As Tepo sat cross-legged in the storage, on the other side, hidden behind a shelf, a small creature was curled up on the ground.
Its red-orange fur, normally gorgeous and lustrous, was dim and drooping right now. The golden colored circle on its long head, which usually looked like a bright crown had turned grey. It covered itself in two small red wings, like someone hiding under a blanket during cold winter days.
The creature's furry snout quivered as all kinds of thoughts played in its mind.
Mirage Lord. Please come back. Why leave me here? I don't want to stay any longer.
Please. Someone just came in. Oh no, they are reading my spell. Should I hide? But I don't know how long I can endure.
Tepo didn't know that his actions have already been noticed. He ended his mediation a few hours later, his mind refreshed.
He had already made up his mind. He couldn't get himself to kill for a spell. The storage still had some other options.
Although those might not be perfect, as long as they allowed him to use his forbidden spell it was good enough.
Thus, Tepo solemnly closed the book and approached a compartment inlaid in the building's wall.
He reached out, placing his hand on an invisible barrier. An emotionless voice spoke to him, asking him if this was his final choice.
But just as Tepo wanted to confirm it, another weak voice appeared in his mind.
"Human."
Tepo shivered as he shot around. His eyes scanned the room, but he didn't find anything.
Although someone was hiding behind a shelve not far from him, Tepo didn't notice them. Almost as if he subconsciously ignored the small creature.
"Who is there?"
"Human… are you a good person?"
Tepo frowned. This voice sounded childish, just like the question it asked. But suddenly he seemed to feel something. His gaze instinctively fell on the shelf not far away. A few strands of red fur peeked out.
The creature noticed Tepo's gaze, immediately shivering in fright. It drew back, hoping that the human simply forgot it.
"Did you call me just now?"
"No."
Tepo sighed as he realized whom he was dealing with.
"Are you the one mentioned in the book? Don't worry I won't take your spell."
For a few seconds the room fell silent. Tepo kept his eyes on the shelf until a small head carefully peeked at him.
The young man's attention was immediately drawn to the small black eyes. They were narrow, without any pupils. Yet they somehow emitted a mysterious aura filled with emotions.
The frightened gaze tugged at Tepo's heartstring. He put on a gentle smile as he tried to initiate a conversation:
"Hey. I'm Tepo. Do you want to tell me your name?"
"P… V… Vareigarys Zmajha Vladrist."
The small creature hesitated before answering in a stuttering voice.
Tepo chuckled faintly.
"No need to be nervous Varei. Can I call you this, Varei?"
Seeing him agree, Tepo continued to ask Varei:
"So, you just called me, right? Do you need my help? I'm not sure if I can get you out of here."
"No, n…no. I'm fine here. I'm a spirit! This place is good for me to stay!"
Varei spoke the word 'spirit' in pride.
Tepo was surprised to hear him say this. He had read a lot about spirits.
This was a general term for a group of special races. They had two defining features.
The various spirit races all thrived in certain environments but would gradually weaken once they left those.
However, they all had a connection to a unique world, called the World of Spirits. It is said that all spirits can return to this world from wherever they are.
Recalling this information, Tepo frowned as he looked at the little spirit before him. His fur looked dim, his body rather week. Obviously Varei wasn't truthful when he said that this place was good for him.
But why is he residing here and doesn't return to the spirit world? Could it be that the spirit world is only a myth?
Noticing that Tepo fell silent, Varei didn't know what to say. He was somewhat apprehensive and anxious.
"Human…"
"Yeah?"
"You didn't answer my… question."
"Question? If I'm a good person? I would say so, yes."
"Then… didn't you look at my spell earlier?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. But I put it aside when I realized that the spell belongs to someone."
Tepo looked at the little spirit in curiosity as he noticed the hesitation in his eyes.
"But… what if I tell you… that there is a way to learn my spell?"
"Hmm? Do you have its source with you?"
"No, no.
I have another way, but… it will take some commitment from you."
Racking his mind, Tepo was contemplating if he had missed anything. Was there a way to learn someone else's spell without it leading to death?
"What do you have in mind? It's not worth it to engrave a spell if someone has to die for it."
Varei was touched as he felt the genuine words from Tepo. His conviction increased greatly.
"Nobody would have to die. But if we do this, we have to work together for a long time."
Tepo kept his patience, staying silent until Varei finally revealed his thoughts.
"I… My core. It's called the Core of Lifebound Symbiosis. It allows me to form a bond with someone else."
Tepo couldn't suppress his surprise. A lot of guesses stormed in his mind:
"This sounds… unique. What are the advantages and disadvantages?"
"Well, one, we could exchange spells, letting us engrave each other's spells without drawbacks.
Two, we will be able to use the other's spells even if we haven't engraved them.
Three, we will both be strengthened in almost all aspects, especially if one of us is much stronger than the other."
As Varei spoke about his core, his voice was confident and proud. And he had any right to feel so. Tepo was shocked, never expecting such a core to exist.
But as the spirit stopped talking, Tepo still had to ask:
"All of this sounded great, but… what about the disadvantages?"
"I… if one of us dies… the other does too."
Tepo drew a sharp breath, but he already expected it. He still thought that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, this only let him become careful:
"Honestly, this sounds too good to be true.
So, why would you choose me? Haven't you made this offer to others?"
"Well, I choose you because forming the bond isn't easy. Someone with a weak soul might doom us both."
"And my soul is strong?"
"Yes! It's really strong for a human. Almost twice as powerful as others at your level."
Tepo rose his brow upon hearing this revelation.
My soul is strong? Is it from living two lifetimes?
This was Tepo's only guess. But he was still skeptical.
Those aristocrats grow up with all kinds of elixirs. Are you telling me that none of them has strengthened their soul before?
"I feel flattered, but…
Varei, if you want me to take such a risk, I need you to be honest with me."
"Wh… what do you mean?"
"For example, you didn't explain why you stay here and don't return to the spirit world."
"There is no spirit world!"
Suddenly the atmosphere turned tense. Tepo stared at the black eyes, not giving in.
A few minutes passed like this. Finally, the small spirit wavered. Sadness crept into its eyes. Suddenly, tears wetted the fur around its eyes, sobs coming from its snout.
"Don't look at me like this. *sob* I… I got banished from the spirit world!"
Tepo felt his chest tighten. He felt guilty as he looked at the crying little spirit. The human carefully took a few steps forward, bent down and slowly patted the spirit's head.
"Ok, ok. Shhh. I'm sorry. Do you want to tell me what happened?"
*sob* *sob*
"I… Because of my core I sought for people to form a bond with.
But… but… those despicable humans tricked me!"
Tepo sighed as he could already roughly guess what happened.
"I'm sorry for trying to deceive you! I have so many enemies now! *sob*
All the spirits hate me. My parents helped me flee, but I don't know if they survived! *sob*
Only the Mirage Lord was kind to me, bringing me here to search for someone to form a bond with.
But no one dares! They all fear the spirit world, fear for their own lives!
I… I don't want to drag you down. I will just stay here. This place is alright. Although I will turn weak, at least I can survive."
Tepo felt his heart melt as he looked at the little spirit. A decision gradually formed in his mind, affected by two things.
On one hand the threat brought by 'outsiders' constantly hung over his mind like a sharp sword ready to strike at any moment.
What is a small danger or a few more enemies in the face of such a catastrophe? Tepo would gladly risk his life if it meant boosting his chances in stopping the threat. This was something engrained in his very bones even before he joined the army.
On the other hand, he always had a soft spot for children, especially orphans. He saw a bit of himself in the little spirit. Now maybe it was time to do what Shev did for him and offer his support to the lost child.