This bird... this person?

Even making an extremely generous concession, Sarataan could admit that the young prince before him had a kind heart.

When Sarataan had first been drawn into the prince’s soul, Sarataan had seen those fragments directly.

An abyss of pain and sorrow, so countless and so unimaginable that a spirit who had spent an entire life acting only on impulse for its own sake could not even begin to comprehend it.

And the prince’s soul had sympathized with all of it. Had empathized with all of it!

Sarataan was infamous among spirits as a violent brute, but even Sarataan could not deny the goodness of that young prince.

But that bastard is a little...

Sarataan hid the expression on its face and glanced at Lee Han with displeasure.

What goodness was there in someone who beat you mercilessly with mana the moment you did not listen?

And Lee Han did not seem all that sympathetic himself.

“I don’t think my heart is kind enough to reform that spirit...”

—No, disciple. Believe in yourself.

“Ah, no, Master. A kind heart doesn’t get stronger just because you believe in it.”

Lee Han was flustered too, though not as much as the spirit.

A kind heart was not like magic, where resolving to strengthen it made it stronger and more powerful.

—You already have a kind heart, disciple. This mage thinks so too, doesn’t she?

“?”

Princess Yukbeltire, who had been listening quietly at the side, fell into thought when the question turned to her.

Was her junior truly kind?

Hmm. During vacation, he didn’t immediately help with my research and abandoned his post, so no.

Having finished that judgment in an instant, Princess Yukbeltire opened her mouth.

“Not ki...”

—By the way, don’t forget that I am helping you, mage. If you fail to give a satisfactory answer, the blueprints might suddenly be destroyed, and I may find myself unable to answer any questions.

“...”

“...”

The young prince was not merely a good-natured person.

Had he been that sort of person from the beginning, he would never have been able to roam the continent in ancient times and fight evildoers.

Overwhelmed by the other party, Princess Yukbeltire stammered before finally speaking.

“He... he seems kind...”

—That’s right. A fine answer. Now, tell me what about him makes him kind.

“...”

Princess Yukbeltire’s eyes wavered again, just as they had before.

—Quickly!

“Th-that is... well...”

When his senior looked at him as though asking for help, Lee Han was dumbfounded.

This person. She just asked me to make snacks...

Simply mentioning that he made snacks would have been enough to get a few words out, yet she could not even think of that.

Even Gainando would probably be less shameless than this person.

“I made snacks for you.”

“He, he made snacks for me.”

“And I’m helping with your research too.”

“Wait. But didn’t you volunteer for that because you were impressed by the research, junior?”

Princess Yukbeltire voiced her confusion.

She was certain her junior had said something like, “What incredible research, hehe. I would be grateful if you let me participate.”

“...I didn’t say it like that. And I didn’t smile that slyly either. Just repeat what I say. Master is looking at us suspiciously.”

“He is also helping with my research...”

—You heard that, didn’t you? How kind is he?

I... I suppose he is.

Sarataan was not entirely convinced, but for now, Sarataan pretended to agree.

As far as Sarataan could tell, the prince intended to say whatever he wanted regardless of what Sarataan said.

In that case, it was better to stay quiet than to act up and suffer as harshly as before.

—Then how should one cultivate a kind heart?

Uh... should I observe this person’s actions... and follow them and learn from them?

—Excellent, spirit. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The prince praised Sarataan. Though it would not be easy, this spirit was steadily entering the path of cultivation.

But what exactly am I supposed to observe, follow, and learn?

Sarataan asked cautiously.

Sarataan had given the answer the prince wanted for now, but what exactly had to be done was still unclear.

Am I supposed to learn how to torment spirits? But I already know how to do that.

—That is something you must think about for yourself, spirit.

The young prince scolded Sarataan with a stern attitude.

Cultivating a kind heart was not something that could be accomplished simply by following orders. One had to contemplate it and search for it personally.

I, I understand.

Sarataan flinched.

It was easy to be deceived by that kind, gentle appearance, but that prince was definitely not someone to take lightly.

If Sarataan kept hesitating, another iron hammer might come flying.

So... what will you be doing?

When Sarataan asked while reading the mood, Lee Han pointed to the reagents and blueprints piled nearby and answered.

“I was preparing for magical research...”

I’ll help you!

“Hmm. It feels a bit unpleasant when you act like that.”

This bastard...

Sarataan cursed inwardly.

As if Sarataan were helping because Sarataan wanted to!

“Anyway, since you say you’ll help, I understand. Master, may I try preparing it the way you advised earlier?”

—Yes. Give it a try.

Lee Han took out the magic-circle blueprints the young prince had advised him on earlier.

In truth, there was already a blueprint the prince had drawn for the magic circle that fused 【Baquantalana’s Dimensional Rod】 and 【Ahriman’s Refraction】.

But considering that the prince had brought out Sarataan in order to subdue it—no, persuade it...

“I suppose you mean for me to make use of that spirit?”

Princess Yukbeltire nodded.

Regardless of that wood spirit’s temperament, Princess Yukbeltire could clearly sense its power.

“Wood spirits are fundamentally sturdy and have excellent recovery abilities. It would be good to have it take charge of the dangerous parts of the magic circle.”

At present, the artifact 【Yukbeltire’s Stone Mirror】 was placed inside the magic circle to handle the distortion and pressure generated during the casting of the spell.

But...

“That’s right. This mirror artifact alone would have difficulty handling it. If that spirit takes on some of the additional burden, it should be safe.”

“...”

Princess Yukbeltire’s eyebrows trembled faintly. She had already heard suggestions for improving her artifact once before.

“The stone mirror alone can withstand it. We are only positioning that spirit to be absolutely certain.”

“...I, I see. Of course.”

Lee Han appeased his senior, whose expression had turned serious.

What a troublesome person.

Lee Han changed the subject, worried that if he denied it here, she might waste time trying to prove the stone mirror’s power, research or not.

“Then I’ll position that spirit.”

“Okay.”

“Sarataan!”

While Princess Yukbeltire quickly prepared the magic circle in the basement, Lee Han called the spirit.

Then he briefly explained what needed to be done.

“Senior will create and activate a magic circle here now, and we need someone to bear the burden.”

That much? Well, that’s not difficult!

Sarataan laughed heartily.

The magic of mages seemed like child’s play to powerful spirits.

How frail must their flesh be, if they could not even bear the burden themselves and had to ask a spirit for help?

“Good to see you so confident. Yes. I’m counting on you alone.”

While they conversed, Princess Yukbeltire had already completed more than half the magic circle.

Even with blueprints, it was an unbelievably fast pace. The young prince praised Princess Yukbeltire.

—Excellent skill, mage. Please teach my disciple much as well.

“Understood.”

Princess Yukbeltire’s complexion brightened slightly. Perhaps it was thanks to the pride she had recently recovered.

—Ah! But the magic characters you just wrote seem inefficient. The pentagon two spaces below is already serving that role. There is no need to add characters on top of it. Pretentious mages often do that, but you are not that kind of person, are you, mage?

“...Yes...”

Princess Yukbeltire’s complexion darkened slightly again.

The reagent required to cast 【Baquantalana’s Dimensional Rod】, Baquantalana’s crystals, was placed at each intersection.

The crystals, imbued with powerful magic, resonated with one another, weakening the walls between dimensions and creating new power.

“...!”

Lee Han trembled at the force pulsing from them.

Amazing!

He understood why dimensional magic required such repeated, meticulous attention to safety.

The very act of twisting perfectly intact space and worlds so they came into contact with other dimensions was impossible without tremendous energy.

Who would have thought that such power was contained inside crystals that had looked so ordinary when Princess Yukbeltire pulled them out of her reagent pouch?

So this is the power they extract and amplify for use. Unbelievable.

Lee Han gained a new appreciation for Sarataan’s power.

To withstand the distortion and pressure of a magic circle through which such forces flowed—this was truly the solidity befitting a high-ranking spirit.

“Now, Sarataan. Take your position...”

...Wait. Wait.

Sarataan’s expression was different from before. Anyone could see that it was clearly filled with fear.

“What’s wrong?”

This... this seems like magic that is a bit stronger than I expected...?

“Really? Isn’t dimensional magic usually like this?”

This crazy mage bastard!

Sarataan swallowed inwardly.

The force of the magic was fiercer than expected.

Seeing the power released by the crystals inside the magic circle resonate violently with one another and whirl together, Sarataan had the sense that things would go very wrong if those forces overlapped incorrectly and came rushing in.

I haven’t even fully recovered yet, and he wants me to just block that...?

“Don’t tell me it’s too much?”

Too, too much? Not at all. Not at all! There is a limit to how much you can insult this body! I am on a different level from ordinary mortal flesh!

“I get it. I get it. Don’t shout.”

When Sarataan swelled its tree and grew angry, Lee Han waved a hand to show that he understood.

As expected of a high-ranking spirit, Sarataan’s pride was extraordinary.

Seeing it talk like that, it can definitely withstand it.

“I plan to cast the dimensional rod first, then fix it in place, and then carve Ahriman’s refraction on top of it.”

“Understood.”

“The burden will occur in three major waves.”

Princess Yukbeltire extended her fingers as she explained.

In this magical process, there were three moments when the distortion and pressure would become most severe.

When casting the dimensional rod, when fixing it in place, and when carving Ahriman’s refraction.

Three times?!

“Hey. You’re loud.”

“I would like you to be quiet.”

...

At their words, Sarataan closed its mouth.

Crazy mage bastards!

“And it grows stronger each time.”

It grows stronger each time?!

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

No, no. Please continue.

“Anyway, Senior Yukbeltire. Should we have Sarataan hold the stone mirror?”

“Yes.”

Wait... wait a moment. I heard this artifact hasn’t been fully improved yet?

“...”

Princess Yukbeltire’s fingertips trembled. Worried that the work would slow down, Lee Han scolded Sarataan.

“Are you going to keep making useless noise?”

Kugh...

What exactly is supposed to be good about this bastard!?

Sarataan could not understand.

***

“Beginning. Upon the rod Baquantalana planted on the rock, buds sprouted, shoots grew, and flowers bloomed...”

Princess Yukbeltire recited the incantation.

Spells for magic beyond the fifth circle did not end after a few short phrases. Often, they were deliberately made long.

Though they sounded verbose and full of metaphors, the length of the incantations inevitably grew in proportion to the processes involved in magic that was originally long and complex.

Now.

Princess Yukbeltire gestured. Lee Han immediately poured out mana. The magic circle, which had been bone dry, regained life and burst with vitality.

“...The rod devours the rock and devours the earth...”

The dimension within began to twist. The magic, having gorged itself on reagents and mana, tore at the walls of reality and mixed dimensions together.

“Sarataan. It’s coming!”

And the first shock came flying.

For a moment, Sarataan nearly dropped the stone mirror. The overlapping dimensional shock felt as though it were butchering the spirit’s entire body.

Kuhheok...!

“...Are you okay?”

It’s a doormat!

“What?”

I, I said I’m fine.

“You’re not fine at all!”

Lee Han noticed immediately.

This stupid spirit bastard!