Volume 3: Chapter 28 - Forming the First Spirit Contract

(Robert's Perspective)

In the past few days, I went out with Reina daily, helping her pick up Herbs as a form of repayment.

On daily basis, we found at least dozens of Second Grade Herbs and Third Grade Herbs and one or two Fourth Grade Herbs.

At the start, I was surprised by how easily we picked up so many high level herbs. But after thinking Reina was Hero's sister, I attributes it all her extremely strong luck.

After all, it couldn't possibly be that I, a villain possessed luck comparable to a protagonist.

Just thinking of that possibility, i couldn't help but laugh and shake my head.

As a villain, i needed to have the self awareness of the villain.

Of course, although I said that it was a form of repayment, after we returned from the Eldoria Mountain Range, Reina insisted on splitting up the loot with me.

Even when I refused her, she forcibly left a portion of the herbs, saying she found so many herbs only thanks to my help, which was really inexplicable.

What did she mean it was thanks to me? Everything was due to her own luck, wasn't it? Why give me the credit? I didn't help much aside from following her.

Though I thought so, i could no longer refuse since Reina had already left after leaving a portion of herbs.

However, after that I also accepted Reina as my friend.

From her actions and personality, I could easily judge that she was extremely good person, worthy of being friends with. Aina was the same.

Thinking of what happened in the past few days, I looked outside of the window, only to see Reina casting a fireball against a wooden dummy.

Compared to ordinary low level fireball, hers was twice or even three times the size and the magic power contained within it was also several times over.

Judging from the looks of it, she was practicing Magic.

"Reina's talent is really exaggerated."

Although I haven't met the Hero, judging by the fluctuations of Reina's Magic alone, her power has exceeded the range of Second Order Magic.

In terms of Magical Power alone, she is even stronger than myself who has more than dozen of times the magic power of an Ordinary Person.

Yet she has never attended the Royal Academy and doesn't even have a dedicated Magic Teacher.

To be able to reach her current level, her talent is extraordinary.

Shaking my head, i suppressed the little bit of envy in my heart.

Compared to the hero and Reina, I am not bad either. With the help of the System, even if I can't compare to the Hero, I should at least be able to compare to his Sister without any problem.

Just as I was lost in thought, another fireball shot across the courtyard.

Boom!

The wooden dummy shook violently as flames engulfed it.

However, what attracted my attention wasn't the power of the spell. Instead, it was Reina herself.

That heroic and dashing red haired figure, stood in the courtyard, her breathing steady. The wind blew across her face, causing her long ponytail to sway.

Handsome!

At this moment, I could only use this word to describe her. Though she was a girl, she looked more handsome than a man.

More importantly, after casting several spells in succession, her breathing had remained steady without any signs of her Magic Power consumption.

"...Her Magic Power reserve is terrifying." I couldn't help but sigh once again.

If this was already the Hero's sister, then just how monstrous was the Hero himself?

No wonder the protagonist could suppress an entire generation in the original novel.

Fortunately, I never intended to compete with him. After all, no matter which novel or anime, the Hero's enemies have never ended well.

Compared to being a villain, it's better to live a quiet and peaceful life.

As long as I could slowly become stronger, change my own fate, and protect the few important people like Lia, and Sister Aisha, that would be enough for me

A small source note: this copy lacks permission from the author, whose publishing page carries the chapter and supports their work.

But where is the Hero? Why haven't I seen him? Could it be that he didn't live at Astrea family manor.

Although I didn't want to meet the Hero, but having not seen him in the Astrea family manor even once, I couldn't help but be curious about what his actual situation.

However, I couldn't directly ask Reina as that would expose the fact that I knew the situation of Astrea family.

Although the situation of Astrea family wasn't a secret, it was not something just anyone could know, especially someone from outside the Moonlight City.

In case, my curiousity alerted Reina and made her think that I have ulterior motives for the Astrea family, it would be a bad news for me.

At that time, Hero would definitely stand against me and Villain's bad end would appear.

Of course, it could be that I was overthinking. However, i couldn't take any chance.

After the betrayal of Volth, I became much more meticulous and careful. Even if I overthought, it wasn't too much to be cautious.

Therefore, I never tried to investigate about the Hero. Maybe the Hero was training outside with some Master. After all, he was very strong at the begining of the story.

Thinking this, my gaze unconsciously shifted toward the bed beside mine.

The little fox remained peacefully asleep, her breathing steady.

"..."

A complicated expression flashed across my face.

"Before thinking about other things, I should first make sure you wake up safely, Elize."

Even though I have recovered completely, Elize still hasn't woken up.

According to what I learned from Reina, roughly ten days have passed since she discovered us which means Elize has been asleep for over ten days.

As for how much time passed before she discovered us, that was unknown.

In that case, Elize being unable to recover for so long was very problematic.

In the original work, Elize recovered in less than a week after being rescued by the Hero. But now, she still hasn't woken up.

Wait, the Hero...

It was only then that I recalled the Hero.

Could it be that because Elize didn't meet the Hero, so, she was unable to recover?

That makes sense to a certain degree but it also doesn't make sense.

In the original work, Hero did nothing more than applying some common medicines too Elize, just like Reina.

Could it be that the author had dug some hole here as well or hidden some plot?

In that case, should I invite the Hero? But his whereabouts are unknown.

Should I ask Reina? Maybe she could help me find the Hero.

Just as I was lost in thought, a system prompt appeared sounded in my mind.

[ System Update Complete ]

[ Upgrade Reward - Mental Resistance (C); Physical and Magic Resistance increased by one level ]

[ New Function Unlocked:

Q&A: Host can ask Questions from the System regarding anything he doesn't understand. ]

Looking at the function, I couldn't help but be stunned.

This stupid system, did it change is gender or is author playing tricks with me?

Putting aside the new skills, I was just thinking about how to cure Elize and now this Q&A function was unlocked.

Forget it, let's test this function first.

"System, how can I cure Elize?"

[ Analysing Question ]

[ Confirming the condition of Elize Yud Eurazania ]

[ Answer: there are currently three ways to cure Elize Yud Eurazania

1) Find a Seventh Rank or above Grand Mage to cast a Holy Healing Spell under the blessing of the Goddess of Light.

2) Find a Seventh grade or higher Soul Replenishing Magical Herb which can allow her to recover her deleted soul power.

3) Sign a Spirit Contract with her and share your strength and spiritual power to allow her to slowly recover her depleted soul power ]

Looking at the three options my mouth twitched slightly.

Although the system said three options, I had only one choice. After all. I can't find Seventh Rank or above Grand Mage.

As for Seventh Rank or higher Soul Replenishing Herb, even if I headed deep into the Eldoria Mountain Range, it's impossible for me get.

Not to mention the guardian Magical Beast, just the Magical Beasts living in the Inner Area of Eldoria Mountain Range were enough for me to drink a pot.

However, even though the first two methods couldn't be relied on, they still allowed me to understand the problem that Elize was currently facing.

Probably, her soul power was severely depleted after awakening the Beast Lord's Bell and defeating the Evil God Projection.

In that case, I can only give the Spirit Contract a try. Although it's a bit dangerous and I may suffer a backlash but this girl is my savior in a sense. I can't be ungrateful and leave her alone, can I?

Thinking of this, I looked at sleeping fox then closed my eyes and placed my hand on top of her head.

Before today, I had never dared to use this talent of mine because of the risk of backlash.

If I wasn't so afraid of backlash, I would have formed a contract with Toke to allow him to become stronger. Although my talent isn't very good, but it's definitely better than Toke.

Aside from Toke, I could also form contract with other people in the Academy to quickly become stronger.

Unfortunately, I couldn't do it due to the fear of backlash.

"System, how is the compatibility between Elize's Soul and my Soul? Will I suffer a backlash if I form the Spirit Contract with her?"

I asked in my mind.

[ Analysing Question ]

[ Confirming the condition of Elize Yud Eurazania's Soul ]

[ Answer: Compatibility Percentage: 99%

Possibly of backlash: Extremely low ( less than 1% chance) ]

Looking at the statistics, I was a little surprised. Was the compatibility between me and Elize so good?

In that case, let's do it.

Talent, it is something everyone above Second Order has.

To activate it, one doesn't need to do anything because it is an instinct, engraved in the depth of the Soul, just like breathing.

Therefore, the moment I thought of activating my talent, a silver blue magic circle blossomed beneath my feet and covered my and Elize's figure.

Intense Magical fluctuations spread out from the Magic circle and the Elemental Spirits in the surrounding became extremely Active.

At the moment of Spirit Contract's activation, I felt my magic power and spiritual power being pulled out at the same time.

Countless thin silver-blue threads extended from the magic circle and slowly wrapped around Elize in fox form.

At the same time, I felt a cool sensation washing my body and a strange feeling welled up in my heart when I looked at Elize again.

A hint of intimacy, a hint of attraction, a hint of care and gentleness, and a strange connection.

Is this Spirit Contract? Does this binding even affect thoughts?

No, rather than saying it affects the thought, it's more like it increases the initial favorability for the other party after forming the contract.

This is probably the effect of the soul level connection between two parties which makes them even more intimate than family members and partners to some extent.

Just as I was lost in thought, the loss of my Magic Power and Spiritual Power increased rapidly, flowing through the connection into Elize's body.

At the same time, I also felt a sudden increase in my own Strength, Magic Power, Spiritual Energy, etc.

It was a strange sensation. While the Magic Power and Spiritual Power was being consumed rapidly, they were also increasing rapidly.

The number of Attribute Points on the System Panel was also jumping up wildly.

...