——— Mira ———
Once I got back home with Minho and sent him to sleep in the basement, I lay in my bed restless, trying to calm down by looking up to the Demon Lord of Illusion hanging over me.
Minho could finally see the ghost.
He told me later the water vapor trick was something called Holy Water in his world. It was supposed to exorcise ghosts, which unfortunately didn't work this time, but it helped make the ghost visible to the naked eye.
When it choked me I felt every bit of it like I was getting choked myself.
But then again, I hit him, slapped him, and kicked him in the balls many times.
If it was the balls only it made sense why I didn't feel the pain. But I landed many chops on his head to which I didn't feel.
What was the difference?
I felt the pain when my illusion punched him as well, also when he hit my illusion.
There was a theory that was brewing in my head and I only had one way to find out.
As much as I hated asking for anyone's help, I needed it this time.
…
"Are you sure about this?", Celestine asked, quite unsure.
Minho also stood between us looking puzzled, concerned, and irritated.
"Why do we have to do this?", the Human protested.
"It's absolutely necessary we do this, and I can't do it alone."
We were in the back of the Academy's East Wing building where nobody ever comes. So it was the perfect place to conduct a little experiment.
"Sigh… this is a silly idea but there's no helping it I suppose.", Minho was resigned to accepting it, just like how he accepted any and every command I gave him.
The trauma of my Mirror of Despair must have been so strong that he never wanted to go through it again. I kinda felt bad and proud at the same time.
I shouldn't feel bad about bossing my summoned monster though, I told myself.
I had only one goal in my life for now - to win the contest and get the reward from the Emperor himself, which could possibly grant me some REAL magical power.
"Are you really OK with this too, Minho? I won't do it if you don't want it.", Celestine asked Minho, respectfully.
"Hey, he has no say in this. It is my decision!"
"You should respect your Human, Minakong."
"Hm, yes. Some respect would be nice for a change.", Minho spoke for himself.
"Now, don't get any fancy ideas, Human. Just do as arranged."
"Very well, then.", Celestine shrugged and looked at me once, looked at Minho, looked at me once again, and…
:Slap!:
She slapped Minho with full force, but oh well, the Human was physically strong and Celestine wasn't exactly a bulky muscular girl, more like a girl whose body screamed 'I'm a fragile young lady please protect me."
"Ouch.", Minho took it well.
I felt nothing.
"Again.", Celestine this time didn't hesitate and slapped Minho again.
Nothing.
"Why don't you kick him around for a bit?"
"Hey!", Minho started rebelling again so this time I gave him a noogie on the head.
I still felt nothing.
"Ok, Celestine. If you don't want to be violent just give him a few noogies."
"Right… If this really helps you - but remember, it's only because you helped me yesterday, OK? I really don't want to do this myself. I'm sorry, Minho."
"It's not your fault.", the demon shrugged.
Celestine then hit Minho on the head a few times, more playfully than force fully and now I was completely sure that physical attack on Minho didn't transfer to me.
Now I just the final test…
"Right. OK, now I'm gonna go around that corner so you won't see me. I will count to ten and I want you to attack Minho with some magic. Maybe give him a hit with a shock wave or something."
"Why do you need to be away?", Celestine inquired, confused.
"Please just do as I say. If you feel bad, you don't have to hit him too hard. Just make sure that you attack using a shock wave, or water magic, or whatever. But DON'T burn him with fire, OK?"
"I wouldn't want to hurt him that way either."
"Oh, man. This isn't a good day for me.", the demon was still compliant though.
So after it was arranged, I quickly ran around the corner and shouted.
"Do it now!"
After a few seconds, I felt a faint pain in my tummy.
"Do it again, harder!"
Then came a bit stronger pain, like a punch in the stomach.
"Just one more time! Harder!"
"Are you sure?", Celestine yelled over to confirm one final time.
"Yeah!"
I wasn't sure if Celestine was conjuring up a stronger magic or hesitating, but this time it took a little longer than before and…
"ARRRGH!"
I heard Minho scream and I clenched my jaws tight to not let out any sound.
That REALLY hurt.
I felt like I got kicked in the stomach really hard and fell to my knees.
It became clear then how things - WE were connected.
I managed to get up, dusted off my knees, and went around the corner to return to them. Minho was panting on the ground with Celestine kneeling next to him patting his head.
"Don't touch MY demon, Celestine!"
I made my way over, stumbling, still reeling from the pain.
"Poor Minho, but he took it well. But… are you alright?"
Celestine noticed that something was wrong with me too.
"I… I'm fine. Anyway, that will do for now. Thanks."
"Well, let's not do this again, Minakong. I feel bad now."
"Yeah, MINAKONG, let's not do this again.", frowning, Minho joined in.
"Right, right. I'm sorry, but it had to be done. Thanks a lot, Celestine, it really helped."
She looked at me with curious and suspicious eyes, and then broke into her usual smile that was both kind and cryptic.
"Well, it is settled then, isn't it? You helped me, and I helped you. We are even now, heh."
"Yup, may we cross our paths in the final then."
"You are pretty confident, Minakong.", Celestine mused.
"You bet. I'm the most talented mage in the Academy after all."
"We will see about that."
Yeah, we will see about that.