The Ceremony of the Spirits and the Rescue Operation.

On the final day of our stay, it was the one day each year when the academy held its grandest event.

The Ceremony of the Pact with the Spirits.

At age fourteen, one’s compatibility with spirits is tested, and the ritual to establish communication is performed.

During this major event, my father and I will break into the church at the heart of the castle and descend underground.

Liliana and the Hume are already safe, protected at the Vanklyft Family’s estate.

"Van, I’m counting on you."

"Yes, my lady."

Kai isn’t here. He’s fifteen, so he’s been preoccupied with preparations for the ceremony since morning.

The operation planned for this final day had been explained to Kai in advance—but then it was removed from his responsibilities.

Father told him to focus on the ceremony. A once-in-a-lifetime communion. Father smiled at Kai, saying he couldn’t afford to let it slip.

Kai had said he’d stay by my side, but rescuing the spirit while everyone’s focused on the ceremony was nothing but a diversionary tactic.

He nodded, accepting it without argument.

"Did you tell Kai, Papa?"

"Ah, that? No, I didn’t."

"Wait… what?"

"Wouldn’t he be more surprised if I told him first? Best to trick the allies before the enemy, right?"

I silently mouthed a sorry to Kai in my head as my father winked at me.

＊＊＊

Since last night, Balph had been furious—no sign of the Hume.

Two days ago, the household had sent word saying Liliana had vanished.

At first, Balph thought the Hume had hidden her, but the servants swore they hadn’t seen anyone.

Not just Liliana—everything in her room had disappeared too.

No one could’ve taken it all without being noticed. Not even the chest or the bed.

What the hell is going on? Balph was utterly confused.

Even looking at the Hume, she’d been staying by the hero’s daughter’s side since yesterday, when the girl had fallen ill. There was no time for that kind of thing, and if I’d questioned her, I’d just end up making the mother look suspicious.

Balph growled in irritation, gnawing at her fingernails.

“But why is the Hume disappearing now!?!”

Teachers had all reported the same thing—no sign of her since last night.

When I asked the hero if she’d seen her, the answer was a flat, indifferent “Don’t know” right there at the door.

Ever since the hero’s daughter found the hidden room in the Principal’s Office, she’d been on high alert.

And today was the annual Spirit Ceremony. When I invited the hero to watch it with me, she declined—said her family was involved, so she’d stay with the knights’ division.

Since four years ago, members of the royal family afflicted by the spirit curse have typically stood at a distance, observing the ceremony from afar with the teachers.

The Vanklyft Family might have been turned away indirectly—after all, they’ve had a long-standing grudge against the royal family.

Besides, if things were this busy, there’d be no time to spare for searching the Humes. They’d sent servants to look, but bringing those servants into the academy wasn’t an option, so the search was going nowhere.

“Damn it!!! Damn it all!!!”

He knocked over papers and ink bottles on the desk, sending sheets fluttering to the floor.

The headmaster scratched his scalp in frustration, convinced nothing was going right.

The ink bottle cap flew off on impact, spilling its contents and slowly spreading black stains across the surrounding floor.

＊＊＊

Kai sighed, watching his classmates eagerly waiting their turn in the ceremony, excitement bubbling just beneath the surface.

Normally, I’d want to be at Elen’s side as her guard right now, but since spirit matters are handled by spirits themselves, I’ve been pulled from the guard duty.

Still, if I’m told this gathering is a feint to help that spirit, then I’ve got no choice but to go along with it.

Is this feeling of being left out… because I’m human?

Van’s probably standing as Elen’s guard. Right. Human, so I can’t join that circle.

(…I vowed to protect Lady Elen.)

If I keep this up, I’ll just be useless.

If I could form a pact with a spirit during this ceremony, wouldn’t I be able to help a little?

Until my turn came, Kai kept his mouth shut, staring straight ahead.

＊＊＊

In the center of the field-like plaza, ten magic circles were drawn. One person stood in each, apparently communicating with a spirit under the teacher’s guidance.

The event seemed to double as entertainment for the students, with every single one of them watching from the sidelines.

Amidst that, Father and I were observing from a distance, standing alongside Sir Muskel, the knightly instructor.

Near the headmaster, members of the royal family were present as spectators—Father decided we shouldn’t get too close.

When the ceremony actually began, I noticed something strange: those invisible red particles of magic essence had become visible.

The academy was using Ark’s power to replenish the massive energy required for the ritual.

"...That’s awful."

I muttered it under my breath, and Father reacted instantly. *You see something, don’t you?* He wrapped his arms around me, trying to soothe me.

"Ark-sama’s power… it’s being used in the ceremony… to sustain such immense power…"

"Is that so…"

The ceremony, repeated countless times. Whenever there was a reaction, tiny spirits would appear, drawn by the voice. Each time, cheers erupted from the crowd around us.

I couldn’t help it—I felt tears welling up, watching this festival-like ritual built on hidden sacrifice.

“Elen, it’s about time.”

I lifted my face from my father’s shoulder, unable to bear watching anymore.

The figure heading toward one of the magic circles in the hall was someone I knew.

“…Kai-kun.”

“It’s going to get loud soon. Ready, Elen?”

“Yes.”

I wiped the tears away roughly, squaring my shoulders and staring straight ahead.

＊＊＊

It was my turn.

I stood in the center of one of the magic circles drawn across the great hall.

The teacher assisting me had said calmly, “Stay calm. Speak clearly to the spirit.”

(To the spirit… speak…)

Will you listen? Will you lend me your strength? The strength to protect the one I care about...

The magic circle glows. Please, can you lend me your strength?

I want to protect her...!!!

The sudden surge of power sent the surroundings into chaos.

A gale ripped through, sending everyone around Kai flying.

Kai braced his feet, nearly blown away by the sudden gust—same as the others.

What on earth… was I thinking? Gazing ahead, faintly, I saw a massive white tiger slowly approaching.

I’ve seen that face before. Kai’s eyes widened in disbelief. What are you doing here?

"Boy... you called me?"

My body trembled, wired with a pressure like a beast’s distant howl.

How could this be? Kai was just with her a moment ago—what in the world is going on?

"...What in the world is going on?"

You want power, don’t you?

...

"I heard the boy’s voice. I heard his wish too."

"...You’ll lend it to me? To protect that person?"

"Originally, our goals align. Besides... What’s this? If the boy makes a pact with another spirit and some runt like that shows up... It’d be troublesome."

Kai couldn’t help but laugh at the beast’s huffing breath.

"So, what’ll it be, boy?"

"Already decided. Give me your power!!"

"The contract is sealed. My name is Van, son of the Great Spirit Vint, ruler of the wind!!"

The beast’s distant howl summoned a storm around them.

The academy had never seen anything like it—everyone stood stunned, watching in silence.

＊＊＊

Van appeared, and with him, Kai was transferred inside the church alongside Papa.

He locked the door from within, making sure no one could slip in.

"Papa, over here!!"

"Father, wait—!" I shouted, sprinting down the central aisle.

At the same moment, a thunderous roar of cheers reached me from outside. The distraction had worked.

I burned the carpet in front of the altar. Beneath it, just like in my dream, a door with hinges appeared.

I twisted the metal arrangement of the hinges—*pang*—and the whole thing flew off.

Then, with a push of magic, I sent the door flying. Too much force. It smashed through the pews like a drunkard at a feast.

"Elen!! Calm down!!"

I flinched at my father’s scolding. He gently pulled me into his arms, murmuring, "It’s okay. We’re going together."

I nodded, burying my face in his chest.

And then he lifted me up, carrying me down the dark, endless staircase.

The deeper we went, the thicker the presence became.

When we reached the hall, I couldn’t stand still—I writhed in my father’s arms.

"Ark-sama!!"

Tears spilled over. Ark was slumped, motionless.

"Kaa-sama!! Help Ark-sama!!"

My father tried desperately to calm me, shouting into my ear, but I couldn’t hear a thing. All I could do was scream, over and over: help, help, help.

My cries summoned my mother.

She appeared, glowing, and smiled at me.

"Good job, Elen-chan!!"

The moment her arms rose into the air, the world exploded—along with the light.