In a lush outdoor setting,
“One reason spirits grow is due to changes in emotions,”
Maria tapped on the wooden chalkboard.
“Then, can any student tell me what moment spirits manifest as physical beings?”
“When there’s no catalyst for recognizing emotions, that’s when.”
“That’s correct! Licht!”
Something feels off. Watching this, it seems like game knowledge still applies.
I bit my lower lip while answering the professor’s question.
This isn’t the Rufus I know. What on earth happened in the past that made him turn into a completely different person?
He mentioned, “I couldn’t protect them before.”
Yet, I saw no gloomy backstory. Can he really be the same person?
In the case of Nex, there’s a sense of familiarity, but the Crown Prince seems to only be obsessed with strong individuals.
Ah, wait. Why didn’t I think of this?
What did the Demon King do?
Right, these guys have never tangled with the protagonist before. Just look at Dennis or Ariel.
There could be unfamiliar characters too. One of them might be a MacGuffin.
That could explain things.
A few hamster spirits popped out, continuing the lecture.
“Your own emotions often influence others, so really strong spirit mages tend to have a wide social circle.”
So that’s how Nex ended up with a harem. I jotted down the lecture notes on one side of my notebook.
“Love? Not happening again. Commoners.”
Thoughts of his face in [Night Heart] crossed my mind.
There were consistently posts titled [The 231st Nex’s Concubine Competition] on the community up to the sequel, but he never actually showed affection to anyone. In a way, that makes him somewhat likable since it ultimately means he only focused on Schartines.
“I’ve heard there are many pretty characters, but even I had heard of his infamy.”
During the storyline, Asha Aureus forcefully ties the knot with him.
[Parents making a harem to find someone to make their spirit stronger vs. indifferent popular guy]
There were many posts with titles like that, which means the harem was not created by his intention.
The truth is, players knew he wasn’t a playboy. But I sure didn’t expect to see the reason for it here.
Officially, a killer whale beastman was the main wife, but there was no love between them.
What’s even worse, there’s a scene in [Black Heart] where the lady with long black hair is badmouthing him for getting too close to him.
“The reasons spirits don’t appear vary from person to person. So…”
To think that person would be seen cozying up with a black-haired nun.
This one is definitely the vampire’s main wife. When I return to reality, I’ll have something to post about.
Caught up in pleasant imaginings, I couldn’t focus on what the professor was saying.
“Today, I’ve brought a special guest!”
In the blink of an eye, Maria wore a bright smile.
“He’s from the famed Aureus family, one of the Ten Heroes known for his spirits, and he’s here to give us a demonstration!”
Someone appeared through the trees.
“Hello, juniors!”
“It’s Senior Nex Aureus! He’s one grade above you all!”
“Thank you for unexpectedly accepting my proposal, Professor Maria.”
“It’s nothing, Nex. I should be the one thanking you.”
A cunning purple fox.
“Hello, Black Knight junior.”
“Greetings, Senior Nex.”
It was Nex Aureus.
*
“Actually, until a few years ago, I was once someone who couldn’t manifest spirits.”
That’s true. In [Night Heart], he was a spear user who hardly utilized spirits.
Initially surprised when he revealed his trump card later.
“Spirits are born from emotions, as my mother once said in a famous quote.”
In critical moments, he only used the Phoenix.
The reference book states that he manifested a spirit just before enrolling in the Academy.
“That means emotions shouldn’t be swayed by others.”
His grip was tightening.
Even in the original work, he seemed nostalgic when seeing the purple bird. The residue must still remain.
“Could it be he failed to connect with a woman named Shar?”
I recalled the status window. No matter how much I raised the affection level for the Saintess, the spirits that came out were never this.
Spirits are birthed from emotions, as noted in the in-game tips. Surely, it should work here.
Honestly, I hope she’s a white wolf like her. It would make finding the Nameless Saintess easy.
“Chirp, chirp..!”
While I was lost in thought, the purple Phoenix seemed flustered, continuously chirping.
“…Huh? Why isn’t it working?”
“Is there a problem..?”
Thinking back, could it be that I can’t do it?
“…Something’s off.”
“I have low mana, and my circuits are tangled.”
“Ah..!”
As Nex examined my body, he frowned. Denis has a tough physique. Should I just give up?
“Hmmm.. this is serious. It’ll be difficult, junior.”
“Licht, are you okay?!”
“It’s just my constitution.”
Professor Maria looked at me with worried eyes. No matter how I thought about it, her reaction was too exaggerated.
Just then, Nex’s purple eyes lit up as if he’d remembered something.
“Oh, then I have a way to help.”
There’s a method? Can I actually go for spirit examination? My eyes sparkled at the glimpse of hope.
“It might hurt a little, but I could use you like a magic circle.”
What kind of crazy idea is that?
Isn’t that necromancy? Only dark mages used bodies in such a way.
..But I liked it. Let’s do it right away.
“Now, it could hurt and be tiring. We won’t have class afterwards, right? Junior Licht?”
“There’s one class, but I’m fine, Senior Nex.”
“Then raise your hand if it gets painful.”
With no other choice, I had to trust him. My affection level is important, but I need any sharp card to handle the Demon King.
‘If this continues, it will be hard to protect the Saintess. If I’m weak, I need to trouble my brain as much as I can.’
A purple magic circle unfurled behind me.
In the game, the types of debuffs from Dei’s spirit resonance were four: sleep, paralysis, fatigue, and dizziness. Surely, I wouldn’t be hit with those, right? I should be fine.
“Arise anew from the flames.”
The purple flames pierced my heart. Like an overwhelming emotion, dark smoke billowed out.
“Ugh.”
Damn luck-based game.
That signaled my bad luck.
I got hit with all four. There was a chance not to be afflicted, wasn’t there? Pain began clouding my thoughts.
I collapsed to the floor, unable to scream from the pain.
My body would not respond. In the game, it never really portrayed such agony, did it?
‘Is this due to my constitution?’
With low mana and tangled circuits, it made sense that this magic would be taxing on me.
My vision spun. My stomach churned. It felt like a giant needle had been pulled out.
“Yelp!”
A black furball burst out from the center of my chest.
“..Oh my, it’s a black wolf?”
“It’s not a Shadow Wolf..I’ve never seen this breed before.”
It was a pitch-black wolf that seemed covered in charcoal.
I held back the tears. It hurt so much. It felt like a dagger had been pulled from my heart.
A round, fluffy spirit. Looking at it, something came to mind.
‘..Isn’t this a Pomeranian?’
Could it be from real-world experiences? A spirit mixed between a Pomeranian and a wolf is wonderful.
“Pant, pant.”
It seemed this little guy liked people, as it continuously licked my face while I was collapsed.
“Woof?”
The mask was slightly lifted. That tongue is tiny. So cute. It’s targeting my cheek fat!
“Junior Licht, are you okay?”
“Cough, choke. Huh.”
Actually, I’m not okay. I can barely breathe from the pain.
There are discrepancies in game knowledge. I felt I learned not to trust everything blindly.
I pressed my hands to the ground, trying to fill my lungs with air. My facial sensations turned dull. Blood wasn’t circulating properly.
“If you sleep for a bit, you’ll be fine. I forced it out after all.”
“I’m fine…”
Nex stared at me with a worried expression. Save me, elder. I haven’t diverged from the Crown Prince route yet.
‘Please, let’s secure the route for the Nameless Saintess. Harem Crusher.’
Swallowing such thoughts, I made an effort not to lose consciousness.
“I hope this will allow everyone to awaken their spirits. Huh?”
“..Junior, where is he going?”
The small beast panted and ran.
Everyone’s gaze converged on the black Pomeranian as it dashed across the grass.
“Why.. is it running over there..?”
My spirit bolted towards someone.
“Woof!”
“..Hello.”
You crazy little thing. Stop! Why are you going to the Crown Prince!?
How did it even jump so high? It was so tiny.
My spirit dove into Mardol’s arms, rubbing its head against his helmet repeatedly.
‘Why is he over there?’
Awkwardly, I raised my head. The pup, tongue out, was showing how excited it was.
I felt like I’d lost something while the owner is me.
“Fluffy.”
“King!”
It wagged its tail as if it met an old master. What’s it doing? I should’ve tried the spirit in the game.
“..So cute.”
“Yelp!”
He was eyeing my spirit intently. A hint of golden light shone in his gaze.
“Really, a little pup.”
“Pant.”
Mardol buried his face in my spirit. It looks a bit scary when he wears that helmet.
Alright, I should take this chance to get back up.
“The knight.. must really like the helmet..”
I was trying to manage the confirming flags by observing the little wolf snuggled up to the glass knight.
“I wear it all the time..”
It might have something to do with how I once gave my umbrella or promised to teach swordsmanship but postponed the ceremony.
I may have spoken harshly yesterday.
‘Did I treat him too harshly?’
Tomorrow, I’ll have to train in swordsmanship with Mardol.
This is my karma.
My eyes closed. My vision faded to black.
*
“L, Licht student?!”
“Ah, Professor Maria. I’ll be fine. I was like this at first too.”
“I’m relieved to hear that from Nex, but…”
After a few minutes of Pina cradling the spirit, Licht fell asleep. He didn’t seem to have any health issues after all.
In fact, seeing the male sleeping, he appeared relaxed. It was far better than how he was angry yesterday.
The Black Knight’s helmet was harshly pressed down.
‘You overexerted yourself, Licht.’
Her eyes were sharp enough to catch that. She could tell.
The wolf gazed up at Pina. It seemed to ask for her to look at it.
“Smiling.”
“Woof!”
Its expression was like a beaming smile, indicating it didn’t intend to be hostile.
‘Does it like the scent of roses..?’
Observing the little black nose moving slightly, the glass knight thought of the rose, the national flower of the Grancia Empire.
It was also Pina’s favorite bath essence.
‘So cute. Is it still a baby?’
The nose was moist. Its tiny paws held traces of dirt. The little creature was as small as a puppy.
Soft. Cute. She buried her face in the puppies’ fur. Yet, it didn’t resist.
She remembered Licht’s concern for his own spirit while he slept.
‘Even though I said that yesterday, he was a kind person after all.’
“Woof!”
“Stop, that tickles.”
The black wolf was incessantly trying to lick her face. Its tongue seemed tiny, yet why was it behaving like this to a stranger?
‘..Ah-ha. It must like people?’
Spirits are born from emotions.
If Licht truly disliked her, this little one wouldn’t be this affectionate.
‘He must have worried for me when he spoke harshly.’
“Unique.”
“Pant, pant.”
The tiny puppy nestled into her arms. Pina thought the spirit with its ears flat against its head looked like a seal.
“Chirp!”
A little later, the purple-haired man approached her with his sparrow.
“Now, Wolf, shall we have a little chat….”
“Grrrrr…”
“Wait, calm down.”
Nex’s Phoenix and Licht’s wolf began a standoff. The spirit radiated an ominous aura as he appeared flustered.
“If we keep this up, we can’t talk..”
“Chirp..”
“No, I mean, I know that too. Chirp chirp!.”
The fox-like man’s expression showed this wasn’t part of his plan. The spirits were positioned closely, locked in a standoff.
“Woof! Woof! Grrrr!”
“Just a moment! My Phoenix is just curious about you. Right?”
“Chirp, squeak.”
Nex attempted to appear as though he was trying to converse with Licht’s spirit, but,
‘Huh..?’
Seemingly, it doesn’t like all people. Showing its teeth, it was becoming hostile towards Nex.
It looked somewhat terrified. Pina noticed the eyes reflecting fear, as if it had encountered something similar before.
Just like someone who resembled it, Pina’s tail stood erect in her armor.
“Don’t.”
“..What do you mean, Mardol?”
“Stop it.”
The princess glared at the princely son of the Aureus family. Even in the Academy, there existed a hierarchy between the two.
“Fine.. I’ll stop.”
“Chirp… chirp!”
Nex had to retreat.
“Grrrr…”
In this way, it appears the wolf suits it after all. Its fur was long and fluffy, almost as if it were a cotton ball.
“M-Mardol? You’re not going to get hurt or anything, are you? Isn’t this too close?”
“Yip.”
“It’s fine. This little one is.”
“..Got it. It seems the concerns Schartines had won’t happen.”
Nex and the sparrow exchanged strange glances at themselves, but it didn’t matter.
The spirit looked as if it wanted to protect her.
On the surface, it appeared stronger than anyone, yet ironically seemed fragile like a Black Knight fleeing in the rain.
Awkward and contradictory.
‘..It resembles him.’
That man’s color.
Looking into the brown eyes of the nearly black wolf, she thought so.
The small Pomeranian spirit, nestled in Pina’s arms, seems to be tired from guarding the glass knight. It let out a big yawn.
“So cute, so very.”
With that, the little black Pomeranian made Pina’s lap its pillow, and it fell asleep alongside its master, both in the classroom.
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