Chapter 50: The Calamity’s Shadow

To think the Black Mage Hay had killed was merely a pawn of the ‘Black Calamity’…

Stan was about to inquire further when, at that very moment, the bell tower tolled.

“Oh, let’s discuss the details later. The meeting is about to begin. Hurry. We can’t keep the elders waiting.”

Grena hastened her steps, striding purposefully ahead.

At the entrance to the council chamber, black-robed guardians saluted them and opened the doors. Beyond the smoothly gliding doors, which opened without a creak, a large assembly of people awaited.

Elders occupied the right side of the round table, while six judges were seated on the left. Interrogators stood attentively behind them.

As everyone began to rise, Grena motioned for them to remain seated.

“We are late. Let us forgo the greetings.”

Grena offered a gentle smile, her graceful steps carrying her past the elders toward the highest seat—that of the Presiding Official.

Stan took the first vacant seat among the judges.

As Grena settled into her chair, she gestured to her aide to commence the meeting. The aide, his face devoid of expression, unfolded a paper in his hand and began to speak.

“I extend my gratitude to all the elders, judges, and interrogators for attending this Grand Council. The meeting will now commence. First, I will read the request for cooperation from Srahannila.”

The aide read the letter addressed to the Presiding Official in a calm, monotonous voice. Though the request was lengthy, its core message was simple: a prisoner had escaped, stealing an item, and assistance was requested in their capture.

“Next, I will read the report from Ambassador Hellex, currently stationed in Srahannila.”

Ambassador Hellex’s report also confirmed what Grena had already told Stan: the stolen artifact was presumed to be the Crimson Lapis. Upon hearing the ambassador’s findings, the elders and judges alike wore somber expressions, murmuring softly amongst themselves.

And rightly so.

If the missing artifact truly was the Crimson Lapis, it was a grave matter indeed.

Especially if it fell into the wrong hands.

“I am sure you are all curious. Who dared to bypass the Royal Guard’s security and steal the Crimson Lapis from the Queen?”

At Grena’s words, the assembly fell silent, their gaze fixed upon her.

“Furthermore, it is said that not a single member of the Royal Guard lost their life. The Queen herself was unharmed, not even a hair out of place. Who could possibly accomplish such a feat? Do none of you have any idea?”

The assembly exchanged uneasy glances, shaking their heads in unison.

It seemed no obvious suspects came to mind.

“He has been a wanted man in Arcavia and Srahannila for a very long time. Five years ago, when news of his imprisonment in Srahannila reached us, I believe many of you rejoiced. Yet, none of you dare utter his name. You must truly despise recalling him.”

At her statement, the elders and some of the judges froze.

Stan, having been absent for an extended period, did not comprehend their reactions. It seemed there were incidents he was unaware of.

“…Heollahasim.”

Stan looked up, turning to Grena.

That was the Elven word for ‘one who calls calamity.’

“The elders will be more familiar with this name: ‘Hellheim.'”

Bang!

Even Stan reacted to that name.

His chair toppled backward, clattering loudly across the Grand Council chamber floor.

“Why would that wretch’s name…”

‘Come up here?’

****

Concluding his training and drawing back his spirit power, Hay caught his breath.

Slowly opening his eyes, he sighed faintly as he gazed at the tranquil forest.

Damnation. Today’s training had been a bust as well. His techniques were improving daily, but his accursed spirit power refused to rise.

As he turned, Renki stood idly, holding a towel. Hay briefly tilted his head skyward. Dawn was just breaking.

“What are you doing here, not sleeping?”

When Hay asked, Renki quietly approached and handed him the towel.

“Master went out yesterday. I studied and then fell asleep early, so I woke up early too. More importantly, your expression seems grim. Is something not going well?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Hay replied nonchalantly, taking the towel and wiping the sweat from his nape.

“Since you’re awake, let’s wash up and have breakfast.”

“Are you going to train again after eating? You seem to be overexerting yourself.”

“It’s fine.”

Indeed, he was fine.

Even if he felt on the verge of collapse, drinking healing water before bed always restored his energy.

He had intensified his training since the start of the Jealous Moon. Aside from sleeping and eating, he spent all his time in the forest, endlessly repeating his exercises.

He persisted, regardless of whether his spirit power was depleted or not.

“How are things with the Fire Spirit?”

“Still aloof.”

Hay had all but given up on the Fire Spirit. If a contract was forged, so be it; if not, then not. He already had three spirits, after all.

If he was destined to contract with the Fire Spirit, he reasoned, he would eventually be able to summon it later. There was no point in rushing something that wouldn’t happen prematurely.

Returning to his room, Hay immediately entered the bathroom.

Thoughtfully, Renki had anticipated Hay’s routine, having already filled the bathtub with water.

When Hay emerged from his bath, Renki was diligently working on the homework Stan had assigned, even in his master’s absence.

“How are you doing these days?”

“Me, Master?”

“Yes. Your lessons. You said you learned spells, too, didn’t you?”

Renki had fully mastered mana manipulation and memorized two spells. He now had only one more magic spell left to learn for the first class.

“It’s going well. It’s all thanks to you, Master. I’m truly grateful.”

Renki said, beaming.

‘He only provided the funds; he hadn’t really done much else.’

Feeling a touch awkward, Hay needlessly ruffled his hair with the towel.

“There’s no need to be so grateful. Ultimately, your becoming stronger helps me.”

“I’ll grow stronger as quickly as possible and help you, Master!”

“So you won’t be called a ‘dog’s hair’ anymore?”

“Yes!”

A faint chuckle escaped Hay at Renki’s resounding reply as he picked up the teapot. Then, he suddenly replayed his own words in his mind.

‘Your becoming stronger helps me.’

‘Helps me.’

‘Renki getting stronger helps me?’

Hay stood for a moment, teapot in hand, lost in thought. Renki, scratching away with his quill beside him, looked up inquisitively.

“Master?”

Hay, his face hardening, set down the teapot and hastily donned his outer garment, which he had taken off.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“To the garden for a moment. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

He snatched up his staff and quickly exited the room.

Renki tilted his head, but did not follow Hay.

Leaving the main building, Hay walked swiftly toward the forest in the back garden.

He quickened his pace to the deepest part of the garden, mindful of anyone who might be out for a morning stroll. He was entirely absorbed in one particular thought.

‘What if…’

‘What if not I, but the spirits themselves, could grow stronger?’

Because of his absorption, he remained entirely oblivious to the fact that someone was following him.

Upon reaching the boundary wall at the edge of the inn’s property, he paused, then summoned just one spirit, rather than all of them.

“Kelpie.”

At Hay’s call, a long stream of water materialized, and Kelpie appeared, settling on Hay’s shoulder.

Kelpie nudged Hay’s cheek with its snout, as if asking why it had been summoned again. Hay stroked Kelpie’s cheek and spoke.

“I have something I want to ask you.”

Kelpie flicked its tongue, hissing, urging him to speak quickly.

“What happens if I give you my spirit power?”

Kelpie’s head tilted to one side.

It was an inquisitive look, as if it didn’t understand Hay’s words, or perhaps found them perplexing.

‘Why bother asking?’

‘Even if they knew the answer, I wouldn’t properly understand it anyway.’

“I’m going to conduct an experiment now.”

It wasn’t a particularly difficult experiment.

“I’m going to pour all the power I have into you.”

Just as he usually granted spirit power to Kelpie to give it strength in battle, this time, he intended to give it all of his power. He had tried various experiments during his training, but this was a method he had never attempted before.

He wondered if it would even work, but since his training progress was minimal anyway, there was no harm in trying.

“So, devour every last drop of my mana without spilling any. If this method proves too much for you, send me a signal. I will stop.”

Kelpie nodded, then slid down Hay’s body. It then stood tall, met Hay’s gaze, and hissed, as if urging him to begin.

“Then, I’ll start.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Hay gripped his staff tighter and drew forth his spirit power.

A blue light enveloped his entire body, beginning to flow. His hair scattered in the wind, and the pebbles on the frozen ground stirred.

He inhaled the cold air deeply into his lungs, then slowly exhaled, gradually pouring his spirit power into Kelpie.

A white light flowed from his palm, seeping into Kelpie.

Initially, there was no reaction.

The spirit power he had used during his morning training, including the amplified power from his staff, amounted to merely 10 percent. As he steadily bestowed the remaining 90 percent upon Kelpie, he felt his spirit power being depleted.

When approximately 50 percent remained, Kelpie’s body began to glow.

The light steadily spread and intensified within Kelpie’s form. Once only 40 percent remained, something shifted.

Hay no longer felt as though he was giving spirit power to Kelpie, but rather that it was being taken from him. Yet, he did not panic.

It felt as though Kelpie was fussing, like a hungry child, demanding more spirit power. Hay closed his eyes and concentrated.

Because of this, he failed to notice the transformation occurring within Kelpie. However, Lorelai, who had followed Hay after seeing him rush to the back garden, witnessed it.

Kelpie’s body was steadily swelling.

It wasn’t simply growing larger. It soon surpassed Hay’s height, and its outward appearance began to change. Lorelai gasped in astonishment.

Long whiskers sprouted from either side of its face, and two sharp horns emerged from its head. Blue fur grew along its back, swaying gently.

Lorelai instinctively gripped the armrest of her wheeled chair, tensing.

Three, two, one.

Finally, as all his spirit power was depleted, Hay realized that a change had occurred within himself as well.

It was a different sensation from ascending from lowest-grade to low-grade, or then to mid-low-grade.

His previously cluttered mind felt clear and refreshed, as if it had opened up. All his senses became sharp and distinct.

It was as if his mental capacity, if it were a vessel, had vastly expanded.

Hay regulated his breathing, withdrew his hand, and opened his eyes.

The light emanating from Kelpie’s colossal body slowly diminished, revealing its transformed appearance.

Its long, translucent white body and the blue fur growing from its head down its back strikingly resembled the mythical beast Han Tae-hyun was familiar with.

It was a dragon.

“This is absurd.”

A wry laugh escaped Hay.

‘To think he had struggled unnecessarily for months over something so simple.’

It was so preposterous that he couldn’t help but laugh.

[“…Hay Styles.”]

A clear voice resonated from both his mind and Kelpie’s mouth.

It was a low, genderless voice. Kelpie had now gained a voice capable of conveying its will to its contractor.

Hay let out a soft laugh and raised his hand. Kelpie lowered its head, nuzzling its cheek against his small hand, which was disproportionate to its new size. Hay could feel Kelpie’s elation.

“Congratulations.”

A genuine smile graced Hay’s face.

“Nyx.”

That was the name of Kelpie’s higher-grade spirit, ranging from mid-grade to high-grade.

Nyx soon dissolved into droplets of water, scattering into the air. Hay’s spirit power was depleted, making it impossible to sustain the summoning.

Hay let out another short laugh.

[“Thank you.”]

Because he had clearly heard Nyx’s final words.

Both Kelpie and he had finally reached mid-grade.

Hay eagerly wished to evolve Thea and Sylph as well. However, with his spirit power completely drained, they would have to wait.

He sank to the bare ground, exhaling deeply. His body trembled as if his sugar had dropped.

Just as he was about to catch his breath and stand up, a flame flickered before his eyes.

A flame message.

He hastily snatched it, wondering if it was from Lexa or another fairy he knew. But it was neither.

[I can’t fix a broken mana rod.

But I can remove imprints.]

It was Hellheim.

“That old geezer is still alive?”