TYSK 11

Chapter 11

Lilia thought about the original story for a moment.

“The magic key has a mysterious power. It will grant the owner’s wishes.”

“You mean this key can grant wishes?”

“Yes. Speak to the key with a sincere heart.”

‘That’s right. In the original story, it was said that it grants sincere wishes. It wasn’t just for healing.’

Tiana also received the key because her wish was to heal people.

“So that’s why Grandmother’s key has the power of movement…”

“Yes. My wish was to meet that child. So I desperately wanted the power to connect to my domain.”

Lilia hadn’t realized that this was why her grandmother gained the power of movement.

And now, she herself was the child qualified to be a Spirit Contractor and the key’s owner.

Lilia felt like something huge was happening all at once.

Lillian continued speaking.

“When you make a contract with the Spirit of the key, Lilia, a magic key will be created that can grant your wish.”

Lilia’s heart began to race.

“Then… does it mean any wish can be granted?”

“That, you will have to see for yourself after you make the contract. I’m curious too… what kind of key will you get?”

Lilia rolled her big eyes and thought deeply about what she truly wanted.

At first, she just wanted the healing key, like Tiana.

She thought it was the only way to save her father.

But now, she was the key’s owner. If she had a choice…

What was her real wish?

She clenched her small fist and remembered the goals she had planned.

To earn her grandfather’s approval, stop Osdel’s evil deeds, and finally drive him out of the family.

To save the future male lead, Adrian, and avoid his death flag.

‘Saving my father and protecting the family… that’s all my goal.’

To make sure her family would never become a villainous one, healing alone wouldn’t be enough.

She needed a power that could make her stronger than anyone.

This magic key was a power only a Spirit Contractor could hold.

If the magic key had powers besides healing or movement… she wanted them all.

‘That’s my wish!’

Her heart beat wildly.

“I want to become the true owner of the key! I want to use all the powers the key can give!”

Lillian smiled, satisfied to hear the child’s strong desire and determination.

“Lilia, you are ready to be the key’s owner. Shall we begin the contract with the Spirit?”

Her bright green eyes were now full of determination.

“I will! I will become the key’s owner!”

“Good. The contract begins by joining hands,” Lillian said with a gentle smile, guiding Lilia’s hand to meet Kiki’s tiny paw.

“Close your eyes and release all the mana in your body. Then, the Spirit’s mana will fill your mana heart completely.”

“All my mana?”

“Yes. Your mana is needed too.”

“But my mana is too weak. I don’t know if it will help with the contract.”

“That doesn’t matter. Have confidence.”

“Yes!”

Taking a deep breath, Lilia closed her eyes and held Kiki’s small paw.

For some reason, Kiki had become very calm.

Slowly, she lifted every last drop of mana deep inside her.

Fiyaaah!

It was scary, but she started releasing her mana little by little.

Releasing the mana in her heart wasn’t easy.

The original Lilia would have struggled because of her naturally weak mana, but she didn’t feel resistance.

That must be because she had a different soul.

But her body reacted. As her heart’s mana flowed out, she felt dizzy and short of breath.

“Lilia, just listen to what I say and answer,” Lillian instructed.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Wind swirled around them, blowing their hair and clothes endlessly.

“I, Lillian von Roberk, Spirit Contractor and key owner, pass all authority to the next owner, Lilia von Roberk. Are you ready to accept the key’s power?”

Lilia opened her eyes brightly and answered,

“Yes!”

Kiki squeaked, and the wind stopped.

In their joined hands, a golden key mark appeared briefly on Lilia’s green eyes and Kiki’s black ones.

A strong current of mana began flowing into Lilia from the tiny creature.

Her previously weak mana circuits became clear. This deep blue mana was the strongest she had ever felt.

“Wow… it’s incredibly strong and thrilling!”

“The contract with the Spirit is complete. Your hearts and souls are now connected. You can borrow mana and power anytime. And…”

At that moment, the golden key around Lillian’s neck disappeared.

The beautiful room faded, and finally, Lillian’s figure slowly became blurry.

“My contract is finished, and the key has vanished. Now you can summon it. Lilia, I think you will get a very magnificent key.”

“G-Grandmother?! Where are you going?”

With that, Lillian disappeared completely.

“…Grandmother…”

Lilia murmured as she came to, lying on her bed. She should have been at the Spirit Tree. Why was she here?

So much had happened. She finished all the aptitude tests, met Lillian, and even made a contract with the Spirit.

She didn’t feel sick. Her body felt light, and her mind was clear.

‘What happened? Could it all have been a dream?’

When she opened her eyes, the first face she saw was Grandfather Roberk.

He was sitting with his chin in his hand, eyes closed.

For someone who had never faced him alone, it was unfamiliar, but maybe because she had seen him in Father’s hospital room, he didn’t feel as scary as before.

Still, his cold presence startled her.

Ice-cold mana flowed from him.

‘He seems very unhappy. Could it be because of me? Should I pretend to be asleep again?’

Although she cared for her father, Grandfather was strict as the family head.

‘I must not get on his bad side. Otherwise, my plans might fail. I need to stay low…’

Lilia curled back under the warm blanket, feeling troubled.

“…How long will you pretend to be asleep?”

“!”

A hand suddenly pulled the blanket away. Lilia curled up and exclaimed,

“P-Please… save me!”

A thin pair of red eyes stared at her.

“Ha, who said I was going to kill you?”

Lilia shook her head quietly.

“Why am I here?”

He was massive, and his aura was chilling. Unlike from far away, his presence forced her to lower her head.

His mana cooled the room, like freezing air.

‘…So cold.’

Lilia shivered and curled herself under the blanket. Luckily, a savior arrived.

“…Your Excellency, the cold mana is still in the room. She’s still a young child. It’s dangerous.”

It was Schleyeman, the head of the library and the exam supervisor.