Sylphid, who dislikes demons, might even try to exorcise me in the worst-case scenario.

I decided to keep quiet about Sylphid’s misunderstanding.

“I thought about your call. I felt your potential, but you didn’t quite feel like the perfect spirit master we were hoping for. So I called you here. The result, as I just said, was a flop.”

He playfully tapped my forehead.

“Now, have all misunderstandings been cleared?”

‘I don’t remember such an event when the heroine obtained the Northern treasure.’

There was no mention of meeting the Spirit King. Though there was the sad event of Rose’s death, the story only told of the heroine acquiring the legendary treasure overnight.

Perhaps this is a special event because, as he said, I lack the qualifications.

“Let’s go back to the beginning. This place holds immense treasures that any human would desire. What will you do with these treasures?”

Gold coins glittered at my feet. The space shimmered with so much gold it almost looked like sand.

‘Ah, that sword over there. It would be perfect for Darius. In the original story, a magical sword was obtained here.’

And with all this gold, I wouldn’t have to worry about funding for the development projects in the North or revamping the training grounds.

“You know why I searched frantically, believing in a legend that has become a fairy tale in this era. You wouldn’t know, staying here, but the world now thinks of the promise between ancestor Inkheart and you as a child’s fairy tale.”

Money, the North needs money right now.

But waiting for the heroine, who could solve all these problems, would be too late.

“I know a demon king is coming. Your treasures were made to prepare for that final day. I need it now, to prepare for the impending demon army.”

This isn’t just sweet talk to win him over. I truly know. I’ve read the original story. All of this was really prepared to fund the fight against the demon army that will eventually invade.
“Of course, being a mere human, you must be dying to make a contract with me, Sylphid, the great Wind Spirit King. But hold on. Just like it’s dangerous for a baby to suddenly start jumping, if you try to make a contract with me now at your level, the strain on your power will kill you.”

So, I should first make a contract with Sylph, a lower wind spirit? Is this how I smartly begin my life as a spirit master?

‘Well, having any kind of power isn’t bad.’

“Even you will find it difficult to handle Sylph, which I generously offered. You may not impress me, but I can’t say you lack talent, so don’t neglect your training.”

Sylph immediately showed curiosity and began examining me as soon as the Spirit King handed it to me. It really resembled a puppy in many ways. Is it going to start panting soon?

“Don’t make me regret opening this door for you. Wife of Inkheart.”

‘You knew?’

Sylphid faintly smiled. Now that I think about it, when Sylphid first took the form of Lucion, he said he had looked into my mind to choose his appearance. How far had he seen into my mind?

“One last piece of advice: time does not pass in this place. The outside world will be the same as when you entered here… Give it your all.”

With those words, the place where he stood started to crumble without warning. The clear image of Sylphid began to fade.

The sound of gold coins pouring down was the only loud noise.

‘What’s that sound?’

I struggled to grasp what was happening as the room moved around me.

Just like when I entered, the Spirit King left, leaving only mysteries behind.

Gasp.

The cold wind touched my body again.

Was all that a dream? If it was a dream, where does the dream start?

The sound of gold coins clinking brought me back to reality.

Regaining my senses and looking around, the spot under the tree where I had first arrived was filled with gold coins. It was as if all the gold from the treasure chamber had been moved here.