna couldn't just wait while leaving it to the spirits. She personally searched the areas Ppiyak frequently visited.

The largest elm tree on the outskirts of the student plaza.

The chestnut tree visible from Room 31F of Witdruff Hall.

The front yard of the Central Library where five-colored flowers bloomed.

She searched everywhere, panting, but Ppiyak's energy was faint.

It wasn't visible anywhere, and even Luna, who was more sensitive to spirits than anyone, couldn't track its energy.

Damian and Luna met again at Witdruff Hall's main entrance to assess the situation.

"I've searched all of Northern Village, Southern Village is left. I haven't checked the clock tower or Guardian Tree yet."

Luna said, "I'll check the Guardian Tree."

"Okay. Then I'll search the clock tower."

They decided to investigate Southern Village, where the upper-class dormitories were located, together since they couldn't search all rooms, then moved out again.

After Damian left, Luna headed straight for the Guardian Tree.

While moving along the forest path, she heard a faint cry.

"P-piyak!"

Though ordinary people couldn't hear it, Luna could detect it. Though faint, it was definitely Ppiyak's voice.

She took out a note, wrote that Ppiyak was nearby, gave it to a wind spirit in eagle form, and sent it straight to Damian.

Then Luna ran directly toward the sound.

Past dense trees, she finally reached an open clearing. In the center stood a tall white tree—the Guardian Tree.

"Piyak!"

Now she could hear Ppiyak's voice clearly.

A mysterious woman stood before the Guardian Tree.

Blue-white hair. Strange magic that disturbed the senses. An oddly cool breeze.

Luna felt the whole world go silent for a moment.

And Ppiyak was perched on the woman's hand.

The mysterious woman seemed to sense Luna's presence and slowly turned her head.

And their eyes met.