“Yes, of course that’s possible. Please speak freely.”

Denia smiled warmly and spread her arms. Kana first asked an important question in response to the guild master’s welcoming attitude.

“Are there any restrictions on freedom of action and frequency of visits?”

“No. As long as it doesn’t harm the guild, we don’t restrict individual actions. Originally, spirit summoners all have free-spirited tendencies, so forcefully constraining them only backfires.”

“I see.”

“We don’t check visit frequency either. We’re happy if you come often, but you can show your face rarely if you’re busy.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Everyone here who works as a mercenary or has another profession does the same. Especially for Lady Round…… well, considering you have family matters and a social calendar to attend to, we understand.”

Denia’s answer was refreshing. Kana smiled with satisfaction.

“That’s good.”

“However, when there are meetings or important matters, we’d like you to attend if possible.”

Denia finished speaking and carefully observed her reaction. Kana responded gently, considering the anxious guild master.

“Of course I should, unless I have other important schedules.”

“Haha, you’re truly a thoughtful and diligent person. Still, our guild is quite peaceful and quiet, so troublesome situations rarely occur.”

“I like that aspect too.”

Kana’s eyes curved prettily. Kiriel glanced at her satisfied expression and suddenly cut in.

“Miss Kana, are you going to join this guild?”

“Yes.”

After answering him, Kana gracefully extended her hand toward Denia.

“I’d like to receive the registration form.”

“Here it is!”

Denia quickly pulled out the registration form from inside her clothes and handed it to her. Kana carefully examined the terms, signed with the pen she brought, and passed it to the guild master.

Denia preciously received the registration form and respectfully greeted the new member while placing the Four-Colored Leaf Guild badge in her hand.

“Lady Round, thank you for deciding to join our guild. I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes, I’m glad to join such a good guild too. First, let me make a sponsorship donation to commemorate joining. I hope it helps with the guild’s development.”

After securing the badge, Kana handed a plump money pouch she had prepared to the guild master. Nearby guild members admired her generosity.

Denia received it respectfully while nearly jumping with joy.

“Yes, thank you!”

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Yes! If there are any announcements, we’ll let you know through the badge or letter. See you next time.”

Denia and the guild members saw off the two departing people. After leaving the Four-Colored Leaf Guild, Kana examined the badge while fiddling with it. Spirit energy was intricately imbued in it.

‘Though it wasn’t specifically mentioned in the story, it seems you can use this as a medium to operate spirits for communication.’

It was similar to the method she used to contact Alderaan during the founding ceremony episode, but it was a more sophisticated approach.

Kiriel opened the conversation while glancing at her lost in thought.

“Miss Kana, I’m glad you found a satisfactory spirit summoner guild.”

“Yes. Things went more smoothly because I was with you, Lord Kiriel.”

“No, what did I do?”

Though he said that, the corners of his mouth were slowly rising. Anyone could see he was in a good mood.

Feeling her gaze change strangely, Kiriel politely cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“Ahem, then let’s go to the magic tower now.”

“Yes.”

They moved to the magic tower by carriage. Upon arriving at the magic tower, Kanto, who had been waiting, strode over. Kiriel looked at him.

“Kanto, did you make the preparations?”

“Yes, Tower Master. You can enter with Lady Round.”

“Good.”

Kiriel nodded and led her through the back door to the outer grounds.

‘What? We’re not going to the workshop like last time?’

Though Kana followed him obediently, she asked curiously.

“Lord Kiriel, where are we going now?”

“The magic tower’s training ground. Since Miss Kana’s newly contracted spirit is an earth spirit, it’s better to test it there.”

“But isn’t the training ground normally only for the magic tower’s mages?”

“It’s fine, you’re going as my special guest. It doesn’t violate the magic tower’s rules.”

“Ah, I see.”

No wonder the other mages didn’t particularly mind. Kana nodded in understanding.

They soon reached the training ground located in a corner.

Kiriel placed an entry nameplate against the grooved section of the closed stone door and channeled mana. The stone door opened sideways with a dull sound.

Kana carefully examined the interior of the training ground. The layered barriers, the mana resonance filling the wide space, and Kiriel’s crafting magic tools placed to one side.

Kiriel silently waited for her to look around before personally leading her to the center.

When she hesitated while holding the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool, he sat down near the crafting magic tools, put on his monocle, and gestured.

“Don’t worry and try summoning the spirit and using spirit magic.”

“Alright.”

Kana took a slow deep breath before summoning Gnome. The translucent brown button-shaped spirit greeted modestly.

[Miss Kana, you called about reinforcing that equipment, right?]

‘That’s right.’

Kana operated spirit energy with the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool in its folded state. The ground hollowed into a pit, then rose to form a small hill.

She finished the simple demonstration and glanced at him as he removed his monocle.

“Is this enough?”

“Sufficient.”

Kiriel lightly snapped his fingers. The messy training ground floor quickly restored itself.

Kana patted Gnome and dismissed the summon. Then she approached him and held out the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool.

Kiriel placed the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool she gave him on the floor, gripped his crafting magic tool, and said.

“Miss Kana, sit comfortably nearby and wait. I’ll finish quickly.”

“Yes.”

Kana silently observed him from a suitable distance. His mana surged and swirled with bursts of pure white light, enveloping the magic tools.

His appearance as he concentrated with tightly closed eyes, combined with his golden hair fluttering in the slight breeze, created a solemn atmosphere.

While she quietly watched that scene, Kiriel finished all his work. He carefully examined the fan-shaped auxiliary magic tool with an affectionate gaze before placing it in Kana’s hand.

“It’s done.”

“Like last time and this time too…… thank you so much.”

“Don’t mention it. I do it because I want to.”

He shrugged off her sincere thanks. Kana hesitated a bit before speaking.

“……Still. I’m sorry that I can’t repay with similar sincerity.”

“It’s fine. If you’re really concerned, just give me more attention.”

“What?”

Kiriel saw her rounded green eyes, grinned, and added smoothly.

“I mean I want to become the most precious existence to you, Miss Kana.”

“……Uh, um. I’ll try.”

Kana stammered in surprise. Kiriel burst into clear laughter. While the laughter echoed through the training ground, she sighed and deliberately ignored the situation.

After stopping his laughter, he changed the subject.

“Ah right, have you perhaps not named that magic tool yet?”

“Ah, I was just using it as is.”

It was natural as a supporting character. Naming something inevitably creates attachment and lingering feelings. When you get attached, it hurts twice as much when it’s forcibly taken away.

Not knowing her circumstances, he expressed surprise and casually suggested.

“Then why don’t you name it now?”

“Then…… Nubes.”

Nubes. A word meaning cloud. Kiriel tilted his head, wondering if the meaning carried over in ‘Fake Saint’ as well.

“Quite a unique name. Well, as long as you like it, Miss Kana, that’s fine.”

“Yes.”

Kana smiled faintly. In matters related to Kiriel, her self-imposed principles tended to break unintentionally.

Whatever their inner thoughts were, they exchanged light conversation while leaving the magic tower. Kana stood in front of the carriage and respectfully greeted him.

“Anyway, thank you again for all your hard work today.”

“Yeah, get home safely and see you next time.”

“Yes.”

She returned to the Round mansion, leaving him waving behind her.

* * *

Several days passed like that. Kana watched the flow while occasionally testing spirit magic with the upgraded equipment and sent usage reviews and reports to Kiriel like last time.

‘Now that Nubes is completely familiar in my hands, I can go train at the guild when I have no schedule.’

Around when she was making that resolution while gripping Nubes, a letter arrived from the Four-Colored Leaf Guild. It contained a request to grace an important meeting with her presence.

‘I have a feeling the foreshadowing from that scene will come up, and it happens to be when my schedule is empty.’

Kana replied expressing her intention to attend.

* * *

The day of the Four-Colored Leaf Guild’s meeting arrived. Kana visited the guild neatly dressed while holding Nubes.

The female spirit summoner with dark red hair she saw last time welcomed her at the entrance. Her brown eyes held goodwill.

“Lady Round, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, um……”

Though she had received the member list from the guild master in her capacity as a sponsor, she couldn’t match names to faces. When Kana trailed off, she finally realized the situation and clapped her hands.

“Ah, come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves! I’m Aila. I work with a high-grade fire spirit and a low-grade wind spirit.”

“I’m Kana Round. I work with a mid-grade wind spirit and low-grade earth spirit.”

Since she planned to reveal Gnome at the guild anyway to match its purpose, she disclosed it without hesitation. Aila exclaimed in amazement.

“Wow, that’s amazing! I heard you only worked with a wind spirit, but you’ve contracted with an earth spirit too.”

“Yes, I formed a connection with the earth spirit relatively recently. But you’re quite exceptional yourself, Miss Aila.”

“I just do my part, that’s all.”

“You’re being modest.”

“Haha.”

As the two were creating a friendly atmosphere, a subdued woman’s voice flowed out.