Chapter 5: She is like a knight!

Melina Esber.

The young lady of the Esber family, and the biological daughter of Lady Aida.

Right now, she was standing at the most important turning point in her life — forming a contract with a Spirit Race being and obtaining her own Spiritbound Weapon.

Just like her idol — the Radiant Knight!

Nervous, Melina stood in front of the Contract Hall, anxiously praying. Once the student inside finished, it would be her turn next.

“Tree of Life, please bless me… Please let the contract succeed! It would be best if I could contract with someone from the Radiant line! But… if not, that’s okay too. I won’t be greedy, please, please.”

She closed her eyes, lowered her head, and clasped her hands at her chest, murmuring her prayer.

Just as she finished speaking, the doors of the Contract Hall opened, and a beautiful girl with blonde hair and blue eyes walked out proudly.

Her face was filled with smugness, like an arrogant swan.

When she caught sight of Melina — who looked like a little duckling in comparison — her proud expression took on a mocking smirk.

“Oh my, if it isn’t the young~ lady of the Esber family.”

She dragged out the word “young lady” on purpose.

After all, the Esber family had once earned noble status because they had produced a Title Knight.

But now, the Esber family was reduced to just a widowed mother and her daughter — their prestige long gone.

All they had left was the title of Viscount. Aside from that, all they possessed was an elderly butler, a

slightly younger head maid, and a small mansion that wasn’t even impressive compared to other noble

estates.

In fact, even that small estate had been granted to them by the City Lord out of humanitarian charity.

“Sephilia, I don’t think I’ve ever offended you,” Melina said with irritation in her voice but didn’t want to cause trouble at a time like this.

But even if the tree wants to stay still, the wind won’t stop.

Sephilia stepped in front of Melina, hooked her finger under Melina’s chin playfully, and stared down at her with disdain.

“Ugly duckling, do you know which Spirit Race I just contracted with?”

She leaned in and whispered in Melina’s ear, “It’s exactly the Radiant line you’ve been dreaming about!”

Then, she moved aside to reveal the girl walking behind her.

It was a petite girl with white hair and red eyes. Judging by human standards, she looked to be about ten years old.

“Let me introduce you. This is Gloria, of the Radiant line — my Spiritbound Weapon.”

As she spoke, Sephilia took Gloria’s small hand and pushed her toward Melina.

“Come, baby Gloria, say hello to this big sister. She wanted to contract with a Radiant, too.”

Gloria bowed politely toward Melina. “Hello, beautiful big sister. My name is Gloria. I’m one of the last remaining members of the Radiant line. Um…”

She scratched her head, a little embarrassed. “Well, I’m happy you like our kind, but… but… the next Radiant won’t be born into this world for at least another three years. So…”

Melina froze.

She understood exactly what little Gloria meant.

“That’s how it is. So… hahaha, sorry~ Maybe in your dreams you’ll get to contract with a Radiant. Go back to mommy’s arms and dream away, cute young~ lady.”

Sephilia scooped Gloria up like a toy and walked off smugly.

Actually, Melina wasn’t the only one feeling disappointed. There were plenty of students hoping to contract with a Radiant.

Even though news about the Radiant Knight’s betrayal of humanity had already spread through the streets…

So what?

The fact that the Radiant Knight had betrayed humanity had nothing to do with how strong the Radiant were!

Ever since Melo became the Radiant Knight, and her exploits on the frontlines became legendary, even the Radiant Spirits gained incredible fame along with her.

All the knight cadets idolized the Radiant Knight.

They dreamed of one day forming a contract with a Radiant Spirit themselves.

Of course, no one dared to say so publicly anymore. At least not out loud.

But the hope of bonding with a Radiant Spirit was still deeply rooted in every aspiring knight’s heart.

Unfortunately, there were simply too few Radiants. Each year, tens of thousands of new knights were initiated — yet the number of Radiant Spirits could be counted on one hand.

And just now, that little girl Gloria had outright said that there wouldn’t be another Radiant appearing for at least three more years.

Many students were disheartened. Melina’s mood also sank.

But she quickly composed herself. When the Sister in charge of the ceremony called her in, she entered the hall.

“Stand in the center of the altar and silently pray to the Tree of Life. You memorized the prayer, right?”

Melina nodded seriously.

Seeing that, the Sister said, “Begin.”

She had conducted this kind of ceremony countless times. Every year, it was her duty.

All the reminders and instructions were just part of the routine.

Melina closed her eyes and silently recited the prayer in her heart, just like she had done at the door.

She was doing it for her father’s revenge, for her mother, and to restore the glory of House Esber. She knew exactly what kind of burden she carried.

So this contract… must not fail!

However, the Sister beside her frowned slightly.

She glanced at the Tree of Life’s branch — a small one, glowing with a faint golden light.

That branch, always glowing gently, was now flickering unsteadily.

“Don’t let your mind wander during the prayer. Focus.”

The Sister’s tone was stern — a well-meaning reminder.

She knew Melina’s family history and what had happened to House Esber, but she didn’t intend to get involved. That reminder just now was already her showing pity.

Melina quickly collected herself and began praying with full focus.

But… because of that brief distraction earlier, the ceremony didn’t go smoothly.

The Tree of Life’s glow flickered a few more times… then faded completely.

The Sister sighed. “The contract failed. You’ll have one last chance next year. Don’t… leave behind any regrets.”

She had wanted to say “for you and your mother,” but held back in the end.

Melina stared blankly at the Tree of Life.

How…?

Because of one moment of distraction… the contract failed?

She didn’t hear what the Sister said after that. She walked out of the Contract Hall like a lost soul.

The students outside saw her come out — with no Spirit by her side — and immediately realized what had happened.

Whispers, snickers, and mockery filled the air and grew louder.

Off to the side, Sephilia approached with Gloria in her arms.

“What happened? Don’t tell me you turned down all the other spirits just because they weren’t Radiants, so you deliberately failed? Hahahaha!”

“I didn’t! I… I just… I just got distracted for a moment…” Melina choked up mid-sentence.

“Oh dear~ You all heard that, right? I didn’t bully this young lady.”

She backed away while holding Gloria, saying, “Come on, little Gloria, let’s stay away from her — before she clings to us out of spite.”

Little Gloria blinked her big, innocent eyes. She didn’t think that pretty big sister was that kind of person at all.

And then, just as a tear was about to fall from the corner of Melina’s eye — a gloved index finger gently wiped it away.

At the same time, all the mocking voices and gossip around her suddenly went silent.

Melina looked up in surprise.

What she saw was a woman with white hair tied into a bun behind her head… and a pair of golden eyes that sparkled like gems.

“Hello, my master. My name is Melo. I just became a maid of House Esber two days ago.”

She gently wiped all of Melina’s tears away, wearing a soft, kind smile.

“And also — this body belongs to the Radiant line. May I… have the honor of becoming your Spiritbound Weapon?”

She lifted the hem of her maid’s dress and knelt down on one knee like a knight. Taking Melina’s right hand, she said solemnly:

“With all respect, I pledge myself to you.”