Spirits. Beings of crystallized energy of nature, whose form changes from one type to the other.
Some look like fairies, but there are spirits that look like beasts, birds, and fish too. And a lot not only look like people, but are deeply involved with humans too.
Also, and I don’t know why, but the ones that look like people tend to have better abilities. And I’m assuming the same goes for the spirit girl crying in front of us. One of the reasons why I feel that way, is how her tears turn into large rocks through mental realization.
Mental realization is a power to take things without physical form like feelings, and turn them into solid objects.
It’s seen as primordial magic, and it’s said that the magic we normally use is an application of this mental realization. This is also why magic power goes up when emotions run high, and weakens when someone’s mentally weak.
And speaking of spirits, I can’t forget that they’re particularly affected by the area curses. Their strong connection to the land means their power up is completely different compared to other monsters in Area Zero.
Thankfully, most spirits are chill, and friendly to humans. So it’s not really an issue.
If they all had rough temperaments, there would be a ton of troublesome beings like Undine.
Undine is a special case, personality included.
Opinions are split about spirits, even among scholars, so that’s about all someone like me can say.
But one more thing. I should mention that spirits can marry humans, and even have children with them. Lela was the one who told me that. Multiple times even, so it’s been engraved into my mind.
Sylphine, a wind great spirit (super beautiful) and a human crown prince (super handsome) had girls that looked like Sylphine, and boys that looked like the crown prince, and lived happily.
And I’ve heard this over a hundred times in the past six months. Lela changes when she talks about love, so it’s a taboo topic in front of her.
I guess it’s nice to know those things, but she still feels like an extremist…
I’m getting way off track. Getting back to the spirit girl.
She’s currently crying in front of us, and it’s mostly Iris who is looking after her, holding her and gently stroking her head.
I’m left with nothing to do, so I go deal with the rocks. It’d be dangerous if Mars and Lela got curious and came here too, so I signal to them from up here with magic letters to not go up .
Magic letters are written in the air with magic energy. It’s common magic, so most people can use it, but it’s also a kind of mental realization.
Till gives me an OK sign when she sees it, so I can go back to the spirit girl.
We’ll just stay with her until she’s done crying.
About thirty minutes later, the girl has mostly calmed down. She stops crying, and thanks us.
“Thank you very much, I feel like I am feeling a lot better thanks to you hearing me out.”
“We’re just glad you’re feeling better. By the way, I am Iris, a saintess.”
I feel like it’s been a while since I heard that. She’s technically a former saintess, but I guess it’s just barely correct, since she’s in charge of the Southlight region.
Then Iris moves her hand to me.
“And this is the great mage Loyd.”
She’s just being polite, but being called a great mage tickles.
“Right now, it’s actually Loyd the adventurer. And I’m no great mage…”
I politely bow, and the spirit girl smiles softly.
I can feel the friendliness being directed at us.
“Miss Iris and Mister Loyd, thank you both. I feel like I should reward you somehow…”
“No no, there is no need for that. I just did what I had to as a servant of god. Isn’t that right, Mister Loyd?”
“Yes, I agree with Iris.”
“But if you really want to thank us, think of us next time you see someone in trouble, and lend a helping hand. One more troubled person being helped is the best reward.”
That’s Iris for you. The smooth way those words come out really shows the saintess soul in her.
The way she doesn’t seek compensation for everything she does is one of her charms, and I’m once again charmed by her.
“Very well. I will do my best to help for your sake.”
“Thank you very much for accepting my proposal. The Goddess of Order Emeraude thanks you for your good faith.”
Says Iris with a serious face while putting her hands together. That’s another thing I haven’t heard in a while, Emeraude. That’s proof that her saintess switch is ON.
I feel like this is a good day, because I’m seeing all sorts of facets of Iris.
Then, with the situation resolved for now, we say goodbye to the girl, and leave the lighthouse.
She’s going to stay up there and feel the wind for a while longer.
Once we leave, Mars and Lela come running to ask what happened.
And sure enough, Lela is super excited once we explain. But Mars scolds her because we’re talking about someone being heartbroken.
“By the way, what is the name of this mysterious beautiful girl?”
Asks Lela.
“Ah… We didn’t ask.”
“Eeh!? How am I going to offer her love advice when I don’t know how to reach her?”
I’d be scared if an elf I don’t know suddenly showed up in my house. Let’s not traumatize her.
“Don’t be crazy, I can’t just ask a girl that.”
“Fufufu, let’s ask her when we return to the Tetra Island next year.”
Says Iris, casually confirming we’ll be back next year.
I’m just glad she had fun, and I was right to invite her. Especially when I’m looking at that smile.
We keep walking towards the town, but when I turn around, I see the girl waving.
Around Noon, I say goodbye to the others, and start collecting information around the island to prepare myself for Undine.
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