I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

91. Contamination

Giselle continued to follow the blue wolf up the mountain. Fortunately, it was a shortcut that few people knew about, so she was able to continue moving without much trouble.

Although a monster appeared once in the middle, High Mountain is a mountain of spirits. The blue wolf, a high-level spirit, slightly threatened the monster, so the monster disappeared in an instant.

Seeing that, Giselle felt trust in the blue wolf. Of course, since it was her first time seeing a spirit, she couldn’t help but be wary, but as she received guidance from him, her wariness seemed to ease somewhat.

After about two more days, Giselle looked at the map and said,

“Excuse me, I heard there’s a human village around here. Can I do some maintenance there for a bit?”

Although the high mountains are a very difficult environment for the average human to live in, there are humans who live there.

They were famous for practicing in places where the energy of nature was strongest, thereby increasing their affinity for nature, and were also known for having a considerable number of spirit masters.

So, just like many other students, Giselle was planning to go to the village for maintenance and then head to the summit.

Even for a seasoned climber, it would take about four days to climb a distance, but with the help of the spirits, I was able to climb in just three days. So, even if I prepared properly and focused on safety while climbing, I was sure to be considerably ahead of the other students.

However, the answer the blue wolf gave was a little different from what Giselle had expected.

[No, that won’t work.]

Then Giselle let out a sound. The blue wolf had been faithfully listening to her requests all this time, so this was the first time she had been rejected by the blue wolf.

Giselle looked at the blue wolf in confusion and asked.

“…Uh, can you tell me why that won’t work? I’m sorry, but I originally planned to go to town to do some maintenance before heading out again…”

Then the blue wolf frowned slightly (at least it seemed that way to Giselle) and said:

[If it can’t be done, then it can’t be done. I don’t like that town very much. If you want to go to that town, I’ll stop here with the guidance.]

At those words, Giselle closed her mouth and began to ponder with a serious expression. What should she do? Of course, she could get good results with the help of the blue wolf… but she also did not want to be derailed from her original plan.

Maybe he could get first place without any more help from the blue wolf. But if he moves in a way the blue wolf doesn’t want, will the blue wolf look kindly on him?

Even though the blue wolf is not the main body, the blue wolf is a high-level spirit. It is possible for the wolf, which is an incarnation, to interfere with you.

Besides, with the help of the Blue Wolf, wouldn’t it be almost certain that you’d be able to take first place? Of course, the fact that you can’t maintain it is a concern, but considering that up until now, you’ve been able to avoid the unique climate and monsters of High Mountain with the Blue Wolf’s ability, it wasn’t bad.

Giselle, who had been worrying like that, finally made a decision and looked at the blue wolf and said.

“…If you say so, I won’t visit the village. However, I’m a little worried that it won’t be maintained… .”

[What is there to be anxious about? I will take care of it as I have done so far. It is a very wise choice. Then let’s continue on our way.]

At the blue wolf’s words, Giselle let out a small sigh.

Yes, wouldn’t it have been much faster if we had the help of the blue wolf anyway? If we hadn’t had the help of the blue wolf, it would have been difficult to climb the mountain this quickly. Since we climbed the mountain in an instant, there were still a lot of supplies left, and the situation was going smoothly in many ways.

So, it was better not to have any doubts, since the decision had already been made anyway.

…

On the fourth day of climbing the mountain, Vanessa finally arrived at a village halfway up the mountain. It was said to be a village where spirits gathered. She looked around the lodgings with curiosity.

“Oh, you’re a foreigner? I heard that academy students will be coming here to take exams. I guess you’re one of those students.”

The one who spoke to me was an old man who seemed to live in the village.

At that, Vanessa nodded and said.

“Yes. I’m a student. I’m planning to take a break here. Can I see your accommodations?”

Then the old man pointed in a direction with his finger.

“Yes. Since many wizards come to High Mountain on pilgrimage, there are quite a few lodgings in our village located in High Mountain. If you go over there, you’ll find lodgings. Of course, it won’t be as good as the Lady’s Castle, but it’s not bad. Considering it’s located in a mountain like this.”

Then Vanessa waved her hand and said,

“Oh, no, that’s okay! I can sleep anywhere. Then, the accommodation is over there, right?”

“Yes. The prices may be a little high, but it can’t be helped since this is an inn in the mountains. But… ”

The old man suddenly hardened his face and said.

“If you’re an academy student, getting to the top of that mountain is a test, right?”

Vanessa nodded, not knowing what to do. Why was she looking so serious? Did the spirits get angry when they got to the top of the mountain?

The old man saw Vanessa nod, then carefully whispered in her ear.

“Be careful. There has been a lot of evil spirits among you recently. Most spirits are friendly or uninterested in humans, but there may be spirits that hate humans or try to use them. They may even try to force you into a contract.”

Then Vanessa said carefully.

“…I can’t see the spirits very well, so could you explain what it means?”

“If the incarnation of a spirit is not visible, it means that the affinity for nature is low, so there is no need to be careful about forcing a contract. It just means that the spirits can intentionally change the natural environment to be unfavorable to humans. For example, a flame suddenly appears in front of you.”

“that….”

“The shamans of this village were already worried. They say there’s something fishy going on among the spirits. The environment in High Mountain changes a lot as you go higher up, so if you’re not careful, you could get seriously hurt.”

After hearing that, Vanessa thought for a moment and then said.

“What does it mean to be forced into a contract?”

“Huh? You don’t need to worry about that. It’s something that only people with high natural affinity but lack a mature mind worry about.”

“No, but just in case. I want to hear what you have to say.”

Then the old man stroked his beard for a moment and said,

“Forced contracts are the most evil thing a spirit incarnate can do. Literally, it’s forcing a contract with a child who has the qualities of a spirit master. It’s about mentally breaking the child’s heart.”

“If that happens….”

“The spirit’s true form manifests in the spirit realm. And it sucks up the summoner’s magical power and causes all sorts of problems. Most people who experience this end up dying with their magical power completely depleted.”

“…”

“It’s fortunate that it’s a low-level or mid-level spirit. If it’s a high-level spirit, there’s no way to stop it. Especially if the summoner’s talent is outstanding, the power of the main body can be fully unleashed.”

Vanessa’s expression became serious when she heard those words. Looking at Vanessa’s face, the old man gave her a request.

“Since the young lady seems to have low affinity for nature, there shouldn’t be any major problems. However, students with high affinity for nature should visit the sorcerers here if possible. If you associate with evil spirits, especially spirits tainted by black magic, you will gradually be mentally eroded by the spirits.”

The old man who said that took a deep breath and continued speaking.

“This place is relatively safe. Even if they are high-level spirits, they are not the true spirits, but incarnations, and are no match for the sorcerers here. The sorcerers here are more skilled than anyone else at recognizing tainted spirits.”

Vanessa nodded after hearing that. Then, after thinking for a moment, she said.

“…I understand. Then it would be a good idea to prepare countermeasures against spirits here.”

“Yes, that would be good. Of course, you have prepared to some extent for the rapidly changing environment, but the spirits’ fickleness may not be enough even for such preparations.”

And at that time, Giselle continued to climb the mountain with the blue wolf.

“Excuse me, Spirit. Is this the right way to go?”

The blue wolf nodded and said.

[Of course. Just follow along without any doubts. Haven’t I been guiding you on the right path so far?]

To the spirit’s words, Giselle had no choice but to nod and say ‘yes’.