CH 127

When the blinding light subsided, and she opened her eyes, Riett found herself in a pure white space, the same place where they had been talking just before taking the test, meeting the Spirit Stone.

Next to her was Perante, who had been summoned alongside her. 

Before she could fully grasp the situation, a bright light appeared in front of Riett and Perante.

〈It seems you passed the test safely.〉

The test was over. 

Riett furrowed her brow in thought. She had heard the name from Kei before being brought here, so maybe it wasn’t because the test had ended.

Perhaps Perante had read the name inscribed on the blade during the full moon.

Riett anxiously waited for the Spirit Stone to speak.

〈Riett Marren.〉

The bright light floating in the air called out to her.

〈Congratulations on passing the test.〉

Riett widened her eyes. 

“Me?”

“That can’t be true!” 

Perante interjected, glaring at the Spirit Stone. His blue irises seemed to be tinged with darkness.

“I was the only one who read the name inscribed on the blade! As soon as I read the name, I was transported here!”

〈Is that so? Then tell me what was written on the blade.〉

“……Salisbury.”

The spirit stone spat out a hah, sound.

〈That’s not my name.〉

The Spirit Stone said with a sigh and gracefully floated away from Perante, coming back in front of Riett.

〈Riett Marren, tell me the name you heard.〉

Riett recalled the name of the being that had saved him, the name Kei had told her about.

As she gazed down silently, Riett lifted her gaze and said, 

“Nylivian… That was your name.”

In response, the white light scattered like sparks, revealing the image of a middle-aged man with long, silver hair flowing elegantly.

Riett realized that this middle-aged man was the Spirit Stone, the Spirit known as Nylivian in his previous life.

Looking at Nylivian, Riett asked, 

“How did you come to know Kei?”

“Kei… That was the boy’s name.” 

Nylivian replied, his gaze distant.

“He was someone I met before I died. He had a particularly pure aura, and I found myself drawn to his side like a moth to a flame.”

Indeed, Kei was a brave and determined boy who climbed the mountain every day with his injured leg to feed his grandmother.

So, it was natural that the straightforward soul of the boy had captured the heart of the Spirit.

“On a day when heavy rain poured down, the boy still climbed the mountain. After his father passed away, life became even harder, and his grandmother’s illness worsened, leaving him unable to rest.”

Nylivian lowered his eyes, and the dark irises peeked through his thin lashes, casting shadows over them.

“The boy climbed the mountain in the rain. However, the rain blurred his vision, and the path became slippery. In the end, he stumbled and fell off the cliff, but I used the last of my strength to prevent his fall.”

It was the same incident that Kei had mentioned.

While climbing the mountain, he fell off the cliff, but an unidentified entity saved him. As expected, that unidentified entity was Nylivian.

“I wanted to make a contract with the boy and help him, but I had a premonition of death, so I couldn’t do it.”

Nylivian’s lips formed a faint smile. 

“The boy asked me as I was disappearing. He wanted to know my name, anything, just my name.”

It’s been a long time since someone asked for his name. In a whisper, Nylivian spoke with a melancholic voice, 

“So I told him. Nylivian, that was my name.”

Listening silently from the side, Perante asked with a frustrated expression, 

“Then, what was the name written on that dagger?”

“I don’t know that name either.”

“What?”

Perante’s face twisted.

“The boy’s family has lived deep in the mountains for generations. He may have gotten it as a gift, but I didn’t give it to him.”

In other words, it was an unintended fake.

Riett had also mistakenly believed that the name written on the dagger was the name of the Spirit Stone.

“Ah… Ahaha, hahaha!”

Perante burst into laughter. He laughed loudly as if he had gone mad.

“That can’t be… That can’t be true.”

Nylivian looked coldly at Perante, who was trembling with both hands raised.

“From the beginning, I didn’t think you would pass the test. I’ve seen many people with the same look as you before. None of them ended well.”

Perante’s eyes widened in shock. Now, without the mask, he had a completely different face.

However, Nylivian didn’t care and continued, 

“It’s the same now. Someone who would harm others to pass the test is undoubtedly up to no good with the power they obtain.”

“Don’t make fun of me…! I will create a fair and better world!”

Perante rushed at Nylivian.

In a gesture filled with madness, Riett tensed for a moment, but Perante passed right through Nylivian as if he wasn’t there.

“Foolish boy.”

As Nylivian flicked his fingers, a strong gust of wind rushed towards Perante, who instantly fell to the ground, seemingly unconscious.

“It’s quiet now.”

Nylivian approached Riett once more.

“Thank you for helping the boy. I’m really grateful that someone like you gained my power.”

Seeing Nylivian’s kind smile, Riett’s heart felt full.

But soon, Nylivian’s expression turned serious as he said, 

“Before I pass on my power, can I ask you for one favor?”

“If I can do it.”

Nylivian hesitated but then spoke, 

“I’m curious about how the boy who asked for my name is living. After I pass on my power, I will disappear. If you could go to the house where the boy lived and check for me, I would appreciate it.”

Kei looked about fourteen years old back then, so now he would be over seventy years old.

A long time had passed, so he might have been no longer in this world…

“If he is no longer in this world, then there’s nothing I can do. However, if he is living well, I want to express my gratitude. Thanks to him asking for my name back then, I was able to remember until now.”

Nylivian seemed to be aware that the boy might no longer be in this world as well.

Then there was no need to hesitate.

Riett clenched her fist and nodded her head.

“Alright.”

Nylivian smiled faintly and extended his hand.

“Now that the favor is done, I will pass on my power to you.”

Following the Spirit Stone’s instruction, Riett took Nylivian’s hand. 

A surge of energy emanated from Nylivian and spread throughout her body. A powerful and unfamiliar force surged through her like a typhoon. However, rather than feeling confused and scared, it felt calm and warm, like basking in the spring sun.

As she thought the energy was starting to subside, Nylivian slowly withdrew the hand that she had been holding.

“It’s done. All of my power has been absorbed by you.”

Riett cautiously moved her fingertips. Although she couldn’t quite pinpoint the difference, she felt warmth spreading through every corner of her body.

“Now, I’ll send you back to where you originally were.”

Though their business was concluded, Riett hadn’t expected to say goodbye like this. A regretful tone crept into her voice.

“Thank you. I promise to use this power for good.”

The Spirit Stone smiled brightly without saying a word. His smile looked refreshing in some inexplicable way.

“It was a short encounter, but it was nice to meet you, Nylivian.”

Riett quickly bid her farewell.

“Please return quickly.”

Nylivian’s form gradually blurred.

“I think someone is waiting for you.”

As when she arrived, the white light enveloped Riett’s body.

* * *

Snap!

When she opened her eyes again, her view was still covered in white.

‘It’s cold…’

Riett realized that she was lying in the snow. As she raised herself and blinked, she saw a white horizon.

She was back in Parman’s snowfield.

However, something was strange.

The last time she saw the snowfield, the ground had cracked as if an earthquake had occurred, but now, the scenery was as clean as when she first arrived.

It felt like she had just woken up from a long dream.

‘No, a considerable amount of time has passed.’

During the test, two days had gone by…

Riett realized the forgotten fact and quickly got up.

‘Evan!’

He wouldn’t still be waiting here, right? If he had stayed here for two days, he might have frozen to death.

With an anxious heart, Riett frantically looked around.

‘Where is he…?’

Then, a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Riett.”

When she turned around, Evan was standing there. Luckily, he seemed perfectly fine.

“Evan!”

“You’ve come back quickly.”

Confused, Riett asked with a puzzled expression, 

“Quickly…? But I disappeared underground, and how much time has passed?”

“About an hour or so.’

Evan replied as he brushed the snow off Riett’s shoulder. 

“I’m relieved. You came back quickly.”

Riett realized that time hadn’t passed while she was taking the test. 

“I was so anxious while waiting. I felt like I was going to die.”

Evan’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he spoke, not just saying it casually. Riett noticed that Evan seemed unfamiliar with expressing concern like this, but she also felt her heart fill with warmth knowing that someone cared about her like this.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Rather than asking about the Spirit Stone or what happened, Evan first asked about her well-being, causing a tinge of pain in the corner of Riett’s heart.

She embraced Evan, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pulled him close.

“Don’t worry, not a single finger got hurt.”

For a moment, Evan’s body tensed up, but he soon extended his arms and faced Riett.

He sighed deeply, as if finally able to relax.

Riett loosened her grip, allowing Evan’s face to become visible again.

“Aren’t you curious about the Spirit Stone?”

“I am curious.”

Though it felt somewhat forced, Riett couldn’t help but smile playfully, looking forward to delivering this extraordinary news to Evan.

“Of course, I obtained the Spirit Stone.”

Evan’s eyes widened slightly, revealing his astonished black irises.

“Really…?”

“Yes. Who do you think I am?”

Riett thought he might be a bit more shocked, but instead, Evan hugged her tightly once again.

Riett closed her eyes and leaned against Evan, feeling his heartbeat resonate with excitement.

“Congratulations, Riett.”