Spirit Arts aptitude.This, in truth, has little to do with a person’s intelligence or effort. Spirit Arts, from start to finish, depends on an individual’s “talent.”You can tell just from the fact that Kiriel, who doesn’t particularly like studying, records outstanding practical scores.Of course, in magic there exist those with monstrous traits called “instinct type,” but that is not the general case.'I don’t even know whether Loen has aptitude for Spirit Arts or not.'Information on him is extremely scarce; I’ve learned more after coming here.However, seeing [Spirit Arts Tutorial] pop up like this before my eyes means that system-wise, spirit summoning is possible.To be able to use Spirit Arts—the power diametrically opposed to it—even with Half-Human, Half-Demon blood. It was strange.Anyway, since this is something permitted at the system level, I pressed the notification window without hesitation.Ting—.When I pressed the window, the holograms of system windows began to sweep past my eyes in order.[Searching for tutorial execution conditions.][Player’s current location. Meteor Isles, First Development Zone. Academy Union. Voltimir territory. Alvheim Hall, Room 109.][Executing a tutorial suited to the current situation. Please place your hand on the orb.]'Wow, that’s impressive performance.'Admiring the system’s performance, I set my hand on the crystal orb in front of me."Very good. Then let us execute the aptitude test."As Islay nodded, mana began to dwell in the transparent crystal orb.Vvvooom—.The moment the orb trembled, a system window rose before my eyes again.[Mana confirmed. Spirit Arts aptitude test confirmed. Searching for a spirit that matches the player’s conditions, the person’s traits and aptitudes, talent and disposition.][Spirit of Fire, not applicable.][Spirit of Water, not applicable.][Spirit of Grass, not applicable.]………………Countless lists of spirits streamed past my eyes.Passing the Five Great Elemental Spirits that represent the worldview of Mir-Ellin Saga, it went straight through even the subcategories of all sorts of spirits.[Spirit of Stone, not applicable.][Spirit of Glass, not applicable.][Spirit of Ice, not applicable.]………………But even after a long while, no spirit was selected for me.Flash—.The emblematic colors of the spirits that slid past also flashed and vanished in turn within the orb beneath my hand.The orb spewed out all sorts of colors like a malfunctioning machine.The classroom interior was filled with the multicolored light emitted by the orb.How much time passed like that?Ting—.With the light of the orb going out, the flood of notification windows halted.[Aptitude test complete. Proceeding to contract with the corresponding spirit.]And then, a notification bearing golden letters rose.[Spirit of Darkness. Kavaltar.]……!After confirming the system notification, I checked the crystal orb in my hand.At first I thought the orb had gone dark, but looking closely, it held a deep, faint jet-black as if it would pull you in.At the same time—Shrrrr—Something in the shape of a black dragon shot up into the air and then scattered in an instant.Along with it, another window appeared.[A new Trait has blossomed.][Black Lotus.]You have been chosen by a Spirit of Darkness. A special talent for Spirit Arts blossoms.You can ignore the effects of other Traits you possess and summon a spirit.You cannot contract with or summon any spirit other than a Spirit of Darkness.'Black Lotus?'Even after playing Mir-Ellin Saga dozens of times, I had never seen this Epic Trait.However, perhaps others hadn’t seen the black dragon ascending just now; there was no particular reaction."Hmm. That’s quite an interesting result."Islay tilted his head, looking at the black crystal orb in my hand."Professor, what does black mean?"At Kiriel’s question, Islay guided the vines to bring the orb from my hand over to himself.Studying my orb closely, Islay soon opened his mouth."……Ordinarily, a spirit summoner receives a choice of one among the Five Great Elements that compose the world: fire, water, wood, earth, or steel."Unlike other games, Mir-Ellin Saga, despite its Western-style background, borrows the Eastern Yin-Yang and Five Elements to divide the spirit system.Viewed charitably, it’s distinctive; viewed uncharitably, it’s annoyingly unfamiliar.Unlike the neatly divided four classical elements, these Five Elements change combinations, force, and affinities ceaselessly according to interactions among the elements."According to the Obang colors, blue, red, yellow, white, and black symbolize each of the Five Elements. This is very basic, however……"Islay’s gaze slid to Kiriel, his brow faintly furrowing.An expression like, How can a second-year not know this?"Then Loen’s attribute spirit is……""Yes. Since it’s black, generally it would be of the water attribute. However, to my eye, the light of this orb is not a typical black. I also do not see the figure of an undine within the orb."Tack—.As if fascinated, Islay lightly stamped a hoof and continued."I do have a conjecture regarding this phenomenon, but as it remains only a hypothesis, I cannot tell you."When Islay dodged the answer and stoked curiosity, the students started pestering him again."Aww, tell us, Professor~""How can you leave us hanging like that?""No. As an educator, I cannot convey uncertain information to you. Only, some texts say……"Regarding the orb with a cool gaze, Islay quietly spoke."After a jet-black, as if it would suck you in, appears in this Obang crystal orb, before long the entire continent is said to be thrown into great turmoil. And within that war, a new king appears; some call this the color of the Conqueror.""……!"The students started and shifted their eyes to me.Eyes full of fear, or shock.Amid such an atmosphere, Islay snorted—Pffrr—then amended his words as if it had been a joke."I’m kidding. In truth, there is no such text. What power would an orb like this have to judge something so grand. Pffrr—.""Professor!"Having been taken in for a moment, the students shouted at him, but the deer professor only shrugged and went on."In any case, today’s spirit aptitude test yields nothing in particular. It seems this orb has a slight error.""Then Loen’s Spirit Arts aptitude test……"At Kiriel’s question, Islay adjusted his glasses as if it didn’t really matter."Well, let’s do it next time. We’re not a practical class, and there’s no absolute need to conduct the aptitude test. It was merely a procedure to help your understanding and rapport with Spirit Arts, and your focus.""Eeeh?""Then we will now begin the full theory lesson. Mister Loen, thank you. Please take your seat."Only then could I sit down.Turning pages here and there with sylphs, Islay side-eyed Kiriel and continued."However, before we advance today’s material, to establish the basics on spirits I will start with the Obang colors. Someone didn’t even know that water attribute is black and asked a question."Catching Islay’s cool look, Kiriel scratched the back of her head."I—I already know. The Obang colors.""Oh? Do you? Then do you know the symbolic color of the wood spirits you’ve contracted with, Miss Kiriel?"Without thinking too hard, Kiriel shouted right away at Islay’s question."Green! It’s green!""……."At her answer, Islay bowed his head without a word.For some reason, the transparent lenses that reflected a deer’s clear eyes seemed to cloud over with a rain front."……Lady Kiriel.""Ask us instead, pleeease~."When Islay lowered his head, the aides on either side of Kiriel poked her in the ribs."It’s not green?""It’s not!"After a long, silent bow of his head, Islay declared with a resolute expression."……Hoo. At this point there is no helping it. Though my principle is that students’ grades only need to meet the minimum, even so, this will not do. Therefore, I will prescribe a drastic remedy."Commanding a spirit, Islay unfurled the attendance ledger in midair and called Kiriel and me by name."It is perfect that Mister Loen is here as well. Loen de Valis! Kiriel Silvawalker! First and second from the bottom in written scores!""……!""For ordinary students, perhaps. But for Miss Kiriel, Student Council President of Voltimir, and Mister Loen, President of the Union’s General Student Council, to receive such written scores—this is something I, the chief professor of Spirit Studies, cannot possibly overlook."Thump—.Stamping his hoof hard once, Islay glared at us and thundered."In this midterm, the student with the lowest written score will receive a great penalty. I swear it on the name of Islay Ahivalt, Chief Professor. Without fail!"***"Ah! I’m ruined! Ruined, I tell you!"After the end of An Easy Understanding of Spirit Studies lecture.While students filed out in their groups, Kiriel stomped hard and shouted at me."It’s all your fault! If only you hadn’t come to this lecture!""What are you babbling about, airhead."Because she couldn’t answer even basic questions, the sparks jumped to me. If anyone should be mad, it’s me.Of course, given the conditions for maintaining the General Student Council President seat, I had to get good grades anyway."Lina, Silfi. What do I do……"When Kiriel started to whine, her two aides comforted her."It’s all right. We’ll teach you.""Let’s study together~.""……Thanks, you two."Buoyed by her friends’ comfort, Kiriel clenched her teeth and shouted at me."You’d better be ready. I’ll definitely beat you. I’m an elf who does what I say."For some reason, she was burning with motivation.Who knows how long it will last, but it seems Islay’s intention worked nicely.Since I’m from another faculty and no one expects the rehabilitation of the infamous Loen anyway, he likely intends to use me as a catalyst to raise Kiriel’s academic achievement."Suit yourself."When I answered perfunctorily like I couldn’t be bothered, Kiriel, brimming with confidence, proposed a bet."Why, wanna make it a bet with me? Hm?""……."That’s fine by me. But instead of biting right away, I bounced it once."No. Why should I.""Heeey, scared you’ll lose to me? Typical you~""……."Not even good at provoking, like a kid.I sighed and shook my head."It means there’s no need to make it a bet. I’m going to win anyway.""What? If you’re that confident, then let’s do it! A bet!"Pressed by Kiriel’s pushy proposal, I accepted as if I had no choice."Fine. What are the terms?""Mm. The loser becomes the winner’s slave for one year. How about it?"What is that. Such a grade-schooler condition.The harsher-than-expected terms threw me for a second, but I soon recovered and asked back."……Can you handle the consequences?"At that, her aides also looked like they wanted to stop her.Of course, for Kiriel’s pride, instead of saying “What will you do if you lose,” they roughly persuaded her with the idea that taking a nobody like Loen as a slave would be pointless."That’s true. Then how about one wish coupon? Within reason."Following Elena, this was effectively the moment I obtained Kiriel’s wish coupon as well.***After the eventful Spirit Studies class, I returned to the Union main building and took one more general-education course.This time it was a humanities course about the continent’s history; unexpectedly engrossing, so I listened hard.The professor’s gift of gab and the Mir-Ellin Saga setting I already knew synergized ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) well.Anyway, that was today’s last lecture.By the time it ended, it was already near dinnertime. Truly a murderous schedule.'I should stop by a weapon shop before dinner.'For purchasing a personal weapon for tomorrow’s swordsmanship lecture.They provide training protective gear, but they don’t hand out swords.Since I don’t intend to seriously master swordsmanship anyway, I’ll buy something adequate.'If there’s something good, great.'How good could the goods at an academy weapon shop be, anyway.Jingle—."Come right on in."When I opened the door and entered, a bearded dwarf greeted me.A dwarf with the exact image you think of when you hear craftsman or blacksmith.Though short, his sturdy build and forge-tempered muscles stood out.Ironhand, the Union’s weapon dealer.Seeing the mage’s badge on my chest, he tilted his head."What brings an Eredor student to a weapon shop?""I signed up for a swordsmanship lecture.""Did you now? That’s unusual. And your name?""Loen. Loen de Valis."When I gave my name, the blacksmith clapped once."Aha. So you’re that famous delin— no, punk— no. The wayward student.""Just call me a delinquent.""Even so, can’t say that to a customer. Anyway, browse at your leisure.""Sure."I was scanning the interior, choosing among the swords hanging on the wall, when—"Oh, look who it is."The dwarf’s face brightened as he greeted a student coming through the entrance.I also turned my head briefly toward the door.Jingle—.A girl stepped in with the clear ring of the bell.A beautiful girl with hair white as first snow.On her chest, a badge bearing Ishtal’s crossed sword and shield; at her collar, a star symbolizing the Student Council President.Looking at the girl with that unreal appearance, I quietly spoke."Freya."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.