Chapter 65

After seeing Seika off as she headed to the mountain where the dragon dwells, Eifa returned to the path leading to her room alone.

She felt a sense of aimlessness.

Naturally, a sigh escaped her lips.

When it was decided that she would go to Astylia with Seika, she thought that she could finally do some work as a servant and be of help to Seika.

But in reality, she was just a hindrance.

While thinking about this, she opened the door to the room assigned to her.

There was someone already inside.

"Hmm, you're back."

Eifa blinked.

The person there was the female demi-human who had been standing by Prince Cecilio at the academy.

With her translucent white skin and pointed ears, Eifa knew these were the characteristics of the Forest People.

Strangely, she wasn't afraid.

Perhaps it was because of the impression of the sacred race from her favorite fairy tales.

But.

The current situation was a bit confusing.

"Um, is there something you need?"

"I wanted to talk to you alone. Sit down."

The female Forest Person—she was called Rize, if Eifa remembered correctly—urged her as if she were the owner of the room. Reluctantly, Eifa sat on the chair nearby.

Rize didn't sit down but walked around the room while speaking.

"Protoasta is a wonderful place, isn't it?"

"Y-Yes..."

"The city has a rich history, the residents are good people, and above all, it is filled with magic. The deep connection between our Forest People and Astylia, and the long watch of the dragon over this city, are all due to this abundant magic."

"I-I see... I don't really understand much about magic..."

"No, you do."

The Forest Person's emerald eyes met Eifa's directly.

"There are so many spirits here. You must have noticed that much."

"Wh-What? No, I mean, what are you talking about..."

"There's no need to hide it."

As she said this, Rize raised her hand and pinched a blue fish—water element spirit—floating in the air with her slender fingers.

"There are many spirits in this land, but especially these blue ones are unusually abundant in this city. It's probably because of the mountains in the background and the abundant water sources around it. As a result, many children born in this city have an affinity for water."

When Rize released her fingers, the blue fish swam away in a hurry. Eifa, who had been watching it, suddenly looked down when she noticed Rize's gaze.

Then, she cautiously looked up at the Forest Person.

"Um... why can I see... them?"

"It would be strange if you didn't. Who would think that someone who can gather so many spirits with magic stones and magical tools is doing it unintentionally? When I saw you in the academy cafeteria, I was surprised. And I immediately realized. This girl is one of our descendants."

"D-Descendant...?"

Eifa's voice was puzzled.

"You mean... descendant? I-I am...?"

"Yes. Now, few people know, but our Forest People's magic is very different from the magic used by other races and monsters."

Rize continued, looking down at Eifa.

"We use magic by enveloping ourselves in magic and calling upon spirits to create mystical phenomena. The ability to communicate with spirits is the power of the Forest People. At the academy, you use magic by calling upon the spirits you have gathered, right? Your magic is precisely the magic of the Forest People."

"B-But..."

Eifa said, confused.

"I'm just a regular human. I don't have as much magic as you do."

Since the first time she saw Rize, a vast array of colorful spirits had swirled around her. She must have a considerable amount of magic. When Rize was asked, she smiled and replied.

"Don't compare yourself to me. I'm quite skilled. Indeed, I can hardly see any magic in you. Moreover, your racial characteristics are weak. But that's a minor issue... Which of your parents has blonde hair?"

"Um, my mother..."

"Then one of your distant ancestors on your mother's side was a Forest Person."

"B-But..."

"The amount of magic varies even within a race. The physical characteristics also fade as human blood becomes more dominant. But the ability to see spirits is different. It is an undeniable proof of our kin... Could your mother see them? If she couldn't, then you are a special case of regression. That's good."

"..."

Eifa was stunned.

She never thought that the roots of her power would be revealed in such a way.

And that she was a descendant of the sacred race she had read about in fairy tales.

To the speechless Eifa, Rize spoke in a calm tone.

"This is also a matter of fate with the spirits. I'm glad to have met a fellow kin unexpectedly. But... at the same time, I feel pity. You have been a slave, and you must have had a hard time."

"That's not true..."

"To be honest, I came today to persuade you on behalf of our young master."

The Forest Person smiled and said.

"Come to Astylia's harem, Eifa."

"Wh-What?"

"It's quite an interesting place. I can vouch for it, having been there before. Our young master is still a bit naive and somewhat unreliable, but he's not a bad man. He will likely show the courage to save you from your current master. Of course, you don't have to become a concubine if you don't want to..."

"Um, I'm sorry!"

Eifa interrupted, flustered.

Then, she said, averting her gaze.

"I-I appreciate your offer, but... I still don't want to join the harem."

Originally, Eifa had no intention of doing so.

Even if Seika suggested it, she couldn't imagine herself there.

"Besides... I'm already quite happy. The academy is fun, and Seika is kind. So, I don't wish for anything more."

"...What are you saying?"

"Huh?"

Eifa looked at Rize.

She was confused.

Rize's face showed an expression of incomprehension.

"Are you saying that you're fine being that boy's slave?"

"Um, well..."

"I didn't invite you to the harem for the sake of advancement or becoming a queen. I thought it would be a blessing for you if the young master bought you from that boy. Of course, the young master probably didn't realize it..."

"Wait a minute. What are you talking about? If you're saying something bad about Seika, I'll get angry too!"

"...You should realize it too."

Rize said, her voice tinged with a slight tension.

"That boy is a monster."