SMMA 85

Chapter 85

Before Ihan could protest, Professor Willow strolled away. Even if she hadn’t left, Ihan wouldn’t have complained.
Professors who listened rarely assigned such tasks!

“Yonellia, I’m sorry.”
Ihan sincerely apologized.
He should have run off when he initially gathered so much, but he tried to please the professor instead and now was paying the price.

“Huh? For what?”
Meanwhile, Yonellia was already digging the dry soil near the plants, checking if it was okay to water them.

“Isn’t this unfair labor? Doesn’t it frustrate you?”
“Taking care of plants is fun, isn’t it? You like it too.”
Surprisingly, Yonellia showed no sign of dissatisfaction.
Since she enjoyed plant care, having the rare opportunity to tend actual rare plants, which she had only seen in books before, was very satisfying.

“My own plants are so-so, but other people’s plants, especially professors’, are a different matter. As long as it feels good, that’s fine.”
Ihan was about to argue but stopped himself.
Yonellia’s mindset was relatively positive.
If one thought of it as just a professor’s order, it would be depressing; but if one saw it as an opportunity to witness rare plants firsthand, it was better…
‘Still, that doesn’t entirely remove the gloomy feeling.’
Ihan was too much of a materialist to be as optimistic as Yonellia.
But still, he moved. Emotions are one thing, work is another.

“Ihan, the soil is dry here. Should we water it?”
“The leaves are tough… We read that this kind of plant doesn’t need much water, so let’s skip it. But this one definitely needs water.”
“Wait. That plant should only be given rainwater. I read it somewhere.”
“Right. I read that too.”
“Did I make an amateurish comment?”
“No. It’s good to confirm what we both know.”
The two remaining students smiled at each other.
Experts recognize each other!
Other Blue Dragon Tower students might think, “Why do you have to fuss so much over a single plant?!”
For children of a great noble family, plant care was truly meticulous and demanding.

But for Ihan, it was different.
‘Plants are better than professors.’
Checking soil conditions daily, adjusting water type and temperature, removing pests or mold, ventilating, preparing potions—it could be tedious and troublesome.
But plants were quiet and silent.
That was one reason plants were more lovable than professors.

Hours passed.
“Done, don’t you think?”
“Yes.”
They wiped sweat and stretched, finding plant care as exhausting as sword training. Their muscles cried out.

“You kids watch over us.”
“…?!”
“!”
Ihan quickly drew his staff and aimed toward the source of the voice.
Surprisingly, the voice came from a nearby pond.
A giant mass of water appeared, bubbling fiercely. Anyone could tell it was a powerful water spirit.

“My name is Pharaakis. I am the pond’s spirit. You young humans must be dwarves’ disciples.”
“…Yes. Do you know the professor?”
“Of course. I made a contract with a dwarf to care for this garden.”
The spirit clearly regarded them favorably.
It was obvious why.
Among young humans, few cared for plants as diligently and attentively as these two…
‘Ah. So that’s why.’
Seeing Pharaakis, Ihan understood why Professor Willow sent them here.
Willow, a botany professor, was moved by seeing Ihan and Yonellia’s sincere care.
Hence, he sent them to a spirit who highly valued their love of plants.
If they truly cherished the plants, they would receive the spirit’s approval.
“Sorry, professor.”
Ihan quickly apologized.
He had thought Willow just assigned chores, but there was much deeper meaning.
The spirit, not usually fond of showing itself, couldn’t remain indifferent to such devotion.
After finishing, Pharaakis regarded Ihan curiously.
“But you seem like someone spirits might fear. How do you have a tree spirit?”

“……”
Ihan felt slightly hurt. Unintentionally, Yonellia defended him.
“Ihan is really kind, despite appearances.”
“Sorry, young human. Lower spirits cannot discern the contract’s personality. The weaker and lower-ranking tend to lack intelligence.
Understanding a contractor requires long companionship. It’s hard for someone like Ihan to have had that chance because his mana repels most spirits.”
“I received this staff from the talking oaks.”
“Oh. That explains it. Don’t feel bad. Your wood spirit was scary at first and still is, but it praises you as a good person.”
“……”
Ihan found himself staring at his staff.
Was it scared?
Yonellia asked with concern.
“Pharaakis, is there a way for Ihan to make contracts with spirits? He tries to contact those in the spirit realm, but spirits avoid him.”
“Well… this is a new dilemma for me too.”
Pharaakis pondered, splashing around.
“How about this?”
“What is it?”
Ihan felt a slight hope, thinking a powerful named spirit would have wise advice.
Giving up on spirits, what about contracting others? With so much mana, most would fear you—but that can be an advantage; some beings might like it.
“…I want to contract with spirits too.”
“Hmm. That figures. Usually, those who like that are evil beings. They rarely fit well with humans of good heart like you.”
“?”
Ihan was confused.
…Really?
Yonellia showed agreement without surprise.
“Right.”
“I’m not intent on contracting only with spirits…”
“Hmm… If you insist, signing with violent and fierce spirits is one method.”
Pharaakis proposed another method.
Not all lower spirits are timid or naive; some are fierce and violent from youth.
Especially unstable and destructive elemental spirits often have strong tendencies.
“That kind of thing…! But the professor didn’t say that.”
Ihan noted the oddity.
Perhaps Thunderstep purposely withheld that to sabotage him?
Highly likely.
No matter how fierce, lower spirits aren’t dumb enough for senseless fights. They’d probably avoid and flee.
“……”
“……”
Ihan and Yonellia fell silent. Yonellia’s pitying gaze stung.
Still, my suggestion isn’t entirely wrong. Stronger, higher-tier spirits won’t flee immediately on sight and might recognize your true nature through conversation.
“Thank you for the advice.”
Hmm… Not every strong and high-tier spirit is cooperative, but best to seek fiercer ones if possible. Not all gentle spirits run, but generally, spirits hate pointless fights.
“……”
Pharaakis’s hesitant excuses made Ihan think perhaps he shouldn’t have listened.
It increased his despair!
Yonellia asked hopefully,
“Pharaakis, could you contract with Ihan?”
“Yonellia, it’s okay. Stop.”
“No, I’ll definitely help!”
Yonellia wanted to repay Ihan’s kindness.
Yet Ihan began to feel embarrassed, as if the teacher was asking, “Anyone willing to be Ihan’s friend spirit?”
A young human mage contracting with me is impossible. Soon, he’d collapse…
But Pharaakis looked at Ihan and changed his mind.
…Not impossible, but I’m sorry. I have a contract with a dwarf. Following and helping you would be difficult.
“That’s okay.”
Ihan thought he should mentally prepare to befriend undead.
What do you think? There’s a spirit summoned in this school that I know. I might introduce you; that might make it listen.
“!”
A great suggestion, unexpected and welcome.
“Can we really?? I hope we’re not troubling you…”
“Seeing you two young gardeners, I must help. Don’t worry too much. And…”
Pharaakis hesitated to say more but eventually did.
Don’t be too disappointed if the spirit avoids you. Got it?
“…Yes…”
Ihan wondered how strong a spirit he would need to talk to one.
Should he seek the Spirit King?

Pharaakis curled and floated, emptying the pond water, revealing a deep cave below.
“This path leads directly to where your friend is.”
Ihan thanked the spirit politely, but Pharaakis’s kindness was not over.
Flash!
Ancient symbols resembling the pond’s were engraved on Ihan and Yonellia’s forehands.
I gave you some of my power. This symbol will aid you, young mages.
“Thank you.”
“We’re grateful!”
They gave sincere thanks.
The spirit seemed much kinder than most professors in the school.
“Never forget to love plants.”
Descending into the caverns, Pharaakis quickly returned to the pond. The underground passage became silent.
“Light.”
Ihan summoned a sphere of light and found himself glancing at the wood spirit staff.
He wanted to ask if it was still scared of him, but thought better of it.
Still, I really want to ask.
“Ihan?”
“!”
He felt exposed and startled.
“What’s wrong?”
“Pharaakis was in the pond. Where do you think the spirit we’re searching for is?”
“…Hmm.”
Yonellia’s question was sharp—Pharaakis forgot to explain what kind of spirit it was.
“Maybe… under a lake or river?”
Since Pharaakis was a pond spirit, the friend was likely a similar spirit.
Water, rivers, lakes, seas, etc.
Please don’t say it’s connected all the way to the ocean.
Worst case, the destination could be a dungeon under the sea.
Ihan knew such things were possible at this magic school.
“I hope it’s a river spirit. They’re mostly wise and intelligent.”
“If I could contract with a river spirit, I’d get the wisdom needed for this prison… no, school life.”
Ihan paused.
“But I heard most river spirits have gentle temperaments.”
…Then wouldn’t it just run away, again?
Clack!
A sharp noise as they left the passage and ascended.
Dark, silent air surrounded a place Ihan knew well…
The school’s punishment chamber.
“……”
Ihan thought,
That spirit is definitely not a river spirit!