Spirit Affinity Lecture (2)

As soon as I heard Agnes’s words-her attempt to slander me as a “crazy bitch” from our very first meeting-dozens of curses instantly flashed through my mind, nearly spilling out in retaliation.

Arrogant brat, self-absorbed, pathological liar, attention-seeker, obsessive, socially inept, loner, 145cm, A-cup.

Countless other insults to describe her almost burst from my lips, but thankfully, the flood of curses in my head didn’t actually pour out toward Agnes in front of me.

After all, my goal in approaching her was to build a rapport, not to engage in some childish verbal spat that might escalate into a physical exchange.

For the sake of natural relationship-building, pretending not to hear her was the best move right now.

“…Pardon? I’m sorry, Blaze-ssi. I didn’t quite catch that just now…”

“The crazy bitch who used Mana Blast in the evaluation match.”

…Even when I deliberately pretend not to hear, she just *has* to spew nonsense again.

Well, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. The method I used in that evaluation match was the only way I could have beaten Luke, and the only ones who knew that were Ethan and me.

It wasn’t surprising that other ordinary students misunderstood my intentions-why I didn’t just finish things quickly with mana arrows but instead opted for a large-scale technique like Mana Blast.

Still, I thought Agnes, who fancied herself the next master of the Crimson Magic Tower, would at least recognize *why* I had to win that way. But apparently, she’s not on that level yet.

“…I thought someone who calls herself the next master of the Crimson Magic Tower would have realized why I had to win like that. Guess you’re not quite at that level yet, huh?”

“What?”

…Oops, I was only supposed to *think* that.

But, well, it’s not like it mattered if she heard. If she gets pissed, that’s her problem.

After all, Agnes was the one who started this nonsense in the first place, and I’ve always been the type to make sure anyone who messes with me without reason gets one served right back.

“What did you just say?”

“Did you really expect a polite response after calling someone a crazy bitch to their face the first time you met them? Sure, I’m Young Master Ethan’s maid, but I’m not *yours*. I don’t owe you any courtesy, Blaze-ssi.”

“…….”

“If you recognized I used Mana Blast but still don’t understand *why*, then maybe you’re not as impressive as the Magic Department’s top student should be.”

“Ugh, ughh…!”

Agnes glared at me furiously, clearly angered by my response, but she had no real comeback, so she just clenched her jaw.

Then, she immediately started mulling over my words, lost in thought.

Given her prideful nature, Agnes was the type to obsessively research anything she didn’t know, so even my meaningless comment would probably nag at her for a while.

Of course, I had no intention of telling her that I *had* to use Mana Blast because I lacked a finishing move. Revealing that would be like exposing my weakness.

“…Hmph. You probably used that high-level spell just because you were pissed at that girl from the Engineering Department. Like there’s any deeper reason.”

“Think whatever you want.”

“…And to show off how badly you’d crush anyone who messes with you. Predictable.”

“For the Magic Department’s top student, your thought process doesn’t seem to rise above the average student’s level.”

“…Ughhh!”

Agnes acted like she already knew everything, tossing out guesses one after another, and her reactions to my teasing were pretty amusing.

Hah~. Stare all you want-it won’t work. I’m *never* telling you.

Picking a fight with Agnes, who crushes the vice-president of her department in every final evaluation match with overwhelming force, might seem foolish. But I had my own reasons for confidence.

As her middle name suggested, Agnes was from a branch family of the Elizabeth lineage-a magic-obsessed house that selected only the most talented seeds from numerous branches to carry on the main family’s legacy.

Even main family members were disqualified from succession if their magical prowess fell short, and as a branch family prodigy, Agnes was one of the most gifted among her peers.

Which meant that, no matter how much I provoked her, she couldn’t outright harm me-at least not until next semester’s final evaluation match.

I’d let future-me handle whatever happens then.

*”That girl’s personality is kinda similar to yours~. I feel like you two would get along, Lilith!”*

“That’s a bit much.”

Meanwhile, Sally, who had been watching our argument with an oddly curious gaze toward Agnes, muttered something suspicious under her breath.

For some reason, that rubbed me the wrong way, and I shot back at her with a slightly irritated tone.

“Our personalities are similar? So, after a month with me, you’re just going to ditch me and latch onto her now?”

*”No way~! Your mana still tastes way better! For some reason, I feel like hers would be totally mediocre!”*

“…Well, if you say so.”

It was still essentially a declaration that she’d keep using me as a mana battery, but it was a somewhat satisfying answer nonetheless.

Annoying as she was every single day, at least she had some sense of loyalty.

“A… spirit?”

Meanwhile, Agnes, who had been observing my exchange with Sally, muttered under her breath in a dazed voice.

The moment Sally noticed her reaction, she floated over and struck up a conversation.

*”What! Never seen a spirit before?”*

“Y-you can… talk? Don’t tell me-a high-tier spirit…?”

*”Hmm~? You can hear me too? I kinda got that vibe from your mana!”*

“H-how?! A first-year’s mana level shouldn’t be enough to contract a high-tier spirit… Even *I* can only theoretically manage mid-tier at best right now…”

“Sorry to interrupt, but Sally and I aren’t actually contracted.”

*”Yeah, we’re not contracted or anything! Don’t get the wrong idea!”*

“Wh-what…?”

As Agnes said, contracting a high-tier spirit was beyond my current level. You’d need to be at least level 20 to do it safely.

And if I *were* going to formally contract one, it sure as hell wouldn’t be with this noisy brat-I’d pick someone quieter.

Sally just followed me here from Grainstone because she liked the taste of my mana. There was no special bond or anything between us.

Ironically, Agnes seemed even *more* shocked by the fact that we *weren’t* contracted.

“A high-tier spirit… following someone around *without* a contract? That’s impossible… You’re lying…”

“……?”

“I-I spent a whole month in the Spirit Forest trying to contract a low-tier spirit… Why does *she* get one…?”

From what I gathered, Agnes had visited the Spirit Forest over summer break.

Not unusual-most high-tier mages go there at least once. Mages and spirits synergize well, making them great for coordinated attacks, and both sides benefit from the relationship.

A mage can cast spells they’d struggle with alone, and the spirit gets a steady supply of delicious mana. A perfect mutualistic partnership.

Of course, *my* primary goal wasn’t using Sally for high-tier magic-it was the “+2 Luck” bonus from *Blessing of the Flame Spirit*.

“This can’t be real… Why am I the only one without a spirit? I wanted one the most, but everyone else gets one except me…”

“…….”

“And a high-tier flame spirit at that…? Following her *without* a contract…? Why *her*…?”

Meanwhile, Agnes kept muttering to herself in a daze after seeing Sally with me.

Having played *Luminor Academy*, I understood exactly why she was reacting this way.

Agnes had *abysmal* spirit affinity. Despite her massive mana reserves, she couldn’t contract a spirit for the longest time-only managing a low-tier one by graduation.

No matter how much *she* wanted a contract, spirits just weren’t interested in her.

Spirit affinity was heavily influenced by the “Charm” stat, and Agnes had one of the lowest among heroines.

Of course, “Charm” wasn’t just about looks-it wasn’t like Agnes was *ugly*.

But being short, flat-chested, and with a personality that wasn’t exactly winning, it’d be weird if her Charm *was* high.

In combat, Charm only really affected support magic success rates, so it was a mostly irrelevant stat for someone like Agnes, who specialized in offensive spells.

But when it came to spirit contracts, I was clearly the more capable one-a fact I’d just rubbed in her face.

“Jealous?”

“Wh-what…?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to take any spirit-related classes this semester. I never visited the Spirit Forest to make a contract, and I never bothered learning the language of low-tier spirits.”

“…….”

“But I figured I should learn a little, if only to get along with Sally. Even if this wasn’t what I wanted, fate seems to have decided we’ll be stuck together for a while.”

“Grrk…!”

Agnes seethed at my shameless bragging, frustration radiating off her in waves.

If she hadn’t called me a crazy bitch right off the bat, I *might* have considered teaching her how to befriend spirits. But since the friendship plan failed, there was no need.

…What about next semester’s final evaluation match, when she’ll be out for blood?

That’s future-me’s problem. Not mine.