"Huh?"

Natsumi who was standing next to the magic circle had a confused expression on her face. Kai who entered the portal was facing her and what was even weirder was the translucent violet creature floating around him.

"I'm back."

"Welcome home- no, that's not it. Welcome back, Kai. But did you really undertake the trial? I know you told me that time came to a standstill once you entered but I didn't feel anything."

"Of course you wouldn't be able to tell. Not even I would realize if time was stopped even with my entire power at my disposal, that's how powerful time is."

Kai said as he began taking the mana from the surroundings and healing his tattered body.

"I won't be able to fight for a while though I ended up better than before. I used Abyssal Wolf in the spirit world and I need a week to recover myself."

"...Could it have something to do with the creature right next to you?"

At that point, Reo stopped moving.

"...A third one?! What are with all these people around you?! You being able to see me was strange because you were a child with absolutely no training, then there was Erina who I could somewhat accept better but still, I didn't think there was another one that would be able to see me. Is this girl special somewhat?"

"It's something in her bloodline. I used a drop of her blood as a catalyst to activate the portal. I'm pretty sure all of them in the royal family have the same blood but pure maidens' blood is several times more potent than males."

Normally, blood is passed down normally but special powers within blood were strange to begin with. If Kai was born into a girl's body, the demon and angel blood within his body would be several times stronger and he may very well have been killed at birth. It was due to luck that he managed to live. The effect died down once a woman loses her purity, making them on the same level as males' blood.

"A bloodline that actually has connections with a spirit... it's surprising to see that it still exists."

"A connection with spirits?"

Natsumi asked.

"Yes, though we may be unable to really touch humans, some spirits at the end of their life- either on the brink of death from attacks or if they give up their life willingly, sometimes give their power to humans for them to permanently use. This makes that human's blood and future descendants several times more powerful than normal humans. If a normal mage was at five, then someone with the blood of a spirit would have a hundred. Though this doesn't last permanently because of the passing of time, you only have a diluted version of that blood but in the end, it's still spirit blood. You'd rank as a fifteen in terms of magical talent just because of the spirit blood alone. But the last recorded case of a spirit dying was... at the kingdom of Eleorid- no, it's called Athens now. I've heard that humans created a fictional play to make people think that the empire itself never existed, a plan that took several hundreds of years to do but it worked."

"Eleorid? Wasn't it just a made-up kingdom?"

Natsumi asked with curiosity.

"It's far from a fictional kingdom, it was one of the greatest empires of its time. They had nearly ten SS-class and hundreds of S-class, they were nearly as strong as the angel and demon continents. But they made a mistake with the hero, they betrayed him a little more than a thousand years ago. The last play I've seen was before I went to sleep but I doubt they changed anything. It didn't go exactly as the play went where the princess poisoned the hero, the princess actually regretted not stopping the kingdom- she was a person who wanted peace as much as possible."

Reo spoke with emotion as he recalled the past.

"But the kingdom knew the princess could meet with the hero and they set them up. The hero almost fell during his encounter with the princess who went mad trying to stop everyone- in the end, they couldn't stop the princess and had to kill her. She was one of his original companions who had to return to the kingdom due to various matters so when she heard that all of her companions save for the hero were killed, she cried for several days with no sleep. When the kingdom betrayed the hero, a spirit who had never cared about the matters of humans felt pity and gave the hero his power. Right next to the dead princess, the hero was given the power of a spirit. He already had power in the realm of legends so when a spirit gave him his power- he destroyed everything as easily as turning his hand."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

At that point, Reo's voice was filled with pain.

"...You were there?"

"I was born there- no, I was reborn there. I became the Sin of Pride, successor of the dead spirit in that place. I had to sleep for a long while so my body wouldn't get damaged from the sudden increase in power but I was a spirit of the hero's party. I suppose I was born more than tens of thousands of years ago but I don't have much memories because they all nearly disappeared after I was reborn. The hero's party had a mage who was able to contract with a spirit- me. I fought against the demon king at the time but even with the spirit form, that member of the hero's party died."

When he said 'that member' and 'mage', it was evident that Reo also forgot the name of his former partner. This filled Natsumi's heart with pain, losing someone you once held dear was difficult.

"In the end, the Empire of Athens was completely destroyed. There was no rebellion or any factions supporting the hero, they all died. I never really found out where the hero went but I pray that he has either regained his sanity or died for the better of the world. If that man was still alive... then this world is as good as dead, he may very well have the power of ten demon kings if here still alive right now but that may just be me underestimating him."

"..."

Kai was silent as he listened to the story- until he muttered something under his breath.

"Howard Greylock."

"Kai, how do you know that name?!"

"..."

Reo was evidently shocked. Although it was true that he forgot the name of his companion, he still knew the name of the man that could destroy the world.

At that point, a knock could be heard outside the door and Kai employed his [Soul Call], he was too focused on the conversation with Reo that he didn't realize that someone approached the door. Natsumi was completely silent before but then immediately began to hide herself. Her clothes were still in the bathroom and all she wore was a robe with a hood and beneath those clothes were her underwear.

When Kai figured out who was on the other side of the door, he didn't know if he should be relieved or not. It was Erina with Aya and Yoko in tow. This was very bad for him. Right now, he had a girl wearing nothing but a robe and not to mention that the girl was the princess of the very kingdom he was in.

"[Invisibility]."

Kai casted it on Natsumi as fast as possible, he refracted light and made it so that nobody could see Natsumi. He then quickly opened the door and allowed the three of them inside. Natsumi was about to go into the bathroom but before she could, Yoko ran into the bathroom. She was evidently holding it in.

When Kai saw that, he felt cold sweat pour down his back. Right now, Yoko would very well tell Erina about the clothes and Aya would then inform Amelia. He was cornered. Luckily, Erina was occupied when she saw Reo and was filled with joy.

"Reo, it's been so long! How are you doing?"

"Erina, it's nice to see you again...?"

Reo suddenly saw the child next to Erina looking at him.

"...a fourth?"

"Big sis, what is that ball?"

"Kai, you have a daughter? She calls Erina 'big sis' so that must mean the mother is the other girl you told me about right? Amelia was her name I think."

"Papa, it talked!"

Aya cutely circled around Reo.

"...Didn't you say only a few people would be able to see spirits?"

Erina asked Reo.

"You and Kai were special cases because you saw me when you were children but then there was also the princess but it was acceptable because of her blood but to think a four or five year old child can see me..."

"Natsumi? Reo, when did you get back?"

"Hm? Just now."

All of a sudden, Kai regretted ever bringing Reo back. He felt a chill down his spine and drops of sweat formed on his forehead.

"Kai?"

Erina put two in two together and that meant that Natsumi had either recently been in Kai's room or she was still here. And as if to make the situation worse on purpose, Yoko walked out of the bathroom while holding some clothes.

"...Kai?"

Yoko called out his name while looking at the familiar clothes. She knew Natsumi was going to Kai's but why were her clothes there? If Natsumi were in the bathroom normally then it was fine but why were her clothes left behind?

When Erina saw that, she immediately released cold wind.

"Eek!?"

A thump as Natsumi fell to the floor, the robe she wore became unraveled, revealing her body clad in only underwear.

Erina turned her icy glare to Kai.

"...I can explain."

Erina gave Aya to Yoko. Her hair and eyes turned white and clear ice formed in her hands.

"You're using Eternal Frost?! Even if it's me, I won't come out unscathed!"

Kai was evidently flustered. If Erina used her normal ice then it was fine because of the difference in magic power but Eternal Frost was different, Kai had to summon Hell Flame for that. But he had absolutely no time, Erina quickly blasted Kai with Eternal Frost.

"You cheater!"

"Gah!"

----------------------------------------

In class the next day, Kai had a red mark on his face. Erina had covered her hand in Eternal Frost and slapped Kai and prevented him from healing himself.

"Kenji?"

Arata inquired.

"It's nothing."

"No, the red mark on your face isn't what I'm asking for. I can tell what the situation is from Her Highness' face. I'm asking about that floating creature."

"A fifth?! Kai what are these people around you?!"

All of a sudden, Reo felt as if seeing spirits were commonplace now.