17 The Estate Hidden In The Woods

The class concluded by the chime of a bell. Unlike the classes before, the students didn't leave as soon as the bell rang. Instead, they watched Wendle with a nervous expression.

"Class dismissed." [Wendle]

As soon as she uttered those words, the students fled from the classroom.

("Judging by how the class we took is different from last time, the school probably works on a weekly system. So, the next class is probably something different as well.") [Solace]

Unlike the other students, Fina exited with a calm and relaxed stride.

"Fina! Over here!" [Leyhna]

Calling over from down the hall, Leyhna waved at us.

"Leyhna… You didn't have to run like that." [Fina]

"Eh… It doesn't really matter does it?" [Leyhna]

Scratching the back of her head, Leyhna chuckled nervously.

"It does. You're a noble. Not just any noble, you're someone from the house of Everflame." [Fina]

"So? We're |Martial Artists|. We don't need something like etiquette when we have our fists." [Leyhna]

Jabbing at the air, she began to show off her punches.

"...You're not considered a |Martial Artist| until you summon a |Martial Spirit|." [Fina]

"I'll... get one soon. Maybe I'll get lucky and get a smart one like Solace." [Leyhna]

("What?") [Solace]

I had an inkling that she was talking about something important, but I lacked enough information to figure it out.

"Leyhna… Solace is a |Guardian Spirit|. A spirit meant for |Summoners|, not for |Martial Artists|." [Fina]

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm just saying it would be nice to have a smart spirit instead of a dumb one." [Leyhna]

The two spoke as they walked. I was a bit worried that they won't make it to their next class in time, but I didn't know that they had a break at this time.

("Hm… So I'm considered a… |Guardian Spirit|? Something like that, yeah?") [Solace]

I pondered about as I left the two girls to gossip, and I decided asking the Spirit Guide would be faster.

("Uh… Spirit Guide, can you tell me what a guardian spirit is?") [Solace]

"Response: A |Guardian Spirit| is a spirit summoned to act as the sword and shield of a |Summoner|." [Spirit Guide]

("Sword and shield…") [Solace]

Putting the clues together, I remembered that Fina was referred to as a |Summoner|.

("Then that means I'm supposed to act as her sword and shield? That's… I don't know how I should feel about this.") [Solace]

Being forced to be in such a position was something I didn't like, but then I thought it wasn't so bad if it was Fina. Being with her for a few days has already proven to me that she's a good and hardworking girl, so it shouldn't be too bad.

("Now that I think about it, what is a spirits lifespan?") [Solace]

"Response: Undefined." [Spirit Guide]

("Un...defined?" Does that mean I'm immortal or something?") [Solace]

"Response: False." [Spirit Guide]

As if the spirit guide was waiting for me to say that, it shut down any sliver of hope for immortality.

("Damn… Wait… Undefined lifespan… Not immortal…") [Solace]

It slowly began to click. Thinking back on how my status also displayed health, that meant I could get hurt. Meaning, I could be killed.

("Maybe… as long as I don't get murdered, I won't die from old age or even from diseases. Spirit Guide, can spirits contract diseases?") [Solace]

"Response: There have been five instances where spirits have contracted diseases and several hundreds where they have been poisoned." [Spirit Guide]

("...") [Solace]

And there I had it. The only thing I couldn't die from was seemingly old age.

("Well… That's better than nothing…") [Solace]

As I wallowed in the embarrassment of me thinking that I was immortal, Fina and Leyhna had split up.

"See ya!" [Leyhna]

"See you too." [Fina]

The two separated at a fork in the hallway. After their parting, Fina turned back and exited the building.

("Does she not have anymore classes?") [Solace]

I watched as she continued to leave campus. Taking a path I haven't seen before, Fina treaded an unpaved road that led to a hill.

("Where are we heading?") [Solace]

The surroundings changed from buildings to trees and wilderness. Sooner or later, I could've sworn I saw at least three deers.

("What the… A mansion?!") [Solace]

After hiking for what felt like hours, we arrived at an estate found in the middle of the woods. It was entirely colored white except for some of the outlines of the mansion and the roof tiles. In other words, it had a green and white theme.

("How many square feet… Actually, why is there a mansion in the middle of the woods?") [Solace]

With many questions swimming in my head, Fina strolled up to the entrance. By entrance, I meant the three meter tall fence that blocked off access to the front door.

"Halt!" [???]

I heard a mysterious voice come from in front, but I didn't see anyone.

"State your name and business!" [Mysterious Voice]

"Finea Kaleid Von Haverend. I have come to answer the summons of my father." [Fina]

("...Huh?") [Solace]

I was speechless. A name that I have never heard of before that I most likely will not remember just appeared.

"...You may enter." [Mysterious Voice]

("Wait, huh?! I just… what?!") [Solace]

The fenced gate parted for Fina to enter, and I occupied myself with a large amount of questions.

("What is even going on anymore?!") [Solace]