Chapter 85

Chapter 085

Before Yi Han could argue, Professor Willow had already sauntered away. Of course, even if he hadn't left, Yi Han wouldn't have protested.

After all, a professor who would assign such a task wouldn't be swayed by protests!

"Yoner, I'm sorry."

Yi Han sincerely apologized.

He should have fled when he was fully prepared, but he ended up paying the price for trying to impress the professor.

"Huh? What for?"

However, Yoner was already digging up the dry soil near the plants, fiddling with it to check if it needed water.

"...Isn't this unfair labor? Aren't you upset?"

"Isn't taking care of plants fun? You said you liked it, right?"

Surprisingly, Yoner showed no signs of complaint.

Given his love for plants, the opportunity to care for rare plants he had only seen in books was very satisfying.

"I like my plants, but other people's plants, especially the professor's, are a bit... No, it's fine if you feel good about it."

Yi Han stopped speaking.

Upon reflection, Yoner's way of thinking was quite positive.

Thinking about it, it would be depressing if he considered it an order from the professor, but if he thought of it as a chance to see rare plants he could only read about in books...

'Still, the depression doesn't go away.'

Yi Han was too materialistic to be as positive as Yoner.

Still, Yi Han moved.

Emotions were one thing, but work was another.

"Yi Han, the soil is dry. Should we water it?"

"The leaves are firm, and the book said it doesn't need much water, so let's skip it. But this one definitely needs water..."

"Wait. That plant needs rainwater, not just water. I read that."

"Right, I read that too."

"Was I too amateurish in pointing that out?"

"No, we need to align our knowledge."

The two remaining students in the botanical garden smiled at each other.

Experts recognize each other!

If other students from the Tower of the Blue Dragon were here, they might have thought, "Why do we need to go to such lengths to take care of a plant?!"

For young nobles, growing plants was a very meticulous and labor-intensive task.

But it was different for Yi Han.

'Plants are better than professors.'

Of course, checking the soil daily, adjusting the type and temperature of water, removing pests and fungi, ventilating the air, and preparing potions could be tedious and annoying.

But plants were quiet and taciturn.

That alone made them more lovable than professors.

How many hours had passed?

"Are we done?"

"Yeah."

They wiped their sweat and stretched their backs. Plant care was as strenuous as sword training, and their muscles screamed in pain.

I've been watching you young humans.

"?!?"

"!"

Yi Han immediately drew his staff and aimed it at the direction of the voice.

Surprisingly, the voice came from the nearby pond.

With a bubbling sound, a massive water mass appeared in the pond, clearly a powerful spirit.

My name is Parakis. I am the spirit of this pond. You young humans must be the dwarves' apprentices.

"...Yes. Do you know the professor?"

Yes. I have a contract with the dwarf to take care of this garden.

The spirit seemed very friendly toward them. The reason was soon apparent.

It's rare to see young humans as diligent and meticulous in taking care of plants as you are...

'Ah, that's why.'

Seeing Parakis, Yi Han understood why Professor Willow had sent them here.

Professor Willow taught botany.

He must have been moved by Yi Han and Yoner's genuine care for plants.

So he sent them to a spirit who highly values plant care.

If they truly cared for the plants, they could earn the spirit's recognition!

'I'm sorry, Professor.'

Yi Han quickly apologized.

He thought Professor Willow had just assigned them a task, but it had a deeper meaning.

I was moved by your dedication. I usually don't like showing myself to humans, but I couldn't stay silent after seeing such dedication.

After speaking, the spirit looked at Yi Han curiously.

But you seem afraid of spirits. How do you have a tree spirit with you?

"..."

Yi Han felt slightly hurt. Yoner, without realizing it, defended him.

"Yi Han is a really kind friend, despite appearances."

I'm sorry, young human. Lower spirits don't have the ability to discern their contractor's character.

The weaker and lower the spirit, the less intelligent they were.

Even if they tried to understand their contractor's character, it would take a long time living together. For Yi Han, that opportunity was rare.

His aura was so overwhelming that most spirits would run away!

"I received this staff as a gift from talking oak trees."

Ah, that makes sense. Don't be too sad. The tree spirit in your staff was initially scared and is still scared, but it praises you as a good human.

"..."

Yi Han involuntarily looked at his staff.

It was scared of me?

Yoner asked, feeling sorry.

"Parakis, is there any way for Yi Han to contract with a spirit? He's trying to contact spirits in the spirit realm, but they avoid him."

Hmm... This is a new dilemma for me...

Parakis splashed and thought.

How about this?

"What is it?"

Yi Han felt a slight hope.

Given that it's a powerful spirit with a name, it must have a wise solution...

Give up on contracting with spirits and try other beings? Most would be afraid of your magic power, but not all. Some might like that aspect.

"...I want to contract with spirits too."

Hmm, as expected. Well, those who like that aspect are usually evil. It wouldn't suit a kind-hearted human like you.

"?"

Yi Han was confused.

...Is that so?

But Yoner nodded, not finding it surprising.

"That's right."

"I don't necessarily want to contract only with spirits..."

Hmm... If you must contract with a spirit, you could try violent and fierce ones.

Parakis suggested another method.

Not all lower spirits are timid and innocent. Some are violent and fierce even at a lower level.

Especially spirits of unstable and destructive elements tend to be more aggressive.

"Such a method...! Wait, but the professor didn't mention this."

Yi Han realized something was off.

Maybe Professor Thunderstep intentionally didn't tell him to trick him?

It's a plausible theory.

Well... Even if a lower spirit is violent, it's not stupid enough to attack without reason... They are more likely to run away.

"..."

"..."

Yi Han and Yoner fell silent again. Yoner's sympathetic gaze made Yi Han feel bad.

But my suggestion isn't entirely wrong. The stronger and higher the spirit, the less likely they are to run from you. And they might be able to understand your true character through conversation.

"Thank you for the advice."

Hmm... Not all strong and high spirits will work, but if possible, try to contact violent and fierce ones. They might not run, and spirits generally avoid meaningless fights...

"..."

Yi Han wished he hadn't listened.

It made him feel even more hopeless!

Yoner asked hopefully.

"Can you contract with Yi Han, Parakis?"

"Yoner, it's okay. Stop it."

"No, I'll definitely help!"

Yoner wanted to repay Yi Han for his help.

But Yi Han started to feel embarrassed.

It felt like a teacher asking, "Does anyone want to be Yi Han's spirit friend?"

It's impossible for a young human mage to contract with me. I might not faint...

Parakis looked at Yi Han and changed his words.

...But I'm sorry. I'm already contracted with a dwarf. I can't follow you and help you.

"It's okay."

Yi Han thought he should start getting used to undead friends.

What do you think? There's a spirit I know at this school. If I introduce you, they might listen to you.

"!"

Yi Han was surprised.

It was an unexpected and good offer.

"Is that okay? It seems like a lot of trouble..."

Seeing your dedication as young gardeners, I want to help you. Don't worry. And...

Parakis hesitated for a moment.

Then he decided to speak.

Don't be too disappointed if the spirit avoids you. Understand?

"...Yes..."

Yi Han wondered how strong a spirit he needed to even have a conversation with.

Would he need to find a spirit king?

* * * *

Parakis curled up and lifted the pond water, revealing a deep cave underneath.

This will lead you directly to the spirit.

Yi Han was grateful for the spirit's kindness. But Parakis wasn't done yet.

Pfft!

Ancient symbols resembling the pond appeared on Yi Han and Yoner's hands.

I've imbued some of my power. These symbols will help you, young mages.

"Thank you."

"Thank you!"

Yi Han and Yoner sincerely thanked him.

The spirit seemed more benevolent than most professors at the school.

Yes, don't forget your love for plants.

As Yi Han and Yoner walked down into the pond, Parakis quickly returned to the pond. The passage to the underground quickly became quiet.

"Light."

Yi Han floated a light orb and involuntarily looked at his staff.

He wanted to ask if the tree spirit was still scared but thought it would be too trivial.

'Still, I really want to ask.'

"Yi Han?"

"!"

Yi Han was startled, thinking his thoughts had been exposed.

"Why?"

"Parakis was in the pond. Where do you think the spirit we're going to is?"

"..."

Yoner's question was sharp. Parakis had forgotten to describe the spirit.

"Maybe... in the underground lake or river."

Given that Parakis was a pond spirit, the friend was likely a similar spirit.

Water, rivers, ponds, seas...

'It can't be connected to the sea, right?'

In the worst case, they might end up in a dungeon under the sea.

Yi Han knew the magic school was capable of that.

"I hope it's a river spirit. I've heard they are wise and intelligent."

"True, if we can contract with a river spirit, we could gain the wisdom needed for this... prison, I mean, school life."

Yi Han paused.

'But I've heard river spirits are usually gentle...'

...Would they run away again?

Clank!

With a sharp sound, they emerged from the passage.

The dark and silent air revealed a place Yi Han had seen before.

...This was the school's punishment room.

"..."

Yi Han thought.

The spirit can't be a river spirit!