chapter 56
“What are you talking about!”
EversincetheSpiritofIcerejectedacontractwithyou,you’vebeenirritablenonstop.You’retakingitoutonme,aren’tyou?Ever since the Spirit of Ice rejected a contract with you, you’ve been irritable nonstop. You’re taking it out on me, aren’t you?
“I am NOT! I mean—sure, I am petty and bad‑tempered enough to get annoyed over something like that, but I wouldn’t take it out on you!”
Tch.
The more I talked, the more true it sounded.
Clicking my tongue hard, I slid back under the water and leaned against the bathtub.
Admittingthingsquicklyisoneofyourgoodpoints,Master.Admitting things quickly is one of your good points, Master.
His dead‑on remark made me grind my teeth. Rai looked clueless most of the time, but when it came to me, he knew me far too well.
Well, we had spent a long time together.
“You’re annoying.”
I hated to admit it, but the aftereffects of being rejected by the Ice Spirit were worse than expected.
I’d been gloomy the whole time, with irritation bubbling up endlessly like a fever.
Spirits had always been beings that did what I said, followed me, and existed for my convenience.
But meeting one who didn’t—that crushed my pride in a way I’d never experienced before.
And because I didn’t want to acknowledge that, I was furious.
Feeling the urge to run away, I dunked my entire head underwater again.
When I finally reached my limit for holding my breath and Undine began circling anxiously in front of me, I burst out of the water.
“Puhah!”
Ifitbothersyouthatmuch,whynotsummonitagain?Thespiritstoneisperfectlyintact.If it bothers you that much, why not summon it again? The spirit stone is perfectly intact.
“…Not right now.”
If I got rejected again, it felt like my pride would be destroyed beyond repair.
I had never thought of myself as particularly prideful, but that was only because nothing had ever injured my pride before.
I was born a noble, praised as a genius, and raised in comfort and peace.
Everyone around me spoiled me.
Everything always went my way.
I did almost everything I wanted, and I was lucky enough to have talent in my field, so I’d never experienced humiliation.
There’snoneedtobesodiscouraged.Intheend,everythingisjustamatteroftime.Onceyou’reolder—andonceMasterputsintheeffortbefittingthatage…thatspiritwillsurelybowatyourfeet.There’s no need to be so discouraged. In the end, everything is just a matter of time. Once you’re older—and once Master puts in the effort befitting that age… that spirit will surely bow at your feet.
Unsure whether that was comfort or mockery, I sank under the water again.
I knew in my head. Things had been too easy for me.
Rai and Ador practically rolled into my hands on their own.
I was lucky.
Undine was probably the only spirit I’d actually contracted with using my own ability.
Maybe that’s why she was my favorite.
“Rai.”
Yes,Master?Yes, Master?
Slowly rising from the water, I narrowed my eyes at him.
“The truth is… you didn’t really need me, did you?”
Whatdoyoumean?What do you mean?
“I mean, you probably would’ve contracted with anyone who summoned you while you were bored.”
Howcouldyousaysuchahurtfulthing!That’scompletelyabsurd!How could you say such a hurtful thing! That’s completely absurd!
“Try getting rejected for the first time in your life. You start thinking all sorts of gross things.”
I’vetoldyoubefore.Wewaitendlessly.I’ve told you before. We wait endlessly.
“…”
Forourmaster.Andnoteveryonecanbeourmaster.For our master. And not everyone can be our master.
I still looked suspicious.
“Then what’s with spirits rejecting someone after being summoned?”
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