Teti’s Secret

The forest spreads southeast of the Royal Capital.

Just after entering the forest, in a place where sunlight filtered pleasantly through the leaves.

There was no undergrowth, and visibility was good.

Cheryl placed a jar on the flat ground and poured water into it.

She gathered dead branches and lit a fire.

She muttered something—apparently a spell.

Then she straightened her back and looked directly at Teti, her refined face dignified.

“Now then. First, the basics of elves. We will search for a spirit that will become your friend. We call it an Animanica. I have summoned the fire, water, wind, and earth spirits around us. Teti, can you see them?”

Teti narrowed her eyes and looked around.

The leafy green trees, the brown earth, the water in the jar, and the campfire.

She stared at them while frowning.

Curious, I asked Cheryl:

“Don’t elves command all spirits?”

“With enough training as a spirit mage, yes. But basically you form a bond with one that matches your wavelength. Having an Animanica makes spirit magic of that attribute easier and stronger.”

“I see. I hope Teti has one.”

I encouraged Teti.

But after staring around for a while, she shook her head sadly.

“I can’t see them. I only see this one.”

She pointed at empty space beside her.

I couldn’t see spirits anyway, but Cheryl frowned.

“There should be nothing there. Even if something exists, it’s not a spirit.”

“There is! Right, Ai-chan? See, she’s nodding!”

Teti smiled.

Cheryl frowned deeper.

“What exactly are you talking to…?”

“Huh? A spirit.”

“I used a manifestation spell so they’re easier to see, yet even I see nothing… don’t tell me it’s a demon—”

Cheryl stepped back suspiciously.

Teti desperately insisted, face distorted.

“No! It’s here! I really talk to a spirit! Everyone always does this! Why won’t anyone believe me!”

“I want to, but I can’t see it… demons control spirits.”

“That’s not true!”

Tears sparkled in the sunlight.

I calmed Cheryl.

“If Teti says it’s there, we can believe her. She’s not a bad kid.”

“Thank you, Alec-sama…”

She smiled tearfully.

I asked:

“What does it look like?”

“White and transparent, disappearing but still white. Hard to see now… but I can talk to this one.”

Cheryl frowned.

“White and transparent… no such spirit. Wait— does it become easier to see in winter?”

“Yes! Still transparent but clearer, and I can hear its voice.”

Cheryl thought deeply.

“Perhaps… repeat the spell after me.”

“Okay.”

“Target that tree— O spirit of ice that shares my name…”

She spoke slowly.

Teti repeated perfectly.

“O spirit of ice that shares my name…”

“Freeze all existence in silent breath— Ice Coffin!”

“Freeze— Ice Coffin!”

—Flash!

A small tree nearby froze instantly.

Cracking sounds echoed as thick ice encased it.

“I did it! Amazing!”

Teti jumped happily.

But Cheryl’s emerald eyes widened in shock.

“Y-you… you’re not a forest elf! You’re a Snow Elf!”

“Snow Elf?”

I and Teti spoke together.

Cheryl nodded repeatedly.

“Most elves are forest elves. There are also sea, sky, and sand elves with little contact. And in the far north lived Snow Elves.”

“Lived? Past tense?”

“Yes. They went extinct. Long ago the Frost Demon King appeared in the polar region. Survivors fled south but couldn’t adapt and perished.”

“I see… Teti’s a descendant.”

“Huh? My father was a forest elf and my mother human.”

“A rare atavism. Snow Elves excel at ice and snow magic and dislike heat.”

“So that’s why I hate baths…”

“You said you’d melt. Try cold baths.”

She nodded happily.

“I’ll ask Kou!”

“Then this spirit is ice or snow? Another appears in winter.”

Cheryl nodded.

“Likely ice. Ice spirits control water and flame.”

“Flame too?”

“Flame transfers spirit power. Removing power freezes.”

“I don’t really get it.”

“Snow spirits also control wind.”

“Three elements!? That’s amazing!”

She beamed.

She had been treated as a useless half-elf and even feared as demon-touched.

Now she could live proudly as a Snow Elf.

Cheryl clapped; the fire extinguished.

“We’re done today. I’ll prepare ice training tools tomorrow.”

“Yes, Cheryl-sensei!”

“S-sensei… and sorry for doubting you.”

“It’s okay! Thank you!”

I handed Cheryl two large gold coins.

“For supplies. Use the rest for lodging.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Will training stay in the forest?”

“No, from now we’ll use the guild training grounds.”

“Good.”

Teti grabbed my arm.

“Can I finally help you?”

“You already do. Thanks.”

“Really!?”

She jumped happily.

Her hopping reminded me of Ciel the Pegasus.

Her fears were disappearing.

Holding hands with smiling Teti, Cheryl and I returned to the Royal Capital.

All the way back, she excitedly asked about ice magic.