Chapter 6: I am willing to become your sword and shield

“‘A Radiant’? Impossible! How could you be ‘a Radiant’? A Radiant wouldn’t be named Melona!”

Sefiria’s face was etched with displeasure as she questioned this.

Melona, however, did not look at Sefiria, her gaze remaining fixed on her young mistress, Melina.

Noting the surprise and confusion in Melina’s eyes, Melona offered an explanation: “Because… this body is that of a stray spirit, having lost its original name.

It was Madam who took me in, bestowing upon me a new name and a new identity, but…”

She paused, a hint of wistfulness in her expression: “This body will not yield to any Radiant.

I wonder… would you be willing to grant me an opportunity to become your sword and shield?”

A brilliant light swirled, and within its glow, a golden knight’s longsword materialized in Melona’s hands, which she then reverently presented to Melina.

“Such warm light!”

Little Radiance blinked her large eyes, staring intently at the sword.

“She truly is a Radiant?!” Sefiria asked, barely able to conceal her disbelief.

“Yes, that sword, born of light, is the symbol of our Radiant clan.

Moreover… I can feel a warm connection emanating from that older sister; we were both born from the same Radiance.”

Little Radiance did not suppress her voice, allowing everyone present to hear her words.

Yet, it was precisely because they heard the words of this genuine Radiant that the onlookers found the situation even more perplexing.

In this day and age, how could a Radiant become a stray spirit?

Who could be so wasteful of such a treasure?

Melina, too, stared in disbelief at the knight’s longsword before her.

Its golden blade shimmered with flowing light, and a gentle, warm radiance continuously emanated faint psionic fluctuations.

As a devoted admirer who idolized Radiant Knights, Melina naturally understood that this was the undeniable proof of a Radiant!

And the Radiant before her was an incredibly powerful spirit!

Her current hesitation stemmed solely from her inability to believe that such a formidable Radiant would willingly become her companion spirit weapon.

Her heart was now filled with a mixture of joy and apprehension.

The failure of the contract, her father’s vengeance, her mother’s expectations, the revival of her family…

All these thoughts converged into trembling fingertips, which she gently placed upon the magnificent longsword.

“Can… can I really do this?” she whispered, her voice quivering.

Melona gazed at her tenderly, then slowly bowed her head, declaring with utmost reverence: “With this body as my sword, I shall cut down all enemies of my master.

By the name of Radiance, I swear eternal loyalty!”

Melina’s eyes welled up with tears once more.

Her trembling hand finally grasped the hilt of the knight’s longsword, lifting it and gently tapping it upon each of Melona’s shoulders.

She wiped away her tears, a burst of laughter breaking through her sobs: “Honestly, I’m supposed to be the knight here, this feels so strange, hahaha.”

Melona’s body transformed into a sacred and warm light, which then entwined itself around the golden longsword in Melina’s hand.

In that moment, Melina felt a resonance deep within her soul, a bond connecting them inextricably.

Thus, the contract was forged!

Inside the Contract Hall’s door, a nun quietly observed the scene unfolding outside, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“Aidan, your child has finally embarked on this path, but…”

A flicker of hidden worry crossed her brow.

If she hadn’t been mistaken, the Radiant named Melona had a pattern of thorns wrapped around her wrist.

That was the mark of the Kiss of Thorns.

A Radiant, the Kiss of Thorns…

These two keywords, linked together at this particular time, made it difficult not to recall that Radiant Knight who had betrayed humanity!

But… wasn’t that knight subjected to the Spirit Sealing Punishment?

Then what was the deal with this spirit lady before her?

Sefiria gritted her teeth, likewise watching Melina and the golden longsword in silence.

What kind of ridiculous luck was this?

A stray spirit, and a Radiant at that, who just happened to show up and offer a contract precisely when that “young lady’s” contract failed?

How despicable!

Why didn’t she come to her?

She certainly wouldn’t mind having another companion spirit weapon!

Melina’s gaze also turned towards Sefiria.

There was no triumph or boastfulness on her face.

Instead, she simply held her longsword and solemnly declared: “I will not lose to you.”

Sefiria’s eye twitched.

Were it not for her excellent upbringing which instilled restraint, she would have cursed vehemently.

But for now, she could only force out an ugly smile: “Heh, well then… I eagerly await your challenge.”

Upon leaving the academy, Melina paid no heed to the ensuing chatter.

She simply wished to return home immediately and question her mother about what had truly transpired.

Melona reappeared, still in her maid uniform, a sight that made Melina blush slightly.

“Your outfit…”

A maid uniform, a short skirt, black stockings, and small leather shoes.

Melona’s face flushed with a faint blush as she stammered: “It was… Madam’s request.”

Melina’s own small face turned red, her gaze wandering, the young girl seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

Melona, oblivious to the reason, stepped ahead of Melina and opened the door for her.

“Tha… thank you.”

Melina lowered her head in thanks, still seemingly unaccustomed to a life with servants.

Only after Melina had entered did Melona follow, closing the door behind her.

“Young Miss has returned.

Did you enjoy your time at school?”

A man in his eighties approached, smiling as he greeted Melina.

He was the butler of the Esbel household—Edward.

The old man’s face was already deeply lined with wrinkles, yet his spirit was vibrant, and his back remained perfectly straight.

Even when he spoke, his aged voice was full of vigor.

Clearly, while time had etched profound marks upon the old man’s face, it had failed to make him succumb to its curse.

“Grandpa Edward, I’m back,” Melina replied with a smile.

She glanced at Melona, then answered the old man’s question: “Yes, I had a wonderful time, and I finally have my own companion spirit weapon.”

Melona bowed slightly, greeting Edward: “Hello, Mr. Butler.”

“Oh, Miss Melona, from now on, I entrust the Young Miss to you.

My old bones can finally get some rest, oh ho ho ho~!”

“You jest, in my opinion, you are still quite spry,” Melona replied politely.

“Where’s Mama?”

Melina, unable to bear their polite exchanges any longer, quickly changed the subject.

“Madam is currently awaiting both of you in her study,” Edward informed them.

“Then I’m off to see my Mama, please carry on!”

With that, Melina took Melona’s hand and quickly walked towards Aidan’s study.

She had many questions to ask her mother about Melona.