CH 90

Kika’s spirit contract

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The day after the waterway opened, Dyne, Nomos, and Dolly were all contracted. It’s about time to go to the Labyrinth City and receive the rewards.

The Adventurer’s Guild probably has me figured out by now, so they must be regretting it. Hehe, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they’ll greet me.

“Yuta, you have a sinister look on your face. What’s wrong?”

“Was I making such a bad face? Nah, I was just thinking about how to get back at those who called me a scammer since I’m going to the Labyrinth City soon.”

Sylphy let out a long sigh.

“I can understand your feelings, but try not to make a face that could negatively affect Sara and Bell. Keep it to yourself as much as possible.”

Really? Was I making a face that could negatively affect the kids? I don’t really get it, even if I touch my face.

“Understood. I’ll be careful not to show it on my face.”

If Sara and Bell’s personalities were to become warped because of me… Yeah, I’m sorry about that.

“Do that. And if Bell starts putting on a twisted smile, you understand what that means, right?”

Sylphy looked at me with a smile that seemed frozen. I didn’t fully understand, but I knew it was dangerous. From now on, I’ll ask Bell to go somewhere and play when we’re about to have an argument. I shouldn’t show them anything ugly.

“I’ll keep that in mind. So, after checking the state of the reservoir, I will bring Kika here and ask her which spirit she wants to contract with, Wind or Earth?”

“Understood. Hehe, I wonder which one she’ll choose.”

It’s not like she’ll get angry just because Kika didn’t choose the Wind spirit, right?… It’s fine. Until I take care of Bell and the others, I haven’t really been paying much attention to the Lesser Spirits. But just to be safe, I’ll give her some support.

“I wonder. Since her brother Marco chose the Earth spirit, she might choose the same.”

“Oh, that’s right. If she prefers to be with her older brother, maybe she’ll be happy if I bring a child similar to Uri?”

“I’m not sure, but if Kika and a child similar to her are together, it might be comforting. Even though Sara and the others can’t see it.”

The two boar boys playing and frolicking together, their playful scene is sure to warm the heart.

“Hehe, indeed.”

While discussing which spirit would suit Kika, we arrived at the spring.

“Oh, Dyne. How’s the reservoir? Is there anything wrong?”

“Yuta-chan, it’s all fine. It’s really lovely.”

Lovely? I just dug a hole, but… well, if she likes it, it’s fine. When I checked the reservoir, clean water had accumulated, and the transparency was outstanding. It was murky yesterday when the water was first poured in, but it seems to have settled or Dyne cleaned it up nicely.

As I was about to check, with a voice saying “Kyahaha! More water!” Bell and Rain splashed into the spring.

“Ah, Yuta!” “Kyu-“

Bell and Rain, noticing me, landed softly on my chest while fluttering.

“Both of you were playing in the waterway. Was it fun?”

“It was super fun! Since it’s bigger now, we can play a lot!” “Kyu kyu-“

Bell and Rain explained enthusiastically, with plenty of reactions, how much fun the waterway was. I didn’t understand the details, but from their excitement, it was clear that they had a great time.

“That’s good. By the way, where are Turu and Tamamo?”

Usually, they’re always playing together, so it’s unusual.

“Well, you see, they went to do forest chores.” “Kyu kyu kyu-“

Bell and Rain spread their arms and fins wide, emphasizing the size. Perhaps they were helping with forest management. I’ll go check on them later.

“I see. I got it. Thank you, Bell and Rain. I have a few more things to take care of, so go ahead and play.”

“We’ll go play!” “Kyu-“

Saying that, Bell and Rain raced through the waterway with Bell on Rain’s back. The waterway is quite long, so it seems like a fun ride.

Feeling like I had finished checking the reservoir, I bid farewell to Dyne and headed to the forest. I had a great time playing with Turu and Tamamo, who had been working hard in the forest, and then I headed to where Sara and the others were training.

Right now, Uri has set up several earth targets, and Fukuchan is breaking them as instructed by Sara. They’ve also become capable of easily defeating zombies. Should we go to the nest right after Kika makes the contract?

But I also want to go to the Labyrinth City soon. Maybe I should train Kika today and tomorrow, and then go to the Labyrinth City the day after tomorrow. I also want to raise my adventurer rank and take on more requests.

“Ah, Master.” “Master.” “Master.”

Perhaps due to leveling up every day, Kika started calling me “Master.” I was so thrilled when she first called me that.

“Good work. Is the training going well?”

“Yes. Fukuchan is also getting along well with me, so I can do more things now.”

“Master! You know, I can do a simultaneous attack now. I tried various things and became even closer with Uri.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. If you get along well with the spirits and understand each other better, you’ll be able to do even more things. Let’s keep up the good work.”

“Yes!” “Yes!”

They’re full of motivation. Even though I can only give them rough advice, these kids are thinking of things they can do on their own and training diligently. They’re amazing.

Even though it has only been twenty days since we met, I feel like things have brightened up considerably. Sara started laughing a lot more, and Marco and Kika seem to have let go of their guard.

Having a full stomach and being able to sleep makes quite a difference, I suppose. But sometimes, she cries in the middle of the night. I asked if it’s because the battles or life here are difficult, and she said it’s because she feels lonely and remembers her parents. Sara smiled at me and said it was good that she didn’t have the luxury to think about her parents while she was in the slums, I didn’t know what to say. I’m starting to dislike my lack of life experience.

“Master, is something the matter?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just thought you were doing great, that’s all.”

I absentmindedly stroke their heads. I took them on as disciples to dispel the rumors about my skills as a Spirit Mage, but being halfway won’t cut it. I have to take care of them properly until they can stand on their own.

But all three of them are so reliable that I feel they’ll become independent in no time. They already have enough skill to survive as adventurers. I need to become more reliable myself if I want to proudly call myself their master.

“By the way, today I plan to help Kika form her spirit contract. Has she decided whether she wants to contract with a Wind Spirit or an Earth Spirit?”

“Master, Kika wants to contract with the Wind Spirit.”

Oh, that’s a bit unexpected.

“I see. Can I ask why she chose the Wind Spirit?”

“Because onichan will protect me, Kika wants to make the wind stronger with onee-chan.”

I see… So, leave the defense to Marco and cooperate with Sara to enhance the power of the wind?

“Hey, Silphy, if there are two Wind Spirits and their magic is combined, will the power increase?”

“Well, it depends on the type of magic, but there’s no doubt that the power will increase.”

So, it’s like fusion magic… Even though I’m sure I’ve never seen it in manga or anime, I came up with something amazing. The idea of fusion magic is really intriguing.

“That’s a great idea. Silphy also said that the power will increase, so if you work hard, you can become stronger.”

“Onee-chan, Oni-chan and I thought about it a lot together.”

Kika proudly puffs out her chest. They worked hard and thought about it together. It’s a bit sad that they didn’t consult me, but there’s no doubt that they put in the effort. I’ll praise them properly. They’re all hard workers, so I’ll encourage them with praise.

“That’s why, Silphy. Could you bring the Wind Spirit to me?”

“Yes, I’ll go find one for you.”

“Please, and thank you.”

I watch Silphy fly away. I wonder what kind of child will come this time? I’m looking forward to it. Kika seems restless, pacing around. She must be curious about the spirit she will contract with.

“I’m back.”

While having lunch, Silphy returns. A tiny owl is perched on her shoulder. It’s not Fukuchan, is it?

“Welcome back, Silphy. Is that the floating wind Spirit? It’s not Fukuchan, is it?”

“Yes, since you mentioned combining magic, I thought a similar one would be good. Plus, if it were an Earth Spirit, I had plans to find one similar to Uri. But since it’s a Wind Spirit, I chose one resembling Fukuchan.”

The fusion magic of two tiny owls… It feels cute. Fukuchan seems interested in the tiny owl that looks just like it, moving closer and having a conversation. Oh, Bell and the others joined in as well. They seem to be having fun, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Kika, Silphy brought a tiny owl that looks just like Fukuchan. Think of a name, and once we finish eating, we’ll make the contract, okay?”

Kika nods. After that, Kika eats her food absentmindedly, seemingly focused on thinking of a name.

“Kika, have you decided on a name?”

“Either Mame-chan or Rō-chan.”

…So it’s Mame-chan or Ro-chan for the tiny owl because Sarah is Fukuchan… Everyone seems to come up with simple names, like how I took Uri from Uribō.

“Let’s see… I want to go with Mame-chan.”

Mame-chan, huh? It kind of sounds like a dog’s name, but it’s a different world, so it should be fine.

“Silphy, please bring that little one to Kika.”

Silphy brings the tiny owl she brought to Kika.

“Kika, give it a name.”

“Yeah, Mame-chan. Is Mame-chan okay?”

Mame-chan nods its wings flapping. The contract is complete.

“Kika, the contract is complete. I think you already understand since you’ve seen Sara and Marco, but talk a lot and become good friends.”

“I’ll talk to Mame-chan a lot and become good friends.”

Kika responds earnestly. Mame-chan also nods along. It should be fine. Now, with Sara, Marco, and Kika, they can cooperate and level up together. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.