The Spirit Said, 'You're Unworthy as My Master, Cancel the Contract!' So I’ll Give It to My Sister Who Wants It - Episode 1.5

“Do you not resist being treated badly?”

It was a chilling voice, filled with suppressed anger. Mistia scratched her cheek, searching for an excuse. Skia was supposed to be a spirit of light, but at this moment, he seemed more like a demon king. She regretted surprising him.

“Uh, that’s not true, but…”

“Your fingers. Even if they heal, you hurt yourself on purpose.”

Skia stepped closer to Mistia. He crouched in front of her as she sat, their faces nearly touching. She could feel his breath, and her throat made a small sound.
“Never hurt yourself again. …It hurts me too.”

His flawless face twisted in pain. Mistia froze, her mind going blank. Her eyes fell on his well-shaped lips.

“Fwah!? Uh, um… I’m sorry. Do you feel pain when I get hurt? I know a little about spirit studies, but I’ve never heard of pain being shared—”

“You are truly kind. Just because we are bound doesn’t mean I feel your pain. I just don’t want to see you hurt. When I do, I want to kill the one responsible.

…You can’t kill yourself, can you?”

“Huh…?”

Time seemed to stop. After a moment, Mistia processed his words.

(So scary…)

She stared at Skia, wondering if this was some kind of spirit joke. But his eyes still held a dark glow. She didn’t want to believe it, but he seemed serious. It was truly terrifying.
Her heart pounded inside, but her face remained emotionless as always. She couldn’t make an expression of panic. Skia, too, only gazed at her with a calm face. Despite being a man and a woman staring at each other, there was no romantic air at all.

(I thought Skia was like a noble holy knight, but… his killing intent is really strong…)

Mistia glanced at the sword on his waist. It was probably not just for decoration. If he was serious, he might really kill anyone who tried to harm her. That would be a disaster. She spoke in a very gentle voice to calm him.

“You care about me that much?”

“For five years. You don’t know this, but I have been by your side as a shadow. So, I am more devoted to you than you think.”

“Uh…”

“I will get rid of any threat to you. If you wish, I can even erase those who stand in your way. That fox woman too. Would you smile at me more if I did?”

His golden eyes shone with seriousness. Mistia unconsciously held her breath.

(His loyalty is incredible… Are all light spirits like this? I understand now that he truly cares about me. I need to say something to calm him down.)

“I don’t want to stain your hands with bl00d.”

“…You have no greed at all… in that case…”

Skia suddenly stopped speaking, as if swallowing his words. His long eyelashes lowered.

“…No, it’s nothing. That kindness is just like you.”

The anger disappeared from his eyes. Taking that as her chance, Mistia looked away to escape his gaze.

(Finally, I can breathe again.)

“By the way, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

“Yes. I will stop hurting myself unnecessarily.”

“I’m glad to hear that. …I lost control. I’m sorry.”

Mistia was relieved that he had calmed down.

(I must not misunderstand. Skia is so worried about me because I am his master.)

She pressed a hand to her still-racing heart and lowered her gaze. Skia’s words about erasing those in her way were frightening, but also reassuring.

However, she buried that unsettling sense of relief deep inside her heart.

“Now, back to our talk. What will you do after reporting to your uncle?”

“Skia, you know I attended a magic academy, right?”

“Yes. And I know your uncle opposed it and stopped you from going. He will probably submit your withdrawal papers soon. He believes you are no longer a spirit user.”
“…I suppose so.”

Mistia lowered her head. She had once attended a magic academy. Her magic power was weak, but she had some. She had been able to go to school thanks to her parents, but after they passed away, her uncle had stopped her. He claimed she had no right to attend, but the real reason was money.

If she had graduated from the academy, she would have been officially recognized as a spirit user. But more than that, Mistia had simply liked school. It had been a place of refuge.
There, she didn’t have to endure her uncle’s violence or insults. She wasn’t forced to serve Alisha like a maid.

Thanks to the academy headmaster, her name was still on the student list. Just recently, she had received a letter. It had been polite and only expressed concern for her well-being, but she had felt as if they were telling her, “We are always waiting for you.” That had made her happy.

(What should I do…?)

“Why do you keep suppressing yourself?”

Skia spoke. He gently lifted her chin, making her look up. Their eyes met. In his eyes, Mistia looked like a lost puppy abandoned in the rain.

“You are an excellent spirit user. I want to see you graduate from the academy. Your uncle and Alisha have no right to stop you. …You should be free.”

“!?”

Mistia gasped. She had been mistreated for so long that she had forgotten the meaning of “freedom.” Even now, she had been thinking about how to convince her uncle, about housework, about bookkeeping.

(Why have I been struggling so hard? I’ve been doing all the work my uncle should have done. He may be my bl00d relative, but he tried to sell and kill me. Alisha stole my spirit. …Why should I work for them? I shouldn’t. I absolutely shouldn’t.)

Mistia clenched her fists on her lap. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t form words. Her throat burned. Skia watched her patiently. After a moment, she finally began to speak.

“My mother was a great wind spirit user. Before my parents died in that accident, I made a promise. I told my mother I would follow in her footsteps… that I would fulfill my duty as the eldest daughter of the Redfield family. That promise was all I had.”

“I see.”

“I was weak, so they mistreated me. It was natural, wasn’t it? If there’s someone who never complains and is easy to use, people will take advantage of them. But as you said, I don’t need to let them stop me anymore. I have you, and I have power.”

Mistia closed her eyes, then opened them again. She was no longer the lost girl standing in the rain.

“Let’s go see my uncle.”

Skia had made her realize something important. Taking his hand, she took her first step toward living her own life.