...How about these other carvings, little commander? Are they to your fancy?

...The spirits?

...Not just any! This is a carving of the spirit in charge of this year's festival!

Urie thought back to his conversation with the shopkeep over that wooden statuette of the greater spirit, Undine. He had found it lacking because of one instance in the past where he had the privilege of witnessing Undine manifest herself.

A woman clad with the hue and glisten of the lake, and a gentle temperament much like his mother— minus her eccentricity. Back then, Undine's appearance seemed to him as if it were veiled within a thin fog, but even then, Urie could feel a sense of nobility that the wooden carving had lacked. And right now, from the visage of a man wreathed in flames who had arrived suspended in mid-air in front of him— Urie felt that very same grandeur.

[You're in luck, kid. What's your name?]

Red skin tinged with the element of fire, wearing free-spirited apparel woven with mana that could change on a whim— a wave of heat brushed past Urie's face as the man's deep and husky voice called out to him. Currently in a state of stupefaction, however, Urie failed to provide an immediate response.

[Bah—! Kid, if you aren't going to talk, I'll take my leave!]

The unknown spirit spoke with volume and turned halfway around, though he did so slowly in an act to provoke an answer.

“—My name is Urie, Urie Loeth! Don't leave, please spirit! I-I want to use magic!” Urie yelled in determination, afraid he would lose this chance.

There were only three greater spirits that Urie knew of. Gnomus of the Earth, Sylvestris of the Wind, and Undine of the Water. They were the three that usually took charge of Daerin's Harvest Festival. Although, as with the intimidating spirit in front of him, he was aware that there likely existed more.

—Mother mentioned that nobody has ever met one before... A spirit of fire that is, more so one with an unknown name.

The spirit faced him with a contented grin. He approached closer and his countenance as well was like Undine's, obscured under a foggy veil. Did all greater spirits look like this? Urie rubbed his eyes while the thought rang loud in his head.

[—You can't grasp our appearance as you have yet to form your mana roots. That, and your perception of mana is still dull. It's the same with this creature... kid, you are unaware of its danger.]

The spirit answered like Urie's inner thoughts had been read, and suddenly moved as if to vanquish a foe he could not see. Then it spoke with a noticeably jubilant tone, approached him, and placed a glowing finger to his chest.

[To be able to do this again within this century... Send my thanks as well as yours to Undine.]

From the spirit's touch, a locus of heat formed around the center of his chest and slowly dispersed throughout his body. The rush of warmth spread to the tips of his fingers and toes; a sensation opposite to that of the water's embrace but equally as comforting.

—Is this?! ...Finally! Mother, look! I'll also be able to use magic!

Feeling the spread of mana throughout his germinating roots, tears of joy managed to seep out from his dried-up tear ducts. Urie felt infinite gratitude to the spirit in front of him, this was an awakening ceremony performed solely for him.

[Bah—! Kid, you're more of a handful than that man-child, Luca! It's a pity you can't stay much longer, you'll have to go back and learn to handle the rest on your own.]

Urie had fallen into a half-conscious state at this time and couldn't listen, but regardless, the spirit of fire spoke words of parting. While under blissful reverie, Urie's forehead was flicked— the strength applied appeared harmless, but was enough to send his body flying back into the fountain's waters. The fountain undulated a blinding hue of turquoise and when it dimmed, Urie had disappeared.

[Undine... Return Luca's child.]

The spirit of fire left staring at the settling pool spoke solemnly. If his countenance were any clearer, a crease would be evident between his eyebrows. Silence then persisted for a more few seconds before he sighed a puff of smoke.

[Bah. How troublesome.]

The spirit's body started dissipating once business with Urie had concluded and when what was left of him was only his waist upwards, he looked over his shoulder at the entrance of the city square. A man was approaching.

He had a limp in his step and was drawing irregular breaths but nevertheless swiftly came up to the spirit, “Volcanus! My daughter, Celeste! Where is my daughter!?” he fiercely questioned.

The greater spirit of fire, Volcanus, found it hard to provide the man an answer. With his material form unable to persist for much longer, he instead left the man with words of reassurance while warning him of his current predicament.

[Luca! Your kid is safe. You should worry more about yourself.]

All around the man, numerous shadows much like what had appeared before Urie, crept up from the darkness and advanced towards him. The man sighed with relief. Although he was to be beset by foes, he could fight without worry with his daughter out of harm's way.

“Bah—! Can't believe I let these guys get a hit on me!” the man grit his teeth. Bright crimson which matched the color of his hair rose from his body and ignited into fierce flames. He commanded, “—Flame Gauntlet!” and the fire turned into threads that wove around his hands and sleeves.

Brandishing his arms towards the shadowy creatures, he chuckled wryly, “Better clean them up quickly! Since my daughter's awake, I'm going to greet her a happy birthday!”

A desperate match between a man with arms ablaze and unearthly moving shadows began...

Meanwhile, thrust back into waters reflecting a starry sky, the ashen-haired young boy...

“Mistress! I found the young master!”

“Ah!? Urie, dear! Is he alright!?”

Urie Loeth was discovered at the city square, afloat by the fountain. He was unconscious, but on his charming face bloomed a wide smile of delight.