Chapter 84

After completing the fountain and the contract with Dine, for some reason, Dine is saying, "We're partners now, let's hold hands!" I still feel like something is off.

"Yuta, congratulations!" "Kyu!" "The contract is amazing!" "Ku ku!"

"Thank you, everyone."

While petting Bell, who had jumped into my chest, I thanked the Bells who were celebrating for me. Rain, in particular, seemed happy that I had contracted with Dine, rubbing her cheeks against me and making a fuss, saying "Kyu kyu!"

Maybe she's happy to have another water spirit? If I were in her position, I'd be worried if someone more capable than me came to take over my job, but the difference between the spirits and me... a pure heart makes an ugly heart stand out, which is troublesome.

While playing with the Bells, I walked on the water and headed towards Sara and the others, who were standing there with their mouths agape. They must have been surprised by the sudden start. I was also surprised by the sudden turn of events.

"Master! You're walking on water! Hey, Master, can I do that too?"

Marco's first words after snapping back to his senses were about walking on water. I understand how he feels. It's something to aspire to.

"Dine, can all water spirits walk on water?"

I asked Dine, who was still holding my arm and saying things like, "I'm blushing," while receiving the Bells' blessings.

"Hmm, well, for floating spirits, it's difficult to do for a long time or on rough water, but it's not impossible."

I relayed what Dine told me to Marco.

"Yay! Walking on water is so cool. Hey, Master, I want to contract with a water spirit next."

"Maybe someday. For now, it's important to get along well with Ury."

I plan to have him contract with various spirits eventually, but for now, it's about building a solid foundation. As they say, the basics are important. I skipped a lot of steps because of my cheat, but I want these kids to build a solid foundation and improve. With advice from Sylph and the others, they should become great spirit mages.

"Got it! I'll get along well with Ury first!"

Marco, excited, seemed more childlike than usual, which was endearing. I hope he can talk to me like this every day instead of being on edge.

"Master, the water took on many shapes and was so beautiful." "It was beautiful."

Sara and Kikka, who had been excited by Dine's fountain show, had flushed faces. The kids really enjoyed it. When I was asked to make the fountain, I had some reservations, but maybe it was thanks to Dine.

"Dine, since Sara and the others seem to like it, can you show them something else?"

I had been focused on the contract and was in the middle of the show, so I hadn't seen the whole thing.

"Hehe, this is my first job. I'll do my best, big sister."

Come to think of it, that's right. It's good that I can ask Dine for favors now without putting on a show. As I was thinking, the water show began.

Water spouted from the fountain and transformed into various animals. If I could contract with a light spirit, a lit-up fountain show at night would be beautiful. I thought the fountain was a hassle, but it's not so bad. I should apologize to Dine for my earlier complaints.

If I confess everything, it might be a hassle, so I'll get some drinks and express my gratitude and praise for the contract. If I admit that I thought it was a hassle, it would only cause trouble.

Sara and the others were cheering and watching the fountain show. Bell and the others were flying around the spring with Fuko and Ury. They look so happy. As I relaxed and watched the fountain show, Dolly approached me.

"Yuta, since the contract with Dine is complete, would you like to contract with me next?"

I had forgotten, but I had also met the conditions for contracting with Dolly. What should I do?

"Hmm, contracting with a great spirit one after another seems a bit wasteful, so how about tomorrow?"

"Hehe, I understand. Let's do it tomorrow. And, this is a request rather than a condition, but could you fill the blocks on the north side that you'll dig out tomorrow with soil?"

"It's no problem, but why?"

"It's a secret. Sylph and Dine have added some flair, so I'll try to do my part too."

Dolly smiled mischievously. The usually demure young lady had a mischievous aura... it was charming. I had heard about Sylph's flair, but Dine had added some too. I wonder if the fountain was requested for the show... I hope it's not just my imagination.

"Hmm, I'm looking forward to it, but don't overdo it."

I'm a bit scared of what might happen if a great spirit tries too hard.

"Don't worry. I won't overdo it, so look forward to it."

Dolly smiled politely and returned to her usual demeanor. I hope everything is okay... I pushed aside my vague unease and returned my attention to Dine's fountain show.

***

"Let's start training now until dinner. Kikka, you haven't contracted with a spirit yet, but please listen carefully."

"Yes." "Master, we're finally starting training." "..."

Sara responded seriously, Marco was still excited from the fountain show, and Kikka nodded silently.

"Sure. But it's not as strict as you might think, so don't worry. The most important thing is to communicate clearly with the spirit you've contracted. First, I'll act as an intermediary, and we'll decide what Fuko and Ury can do and what signals and words to use."

Once the signals and words are decided, the spirits will do the rest, so being a spirit mage is quite a cheat, I think, but it's probably the most difficult part.

If a spirit mage can't communicate properly, misunderstandings and outbursts can occur, leading to a bad reputation. Spirit mages can become unpopular and disliked... it's really disheartening.

I demonstrated and explained the spells Fuko and Ury could use and decided on various signals. The more complex the signals, the more mistakes, so we aimed for a simple method.

"Hey, Master, is it really this easy?"

Marco asked, looking uncertain. Is there a problem? He seems to be giving Ury the right instructions.

"You're doing well. Is there something you're worried about?"

"Well, it's magic! Don't we need to chant difficult spells or do harsh training? Is it really okay?"

He must have been imagining something like the training ascetics do. The ease with which things were progressing might have made him uneasy.

It might be good to prepare some difficult and harsh training, but I've never done that, so it's impossible. The only things I can think of are fasting and waterfall training, but I doubt they would be suitable for spirit mage training.

"Hmm, I think you're misunderstanding, Marco. The hardest part of being a spirit mage is acting as an intermediary, which might make it seem easy, but it's actually quite difficult. Without a means of communication, trying to convey your will to a spirit and getting them to use magic is tough. I think other people struggle more."

"...Is that so?"

"Yep. Fuko and Ury were carefully chosen by Sylph to be floating spirits that can communicate well, which is why we can use magic so smoothly. So, consider yourself lucky and do your best."

If I had contracted with a wind floating spirit like Marimo, who flew into the Land of Death, I wouldn't know what to do. It didn't seem to have a will, so I might not even be able to contract with it.

He seemed to understand, but his face was full of questions. I think it's a good thing that it's easy, but... well, as they get better, their doubts will fade, and they'll have to build trust gradually. I think my lack of authority as a master is holding them back.

"Okay, next training. Tulu, can you make a few human-shaped figures out of earth?"

Tulu nodded and the earth began to move, forming several human-shaped dummies. I thanked her, and she smiled back.

Tulu has been in a good mood lately with Fuko and Ury around. When I looked over, she was already petting them. She's definitely on the path to becoming a fluffer.

"The zombies and skeletons we'll fight tonight are human-shaped. To defeat a zombie, crush or sever its head. To defeat a skeleton, shatter the magic stone in its heart. We'll practice on these human-shaped figures."

"Zombies and skeletons? Master, are we really going to fight the undead?"

Sara looked at me with a serious expression. I understand her concern. I still wonder if it's right for the kids' first opponents to be the undead.

However, aside from being creepy, they are slow and weak, making them ideal for beginners. The only downsides are the terrible smell and the fact that you can't get any materials other than the magic stone. Also, they were once human, which can be off-putting.

I looked at Sara and the others seriously and explained the advantages of fighting the undead, trying to convince them. I feel a bit like a monster, but I think it's safer than fighting goblins in a dungeon. There's a possibility of psychological trauma, but that would be the same with goblins.

"Okay, let's start with Sara. First, aim for the neck, imagining a zombie. Next, aim for the heart, imagining a skeleton."

"Yes, Master."

Sara, looking tense, pointed at the human-shaped figure and said, "Fuko, wind blade. Neck." Fuko flapped her wings and released a wind blade.

The head of the human-shaped figure fell off. Next, Sara said, "Wind bullet. Heart," and a compressed air ball blew away the heart of the human-shaped figure. ...I think the training is over.

Marco also tried and easily crushed the head and pierced the heart. All that's left is to level up and get used to the spells Fuko and Ury can use. ...Wait, is my job done? No, there must be something else to teach.

"That's the basic idea. If you work together with your spirits, you can even create new spells. Just remember, spirits are not your slaves. If you get too cocky, they might abandon you, so be polite and try to get along with them."

I ended the training with a slightly difficult lesson. The real test will be after dinner.

Thank you for reading.