Chapter 5

There are three main methods to contract with a Shikigami.

The first is to directly create a Shikigami oneself.

This is the method preferred by the majority of Exorcists. The strength of the Shikigami tends to depend on the materials used in its creation and the level of the Sorcerer.

‘While the convenience of the contract and ease of handling are advantages, the downsides are the cumbersome creation process and the generally lower overall level of the Shikigami.’

The second method is to summon an already existing Shikigami and contract with it.

Divine Beasts or guardian deities that appear in legends or folklore fall into this category, and they often boast power commensurate with their fame.

However, their numbers are few, the contracts are difficult, and even if successful, they are hard to control, making this a non-standard method.

‘And finally.’

The most difficult and dangerous method: taming a Specter and employing it as a Shikigami.

‘Honestly, ultimately, one should aim for the second or third method.’

Of course, it’s no easy task, but without doing so, one cannot reach the pinnacle as a Shikigami Sorcerer.

“Even so, for now, it’s the first method.”

From the start, the Phantom Body Trait is closer to a late-bloomer type than a completed form.

While it allows contracting with Shikigami regardless of my stats, controlling a powerful entity at this point would be difficult.

Furthermore, the first method was also the most suitable for my current circumstances.

‘If I have the materials, I can make most things, and there’s someone who can procure those materials for me.’

And so, I now find myself, rather abruptly, at Seo Jian’s mansion.

Just to be clear, let me say it again: I am at Seo Jian’s mansion.

“……”

“What are you spacing out for? Hurry up.”

Seo Jian’s private residence, located outside the school grounds. The reason I called it a mansion is simple.

It was simply too large to be called just a house.

“To begin with, there’s no way you could easily bring such dangerous items into the school dormitory.”

“I heard it’s possible if you follow the procedures?”

“Too much hassle. I don’t want to.”

“……”

Well, even so, I was honestly glad. Not only did I need to meet Seo Jian in person sooner or later, but I was also genuinely curious.

‘Seo Jian’s house, which wasn’t even mentioned in the original work. Of course I’m curious.’

But that curiosity vanished the moment I stepped inside the residence.

“Didn’t you clearly say it was a house?”

“To me, this is a house.”

A scene of utter chaos, reminiscent of the offices of high-ranking corporate executives.

Everywhere was densely packed with unidentifiable materials, and traces of unfinished work were evident.

“To begin with, I actually live inside the dormitory, so this place is just something I prepared out of necessity.”

Indeed, the setting was that Seo Jian spent most of her time within the school grounds. She even trained in the mountains on the school grounds every night.

“…For some reason, it’s safer inside the school than outside.”

Seo Jian’s expression as she said this seemed somewhat complicated.

“Anyway, I’ve gathered everything you mentioned. It’s in that room.”

“That was fast.”

“…Who was it that asked me to gather it quickly?”

Seo Jian muttered with a displeased look. Indeed, even as a member of Daejin Industries, procuring these sorcery materials one by one must have been quite a hassle.

I moved my feet to head towards the room Seo Jian indicated.

At that moment, my shadow quivered slightly. As if sending a warning.

‘……’

Sensing something, I stopped and stood still. Then, shrugging my shoulders, I asked Seo Jian.

“Who is it?”

Seo Jian, who had been watching the whole process beside me, suddenly let out a sigh and frowned.

“I told you not to hide like that, it causes unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Swish.

“My apologies, Young Miss.”

At that moment, I felt a genuine sense of danger for the first time since arriving in this world.

‘I couldn’t sense any presence at all, even though they were this close.’

At least an Intermediate-Rank Concealment Art. That meant a considerable expert.

Leaving me, who was startled, aside, the two of them continued their conversation.

“I told you there’s no need to be on guard.”

“…Even so, this is my duty.”

“Then just openly stick by my side instead.”

While it was noteworthy to see Seo Jian, usually so cool-headed, acting annoyed, that wasn’t the important thing right now.

‘Appraisal.’

【Yoo Ain】

▶Level 50

▶Stats

【Stamina : B+】

【Spiritual Power : B-】

【Art Formula : C】

【Mental Strength : B-】

▶Traits (4/10)

【Swift Blade Through Chaos (A-)】

【Presence Concealment (B-)】

【Sensory Expansion (C+)】

【Strong Body (C-)】

‘Level 50?’

Opinions may vary, but within the Exorcism Academy series, the baseline for a strong individual is generally considered to be Level 50.

From that perspective, this woman named Yoo Ain clearly belonged among the ‘strong’.

‘Looking at her stats, she seems to be a physical type.’

After unlocking the Phantom Body Trait, my perception abilities have improved incomparably to before.

But even so, if Yoo Ain’s Art Formula rank had been as high as her Stamina, I wouldn’t have easily noticed her presence.

‘She was probably testing me.’

Whether I could sense her presence or not. Or what reaction I would show if I did. It seemed to be Yoo Ain’s own rite of passage to gauge minimal hostility.

“Sigh… Fine. Just wait outside until we’re done talking.”

“Huh? But!”

Yoo Ain shot me a resentful look.

Hey, even if you look at me like that, I didn’t do anything.

As the situation settled, Seo Jian, unusually, apologized to me with an embarrassed expression.

“…I’m ashamed. It wasn’t with any ill intent.”

“It’s fine. It wasn’t an attack, and I did think it was strange that you didn’t have any retainers.”

“Even though I clearly told her you were a guest… She’s just overly suspicious.”

Having dealt with the unexpected interference, I opened the door to the room again and checked all the prepared materials.

True to Seo Jian’s Financier trait, not a single item looked subpar at a glance. They were all high-quality goods.

‘As expected, I’ve gained an excellent patron, beyond my expectations.’

Seo Jian has already perfectly fulfilled my requests twice now. If you receive, you must give. Now it was my turn to keep my promise.

“Just to be sure, have you ever used Natural-Type Sorcery other than the Wind element?”

“Of course not. To begin with, I don’t even know the Art Formulas for the other elements. Wouldn’t it be weirder if I knew them all?”

I nodded. Without the relevant trait, investing in that element would ultimately be a waste of time.

“I’ll teach you the Art Formula, so that’s not an issue.”

“Understood. So what do I need to do now?”

To Seo Jian, who was looking at me with eyes containing a hint of anticipation, I grinned and continued.

“First, go to the bathroom and get into the tub.”

“Huh?”

At my words, Seo Jian’s face turned cold, and Yoo Ain, who had reappeared from somewhere, drew the sword she was holding and said coolly.

“Shall I kill him?”

“No, what are you thinking? Of course it’s not in a weird sense.”

It took quite a bit of explanation to properly convince the two of them.

Splash.

“W-well, I’m in now.”

True to its grand scale, Seo Jian’s residence had a separate, spacious bathhouse detached from the living quarters.

“Living alone, you don’t need a bath this size, do you?”

“…It’s a preference. Management isn’t a problem since there are servants.”

Seo Jian, having changed clothes and gotten into the bath to prevent any potential mishaps.

Of course, there was no exposure of bare skin or anything like that. It wasn’t something I had done with that in mind.

Even though it’s official business, the situation itself seemed quite embarrassing for her, as her face was flushed.

“If you’re going to start, hurry up.”

“I already am.”

Fizz.

I recalled the Art Formula in my mind and immediately began deploying it.

The first was a condensation art targeting the bath itself.

The second was an activation art targeting the water in the bath.

Finally, the third was an Assimilation Art Formula activated simultaneously targeting both Seo Jian and the bath.

Each had its own formal name, but to cut to the chase, it was a process of creating an environment more conducive to attuning with nature.

“Hng.”

Although Seo Jian has used Wind-element Art Formulas until now, her true talent doesn’t lie there.

▶Traits (5/10)

【Water God (S)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Daughter of the Wind (B-)】

【Financier (B-)】

【Hawk’s Eye (C+)】

‘Well, since she has a Wind-element trait, it’s understandable she’d be mistaken.’

But I, with knowledge of the Exorcism Academy series, know.

‘In the end, Natural-Type Sorcery is meaningless without a high-rank trait to support it.’

Even the B- rank ‘Daughter of the Wind’ trait is insufficient. That’s why it was called low-efficiency and non-mainstream.

‘But, if it’s S-Rank or above, the story is a bit different.’

【Water God (S)】

▶Possesses absolute authority in performing Water-element Cursed Technique.

As long as the Water God trait exists, Seo Jian had ample potential to achieve greatness with Natural-Type Sorcery.

“Here, the Art Formula.”

“It’s this concise? Core components are missing here and there. Are you telling me to self-destruct?”

“No, this is right for you.”

In a way, it’s arrogant for humans to think they can control nature as they please.

Because of that, Natural-Type Sorcery values the distinction of frameworks more than any other sorcery.

If not, the caster themselves might suffer the consequences.

‘But Seo Jian’s case is different.’

For someone with an S-Rank Natural-Type trait, clumsy frameworks and forms become poison instead. They only result in suppressing one’s own power and potential.

“Try to feel the flow of the water in this state until you can deploy the Art Formula I taught you.”

“…No, I don’t think that will be necessary.”

Seo Jian seemed to have grasped something, creating a momentarily serene atmosphere.

And then.

Fwoop.

“Huh?”

Splash!

She suddenly grabbed me, who was beside her, and pulled me into the tub. Pulling me subtly to her side was a bonus.

‘…What’s the meaning of this?’

Her jade-colored short hair, wet with water, wafted a subtle fragrance. Her pale face, beaded with water droplets, felt momentarily enchanting.

As I, having ended up face-to-face with Seo Jian by chance, looked at her in confusion, Seo Jian gave a faint smile.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’ve never seen an Art Formula composition like this.”

“So, if it fails, we die together?”

“It probably won’t go that far for a test run, but shouldn’t you take proper responsibility?”

A rather bloody-minded way of thinking. Even so, it wasn’t incomprehensible.

“Goodness.”

The Art Formula is perfect anyway.

As I didn’t refuse, Seo Jian, seeming relieved, began composing the Art Formula right away.

Being her first time using it, it took quite a bit of time, but she steadily finished the composition and deployed the Art Formula.

“Hoo.”

Then, a wave formed.