GalaxyTL
“Nnmuu…?”
I woke up to a sweet, apple-like aroma. I’m such a glutton.
“! You’re awake. I’ll go get everyone.”
“Reki…?”
Apparently, I was in the infirmary. Um, I think… that’s right. I formed a contract with the Voice Spirit! I succeeded, didn’t I…? Hmm, it didn’t feel real, so I was uneasy.
“Can you sit up?”
“? Yes! Ah, ow!”
I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, and I was a little dizzy. Maybe my magic power hadn’t fully recovered yet? Reki helped me up and sat me down. Ugh, this is tough. But that meant… it’s safe to assume the contract was successful, right?
“…Drink this.”
“Thanks!”
I was uneasy, but I couldn’t resist the aroma of apple tea in front of me. The tea Reki brewed, a perfect temperature, was delicious. The warmth spread through my body, and I felt my fatigue melting away! Having tea after waking up… How luxurious.
“Meg!!”
“! Gil-shan!”
I was peacefully enjoying my tea when the infirmary door swung open with a bang! The door, I hope it’s okay. Reki yelled, “Be quiet in the infirmary!” But Gil-san, the culprit behind the noise, just muttered an apology and rushed towards me with incredible speed. No need to be so dramatic!
“Are you hurt anywhere? Feeling any pain? Do you have a fever?”
“Eh? Just… a little tired…”
Gil-san asked these questions one after another, his voice laced with worry, as he checked my forehead and cheeks. Wh-Why? I was baffled, but I let him do as he pleased. He then let out a deep sigh, seemingly convinced I was unharmed, and murmured, “Thank goodness.”
“Don’t you trust us, the medical staff?”
“No, I trust you. But…”
Reki said this, arms crossed, his voice laced with annoyance. Gil-san seemed troubled.
“When you’re worried, you’re worried. It’s not about logic, right? Gil?”
“Ah, yeah…”
“To think the calm and collected Gil would be so flustered. Meg must be very precious to you. I understand.”
Dr. Ludo, who’d emerged from behind the curtain in the back of the infirmary, said this. Eh? To that extent!? He’s worried? But Gil-san knew that I’d collapse from magic depletion after forming a contract, right? As I tilted my head in confusion, Dr. Ludo’s words made me realize how naive I was.
“Meg, you seem to be confused. It can’t be helped. You’ve been asleep for three and a half days since you formed the contract. It’s the morning of the fourth day.”
Wh-Wh-What!? No wonder everyone was worried! No wonder it was hard for me to even sit up! And I’d just realized I was on an IV drip!
“Reki’s been looking after you this whole time, without any sleep.”
“Reki…?”
Wh-What… he’d been here for… four days!? Without sleeping!? Demi-humans are amazing… I stared at Reki, but he just turned away, “Hmph.”
“Hmph, it’s my job. Dr. Ludo, can I go rest now? You said I could once you finished with the paperwork.”
“That’s right. Get some rest, it’s been a while. You can start in the afternoon tomorrow. The paperwork can wait until then.”
“I want to get it done, so I’ll do it now.”
Reki yawned, “Kuah,” and then left for the back of the infirmary. W-Wait! I hadn’t thanked him!
“Reki! Thank you!!”
He didn’t turn around, but he raised his hand slightly in response. Such a shy guy!
Schlie-san arrived, seemingly taking over for Reki. He didn’t seem that flustered, probably because he knew I’d be asleep for a while. But he did look a bit relieved, so I figured he was worried too.
“Schlie-shan.”
“Meg, good morning. How are you feeling?”
“Um, a wittle… stiff.”
“Fufu, that’s to be expected. You’ll be fine soon, you’re still growing.”
He said this with a gentle smile and patted my head. Ahh, head pats are the best! That’s right, I was a child now. My recovery powers must be amazing! I feel like I’ve been relying too much on my body’s capabilities since coming here…
Ah, that’s right. Now that Schlie-san was here, I could confirm something I’d been wondering about!
“Um… did I… actually form the contract…?”
This was it. I didn’t feel any different, so I was incredibly uneasy. But Schlie-san smiled and nodded. It was enough to put my mind at ease. However…
“But… I don’t feel any diffewent…”
“Fufu, you might not understand it, but you’ve definitely changed. The quality of your magic power is now suited for nature magic.”
The quality of magic power. So something like that existed. But I couldn’t tell the difference. Sad.
“Well then, to really understand it, why don’t you try summoning your spirit. They’ll come to your side immediately, no matter where they are. Ah, and of course, use their nickname.”
Schlie-san said and then summoned Nephry-chan, as an example. A-Alright. I’ll try too! My heart is pounding.
“Shou-chan…?”
My heart felt warm, and then, the bob-haired girl, pale pink from head to toe, appeared before me.
『Yes! Master!』
“M-Master…!”
I was moved.
Uwaah, uwaah, so cute! I’m so happy! I could finally feel it. I’m so glad, so relieved. I’d successfully formed a contract! I felt a surge of confidence!
『Ufufu, it’s embarrassing to be called cute! Master, I’m happy I was able to form a contract with you too!』
Shou-chan said this, flying around me excitedly. Maybe it had read my mind. I couldn’t help but grin. “You read my mind again?” I said playfully, poking Shou-chan with my finger.
“Read your… mind…?”
Schlie-san suddenly muttered this, his expression turning serious. Hmm? What’s wrong?
“Don’t all spiwwits kinda know what people awe thinking?”
I thought they all did… Ah, no? Judging from Schlie-san’s reaction, that wasn’t the case. Maybe it was something only Shou-chan could do?
“…Since it’s a ‘Voice’ Spirit… does that mean it can also hear… a person’s ‘inner voice’…?”
Schlie-san pondered this out loud.
『I can hear them! Not just people, but everything that’s alive! Trees, flowers, monsters! Everyone has a voice!』
Hey, hey, hey, Shou-chan? You seemed to have an inferiority complex… but that’s an incredible ability, isn’t it!?
“…Meg, don’t tell anyone about this. Absolutely not, okay?”
Schlie-san placed his hands on my shoulders, and with an intense smile at point-blank range, he said this. Please understand why I couldn’t do anything but nod repeatedly, like a doll. Ah, the pressure…!