C86: Spirit Studies Class (2)
Spirits are born from nature. They have existed since the existence of Mother Nature in the beginning, and of course, they have lived in this world longer than humans.
Spirits derived from nature retain the power of nature. That is why they are strong, beautiful, and the purest. There are only two kinds of emotions that such spirits feel toward humans, like and indifference.
Therefore, when spirits sign contracts with humans, they determine the criteria based on curiosity. No matter how cruel the opponent is, even if they are pointed at by the same people, the spirits don't care. Because the standard of good and evil that humans share in front of Mother Nature was nothing more than a speck of dust.
Nature is not afraid of humans and humans are also a part of Mother Nature. They were one of the elements of the world. Spirits derived from nature have no reason to fear humans, who are part of nature.
However it was happening in front of her now. Spirits were afraid of one human being. Selina knew that there has never been a case like this.
"Mr. Rudger, what's going on?"
"Teacher Selina, you don't have to be so surprised."
Seeing Selina staring at him like he was something strange, Rudger thought he should calm her down a bit.
"There are so many different people in the world. There is nothing strange even if there are people who hate spirits."
"You look hateful to the spirits?"
"Yes. I have such a unique physique."
Rudger's excuses were, in fact, absurd to even call them excuses but this was the best excuse Rudger could give because she can't tell the truth of his true 'physique'.
"Really?"
Of course, Selina was not a complete fool either. There is a degree of naivety but even she would never have believed such nonsense. However if the person who said it was Rudger, the story would be different.
Rudger was a mysterious man. Since he came to Theon, he has shown great skills one after another, unbelievably good for a new teacher. Among them, the most famous is the creation of a new magic called Source Code, which has never existed before.
Even her, who is a teacher, feels like she is going back to her student days whenever she sees Rudger. Even if people say the same thing, the persuasiveness of it depends on who the messenger is. The existence of Rudger to Selina now was reliable enough to believe whatever he said.
"And look. It's mostly the low-level spirits who hate me, other spirits do not."
"uh……But are there only low-level spirits around?"
"Then you can check out the spirit that Selina is calling."
Most of the spirits floating around now are low-level spirits. Selina, on the other hand, has signed contracts with intermediate spirits or higher, as she was invited to become a teacher at Theon at a young age. She already signed contracts with three kinds of intermediate spirits of water, wind, and earth attributes.
"Oh."
It was as Rudger said. Her contract spirits, invisible to the eyes of others, existed around Selina. The three intermediate spirits weren't afraid of Rudger, like the other low-rank spirits.
The intermediate spirits that were only visible to her were rather curious about the appearance of other lower spirits.
"What do you think?"
"Oh? That's true. The intermediate and higher spirits who contracted with me are quiet."
Selina's eyes glittered as she discovered something new.
"It's more amazing than that! I've never seen low-level spirits be afraid of anyone."
Selina closed her face and Rudger pulled his upper body back slightly.
"There are many kinds of people in the world."
"I'm sorry. I wish Ms. Rudger had also been friendly with her spirits."
"That's all right, Selina. Is it okay for you to lose this much time with me? The students are waiting."
"Yes? Ah! What was I thinking in the middle of a test? Thanks, Mr. Rudger!"
"Don't mention it."
Seeing her hurriedly approaching the students and arranging contracts with their spirits, Rudger sighed in relief. It passed like this because it was Selina, but if it was someone else, he might have questioned.
'I'm glad I didn't run out of magic.'
Rudger was fully aware that the spirits were afraid of him but it was not exactly him that the low level spirits were afraid of, but something else that was behind him.
'I still have a lot of magical power now, so I don't think the Intermediate Spirits saw it.'
But when he consumes a lot of his magic and if the [noise] resonates in his head, the intermediate spirits will respond. Otherwise, it would have been hard to even explain to Selina.
'Even in my condition, the lower spirits are aware of it. Ironically, being the weakest being, they are aware of this strange power.'
Far away from the students, Rudger chewed and swallowed a magic potion to avoid being caught by others.
Rudger's gaze turned to Selina, who praised the student who had just successfully signed a contract with a spirit. She was genuinely delighted with her student's success as if it were her own.
'More than that, did Selina only contracted intermediate spirits?'
First of all, she is known to have a total of three intermediate spirits. Intermediate spirits of water, intermediate spirits of wind, and intermediate spirits of the earth, respectively.
That was definitely a great skill but to become a teacher at Theon she should have one more thing she is confident in besides that.
Rudger thought so, and narrowed his eyes at a sudden strange sensation.
'Sight.'
Rudger rolled his eyes and followed the owner of the gaze that was directed in this direction.
'Where is it?']
First of all, it was not the students. The direction of the gaze was among the dense trees but it was hard to guess the exact direction, as if a fog had spread around.
'Is it a spirit?'
Low-level spirits fear him and are reluctant to even come near him and intermediate spirits roam only around Selina.
'The strange heat felt with the gaze. He must be quite powerful.'
Yes, this is definitely the Spirit of Fire. Just being a little interested in it is enough to affect the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.
It's at least an advanced spirit.
When compared with wizards they exert at least the power of the fifth rank. Especially in the case of strong individuals, up to the sixth rank is possible. Above all, the gaze is full of vigilance.
'There's no way a superior spirit would appear in a place like this because it's the entrance to the Fantasy Forest.'
Besides, this is literally a forest. Spirits living in the forest are basically spirits of plants, light, water, wind, and land. Fire spirits were often seen in hot places, mainly in volcanic areas and deserts. But in this forest, even in the outskirts, an advanced fire spirit appeared.
'Other students didn't seem to be aware of its existence.'
Neither did Selina, who is very sensitive to spirits.
'He is not a guy that exists in a natural state. Someone artificially beckons him.'
From the gaze facing this direction, I can even feel the intention of criticizing what kind of person I am. Indeed, is he trying to confirm whether I'm really a threat because I'm feared by the spirits?
It was a little annoying for Rudger, but he didn't mean to make it obvious in the current situation.
'Is there someone else in this forest who commands spirits? Or is someone hidden among the students controlling this spirit?'
He wasn't sure yet but if he shows his strength to identify the Spirit of Flame, he will run away immediately. For now, he had no choice but to let it act as it pleases.
'A person who commands higher spirits while hiding his identity.'
A spirit studies teacher in charge of senior students? The chances were extremely low. Rather, there is only one being who could do that, a First Order.
A member of the Black Dawn Society hidden in Theon. Him or her, student or teacher, an existence that has not even been identified yet since unlike other Black Dawn members, it is the only one who may notice his strangeness.
'I don't know why he's suddenly looking at me like this. Or is it some kind of signal?'
If so, how do you react here? If he reacts explicitly, it can be counterproductive.
The opponent is a First Order of the Black Dawn Society. As an executive of a secret organization, he will be careful when contacting an executive of the same rank.
If so, what should he do?
Rudger opened his mouth, just in case.
"It's a little hot."
A spontaneous murmur to oneself it's nothing more than a normal reaction. However, the meaning was clearly conveyed to the person staring at this side.
'There's a response.'
The source was not something that even Rudger could do. It can't be removed, and it's not something that can be ignored. On the contrary, if he doesn't maintain his mana all the time, that source would try to encroach on him.
It was for this reason that he kept taking magic pills on a regular basis to keep his magic power to the maximum.
There are a total of three restrictions so only the low-level spirits respond.
'It's just a prediction, but higher-grade spirits will respond if 2 or all 3 are lifted.'
It wasn't much of a pleasure for Rudger either. Even if only one restriction is lifted, Rudger would hear the tiresome noises in his head, if two are lifted he would feel their touch.
And for the last restriction his teacher told him not to lift it even if he dies so it's hard to even imagine what will happen.
'How did this happen?'
Suddenly, he remembered what his mother said in his previous life.
[All sorts of beings are watching you.]
He didn't believe it at the time, but he's been aware of it every day since he came here. So he was annoyed because he kept remembering memories that he doesn't want to recall.
At that moment a small spark ignited in front of Rudger's eyes and eventually turned into letters. Rudger was not surprised at the sight since he had already finished preparing his mind and calmly scanned the letters engraved with fireworks with his eyes.
'What's so frustrating is that the other side approached me first.'
[Three days later. After school hours. Here again.]
The First Order, which he had been looking for so much, attempted to contact him first.