*Pop!*
Immediately, several translucent sheets of parchment materialized before my eyes. They displayed images and descriptions of various items, along with the number of “Great Job Stamps” required for an exchange.
‘This feels… familiar.’
A flyer?
‘Wait, what’s a flyer?’
I didn’t know why the word surfaced in my mind, but it felt right.
*Delicious! Healthy!*
*Chickpeas grown by the Fire Spirit King himself.*
*1 bag (10g) for just 1 stamp!*
* *Benefits:* Consuming this clears the blood and eliminates hyperlipidemia.
* *Warning:* Must purchase at least 3 bags.
“I don’t need beans.”
When I said that firmly, the Earth Spirit King looked dejected.
*Need a sudden romantic situation?*
*The Water Spirit King presents:*
*Romantic Shower (10 minutes) for just 2 stamps!*
* *Benefits:* Causes a sudden localized rain shower.
* *Warning:* Must purchase at least 30 minutes.
“I don’t… need rain right now, either.”
The Water Spirit King gave me a sheepish smile.
[I suppose it is still a bit early.]
What else could there be? Each of the Spirit Kings seemed to be listing something. Then, what about this?
*Pumped up!*
*The Fire Spirit King presents:*
*Magic Sugar of the Orca (10g) for just 3 stamps!*
* *Benefits:* Wipes away all accumulated fatigue and grants the stamina and vitality of a 15-year-old boy.
* *Warning:* This sugar has no effect on its own. Must be added to a dish.
“This!”
I had to buy this.
My eyes sparkling, I tapped the translucent window vigorously.
[Oh, excellent. Then I shall exchange it for 3 stamps.]
“Un!”
[The stamps used for the exchange will lose their light, but they will remain on the Grape Board. Let’s work hard and fill the entire Grape Board for a special gift!]
“A gift?”
That caught my attention. Everything the Spirit Kings offered as gifts was always good, after all.
[The gift is, drumroll please! ✦‿✦]
Drumroll…?
[It is a ★contract with one Spirit King of your choosing★! Ta-da!]
“Huck!”
The Grape Board had ten grapes in total. I had collected three.
“Then… then I only need to collect seven more?!”
The book also contained information about the power of the Spirit Kings. It told tales of the Water Spirit King flooding an entire city, or the Earth Spirit King shaking the ground to trigger a volcanic eruption, the ashes of which claimed tens of thousands of lives.
‘I don’t know if I believe all of it, but it means they’re incredibly strong!’
Rolling my eyes, I read the section labeled ‘Spirit King’ once more.
*Spirits are nature itself. Therefore, the principle is that they cannot directly influence the human world. However, if they contract with a human, they can exert various influences as the contractor desires. In this process, the contractor must offer their own lifespan, power, stamina, or vitality. Depending on their affinity, a Spirit Master might contract with a lower-grade spirit or one of middle-grade or higher; those who contract with at least a middle-grade spirit are called “Spirit Masters.”*
*In particular, a Spirit King’s contractor receives the special title of “Physis Master.”*
*The state treats and manages a Spirit King’s contractor on a national level. This is because a Spirit King’s contractor is an extremely precious existence. A Spirit King’s contractor is on the same level as a Swordmaster. If they desire, they can cause natural disasters, or conversely, resolve famines and droughts.*
*Physis Master.*
I murmured the title to myself.
“Excuse me, if I sign a contract, what do I have to offer?”
[The Grape Board! That will be the price.]
“Hee…?”
Isn’t that too much of a gain for me? Well, I liked it, but still.
“Then, change it to the Orca Sugar now.”
With this, I finally had a reason to visit Elzen hyung.
‘Hmm, what should I make that Hyung would like?’
If it worked for Cedric Teacher, who had a weak body, then Elzen hyung would surely feel better, too!
After deep consideration, I decided to make a dessert that would never fail.
It was a crunchy, sweet cinnamon apple pie!
‘I’m going to share it with Hyung!’
* * *
The next afternoon.
Having obtained information that Elzen hyung was in his bedroom, I packed the freshly baked apple pie into a box. My mouth watered from the sweet aroma, but I forced myself to endure it; I had to share it with Hyung.
“I’ll give you the honor of joining the social club.”
…I was thinking this as I headed out in high spirits, even wearing my rabbit ear headband, when I ran into Angela in the hallway.
“Social club…?”
I looked at Angela, blankly. I had no idea what that was.
“Yes. Usually, someone like you wouldn’t be allowed in. But since Grandfather told me to take care of you, I’m giving you a chance. Be grateful.”
Huh.
Tilting my head, I focused on pronouncing my words clearly.
“I’m not grateful!”
“What? Do you have any idea how important the social club is?”
“I don’t know.”
Angela widened her eyes, looking dumbfounded. But I didn’t know, so what was I supposed to do?
“I’m busy, so bye.”
I had to go before the apple pie cooled.
Of course, the pie, with its apples stewed in golden honey, would be delicious even cold, but I wanted him to eat it while it was warm.
Clutching the box more protectively, I brushed past Angela. I had only taken a few steps when—
Suddenly, Angela screamed from behind me. It was so shrill that I had no choice but to stop.
“You! Do you think you’ll be loved forever?”
“……?”
“You don’t know how scary Grandfather is.”
I turned around to see why she was acting that way, and I saw Angela biting her lip. She was trembling slightly. Why? Grandfather, the Head of House, was fun and kind!
“I am direct lineage, so no matter what happens, I’m family, but you aren’t. Once he decides you’re useless, you’ll be thrown away immediately.”
“No. The Admiral said I’m his daughter. I even have a name tag.”
Angela didn’t seem to know much, so I explained it calmly. I hid the name tag the Admiral gave me inside my pillow. I would take it out to touch it right before I went to sleep, then tuck it away again. It helped me sleep well.
“My goodness! You believe that?”
At that, Angela’s eyes widened, and she spoke in a tone of genuine shock.
“Obviously he’s just being nice to you because he thinks you’ll be useful, you idiot. Do you really think you’d be family if you were nothing?”
“No! The Admiral… the Admiral said I’m pretty.”
“You’re so frustrating. Now I see, you were an idiot. Then why do you think Ricardo was thrown away?”
“That’s…!”
I was rendered speechless. I wanted to refute it, but my mouth wouldn’t move.
After a long while, I murmured quietly.
“The Admiral said I don’t have to contract with a Spirit King.”
“That’s a lie, too. Every adopted child of Pashayen must have value. Otherwise, once you become an adult, you’ll be stationed somewhere like Mt. Radum. You don’t know that, do you?”
“…….”
Mt. Radum was a place very, very far from here.
I wanted to say something back, but what could I say? While I was racking my brain, Angela spoke up triumphantly.
“You’re not his real daughter.”
“……!”
That… that wasn’t a lie.
Stung by the unexpected attack, tears welled up in my eyes. But I didn’t cry. I was angrier than I was sad, so I clenched my fists tight.
“Who are you to talk like you know the Admiral’s heart?”
“…What? It’s obvious. I’m the direct lineage, and you’re just a commoner he picked up somewhere.”
“Only the Admiral knows the Admiral’s heart.”
“You’re still—”
“You can’t even call him ‘Dad’?”
Stung by her sharp retort, I became a rabbit that had swallowed honey, unable to utter a sound.
I’ll do it soon. I’ll call him Dad soon.
Once I can get the words out, I will.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ is trembling with rage.]
[My precious little one! That’s my precious little one!!]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ hurriedly intervenes.]
[Hold it, just hold it. That’s enough.]
Because my vision was blurring, the glittering letters rising up in a flurry weren’t clearly visible.
As I panted, trying to catch my breath, Angela pointed a finger at me with a look of triumph.
“Luarelle is my real cousin. Not someone like you! When Luarelle comes back, you’re going to be thrown away immediately, aren’t you?”
“That’s not true!”
“You fake daughter, I was even generous enough to try and get you into the social club, but you don’t even know how to be grateful! How impudent!”
It was then.
“What are you talking about? Once she has become my sister, she is my sister.”