Chapter 47: The Icy Embrace of Kelpie

Hay couldn’t regain his senses in the icy cold water. Even though the [Wind] had been cut off, his body felt as if it were floating in mid-air.

When he finally forced his eyes open, he was already submerged in the murky depths.

It was winter, and the water was so frigid it felt as though his heart would freeze. It was a miracle he hadn’t immediately suffered a heart attack.

He desperately tried to gather his wits, flailing to reach the surface. Yet, he couldn’t ascend. Hay didn’t know how to swim, and neither did Han Tae-hyun.

‘Damn it.’

Hay tightly gripped his staff and swung it. From the deep lakebed, the [Earth] surged upwards.

He intended to grab onto it and pull himself up, but being sand underwater, it couldn’t be reinforced and crumbled easily.

Without panicking, he once again used the [Wind] to rise towards the surface. However, no matter how high he climbed, he couldn’t break free from the water.

This was Kelpie’s doing. She had used the water as a prison, much like she had trapped the troll’s head in a water droplet on Mount Senugel.

His breath hitched. Just as his mind began to cloud, he cupped his hands, generating wind to create air, and took a desperate gasp.

Next, he conjured a fierce whirlwind around his body. His intention was to use the powerful vortex to push the water away, secure a space, and escape with the [Wind].

A massive whirlpool formed in the center of the lake, churned into existence by the whirlwind.

Before he could be swept away by the water, Hay used the [Wind] to emerge from the vortex.

Though he had escaped the water, Kelpie was now looking down at him from above, having created dozens of [Water] droplets.

It seemed this deranged spirit was intent on drowning her contractor; she was truly serious.

If only he had a fire spirit, he could evaporate all that water with powerful flames.

‘Why is she so ill-tempered today of all days?’

He was about to ask if she was going through puberty when the [Water] rained down upon his head.

“Ah, that rascal, really…”

Hay frowned, raising his hand above his head. A powerful gust of wind erupted from his palm, deflecting the barrage of water arrows.

Using three techniques simultaneously—the swirling whirlwind, the strong gust, and the [Wind] itself—his concentration wavered.

‘This won’t do.’

‘To refine my techniques, it’s better not to use such grand displays.’

Hay channeled his spirit power to its maximum, unleashing an incredibly potent tornado. Kelpie’s attacks were instantly swept up by the vortex, rendered useless.

It wasn’t just Kelpie’s [Water] that was swept away.

The lake water itself was drawn into the tornado, rising skyward to form a colossal column of water. Even Kelpie, unable to escape in time, was caught in the whirlwind.

It almost sounded as if Kelpie was screaming.

Regardless, Hay let her be for a moment, thinking she deserved a good scolding, before slowly retracting the power of the wind.

The tornado’s intensity gradually diminished, and the water column began to dissipate. An unseasonal mist settled thickly around them.

Kelpie, who had soared high into the sky, now plummeted.

Perhaps disoriented from spinning, she seemed to have lost all strength. With a splash, Kelpie fell into the water, soon poking her head above the surface.

“Serves you right.”

Kelpie glared fiercely at Hay. He ignored her. What mattered now wasn’t Kelpie; it was the cold.

It wasn’t just cold; he was soaked to the bone and utterly freezing.

Hay hunched his shoulders, treading on air as he hurried towards the shore. He tossed his staff aside and stretched his hands towards the bonfire.

He felt as if he would freeze to death. His body was trembling uncontrollably, like a phone vibrating without cease.

“Kelpie, dry me off.”

His jaw chattered, his teeth clacking together.

While the water was completely removed, it didn’t mean he was no longer cold.

Hay huddled closer to the fire, curling up tightly. To his pleasant surprise, Sylph brought his coat, carrying it by its beak.

Sylph draped the coat over Hay’s shoulders, then perched on his head. They looked down at Hay, tilted their head, and chirped.

Unable to understand their words, Hay couldn’t tell if they were mocking him or worrying. Somehow, it felt like both.

Thea also settled beside Hay, lying down. While the fire offered warmth, it was insufficient against the biting cold.

Perhaps seeing him shiver from the cold, Kelpie, who had been swimming on the lake, stealthily approached the warmth of the fire. She even seemed a little apologetic.

Hay reached out to pat Kelpie’s head but quickly withdrew his hand, finding her too cold.

“Woof?”

Thea addressed Hay.

She seemed to be asking if he was alright.

“No, I’m not alright. I’m freezing. I’m going to die of cold.”

The second training session had just begun, but having been doused in water, it seemed he would have to call it a day.

Alternatively, he could wash in warm water, rest for a bit, and then return.

‘This is why fire is essential.’

“Kelpie.”

Hay called out to the subtly observing Kelpie in a stern voice. Kelpie pretended not to hear him.

“It’s good that you attack without holding back, but I told you just a few days ago that area-of-effect magic only results in a power struggle. The goal of my training is to improve my skill in handling techniques, right? You should pressure me with techniques, not by spamming area-of-effect magic!”

Kelpie showed no reaction.

“It seems you have some complaints about me. What is it?”

Hay asked calmly. Kelpie still didn’t answer. Instead, Sylph and Thea cried out in protest.

“Chirp! Chiiirp!”

“Woof! Bark! Bark!”

Whether they were trying to speak for Kelpie or defend her, their inability to communicate was frustrating.

It had been the same when they were in their non-human forms; communication was impossible.

Back then, he had at least tried to communicate through gestures, but now, in their animal forms, even that was difficult.

He could only guess what they were trying to say based on their feelings.

On the way to Cheap, he had considered teaching them to read, given their communication issues, but predictably, they showed no interest in written words, and the attempt failed.

‘If only there were a spirit-specific translator.’

“Kelpie.”

Hay extended his hand towards Kelpie. She lifted her head, looking puzzled.

“Come on.”

At his quiet urging, Kelpie wound her long body around Hay’s waist, climbed up, and rested her chin on his shoulder.

Though he shivered at her cold, watery aura, Hay simply stroked Kelpie’s body without a word. Seemingly pleased by his touch, Kelpie became docile.

He recalled that since winter began, he hadn’t often touched Kelpie, citing the cold.

‘Could she have been sulking because of that? Was she protesting his lack of attention in such a way?’

“Let’s head back and rest early today.”

At the declaration of early training termination, the other two spirits looked at Hay with expressions as if they had lost their country. Their faces clearly asked if he wouldn’t play with them.

“We’ve trained without fail for a month, haven’t we? Let’s just call it a rest day.”

Hay chuckled softly, alternately patting Sylph’s and Thea’s heads before picking up his staff.

“Thea, put out the fire.”

As if accustomed to the command, Thea scooped up earth and completely covered the bonfire.

Hay pulled his coat tighter and used the [Wind]. It was faster to fly than to walk in the cold.

****

The twentieth day of the Sunrise Moon.

Renki, who returned at dusk, woke Hay and delivered an unexpected message.

“Master says to stop by before dinner.”

Stan had called for him.

“Oh? Why?”

“I don’t know. He just said it was a routine meeting.”

Renki shrugged, displaying a truly clueless expression. Hay rubbed his swollen eyes and sat up.

‘A meeting, he said. What could it be about?’

“Are you hungry? Shall we get a snack?”

Hay asked, his voice thick with sleep, his eyes barely open.

“I’m fine. Lorelai baked sweet potatoes for me today.”

Hay was hungry.

“That sounds delicious.”

“Lorelai is baking more, saying they’re for you when you return.”

“Oh, really? Ah, I should wash up then.”

“Shall I prepare some tea?”

“No, don’t bother. I won’t drink any. Go about your business.”

Hay yawned widely, rose, and headed to the bathroom. After washing, he finished preparing to go out.

Renki had opened an introductory magic book and was muttering, memorizing something. It seemed to be in Runic, making it incomprehensible.

“I’m off.”

“Yes, safe travels.”

Leaving the inn, Hay went to Stan’s house and headed straight for the potion manufacturing room. Stan was almost always there.

“You called for me?”

Hay immediately pulled up a chair, sat down, and asked.

“Yeah. Want a sweet potato?”

Stan pushed a basket placed beside him towards Hay.

He was examining what appeared to be a statement. Judging by the mentions of potions, it seemed to be a document for a supplier.

“Where’s Lorelai?”

“She’s outside, roasting sweet potatoes over a bonfire.”

Hay nodded. Bonfires were Lorelai’s hobby.

Unless it was pouring rain, she apparently lit a bonfire outside every single day.

She kindled bonfires to soothe her longing for her own spirit, and at the same time, to try and commune with fire, however futile the attempt.

She hoped that by doing so, she might one day recover her broken mana rod.

‘A futile endeavor, though.’

“But what did you call me for?”

Hay and Stan hadn’t seen each other often since the day they signed the training contract. There was no particular reason for them to meet.

“Didn’t Renki tell you?”

Even a few days after agreeing to treat Lorelai, when they ran into each other on the hill, all Stan had said was, “You’re treating her, right?” and Hay had replied, “Yes.” Stan had simply responded, “I see.” That was it.

“He said it was a routine meeting.”

“That’s right. It’s been a month since training started, and I figured we should discuss his progress.”

So, the ‘routine meeting’ was apparently like a parent-teacher conference.

“Is Renki doing well?”

“Yeah. He’s following along better than I expected. Honestly, I was quite surprised. The kid is surprisingly tenacious. He really works hard. It’s truly unexpected.”

Renki was indeed tenacious. Even on his off-days from lessons, he would study all day, when he could have rested.

“You know he takes a test once a week, right? His grades are better than the young duke’s. But you only taught him Materion and calculation methods, correct?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Well, even if he learned Materion, adults often misspell difficult words, but he hasn’t made a single spelling mistake. Even the young duke, who received more thorough education, occasionally makes errors. He said he learned to read half a year ago, didn’t he? He writes neatly too. And he memorizes difficult runes well.”

“He’s just smart, I guess. And he’s a hard worker.”

Hay shrugged, saying it casually.

“At this rate, he might even complete Class 1 on schedule.”

Stan hadn’t said a word about the training for an entire month, so hearing him praise Renki felt strange. It was a mix of pride and awkwardness.

When Han Soo-hyun caused trouble and he was called to school in his mother’s place, he only felt embarrassed, mortified, and angry.

‘No, big brother. Listen to me. That bastard started it…’

Renki was too well-behaved, too quiet.

‘What if he had grown up in a normal environment, whether poor or rich?’

“Anyway, that’s all I have to say about the training. I’ll be away from Cheap for three days starting tomorrow. I have some business to attend to.”

“Then what about the lessons?”

“We’ll make up for it on a rest day. Don’t worry. I’ll teach him everything on schedule, even if I have to extend the lesson hours. I’ve also given him three days’ worth of homework. I told him, but tell him to focus on mana training for half a day each day. That’s the most important thing right now.”

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

“Meeting adjourned. Any questions?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Stan said indifferently, folding the statement and tossing it onto the potion manufacturing desk.

Hay stood up and glanced towards the slightly open window. He saw black smoke carried by the wind.

“Lorelai certainly has an unyielding personality, doesn’t she?” Hay remarked casually.

Stan seemed to understand what he meant and let out a wry chuckle.

“Lighting bonfires? She’s truly persistent.”

“But a mana rod won’t be fixed just by doing that.”

Stan didn’t respond to that comment.

Hay bowed respectfully to Stan and exited the potion manufacturing room.

Stan turned his head towards the window, watching the black smoke. He rubbed his firm lips with his hand and lowered the leg he had propped on the table.

“Indeed.”

‘After nine years, one would think she’d give up.’