CH 3

"Slave" is a general term for "servants". They are sometimes referred to as "dependents".

In this world, there are people who can demonstrate their true value by borrowing the power of something. For example, summoners who call upon demons from another world and wield their power using magic, alchemists who use their own magic to command artificially created life forms in battle, magicians who can use powerful attack magic beyond their own abilities by borrowing the power of spirits, and necromancers who borrow the power of the dead.

And then there are "Monster tamer", who can borrow power in exchange for growth and various conditions.

The borrower of power is called the "Master", while the one lending the power is called the "Slave".

The choice of who to borrow power from varies depending on the occupation, but "Monster tamer" do not discriminate. Once, they apparently made contracts with "demons" who were their enemies, as their name suggests, but nowadays all races are candidates for their contracts.

Sometimes, they negotiate with defeated opponents to make them surrender and form contracts, while other times they ask friends who have studied at the same school to become their Slaves. Some Masters are called the most unscrupulous.

A Slave candidate is someone who has agreed to lend their power based on various conditions. Some occupations, such as "Monster tamer", cannot fight at all without Slaves, so brokering such contracts is one of the guild's roles.

Although the names on the list that Saya-san brought weren't as prestigious as those of the Graerl Kingdom, there were many names listed.

For "Monster tamer", their Slaves are both weapons and partners to entrust their lives with. Strong trust is essential, and binding the relationship solely on practicality will surely lead to failure - that's my theory. Therefore, ideally, one should find their own Slaves without relying on guilds, but I cannot afford such luxury under the current circumstances.

However, not just anyone will do. While I have a delicate confidence in my own abilities as a "beastmaster", there are also racial and cultural compatibilities to consider, as well as the compatibility with Slaves who are already under contract.

In this world, all living things are roughly classified into six categories based on their nature and principles of existence.

Namely, the embodiment of the dark souls that harbor hatred towards all life, the "Malignant Spirit Species Race".

The positive souls that are the natural enemies of the Malignant Spirit Species and bestow blessings upon humans, the "Benign Spirit Species Spirit".

The "Organic Life Species Vida" which has the largest number and wide distribution with both organic bodies and souls.

The "Inorganic Life Species Machina" which is a soul created by the Organic Life Species.

The "Elemental Species Elemental" which embodies nature and governs the origin of the world.

And finally, the "Fantasy Spirit Species Tale", which includes mythological and fictional creatures such as the defeated opponent Shira Blackregia.

Of course, these are just classifications of living beings. There are good individuals among the Malignant Spirit Species, and there are bad people among the Benign Spirit Species. Their appearances also vary. Some are recognized as monsters, while others live in human cities. There are even those called "gods". There are criticisms that more detailed classification is necessary, and there are indeed more detailed classifications that exist.

However, this classification is widely known and commonly used because these six races are fundamentally antagonistic to each other, making it very convenient.

In my case, I already have a contracted slave. Alice would probably dislike enslaving the same species, and the Inorganic Life Species usually require a large amount of money as a contract condition. Excluding the Organic Life Species, which would fear Alice, the target would probably be either the Elemental Species, which I have never contracted before, or the Benign Spirit Species.

Saya-san waited patiently as I scrutinized the list like a hawk.

The list contained profiles of potential slaves and their contract conditions.

A "Demon Tamer" doesn't simply borrow a slave's power for nothing. In most cases, the slaves also have their own requests, which are often a clear reflection of their racial instincts.

Beastmen, for example, would seek strength, while nearly all inorganic life forms would seek money. If they were poor, they might lend their power in exchange for food, shelter, and clothing. Spirit and ghost-type creatures often seek magical power. And - though very rarely - there are those who lend their power unconditionally.

Trust is essential between the Master and Slave. Contract conditions serve as a tool to clarify this. The magic used by a "Demon Tamer" for contracts is particularly delicate, so a strong bond of trust is necessary.

"In this region, there are more inorganic life forms, so the slave candidates are all inorganic life forms, aren't they?"

Inorganic life forms instinctively seek a master, perhaps because they were created to be used in the first place.

The money paid as contract conditions is apparently sent to the creator. It's called "Lease."

"There's only one that matches your request, a good-natured spirit-type creature."

Saya-san confirmed my request and informed me. Just one... that's not a lot of choice.

‘’ Her name is Sera, and her race is [Light Whisper]. The contract is flexible in terms of its form and duration, and in exchange for Sera's services, she will receive a monthly payment of 700 million or more in magical power, as well as guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter. Prohibited actions include any orders related to suicide or sexual activity.’’

"That's... I need some time to think about it."

I'll put it aside for now... but it's impossible. The contract terms and prohibited actions are fine, but the required amount of magical power is too high.

On average, a regular magician uses about 1M of magical power per day. This means that Sera, a benevolent spirit species, is demanding over twenty times the amount of magical power that a typical magician uses in a month. Does she have that much confidence in her abilities? However, Light Whispers are not that powerful.

My maximum magical power is 0.7M. If I use all of it, I will fall into a coma, so I can probably only use about 0.3M per day. This value is significantly lower than the amount of magical power that a typical spirit species would require in a contract. So I was hoping to find a child who would demand special contract conditions, but it seems there isn't one here.

Once I make a contract, I am confident that I can build a relationship of trust and negotiate compromises. However, if the starting point is like this, there is nothing I can do.

On the other hand, I can't afford to make a contract with an inorganic life form with my current funds. They demand strict adherence to the contract, and there is no room for compromise. I need money.

I looked at the rank-up reward ―― "The Dark Lord's Ring" on my right hand.

...There's no other option but to sell it.

I've heard that the price of rank-up rewards increases in proportion to their rank. Although I treasured it as a memento, proof of being a monster tamer cannot be sold while this can. I can't turn a blind eye to the future. Finally, I asked Saya-san with a smile,

"By the way, Saya-san, how much would you lend me your power for?"

"!? Are you joking...?"

Her antennae are spinning at an incredible speed.

§ § § § § § §

Leaving the counter with a sense of accomplishment, I had already started thinking about my future moves.

In my estimation, Saya-san is quite strong. Tesla, as a machine doll designated with B-number, hardly ever produces combat-oriented machine dolls. Combat-type machine dolls with already proficient abilities and a wide range of combat knowledge would be troublesome if they were enemies, but reliable if they were allies. Even if it costs me billions, I should be able to recover it.

The problem is whether the guild will lend it to me or not, but the guild is supposed to be on the side of explorers for appearances' sake. It should be possible to somehow manage it by offering money. All that's left is to sell the "The Dark Lord's Ring" for as high a price as possible.

Just as I was about to head to the appraisal room at the guild, I had an unpleasant feeling from behind.

"Um...what are you planning to do with that?"

I turned around. There was the girl to whom I had just given the beginner's set standing there. Her eyes were dark and glaring, her hair clearly not well-groomed, and there was a strong negative energy emanating from her.

It's nostalgic...although her appearance is nothing like hers, for some reason, it reminds me of Alice.

No...Probably, she is of the same kind as Alice. The negative aura surrounding her indicates her species.

Creatures that are incompatible with civilization and hostile to humanity are called monsters. Most of the categorized species are monsters, known as "Malignant Spiritual Species". They look like humans, but their insides are different.

The trick to dealing with Malignant Spiritual Species is to look them straight in the eye. Instinctively, one would avoid that, but a "monster tamer" cannot follow their instincts.

As I stared straight into her eyes, the girl seemed unable to bear it and averted her gaze.

I knew this already, but it seems that she is not good at socializing. After a moment's thought, I decided to speak informally.

"It's a present. There's no need to hold back, it's something I don't need. And from the looks of it...it's pretty worn out, isn't it?"

"A pre...sent...? I don't have a reason to accept it."

Eyes speak louder than words. Gazes, gestures, and tone of voice can sometimes reveal one's innermost thoughts.

As a rule, malevolent spirits do not trust the benevolence of others. I let out a sigh as I looked into the suspicious eyes of the girl.

"You don't need a reason to help someone in need."

"That's...stupid..."

"And besides, I actually have a malevolent spirit slave..."

"What...?"

As I began to explain, the same way I had to Saya just now, I realized something.

This girl...she wasn't surprised. She spoke the word "present" without any hesitation or shock.

She must have been eavesdropping on my conversation with Saya. I narrowed my eyes and observed the girl.

Why was she listening in? Was this her first time receiving a present? Or was it just that she hadn't been treated kindly in a while?

She's a sly one. Truly befitting of the 'malicious' type. Alice also loved eavesdropping.

Her stagnant light gray irises exuded a terrifying aura. Even with her equipment, she appeared several levels inferior to other explorers. She couldn't have been a year into being a seeker. The leather bag I just handed her was still clutched in her left hand.

But could she really tear apart a model dog with a copper sword? It would be difficult to even scratch it with iron.

She stares silently without saying anything. The girl was probably glaring at me.

"What, what is it? Um...please continue, tell me more."

“…………”

"Wh-why are you silent? Why, why aren't you saying anything!?"

The physical body of a spiritual species is a transformation of the soul. Therefore, they are more susceptible to their mental state than other living beings.

This girl is isolated. It's a common story among malicious spiritual species that live among humans.

Because of this characteristic, they are unconditionally avoided, and their negative mentality exacerbates this tendency.

And they don't even realize this fact.

However, don't be mistaken. Saving malicious spiritual species is not an act of pity.

"Normally, I would ask for your name first, but there's something to do before we can talk about that."

"Something... to do?"

The girl nervously repeated my words. I smiled and gave her a little help.

"Repeat after me. 'I'm sorry for eavesdropping',"