2. Meetings and Tea Parties

— No. Why would a high-level spirit go through such trouble? They’d rather find a spirit summoner that suits them. You know spirits are quite picky by nature, right?

“Yes.”

— The higher the level, the more so. High-level spirits follow for two reasons: exceptional talent, or they’ve gradually built up from a lower level over a long period.

Kiriel rubbed his chin as he listened to Serian’s explanation. Was she confident enough to raise it from a lower level?

“Yes. I don’t pay much attention to levels.”

“Who knows? Maybe the level will rise later.”

He recalled her calm demeanor, her slightly lifted lips showing confidence, and her round green eyes filled with firm belief.

Though it was mere speculation, he thought perhaps Kana might really accomplish it.

— But why are you asking this all of a sudden? Did you meet an interesting spirit summoner somewhere?

“No. I was just curious.”

Kiriel, without realizing it, kept her information to himself and made up a vague reason. Serian, who asked out of mild curiosity, didn’t think much of it.

— What, that’s boring. Alright, I’m hanging up.

“Okay.”

Kiriel turned off the communication sphere. After resting a bit, he began inspecting the magical tools.

* * *

In a luxurious room in the eastern Serade mansion. Letie stared blankly at the invitation that had come to her for the first time since her return.

The handwriting was round and neat, but the content was polite. There was even a faint floral scent, as if perfume had been sprayed on the letter.

Despite being labeled a dunce for not blooming her healing abilities and being pushed aside by her half-sister Cordelia, a concubine’s daughter, her family had grown cold towards her, and the flood of letters and invitations had completely stopped.

“Oh, my! Miss, it’s an invitation to a tea party! How long has it been since you received one…?”

Her loyal maid, overwhelmed with emotion, covered her mouth with her hands. Letie, comforting the maid who had stayed by her side even in the past, thought about the person who sent the invitation.

‘Lady Kana Round. There was no one approaching me at this time before my return. And the Round family… they own sapphire and magic stone mines and usually trade with families in the west or south, right?’

Even after recalling her memories from before her return, the name ‘Kana Round’ was hazy, like it was shrouded in mist. All she knew about her was the rumor that she was a quiet and gentle lady.

‘No one knows that I have awakened my healing ability yet.’

Based on her unique constitution, which she discovered before her regression, Letie secretly awakened her healing ability through spirit stones and spirits. She planned to keep it hidden until her skills improved.

She muttered to herself.

“…Could it really be a pure intention?”

“Miss, are you going to attend?”

“Yes. I happen to have some free time, so I’ll go and check it out myself.”

Letie tucked her flowing red hair behind her ear and wrote a reply to accept the invitation.

* * *

The next day, the Round Viscount couple brought back a spirit stone. It seemed they had put in a lot of effort to obtain it during the transaction, as the quality was excellent. Kana smiled at her parents, who were more nervous than she was.

“Thank you. May I try it out alone in my room?”

“Of course. Do as you feel comfortable.”

“Good luck.”

The Round Viscount couple showed consideration for their hesitant daughter. Kana went into her room alone and summoned Celia.

[Kana! You called?]

‘Yes, now I need to pretend to contract with you for the first time in front of my parents.’

[You didn’t mention that the Master of the Magic Tower helped, did you?]

The spirit’s round eyes blinked. Kana shrugged.

‘As you know, it would be troublesome if I did.’

[And you get a free spirit stone too?]

‘Oops, you caught me.’

Kana laughed freely at the spirit’s playful joke. Celia opened her mouth.

[Let me try that spirit stone.]

‘Sure.’

Kana placed the spirit stone into Celia’s mouth. The spirit energy increased, and a cool breeze wrapped around her body before dissipating. The sensation was familiar to her, as she had trained extensively as a spirit summoner in other novels.

Even without using the spirit stone, she could draw out energy and skillfully use spirit magic whenever she wanted. Kana playfully asked the spirit, who was munching on the stone.

‘How does it taste?’

[Hmm, like sugar stars.]

‘Not bad.’

It seemed to be a delicacy for the spirit. Kana nodded. Then, Celia suddenly remembered something and asked.

[By the way, do I have to pretend to be a low-level spirit for a while?]

‘Yes.’

When she nodded, Celia cautiously requested.

[Kana, after you reveal me to your family, can you summon me often?]

‘Of course. Anyway, there’s a setting here that to get closer to spirits and increase spirit energy, you have to summon them frequently and use spirit magic often. Everyone will understand if I summon you.’

[That’s a pleasant setting.]

Celia happily flew around. Kana watched the cloud-shaped spirit swirling around the room and gestured.

‘Sit on my shoulder. It’s time to go out.’

[Got it!]

Kana placed the spirit on her shoulder and stepped out of the room. She proudly showed the Round Viscount couple and her closest maid, Lena, who congratulated her enthusiastically.

“You really contracted with a spirit!”

“Congratulations!”

“Miss, you’re amazing!”

Kana barely managed to stop them from throwing a party.

As they all shared in the joyous atmosphere, Lena suddenly remembered something and pulled some letters from her pocket.

“Oh, right, I received replies to the tea party invitations. I meant to give them to you as soon as they arrived, but I heard you were contracting with a spirit in your room.”

“It’s okay. I have them now.”

Kana left her still jubilant parents behind and returned to her room with Lena.

The people she had sent invitations to were Lady Letie Serade, Lady Olivia Short, and Lady Evie Reas. Fortunately, all three had expressed their willingness to attend.

Kana carefully stored the letters in a drawer.

“Good, since everyone said they would come, I should get ready to go out now.”

“Miss, where are you planning to go?”

“I’m going to look around the streets for a bit… and I have some things to buy.”

Kana planned to purchase magical tools and self-defense weapons. As a background character, she often found herself being pushed around, so she needed tools to protect herself.

‘I don’t want to be kicked out of the novel for dying before completing my role as a supporting character. That would mean not earning the star rating for the novel and losing the stars I’ve already collected. Plus, getting seriously injured hurts.’

Recalling her past experiences, Kana frowned reflexively. She had learned martial arts in another novel and planned to balance her work and training by recalling those memories.

Lena, noticing Kana’s sudden drop in mood, asked worriedly.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Yes. Let’s just get ready to go out quickly.”

“Okay.”

Kana dressed in a simple outing dress and braided her loose light brown hair. While she was preparing, Celia, who had been hovering around, suddenly asked.

[What should I do?]

‘It’s probably best for you to temporarily hide in the pearl ring.’

[Got it.]

The spirit quickly seeped into the pearl of the ring. Finally, Kana donned a hooded cape and stepped outside.

The capital of the Arsen Empire had good public safety, so she didn’t take any guards with her. Though the Round Viscount couple was worried, she assured them that she was fine because she had the spirit with her.

‘It’s uncomfortable having someone follow me around. It feels like being watched.’

Even while working as a supporting character and acting outgoing, she was inherently an introvert. She didn’t want to waste energy dealing with people she wasn’t close to outside of work.

Kana left the Round mansion in a carriage. The main streets of the capital were cleanly maintained. Through the carriage window, she watched the bustling crowds and the splendid buildings.

‘First, I’ll go to the magical tool shop, then the weapon shop and the general store. After finishing my errands, I’ll stop by a dessert shop or a tea house before heading back.’

Remembering the information mentioned in ‘Fake Saint,’ Kana went to the magical tool shop. Though the owner wasn’t explicitly revealed, it was a shop run by the Master of the Magic Tower, so it had many high-quality magical tools crafted by him.

A friendly-looking mage in a navy robe greeted Kana.

“Welcome. What kind of magical tools are you looking for?”

“An airspace ring, a bracelet of protection, and a pure pearl necklace. The highest quality, please.”

The airspace ring was for storing various items. The bracelet of protection served as a shield against potential attacks. Unless it faced a highly destructive assault, it would hold up decently.

Lastly, the pure pearl necklace was to provide a hiding place for Celia. Normally, spirits would inhabit weapons, but since this wasn’t a combat-focused novel, she chose a gem that matched the spirit’s nature.

The mage promptly brought out the items she requested. Though expensive, they were worth the price. Kana paid for them and put on the ring, bracelet, and necklace.

“Are you going somewhere to fight?”

A voice with a faint hint of incredulity came from behind her.

‘This voice… is it Kiriel?’

Turning around to confirm, she saw that her guess was correct. Kiriel, dressed in the typical attire of a mage with a robe, was leaning against the wall.

Even while standing still, he exuded a bright aura, as if sunlight was streaming into the dim space. The mage who had greeted Kana was flustered and greeted him nervously.

“Gasp, Tower Master! W-welcome.”

Kiriel nodded indifferently and adjusted his disheveled golden hair and the monocle on his left eye. He exuded a scholarly and ascetic aura.

‘That monocle is a magical tool, isn’t it?’

Kana held the hem of her dress lightly and responded with a gentle smile.

“Not really. Tower Master, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”