Chapter 96

For a few days after that, I personally researched the methods for conversing with evil spirits.

To sum up the conclusion: dialogue varies wildly. Some spirits speak frankly; others respond entirely in ancient languages. There are even cases where communication happens silently through the mind.

Generally speaking, however, evil spirits submit to those stronger than themselves. Well, that makes sense. No one wants to follow a weakling—especially not an evil spirit, who must be subjugated by force.

In that sense, this was exactly the skill Aliénor needed. Once she returns home, she might have to deal with spirits on her own. If she were to be possessed there, she might stay possessed indefinitely in the worst-case scenario.

She has the freedom to refuse dangerous jobs, but if she makes a habit of that, people will think she’s incompetent, and she’ll eventually face the misery of going out of business.

The more I looked into it, the more it seemed like she wasn’t suited for self-employment. Doing this with half-baked abilities is a recipe for an accident; shouldn’t she seriously aim to be a chef instead?

That evening, dinner was Aliénor’s cooking again, and it was visually stunning. Vegetables were piled elegantly atop orange-colored pasta.

“I tried kneading paprika into the pasta dough. The sauce is boiled milk with… well, various things added.”

There was no doubt it was sophisticated. And it was delicious.

“It’s wonderful! This is the kind of dish that grabs a man’s stomach and never lets go!”

At Cerulia’s praise, Aliénor blushed and denied it: “I-I didn’t make it for that kind of purpose!” On the other hand, Mary was clutching her head, muttering, “There’s no way I can compete with this…”

“Tomorrow is finally the big exam.”

Aliénor brought it up herself.

“Even if it’s an exam, it’s not about a raise or a promotion. It’s strictly a place to test my strength.”

“Well, in your case, it’s for the duration of the mini-study abroad, after all.”

Mary was eating the food with a mix of resentment and relish. She’s a complicated one.

“I think if I fail, it probably means I don’t have the strength to make it on my own.”

Aliénor spoke suddenly with a sober look in her eyes.

“Since I live with my parents, I can tell how they look at me. I came all the way to the Royal Capital because I didn’t want to give up, but… tomorrow, a lot of things will be decided.”

What should I say at a time like this?

A: “I see. Good luck.”

B: “I’ll support you for the rest of your life, so just cook for me!”

C: “As long as you don’t give up, dreams come true!”

“I see. Good luck…”

Option B is definitely impossible; I’d be skipping at least two stages of the process. C is the kind of thing people find most annoying—there’s no basis for the idea that everything is fine as long as you don’t give up.

Sure, if it’s the scope of a small quiz at the magic academy, you can manage as long as you don’t give up. But in the world of magic, there are walls that can only be described with words like “aptitude” or “talent.”

“I don’t need my rival to tell me that.”

Aliénor laughed, looking somewhat lonely.

The day of the exam.

Cerulia and I were called to the President’s office along with Aliénor and received the briefing about the evil spirit I had already heard about.

“That is all for the explanation. Furthermore, Franz-san and Cerulia-san are strictly witnesses. Interfering is prohibited. To put it the other way, the moment it becomes a situation where you two have no choice but to step in, Aliénor-san is disqualified.”

Both Cerulia and I gave a short “Yes.”

Aliénor’s eyes, at the very least, were burning with resolve. She was motivated. She hasn’t given up on being a Dark Mage.

The forest was a fair distance away on foot, so Tototo-senpai drove us there in a Dragon Skeleton. From there, we walked about thirty minutes deep into the forest.

During this time, we barely spoke. It would be strange for witnesses to be chatting away, and it wouldn’t be good if a careless word was interpreted as giving advice.

The President called it an initiation, and it truly felt like something that sacred. The life of Aliénor, a girl who is still young, might be decided here.

Eventually, we reached a small marsh deep in the forest, about the size of a large puddle.

“Now, I’m starting.”

Aliénor, with a calm expression, drew a magic circle while performing the incantation for “Conversation with Evil Spirits.”

Then, a being that looked like a face attached to black mist emerged right in front of the marsh. The face looked rather goofy; it didn’t carry the tension the words “evil spirit” usually imply.

『You lot, what do you want?』

It was a unique voice with a sort of echo.

“Evil spirit! I know you have been committing misdeeds here. Therefore, the great mage of the Carlyle family from Morco Forest, Aliénor-sama, has come to stop you. Submit quietly to this Aliénor-sama!”

As far as form goes, she wasn’t wrong. The rest was a matter of skill.

『Morco Forest…? Where…?』

The spirit genuinely didn’t know! Well, yeah… it’s far from the Royal Capital, and even I barely knew about it.

“What?! You are being rude! You really are an evil spirit! You’re mocking me!”

『If I don’t know it, I don’t know it! That’s a pretty minor place name!』

An argument had started from an unintended direction… how is this going to end? However, mentioning an obscure place name had backfired.

『You… you’re a nobody, aren’t you? In that case, I have no reason to listen to you.』

True, the impression left by “The #1 Mage of the Royal Capital” and “The #1 Mage of Morco Forest” is quite different…

『I’m going to possess your body! A nobody like you is an easy target!』

The spirit’s body glided straight into Aliénor!

“Hey, Aliénor!”

As I was about to rush forward, Cerulia grabbed my hand with a grim expression.

“It hasn’t been decided that she’s failed yet. There are methods where one intentionally lets a spirit inside to punish it. If her will is strong, she can drive it out. If you help her now, it’s the same as not acknowledging the challenge itself.”

True; if I did that, I couldn’t complain even if she hated me for the rest of her life.

Aliénor had been looking down at first, but she turned her face toward us. Her eyes were somewhat glassy, and she looked strangely alluring.

“Franz… Franz…”

Her voice was unnervingly sweet.

“Please… take Aliénor…”