“I am summoning a Divine Beast, a Sea Dragon.”
“Owa! I don’t know what that is, but it must be cool! Because the Admiral is cool!”
Twitch.
The corners of the Admiral’s lips curled up just a fraction.
They say even whales dance when they’re praised, so I suppose the Admiral is no different.
“Well, I am the only one among all the past Pashayens who can summon and control a Sea Dragon.”
“Waaaaah!”
I wanted to do cool things like that, too. Something huge and powerful.
“I learned about the Spirit Kings today. Spirit Kings aren’t considered Abilities, right?”
“That is correct. Being loved by spirits is an innate talent. Receiving a blessing from a Spirit King, however, is exceptionally rare—a level of affinity that shouldn’t even exist. In any case, summoning a Spirit King is a domain entirely separate from Abilities.”
“Ehehe.”
So that means I’m truly beloved. Thinking that made me glow inside.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ looks at you warmly.]
[Everyone will love you, my child. How could they not?]
The shimmering text drifted before my eyes. I whispered to myself, *Shuperti is loved,* and felt a swell of pride.
“Lastly… take this.”
It was then.
“You aren’t the Class President, but this is just as good.”
The Admiral pushed something toward me. It was a crab-shaped name tag.
The words written on it were:
「My Daughter」
“Hing.”
As soon as the meaning hit me, my nose began to tickle.
“Our relationship is still a bit distant. But since the Ancestor Whale has decreed it, I will accept you as my daughter.”
“…….”
“It is my duty as your father to ensure you can trust and lean on me, and eventually, rely on me. You just keep living as you are. Whenever you feel like you need someone to lean on, come find me.”
His tone was awkward, but his voice was impossibly kind.
With trembling hands, I picked up the name tag and pressed it against my chest. It was prettier and better than the last one.
*My treasure number one.*
In the end, I shed a few tears.
The Admiral held me, patting my back as I cried. Even then, I gripped the name tag tightly with both hands so it wouldn’t get wrinkled.
*I’ll protect this.*
That was the vow I made to myself.