Chapter 384: The Monk Lin Zhao (2/2)

The waves slammed themselves against the hull of the vessel traveling across the ocean. As the cold wind traveled past him, Arthur closed his eyes and enjoyed the peacefulness.

”Yah!” The girl shouted from behind him as if trying to startle him. Arthur turned with a smile, and the girl looked at him with frustration.  ”I thought you would fall into the ocean, annoying mister.”

She stomped away angrily. Arthur looked at her, skipping steps around the corner of the ship and disappearing. He didn't want to be too eager to help her, as that would startle her away. Cases of abuse were difficult to handle, as the victims would shut themselves away the moment you try to help them.

Arthur stood up from his spot as he tried to think of new ways to make her trust him. At that moment, a presence appeared above him as an eagle spirit flew past. The wind arrived, reminding Arthur of the spirit contracted by the President of The Yalveran Awakeners.

”Hello?”

Arthur called out to the spirit as he raised his arm. The spirit looked down before descending, landing on his limb. It was a giant spirit, its talons taking up the entirety of Arthur's arm.

”Such an amicable soul you are,” Arthur smiled as the eagle made himself comfortable. ”Can you help with something?”

As soon as he said that, Arthur felt the eagle try to make a contract with him. However, he shook his head in refusal. Arthur couldn't contract a spirit just yet, as he would leave the Spirits Realm.

Arthur felt someone's gaze on his body, and he turned to see the girl peeking from behind the corner. She gazed at the eagle with such fondness, but she turned to look at Arthur with wariness.

'Does she think I would take her back to her parents?' Arthur wondered for himself as he ignored her. The best way to make someone trust you is to prove they have nothing to use you for.

”Let's play, little spirit.” Arthur grinned, and the spirit nodded, flapping its wings to fly up. It made circles in the air around Arthur, creating miniature whirlwinds.

They danced around Arthur, who moved his hand to command them. The eagle played its part, and the girl was soon floating. She gave a slight gasp as the animal spirit flew next to it, rubbing its head to the girl's body.

”Woah,”

The girl giggled as she began flying around the ship. With the spirit's help, the girl had the time of her life as the girl kept cheering and laughing.

The whole ship looked upward, noticing the change to a friendlier atmosphere. Then, after the spirit was tired, the girl landed in front of Arthur. The eagle landed on his arm again, and Arthur fed it with his spiritual energy.

”Thank you, good friend.”

The eagle nodded with a smile before it flapped its wing and soared through the skies. Arthur could see that its tail turned golden after it fed on his power and hoped the payment was enough for the trouble.

”Mister, mister!” The girl raced toward him, almost falling in the process. ”How did you do that?”

”Well, animals love me,” Arthur said with a smile before walking away. ”Let's play again tomorrow. Maybe you can ride the waves? Or a giant dolphin?”

”Yes! I'll wait for you here!”

The girl shouted from behind him as Arthur walked back to his room. He found the monk leaning on the walls of the chambers, seeming to have witnessed the whole event.

”Careful, golden soul,” the monk warned. ”It is not so easy to fix broken things, and sometimes you would break them further.”

”Are you suggesting that I leave her alone?”

”No, just a warning,” the monk said before he walked away. ”I know that if anyone can help that shortie, it would be you.”

He left Arthur with those words. Arthur stared at his departure silently, and a meow arrived from beside him. The black cat stood on top of the railing.

This time, the cat didn't disappear right away. Instead, it rubbed its head on his arm but disappeared the moment that Arthur tried to touch it with his other hand.

”Such an introverted cat,” Arthur sighed before he walked back toward his room. They should reach the snowy mountains tomorrow or the day after. He needs to finish his business here before that.