Chapter 14

"By the way, what's your name?"

"I only reveal my name to those I recognize as my master. Who am I to say! Besides, I only have my name from before the sealing. If I were called by the image my name holds, I might be dragged into repeating my past."

"Was your way of life one that led to your sealing because you couldn't stop repeating it?"

I tried to imagine a white creature that repeatedly caused destruction, but all I could picture was it flipping over plates and crawling into skirts.

"Then, can I call you 'White' as a temporary name? It's inconvenient not to have a name to call you by."

"Simple as it is, I suppose it's fine."

"Then, let's visit six places, no, seven if we include the prayer room, shall we?"

"More people seem to only go to the prayer room, do you really plan to visit all the places?"

Perhaps influenced by the bulletin board, many players head straight to the prayer room without even glancing at the main hall.

"I need to greet this world. Probably, they even wrote down the order of visits for us."

I scratched behind White's ears; this spot seemed to be the most comfortable.

The main hall of the six pillars is divided into nine equal squares. If we consider the north as the upper row, then the upper row is Asha, Var, and Dul, the middle row is Tasha, the courtyard, and Rul, and the lower row is the prayer room, the hall, and the Fal's main hall.

However, the correct orientation is probably where the relief is. The way the rock wall is carved next to the relief is different, matching the size of the entrance to the prayer room on the opposite side.

The entrance to the prayer room is in the hall, but the entrance to the main hall is only on the path that surrounds the courtyard.

Probably, when the office building was expanded, it couldn't be connected to the main hall, so the prayer room and Fal's main hall were swapped. The current location of Fal's main hall is at the corner facing the square and the main street.

I offered a brief prayer at Fal's main hall and noticed that a silver coin was already placed at the base of Fal's statue. There were other visitors, and their actions seemed Japanese, which made me chuckle.

I followed their example and placed a silver coin on the base.

But, don't throw coins into the pond or onto the trees; it damages nature.

Then, to move efficiently, I should go to the adjacent Rul's main hall, but that would be the reverse route.

Walking the pilgrimage route in reverse is not allowed.

If I follow the current layout, I should go counterclockwise from Fal, ending at the prayer room. But if I consider the original layout, I should start with Fal and go clockwise.

From the courtyard, I skipped the hall and the prayer room and went to Tasha's main hall. Then, I moved in a clockwise direction, returning to Fal. "Circling" rather than "touring," I must return to the starting point.

And then, the prayer room.

Again, a faintly glowing entity. This time, it was a woman, so I didn't pet it.

"I am Var, the god of travelers and freedom, the god of wind."

A beautiful woman with silver hair flowing in the wind introduced herself. Her voice was like the tinkling of bells.

"Your journey begins in this city."

"Carrying all the fragments of power."

"Comer, comer, in a world of imbalance of power."

"You have correctly circled the power."

"Comer, comer, in a world of mistaken beginnings."

"You have correctly started the circle."

"Comer, comer, in a world that ends in a year."

"You have correctly circled the seasons."

"I will grant you the power to circle."

"This is the power of duality."

"The power to circle with two."

As the echoing, chanting-like words ended, Var extended her hand towards me and then disappeared.

[You have obtained the skills [Light Magic] and [Dark Magic]]

[You have obtained the title [Power of Circulation]]

[You have obtained the title [Mystery Solver]]

[Announcement: The first player to solve [World's Mystery] has appeared. Information will now be disclosed.]

"Was this what you were aiming for, you...?"

No.

It was just a strange obsession to follow the relief as written. I didn't even think it was a mystery!

The fragments of power seemed to correspond to the six pillars and the initial five magics, with wind being one of them. I thought they wouldn't align and that praying without them would result in failure, allowing only one to be chosen.

I just noticed that the order of the main halls was swapped in one place.

Probably, they made it easier to circle, and once I noticed that Fal's main hall and the prayer room were swapped, the rest followed the order.

If I had known about these rewards, I would have researched more about my birthday and affinity on the bulletin board.

[The [World's Mystery] exists in various sizes throughout the world]

[By solving [World's Mystery], you can obtain various rewards]

[However, if you hear the answer from someone else, you lose the right to obtain the reward]

[Please do not reveal the answer to [World's Mystery]. You can talk about the location and the rewards you obtained]

[The [World's Mystery] will be added to your menu]

[Please check the terms and conditions]

[Whether you enjoy combat or a leisurely experience, there are opportunities to obtain rewards]

[Please enjoy this [Other World]]

Ah, if the rewards were only for the first boss defeat, the power gap would widen. It's good that everyone, especially the leisurely type, has a chance.

"I'm tired, let White heal me."

"I am far from a healing presence!"

Ignoring White's protests, I petted it while heading to the office.

"Would you like to change your job?"

"Yes."

"Please place your hand on this orb. The jobs you can currently take will appear, so please choose one. However, some jobs can only be changed at other locations, so please be aware."

Swordsman (Initial Job)

Fist Fighter (Initial Job)

Magician (Initial Job, Current)

Wizard (Advanced Job for Magician)

Healer (Initial Job)

Thief (Initial Job)

Spirit Handler (Special Job for Magician)

My current job is darkened and unselectable. I chose Swordsman as planned.

[The skills [Sword], [Shield], [Swordsmanship], [Shieldsmanship], [Provocation], [Slash], [Thrust], [Swordsmanship Enhancement], [Strength Enhancement], [Stamina Enhancement] have been added to your skill list]

"Didn't you receive magic just now?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Then why are you choosing Swordsman?"

"It's a promise. I aimed to be a magic swordsman from the start."

While talking, I hurried towards the carriage.

"Why can you leave!"

White suddenly shouted, right by my ear. Please stop.

"What?"

"It's me!"

"You want to be my companion, right?"

White was shocked.

"Probably, the seal's effect was nullified when I moved the statue."

I didn't have time to confirm if I actually moved it.

As I stepped down the temple stairs and onto the square's stone pavement,

a third glowing entity appeared today.

I wanted to be spared for now!

"Hurry, I'm sorry!"

"This is not a matter of hurrying. While talking to us, you are outside the flow of time."

I met Var again, just like before.

We could talk normally.

White seemed a bit upset, probably because it couldn't speak while Var was present in the main hall.

"You are carrying the beast sealed in this temple. Although the seal by the statue has weakened, it hasn't weakened enough for it to leave, nor has it repented. However, I will allow you to take it with you. In return, you must take on the role of my servant and the responsibilities I gave it."

Var tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes, indicating I had a choice.

"If that's acceptable..."

"Wait, if you lose your contract spirit, other spirits won't be drawn to you."

"Indeed, normally, spirits are attracted to each other, and new spirits are gained as your level increases. But you will have to find them on your own. However, the beast can still sense the presence of spirits, so you won't be completely without a chance."

"Alright, if White can come with me, that's fine."

I have magic, so I'll pretend the spirit magic doesn't exist.

"Hmm, beast, obey this human. This human is your new chain."

Var blew a gentle breath towards White, and something seemed to happen. Either White was released from the temple's seal or bound to me, I didn't have time to ask for White's opinion.

"Human, it is rare to meet me twice. In exchange for taking my spirit, I will grant you my blessing."

[You have obtained the title [Var's Blessing]]

[Wind Magic has changed to Wind Spell]

"If you are in a good mood, other gods may also grant you their blessings."

Var disappeared. The sounds of the previously quiet square returned.

I rushed to the carriage with White in my arms.

In the carriage, White has been silent since then.

Curled up on my lap, it doesn't seem irreparably damaged, but perhaps I shouldn't have decided its fate without consulting it.

"White, do you want to return to the temple? Or I can accompany you when you want to go outside?"

White glanced at me with a half-lidded eye and sighed.

[I have received a partner card from "White"]

[You have obtained the skills [Summoning] and [Telepathy]]

[The job [Summoner] has been added]

"Huh?"

[I can only be seen and heard by you]

"Huh?"

[I am speaking through [Telepathy]. Just focus on the target and think. I tried to be considerate and stay quiet. You look quite strange from the outside.]

I imagined a man constantly petting his own thigh and talking to himself. *chuckle*

Looking around the carriage, a few people averted their gaze.

[That's quite a reaction...]

[I don't care. Understand this, I won't reveal my true name or follow your orders.]

White stood up and glared at me.

[Alright, alright]

Even if I'm seen as strange, it's too late. I petted White.

[I'm too tired from all this. I'm going to rest!] White declared and disappeared.

Now, let's check everything.

Opening the menu, I saw new entries for partner cards, including player, resident, and summoned creatures, and below that, the blessing of the spirits.

Opening the summoned creatures list, only White was listed, with its name and a countdown for the next summon. Its stats were hidden and couldn't be viewed.

The blessing of the spirits was empty, but the wind spirit "Win" was listed in gray with "Escaped" next to it.

It seems to be treated as having escaped...

Next, I checked the skills. [Skill Appraisal] allows you to appraise the skills you have obtained. Due to the low level, unobtained skills in the skill list cannot be appraised.

[Summoning]

- You can summon a contracted summoned creature.

- While summoned, it continuously consumes MP.

- You can contract by learning the true name or naming a newborn.

- Even without a contract, it may follow you, and you can summon it but cannot give orders.

- Increasing affection while together can lead to the true name being revealed and a contract being formed.

- If affection decreases, it may leave.

- Even after a contract is formed, if affection decreases too much, it may escape.

- There is a set time for summoning, and it returns when the time is up.

- There is a cooldown before it can be summoned again.

- As a Summoner, you can summon up to five creatures simultaneously, which count towards the party size.

- Non-Summoners can summon up to three, but can only give orders to one.

- As a Summoner, summoned creatures receive a power-up effect.

- As a Summoner, it is easier to form contracts.

In summary, I need to increase White's affection...

[Spirit Magic]

- You can summon and use magic with the spirits you have received blessings from.

- Summoning consumes MP and may require a catalyst.

- Spirits return immediately after completing an action.

- You can receive blessings by increasing the spirit's affection.

- Even before a blessing, spirits may follow you and use abilities randomly during combat.

- Increasing affection while together can lead to receiving a blessing.

- If affection decreases, the spirit may leave.

- Even after receiving a blessing, if affection decreases too much, it may escape.

- There is a cooldown before it can be summoned again.

- Spirits may bring companions.

- As a Spirit Handler, you can use all the abilities the spirit knows.

- Non-Spirit Handlers can use some abilities.

- As a Spirit Handler, summoned spirits receive a power-up effect.

- As a Spirit Handler, it is easier to receive blessings.

- If affection is high, spirits may give you gifts.

While thinking about the overlap between summoning and spirit magic, I checked the effects of the mystery-solving titles, but I was exhausted. I knew reading in a moving vehicle was a bad idea, but I wanted to check...

[Power of Circulation] is a reward for solving the temple mystery. The starting point can be anything, but using the attributes in order or inserting wind between them and using them in order will increase the power of the last technique or spell used, which returns to the first attribute used. This title is given to the first person to solve the mystery.

[Mystery Solver] is a reward for actions that lead to information disclosure, similar to Galahad's partner card.

The effect of the mystery-solving title is "increased likelihood of encountering mysteries." It seems you can sense the presence of mysteries, though I'm not sure how. Ah, I need to recover from the carriage sickness and get the Swordsman skills... I only have 2 SP left, but it's good to have saved it.

□ □ □ □ □

・Increase・

Titles

[Var's Blessing]

[Power of Circulation][Mystery Solver]

Skills

[Summoning]

???'White'

[Wind Magic] (formerly [Wind Magic])

[Light Magic][Dark Magic]

[Telepathy]

・Decrease・

Wind Spirit [Win]

□ □ □ □ □

Homura Level 10

Rank E

Jobs: Swordsman, Alchemist

HP: 214

MP: 347

STR: 10

VIT: 11

INT: 40

MID: 14

DEX: 9

AGI: 10

LUK: 10

NPCP: [Galahad][—]

Titles: [Socializer][Power of Circulation][Mystery Solver][Var's Blessing]

Skills (2 SP)

■ Magic

[Wood Magic Lv.2][Fire Magic Lv.4][Earth Magic Lv.2]

[Gold Magic Lv.3][Water Magic Lv.3][☆Wind Magic Lv.1]

[Light Magic Lv.1][Dark Magic Lv.1]

■ Summoning

[White Lv.1]

■ Spirit Magic

—

■ Production

[Alchemy Lv.1][Alchemy Synthesis Lv.1][Cooking Lv.3]

■ Collection

[Harvesting]

■ Appraisal & Concealment

[Item Appraisal Lv.3][Plant Food Appraisal Lv.3]

[Animal Monster Appraisal Lv.3][Skill Appraisal Lv.2]

[Weapon Armor Appraisal Lv.2]

[Aura Perception Lv.3][Aura Dilution Lv.3]

■ Enhancement

[Intelligence Enhancement Lv.2]

■ Others

[MP Natural Recovery][Night Vision][Map][Telepathy]