Chapter 79
“My name is Ordel. You who have called upon me — speak your name.”
“Rodelia Ferris.”
“Good. Rodelia Ferris — I will create a gate through which I may pass freely between the fairy realm and the human world, using your power as my source.
In return, you shall receive authority to wield my power. Do you accept this pact?”
“I accept.”
“This is a Soul Oath.
As long as both our names exist upon this earth, nothing shall ever break this bond.”
Ordel drew a sign in the air — almost like making a holy cross — then gently kissed my forehead.
“This mark shall serve as proof of our contract.”
A cool sensation spread across my skin, followed by a soft light that soon faded.
I rushed to the mirror.
For an instant, a glowing symbol shimmered on my forehead — then vanished.
“Is this mark only visible to you, Ordel?”
“My subordinates will also see it — those bound to me, such as the forests, trees, and butterflies.”
“And humans won’t see it?”
“It will appear only when you use my power.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness it wasn’t visible all the time — I’d look like I was wearing a sign that screamed ‘Hi, I’m a spirit master!’
“The first day after forming a contract will exhaust you greatly.
It takes time for our souls to synchronize. Rest well, Rodelia.”
With those words, Ordel’s form faded and disappeared.
But even after he was gone, I somehow knew — instinctively — how to summon him and what kind of powers he held.
A gateway now existed between the fairy realm and the human world.
To open it, all I had to do was call his name —
and whether he called mine or I called his, the portal would open, allowing him to appear in the physical world.
“So Eden was right, after all.”
It felt surreal.
I’d thought I was doomed to become the “villainess” who ends up in prison — not someone who’d awaken such a power.
“Now what should I do? Should I go see Lord Daven right away?”
Before, I could’ve easily gone to the Duke of Einluk’s mansion or the Magic Tower whenever I pleased.
But now…
“Hmm… I’ll have to ask for permission first, won’t I?”
Just thinking about it made my chest feel heavy.
“Let’s contact Eden first.”
Right on cue, fatigue washed over me — just like Ordel had warned.
I decided to go home first and deal with everything else later.
I had barely reached for the door when—
“Kyaaaaa!”
Sierra’s scream pierced the air as she rushed toward me.
Ah. So she had been worried about me after all.
Feeling awkward, I opened my arms.
“Sierra, long time no—”
But her scream wasn’t for me.
“My floooweeer!”
She dashed right past me, clutching the flowerpot with tearful eyes.
“The flower — the Fairy Bloom — it’s dead!”
Oh. That’s what this was about.
Suddenly feeling awkward, I stretched my arms casually as I peered into the pot.
Thanks to the Soul Oath, the Fairy Bloom had withered — its stem drooping lifelessly.
It had fulfilled its purpose and died.
Just as I was about to explain, Eden’s words echoed in my mind—
***
“If by any chance you succeed in awakening the Spirit Stone, don’t tell anyone. Come straight to me.”
“Not even the Magia members?”
“Especially not them! They’re obsessed with magical flora and fauna — imagine the chaos if they found out.”***
Ah, right. He did say not to tell anyone.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“When I got here, it was already like this.”
“N-no way… That’s impossible! I checked everything before I left — it was perfectly fine!”
Luckily, Sierra didn’t doubt me. She just hugged the pot tighter and started crying again.
“My pooor flooower…”
She was in no state to listen to anything else.
“I’m sorry, Sierra. I’ll make it up to you later.”
Quietly, I slipped out of the atelier.
For now, retreat first — fix things later.
***
A few days later, Eden finally sent word.
After arranging a meeting, I headed to the Magic Tower.
Without any delay, I was led straight to the elevator and taken to his laboratory.
Unlike before, the room was surprisingly tidy and pleasant.
On one side stood a new table — one I hadn’t seen before —
decorated with cute trinkets that clearly didn’t belong to Eden.
Someone must’ve been cleaning for him.
“He must’ve hired an assistant.”
That was my only thought before I sat down on the sofa and looked out the window.
Being here, in the Magic Tower again, naturally made me think of Summer.
“Come to think of it, she hasn’t sent me a letter lately.”
She used to write to me every single day after coming to the capital, pestering me to meet up.
But suddenly, she’d stopped.
“Did something happen to her?”
I was just about to ask Eden about it when—
“Oh my! Hello! Are you Mr. Eden’s guest?”
There she was — Summer herself.
“Uh…”
I froze. I had literally been thinking about her just seconds ago.
She looked… fine. More than fine — radiant.
Her bright smile was as warm as spring sunshine,
and her silky blonde hair was neatly braided, brushing softly over her shoulder as she moved.
She hummed a tune under her breath,
filling the room with a kind of peaceful, woodland energy.
“I just made some fresh orange juice — would you like some?”
Before I could even answer, she pulled a bottle from her bag and poured a glass for me.
“Thank you.”
I accepted it automatically. She sat across from me, still smiling brightly.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Are you one of Mr. Eden’s guests?”
Ever the social butterfly — friendly to everyone she met.
I fiddled with the cup and replied lightly,
“I didn’t expect anyone else to be in the lab.”
“Ah, I should introduce myself properly! I’m Summer Klophen,
currently conducting a joint research project with Mr. Eden.”
“Oh, I’m Rodelia Ferris.”
“—Cough!!”
The moment I said my name, Summer choked violently, spilling orange juice everywhere.
“Ack! I’m so sorry— cough, cough!”
“Are you alright?”
I quickly handed her a handkerchief.
She covered her mouth, eyes watering, and nodded frantically.
When she finally caught her breath, her face was red as a tomato.
“Did you say… Lady Ferris?”
“Ah, yes. Did my name surprise you?”
“N-no, not at all! I just— um— haha…”
She laughed nervously, her eyes darting everywhere.
Her polite calm from earlier had completely vanished.
I watched her, puzzled.
“What’s with her? …Could she have figured out who I really am?”
That couldn’t be right.
I’d been so careful to hide my identity —
even writing letters in my brother’s handwriting to seem masculine,
and using the nickname “Tall Lady” instead of my real title.
I’d never mentioned my family name or rank — not even once.
“No, impossible. I’m just being paranoid.”
To steer the conversation away, I asked casually,
“So… are you getting used to life in the Tower?”
Summer seemed to calm down as she answered.
“Ah, yes! Everyone’s been so kind. For a magician, the Tower is like a sacred place.
There’s so much research material and the facilities are amazing —
I’ve been so busy I barely notice the time passing.”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke —
as they always did whenever she talked about studying or magic.
Smiling faintly, I asked offhandedly,
“Since you’re working with Eden, I suppose you’ve met the Tower Master often?”
I took a sip of juice to hide my expression and glanced at her.
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
“Hmm? Oh, no. I’ve actually never met him.”
“Pfft—”
I nearly spat out my drink but managed to hold it back.
“You’ve never met him?”
