122 118 If there is a choice, it should be considered (1/2)

Tanaka Jiro, 28 years old, with a spouse

Wife Suella Handelberg

Memory Tris

Occupation Dungeon Tester (full-time)

Magical aptitude nine (quasi-magical grade)

Post Warriors

Spacetime Spirits. Another word that tickles the fancy of children.

Is that so?

After the explanation of the spirit rituals, time passes, and you say the name of the spirit, as if you remember the name of the spirit mentioned by Mr. Meit.

You know how kids react to words like 'strongest' and 'awesome'?　Especially if it's a boy.

Maybe so, a small child once dreamed of making a deal with a special spirit. I remember that.

Right?

Yes.

The story Suela tells is that there used to be someone like that.

I myself know a friend or two from my childhood who said their dream is to be a hero in the future.

That's how high the specs of the genie you're going to sign are expected to be.

In my opinion, the thought that I might have to fight against such a lump of opportunism would have made me want to let out a sigh and give me a headache in the past: ......

Jiro-san seems to be having fun.

I don't know if it's the influence of those instructors, or if it's just that I don't feel aversion to fighting anymore, but I'm starting to feel the joy of taking on stronger people.

Now it's not.

On the contrary, I even feel a slight sense of elation just thinking about the battle.

I didn't think I was this much of a battle junkie, but I guess I had the makings of one.

Even if you knew you'd lose, you'd still want to fight.

It doesn't matter how strong you are, or if you've signed a contract with a spirit.

Your instructors will tell you this is proof that your mind has been trained to the point where you can take on challenges without being overwhelmed.

And he'll happily remove one of the control brackets.

”An ordinary dark elf would break out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of Valus' name, but not Jiro-kun, it seems.

Well, some kids stand up straight just by hearing the word 'special'.

Mitt and Smilasta, sitting across from me, nodded admiringly.

'Let's just say it's a gift of education.

It's hard to say that it's because I've been through hell's third street, so I'll leave it at that.

But tell me about Vals.

I'd love to say that, but I don't know much about Vals myself. Or to be more precise, almost no one in our family is aware of its strength.

I tried to change the subject, but unfortunately, that too was a blank.

For me, who wants to get some information, you could say that Mytt's answer is a letdown.

I feel like I've been hearing the word ”disappointing” for a while now, but I can't attack Myitt, who looks apologetic.

”A year some people try, and all of them are turned away without knowing the whole story. All I know is that I can't attack, I can't defend, I can't see. That's why he is considered to be one of the strongest spirits. My father may have recommended it after seeing Jiro's magical aptitude and growth.

He says it might be, but I think he's already convinced that it's possible.

My father would definitely recommend me to make a contract with this spirit.

But there is a rare case where this kind of intermediary is involved.

In this case, you'll most likely sign a contract with the spirit recommended by the intermediary.

Or, if you're going to marry Suela, you should at least try that.

It's possible that your stepfather

I'm starting to feel like you're the real deal.

All I could say was that it's possible, as Meitte implied that it might also be meant to be a foil.

It could be said that this short period of time has shown me that he is capable of doing that much.

I had forgotten about it because of the initial good-natured encounter, but it wouldn't be surprising if he put you through that much of an ordeal.

Then I'll do my best to respond to it.

”We're counting on you too,

Yes.

Expectation not pressure, and I think the difference is just the difference between being a burden and not being a burden.

This time it's the latter.

I honestly wanted to meet the expectations of Suela's parents.

Then I'm going to spend the time until the contract ritual, training or taking on the dungeon.

With that in mind, I suddenly felt thirsty and reached for my coffee cup, but unfortunately it was empty.

You want a refill, but there's no leftovers.

I'll have to make it again from scratch.

I'll go.

Okay, please.

Suela, I'll help you too.

”Thanks, Mom.

I was about to go to the kitchen, but Suela got up before I did and headed for the kitchen with her cup.

However, the Smilasta also got up and went to the kitchen, perhaps thinking that it would be too much work for her to do alone.

They look just like father and son, working side by side in the kitchen.

Watching them, I remembered a question I hadn't asked before.

”The mite.

”What is it?