Familiar Contract (1)

The next day, in the morning.

Haewonryang, who woke up at the Hospital in Skyflower Haven, looked out the window with a dazed expression.

Chirp! Chirp!

The sound of chirping birds tickled his ears. He turned slightly to the side and saw Edna peeling an apple.

She had a strangely excited expression.

"You know that situation where you care for the patient and peel apples by their side when they wake up? I've always wanted to try it. Hey, kid, you have the sense to open your eyes at the right time, right? Huh?"

She playfully said, revealing her pearly white teeth.

Haewonryang asked in a bewildered expression.

"Where is this...?"

"What? You don't remember? We came to play at Skyflower Haven."

To be precise, it was a field trip. If it were the usual Haewonryang, he would have corrected her, but right now, his mind hadn't fully returned.

"Do you remember what happened?"

"I... don't know."

"Is that so?"

Edna secretly sighed in relief. It would be better if she didn't remember. The memories of being controlled by a dark mage would only bring shame as a mage.

Only five people knew about this incident.

Kaen and Grace were not the type to reveal such things, and it was not appropriate for them to do so either.

Baek Yu-Seol and Mayuseong decided to keep the fact that they turned into dark mages a secret to protect his honor.

If Haewonryang were to find out that he had become a dark mage, he would be consumed by endless guilt.

They were truly kind boys in many ways.

"Recently, you had an unknown fever in your body, but it has been completely treated now."

"How...?"

"How did it happen? I did it, you know. Even if I look like this, I'm a brilliant mage. You know?"

"... Is that so?"

Haewonryang sighed deeply, touching his forehead.

Somehow, he felt a weight lifted off his chest. The unpleasant emotions that had been stabbing at his heart disappeared completely.

Thinking of Baek Yu-Seol and Mayuseong, he didn't feel any jealousy or inferiority. Instead, he felt a strong sense of determination.

'... That's your true self.'

Seeing Haewonryang's fiery gaze, Edna thought to herself how fortunate it was.

Then, their eyes met. There was no change in the affectionate gaze they exchanged.

Feeling apologetic, Edna forced a bitter smile.

'How many beautiful women are there in this world? Why are you like this, seriously…'

The statement that there couldn't be friendship between a man and a woman was a complete lie.

From a woman's perspective, there were often cases where they genuinely wanted to be friends with men.

Haewonryang had feelings beyond friendship. That was why she was worried.

If he were to confess one day, their relationship would be immediately jeopardized.

Should she draw a line beforehand? How did one even do that?

'Maybe because it's a romance fantasy world, I have to worry about relationships here...?'

In her original world, she was so focused on studying and work that such worries were completely unfamiliar to her.

"Instructor Lee Hanwol has observed your condition. If you want to participate in the Familiar Contract Ceremony... you can, but it's better to rest. The aftereffects haven't completely subsided yet."

"... Alright. If you tell me to rest, I will rest."

"Oh, just rest. Who knows, the Familiar Contract ceremony might not be a big deal? It's better than getting injured."

'Anyway, Haewonryang won't be able to make a contract with a divine being during the Familiar Contract ceremony. He will eventually make a contract with some divine being, but that's a long way off.'

"Well then, rest well. The assembly time is coming soon, so I'll go ahead."

As Edna left, Haewonryang absentmindedly soaked up the sunlight and watched her retreating figure.

Now, he didn't have any negative thoughts. He didn't know what had happened... but there was definitely something unpleasant.

Perhaps Edna quietly resolved it. And... she was trying to bury it secretly, afraid of causing him harm.

That was why Haewonryang didn't ask about what had happened. It wouldn't be respectful to Edna, who had made an effort for his sake.

However, a faint smile appeared on his lips. It was because he was glad that she had made even a little effort for him.

He knew.

Edna didn't feel any emotions beyond friendship for him.

An unrequited love?

Not that dramatic, passionate love.

It wasn't about environment, race, or background, but simply a matter of pure emotions. They couldn't be together.

So Haewonryang smiled bitterly. He knew, but... still, it wouldn't be easy to give up on this love for a while.

First loves in your teens are usually like that.

———-

The Heavenly Spirit Tree's Ascension Day came to an end. Before the fantastic afterglow completely faded away, Stella's disciples had to move on to the next schedule.

"From now on, all of you will enter the roots of the Heavenly Spirit Tree for the divine contract. It's a kind of astral space, and the environment there will be different from reality."

The entrance to the roots of the Heavenly Spirit Tree.

In a place where even ordinary elves couldn't approach recklessly, thousands of magic disciples were gathered.

Inside the roots, there was a space where familiar could live, and it was said to be a space created by the World Tree itself to protect them who were highly vulnerable to the dark magic of the dark mages.

Since it was a sensitive place, it was not open to anyone, and the security was also very strict.

Elven guardians guarding the boundary were patrolling around the entrance to the roots.

Instructor Lee Hanwol, representing Class S, briefly explained to the first-year disciples, "You will be given one week. The space allowed for you is up to the Third Layer of the roots."

Dangerous familiars with aggressive tendencies were confined by the elven guardians below the Fourth Layer, and they had sealed the area so that they couldn't escape.

It was impossible for first-year magic to penetrate that.

"So, don't even think about accessing the Fourth Layer."

His voice carried a sense of intimidation, as if it resounded in a cave. It felt like you had to follow his words or else.

As a delinquent student, Baek Yu-Seol had no intention of listening to him.

If one proceeded with the episodes normally, all the stories would take place in the Third Layer. However, very rarely, some players accidentally discovered a 'hidden passage,' which allowed them to break through the boundary and head to the Fourth Layer.

Naturally, it would be dangerous. However, they had to bear with it.

The spirit's heart could only be obtained in the Fourth Layer.

Fortunately, in his trusty guidebook, there were hidden routes recorded that countless players had used to move around, avoiding the sight of the familiars through various trials and errors.

"Our professors cannot accompany us down there. That means we have to take care of ourselves in that place. Understand? Don't rely on anyone and survive with your own strength. That's all!"

As Lee Hanwol finished speaking, the students moved rapidly. They were eager to descend into the roots faster than anyone else, even though it wasn't necessary.

The elven guardians who were guarding the entrance of the roots, holding long staffs, stepped aside.

Stella's students began moving through the barrier, and Baek Yu-Seol walked slowly from behind, making sure not to collide with the crowd.

He could hear the students whispering.

"I heard that it's not very dangerous if we don't go below the first layer."

"I still want to go to the second layer. They say there aren't many strong or aggressive familiars there."

"Do you want to go together? I have a place I wanted to visit in the second layer."

As there were rumors of potential danger, the students tended to move with their close friends. Baek Yu-Seol wondered how the protagonists would move.

Although it might vary depending on the branch, they would usually gather in one place later on.

A very special familiar appeared in the third layer, and they were there to make a contract with it.

He planned to be cautious and avoid encountering them as much as possible. After all, the happenings in this place were probably the confrontation between Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon, which would conclude with Edna's intervention.

The personalities of Hong Bi-Yeon and Edna had deviated quite a bit from the original, so he wasn't sure what would happen, but he doubted it would be anything significant.

Anyway, after waiting for a while, the students had almost entered the inside of the roots. He followed behind and stepped into the boundary of the roots.

Whoosh!

The flow of air distorted completely, and the scenery flipped in an instant.

[Episode 7]

[Familar Contract Ceremony]