Chapter 5 (2/2)

After he threw down the plucked fruits, Gai wandered from branch to branch and then from the lowest branches he jumped down while yelling「yotsu」.

「Welcome back.」(Mira)

「I’m back」(Gai)[16]

There was a mountain of Rabo fruits in the wind container. There was so many. So exhilarating. But how could I bring them home? If I brought them home just like this, then the fact that I used magic would be revealed. Of course, using my skirt is rejected. While I was troubled, Gai took off his s.h.i.+rt and spread it out on the ground.[17]

「Put them in this. Let’s wash some of them and eat them now, then we’ll bring the rest back.」(Gai)

「Don’t you feel cold?」(Mira)

「I feel hot since I was just tree climbing.」(Gai)

As expected of a boy. Even though it would soon be spring, according to the calendar, today was a bit chilly. Gai was unexpectedly kind. Alright, I’ll forgive his talk about gathering the fruits with my skirt.

「Thank you, Gai. Then Wind Spirit, please gently drop them.」(Mira)

Just above the spread out Gai’s clothes, I slowly moved both of my hand to left and right. The whirlwind gently dropped the Rabo fruits. I feel it will be wasteful if the fruits get crushed, but I feel more guilt if Gai’s clothes got stains. After all the fruits had been lowered without problem, I let out a sigh and dispelled the wind magic.

「Thank you, Gai. When it has been turned into jam, let’s eat it together.」(Mira)

Ufufufu. I can’t wait for it.

Facing my smile, Gai’s face became a bit red and laughed. I see, I see, Gai also can’t wait for it.[18] For now, let’s eat it raw. While humming a tone, I picked 2-3 fruits from the small mountain and ran towards the water spring. *wash*wash* Itadakimasu.

「~mmmmmmmm, delicious~」(Mira)

I wanted to eat more but I need to endure – endure, since the amount that would be turned into jam would be reduced. And I also still had the berries. Moreover, if I couldn’t eat dinner then Mama would scold me. Gai ate the Rabo fruits, then he made a complacent smile and opened his mouth.

「Bittersweet...」(Gai)

「 But it’s good like this, right?」(Mira)

While giggling, I washed several more to share it with the Spirits.

Afterwards, we moved to the dry ground holding the leaf plates with berries and then sat in circle.

「Then, itadakimasu」(Mira)

We continued to eat in silence for a while, when I suddenly remembered, or rather, realized.

「Nee, Gai.」(Mira)

「Mm-a. B’-at?」(Gai)

「Sorry, I’ll wait until you finished eating.」(Mira)

Gai stuffed so many berries into his mouth that I wanted to tsukommi him, “you’ve become a squirrel”.

「-mm-urg-mmm, okay. So, what is it, Mira?」(Gai)

It seemed that he swallowed them in a hurry, did he chewed them properly? It would bad for digestion, you know? I was worried about it, but let’s put this aside for now, and properly asked him a question.

「Since there’s also a Fire Spirit beside Gai, you didn’t secretly practice magic without Swyn-san knowing right?」(Mira)

Just a little while ago, when I said to keep it a secret, he was questioning it. There was a possibility that he forgot about the promise. Since he’s a fire attribute, it would be dangerous if he used magic recklessly. Since the village’s houses were built from wood.

「Of course not. Or rather, even when I didn’t call for it, the Fire Spirit is here?」(Gai)

Gai brushed his hand to feel the surrounding, and then got kicked by Fire Spirit.

「Auch」(Gai)

「I’m sorry, Gai is thick skinned.」

As an apology gift, I handed him a berry. It was taken from Gai’s portion.

「Swyn-san said that the Spirits react to the will of the person trying to use magic. But I don’t think so.」(Mira)

But I think it isn’t true, right? The Spirits inside the crystal ball never returned to where they had come from. They were inside the crystal ball, perhaps because it was part of their contract term.

「Do you like Gai?」(Mira)

The Fire Sprit gave him a kick, but I think it’s just like a joke. When I mutter it to him, the Fire Spirit nodded as he stuffed his check with the berry.

「Congratulation Gai. You have become friends with Fire Spirit.」(Mira)

「Ehehehe. Friend huh? Then I need to quickly raise my magic power. Then the response power will also increase. Since I can’t see him, it’ll be hard to play with him.」(Gai)

「But magic power control is also important, you know?」(Mira)

「Yeah. I’m not good at it, but I will do my best.」(Gai)

How admirable. ‘There there’, I rubbed Gai’s head.

「Well then, I want to know my friends name.」(Gai)

Hearing Gai’s request, the five Spirits simultaneously tilted their head. Ooo, what a splendid synchronized move. Although there was one with adult size, the set of small children that surrounding me were so cute.

「For now there is at least two Fire Spirits. But if we go on the Academy there will be a lot of you, right?」(Mira)

The Spirits, this time also simultaneously nodded. Each of them was so cute. Since they couldn’t use verbal conversation, and the mysterious telepathic message could be connected only some of the times, I could only rely on their gestures. Anyhow, this was also very cute.

「Since we’ve become friends, when we didn’t have any lessons, we want us to play together. Then to call you, a name is important right?」(Mira)

The Spirits were nodding with large smiles. Even so when I said 「Tell me」, they made a troubled expression. Earth Spirit made an X with both of his index finger.

「You don’t want to?」(Mira)

They shook their head together. Then, Gai pulled my sleeve.

「Mira, what’s with the Spirits?」(Gai)

「It seems they don’t mind to play together.」(Mira)

When I spoke this to explain to Gai, the Spirits also gave their affirmation.

「Then what is it that they don’t want to do?」(Gai)

「They won’t tell me their names.」(Mira)

「So it’s not correct.」(Gai)

「Hey, are Spirits can write letters?」(Mira)

With a plop, I clapped my hand, then I searched for a twig with suitable size. Since they could use telepathy ro send words, then it was most likely for them to be able to write. Then I realized something after handing the twig to Earth Spirit.

It’s about Katakana!

When the Mana Eater attack, the words that appeared inside my head were in Katakana. I reported to Swyn-san about the words that appeared inside my head, but I concealed the fact that it was in Katakana.

However, I was just starting learn the alphabets of this world. Furthermore, I’m having unexpected difficulties in it. In other words, at the time, I was able to read words that I supposedly wasn’t able to.

On the contrary, if Earth Spirit wrote in the Katana, then it will be “THE END”. Since I could read unknown script!

Oh dear!!

Should I lie by saying I couldn’t read...... Ah, it’s no use. When I reported that words appeared inside my head to Swyn-san, Gai was also there. Even if Gai forgot about that, Swyn-san might inquire about the unreadable script.

What to do? Could it be that Swyn-san still hasn’t realized the strangeness about the fact that I can read the words? He didn’t say anything....... What to do? How can I deceive him......

Ignoring my distressed situation, Earth Spirit wrote a word on the ground; although it’s a bit crooked.

「『Name, none』」(Gai)

「Ah......」(Mira)

It’s this world’s alphabets.

I hear Gai read out the words, I secretly let out a sigh of relief. But it was a bit frustrating since Gai was able to learn the alphabets faster than I was. Even though he hated studying and always played truant, but since he turned six this spring, he started to attend the study group held in Village Chief’s house.

Since excluding the eldest son who would take over the family’s estate, there was a possibility that the other sons would leave the village, so they provided chance to learn the minimum studies. However it wasn’t compulsory, so there were children that didn’t partic.i.p.ate and helped their family, and there were also truant children like Gai. That’s why, as expected, the literacy rate didn’t increase.

I am still five years old; however, since I’m a girl, then I possibly wouldn’t be allowed to partic.i.p.ate in that study group. That’s because what I should be learning was housework.

For now the worst crisis had pa.s.sed. However, why were the telepathic words in Katakana?

「It’s inconvenient if they don’t have a name.」(Gai)

「That’s true.」(Mira)

It’s useless to think about something that I don’t know. I have only asked the Spirits if there’s a chance.

Now, it’s about the Spirits’ names. Some time ago, I had thought that since I couldn’t tell them apart, I wanted to know their name. If they didn’t have a name, then I just need to think of one for them. I completely forgot about this because of I’ve been cramming my studies.

「Name, can we give them one?」(Mira)

*Waaa* They smiled. Is that so? Are they glad? Then it would be alright to give them a name.

The Spirits of Four Cla.s.sical Elements, which were Salamander for Fire, Undine for Water, then Sylphid for Wind and Gnome for Earth, were also famous. Since it’s become like this, then how about naming them with names related with this concept? It would be better if they like it. Ah, but, I also need to think of two different name for the two Fire Spirits. Furthermore I also need to hear Gai’s opinion. Just when I wanted to start the discussion, Wind Spirit pulled my finger

「Un?」(Mira)

Wind Spirit was pointing at herself, then at the three others, before finally pointed at me.

「Let’s see, 『We four want to be named by Mira.』」(Gai)

Gai read out the words Earth Spirit had written. Wind Spirit nodded, then she pointed at the other Fire Spirit before pointed at Gai.

「『The other one wants name by Gai』, huh?」(Gai)

Gai and I exchanged glances with each other. I wonder if they wanted to be named by the people they liked.

「Gai, think a name for Fire Spirit.」(Mira)

「Mira, you need to name four people, will you be okay?」(Gai)

「Yes. I’m fine. Since I’ve already decided on the names.」(Mira)

「So quick!」(Gai)

Gai yelled in surprise; then he folded his arms and started moaning. Do your best. I intend to name them with names originating from my subculture knowledge, however, there is a problem if just called them using that name as it is. So I was also thinking for a bit.

Let see, Salamander is...... Sala? It sounds girlish, but if the original name is too long.

Undine is Dine. Yes, decided.

Sylphid is Sylph, but the other names have two syllables[19]....... Rufi? A certain pirate crossed my mind, but I decided to ignored it and go to the next.

Gnome...... This time, it’s too short so it’s difficult. But I remembered that when I first saw it spelling, I thought it was read Gunom. Okay, I decided. It’s Guno.[20]

「Then, I will go first.」(Mira)

First I pointed my finger at Wind Spirit.

「Wind Spirit is Rufi. Water Spirit is Dine. Fire Spirit is Sala. At last, Earth Spirit, you are Guno.」(Mira)

I pointed at everyone in order and gave them their names. At that moment, I received a telepathy message in my mind.

『Thank you, Master.』(Rufi, Dine, Sala, Guno)

「Eh? Master?」(Mira)

The straightened finger was immediately with bewilderment. Moreover, why is it that I feel something is out of place from the Spirits. They have different moods from the usual. Where is the difference? For the moment, I observed the grown up Guno closely. Blond hair, amber eyes, pointed ears, handso-...... Why were there piercings?

Both of Guno’s ears had small golden piercings. It couldn’t be, so I thought and stared at the other three ochibi-sans... There it was. Everyone had the same golden piercing. This was it, right? Proof of contract, this was it, right?

Fuaaaaaaaaa! I had done it, now I had done it! I’m sorry Abe no Seimei-sensei! I forgot that “Names are the shortest curse”!![21]

No, it’s okay, I really like them since they are cute, you know? But would this be alright? Swyn-san didn’t say anything about a contract. In other words, isn’t this worse than getting found out that I could use magic by my own? ――alright, let’s keep this a secret.

「Gai, have you chosen a name?」(Mira)

「Yes. What do you think about ‘Frey’」(Gai)

When Gai suggested the name, Fire Spirit immediately raised a thumb and nodded with smile.

「He seems pleased.」(Mira)

「That so? Good, let’s be nice to each other from here on Frey.」(Gai)

The cheery Gai gave out his right hand in front of Frey’s berries portion.

「Now, handshake.」(Gai)

Frey responded and jumped on Gai’s finger. Maybe because Gai was surprised by the tiny sensation, his eyes opened a bit, then he delightedly smiled.

It was pleasant sight, however I needed to confirm whether that exists or not. I looked closely at Frey who’s playing with Gai. I was surprised, because his ears didn’t have any piercing.

Why? Wasn’t naming them then we establish a contract with them?

But the children called me master...... Even in the previous telepathy messages, they never called me master before!

Anyway, even if Frey didn’t have any changes, Gai also giving a Spirit a name, so he’s in the same boat as me.

「But you know Gai, about us giving the Spirits a name, let’s keep this as a secret for a while.」(Mira)

「Why?」(Gai)

「Not for any reason. Not for any reason, but I feel we’ll be scolded.」(Mira)

「Okay, it’s a secret.」(Gai)

Gai gave immediate reply. To give consent without asking the reason, thank you!

「Yes, this is a secret. But when we go to the capital this might be found out by Swyn-san’s masters.h.i.+shou...」(Mira)

The mystery of Katakana and the mystery of naming. With the number of mystery increased, my stroll ended like so.

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