Chapter 78
Pressed into the corner of the wide elevator, our breaths mingled in the narrow space.
“Move.”
But Alperen didn’t step back.
Instead, he stared down at me with a look that seemed to say he couldn’t understand what was going on.
The space between us was too small — my heart thumped wildly.
His hand lingered on my face, brushing gently but refusing to let go.
“We’re not on such bad terms that I can’t even ask what’s wrong, are we?”
“…”
“Are you really not going to talk to me at all, Deli?”
His lonely tone softened something inside me.
It wasn’t like he was wrong to feel hurt.
I’d ended our fake relationship on my own — and then avoided him completely.
Of course he’d be upset.
Feeling guilty, my voice came out quieter, gentler than before.
“Of course not. I just… didn’t think it was worth mentioning.”
“Not worth mentioning?”
“Mm-hm. I was just crying because I read a sad novel.”
“…I see.”
He clearly didn’t believe a word, but he didn’t argue either.
Still trapped in his arms, I gave him a small push.
“Weren’t you about to leave?”
“Yeah. I should go.”
Alperen smiled faintly — then brought my hand to his lips and kissed it softly.
“See you again, Deli.”
The warmth in his gaze made my eyes drop on their own.
It was too intense — too close.
When the elevator doors opened, he quietly stepped out.
Only then did my knees weaken.
I slumped against the elevator wall and let out a long sigh.
“Haah…”
He hadn’t pressed me for answers — and I was grateful for that —
but the way he’d said “See you again”…
It sounded like a promise.
Almost a warning.
“See you again… like it’ll be soon,” I muttered.
Knowing how literal he was, that unsettled me even more.
But thinking about it would only make me anxious, so I shook my head and hurried toward the Atelier.
Right now, something far more important needed my attention.
I stepped inside the Magia Atelier with a tense face.
Thankfully, it was empty.
“Good. I need to do this before Lottie gets here.”
I had asked Lottie to fetch an ice pack on purpose — so I could be alone.
With all the chaos involving Jessica and Alperen, I’d completely forgotten about the Fairy Bloom.
Now was my chance to check on it.
I went straight to the corner where Sierra had left it.
The Fairy Bloom was thriving — its leaves a vivid green, glowing faintly with stored magic.
The bud at the top shimmered faintly, as if breathing.
I swallowed nervously.
“Alright… this is it.”
Its leaves spread flat against the ground like a dandelion,
and a long stem reached upward, ending in a tightly closed bud.
Just like Sierra had said, there was a small opening at the tip —
big enough to fit something tiny inside.
Since no one was around, this was the perfect time.
I quickly took out the Spirit Stone I’d been keeping and placed it inside the opening.
Please… let something happen.
For a moment, nothing — and then the Fairy Bloom burst into a dazzling rainbow light.
“Whoa.”
The brilliance was so intense I had to squeeze my eyes shut.
When the light finally dimmed, a clear, echoing voice rippled through my mind.
— Have you awakened the great one?
A cool, refreshing aura swept over me —
like standing in a deep, sun-dappled forest where a stream trickled softly.
The voice wasn’t human.
It felt like it came from inside my head.
Startled, I opened my eyes — and gasped.
“Huh?!”
Sitting atop the opened flower was a tiny fairy — small enough to fit in my palm.
With glittering butterfly wings and a faint golden glow,
he looked like something straight out of Peter Pan.
Except… his features were masculine,
and there was a tiny crown perched on his head.
“A little fairy?”
— Little fairy? How rude!
The voice echoed like wind chimes, proud and sharp.
— I am the King of Fairies, ruler of water and forests,
master of flowers, trees, and insects! Show some respect, mortal!
Despite his grand speech, his fluttering wings were so delicate they looked almost too soft to touch.
“He’s… so cute.”
I barely stopped myself from squealing out loud and instead curtsied politely.
At that, the fairy’s expression softened slightly.
— So this is the human world I’ve heard of. Strange place… full of huge giants.
It’s not that I’m a giant — you’re just tiny, I thought, but kept quiet.
“Is this your first time visiting our world, Your Majesty?”
— Hmph! Don’t underestimate me just because I recently inherited the throne!
I could wrap your legs in tree roots and set you on fire right now if I wished!
Apparently, he’d taken offense.
The air chilled instantly, magic prickling over my skin.
“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that! Please forgive me!”
His mouth twitched — apparently pleased by my apology.
He puffed up proudly, and the sight was… ridiculously cute.
I bit my lip to stop from laughing.
Flapping his wings, the fairy king flew up to hover in front of my face.
— You do have impressive harmony with nature.
Perhaps that’s why you were able to awaken me.
“Then… are you really the Fairy King?”
I pointed at the tiny crown on his head.
He tilted his chin arrogantly.
— More or less. I govern the plants.
Other kings rule over their own domains and their own subjects.
If that was true, then maybe — just maybe — he could help save Daven.
I carefully held out my hand, and he landed on my palm.
“Your Majesty… could you melt the Frost Dragon’s glacier?
There’s someone who was injured by its corrupted ice.”
My heart pounded as I waited for his response.
The Fairy King snorted, wings fluttering.
— Hah! Do you think some pathetic Frost Dragon is a match for me?
You’ve been awfully impudent from the start, human. I could do that with my eyes closed!
“R-really? You mean it?”
At my repeated questioning, sparks lit up in his eyes.
— Are you doubting the words of the great Fairy King?!
The ground trembled — literally.
Panicking, I blurted out—
“N-no! Of course not! I just… got too excited! Please forgive me!”
The shaking stopped.
The fairy rubbed his nose smugly.
— Hmph! I’ll forgive you, since you’re the first human ever to summon me.
For someone so proud, he sure cooled off fast.
And a little clumsy, too.
Maybe he really was new to being king.
Still, the important part was clear: he could melt the glacier.
Which meant I had to make a contract with him.
Spiritualists and magical creatures formed bonds through an “Oath of Souls.”
And since my Spirit Stone had reacted to the Fairy Bloom,
it meant I met the requirements to awaken one.
“But… how do I actually do it?”
I’d succeeded in summoning him, but I had no idea what to do next.
And, of course, there wasn’t another summoner around to ask.
The fairy king frowned.
— Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me you don’t want to make a contract with me!
His tiny face turned red — I rushed to explain.
“No, no! It’s not that! It’s just… this is my first time.
I don’t know how to make a Soul Oath.”
That only seemed to make him more flustered.
— First time?! You mean I was summoned by an amateur?!
He looked utterly insulted.
I scrambled to smooth things over.
“That’s not it! You’re the Fairy King — that’s why only you could be summoned!
You’re the one and only fairy in this realm right now!”
At the word “only,” he visibly relaxed.
— Hmph. Very well. The Soul Oath is simple.
Both parties agree, speak their names, and inscribe them onto each other’s souls.
Do you, human, wish to form a contract with me?
“Yes. I do.”
— Good. Even if you’re a beginner, your affinity with nature makes you worthy of my pact.
The moment he said that, the air around us stilled —
as if time itself had paused.
Then the Fairy Bloom’s petals rose around us, swirling in a glowing spiral of color.
The sight was breathtaking —
so beautiful I couldn’t look away.
