Chapter 2: Spirits and Magic and Something Else

Celes was kind enough to prepare lunch for both of us.

There was even some type of meat, but I didn’t bother to ask what it was or where it came from. If I ever figure out what was inside that pot, I’m sure I’d only regret it.

While we were eating, I noticed how Celes kept an empty space on the log that we were using to sit on, and she was even acting like someone was sitting there.

“Oh, this? I’ve almost forgotten, you can’t see spirits, huh?”

That was her answer when I curiously opened my mouth to ask.

“Spirits? Like the souls of dead men?”

“Idiot? What are you talking about? Spirits are the form of purified energies that’s gathering all around us.”

Interesting. I’m pretty sure I’d heard a similar explanation somewhere. These purified energies must be what were called mana in games.

So, based on what Celes just said, these concentrated forms of mana turn into spirits which then somehow come into existence?

“Okay, so what do spirits actually do?”

I probed with a voice filled with enthusiasm. Learning the principles of magic was one of the many joys I had while playing a game.

“Well, depending on the spirits purity and element, they will allow you to manipulate their purified energy to a certain extent. And with it, you can do many different things. Watch.”

After Celes declared that, she hummed a short melody and suddenly, a gust of wind accumulated around her. The gust carried leaves into the air and they danced around freely as Celes moved her hand.

It was such a beautiful sight.

“That’s amazing. Is it possible for me to do the same?”

Witnessing such a feat caused my inner child to flare up inside me.

Celes smiled after seeing my excitement, which made me embarrassed for some reason.

“It’s possible, but you have to make a contract with a spirit first.”

“Umm, isn’t that quite contradicting? How can I make a contract if I can’t see them?”

I wished I hadn’t asked since Celes laughed at me once more.

“That’s a secret~ As if I’d actually tell you~ Well, I heard that if you’re talented enough, one can use magic without having a contract. Magic power is based on a person’s soul after all.”

Celes proudly explained while leaving some important information in the dark, as if in an attempt to look down on me. However, I didn’t mind. I thought her somewhat condescending attitude made her look even cuter.

“I think I get it.”

“Oh really?”

“Of course, would I lie? Basically, magic power is something that’s already pre-determined, whether at birth or at a certain age, right? Anyways, for one to use magic, you first need to establish a contract with a spirit, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds just like you said. Since, after all, spirits are invisible to the untrained eye. So that only leaves me with a question of: How can I see spirits?”

Celes stared at me with eyes wide open. Seems like I got her wondering with that explanation.

“Tell me if I’m wrong?”

I teased her even further. It was an unnatural feeling for me, but having another presence here with me made me feel relaxed and comfortable.

Just seeing her face, whether it was smiling or not, filled my chest with a fluffy sensation. That’s why I couldn’t help but try to bring out more emotions from her.

“Okay, you’re right! Acting so arrogant just because…”

“This soup tastes good. Thank you.”

“W-What?!”

I better stop teasing her before she explodes, but I really can’t help myself.

“Well, I’m grateful for the meal nonetheless.”

“Hmph.”

Celes reverted to her normal face and shrugged off my teasing with a superior voice. After that, I just silently enjoyed my meal.

We finally left the clearing and headed west toward the city. Additionally, I also learned a few things regarding Celes.

Celes is a being called an “Effu” although I’d like to just call them elves in order to make it easier to understand.

Distinguished by their long and pointed ears, they possess similar traits to us humans, although according to Celes, Effus were far superior in terms of beauty and lifespan.

They like to live in peace and solitude, usually choosing the forest as their natural habitat and eventually building a community inside.

Kinda like my ideal lifestyle besides the forest part.

They also have pretty much cut ties with the outside world, except for a few merchants they allow in their village. She even said all the secrets of the world lie in their library and no matter how much we humans try to imitate them, we will never surpass their ancient knowledge.

In short, Effu’s are a bunch of arrogant fools that dislike to advance with technology. Of course, I didn’t mention this in front of Celes for it might have lead to my instant death.

All I could say was that Celes was very proud of her lineage. And I didn’t hate her for that.

“What are you staring at?”

“Oh nothing. Just daydreaming.”

“Weirdo.”

We proceeded on our journey, taking advantage of the fading light of the sun.

I didn’t know how Celes could properly identify our current location, but she seemed to have a method.

“I listen to the trees.”

Is what she said after she closed her eyes and her lovely elven ears started to twitch. I tried to do the same, yet all I could hear was the usual sound of the leaves rustling.

“Are you making fun of me?!”

Celes ended up smacking my head after seeing that I was trying to mimic her.

“No, I just wanted to try.”

It’s like she has some sort of sense that we humans don’t.

And also, since I started to hitch hike on her protection spell—a magical ward that she cast to thwart monsters away—I proposed to carry her luggage.

It was mainly due to my manly pride of not wanting to see a fragile looking girl suffer by carrying something so heavy.

But damn, the total weight of her backpack alone was at least 50 kg. It was then I realized how thankful I was for doing all of that morning training. Thank you Father, for drilling those morning exercises into my brain.

More than half a day had passed since we started walking, but there were still no signs of the merchant city Celes talked about. Whether it was due to my slow pace or something else, I didn’t know.

“We’re not lost right?”

“O-Of course not! I know this forest like its the back of my hand!”

Right. So we were lost.

Nonetheless, we pressed on, maybe because that was the only thing that we could do.

Seeing that the sun was about to set, the forest had also turned creepy. I really didn’t notice, but we seemed to have entered a foggy area. With every step that we made, the fog grew thicker and thicker.

“S-Seeing you unfazed after walking for so long is really surprising.”

“Well, if I had something that I’m proud of, it was my stamina. If you’re getting tired, should we form a camp after all? It wouldn’t be good if we continue with this fog anyways.”

I asked Celes beside me, who was showing hints of fatigue on her face.

“I’d prefer us to continue. The closer we are to town, the less danger the forest will be to us.”

That’s what she said, but I know Celes was just making excuses. She was not fully showing it, but I can clearly see her feet shivering.

Is Celes perhaps afraid of the dark?

“Celes, are you perhaps…?”

“NOOO! Who would be afraid of something so silly?”

Because she rebutted it so strongly, I decided not to poke my finger at it.

After the sun had completely set, eyes began to glimmer inside the tree hollows. I, in particular, didn’t really mind the darkness myself, but I know Celes was different.

“Celes, if you’d like—”

“KEEP WALKING!”

I awkwardly scratched my head after seeing this strong willed girl reduced to such a pitiful sight. Even though I know very well what was troubling her.

While thinking about her predicament, words that I did not expect left my mouth.

“Umm, Celes… do you want to hold my hand instead? From where I came from, holding another person’s hand is also a type of spell that makes one feel calm.”

That was an obvious lie of course. But seeing Celes like this, I couldn’t help it.

“……Okay.”

Albeit reluctantly, Celes still agreed. So I gently took her hand and continued walking. She was surprisingly meek and her face was scorched with embarrassment.

But I’m not so ignorant to not notice. Holding a girl’s hand like this, how can I keep a straight face myself?

“Just go straight ahead, right?”

“………”

No doubt my action and words had eased her mind. Celes didn’t say another word after that and just kept her eyes down as we continued to move forward.

After an eternity of walking in silence, the fog dissipated along with the darkness, and I could begin to see what seemed to be walls enclosing a town.

The tension was broken and we both felt relived. Passing through that side of the forest really gave us a few grey hairs.

“Umm… Can you let go of my hand now?”

“Yikes! Sorry, I didn’t mean to hold it for that long!”

Celes softly spoke and the sudden melody jolted through my insides, making me almost jump in fright.

I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the worst.

One.

Two.

Three.

Nothing?

When I opened my eyes to confirm, I only saw Celes with her head tilted sideways, and her long and pointed ears twitching for me to enjoy.

Damn, I think I might develop a fetish for elven ears…

Spoiler : Chapter 2: Spirits and magic and something else

Celes was kind enough to prepare lunch for us two.

There was even some meat involved, but I didn’t bother to know what it was or where it came from. If I ever figure out what’s behind that pot, I’m sure I’ll only regret it.

While we were eating, I noticed how Celes kept an empty space beside the log that we used to sit on, yet she acts like someone was sitting there.

“Oh, this? I’ve almost forgotten, you can’t see Spirits, huh?”

That was her answer when I curiously opened my mouth to ask.

“Spirits? Like the souls of dead men?”

“Idiot? What are you talking about? Spirits are the form of purified energies that’s gathering all around us.”

Interesting. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard a similar explanation somewhere.

These purified energies must be what they call mana in games.

So, based on what Celes just said, these concentrated forms of mana turns into a spirit which somehow gains an existence?

“Okay, so what do Spirits do actually?”

I probed with a voice filled of enthusiasm.

Learning the principles of magic was one of the many joys I get while playing a game.

“Well, depending on the spirits’s purity and element, spirits allow you to manipulate that purified energy to a certain extent. And with it, you can do many things. Watch.”

After Celes declared that, she hummed a short melody and suddenly, a gust of wind accumulated around her. That gust carried a load of leaves and it danced around freely as Celes’s moved her hand.

It was such a beautiful sight.

“That’s amazing. Is it possible for me to do the same?”

Witnessing such a feat flared the child inside me.

Celes smiled after seeing my excitement, which somehow made me embarrassed for some reason.

“It’s possible, but you have to make a contract with a spirit first.”

“Umm, isn’t that quite contradicting? How can I make a contract if I can’t see them?”

I wished I hadn’t asked that since Celes laughed at me once more.

“That’s a secret~ As if I’d actually tell you~ Well, I heard that if you’re talented enough, one can use magic without having a contract. Magic power is said to base from a person’s soul after all.”

Celes proudly explained while leaving some important information in the dark, as if an attempt to look down on me. However, I didn’t mind. I thought her somewhat condescending attitude made her look even more cuter.

“I think I get it.”

“Oh really?”

“Of course, would I lie? Basically, magic power is something that’s already pre-determined, whether at birth or at a certain age, right? Anyways, for one to use magic, you first need to establish a contract with a spirit, but it’s not as easy as it sounds like you just said. Since, after all, spirits are invisible to the untrained eye. So that only leaves me with a question of: How can I see spirits?”

Celes stared at me with eyes wide open.

Seems like I got her hard with that explanation.

“Tell me if I’m wrong?”

I teased her even further. It was an unnatural feeling for me, but having another presence here with me made me feel relaxed and comfortable.

Just seeing her face, smiling or not, filled my chest with a fluffy sensation. That’s why I couldn’t help but bring out more reactions from her.

“Alright, you’re right! Acting so arrogant just because…”

“This soup tastes good. Thank you.”

“W-What?!”

I better stop teasing her before she explodes, but I really can’t help myself.

“Well, I’m grateful for the meal nonetheless.”

“Hmph.”

Celes reverted back to her normal face and shrugged off my teasing with a superior voice.

After that, I just silently enjoyed my meal.

We finally left that clearing and headed west towards the direction of the city.

Additionally, I’ve also learned a few things regarding Celes.

Celes is a being called “Effu” although I’d like to just call them elves for easier understanding.

Distinguished by their long and pointed ears, they possess similar traits to us humans, although according to Celes, they are far superior in terms of beauty and lifespan.

They like to live in peace and solitude making the forest their natural habitat and eventually building a community inside.

Kinda like my ideal lifestyle besides the forest part.

They also pretty much have cut ties with the outside world, except for a few merchants they allow in their village. She even said that the secrets of the world lies in their library and no matter how much we humans try to imitate them, they will never surpass their ancient knowledge.

In short, Effu’s are a bunch of arrogant fools that dislike to advance with technology.

Of course, I didn’t mention this in front of Celes for it might lead to my instant death.

All I could say is that Celes is very proud of her lineage.

And I don’t hate her for that.

“What are you staring at?”

“Oh nothing. Just daydreaming.”

“Weirdo.”

We proceeded on our journey, taking advantage of the fading light of the sun.

I don’t even know how Celes could properly identify our current location, but she seems to have a method for that.

“I listen to the trees.”

Is what she said after closing her eyes and her lovely elven ears started twitching.

I tried to do the same, yet all I could hear was the usual sound of the leaves rustling.

“Are you making fun of me?!”

Celes ended up smacking my head after seeing that I’m trying to mimic her.

“No, I just wanted to try.”

It’s like she has some sort of sense that we humans don’t.

And also, since I started to hitch hike from her protection spell—a magical ward that she casted to thwart monsters away—I proposed on carrying her luggage.

It was mainly due to my manly pride not wanting to see a fragile looking girl suffer by carrying something so heavy.

But damn, the total weight of her backpack alone is at least 50 kg.

It was then I realized how thankful I was for doing all of those morning training.

Thank you father, for drilling those morning exercises in my brain.

More than half a day had passed since we ventured, but still no signs of the merchant city Celes talked about. Whether it was due to my slow pace or something else, I do not know.

“We’re not lost right?”

“O-Of course not! I know this forest like its the back of my hand!”

Right. So we are lost.

Nonetheless, we pressed on, maybe because that’s the only thing that we could do.

Seeing that the sun is about to set, the forest had also turned creepy.

I really didn’t notice, but we seemed to have entered a foggy area.

Every step that we make, the fog is getting thicker and thicker.

“S-Seeing you unfazed after walking for so long is really surprising.”

“Well, if I have something that I’m proud of, it’s my stamina. If you’re getting tired, should we form camp after all? It wouldn’t be good if we continue with this fog anyways.”

I asked Celes beside me, who was showing hints of fatigue written on her face.

“I’d prefer us to continue. The closer we are to town, the less danger the forest posed to us.”

That’s what she said, but I know Celes was just making excuses.

She’s not fully showing it, but I can clearly see her feet shivering.

Is Celes perhaps afraid of the dark?

“Celes, are you perhaps…?”

“NOOO! Who would be afraid of something so silly?”

Because she rebutted it too strongly, I decided not to poke my finger on it.

After the sun had completely set, eyes began to glimmer inside the tree hollows.

I, in particular, didn’t really mind the darkness myself, but I know Celes is different.

“Celes, if you’d like—”

“KEEP WALKING!”

I awkwardly scratched my head after seeing this strong willed girl reduced to a pitiful sight. Though I know very well what’s troubling.

While thinking about her predicament, words that I did not expect on saying left my mouth.

“Umm, Celes… do you want to hold my hand instead? From where I came from, holding another person’s hand is also a form of spell that makes you feel calm.”

That was an obvious lie of course.

But seeing Celes like this, I can’t help it.

“……Okay.”

Albeit reluctantly, Celes still agreed.

So I gently took her hand and continued walking.

She’s surprisingly meek and her face is scorched with embarrassment.

But I’m not so ignorant not to notice.

Holding a girl’s hand like this, how can I keep a straight face myself?

“Just go straight ahead, right?”

“………”

No doubt my action and words had eased her mind. Celes didn’t say any word after that and just kept her eyes down as we continue to move forward.

After an eternity of walking in silence, the fog dissipated along with the darkness, and I could see what seemed to be walls enclosing a town from afar.

The tension was broken and we both felt relived.

Passing through that side of the forest really gave us a few grey hairs.

“Umm… Can you let go of my hand now?”

“Yikes! Sorry, I didn’t mean to hold it for that long!”

Celes softly spoke and that sudden melody jolted through my insides, making me almost jump in fright.

I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the worst.

One.

Two.

Three.

Nothing?

When I opened my eyes to confirm, I only saw Celes with her head turned sideways, and her long and pointed ears twitching for me to enjoy.

Damn, I think I might develop a fetish for elven ears…

Thanks to DemonWing for helping me PR! Cookies to him Please!