Ch 200
Spirit.
They, beings made entirely of Mana, consider most life with flesh and blood impure, and that thought is expressed in various forms of emotion.
Avoidance. Fear. Humiliation.
For example, they are fundamentally beings who distance themselves from humans, and it is virtually impossible for a human to have a normal conversation with them.
That’s how Spirit Magic was born.
Spirit Magic refers to the entirety of skills or methods for communicating with spirits, and if a human wants to communicate with a spirit, they must borrow the power of Spirit Magic.
It was reason and Common Sense.
According to such Spirit Magic-
There were Rules to follow when a human deals with a spirit.
Now.
Landeia recalled a few specific Rules among those many Rules.
-A Rule that one should not define their Existence, such as rashly calling out their name, when dealing with a spirit.
-A Rule that one must express Respect for them by imbuing pure Mana and Will into their words.
-A Rule that when conversing with a spirit, one should proceed with the conversation by listening to the spirit’s Voice rather than revealing one’s own thoughts.
They were relatively easy Rules to recall even among the various Rules.
Because those were important Rules with the modifier ‘must be followed’ attached to them.
Violate those Rules when dealing with a spirit?
In that case, it was safe to say that the Relationship with the spirit in question was completely ruined.
For example-
Complying with such Rules was Common Sense beyond the basics among Spirit Magic users.
That was the Reason why the members of the Coffee Exchange showed reactions such as bursting into laughter at Lisir’s actions.
Because Lisir violated all three of those Rules from the start.
This was the result.
“Weslen of the passing Wind?”
-That’s right! That’s my name!
“Weslen…”
-Don’t you like it? If so, you can keep calling me There!
“No. It’s your name, why would I like it or not.”
-Honestly, I quite like the name you gave me! There! It’s quite a strange Resonance!”
“No, if you like that━”
Landeia blankly watches the two’s Conversation.
And the members of the Coffee Exchange.
Now they were recalling what had happened a few days ago.
-So, what’s your name?
The Monumental Event where Landeia, the President of the Coffee Exchange, succeeded in gaining the Interest of a picky and sensitive spirit.
The members considered it an Achievement made possible by Landeia’s Profound Spirit Magic knowledge.
They said that because Landeia knew more Rules than anyone else, she was able to choose only the best Choices when dealing with spirits.
While others were not even able to properly communicate with spirits yet, Landeia was already steadily building a Relationship, with the spirit asking for her name.
So they had no doubt that Landeia would be the first to hear the spirit’s name-
“…Ah.”
Landeia was the first to break free from the shock.
She nodded, as if she had realized something.
‘Come to think of it, they said that all spirits have different Personalities-‘
Landeia thought.
That she seemed to have figured out Lisir’s Secret, which wasn’t really a Secret.
Until now, the members of the Coffee Exchange, including herself, had only tried to treat spirits with utmost care according to the Orthodox Method.
That was a mistake.
The spirit named Weslen was, in fact, a spirit who preferred to be treated without formality.
‘To think I would learn about spirits in this way.’
Could that Man have known all this and treated the spirit that way?
‘There’s no way.’
To grasp the Personality of a spirit without even exchanging a single word?
Perhaps even the World Tree’s Elves, who are loved by spirits, would find that impossible.
Therefore.
It was reasonable to assume that He had simply treated the spirit without knowing anything, and that He had gotten lucky in the process.
“Weslen?”
Landeia, realizing that fact, immediately spoke to the spirit.
The ‘thing’ she was Interested in was more Interested in someone else than herself?
Even if it was just a brief coincidence, it was unacceptable.
“I’m disappointed. We’ve spent so much time together━ and you tell your name to someone you just met today.”
Landeia, immediately utilizing the knowledge she had learned, ignored all the Rules of Spirit Magic and treated Weslen like a person.
Given the same Conditions, the spirit would naturally prefer herself more.
It was an action based on that Conviction.
-What is it, Landeia?
“Huh?”
However, the spirit’s Voice that returned was simply cold.
So much so that she wondered if it was the same spirit that had been dealing with Lisir.
-Until recently, you were acting politely, but suddenly you’ve become a different person? Did I misjudge you?
“Wait━”
Landeia felt the Bond she had built with the spirit collapsing in an instant and said urgently.
“Weslen! It’s a Misunderstanding!”
-…You call my name so casually? I don’t remember telling you my name-…
“What mistake did I make to make you act like this? Weren’t you supposed to like being treated this casually!?”
-Such Arrogance in arbitrarily concluding something you don’t even know. This is why humans are… Landeia, I guess you were just another human after all?
“…!”
It was a very unfamiliar Experience for Landeia, who naturally gathers people and Reigns over them.
Instead of the other person reading her Nunchi-
She was rather reading the other person’s Nunchi.
Moreover, even though she was willing to endure that Humiliation, she couldn’t find a Clue on what to do.
Landeia’s Expression, where overflowing Confidence had settled into a subtle Smile, was slowly distorting.
“Weslen.”
It was then that Lisir spoke to the spirit.
“Why are you being so harsh? Frankly speaking, who here isn’t human.”
-What are you trying to say? Don’t tell me you want me to be kind to those humans?
“If possible?”
Oh dear.
Landeia muttered inwardly without realizing it.
Was it because He was defending her?
She felt sorry for His mistake.
‘To try to manipulate his actions by using the Favor the spirit has for him.’
The mistake Lisir made when He first called the spirit?
It was nothing compared to the current mistake.
Even the High Elf of the World Tree would obviously incur the spirit’s Antipathy if they did such a thing.
‘But a mere Human?’
Landeia prepared for the spirit’s ensuing Wrath.
-Really? Well, it’s not like it can’t be done. Actually, I was thinking that it might be nice to get along with humans without formality for once. Landeia? You can say my name. I’ll allow it.
“…”
Giving a name, and hearing a name.
Landeia succeeded in the Empathy（?） with the spirit that she had so desired.
But why was it.
She didn’t feel happy at all.
✦✦✦
“Hehe.”
A satisfied Smile appeared on Heynya’s Expression as she watched the series of Events.
“Lisir? Come to think of it, I think I’ve heard that name somewhere…”
“You know, the one who sparred with the Disciple of Frozen Breath and won━”
“Lisir? Could it be that━ the one who made a decisive contribution to the Back Alley crime organization cleanup━”
“I’ve only heard Rumors… This is the first time I’ve actually seen him.”
“Come to think of it━ there’s a story that the Disciple of Frozen Breath is actually a High Priest of a Heretic who hid their identity━”
“Come on. That’s too much.”
“…Really?”
Coffee Exchange.
Because it was clear that the Atmosphere of the place that had been firmly held in their hands was leaving their hands.
Memories of the past flashed before Heynya’s Eyes like a Life Flash.
Landeia’s appearance as she suppressed herself by putting her Followers forward and making an obnoxious Smile.
From Heynya’s perspective, who doesn’t prefer to form groups, when she met Landeia at a Gathering, there was almost no way to resist her Presence.
But-
‘This works?’
Just by bringing one Man, she could take away that Landeia’s Presence.
“…”
To be able to see that Landeia in Anguish!
“Huh? Heynya?”
Heynya hugged Lisir’s arm without realizing it, out of excitement.
And, she said to Landeia as if showing off.
“How is it? My Friend Lisir. He’s quite an interesting guy, right?”
Landeia’s unpleasantly hardening Expression formed a clear contrast with Heynya’s beaming Expression.
How long had the two exchanged Gazes like that.
Smirk.
Landeia showed a very Elegant Smile.
Her Smile was directed at Lisir, not Heynya.
“Lisir. Come to think of it, we haven’t even properly introduced ourselves yet. Sorry, I was too distracted.”
Landeia politely extended her hand to Lisir.
“I am Landeia Ye Reloza. It’s nice to meet you like this.”
As Lisir was about to shake her hand without hesitation, Landeia and Heynya showed conflicting reactions.
“I’m Lisir, Heynya’s Friend. Nice to meet you.”
But with those words that followed-
As a result, Heynya wore a smug Smile, and Landeia created an awkward Smile.
Landeia made an effort to hide such agitation and said to Lisir.
“How did you get to know Heynya?”
“When I had just joined the Magic Tower, Heynya took care of me in many ways to make it easier for me to fit in. That’s how we became close.”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s right. I even asked him to Spar with me to play together. And I gave him my treasured Grimoire.”
Lisir stared blankly at Heynya, who readily agreed.
What. Why. What.
Heynya avoided his Gaze.
Landeia stared at the two of them intently and said.
“Heynya getting along with other people… It’s amazing. It’s so different from the Heynya I knew? What happened in the meantime?”
“…”
-Why don’t you stop talking nonsense?
Landeia ignored Heynya’s Gaze and said to Lisir.
“Lisir. Do you happen to know what kind of person Heynya originally was?”
It was a secretive tone as if talking about someone who wasn’t here.
“…”
Heynya’s Expression distorted.
She realized that Landeia was now trying to take Lisir away from herself.
Landeia looked at Lisir with a Gaze as if inviting him to a secret and special Gathering.
Red Eyes shone within her half-closed Eyes.
It was Eyes containing a strong power that was difficult to resist.
It was safe to say that the members of the Coffee Exchange were drawn to those Eyes and became her people.
“…Ha.”
That was Lisir’s answer to that.
Lisir, recalling what kind of person Heynya originally was, burst into laughter.
“Of course. I know all about it.”
“…”
Heynya’s lips twitched.
Should she be happy that this Man had reaffirmed that He was the type to willingly embrace her flawed past-
Or should she feel Humiliation at that Smile that seemed to be preserving her flawed past?
“Is that so?”
Landeia chuckled softly when there was no reaction to the bait she had casually thrown.
As if it wasn’t interesting.
She spoke in a tone that was clearly colder than before.
“Then I’m asking just in case━ Lisir. Do you happen to have any thoughts of joining our Gathering?”
“Thank you for the offer━ but I will politely decline.”
“You haven’t even heard what kind of Gathering it is?”
“I currently have no intention of belonging to a specific Gathering.”
“Ah. Is that so?”
Before she knew it, Landeia’s Atmosphere had calmed down.
“Lady Landeia?”
Then, the members of the Coffee Exchange who had been waiting behind her called out to Landeia as if they had been waiting.
They knew very well what kind of person the President was.
She reaches out to anyone who interests her.
Only once.
She doesn’t have any Lingering Feelings for people who don’t take the hand she extends once.
That applied without exception even to Heynya of the Mastien Family.
Accordingly, they were convinced that Landeia’s Interest in Lisir had cooled down.
But.
Landeia’s subsequent Statement.
“Then, how about this? The two of us will carry out one instruction from the side that achieves better results at this Starbirth Festival. Ah. No. I’ve come up with a more interesting idea.”
Landeia looked at Heynya and made a provocative Smile.
“Not just the two of us, but the three of us.”
“…”
Heynya responded with a warlike Smile without backing down.
“That sounds fun?”
Lisir nodded after seeing Heynya’s reaction.
A bet between three Divinities was made.
“I’ll be waiting in the finals, so make sure you find your way there?”
Landeia turned her back on them and tried to walk away before the two could even answer.
-Wait! Landeia!!! I’m not ready to be separated from Lisir yet!!!
“…”
✦✦✦
Afterwards.
Lisir, having parted ways with Landeia’s Party, began to wander around the Banquet Hall to carry out His original purpose.
The original purpose.
It was to ferret out the Spy who might have participated in the Friendly Gathering.
“L, Lord Lisir! Is it possible to have a Conversation with you now!?”
“Lord Lisir! How did you do that Spirit Magic just now━”
“Hey, move! I was here first!!!”
Perhaps thanks to what happened with Landeia.
People greeted Lisir warmly even when He approached, and some even approached Him first.
Thanks to that, Lisir was able to investigate the Energy of many people very easily.
‘Not this person… Not this person either…’
As He investigated, investigated, and investigated again, a thought suddenly occurred to Him.
‘Would a Spy really approach a high-profile figure like me first?’
He had even separated from Heynya, who was temporarily in His Party, to find the Spy, but in the end, He was unable to achieve any significant results.
Soon.
Lisir reached a certain conclusion.
‘There… doesn’t seem to be a Spy here. Unless they are hiding their identity in a way I don’t know.’
It was at that moment that Lisir decided to rejoin Heynya and purely participate in the Friendly Gathering.
“Huh?”
Lisir, while wandering around looking for the Spy, happened to arrive at a deserted corridor.
Someone was approaching such Lisir.
It was a small Woman with timid Eyes peeking out from between her long bangs.
She stood in front of Lisir and hesitated before speaking.
“When the time comes, you will reveal your extraordinary Ability in front of people and give a signal…”
“Huh?”
She looked up at Lisir with her Eyes wide open.
Those timid Eyes were full of Conviction.
“Y, you’re the one… sent from above…”
“I see.”
Lisir reacted meaningfully for the time being.
✦✦✦
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