Chapter 254 – Birth of an Alchemist

Are you asking me to be the father of the spirits?

She thought it was a joke, but Wendy’s attitude was genuine.
Wendy looked at me with an apologetic expression, leaving behind the spirits who burst into tears.
If you don’t become a papa, it seems that her class will end while she only cries like this.

ㅡ aaaaa! I hate single mother families!
-If there is no papa, who will make the money? With so many family members, Maman can’t handle it alone!
– I cried because I missed Papa! Hehe!!
-I just cried out loud! Aaaaa!!

There is only one way to appease the spirits who have become crybabies. For me to act as a father even during the time I spend with the spirits. It’s different from the house play I used to play with when I was young. The receptionist lady, who was her first love, is asking to be her husband. Even if you know it’s acting, your heart can’t help but beat.

‘I can’t help it.’

Among the weeping spirits, Undine, who had asked me a question earlier, was looking at me with an expectant look on her face. The reason why they obediently obeyed my orders was probably because they were drawing a big picture to make me their papa. Truly an evil spirit.

“Okay. I’m a father. I can do it for a while. It’s kind of pissing me off to hear you keep crying. No, why are those spirits’ cries so annoying?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Luke.”

Wendy bowed her head and apologized to me. Wendy has nothing to be sorry for. It’s only because the spirits of the other world like married women. In fact, spirits prefer married women among spirits. It’s because women with her husbands have high magic power on average. I’m not sure how to calculate the magic power level.

“Calm down.”

I gathered my heart and stepped out in front of the howling spirits.

“From now on, I’m your father. You don’t have to be sad because you’re a single parent family. Your parents aren’t odd.”

Hearing that he would be my father, the weeping spirits raised their heads. Among them, Undine, who was leading the mood, opened her mouth.

-I-Really?!
“Yes. I’ll do whatever you ask, so stop crying.”
-What is Papa’s name?
“It’s Luke.”
-Luke Papa!

Luke Papa.
The spirits followed Undine’s words as if they were reciting them under a mask. Suddenly, the cries stopped and happy smiles spread across the spirits’ faces.

– Papa! Luke Papa!
-We have a papa! That blond dreamer feeds us!
ㅡ rrr r r r r r r r r r r r r!!
– I cried because I missed Papa!

I never thought I would be called a papa in my early 20s. It has been my lifelong wish to have a cute daughter. These spirits also look cute. Since most of them are low-level spirits, they all take the form of girls. Of course, contrary to his childlike appearance, he seems quite clever on the inside.

-Luke Papa! But don’t Mamang and Papa have to be open to each other?
“Yeah, that’s right.”
-But why are you two awkwardly distancing yourself from earlier?

Among the spirits, Sylph asked me a question. Sylph pointed with his finger at the vague gap between me and Wendy.

“Uh…”

Why are you keeping your distance?
That’s because they’re not a real couple! However, if he revealed the truth that he was acting, the spirits would surely make a fuss. Wouldn’t it be the same act as revealing that there is no Santa to a child?

I’m doing this for class!
I wanted to reveal my true feelings like a chimney, but I held it in.

– I want to see Mamang and Papa holding hands! Show off your sweet side!
“Ouch.”

A cold sweat ran down my back at the sudden request. The other spirits also looked at Wendy with eyes full of anticipation. Isn’t it enough to simply be called papa? The spirits were expecting a real couple from us.

-That’s right. Why are you a couple but apart from each other?
-Could it be that Mamang and Papa are in a period of boredom? Is she considering a divorce?
ㅡ aaaaa!! I want a harmonious family!!

No matter how much acting it is, can I hold the widow’s hand at will? At the request of the spirits, an awkward silence passed between me and Wendy for a while. It’s not easy to appease the spirits.

I always thought it was a job that ate spiritists raw, but my impression changed in an instant. They were people who lived through the pain of parenting.

“Hey, Mr. Wendy. What should we do?”
“There’s nothing difficult about holding hands. It’s not another man, it’s Luke.”

After thinking for a moment, Wendy coolly held out her hand toward me. The dignity of her elders is felt in that she accepts the spirits’ pampering without difficulty. Is it because she has a career in raising Mary? Even in this chaotic situation, she could afford Wendy.

“Okay, I’ll catch it.”
“Yes, whooping.”

Took!

I held Wendy’s hand as she held it out in front of her. Her warm warmth and soft touch are felt through her hands. It’s a cold winter, but Wendy’s hands are warm.

It was the moment when I held her hand like that and stood there.
Wendy pulled me in with her sweet smile. The gap between us, which had been awkwardly wide open, was shortening.

“Now, everyone saw them holding hands, right? It’s difficult to use groups anymore.”
– Yes! Wendy Maman!
-It looks good! Our family is harmonious!
ㅡYou were a real extrovert.

The spirits were finally satisfied when they showed them holding hands. I thought what if I was spoiled again, but now everyone behaves like a docile sheep. I let go of Wendy’s hand as I let out a sigh of relief for her.

“Huh? Are you letting go of her hand like this?”
“There’s no reason to hold on any longer, is there?”
“There’s no specific reason… Just holding hands with Luke-sama makes me feel at ease.”
“Your heart?”
“Whoops.”

Do you feel comfortable holding hands?
Are my hands some kind of tranquilizer? I wondered what it meant, but Wendy was just smiling. She felt embarrassed for nothing, so she decided to stop arguing. Acting as a married couple really makes a person’s heart flutter.

“I will also practice the magic Luke taught me.
“Which spirit do you want to use [Spirit Telepathy] On?”
“I’m going to write it to Undine over there.”

Wendy moved her finger in front of me and made her hand sign. It is difficult for her to use magic skillfully from the beginning because she has to make twelve seals in total. It took some time for Wendy to perfect the sign of [Spirit Telepathy].

“The beast mark symbolizes the eight directions. The beast mark sets the direction in which the mental waves are sent. Concentrate your mind and point your finger at the target.”
“Yes!”

Wendy followed the progress of the class I designed step by step. From imitating the shape of the beasts, she understood the magical meaning of each beast. As time passed and it was late afternoon, she finally succeeded in casting [Spirit Telepathy] On Wendy.

“Spirit Telepathy.”

As she recited her starting language, a transparent airflow composed of magical powers swirled around Wendy’s body. The identity of the stream is a mental wave containing Wendy’s will. The mind wave flew at Undine standing tall around it with lightning speed.

– Eh!

Undine exposed to the mental wave reacted immediately. I didn’t give any specific instructions, but I sprayed water all around me. Perhaps Wendy gave her orders through her mind waves.

“Successful! My idea has been conveyed to Undine. I am carrying out the order to sprinkle water.”
“Congratulations. Wendy is now able to use her magic.”
“She’s finally achieved her dream of becoming a magical girl. It’s touching.”
“Are you a girl…”
“What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.”

She pretty much must have wanted to be a magical girl.
Wendy looked over with joy at the first successful use of her magic. She had never seen Wendy so happy, even when she was at the reception desk making plans for her vacation.

“Yahhhhh!”

You should let me enjoy it.
After that, Wendy practiced [Spirit Telepathy] With her spirits for a long time. With her words, her spirits reacted much faster than when she gave orders.

“It’s time to go back, Mr. Wendy.”
“You worked hard today. Thank you for guiding the class until late at night.”

She obviously started class in the morning, but by the time it ended, it was getting dark. It was time for her to return to the inn. Wendy sent her spirits summoned by her spirit amulet back to her spirit realm. Until she parted, her spirits could not shut their mouths for a moment.

– Wendy Maman! Will we meet tomorrow too?
– What should I do? Since I broke up with Mamang, I feel like tears will already come out
-Hug me before you leave
-Hi Luke Papa too!

After saying goodbye, the spirits disappeared, wrapped in a halo of light. It was a hectic day, as if a typhoon had passed. Is this what it feels like to raise a child?

“Whoa…”

It was when the two of them were left in the bamboo forest.
I realized that Wendy looked very tired. It is only natural that she would be tired from pampering the spirits all day and practicing magic. Wendy also made a puzzled expression as she placed her hand on her forehead.

“Is it body aches…? It looks like I have a slight fever.”

Do you have a fever in your body?
Is it because I overworked myself in the first class?

“Go in quickly and get a good rest. From the next class, we won’t have to stay late at night. Because health is more important than learning magic.”

I took Wendy back to the inn. Tabula’s alchemists, who were waiting at the inn’s main entrance, disappeared when night fell. We could confidently enter the inn through the front door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After escorting Wendy to her room.
I was tired as well, but there was still work to be done.

‘I have to tell the beastmen what Albert is aiming for.’

The reason we are staying in the Great Forest is to catch Albert after all. I hadn’t had any clues until a few days ago, but now I know exactly what Albert is up to.

Rune Scroll.
An ancient scroll kept in Tabula’s workshop.

As long as he knows the location of the rune scroll, Albert will definitely plan to raid the workshop. You can’t just wait and let it happen. Tabula’s alchemists, as well as the beast warriors, must be informed of the news.

Lefiel, the great warrior who manages the holy land of the Great Forest.
First of all, I was thinking of meeting her.