Antagonist Protection Service

With just a minor amount of hesitation, I reached my hand forward and accepted the vial.

The glistening, silver concoction that Aradine just made―I didn't know if it should be called a potion, elixir, or if it had some unique name, but after hearing her brief explanation, I instantly knew it was something I wouldn't be able to find just anywhere else.

Wetting my lips, both out of a mix of nervousness and excitement, I raised the vial to my mouth, tilting my head back slightly as the contents poured out.

Immediately, I felt the sensation of something cold on my tongue, and although the vial containing the liquid itself felt light, the moment it emptied into my mouth, it turned heavy, putting a strangely intense pressure on the inside of my jaw.

Other than that, it somehow bore no taste or smell at all, and once I swallowed everything, the feeling of 'heaviness' moved inside me, gathering to center around the very core of my heart, upon which it gradually dissipated.

'Did it work?'

Instinctively feeling that it was over, I opened the Status menu.

Enki Valentine | Operations Manager

General Physical Ability - Mediocre

General Magical Ability - Nonexistent

Spiritual Synergism - Mediocre

Protagonists Dispatched : 6

Skills : [Sneak (Level 2)], [Lockpicking (Level 1)]

Traits : [Professionalism], [Charismatic]

Blessings : [Authority of the Library of Illusory Worlds (Tier Three)], [Grace of the Mother of the Winter Moon]

'I was right.'

Just as I thought, Spiritual Synergism increased―from 'Nonexistent' to 'Mediocre'.

Now, I still wasn't certain on what it actually did, but levelling it up this much in one go could only have been a good thing, at least in my opinion.

'I wonder if this means I can wake up the spirit inside the Holy Sword now...'

After that, the Witch Queen spoke to me again.

"Thy body is most receptive to spiritual change... Hast thou experienced an anima surge, mayhaps?"

'A what...?'

"Sorry, I don't know what that is..."

"Likely not so, then."

Saying that, she then turned around as if the conversation was over, making a sweeping motion with her head as she continued with some more alchemy work like earlier.

"Uh... So, am I still teaching your daughter, or...?"

When I asked that, she paused.

Without turning to face me, her voice echoed.

"...You may."

Inwardly, I was relieved at her answer. Naturally, that meant I would be able to remain close to the Protagonist without fear of being kicked out or fired from my "disguise".

After all, hadn't I already proven my trustworthiness by protecting her in a time of need?

I had secured my position in this witch's tower, and now, all that remained was simple.

'Maintaining this facade long enough to clear the Contract without being vaporised...'

Well, I said it was simple, but that didn't equate to it being easy, right?

❖─────★★★☆☆─────❖

When I exited the alchemy lab, the door returned me directly to my assigned room.

It was too much to be a mere coincidence, so I took it to mean that Aradine had saved me the trouble of wandering around aimlessly until I found it.

Thereafter, I immediately withdrew the Holy Sword from the Storage.

"Alright, let's see here..."

Sitting on the bed with the Holy Sword resting across my lap, I traced the runes on the blade with my finger.

'Ina said figuring out what these mean would be useful, but I can't do that, so I'll have to try something else.'

Trailing my finger along, I reached the base of the blade's center, where the runes ceased and a round, dull gem was socketed by the hilt.

'This is where the spirit should be sealed, right?'

Touching the gem, I closed my eyes and concentrated.

"...Hm...?"

For a short while, there was nothing, but then, I felt something.

Badump.

Resembling the sensation of a heartbeat, a subtle pulse was sent through my body, originating from the tip of my finger that touched the gem.

"..."

If I then concentrated a bit more, it pulsed again, and again, and again.

Badump.

Instinctively, I knew.

'I can feel it.'

The spirit was right there.

Now, the only question was how to wake it up.

'I can't send any magic in because I don't have any... I also don't know how to control the energy stored in the Mark on its own. Is it possible without doing that...?'

Continuing to concentrate with my eyes closed, spending time feeling the 'heartbeat' of the Holy Sword's sealed spirit, all of my senses dulled except that mysterious extra sensation.

By the time I realised a long time passed with nothing happening, in the end, I confirmed no further progress would be made like this, so I stopped and dismissed the Holy Sword.

'Hm... Considering she made that elixir, I wonder if she knows much about spirits.'

Of course, I assumed without much of a doubt that she would know a lot, but there was always a chance that she actually didn't.

Either way, deciding to ask Aradine the next time I saw her, I fell back on the bed listlessly.

In my brain, I felt there were a number of things I could gain from this Contract, both during it and following its completion. In fact, I had already experienced one massive benefit just earlier in the increase of my Spiritual Synergism.

If I intentionally extended the length of my stay here, I had the potential to gain many things, including upgrades I couldn't attain almost anywhere else.

However, in my heart, I knew I needed to return as soon as possible.

Not only did I want to get Mana Corruption at the earliest possible instance, but I needed to make sure I got strong quickly enough to clear the Tower in time to stop the Frontliners pushing the limit practically every time I returned to Earth.

I forgot to ask Leinth how many Floors the Tower had, but they just cleared the Ninth.

The Tenth Floor clear would be the biggest milestone so far, and although I was confident the Tower had more than just ten or twenty, it was starting to get to the point where I was nervous of not being able to catch up in time.

"...Librarian, what's the time difference looking like this time?"

Depending on her answer, I may have to act accordingly.