Chapter 103: CH 103

Evan and Lucas were taken aback by the sudden appearance of Mishan.

Evan, who rarely showed any wavering, seemed unfamiliar with the existence of spirits.

“Is this… a spirit?”

Lucas blinked his eyes slowly, clearly surprised. Riett understood their startled reactions.

Even Riett, as a spirit mage, was occasionally taken aback by Mishan’s presence. His ethereal voice that didn’t sound human and the mysterious way he appeared was quite extraordinary.

Moreover, considering Lucas’ usual interest in spirits, it was undoubtedly fascinating.

“What… He’s so good-looking.”

Lucas exclaimed in admiration. Riett let out a cough in response.

‘No, is your surprise solely based on his appearance?’

“My appearance is not a fixed form. So, it doesn’t hold much significance.”

Mishan explained to Lucas, who was still in awe, murmuring,

“That makes it even more suspicious, doesn’t it?”

But for Riett, Mishan’s current appearance wasn’t the important part. First, they needed to introduce each other.

“Mishan, these are my… friends.”

Riett thought the word to describe Evan and Lucas was rather ambiguous. The word “friend” felt too pure and childish, while “acquaintance” seemed too distant. If she were to be a little more objective, Lucas wasn’t even a friend.

“I was already aware.”

Mishan nodded his head.

“You were the one who used to tease my master, and you were the one who struck her from behind.”

There was a hint of animosity in Mishan’s voice, and his usual gentle gaze appeared somewhat sharp. But Riett wondered how Mishan knew all this. It felt like he had been observing them like a stalker.

Lucas, finding it strange how well Mishan seemed to know them, asked,

“Didn’t you say you became a spirit mage just a week ago?”

“I told you. Mishan has been around me for quite a while.”

Riett explained, but Lucas still looked puzzled.

“So, this spirit has been watching Riett like a pervert…?”

“Do not undermine the sublime feelings I have towards my master with your foolish human standards!”

Mishan exclaimed in anger. Evan, who had been observing their interaction, crossed his arms and asked,

“You’re not using your powers as an excuse to demand strange things from Riett, right?”

“That, too, is nothing more than impure human thoughts.”

Mishan replied with a cold tone. Riett felt a bit stung. Mishan’s response was similar to Evan’s question before she made the contract with him.

“The spirits seem to be fiercer than I thought.”

Lucas muttered with a furrowed brow.

Mishan isn’t usually like this… Why is he acting like this today?

Perhaps Lucas and Evan were behaving too snappily, which caused Mishan to react in this way. Riett had nothing to say in response to Mishan, who seemed to be starting an argument.

“Mishan, stop it.”

Riett finally interrupted their conversation.

“I need to quickly return to the mansion and fetch the carriage.”

“Yes, then I shall accompany you…”

Riett stopped Mishan discreetly as he tried to follow her.

“No, you stay here and make sure the fire doesn’t go out.”

“What?! Are you telling me to stay here with these wicked individuals?”

Mishan’s eyebrows twitched, but he seemed unfazed by their presence.

“Mishan, Evan, and Lucas aren’t bad people.”

Though their current expressions might suggest otherwise… It was Mishan who had instigated this situation.

“I’m asking you for a favor.”

Riett pleaded with a desperate expression, and Mishan reluctantly nodded.

“Yes… I cannot defy my master’s words. Please be careful.”

Finally, Riett smiled in relief.

“Thank you, Mishan.”

Before leaving, Riett glanced at Evan and Lucas. Their atmosphere was still not pleasant.

No, it was the same with Mishan included. They seemed to silently scrutinize each other, only their eyes moving slightly.

“Evan, Lucas, please don’t pester Mishan too much for providing the fire here.”

Evan and Lucas nodded their heads absentmindedly. Though their attitude was visibly uneasy, Riett ignored it and got on the horse.

Before leaving, Mishan approached and suggested using the wind to travel faster.

Riett gave it a try, and it indeed proved to be faster. Although she couldn’t use high-level abilities like lifting people or teleportation, this convenience was already significant.

‘Spirit magic is quite useful.’

With the help of spirit magic, Riett had been able to save Evan, who was hanging from the severed bridge, even though she didn’t expect to succeed.

Just like how a baby bird, without having learned to fly, manages to glide somehow when it falls off a cliff, she was able to overcome the crisis.

She couldn’t let these abilities go to waste and had to make the most of them. A faint smile appeared on Riett’s face as the sharp cold breeze brushed against her cheeks.

‘Ughh.’

Suddenly, she noticed the setting sun and the darkening sky. It was getting darker around her.

Riett erased her smile and urged the horses forward.

* * *

Safely returning to the mansion, Riett sat down in front of the fire to warm herself.

Despite Mishan being wary of Evan and Lucas, he preserved the fire well, allowing the two of them to wait for Riett without any problems.

Oddly enough, it was Riett who felt a bit chilly, even though she had been moving around with the carriage and horses.

“Achoo!”

Riett sneezed. The loud sound caught Evan and Lucas’s attention.

“Are you okay, Riett?”

“You caught a cold!”

Evan and Lucas voiced their concerns one after another. Riett waved her hand as if to assure them that she was fine.

“It’s nothing. So, have you talked to Mishan?”

Since returning with the carriage, the scene was eerily quiet and desolate, as if there were invisible barriers between them.

Only a crackling bonfire in the center made any noise.

Riett didn’t expect them to engage in lively conversation, but it was even more desolate than she had imagined.

Still, they had spent some time together, so she thought they would have at least discussed some basic curiosities.

“Well, we roughly cleared up our questions.”

Lucas responded with a somber tone,

“Congratulations to Riett for becoming a spirit mage, but I can’t help feeling uneasy about the spirits being such perverted beings.”

“He says Master while making such an embarrassed face… Are you sure he’s not a perverted one?”

Evan, who was leaning against the window, agreed with Lucas’ statement. It seemed like it had been an eternity since Evan had agreed with something Lucas said.

But more than anything, Riett felt sorry for Mishan, who was mistaken for a pervert.

“All the hired help in this house address me like a master, but what’s the problem? Technically, Mishan was hired by me.”

And without payment… It was Mishan who insisted on this unfair contract.

When Riett explained with a firm voice, both Evan and Lucas fell silent.

After some time, Lucas spoke up again.

“Speaking of which, Riett, now that you’ve become a spirit mage if you obtain the Spirit Stone, you’ll gain incredible power. I mentioned it before, right? It grants the ability to control the sea.”

“…If I manage to find the Spirit Stone, then yes.”

Riett nodded, finding the abilities hard to believe even now.

“Are you planning to search for the Spirit Stone?”

Lucas asked. Riett gave a brief answer,

“Yes, for now.”

Lucas stroked his chin and murmured, ‘Hmm… I see.’ Then he asked,

“What do you plan to do once you have the Spirit Stone?”

“I don’t have any specific plans yet. I just feel like it’s something that shouldn’t fall into Perante’s hands. It doesn’t seem like something he would use for good purposes.”

Lucas narrowed his eyes.

“Do you think you can win against Perante in a fight? I’ve heard bits and pieces of the stories, and he’s said to be an incredibly powerful individual.”

If she had been asked this question before, she wouldn’t have been able to give a definite answer. But today, when she saved Evan, she felt a strong conviction.

She believed that she would grow faster than she thought.

“Not yet, but I’ll make sure I become strong enough to do so.”

Even with Riett’s answer, Lucas still seemed unsure.

“It won’t be easy…”

Lucas lowered his head, deep in thought, and then asked Riett,

“Really… Is your reason for wanting to find the Spirit Stone because of Perante?”

It seemed like Lucas believed that Riett had a weaker motive for seeking the Spirit Stone compared to others who pursued it with great ambition.

While most sought it for their grand ideals like world peace, Riett’s reason seemed to be more about not allowing someone else to possess it.

But Riett couldn’t give Lucas any other explanation. That was truly her sole reason.

Riett’s thought process was quite simple. Rather than pursuing grand things like world peace, she simply eliminated anything or anyone that hindered or annoyed her, ultimately resulting in a peaceful outcome for everyone.

It was the same with trying to keep Perante in check. Aside from being labeled a traitor, she had never liked him from the start.

Riett gazed at the crackling fire in the fireplace and spoke up.

“Yes, I just don’t want the Spirit Stone to fall into Perante’s hands, even if it means risking my life.”

* * *

Contrary to the expectation of continuous heavy snowfall, the sky over Parman cleared up in just one day.

The result was a garden filled with white debris.

“Achoo!”

Along with that, Riett caught a cold.

As Riett sniffled, Evan handed her a handkerchief.

“Here, use this.”

“Thank you…”

Riett wanted to sleep in and rest her tired body, but Lucas, who noticed that the snow had stopped, knocked on the door and woke her up.

As a result, she found herself seeing him off once again, like déjà vu.

“Take care. Don’t come back.”

“You’re so harsh.”

Lucas expressed his disappointment at Riett’s cold words, but she meant it sincerely.

“Before I go, I have something to give you.”

Putting aside his discontented expression, Lucas rummaged through his pocket. Riett’s curious gaze fell on Lucas’ hand.

Lucas’ hand opened, revealing a round object in his palm.

“Ta-da!”

Riett stared intently at the circular object on Lucas’ palm.

“A Spirit Stone compass…?”

That’s right. What Lucas was offering was a Spirit Stone compass.

“I’m giving this to you, Riett.”

Riett stared at the Spirit Stone compass in silence, then turned her gaze to Lucas.

‘Did you lose your mind after nearly dying yesterday?’

A whole manor’s worth and he’s just giving it away? Riett was not the type to burden herself with such a troublesome gift.

“Forget it. I don’t want it.”

However, Lucas forcibly placed the compass in Riett’s hand.

“It’s not just a gift. In return, promise me that you’ll find the Spirit Stone. That’s the price of this gift.”

“If I manage to find the Spirit Stone, what about you? You said you needed the Spirit Stone to leave the guild.”

Lucas shook his head.

“I already told you. I’ve been running away, solely depending on the Spirit Stone.”

There were plenty of other ways. Lucas murmured.

“Anyway, Riett. The compass is yours now, so use it well.”

Lucas let out a refreshing laugh, reminiscent of his student days. His appearance looked more refreshing and relieved than ever, making it impossible for Riett to refuse the compass.

Perhaps noticing Riett’s uncomfortable expression, Lucas playfully added,

“If you can’t find the Spirit Stone, I’ll collect the full payment from you, alright? It’s quite expensive. The outer layer is made of platinum, you know.”

Until the very end, Lucas’ actions showed consideration. Riett forced a smile in response.

Then, Lucas turned his head towards Evan.

“I hope I never have to see your face again, Evan. But don’t get too happy. You never know when I might show up again.”

It was a farewell with no trace of affection. Evan, as always, simply crossed his arms and had no response.

Lucas casually turned his head back to Riett.

His eyes were gentle and folded softly. It seemed unusually affectionate to Riett, and she felt a strange sensation.

“Goodbye, Riett.”

With a slight bow, Lucas whispered into Riett’s ear.

“When you become completely free, I’ll come to see you again.”