I Killed The Main Characters

The soft rustling of leaves and the gentle chirping of birds filled the tranquil air by the lake.

The sun hung high above, casting its warm rays across the glistening surface of the water.

Ariana stood at the edge of the clearing, her face flushed as she kept her gaze firmly fixed on the ground.

Just a few steps away, Noah, still damp from the lake, was calmly pulling on a fresh shirt.

"You can look now..."

Noah's voice broke the silence, cool and composed.

Ariana hesitated for a moment, her hands clutching her skirt.

Slowly, she turned her head, her wide eyes taking in the sight of Noah, now fully dressed.

Though his dark hair still clung wetly to his forehead.

She cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to push past her initial embarrassment.

"What were you doing?"

She asked, her voice soft but curious.

Noah adjusted his shirt, giving a faint smirk.

"I don't exactly have the luxury of relying on a maid to handle my laundry anymore..."

He explained.

"It could unravel this whole 'missing' act I've been pulling.

So, I've been coming here, washing what I need to myself.

It's quiet, secluded.

No one comes here."

Ariana tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing as she absorbed his explanation.

It was strange hearing Noah speak so matter-of-factly about his situation, as though going into hiding was just another task on his to-do list.

"Well..."

She said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"...since I don't have any classes for the rest of the day, and since you were the one who asked me to meet you here...

I suppose we should start."

She met his gaze briefly, her determination flickering behind her usual shyness.

"Today, I'll teach you about spirits."

Noah raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking slightly.

"Go on, then. Enlighten me."

Ariana inhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts.

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"Before we begin, you should know that spirits are not simple entities.

They are deeply tied to mana, elements, and the very essence of a mage's capabilities.

Spirits exist in a complex hierarchy, each rank possessing unique qualities and levels of power."

She took a step closer to him, gesturing toward the lake.

"Imagine this lake as a metaphor for mana.

It's vast, seemingly endless, but it's also layered.

The surface might be calm, but beneath it, there are depths you can't see.

Spirits exist within these layers, and their ranks reflect their connection to mana and the elements."

Noah crossed his arms, watching her intently as she continued.

"First, at the lowest rank, are the Low-rank spirits.

They are newborn spirits, weak and without much will of their own.

They often align themselves with simple elements—water, fire, earth, and air.

They're easy to contract but limited in power.

Mages often use them as stepping stones to grow their connection with mana."

Noah gave a slight nod, already piecing things together.

"So, they're like training wheels for a mage."

"Y-yeah you could exactly say it like that..."

Ariana replied, a hint of a smile crossing her lips.

"Above them are mid-rank spirits with a stronger sense of individuality and power.

They're capable of manipulating their element with greater finesse and can aid a mage in more advanced magic."

"And let me guess..."

Noah interjected.

"...the hierarchy doesn't stop there."

Ariana chuckled softly.

"N-no, it doesn't.

Beyond mid-ranking spirits, we have the high-rank spirits, rare and ancient spirits tied to the core elements.

They possess immense power and are often worshipped in certain cultures.

Contracting a high-rank is a monumental task, as they rarely submit to a mage without a profound bond."

Noah arched a brow.

"So, high-ranks are like legendary figures in the world of spirits?"

"Exactly. But there's one more rank.."

Ariana said, her tone lowering with gravity.

"The eternal spirits.

They are spirits that transcend elements, embodying concepts like time, light, and darkness.

They are few and far between, and most mages only know them through myths.

To contract an eternal is to forge a bond that changes both the mage and the spirit forever."

As she spoke, her spirit bear, Buddy, materialized beside her, its soft growls punctuating her words.

"Buddy here is a mid-rank," she said, patting the bear affectionately.

"He's been with me for years, and we've built a strong connection.

That's the key to working with spirits—building trust and understanding."

Noah studied the bear, his yellow eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"And how exactly does a spirit benefit a mage?"

He asked.

"In practical terms, I mean."

Ariana nodded, her expression earnest.

"A spirit is more than just a partner.

They amplify a mage's mana, making spells stronger and more precise.

They can also provide guidance, serve as protectors, and even heal their mage in dire situations.

The relationship is symbiotic—the mage provides mana, and the spirit offers their power and companionship in return."

"I see..."

Noah murmured, his gaze drifting toward the lake.

"It sounds... useful.

In the game, I never really explored spirit training, but now I can see why it's important."

Ariana tilted her head, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Game?"

"Nothing...pay no mind to what I said."

Noah said quickly, waving her off.

"So, what's next?

Do I just pick a spirit and hope for the best?"

"Not quite..."

Ariana replied, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Spirits are tied to elements, and a mage's affinity determines which spirits they can contract.

What are your primary elements?"

"Ice."

Noah said without hesitation.

"I've mastered it to a decent degree...

But I also have an affinity for lightning.

I haven't developed it as much, but it's there."

Ariana nodded thoughtfully.

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"Ice is a versatile element. A spirit aligned with it would complement your abilities well.

As for lightning, it's a rare and volatile element.

Contracting a lightning-aligned spirit would require patience and focus, but it could greatly enhance your repertoire."

She paused, studying him carefully.

"Which would you prefer to pursue first?"

Noah considered her question, his eyes narrowing as he weighed his options.

"Lightning," he said finally.

"If I'm going to strengthen my weaker element, I might as well start now."

"That way I'll climb even higher..."

"B-but your the top student...there is no where left to climb..."

Ariana said.

"And that right there is why all of you fail..."

Noah added.

Ariana brushed it off and continued.

"Good choice...

But lightning spirits are rare, and finding one will take time.

For now, we can focus on understanding the fundamentals of spirit contracts.

Tomorrow, we'll meet again and start searching for a suitable spirit."

"Tomorrow it is..."

Noah said, his tone steady.

"But don't think I'm doing this just to indulge you.

If this spirit business doesn't pay off—"

"It will..."

Ariana interrupted, her voice firm.

"Trust me, Noah. This will be worth it."

For a moment, the two of them stood in silence, the sound of the lake lapping gently against the shore filling the air.