Chapter 91

In the forest that spreads to the southeast of the capital.

Just inside the forest, where the dappled sunlight feels pleasant.

The undergrowth was sparse, and the view was clear.

Sheryl placed a pot on the flat ground and poured water into it.

She then gathered some dry branches and lit a fire.

She muttered something, apparently a spell.

Then, standing up straight, she looked at Tetti with a steady gaze. Her well-defined features were dignified.

"Well, let's start with the basics of being an elf. We'll look for a spirit that will become your friend. They are also called soul friends. I've just summoned the spirits of fire, water, wind, and earth around us. Can you see them, Tetti?"

Tetti squinted and looked around.

The green leaves of the trees, the brown ground, the water in the pot, and the fire.

She gazed at them with a furrowed brow.

I asked Sheryl, curious.

"Don't elves control all spirits?"

"It's possible if you train as a spirit mage, but basically, it's about making friends with spirits that resonate with you. Having a soul friend makes it easier to use spirit magic of that element, and the effects are stronger."

"Is that so? I hope Tetti finds one."

I cheered for Tetti.

However, after looking around for a while, she shook her head sadly.

"I can't see them. I can only see this one."

She pointed to the empty space next to her.

Since I'm not a spirit user, it was natural that I couldn't see anything, but Sheryl frowned.

"There shouldn't be anything there. If there is, it's probably not a spirit."

"It's there! Hey, Ai-chan? — Look, Ai-chan is nodding!"

Tetti smiled in response.

However, Sheryl's frown deepened, and a crease appeared between her eyebrows.

"Who exactly are you talking to...?"

"Uh? A spirit?"

"Even with the spirit manifestation spell, I can't see anything... Could it be that you're talking to a demon—"

Sheryl took a step back, her gaze filled with suspicion.

Tetti pointed to the empty space and, with a distorted face, pleaded desperately.

"No, it's here! I really am talking to a spirit! Everyone always says this! Why doesn't anyone believe me!"

"I want to believe you, but I can't see anything... Demons control spirits."

"That's not true!"

Tetti cried out in anguish. Tears glistened in the dappled sunlight at the corners of her eyes.

I tried to calm Sheryl down.

"If Tetti says it's there, why not believe her? She's not a bad kid."

"Thank you, Lord Alex..."

Tetti looked at me with tears in her eyes but smiled.

I nodded and asked.

"By the way, what does the spirit Tetti sees look like?"

"Well, it's white and transparent, and it's fading, but it's still white. I can barely see it now... But this is the only one I can talk to."

As Tetti explained, the crease between Sheryl's eyebrows deepened.

"White and transparent... There's no such spirit. ...Wait. Does this spirit become more visible in winter?"

"Yes, it's still transparent when it gets cold, but the outline becomes clearer. I can also hear its voice."

Tetti wiped away her tears and answered honestly.

Sheryl placed her hand on her lips and replied thoughtfully.

"Could it be... But it's spring now—Hey, try repeating this spell after me?"

"Okay."

"The target is that tree—Spirit of ice, bound by my name..."

Sheryl pointed to a tree a little distance away and spoke more slowly than usual.

Tetti repeated the words without a single mistake.

"Bound by my name, spirit of ice..."

"Restrain all with the silent breath, seal the surging myriad things! — Ice Coffin!"

"Seal—Ice Coffin!"

—Snap!

A short tree a little distance away was instantly encased in ice.

It made a cool cracking sound as it was trapped in thick ice.

"Did it! Amazing! It worked!"

Tetti raised one hand happily and did a small jump on the spot.

Her golden hair and skirt flared out, and her slender legs peeked out like a fawn's.

But Sheryl's emerald eyes were wide with shock.

Her beautiful lips trembled.

"You... You're not a forest elf! You're a snow elf! Unbelievable!"

"Snow elf?"

My voice and Tetti's overlapped. It was a word we had never heard before.

Sheryl, still in shock, nodded repeatedly at me and Tetti.

"Generally, those called elves are forest elves. They live in the forest. There are also sea elves, sky elves, and sand elves. These three tribes have almost no contact with other races. And in the northern region, where snow never melts, snow elves lived."

"Lived? Past tense?"

I couldn't help but ask.

Sheryl looked at me and nodded with a dignified expression.

"Yes, they are said to be extinct. In ancient times, a giant frost demon suddenly appeared in the far north, causing catastrophic damage. The surviving snow elves fled south, but the hot climate was unsuitable for them, and they eventually died out."

"Is that so. Tetti is a survivor, then?"

"Yes, I didn't know... Wait, my father was a forest elf, and my mother is human."

Tetti tilted her head cutely.

Sheryl nodded and replied.

"An ancestor must have been a snow elf, and it skipped a generation. It's rare, but I've heard of it. By the way, snow elves are skilled in ice and snow magic and are weak against heat."

"Oh, that's why I don't like baths..."

"Ah, you said you felt like you were melting in the bath. From now on, we'll use a cold bath."

Tetti nodded with a smile, her golden hair bouncing.

"Okay! I'll ask Kou-kun! —So, is this one a snow or ice spirit? Another one appears in winter."

She looked to the side and asked.

Sheryl nodded.

"I can't see it unless it's winter, but it's probably ice. Ice spirits control water and fire."

"Wait, fire? Even though it's cold?"

"It's not fire, but flame. Giving spirit power to something heats it up or sets it on fire. Conversely, taking away spirit power stops or freezes it. Fire can't do that, but flame can."

"I see. I don't really understand, but..."

"Also, snow spirits control wind in addition to water and fire."

"Wow! Being able to use three elements is a great deal!"

Tetti's eyes widened. She looked happy.

She had always been thought of as a half-elf who couldn't handle spirits properly.

She had even been bullied for supposedly controlling demons.

She no longer had to be afraid.

She could now live proudly as a snow elf.

That's why she was so happy.

Tetti's body bounced up and down like a pogo stick, and a smile she couldn't suppress spread across her face.

Sheryl clapped her hands.

The fire went out.

"Since we've found a friendly spirit, we'll end here for today. I haven't prepared for ice magic practice, so I'll get it ready by tomorrow."

"Okay! Ms. Sheryl! Thank you!"

"Ms. Sheryl... I understand, Tetti. I'll teach you strictly... And I'm sorry for doubting you."

"No, it's okay! I understand I'm special now. Thank you, Ms. Sheryl!"

Tetti raised her hand and responded cheerfully.

I spoke to Sheryl, who was putting away the pot.

"If you need anything, I'll give you the money. You can use the rest for lodging."

I handed her two large gold coins.

Sheryl took them with her slender hand and smiled.

"Understood. I'll do my best."

"Will we continue practicing in the forest?"

"No, now that we have a clear direction, I think we'll use the adventurer guild's training ground for practice."

"The guild is close to the shop. I'll leave it to you."

"Yes, Lord Alex."

Sheryl bowed. Her golden hair flowed down.

Tetti came over, bouncing, and grabbed my arm.

"Maybe now I can be of some help to Lord Alex?"

"You're already a great help. Thank you always."

"Really!? I'm so happy!"

I patted her head, and she bounced up and down in joy.

The bouncing gesture reminded me of something, and I suddenly realized it was like Shier, the pegasus.

—Now that she knows her own power and has made a friend.

Tetti's sources of anxiety are gradually disappearing.

Thinking that she would grow up well, I felt a little happier.

Holding hands with Tetti, who was smiling non-stop, I and Sheryl returned to the capital.

On the way back, Tetti kept asking Sheryl about ice magic, her voice full of excitement.

Although I said "tomorrow," it's been a day. I'm sorry.

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→ 92. Fake Puchi Eri Appears