The crisp and rhythmic sound of hooves striking the dirt road through the woods, accompanied by the gurgling of water, formed a tranquil melody of progress.
Several days slipped by amidst eating in the open air and sleeping rough. The initial restraint and unfamiliarity stemming from the gap in status and strength were gradually worn down by the daily journey side-by-side through dust and wind.
A Mi and Xiao Ye gradually realized that although this Elf Butler, addressed as "Third Master," maintained an outwardly rigid demeanor that kept people at arm's length, as if he were naturally meant to maintain airs...
Once they became slightly familiar with him, he wasn't truly as unapproachable as an iceberg.
As long as they maintained an appropriate level of respect in their speech and etiquette, avoiding any deliberate probing or challenging of his seemingly solid, yet perhaps somewhat fragile, shell of authority, he wasn't actually aloof. In fact, under specific circumstances, he could even be quite talkative.
...These insights into Third Master's personality were naturally gleaned by A Mi and Xiao Ye through carefully engaging the accompanying Guards—who were equally taciturn but occasionally let down their guard—in cautious conversation to "gather evidence" indirectly.
"Are all members of the Elf Race this tsundere? Presenting a cold front of 'Stay away, or face consequences,' but actually being quite... chatty once you get to know them?"
During a rest break, A Mi couldn't help but whisper this complaint to Xiao Ye privately, his expression a mixture of frustration and amusement.
This complaint earned a suppressed giggle from Xiao Ye.
That day, the group was moving slowly along a winding, crystal-clear stream. Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled, swaying shadows on the path.
A Mi and Xiao Ye exchanged a look on their horses and nodded tacitly.
They gently urged their mounts forward, riding their docile Elf Horses a few steps ahead until they were parallel with the window of Third Master's exquisite Carriage.
They had accumulated several questions, believing that the experience and knowledge of this well-traveled butler must far surpass their own, making him an excellent person to consult.
"Third Master," A Mi began, his tone perfectly calibrated—showing clear respect without being overly fawning.
The carriage curtain was lifted slightly from the inside by a long, slender hand with distinct knuckles and fair skin, revealing the face of the Xiao San Butler, whose expression rarely showed major shifts, but whose eyes were no longer as bone-chillingly cold as when they first met.
"What is it?" His response was still concise, carrying the inherent coolness of the Elves in his tone.
"We... have some questions in our minds. After thinking it over, we felt we should ask for your guidance. We wonder... if this is appropriate to ask."
Xiao Ye gathered her courage and added softly, her voice carrying a natural timidity and cautious probing, like a fledgling bird just peeking out of its nest.
"Speak." Third Master's reply was still a single word, as stingy as his expression.
A Mi organized his thoughts, which had been scattered by the wind, and posed the long-lingering question: "We want to know, why did the Moon Shadow Family... or rather, why did the noble Miss Lina, choose to help us—a combination that, to outsiders, doesn't seem particularly remarkable?"
Upon hearing this, the corner of Third Master's mouth twitched downward almost imperceptibly, forming an extremely faint arc tinged with mockery, as if he found the question both childish and redundant.
"It was the Miss herself who helped you. This was her decision, her will."
He spoke plainly, attributing the credit entirely to Lina.
"As for the reasons and considerations behind it, those are the Miss's own thoughts, which we subordinates cannot presume to speculate upon. We only need to execute faithfully."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over A Mi and Xiao Ye again like a precise ruler, his tone flat, as if stating an objective fact, betraying no praise or criticism: "Furthermore, allow me to advise you: do not be overly self-deprecating, but also do not overestimate the commonality of Contractors in this world."
"Although Contracted Spirits and Spirit Masters are not as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns on this vast continent, they are certainly not as common as pebbles picked up off the street.
Every successful Contract establishment involves complex factors and a degree of chance.
To overcome the difficult threshold of summoning and successfully establish a stable Contract Link—this in itself is an invisible form of selection, a kind of... luck worth cherishing."
He seemed to have been drawn into conversation.
...Perhaps the long journey was indeed somewhat dull, or perhaps the relatively "peaceful" interactions of the past few days had reduced his wariness and disdain slightly toward these two young people who, despite their low Strength, often inadvertently revealed subtle differences.
"Contracted Spirits," his voice rose slightly, carrying the distant resonance of historical narration.
"Ever since those ancient Contract Rules shone upon the world like Stars, they have exerted an immeasurably profound influence on every intelligent Race, on the entire World's civilizational progress and power structure."
"This influence is not limited merely to their myriad strange Magic Tools, which can often reverse the tide in life-or-death battles."
"When they are summoned, their very existence seems to carry some kind of knowledge and powerful adaptive traits that transcend the individual.
Regardless of whether their prototype originates from some historical echo or some peculiar Race heritage, they seem innately capable of understanding, absorbing, and rapidly mastering the existing knowledge system, complex techniques, and operational Rules of our World with astonishing speed."
"...Whether it is exquisite forging that requires a thousand refinements, profound magical theories containing the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, complex alchemy formulas demanding extreme precision, or even ordinary farming, architectural planning, and artistic creation..."
"In every field and sector, as long as a Contracted Spirit is willing to engage and invest effort, they can often utilize their traits to perform roles comparable to, or even surpassing, seasoned professionals in that field, vigorously promoting the consolidation, inheritance, and iterative development of various skills."
"Of course," he abruptly shifted his tone, instantly snapping back from historical reverie, dragging his wandering thoughts firmly back to the soil of reality.
"The primary duty and most widely recognized use of Contracted Spirits still revolve around combat, guarding, exploring unknown and dangerous places, and so on.
After all, Strength remains the most direct and most valued core metric by which the value of individuals and groups is measured by all parties."
The two exchanged an "Oh~ I see" expression.
"Then, Third Master, if that is the case, the focus and spotlight seem to be mostly on the Contracted Spirit," A Mi seized the opportunity to raise a new question.
"How, then, should the value and criteria for judging the Spirit Master, the Contractor, be measured?"
Xiao Ye also nodded vigorously beside him, indicating this was also a doubt in her mind.
Indeed, the two planned to use Third Master's current enthusiasm for talking to dig up more valuable knowledge.
Third Master: (￣┏＿┓￣)
You're done playing games, aren't you?!
But ultimately, he suppressed his temper. Perhaps because stopping halfway would damage his image as a "teacher," he explained irritably:
"The Spirit Master, as the Contractor of the Contracted Spirit, their importance is naturally beyond doubt. The most crucial aspect is naturally holding the ultimate authority over the activation, maintenance, and... termination of the Contract."
As he spoke, he gave A Mi a meaningful look, clearly aware of A Mi's previous experiences.
"Furthermore, when a Contracted Spirit unleashes its core Strength—that is, the Magic Tool—it requires the Spirit Master's affirmation, Guidance, and coordinated cooperation. The two must be of one mind and resonate spiritually to maximize the Magic Tool's power.
If the Spirit Master cannot provide effective support due to fear, hesitation, resistance, or poor personal condition—
then the unleashing of the Magic Tool will either fail directly or its effect will be greatly diminished. In severe cases, it might even trigger an energy Backlash, harming both the Contracted Spirit and the Spirit Master themselves."
"Here is some bonus common knowledge regarding Art Tools... so you don't end up embarrassing yourselves like ignorant fools everywhere later, and so you don't have to bother me again."
He added with a hint of disdain, as if imparting this information was some kind of favor.
"A single Contracted Spirit, limited by the carrying capacity of its Spirit Core, can only sustain the enhancement effects of a maximum of two Art Tools simultaneously.
To equip a third, one of the existing two must be unequipped. The process of equipping, unequipping, and switching surplus Art Tools also requires the Spirit Master to operate via the Contract Link as a bridge."
He glanced at Xiao Ye, his tone carrying an almost imperceptible... let's call it "sympathy based on realistic assessment"?
"Of course, given your current abysmal financial situation and stage of development, merely managing to acquire one reasonably useful Art Tool is already a blessing from the Goddess of Luck.
It is estimated that for a very long time into the Future, you will neither need nor be able to consider the 'luxury' of Art Tool switching. That flame-enchanted Art Tool you possess probably completely drained your meager savings just to obtain it, didn't it?"
He made an assumption he believed to be reasonable.
Xiao Ye & A Mi: "-_-||"
The two maintained a tacit silence; neither mentioned that the Art Tool was actually "given for free" by Lina, who even covered the cost of two sets of clothes.
At times like this, it was better to let Third Master maintain his fixed impression of them as "poor but hardworking （ and quite lucky ）."
"Finally," Third Master seemed ready to conclude this impromptu "roadside lecture," his tone carrying the relief of completing a task.
"Art Tools are not exclusive to Contracted Spirits.
Spirit Masters can also attempt to utilize the power of Art Tools, though the effect will be greatly diminished, far less pronounced and stable than when used on a Contracted Spirit with matching attributes.
After all, the design philosophy and energy circuits of the vast majority of Art Tools are primarily intended to amplify and adapt to the unique ability system of the Contracted Spirit."
Having said this, like a strict teacher who had finished today's lesson, he no longer gave the two any opportunity to ask further questions.
He coolly dropped the line, "Focus on the journey, stop looking around," and decisively lowered the carriage curtain, once again isolating that exquisite private space from the outside world.
A Mi and Xiao Ye exchanged glances, seeing in each other's eyes a wealth of new knowledge and deeper contemplation.
The information Third Master revealed today gave them a clearer and more profound understanding than before of the underlying Rules of this World, the relationship between Contracted Spirits and Spirit Masters, and their own subtle position within this vast system.
"Thank you for your Guidance, Third Master~" A Mi called out toward the now-closed carriage window, raising his voice in thanks.
The response was an almost inaudible, impatient snort from inside the carriage.
The two exchanged a knowing smile, gently pulling the reins to make their horses obediently slow their pace, falling back half a horse-length behind the carriage, resuming their position in the escort.
...And so, the wheels continued forward, the hooves remained light, carrying them, each with their own thoughts, following this small procession along the stream toward the destination where a hint of Dawn Light was already visible, moving forward steadfastly.