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Chapter 14
A small chocolate-colored lop-eared rabbit, Shuiban, was an earth spirit. Riventa cautiously approached and pecked him with her beak.
[Are you conscious?]
[Ugh… ughh… Wh-where am I?]
Though Shuiban’s tiny mouth emitted a formal, archaic tone that one might expect from a historical drama, I thought it suited him perfectly.
[This is my contractor’s room.]
[Another contract, Riventa? Your existence must be quite worn by now.]
[For now, I’m perfectly fine.]
They exchanged a few words—mostly greetings. But by the end of the conversation, Riventa’s expression stiffened.
[You’ll disappear soon?]
Disappear? Shuiban’s condition seemed worse than I expected.
[My last contractor left me too abruptly. Even after hundreds of years, I haven’t forgotten.]
[So you chose to disappear of your own will?]
[Not exactly, but it seems that’s what will happen soon.]
I learned that Shuiban’s last contractor had lived hundreds of years ago and possessed exceptional talent. He had contracts with spirits of three elements and was on the verge of advancing to a higher level—but he died young because of a terminal condition.
[It can’t be helped. He had a congenital illness. Even if he had contracted a water spirit, it wouldn’t have saved him.]
[I know…]
If left alone, the conversation would probably delve into painful depths, so I climbed onto the bed and intervened.
“Um, Shuiban.”
[Yes?]
“I won’t die young. Longevity is my dream.”
[Wh-what?]
“Contract with me. I don’t know your previous owner, but I’ll take good care of you.”
Normally, it might annoy someone to have a third party interrupt while they’re sad, but Shuiban’s body was gradually fading from the extremities.
I didn’t want him to disappear without me noticing, especially not right in front of me.
I probably shouldn’t have brought him in the first place, but I sighed inwardly and reached out to Shuiban.
Should I rewrite the main story through the Cupid Project, or should I make contracts with spirits? Either way, the butterfly effect had already begun from the moment I possessed this situation.
[Good. Even a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. Who should we contract with next? Judging by Rasha’s disposition, water seems fitting.]
‘Shut your beak.’
[Shuiban, you will see. The uniqueness of Rasha alone.]
Shuiban stared blankly for a moment, only speaking once his hind legs had nearly vanished.
[I-I see. Such chaos, such contradictions… it’s the first time since our downfall.]
Was he really comparing me to Behemoth, the monster that nearly destroyed the world? But his eyes held no particular intention, just an unnaturally bright gleam.
[I understand why Riventa contracted with you. I will contract with you too.]
“Good, Shuiban.”
[Come closer.]
I pressed my forehead against Shuiban’s, whose body was now half gone.
[I, Shuiban, the minor earth spirit, contract with Rasha Berni. Our souls are bound as one, sharing all things, and this contract shall be engraved as a sacred promise for life.]
A chain of light wrapped around us.
[If this contract is broken, Rasha Berni’s soul will wander endlessly without rest. In return, I, Shuiban, the earth spirit, vow to serve only Rasha Berni for life, and shall vanish if I fail.]
I watched as Shuiban’s body was restored. Light swirled around us in a grand display.
[I, Shuiban, the earth spirit, the one and only for Rasha Berni. As my name belongs to Rasha Berni, the soul chain will perfect our bond for life.]
The chains of light, like with Riventa, scattered and disappeared with a flash. Shuiban twitched his adorable ears.
[My contractor… your footsteps are firmly engraved. Even in times of wandering or loneliness, you will never lose your way.]
Thus, I contracted with two elemental spirits. Riventa jumped for joy.
[Shuiban, explain your abilities to Rasha.]
[Understood.]
Shuiban, now glossy and strong, hopped into my arms. He was incredibly cute. Riventa, claiming to be cuter, pecked me lightly with her beak. But anyone could see Shuiban was the cuter one.
[Earth is the power of defense. It specializes in protection. And the forms of protection are varied—guarding, growth, pride, and persistence. I can make shields from soil, prepare armor, or even tend the flowers in the vases to prevent wilting.]
“Good. Then could you take care of the flowers?”
[Absolutely! Leave it to me!]
I was glad, as I had been reluctant to discard the wilted ones earlier.
Shuiban’s lop ears twitched adorably. I laughed and petted him. But it was hard to grasp the flow of power Riventa had explained in one go. She said I could learn gradually through training.
Training… sure, it seemed tedious, but I had to evolve the kids.
[Rasha, let’s start right away.]
‘Wait… the sun’s already up.’
[Indeed. It’s morning.]
‘Don’t you two have a day and night?’
The realization that I’d stayed up all night hit me in a wave of fatigue.
I picked up a moderately thick book from the stack Lecaline had given me, planning to read while I waited. After finishing a couple of books, I gained some basic knowledge about spirits quickly.
‘We’ll talk more later.’
Riventa looked disappointed but agreed and continued chatting with Shuiban, explaining her goals and various things. I watched them and eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, Riventa sat on my shoulder, Shuiban on the other.
I descended the stairs carrying the two invisible-to-others spirits. Near the garden, I met Calian. His golden hair shimmered so brightly in the sunlight that it almost looked white, and his lake-blue eyes were fixed on me.
[A breathtaking beauty. Looks like he could ruin a kingdom.]
[Better say ‘exquisitely handsome’ instead, Shuiban.]
The two spirits on my shoulders chattered excitedly about Calian. My head was filled with their high-pitched voices. Ugh, so noisy.
“Good morning, Rife.”
“Assistant.”
Calian held a single flower in his hands, posed politely. I reached out, but he stepped back.
“Huh?”
I stepped closer, but he stepped back again. After about three rounds of this, I planted my feet firmly.
“Are you playing games with me?”
“Not exactly. But come with me.”
I followed him into the garden. What had been slightly wilted now glowed brilliantly under Calian’s touch.
“Wow, Rife. You’re really skilled with your hands.”
Calian had used garden scissors and a saw to trim the plants into colorful, beautiful shapes.
“Yes, Assistant? It’s my first time sculpting like this. I’d always imagined it in my mind, but the head butler entrusted me with the space.”
Calian’s cheeks were faintly pink. Having a long-held dream realized is a joy for anyone.
“So, you could say the Duke ultimately approved, right?”
“Yes.”
He seemed focused on introducing his work, answering my question without much thought.
I smiled and pulled the note he had given me yesterday from my coat pocket. Time to get to the point.
“The note from yesterday…”
“Oh, yes.”
“You said you wanted to thank the Duke and me, so I arranged this meeting.”
Calian seemed a little flustered. Understandable—he probably didn’t expect my literal follow-up.
I swallowed my guilt and continued.
“You can pick the date that’s most convenient for you. When it’s most relaxed.”
Calian paused, thinking, looking like a Rodin sculpture—more accurately, like a painting of one. Oil paints suited him best.
“Hmm, I’ve decided.”
His soft voice wrapped around me like a breeze—probably Riventa’s doing.
“This weekend should be fine. Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’ll confirm with the Duke.”
“Then let me know once it’s confirmed.”
I nodded, checking my watch. It was about time. I reached out again for the flower.
Riventa and Shuiban watched intently as I interacted with Calian.
[The atmosphere is peculiar. The two seem quite close.]
Instead of extending his free hand, Calian kept holding the flower, signaling for me to take it. I approached and took it from his hand. As I did, my fingers brushed his soft skin. Though rough with calluses and small scars, it was surprisingly smooth.
I gripped the flower a little tighter to hide my embarrassment. It was still partly closed, red in color, reminding me of the pansy he gave me yesterday.
“The pansy yesterday… it was lovely.”
“I liked it too.”
A brief silence followed. I turned my gaze away from his fresh, smiling face first.
[Rasha, I think I guessed right.]
‘He forgot the subject… he means he liked the pansy.’
[One shouldn’t date a man who isn’t honest, Rasha.]
‘Shuiban, that’s not what I meant.’
My heart raced faster than usual, my body feeling slightly warm, yet I casually responded and headed to the office.
Calian waved high to see me off.
I planned to check with Lecaline about the schedule and coordinate it. I’d also need the spirits’ cooperation.
‘Training then.’
[You’re motivated? You could start right now!]
‘Good. But there’s one condition.’
I raised my index finger to emphasize as I thought:
‘You must obey me without question.’
[Of course. We obey our contractor.]
‘Specifically, I want you to follow instructions without any doubts. Even absolute obedience doesn’t guarantee blind compliance, right?’
[You don’t intend to get thrown in the palace dungeon, do you?]
I chuckled at Riventa. She seemed serious at first but was actually a bit silly.
‘This condition is simple. You want to become Spirit King, right?’
[Of course.]
‘Then cooperate. Shuiban?’
[You saved me when I was about to disappear. I’ll be grateful for life. I never dreamed of becoming Spirit King, but seeing you… it fills me with hope.]
Despite the roundabout wording, it was ultimately acceptance.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could contract with more spirits or truly evolve them to Spirit King. But the Cupid Project came first, so I decided to at least try for the poor guys.
Riventa said solemnly:
[Even if it’s something that could land me in the palace dungeon, I’ll cooperate.]
I nearly laughed at her sudden attitude but held it in.
‘I wouldn’t. No illegal deeds. So cooperate fully.’
[As long as it’s not evil, certainly.]
[Good. Training starts today.]
I smiled as if all the world’s worries had vanished—but little did I know how the tea time would go completely awry…
