Chapter 27: First party member acquired!

Chapter 27: First party member acquired!

Sanctuary!

Calling out the name of the spell, despite not needing to, the magic circle activated, and a massive barrier of radiant light encapsulated me and anything within its range.

The shimmer is similar to another magic spell that I love to use, [Shine]. What I mean by this is that it emits a holy elemental light, that illuminates the area like a shining bulb.

[Such a nice white.] Said Ms. Segawa, mesmerized by the brilliant white light that this spell is emitting.

I silently nodded to her statement, panning my head from one side to other, just enjoying this sight. I was standing at the epicenter of this spell, feeling as if a giant spotlight was beaming an intense ray of light directly on me. It feels like I was on stage.

Fully satisfied, I dispelled the spell. Its still only morning but this kinda light will still attract a lot of unwanted attention.

This is, uhh, a pretty nice surprise. I simply stated.

[I concur.] Ms. Segawa nodded. [I faintly felt something prickly on my skin by being in the barrier.]

Hmm, I think I have an idea why. I told her what I remembered when I fought against the garms, and how my [Shine] was able to deal some damage to them, due to the spells interaction with garms and other dark elemental creatures.

Besides healing spells, I havent exactly tried using any other holy or sacred elemental spells on Ms. Segawa, due to the danger of her being hurt. Well probably do it at a later time, but I digress.

[Is that so? The barrier should have the same effect on me then, so why did I not take any damage when I touched it, furthermore I was able to pass right through it. A barrier that allows enemies to pass does not sound useful.]

Hmm. I gave it a thought, but the answer came pretty quickly. I think its cause the spell considers you my follower, you know, you have that title after all. Saying that, I used [Identify] and showed Ms. Segawa the description.

Hestias Retainer

A title given to a person that has sworn loyalty or fealty for a person with the title [The Light]. This title allows the owner to be aware of the other partys condition, even when they are separated. This option can be disconnected by the other partys choice. Grants the owner of this title certain benefits from the sworn persons titles or skills

Received benefits include

Reduced SP cost for skill acquirement and improvement

[It leads back to this, huh?]

Yup, seems like thats the case. Urgh, this is such an embarrassing title. I laid a hand on my head and heaved a deep sigh, bothered about the fact that a title has my new name on it.

Urgh, it sounds so stuck-up to have somebody be my retainer and showing it to the whole world, with what essentially is putting a notice board around a persons neck with the caption Hestias Retainer.

It's dumb. Its like those clingy girlfriends from sitcoms who give their boyfriends a I already have a loving Girlfriend T-Shirts.

Its so fucking cringy, urrrgh! Now I really have to apologize!

Ms. Segawa. I twisted my whole upper body to her direction, intending to apologize wholeheartedly. Im really so

[Well, thats ok. Is it not so, my Lady?] However, what she just said, startled me enough to interrupt my apology.

Wha-wha-wha-wha-what?! I was stumbling over my own words; my face was starting to heat up. What just happened?! Whats with that my Lady? Please, stop! Its embarrassing if you call me that.

[He he, I cannot do that, my Lady. As you can see from my new title, I am your retainer. Princess Hestia Atsukos new retainer and follower. How could I, a humble attendant, dishonor my mistress by failing to address her with her due respect?] She was speaking calmly and had a serene smile, but I can see the glee and excitement in your eyes!

I stop laughing, closed my eyes, and opened them up again to speak. You wont treat me any different, right?

[I will not.] She shrugged. [Besides addressing you more formally, our relationship will stay the same. Its not like this is real, right my Lady?]

Uh huh. Her grin makes it hard for me to trust what she said. Dont you think its a bit weird to call me that, just after giving me my own name? How about we only do it when others are present, but in private we can just be casual.

[But I really want to call you my Lady and Princess Hestia.]

I glared at her.

[Alright, alright. Enough teasing. Youre no fun, Hestia.] She momentarily let go of her stoic image and spoke casually, even pouted. However, she quickly reverted back to her normal speaking mannerisms. [However, please allow me to act like an adult, ok? I have a debt to repay, and I wish to do it, properly.]

I smirked and replied in a playful tone. Uh huh, its not like Ill still have to take care of you, considering thats your body. I pointed at the current state of her body, causing her to groan.

Ha ha, just kidding, I wont mind being pampered like a princess, but dont go overboard, ok? Ill also try to act like my [Princess] title would suggest me to be; just to make my best retainer look better ~ It was mostly a joke. I still dont want to be a princess. Oh yeah, Saori?

[Hmm, yes?]

I think its the perfect time to apologize. I would like to apologize for being rude about your dream. I can assure you that Ill make sure to become a great Idol, so we can travel around this whole new world as much as you want!

[Then I will accept your apology, Hestia. Your kindness is an honor.] Urgh, come on, Hestia. Bear through this cringy, formality stuff [Now, if you would want to become an even better Princess, then you must cast aside your current speaking mannerism. It is not fitting for your esteemed title.]

Urgh, Saori. Like Ive already said a thousand times, Im speaking like this cause it makes me sound less like a rich kid.

[It is because not just cause. Besides, making the decision to deliberately downgrade your speaking mannerism due to your fear of being treated differently, is a logic I cannot support. Those girls from your past life are gone, there is no reason for you to continue.]

This is how normal New Yorkers speak. This is a medieval world, correct? We will be talking with a ton of people that have little to no education, so it would be better to blend in with them if I speak like this.

[Nonsense. The last thing we need is people believing you could not possibly be a princess. That title alone is a massive advantage and privilege for us in our travels, and it will become necessary for you later, regardless if you want to fully embrace the title or not, when we speak with influential personages.]

Ill make sure to talk like how my etiquette teacher taught me to when its needed, but talking with a random passerby doesnt require me to speak like that!

[The average person on the street will not mind it. Just abstain from acting selfish and haughty. Be you, or if you want, be your Idol self. Put up a smile. Be cheerful and friendly. A cute young girl with a prim and proper appearance and approachable attitude will pierce the hearts of many.]

Ok, I see your point but youre already going overboard!

And we continued bantering like this, while we made our way into the dark depths of this forest, trying to find a way out of it.

Ive started my life and journey in this new world as a dragon whelp trapped in a forest filled with killer bunnies and giant wolves. Ive grown and trained myself to overcome these trials and tribulations, and I did it all alone.

Now, I am not alone anymore. I have a friend. I have a traveling companion. I have somebody to watch my back during a fight.

If youre already having this much trouble with killing me, Belzac forest, then just you wait when Im done training Saori.

It will get out of hand soon, cause there will be two of us monster reincarnators!

Just you wait, world. I, the soon to be Idol, Hestia Atsuko, will make her debut in this world, and I will make it so awesome that it will be written in the books of history!