The Golden-Haired Summoner - Chapter 18
You can also join our discord here < br>
I'm resuming updates for Golden Haired Summoner now. However it's going to be either a 2 or 3 chapters per week release, unless it gets more reads then I will make it a 5x a week release.
“Geenie Crowell!”
“Yes, Headmaster.”
The Headmaster I faced after a long time looked much older compared to the day we first met. He seemed even more worn than just a week ago.
It looked like someone had given him quite a hard time in that short span.
“Sigh, you always make my life difficult.”
Was it me? I had asked the Headmaster to let me accompany the king as his attendant this time. He refused, saying the attendants had already been chosen, but I persisted, visiting him every hour for a week.
Finally, after a week of pestering, I got his permission. Human victory, woohoo.
“Come on, Headmaster, don’t be so harsh! A mid-level summoner like me should be more than enough as an attendant to His Majesty, right?”
“It’s not about being sufficient or not. The problem is you replaced an already selected attendant! Thankfully, Sir Barrybov had a personal issue and offered his spot. Otherwise, you’d have been hounding me for another two weeks.”
“Of course not!”
I waved my hand as if I would never do such a thing, though the Headmaster didn’t seem to believe me.
“Ugh, the position of an attendant is usually reserved for knights… You insisted on attending the party, making things quite difficult. Be grateful His Majesty approved it!”
“Of course.”
“Anyway, now that you’re attending the party with His Majesty, make sure you prepare a suitable dress.”
A dress? I was so excited about seeing Ash at the party that I was confused. I thought attendants wore uniforms?
“A dress?”
“There is an attendant’s uniform, but they are all for men… Since you’re exceptionally chosen as a female attendant, we can’t make a custom uniform just for you. So, you’ll have to wear a dress. And as the daughter of a count, that should be fine.”
Fine? Who said that’s fine? I hadn’t worn a dress in over 10 years. Sure, I had received plenty as gifts, but still.
“Um, well…”
“Hmm? Do you not have a dress?”
“No, I do, but…”
“Then that’s settled. Off you go.”
The Headmaster picked up a pen and shuffled his papers, clearly indicating I should leave.
Grumbling, I left the office and hurried to my room.
When I burst through the door, Rai was sprawled on the bed but came over wagging his tail.
[Master! Did everything go well?]
“Yes, I’m going. But another problem cropped up.”
I flung open my wardrobe and pulled out every dress inside—each one more dazzling than the last.
They were all brand new, untouched.
[Master, why are you bringing those out?]
Which one should I take? Annoyance started creeping in. I finally settled on the least flashy blue dress and threw it onto the bed.
Next was jewelry. I noticed a small jewelry box hidden in the back. Though I had stacked them up as I received them, I remembered who each gift was from.
But there was one box I didn’t recognize—a small one, about the size of a fist.
Did someone gift this to me? I couldn’t remember.
Setting the other jewelry aside, I picked up the small box.
“This is…”
When I opened it, there was an unpolished blue gemstone neatly placed inside.
[It’s a summoning stone for an Ice Spirit!]
“I know.”
Oh right, I had placed it here, planning to use it when I contracted with a higher-level spirit. Carefully, I picked up the blue summoning stone.
Finding it now must be a sign from the heavens to make a contract. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just blame the heavens.
Feeling a sudden sense of mission, I placed the summoning stone on the ground.
Shhhhk.
As soon as I poured mana into the stone, the same phenomenon from nine years ago happened before my eyes. Sharp ice spikes spread across the floor, resembling transparent flowers.
[Master!]
Rai shouted in surprise as I suddenly summoned the Ice Spirit.
Crack, crack.
The memory from that day came vividly back to life before my eyes.
Ice pillars rose all around the summoning stone, blooming like a flower, their beauty unmatched.
From among the ice spikes, the long-awaited Ice Spirit began to emerge.
The body of ice kept shattering and reforming, just like before. This time, for sure…
[Hello… there?]
“Huh?”
Unlike last time, the mana drain wasn’t overwhelming.
I frowned at the spirit’s demeanor, so different from before.
[Are you… my summoner? Do you wish to form a contract with me?]
Its voice followed. Something was definitely different.
This isn’t… that spirit!
“Rai! This one… it’s not the same one as last time, is it?”
[No, Master. This one’s clearly different.]
I realized I had overlooked one thing.
Of course, there wasn’t just one Ice Spirit who would reject me. There were many. Now what?
Biting my lip, I looked at the newly summoned Ice Spirit.
“Sorry, but I have no business with you. Please return.”
[W-What?]
The Ice Spirit was taken aback, but I immediately cut off the mana connection.
Picking up the now-dull summoning stone, I sighed.
“Rai…”
[Yes, Master?]
“Can you… find that specific spirit among all the Ice Spirits?”
[It’s possible, but why do you ask?]
I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to keep summoning until I get that one spirit.
But I wasn’t sure how many more times this ancient summoning stone could handle being used.
When I summoned Adol, the summoning stone shattered. The spirits had pushed themselves out, which must have strained the stone.
“I’m going to keep summoning until that spirit comes. But can this summoning stone withstand it?”
[Master… who do you think I am?]
“You? Rai, the one who keeps getting into trouble.”
Rai puffed up his cheeks and shook his head, clearly displeased with my answer.
[I’m a Metal Spirit! And more than that, a Spirit of Minerals!]
“And so what… oh! Wait, can you make this summoning stone stronger?”
I suddenly remembered that Rai could absorb mana stones. If he could handle mana stones, surely he could do the same with summoning stones.
[Heh! Though it’s a magical item, with your mana, it’s worth a try.]
“Is that so? Good.”
Just wait, you cocky Ice Spirit. Let’s see who wins!
I stared at the summoning stone in my hand. Refusing to come out, huh?
I had a week left before leaving for Elan.
And another week had passed with me glued to the summoning stone. After preparing a few dresses and accessories, I packed up enough provisions to hole up in the training room.
Though I had strengthened the summoning stone, I could only summon three times a day.
The summoning array engraved on the stone limited me to three summons per day, regardless of how strong the stone was.
Shhhhk.
Ice pillars sprouted from the floor of the training room once again. The sight that once seemed so mysterious now only made me groan.
“Rai?”
[No, not this one.]
As soon as Rai shook his head, I cut off the mana before the Ice Spirit could fully manifest.
“How many times was that?”
[Twenty times. You have one more left today, Master.]
I’m nothing if not persistent.
I stretched, picked up a piece of fruit, and ate it. As soon as my mana replenished, I poured it into the stone again. For some reason, I had a good feeling about this time.
Shhhhk.
The area around the stone froze rapidly.
Large and small ice pillars shot up, and cold air poured out.
“How about now, Rai?”
[Hmm… almost there.]
Rai narrowed his eyes and focused on the stone.
To me, all these spirits felt the same, but Rai said even spirits of the same element had subtle differences in their energy.
Rai sensed it. As we waited a bit longer, the Ice Spirit began to emerge from the ice.
[Who… dares… to awaken me…]
[It’s him, Master!]
Yes, I remember that line too!
“It’s me! Let’s make a contract, Ice Spirit.”
[…I refuse.]
Again? This time, instead of feeling upset, I felt a surge of anger.
I’ve already contracted with a higher-level spirit, and I’m still not good enough? What are you planning to contract with, a dragon?
“Why?”
[You… are not… worthy…]
“You said that nine years ago too!”
[When did… I ever…?]
Oh, now this spirit’s playing dumb.
“You told me nine years ago I wasn’t good enough to contract with you!”
[That… child back then?]
Now that it had stabilized, the spirit’s voice became clearer.
“Yes, that child.”
[Humans grow too quickly…]
“No, it’s you spirits who have no sense of time! Anyway, enough talk. Let’s make a contract! Do you know how hard I’ve worked this past week to summon you?”
[So it was you… The one who keeps summoning Ice Spirits only to dismiss them immediately?]
I hesitated for a moment at the spirit’s question. Am I that famous? Haha, I didn’t even do much.
“Probably. Now, contract with me! I’ve already contracted with a high-level Water Spirit! I’m one of the top summoners among humans!”
Though, officially, I’m still just a mid-level summoner.
[So troublesome…]
“What?”
[It’s too much trouble. I need sleep, more sleep, and even more sleep…]
Wait a minute, did this spirit reject me because…
“You… you rejected me because…”
[I was sleepy.]
Oh my god, there’s a spirit who says stuff like this? I thought Rai was ridiculous, and Adol too, but are all spirits like this? No, it must just be these two. Undain’s normal!
I deliberately ignored the oddities of my spirits.
“Anyway, you’re going to make a contract with me. If not, I’ll summon Ice Spirits every single day! Forever!”
[What? Why would you do something so troublesome?]
“That’s why you should just contract with me now. I have plenty of mana. I can keep you summoned for half a day at least. You won’t be able to escape like before!”
In reality, I couldn’t keep a high-level spirit summoned for more than ten minutes.
[…Couldn’t you just summon someone else?]
“No!”
[What a strange human.]
“Me too! Why do you spirits even show up if you’re not going to make a contract?”
[We don’t have a choice. When someone summons an Ice Spirit, we’re pulled out at random. Unless we’re strong enough to choose our own master, we can’t refuse.]
I glanced at Rai after hearing that. Does that mean he’s really strong?
[Pfft! Isn’t your master amazing, Master?]
“Not really.”
Have you forgotten all the trouble you’ve caused, Rai?
[That’s… a high-level spirit. Why do you want to contract with me when you already have one like that?]
“Huh? Well, aside from you, I’m planning to find and contract with seven other hidden spirits. And I want to break your lazy habits.”
I believed there were seven incomplete spirit stones hidden somewhere on the continent, aside from the two I had already found.
There’s no guarantee I’m the only one who knows this, but I want to contract with as many non-elemental spirits as possible.
That’s why I’ve only contracted with Water Spirits among the four main elements.
[Then… let’s do this.]
“Huh? What?”
[I’ll let you summon me once a year. If you agree, I’ll make the contract.]
Somehow, I had the feeling this spirit would get along terribly with Adol. Their personalities and habits were complete opposites.
“Are you kidding? I’m going to summon you at least ten times a day.”
[How about once a month?]
“Ten times a day.”
[That’s too much. Spirits have lives too, you know.]
I did want to summon him often, but we needed time to get used to each other.
“Spirits have lives? What do you even do?”
[…Sleep.]
Of course. I already had a feeling this spirit was a lazybones.
“Considering how much I cried because of you… You’re definitely getting reformed. Now, make the contract!”
[…I don’t want to.]
My fists clenched in frustration, but I held back for now. Punching him would only hurt me more.
“Let’s make a deal. I’ll summon you a lot for two weeks, then not at all for the other two.”
[Really?]
“Really.”
[…Fine. Give me a name.]
At last, the spirit surrendered, and I smiled victoriously.
I had scoured all the old books on spirits and found what the Ice Spirits were called in ancient times.
“Grupein! How’s that? I heard your kind was called that in the past.”
[It’s too long.]
Too long? Adol had complained his name was too short, so I went out of my way to find a longer one.
“Then… Gru… Pein… Pein it is. It rolls off the tongue nicely.”
It’s perfect. Lazy Pein, who lives for sleep.
[Alright, my name is Pein. What’s yours?]
“My name is Geenie Crowell. You can call me Jinny Crowell if you want.”
[Geenie? Jinny? Aren’t they the same name?]
As expected, trying to get this world to accept “Jinny” is too much to ask. ‘Just in case’ turned into ‘of course not.’
“They’re different.”
[Whatever. Fine. Nice to meet you, Geenie.]
“Wow, calling me by my name, huh?”
[What else should I call you?]
When he put it like that, I had no comeback. It felt a bit awkward to make him call me “Master” or “Mistress.”
“Just stick with that.”
[Alright. So… can I go now?]
“Sure, Pein. See you tomorrow.”
[I’d rather you didn’t…]
Even as he vanished, he expressed his hope that I wouldn’t summon him tomorrow.
Heh, you’re in for it now.
“Hehehe…”
[Pffft…]
“Hehe… Huh? Rai? By the way, you don’t sleep, do you? Why does Pein?”
[Well, that’s just his personality.]
Ah, Spiritology really is a deep and mysterious field.
**
The emotional reunion is over! I worked so hard typing it all out, ㅠ.ㅠ
I’ll take it easy for Volume 3 production. Honestly, it took a whole week this time, haha.
If you’d like me to type out something, email your scanned copies to [email protected]!
Oh, and if anyone has a scanned copy of *The Knight of Sultan* Volume 2, please send it over. Much appreciated!
**
Onward to Elan
Bang bang bang!
“Miss Crowell! Miss Crowell!”
Slap slap.
[Master! Master!]
“Snorrrr… snorrrk.” (Yes, these are actual snoring sounds!)
Slap slap.
“Miss Crowell! Please, answer me!”
“Uuugh…”
I was deep in sleep when I realized someone was knocking on my door and that Rai was slapping my cheek with his tail.
I needed to wake up, but my body wouldn’t move. I had fallen asleep like a child who had finished all their homework and even caught up on their diary entries.
“Miss Crowell! Are you planning to arrive later than His Majesty?”
[Masterrr~.]
“Snnrrrk… snort!”
At the mention of His Majesty, I shot up in bed. Oh no! Today’s the day we leave for Elan! I could see the bright sun shining outside my window.
“Crowell yaaaawn!”
[Masterr~. Oh, did you sleep well, Master?]
No, I didn’t!
Wham!
“Let’s go!”
“Huh? Wha…?”
I quickly packed my bag and handed it to the waiting knight, then sprinted off.
The knight seemed a bit flustered, but being courteous to women is a knight’s duty, after all.
Fortunately, when I left the Academy, a carriage from the palace was waiting at the entrance. The knight who had carried my bag ran ahead and opened the carriage door for me.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
We exchanged polite words, but the knight’s eyes were a bit strange—probably because he knew I had been sleeping just five minutes earlier.
I ignored it and climbed into the carriage, closing the door behind me. Then, I hastily opened my bag and pulled out a comb.
My hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction. I called out to Rai, who was coiled around my waist.
“Rai, mirror!”
[Yes, Master.]
Rai quickly crawled out and transformed into a mirror. When I looked into it, I gasped in horror.
“W-What is this?”
Was I running around the Academy looking like this? My hair was a bird’s nest, and my face was all puffy! No wonder the knight was giving me weird looks… damn it!
[What’s wrong, Master?]
“You… how could you let this happen?”
[Master didn’t wake up no matter how much I called, so… I’m not to blame.]
Oh, look at him, pretending not to notice my glare. He’s become a veteran at avoiding trouble after spending nine years with me.
“Do you want to get beaten up, or just lightly smacked?”
[Can I avoid it altogether?]
“No way.”
As if I’d let you off after making me look like this!
Crack.
I stretched my neck and arms, preparing to give him a light beating. Well, I did oversleep too, so…
“Let’s go easy on you, Rai.”
[Hiii!]
After some light morning exercise, I braided my hair, using Rai’s mirror form to check my reflection.
The swelling in my face had gone down, and my dark circles were gone, probably thanks to a good night’s sleep.
I had slept too well, that was the problem.
“Sigh.”
Relaxing, I sank deep into the carriage cushions. Rai returned to his snake form and curled up beside me, sulking.
[Sniff sniff. I’m going back to my hometown.]
“Go ahead.”
[Master, you’re so cruel. You should stop me! Boohoo.]
Rai had picked up all sorts of useless habits while wandering around. Does he even have a hometown?
“Keep joking, and I’ll leave you behind.”
That threat made Rai immediately clamp his mouth shut.
With Rai quiet, I looked out the window, feeling at peace.
As expected of a royal carriage, the ride was smooth, and it absorbed any shocks, making it extremely comfortable. If I stayed like this, I’d reach the magic tower at the palace in no time.
I had heard that the magic tower inside the royal palace was the only one in Dmitri. Inside, there was a warp array and all the mages affiliated with Dmitri gathered there.
Unlike other countries where magic towers were located outside the palace, it was understandable for us since mages were rare.
The derogatory title of “magic inferior nation Dmitri” wasn’t without reason.
Feeling relaxed, I began to feel sleepy again. I fought it briefly but soon gave in and closed my eyes.
In a light sleep, I vaguely felt the carriage moving and occasionally stopping.
At some point, the carriage stopped almost entirely, and I felt something crawl up my arm. Was it Rai?
That thought flitted by but was soon replaced by the unpleasant sensation of something tightening around my neck.
“Ugh… cough. You…!”
[Ah! You’re awake, Master?]
When I opened my eyes, Rai was coiled around my neck. Has this snake gone mad?
[Get off!]
The pressure on my neck was so tight I couldn’t speak, so I had to communicate telepathically. I glared at him with all my might.
[Yes, ma’am!]
“Haa! Cough, cough! You…!”
[Well, we’ve arrived at the palace, and… I thought you didn’t like being slapped awake, so I tried something different…]
“Who strangles their master to wake them up?”
I grabbed Rai by the neck and shook him vigorously.
He went limp, offering no resistance, but I wasn’t about to let him off.
All of this was his body’s fault! That’s why he slapped me with his tail and now squeezed me with his body.
[Hii! I’m sorry, Master. Please forgive me…]
“Alright, when we get back to Dmitri, I’m changing your form!”
[Really, Master? Into what? Into what?]
Rai stuck his face close to mine, eyes gleaming with anticipation. What should I change him into?
“Hmm, something with arms and legs…”
[Arms and legs?]
“And not a reptile.”
[Huh?]
Is that too vague? I was trying to think of animals with arms and legs that weren’t reptiles when someone knocked on the carriage door.
“Miss Crowell, we’ve arrived.”
Already? Peeking out the window, I saw the familiar scenery of the palace from when I contracted with Undain. Not much has changed, huh? I guess palaces are all pretty similar.
[It’s that knight again.]
Carrying my bag, I opened the door. The knight reached out his hand, and I took it as I stepped out of the carriage.
“The attendants are waiting inside.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, all of them. I’ll take my leave now.”
Having finished his job, the knight climbed back into the carriage and drove off. Is this the place?
In front of me stood a towering spire so tall its top was out of sight.
The tower wasn’t a simple oval shape; it jutted out in odd angles and projections. Must’ve all been held together by magic. How many floors could it have?
My neck was starting to strain from looking up when…
“Geenie~!”
[Bright!]
“Ah, Senior!”
Just in time! I welcomed Bright, who was running toward me.
“Geenie! Did you just get here? They say His Majesty will be arriving soon.”
“I’m a bit late. But, Senior…”
Noticing my unusual enthusiasm, Bright seemed a bit excited himself.
I gave him a big smile and handed over my bag.
“Huh?”
“Shall we go inside?”
Leaving the bewildered Bright to carry my bag, I turned and walked toward the tower.
Once I get to Elan and meet Ash, everything will be fine! The only obstacle left will be Rovenin.
Then I can focus all my energy on getting revenge on him.
I was lost in these pleasant thoughts when Bright cautiously spoke.
“Uh… Geenie!”
“Yes, Senior?”
“I just found out this morning, but…”
“What is it?”
Not like Bright to hesitate, I stopped walking and turned to face him. He gave me a slightly awkward smile.
“…Prince Epiros isn’t in Elan right now.”
“What do you mean? Where else would he be if not the palace?”
Ash isn’t in the palace? Then why am I even going to Elan?
I frowned, confused by Bright’s sudden news. Was this some kind of wild goose chase?
“Prince Epiros is currently on the *Trial Path* with the First Prince. Apparently, that’s why things have been quiet lately.”
“The *Trial Path*?”
“You know, the one that’s been passed down since the founding of Elan…”
“Ah! That…”
I finally recalled what the *Trial Path* was.
It was Elan’s unique method of selecting the crown prince.
If there were multiple crown prince candidates, and their skills were nearly equal, with neither gaining a significant political advantage, the emperor would order them to embark on the *Trial Path*.
The candidates would leave the palace and gather companions along the way.
These companions were called “Guardians.”
The point of the *Trial Path* was to see who could gather the most outstanding companions.
During the *Trial Path*, the princes would disguise themselves, changing their appearance, hair color, and eye color. They would be accompanied by one attendant who would ensure the prince’s identity remained hidden and guide them through the world.
The test was whether the prince could recruit exceptional individuals without revealing his identity.
The candidates had to travel across the continent for two years, visiting predesignated temples and mage towers.
During this time, they had to gather companions, and only at the end of the two years could they reveal their true identity.
Once they revealed their identity, they would ask their companions to compete in a tournament. If the companions agreed, the tournament would proceed. If they refused, the prince was considered to lack the charisma and leadership needed for the crown prince position and would be disqualified.
To pass the *Trial Path*, each candidate had to recruit at least five Guardians and have them compete in a 5-on-5 tournament.
The prince whose team won by at least a 3-2 margin would become the crown prince.
Once a prince was recognized as the crown prince through the *Trial Path*, not even the emperor could overturn the decision.
The only restriction placed on Guardians was that they couldn’t be from the Koiren Union. Beyond that, the prince could recruit whoever they wanted—foreign knights, mercenaries, tower masters, or even swordmasters.
As long as they didn’t reveal their identity, anything was allowed.
The only requirement for Guardians was exceptional combat ability.
That was the empire’s sole expectation for a crown prince’s companions.
Oh, Ash. I guess you really do want to become the crown prince.
I recalled the lesson I had learned about the *Trial Path* in class.
It had left quite an impression, so I remembered it well.
It was Elan’s unique way of selecting the crown prince. Perhaps that’s why Elan had remained an empire for a thousand years.
Even if you were a prince, if you didn’t have the skills, you were disqualified. It was a cold, unforgiving test.
“Geenie, what are you thinking about?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing… So, even if I go to Elan now, I won’t be able to meet the Second Prince?”
“Seems like it.”
Damn it! I stared blankly at the mage tower.
I’m heading to Elan, and Ash isn’t even in the palace? If I can’t meet him, do I still have to take the warp? Should I run away?
I was deep in thought when I saw the royal carriage in the distance.
Its vibrant red body was emblazoned with a large golden bird, and a crown symbol sat prominently atop it, surrounded by guards.
“The King approaches!”
One of the guards escorting the carriage shouted toward the tower.
His voice, amplified by a magical loudspeaker, reached my ears loud and clear.
Immediately, a stream of mages in colorful robes and attendants in white uniforms poured out of the tower.
Too late to run now. Just thinking about the warp made my stomach churn. Ugh!
The blinding light that had filled the warp array disappeared, and five figures who hadn’t been there before appeared.
There was a middle-aged man dressed in plain yet imposing clothes, three men in sharp white uniforms, and a striking blonde woman.
This group had arrived from Dmitri to attend Elan’s millennium celebration, including King Dekel III and his attendants.
The king was, of course, treated as an honored guest, and his attendants were all distinguished nobles or knights of high standing.
However, as soon as the light from the warp array faded, one person collapsed.
Whoosh.
Thud.
It was the blonde woman.
The silence that followed her fall was palpable as everyone—mages who had activated the warp array, Dmitri’s king, the attendants, and the nobles who had come to greet a foreign king—looked on.
The one who broke the silence was the middle-aged man who seemed to be King Dekel III. He was the first to regain his composure and hurriedly called out.
“Priest! Call a priest! Hurry!”
The scene, which should have been a warm welcome, quickly turned chaotic.
At the center of the commotion lay the blonde woman sprawled on the warp array.