Chapter 4: contract

Arrogance.

The knight before her had asked her to teach him what arrogance was.

But Yusoha didn’t know how to teach it.

She simply acted as she believed was right.

“Hey, you.”

“Eclipse.”

“Huh?”

“My name is Eclipse.”

Come to think of it, they hadn’t exchanged names.

Yusoha muttered softly to herself.

“My name is Yusoha. Call me Yusoha from now on.”

Yusoha revealed her name and approached Eclipse.

“Got it.”

“So, what you want is for me to teach you about the innate arrogance I have… right?”

“Exactly.”

Yusoha frowned slightly.

How was she supposed to teach him about arrogance?

“Hey, Eclipse?”

“What is it?”

“How exactly am I supposed to teach you about arrogance? Like, through actions or the way I talk?”

Eclipse shook his head.

“That’s not it. Just show me your true self. Judging by the people I sent flying, you must hold a pretty high position here, right?”

“Yes.”

Yusoha nodded readily.

“Since you’ve lived that way naturally, just show me that side of you.”

“Why do you want to learn about it from me? A lot of people hate this side of me. The media tears into me for it.”

“The media… right. That was in the knowledge I received. So, many people disapprove of you?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what kind of world you came from, but… in this world, the wealthy countries are mostly equal. There are still nobles, but it’s not like everyone is on the same level or anything.”

“I already know that from the infused knowledge. Wealth and power create new hierarchies, don’t they? And you’re one of the beneficiaries.”

“Exactly. By the way, Guardian Spirits are really convenient. They even teach you stuff like that.”

“I don’t know the details, but… it’s like they’re giving me information based on growing up in this world. It might be related to you. Maybe the life of an Awakener affects their Guardian Spirit.”

“Could be. There’s still a lot we don’t know about Guardian Spirits.”

“Anyway… just be your usual self. Same goes for me. Don’t worry about others’ criticism.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

Even after nearly being choked, Yusoha’s bold demeanor remained unchanged.

“Good. That’s enough.”

“Now I’m curious. Why are you so interested in arrogance?”

“Let’s just say it’s curiosity.”

“Hmm… well, if it’s just about showing my usual self, that’s not a hard request, so it’s fine. Anyway, let’s get along, Eclipse.”

“Sure.”

“Then, come this way for a moment.”

“Planning to form the contract?”

“Yup. So stay still.”

With that, Yusoha approached Eclipse, activated her mana, and etched a contract seal onto his armor with golden mana.

As the golden mana glowed on his worn armor, Eclipse felt a strange sense of familiarity toward Yusoha.

“Done?”

“Yup. Now you’re my Guardian Spirit. And I’m your master.”

Technically, the contract between a Guardian Spirit and an Awakener was equal, but Yusoha naturally asserted her dominance.

Eclipse, curious about her arrogance, didn’t object.

“Got it, master.”

“No, don’t call me master. If you show up in public and call me that, the Guardian Spirit Protection Association will throw a fit about ‘Guardian Spirit abuse’ or whatever.”

“Guardian Spirit Protection Association?”

“You don’t need to know much. They’re just crazies. The contract between a Guardian Spirit and an Awakener is mutual, but they ignore that and rant about ‘rights’ if they think an Awakener treats their Guardian Spirit unfairly.”

“This world is strange. If they don’t understand Guardian Spirit contracts, they must be non-Awakeners.”

“Exactly. They see Awakeners and Guardian Spirits in the media and project themselves onto them. Seeing Guardian Spirits obey Awakeners in dangerous battles stirs sympathy in those idiots.”

“I see.”

“Don’t think too hard about it… Anyway, just call me by my name.”

“Got it, Soha.”

“Good. That works. Oh, by the way.”

“Hm?”

“We should probably get these people to a medical center.”

“No need to worry. I didn’t hit them that hard. They’re just following your orders, right? They’re only knocked out. They’ll wake up soon.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

From the moment he decided to teach her a lesson, Eclipse had no intention of seriously harming Yusoha’s guards.

They were just following orders.

“Ugh…”

As soon as Yusoha spoke, the guards began to stir.

“What happened…”

They opened their bleary eyes, saw Yusoha and Eclipse, and shuddered as they recalled what had happened.

They feared Yusoha’s wrath for their failure to react.

“Miss…?”

“What’s wrong?”

“You… weren’t hurt by this Guardian Spirit, were you?”

“I was, but it’s fine. It worked out. Don’t be too scared. Who could’ve known my Guardian Spirit was that strong? And without mana, no less.”

Yusoha looked at Eclipse with a satisfied expression, and the guards let out sighs of relief.

Her good mood meant they’d likely avoid her wrath.

“So, can we leave now?”

“Of course. But.”

Yusoha curled her lips as she looked at them.

“You need to step up your skills. Got it? I’ll let this slide, but if it happens again, you’re done.”

“Yes, we understand, Miss.”

“And.”

“Is there more…?”

“Keep Eclipse a secret. Got it? If word gets out that I have a Guardian Spirit, I’ll assume it came from you lot… and you know what happens next.”

“Y-Yes, Miss. But why… why hide your Guardian Spirit?”

“Because I want to.”

That was the end of Yusoha’s answer.

“…Understood.”

“Good. Go.”

“Yes, Miss.”

As the guards left, Eclipse asked Yusoha curiously.

“Why hide my existence? Soha, I thought you’d want to show me off, given your nature.”

Eclipse couldn’t understand her decision.

In his previous world, the powerful never hesitated to flaunt their prized possessions.

“If it gets out that I summoned a Guardian Spirit, the media will have a field day. Then people will start wondering about your abilities.”

“True.”

“And I don’t want that. I don’t even know the full extent of your powers yet. All I know is you’re incredibly strong despite having no mana. To appear in front of the media, you need to be perfect. Otherwise, they’ll tear you apart.”

“I see.”

Eclipse finally understood.

It was a matter of different worlds and cultures.

Here, people could see the powerful through various media and freely express their feelings, often anonymously.

If Eclipse appeared sloppy in front of the media, the malice already directed at Yusoha would turn into sharp teeth aimed at her.

“Understood.”

“Good. Now, the most important thing.”

“Hm?”

“Can you make yourself invisible? Most Guardian Spirits can, but can you?”

“…How do I do that?”

“From what I heard from my sister’s Guardian Spirit, you just have to wish for it, and your physical form in this world disperses. Can you do that?”

“I’ll try.”

As soon as he answered, Eclipse’s body began to fade.

He was startled by the sudden sense of weightlessness.

“Oh, you’re gone. Eclipse, are you there?”

[Yes.]

Unsure if his voice would carry, Eclipse nodded and responded.

“It sounds like I can hear you, but it’s like telepathy, ringing in my head. Must only be audible to me since we’re contracted. Nice.”

Yusoha smiled, satisfied.

“Alright, let’s head to my place.”

She promptly left the summoning room, and as she did, she carefully managed her expression.

Her face now bore a clear look of displeasure.

It was to deceive everyone.

Her expression, filled with the frustration of a failed Guardian Spirit summoning, made everyone she passed tremble.

Yusoha’s plan was simple.

Her reputation was already in tatters.

So, she intended to use Eclipse to turn her image around.

To do that, she needed to refine the knowledge infused into him, helping him internalize this world’s customs and etiquette.

Then, she would assess his combat abilities and reveal him to the world.

As dramatically as possible.

With that, Yusoha smiled inwardly.