Episode 85

Before Ihan could complain, Professor Willow strolled off. Of course, even if he hadn’t, Ihan would not have protested.

After all, no professor who would listen to complaints would assign work like that in the first place!

“Yoner. Sorry.”

Ihan apologized sincerely.

He should have slipped away after grabbing all the gear earlier, but he ended up paying the price for trying to get on the professor’s good side.

“Hm? Sorry for what?”

But Yoner was already digging and feeling the dry dirt near a plant, checking if it needed watering.

“…Aren’t you upset about all this unfair labor?”

“Isn’t taking care of plants fun? You said you liked it too, didn’t you?”

To Ihan’s surprise, Yoner seemed completely unbothered.

Since she liked taking care of plants to begin with, getting hands-on experience with rare plants she’d only seen in books was very rewarding.

“I like my plants fine, but other people’s… especially professors’… Actually, never mind. If you’re happy, that’s enough.”

Ihan stopped himself mid-sentence.

Come to think of it, Yoner’s way of thinking was pretty positive.

If you focus on the assignment, it’s depressing—but if you treat it as a chance to see rare plants you’d only seen in books…

‘Still, the gloom doesn’t go away.’

Ihan was too much of a cynic to be as upbeat as Yoner.

Still, he kept moving.

Feelings are feelings. Work is work.

“Ihan, the soil’s dry, but should I water it?”

“The leaves are thick… I remember reading it doesn’t need watering often, so let’s skip it. But that one should definitely get water…”

“Wait, for that plant, it has to be rainwater, not just any water. I read that somewhere.”

“You’re right. I read that, too.”

“Did I sound too amateurish?”

“No, it’s good to check what we both know.”

The two students left in the botanical garden grinned at each other.

Experts recognize one another!

If any other Blue Dragon Tower students were around, they’d probably say, ‘Why take so much trouble for a bunch of plants?!’

For highborn boys and girls to tend plants was truly a demanding task.

But for Ihan, it was different.

‘Plants are better than professors.’

Of course, the daily business—checking the soil, matching water type and temperature, dealing with mold or bugs, airing the place out, keeping up on potions—could feel bothersome.

But plants were quiet and taciturn.

That alone made plants far more loveable than professors.

How many hours passed?

“Looks like we’re done.”

“Yeah.”

They straightened, wiping sweat from their brows. Tending plants was every bit as tough as sword drills. Their muscles screamed.

I have been watching you, young humans.

“…?!”

“!”

Ihan immediately drew his staff, pointing it toward the source of the voice.

Surprisingly, the voice came from a nearby pond.

With a bubbling sound, a huge mass of water emerged from the pond. It was clear to anyone that this was a powerful spirit.

My name is Pharaachis. I am the spirit of this pond. You young humans must be the dwarf’s apprentices.

“…Yes, do you know the professor?”

Indeed. I made a contract with the dwarf to look after this garden.

The spirit’s goodwill toward the two was clear. The reason was soon obvious.

It is rare among young humans to see anyone care for plants with such dedication and attention…

‘Ah. Was that it?’

Looking at Pharaachis, Ihan realized why Professor Willow had sent them here.

Professor Willow, who teaches botany, must have been moved by seeing Ihan and Yoner’s sincere devotion to plants.

He had sent them to a place where they could impress a spirit who highly valued such care.

If the two of them truly cherished the plants, they could win the spirit’s approval!

‘I’m sorry, professor.’

Ihan quickly apologized, realizing he’d mistaken Willow’s intentions.

He thought the professor had just dumped his work on them, but it had a far deeper meaning.

Moved, the spirit spoke, “Usually I don’t show myself to people, but seeing such devotion, I couldn’t help but appear.”

After finishing, the spirit looked at Ihan with curiosity.

But you, you seem like the sort of human who would frighten spirits. How are you carrying a tree spirit staff?

“……”

Ihan was slightly hurt. Yoner, before realizing it, jumped to his defense.

“Ihan may not look it, but he’s really a good person.”

Sorry, young human. Lower spirits aren’t able to discern their contractors’ personalities.

The weaker and lower the spirit, the less intelligence they have.

To even learn what the contractor is like, they have to spend a long time together, getting to know each other. In your case, Ihan, that’d be hard.

You radiate so much power, most spirits would just run away!

“I received my staff as a gift from the talking oak trees.”

Ah, that explains it. Don’t be too down about it. The spirit within your staff found you scary at first, and still does, but now calls you a good person.

“……”

Ihan, without meaning to, looked at his staff.

Was it really scared of me?

Yoner asked sympathetically,

“Mr. Pharaachis, is there any way for Ihan to make a contract with a spirit? He tries reaching out to spirits, but they all run away.”

Well… this is the first time I’ve heard this kind of problem…

Pharaachis splashed around, lost in thought.

How about this?

“What is it?”

Ihan was a bit hopeful.

As a named, powerful spirit, surely it would have a good idea—

Instead of making a contract with a spirit, why not try other beings? With so much magic, most would be frightened, but not all see that as a bad thing. There are those who would like it.

“…I want to make a contract with a spirit, though.”

Hmm, is that so. Yes, those beings who’d like it are often evil creatures. For someone as kind-hearted as you, that wouldn’t suit you.

“?”

Ihan was confused.

…Was that right?

But Yoner, as if it were obvious, nodded.

“That’s true.”

“It’s not like I have to contract only with spirits…”

Well… If you must make a spirit contract, it’s a valid approach to bond with a wild and fierce spirit.

Pharaachis produced another suggestion.

Not all lower spirits are timid or innocent. Some are wild and vicious even at low levels.

Especially the spirits of unstable, destructive elements tend that way.

“That’s possible…! Wait, but the professor never mentioned that.”

Ihan realized something was off.

Could Professor Thunderstep have left it out on purpose as a prank?

A likely story.

Well… No matter how wild or fierce, lower spirits aren’t so foolish they’d attack blindly… They’d probably still run or hide.

“……”

“……”

Ihan and Yoner fell silent again. Yoner’s pitying look stung a little.

Still, what I said isn’t totally wrong. The stronger, higher ranking a spirit is, the less likely it is to run immediately. If you meet one like that, you might get the chance to show your true character in conversation.

“Thank you for the advice.”

Hmm… Actually, not all strong and high spirits work, but among them, you’re better off with a wild and fierce one. Of course, that’s not to say the gentle ones will always run, but spirits usually don’t care for pointless fights…

“……”

Pharaachis sounded apologetic, and Ihan almost wished he hadn’t asked.

Now it feels even more hopeless!

Yoner asked hopefully,

“Could you perhaps make a contract with Ihan, Mr. Pharaachis?”

“Yoner. It’s fine. Let it go.”

“No! I’ll help you no matter what!”

Yoner wanted to repay Ihan for her own benefit.

But Ihan was starting to get embarrassed.

He felt like a student who couldn’t make friends and now the teacher was asking, “Anyone want to be friends with Ihan?”

It wouldn’t work for a child mage like you to make a contract with me. You’d collapse on the spot—

Pharaachis glanced at Ihan and changed his tune.

…Well, I wouldn’t collapse, but I’m sorry. Right now I’m already contracted to the dwarf. I can’t follow you around or help you.

“That’s fine.”

Ihan decided to prepare himself mentally to befriend the undead instead.

How about this? There’s a spirit I know that’s been summoned to this school. If I say I sent you, maybe it’ll at least listen.

“!”

Ihan was surprised.

A totally unexpected, good idea.

“Would that really be okay? I’d hate to trouble you…”

You two young horticulturists inspired me to help this much. Don’t worry. And—

Pharaachis paused, debating whether to say the next part.

In the end, he spoke.

If that friend avoids you, try not to be too discouraged, alright?

“…Yes…”

Ihan started to wonder just how powerful a spirit he’d have to meet just to get a conversation.

Would he need to find a spirit king or something?

• * *

Pharaachis coiled up and floated, then drained the pond. A deep tunnel was revealed below.

If you go in here, you’ll reach my friend’s place right away.

Ihan was grateful for the spirit’s kindness. But Pharaachis wasn’t finished.

Fwoosh!

Ancient script like the shape of the pond appeared on the backs of Ihan and Yoner’s hands.

I put a bit of my power in it. The mark will help you, young mages.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you so much!”

Ihan and Yoner expressed deep gratitude.

This spirit seemed far kinder than most of the school’s professors.

Yes. Don’t forget love of plants.

As Ihan and Yoner stepped down through the pond, Pharaachis quickly restored the water’s surface. The passage to the underground grew silent.

“Light.”

Ihan conjured an orb of light. He found himself glancing at the staff containing his tree spirit without meaning to.

He wanted to ask, “Are you still scared of me?” but it felt too pathetic.

‘Honestly, though, I really do want to ask.’

“Ihan?”

“!”

Ihan jumped, afraid his thoughts had been noticed.

“What’s up?”

“Pharaachis was the pond spirit, right? Where do you think the one we’re finding now will be?”

“…Hmm.”

Yoner’s question really was sharp. Pharaachis had neglected to say what kind of spirit they were about to meet.

“It’s probably in an underground river or under the lake.”

Since Pharaachis was a pond spirit, his friend likely was similar: water, river, pond, or sea.

‘Surely it’s not connected to the sea…’

Worst case, they could end up in an underwater dungeon.

Ihan knew this magic school was more than capable of that.

“A river spirit would be nice. They say river spirits are usually wise and clever.”

“If you could contract a river spirit, you’d get the wisdom to survive this prison—er, school.”

Ihan’s words trailed off.

‘But I thought river spirits were supposed to be gentle?’

…Wouldn’t it just run away again?

Clack!

With a sharp sound, they climbed from the passage up to the surface.

In the dark silence, Ihan saw a place he recognized.

…It was the school’s punishment room.

“……”

Ihan thought,

There is NO WAY that friend is a river spirit!