At the current point in time in [Deus Ex Machina], the inhabitants of the continent are unaware of the existence of spirits.
In the mythical era, they were common, but for some reason, they have disappeared in the present time.
In the later part of Part 1 of [Deus Ex Machina], there’s a hint about the mythical past, and an event appears where you can obtain spirits as pets.
It was only possible once, but the necessary materials and the summoning ritual itself were very simple, so most users remember obtaining and carrying spirits around.
I tried summoning a spirit hoping it would work the same way in this world, and what I got was none other than a Salamander.
Since I deliberately kept this a secret and performed the ritual in a hidden space, no one knows I have a spirit, not even Hans.
Everyone in the castle thinks I have no talent in magic or swordsmanship, so they would find it strange that I could control fire, so I hid it as much as I could.
So unless it’s when I sneak out alone, I can’t even take out the Salamander, and I have hardly leveled it up from its initial low-tier spirit state.
Even as a low-tier spirit, it is a spiritual being made entirely of pure fire.
The Salamander has powers beyond what can be measured by magic or any laws of this world.
The low-tier Salamander I knew would have been capable enough to face Cronia’s golem.
However, if that were the case, all it would do is damage the main parts of the golem to disrupt its mobility; it wouldn’t melt it completely like I did earlier.
So why has the Salamander’s power increased so much? And what happened to its changed appearance?
Instead of pondering endlessly, I should summon the Salamander and find out.
Just in case the Salamander has become too powerful and creates flames like before just by summoning, I summoned it with a shield deployed.
“Summon. Salamander.”
The portal to the spirit realm opened.
Magical power surged out in an instant.
Magic power? This is strange. More than half of the magical power I possess has been consumed.
I may not know about other things, but I am confident in my magical power. I’ve eaten an enormous amount of elixirs.
How can I expend that much of my magical power? Salamander, what’s happened to you?
Flames burst forth from the dimensional gap.
Whoosh!
The flames gathered and took shape, assuming the form of an adult woman.
…Adult woman?
Just a moment ago in class, it was a small girl!
“…Salamander?”
-Yes! Luke! You summoned me again!
Wait, why have you grown so much? Are you in your growth spurt?
I was already shocked that the tiny salamander became a small girl, but now, just hours later, it’s an adult!
“Um… ah, Salamander. I’m sorry for sending you back as soon as I summoned you. There’s a person I shouldn’t let know your identity, the principal.”
So, has it now surpassed being a low-tier spirit? Is it mid-tier? Or even high-tier? Usually, if it looks like an adult, it must be high-tier or above.
Maybe it’s because the plot about spirits is not fully explained, and the story of [Deus Ex Machina] has paused.
-It’s alright, Luke. I understand. You don’t want the principal to find out you are Lord Lydia’s savior, right?
“Exactly. That’s why I hurriedly sent you back… huh?”
Wait a moment. What did the Salamander just say? It said it doesn’t want the principal to find out I’m Lidia’s savior?
No one knows that fact.
How does the Salamander know?
No, originally, the Salamander had an intelligence level of a preschool child, how could it understand such a complicated situation?
-Luke, that’s harsh. A preschool child, really?
Did you just read my thoughts?
-Sorry, Luke. But I didn’t read your thoughts. To be precise, as I’ve grown, I’ve completely connected with you, my contractor.
What? You’re connected with me? But until you grew up, you didn’t know my thoughts.
-Up until now, I was just an ordinary low-tier spirit. But at some point, I grew and gained power. I’ve exceeded mid-tier and become a high-tier spirit. Since my status has improved, my connection with Luke has become deeper and stronger. Oh, and by the way, when Luke summoned me earlier, I was high-tier, but now I’ve surpassed that and become top-tier.
Suddenly?
I’ve been feeding the Salamander magic stones diligently, but it has never grown or strengthened even once.
The last time I took her out from my room before heading to the Academy, she was a tiny salamander. So what happened?
-Mm… it’s a long story. How should I explain this? To be truthful, Luke is not yet at the stage to understand. But you’re smart, so you’ll figure it out quickly.
No, what do you mean it’s not the time? Just tell me, Salamander. What on earth happened?
-…Alright. I’ll tell you a bit. It’s a story you’ll eventually learn anyway. I might get scolded by Mom for this.
…Mom?
-Luke. Do you know what happens when sentient beings strongly believe in something that doesn’t exist in this world, to the point of faith?
Something that doesn’t exist in this world? What happens?
-It becomes reality. The firm belief of sentient beings generates divinity, and this divinity gathers to materialize their beliefs. And when sentient beings believe in something that exists in this world in another way, that existence will change accordingly.
Belief gathers and becomes reality… Right. Now that I think about it, there were theories about this in community posts related to [Deus Ex Machina].
There were several hints regarding this. Of course, the game development was halted, so I was unable to confirm if those theories were true or false.
If the Salamander is saying this now, could it be!
-What Luke just thought is correct. I was believed to be a ‘Holy Spirit’ by others, and that’s why I gained divinity and grew.
Others believed that the Salamander was a Holy Spirit?
But that can’t be. No one would have any reason to believe in a Salamander… Wait.
In that instant, something from a few days ago flashed through my mind.
-‘Thank you, Lord! You’ve saved me from “Chaos” with the power of the Holy Spirit.’
Holy Spirit.
-Salamander.
Got it. Saula has come to believe in the Holy Spirit. The truth is she purified herself, but she believed it was done by a Holy Spirit. So is that why the Salamander gained divinity?
Ah, the principal too. The principal believed the Salamander was a Holy Spirit as well.
Then it makes sense that the Salamander gained divinity. But can just two people’s beliefs be enough for a low-tier spirit to grow into a top-tier one?
…Could there be more? Believers of the Salamander, the Holy Spirit?
-That’s enough! I don’t think I can tell you any more. I knew Luke was smart, but not this smart! If I say any more, Mom’s plans might go awry. Even now, Mom keeps telling me something. Sorry, Luke. I can’t say any more.
Who is this Mom? Spirits don’t have parents.
-Mom is Mom. You’ll know everything later. Luke. Everything in this world will unfold just the way Mom has planned, like gears turning. So don’t worry. All of this is for you, Luke.
…What on earth.
-Luke, you just have to get that thing you wanted to get tomorrow.
‘Avatar’?
-That’s right.
…I’ve lost the strength to be surprised now. Well, I guess since you’re grown enough to know all my thoughts, you would understand my plans for tomorrow.
-By getting that, Luke, this world will change significantly. So you must get it. Got it?
My head is too chaotic, but I was already planning to obtain it anyway.
I looked at her burning brightly in front of me.
The little salamander that used to frolic in my room has vanished, and now it’s our Salamander who has suddenly turned into a mature beauty.
Ah, so you said you’re a top-tier spirit now. Since Salamander refers to a low-tier fire spirit, I guess I should give you a name.
Now that you have a human form, it feels a bit weird to keep calling you Salamander. You’re not a salamander anymore.
-Name? Yay yay! Name me, Luke!
The wise eyes she had just a moment ago turned into those of a child, and she started bouncing around excitedly.
Looking at this, it does seem like our Salamander.
What would be a good name for a fire spirit… Hmm.
Oh, right. Ignis.
How about Ignis?
-I like it! The name Luke gave me, Ignis. I am Ignis, Luke’s flame that will purify this world!
The moment she mentioned her name, her voice suddenly changed.
-Thank you, Luke! I love the name!
I’m glad to hear that.
Oh? But you said you became a top-tier spirit. Is it okay to keep summoning you? Can I handle it with my mana capacity?
-Oh, about that. To be honest, with your mana, you can summon me for about 30 seconds at most.
30 seconds? It feels like it’s already gone beyond 30 seconds.
-Actually, to explain to you, I’ve been expending my divinity to stay. Next time, it will likely be hard to have something like today.
Is that so?
Then I can’t just use Ignis without care in the future. It’s even more vague now that you have divinity.
-That’s why you need to obtain the ‘Avatar.’
‘Avatar’? So that’s what it was.
-Luke. Although I am a Holy Spirit, I will be your strength with your fire. So don’t worry. I will never leave you.
…You knew, huh? Well, I have been worried about that since a while ago.
Worried if Ignis would leave me.
-One day, there will come a time when you can fully control me. And when that day comes, you will become the ——– of this world.
The middle portion of Ignis’s words was obscured by a beeping sound.
-Whoops, Mom has intervened. I’ve said too much, hehe.
Ignis’s body gradually started to dissipate into smoke.
The fading flames.
-Whenever you need me, just call for me, Luke. I will always be your flame.
Whoosh!
And thus, Ignis completely vanished.
…My head is too muddled.
Belief. Divinity. Ignis. And Mom.
…It’s entertaining.
After more than ten years in this world, I finally uncovered the hidden story of [Deus Ex Machina].
I finally have a lead.
Anyway, there will be no changes to the plans I had set up until now.
I’ll meet Ignis again when I summon her later.
Tomorrow, I will obtain the ‘Avatar.’
*
“Paulah! Everyone who was baptized by the Holy Spirit has received special abilities.”
“Indeed. The Holy Spirit purifies us while bestowing the abilities to serve Deus. Barnabas, you too, right?”
“Yes… I never imagined I would be granted such incredible power for someone as humble as me…”
“Everything is according to Lord Deus’s will. We merely have to follow that will. Our mission is to spread the word of Lord Deus to the ends of the earth.”
“Yes! Paulah!”
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