GalaxyTL
Coincidence? Fate? Or was it the Voice Spirit guiding me? I found myself at the place where I first learned to see the world of spirits.
“The training grounds, huh…”
Gil-san muttered this and then launched a shadow bird. I figured he’d contacted Schlie-san.
Relieved, I walked towards the Voice Spirit, taking a few steps forward. It wasn’t trying to flee, it seemed to be waiting for me.
“Hello, Voice Spirit-shan.”
『…Hello.』
The spirit replied with its own voice, not mimicking anyone else. A smile spread across my lips. I could sense it chuckling.
“Why did you… bring me here?”
I asked, and the spirit seemed a little troubled. But it still answered without fleeing.
『I… had a strange feeling. That I had to… talk to you properly. It just felt right.』
It made me happy to know that it felt the same way I did. It seemed like we’d finally be able to have a proper conversation today.
“Um, you know… I really want to… make my first contract with you.”
『…But I…』
The spirit mumbled and then trailed off. It lacked confidence.
“I’ll listen to you pwoperly. So can you… tell me what you’re thinking?”
When I said this, the pale pink light flickered. And then, the spirit finally began talking, “Ok.”
『I’m just… a Voice Spirit. If I was a Sound Spirit, I’d be able to use my voice as a sound, and I’d be much more versatile. And I can’t make people happy with songs like the Song Spirit. All I can do is… pick up voices and mimic them… So… I can’t protect you, I can’t be of use to you!』
This was the first time I’d heard it express its true feelings. So, it had an inferiority complex compared to the Sound Spirit, the Song Spirit, and other spirits. I understood how it felt!
『But… I like you! I feel comfortable being around you. I want to be friends! I like you so much… but I don’t want to be near you if I can’t be of any help!』
“Spiwwit-shan…!”
So, it felt that way too! I thought it didn’t like me! It was struggling with its inferiority complex, its pride, and its desire to be by my side. Uu, it’s so cute!
“Then… help me, Spiwwit-shan.”
『Eh?』
“How can you say you can’t do it before even trying? It’s okay. I know you can help me! I believe in you.”
I could sense its confusion. And then, a gradual sense of joy.
『R-Really?』
“Yeah.”
『Are you… sure about me…? 』
“Yeah! I want the Voice Spirit-shan! Will you… make a contwact with me?”
『…! Yes! I’ll do my best!』
Yay! It finally agreed! Was this what it felt like to have your proposal accepted? No, it didn’t matter, I was happy! I raised my arms in the air and jumped around, when Schlie-san rushed into the training grounds. Oh, what perfect timing.
“Meg! Is it true that you’ve decided to form a contract?”
“Yesh! I finally got it to agwee!”
Even though Schlie-san must have rushed here, he only took a single breath to compose himself. Amazing. If that was me, I wouldn’t be able to speak for a while.
Then, he stared at the Voice Spirit intently. I could sense its unease. Do your best!
“You are… the Voice Spirit, correct?”
The moment Schlie-san stated this, the spirit flickered. Ah, so this was how he was able to communicate with it.
『Th-That’s right!』
The spirit replied, stuttering, but clearly. Good, that’s it!
“…You understand what this entails, right?”
『…Yes. I’ll… do everything I can for this child!』
Silence fell between the two. My heart pounded…
“…Very well. Let’s begin the contract ritual.”
“! P-Pwease!”
It seemed like we got permission! It’s finally starting!
The ritual began immediately. I felt a bit bad that everyone else in the training grounds was asked to leave, except for Gil-san and Schlie-san, but no one could refuse Schlie-san’s smiling request. H-How strange!
“You’ll be imbuing your words with magic power as you give it a name. Since your words will be imbued with magic, only you and the spirit will be able to hear them, so there’s no need to worry about its true name being revealed. And even if someone could hear it, Gil and I wouldn’t be a problem. Don’t worry, just follow your heart.”
A name!? Eh, I haven’t thought of one!? I never imagined that I’d need a name for the contract, so I was panicking internally. Uh, uh…
『Contract! Contract!』
The Voice Spirit started to flit around excitedly. I could sense something like… magical power filling the air. W-Wait!
Ah, whatever! Don’t underestimate a former office worker! I’m used to unreasonable demands! Sniff.
And how do you even imbue your words with magic power!? I should be asking that, but somehow, I just knew. This was… the elf blood!
『Voice Spirit-shan, I’m going to give you a name! Your name is…』
Uh, uh…! Alright, this is it!
『Hasegawa Shou!』
『Hasegawa Shou… My name…!』
The training grounds were instantly engulfed in a blinding light. I could feel something warm, like power, draining from my core. This must be magic power… But wasn’t this too much!? I was getting worried.
But I could also feel a sense of joy, joy at having been given a name. And that made me feel good. Don’t judge my simple name choice! This was my limit! But I’m glad it liked it. I never thought I’d give it the same family name as me, but it worked out! It felt like I was welcoming it as a family member, right?
“From now on, we’ll be together… Shou-chan.”
『Nice to meet you! Ufufu, I’m Shou-chan!』
Shou-chan, who’d been a pale pink light, gradually started to transform, taking on a human form. Blunt bangs cut above their eyebrows, a bob that flipped outwards slightly, a genderless style, and pale pink from head to toe.
“A humanoid spirit… how unusual.”
I heard Schlie-san murmur this, but I couldn’t ask him about it.
Because I was at my limit. I couldn’t even move a finger. And I was incredibly sleepy.
“It’s okay. You can rest.”
I lost consciousness, lulled by Schlie-san’s gentle voice.