A week had passed since the night Lumiel Ark had knelt before Shellia, pledging his sacred oath like a knight of old. The days after that felt calmer, even almost ordinary—if not for the lingering whispers that spread through the Emerald Dukedom. The people had begun to see her not just as their duke's daughter but as the Spirit Beloved, the chosen one whose existence signaled both hope and danger.
Shellia tried to live quietly inside the mansion. She practiced her newfound awareness of the strange colors in the air, listened to Mira's chatter about the household, and occasionally exchanged words with Lumiel, who had now become like a shadow at her side. Yuki, on the other hand, spent most of his time in his hamster form, lazing on her shoulder or playing with her hair, though his blue eyes never stopped observing.
But on the seventh day, something strange occurred.
Shellia had just returned from a stroll through the gardens when she felt her shoulder grow warm. Yuki, usually calm and teasing, suddenly trembled. His small body glowed faintly, and then—like threads of dawn breaking apart the night—pure light burst around him.
The air hummed. Golden ripples shimmered like liquid sunshine, spreading out across the mansion walls. Even Mira, busy with laundry nearby, dropped her basket and gasped.
"Y-Yuki?" Shellia whispered, her heart thudding. "What's happening?"
The little spirit leapt off her shoulder and hovered midair, his tiny paws glowing. He looked down at her, his expression unusually serious.
[Lia, this is it. The time has come.]
Her breath caught. "Time? For what?"
[For us to begin our journey.] Yuki's voice echoed gently, but it carried a weight that filled the courtyard. [I've found the right place. A place where your steps should begin. This is not just about you, Lia—it's about the future that awaits us all.]
Shellia blinked, stunned. "A journey? You mean… to leave the dukedom?"
Yuki's glow softened, but his determination did not. [Yes. You must register yourself as an adventurer. It is the path laid before you. You need experience, Lia—not only as the Spirit Beloved but as someone who can face the world with her own strength.]
Shellia almost laughed. The idea sounded ridiculous. She, Shellia Emerald, daughter of Duke Gerald and Duchess Giovina, a noble raised within cold palace halls, becoming… an adventurer? "Yuki, are you serious? A duke's daughter wandering around dungeons and forests? My mother would faint."
Yuki floated closer until his small nose nearly brushed hers. His bright blue eyes were unwavering. [This isn't a jest. Lia, with your victory against the demon, your rank will not start from the lowest level. You can begin as a C-rank adventurer. That's already proof of how extraordinary you are.]
Shellia's lips parted, but no words came. She remembered that day—the claws of the demon, the cries of her people, the heat of Yuki's healing light. She had survived, but not because of training or preparation. She had simply acted.
Before doubt could swallow her, Lumiel's calm voice entered the space. "Yuki speaks the truth."
She turned, startled to see the high-ranking priest standing by the garden gate. His long platinum hair shimmered like moonlight, and his aquamarine eyes glowed faintly, touched by divine clarity. He walked closer, his priestly robes trailing behind him.
"It is the duty of a priest to protect the Spirit Beloved. Wherever you go, Shellia, I will accompany you." He stopped and bowed his head lightly. "And if that path is the way of adventurers, then so be it."
"Lumiel…" Shellia murmured, torn between astonishment and disbelief.
He smiled faintly, but it was a serious smile, edged with solemnity. "The world is not peaceful, my lady. You know this. Demons are not the only danger. Monsters roam, dungeons expand, and corruption festers in forgotten ruins. Adventurers are the first line of defense. By walking among them, you will understand this world not only as a noble but as its chosen protector."
The words stirred something within her chest. Shellia had spent so much of her first life locked in shadows—accused, isolated, betrayed. A queen in name, yet without protectors, without allies. And now, in this new life, here was a spirit and a priest both standing before her, asking her to step forward—not as a lonely victim, but as a leader.
Still, she hesitated. "But… can I really? The dungeons, the monsters… I've only fought once. And even then, I—"
Yuki interrupted firmly, his small body flaring brighter. [That one time was enough, Lia. You showed courage. You showed heart. And you showed that you could be more. I will heal, Lumiel will protect, and you… you will grow.]
Lumiel placed a hand over his chest, his voice as clear as a hymn. "I vow again. This is not only your burden, Shellia. This is ours. You will not face this alone."
Her throat tightened. She looked between them—Yuki glowing like a star, Lumiel standing like a pillar of devotion—and slowly nodded. "…Then we begin."
---
The next morning, the Emerald Dukedom was filled with whispers. News spread quickly that their young lady, Shellia Emerald, would be heading to the Adventurer's Guild. Mira wept dramatically, insisting she pack extra cloaks and handkerchiefs, while Alecia and Alex peeked curiously from the stairs, their eyes wide with awe. Giovina, her mother, said nothing, only pressing her lips tight as though she feared speaking would break her composure.
But Duke Gerald stood tall, his purple eyes unreadable, his arms crossed as he gave his daughter one long, lingering look. Shellia met his gaze. For the first time, she saw not only the authority of a duke but the worry of a father.
"Do what you must," he finally said, his voice low. "But remember—you are still my daughter."
Shellia bowed her head. "Yes, Father."
And so it began.
---
The Adventurer's Guild was a towering stone building at the heart of the dukedom's capital. Its wide wooden doors opened to a bustling hall filled with warriors, mages, archers, and rogues of all kinds. The scent of sweat, steel, and parchment mingled in the air. Banners depicting slain monsters decorated the walls, and behind the front desk, officials scribbled endlessly on piles of parchment.
As Shellia entered, every head turned. Whispers stirred like ripples across a pond.
"That's the Spirit Beloved…"
"The duke's daughter herself?"
"They say she defeated a demon… alone."
Her cheeks warmed, but she kept her chin lifted. Yuki, perched proudly on her shoulder, puffed his tiny chest, while Lumiel walked at her side, calm and imposing.
At the counter, a middle-aged guild registrar blinked in surprise before bowing hurriedly. "Lady Shellia Emerald. It is an honor. Are you… registering?"
"Yes," Shellia said, steadying her voice. "I wish to register as an adventurer."
The man looked shocked but quickly shuffled papers. "Of course. Given your… accomplishments, we can register you directly as C-rank. Normally one must start at F, but your achievement against the demon speaks for itself."
As she signed the parchment, Shellia's hand trembled slightly. This wasn't just ink on paper. This was the start of something far greater.
---
After registration, Lumiel guided her through the hall. On the quest board, parchment notices fluttered like leaves in the wind—missions to slay wolves, escort travelers, harvest rare herbs, and more. But what caught Shellia's eye were the dungeon postings.
Lumiel followed her gaze. "Dungeons," he explained. "They are ancient places where magic has pooled for centuries. Each dungeon has its own theme, its own curse. Skeletons, zombies, ghosts… even fire beasts or poisonous plants. Many adventurers cut their teeth in low-ranked dungeons, testing their limits against controlled threats."
Yuki added with a nod. [But do not underestimate them, Lia. A dungeon is never truly safe. Monsters sometimes break free and raid villages. Nomadic beasts wander too, striking out of nowhere. This is why adventurers are vital.]
Shellia's blue eyes narrowed, determination stirring within her. "Then that's where we'll begin."
Lumiel smiled faintly. "So be it."
And for the first time, Shellia Emerald—the duke's daughter, the Spirit Beloved, the girl who once knew only chains of betrayal—took her first true step on the road of adventure.
---
The morning mist clung low over the Emerald Dukedom as Shellia fastened her cloak and stepped out of the mansion gates. The chill in the air seemed sharper than usual, carrying with it an unspoken omen. Yuki—no longer in his hamster form, but standing beside her as a boy of porcelain skin, sapphire eyes, and soft silver hair—walked with an air of certainty, though he barely reached her shoulder in height.
[Lia,] he said, his voice calm but resolute, [today is the day we enter the Ghost Dungeon.]
Shellia's blue eyes flickered to him, a faint frown pressing her lips. "A ghost dungeon…? You could have picked wolves, or perhaps even goblins, Yuki. But ghosts?" She tried to sound exasperated, though her heart beat with anticipation.
Yuki tilted his head, strands of hair falling over his eyes. [This one is special. You'll understand soon.]
Lumiel Ark followed closely behind them. His long platinum hair shimmered like a silver river beneath the morning light, and his aquamarine eyes were steady as the sea. Draped in robes embroidered with holy sigils, he looked almost otherworldly himself. As the high priest sworn to protect her, he walked with quiet steps, neither hurried nor hesitant.
"You need not worry about ghosts, Lady Shellia," Lumiel said, his tone soft yet noble. "Against divine power, they are as fragile as mist before the sun."
Shellia managed a small smile. "That's comforting. Though I suppose you won't be swinging a blade either, will you?"
He inclined his head. "No. My vow remains. Unless a monster truly endangers your life, the battles are yours to claim. My duty is to guard, not overshadow."
And so the trio descended into the ancient forest where the dungeon gates awaited.
---
The entrance of the Ghost Dungeon was nothing like Shellia expected. A cracked stone arch rose from the earth, covered in moss and half-forgotten runes. The air was colder here, unnaturally still, as though the forest itself feared to breathe. Beyond the arch shimmered a faint veil, a wavering curtain of silvery light that pulsed like the surface of disturbed water.
Shellia touched the hilt of her dagger, more for comfort than practicality. Yuki stepped ahead, his form glowing faintly. [This is the threshold. Once we step through, there is no turning back until we clear the first floor.]
"Understood," Shellia murmured. She drew in a breath, straightened her posture, and walked through.
The world shifted.
Darkness enveloped her, broken only by pale-blue lantern flames flickering from invisible sconces. The walls were not stone but fog—dense, thick, shifting. A chill crawled over her skin, and whispers seemed to echo from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"...This place…" Shellia whispered, her breath fogging in the air.
"The Ghost Dungeon," Lumiel's voice was steady, calm. "A place where lost spirits linger. Only divine power can purify them."
As if summoned by his words, the first wraith appeared. Its body was a faint silhouette, twisted, its face hollow with screaming shadows. It rushed toward her, shrieking like the tearing of glass.
Shellia's hands trembled, but she raised them instinctively. Light burst from her palms—soft, golden, but wavering. The wraith shrieked louder, pressing through her power.
"Yuki!" she cried.
The boy lifted his hand, his sapphire eyes glowing. [I'm with you, Lia.]
Their light merged—her divine aura and his healing essence intertwining. The golden glow thickened, brighter, purer. When the wraith touched it, its form dissolved instantly, vanishing into smoke.
Shellia gasped, lowering her hands. "That… that was…"
Yuki smiled faintly. [Our bond. Together, your divine power is amplified.]
Before she could respond, a sudden sound cut the air—like the shattering of glass. Shellia looked up, startled, as a glowing panel appeared in midair before her.
It was a window. Not of glass, but of light, shimmering and translucent. Words glowed across its surface:
---
Name: Shellia Emerald
Title/Job: Spirit Beloved
Rank: C
Magic: Divine Purification, Spirit Amplification
Contracted Spirits: 1 (Yuki – Healer)
[Slots Remaining: 4]
---
Shellia froze, her eyes wide. "…What is this?"
Yuki crossed his arms, nodding at the glowing window. [It is your truth revealed. The Spirit Beloved is not bound to one spirit. She is chosen to walk with many.]
Her breath caught. "Many…? You mean—"
[Four more, at least,] Yuki confirmed. [You can form contracts with four other spirits. And if your power continues to grow, perhaps more. That is the fate of the Spirit Beloved—never to walk alone.]
Shellia's lips parted, but no words came. Four more spirits? That meant her journey was only just beginning. Her chest tightened with a strange mixture of awe and dread. She had been ready to fight with Yuki alone… but to think others would join them?
Her thoughts scattered as another group of wraiths emerged from the mist, their hollow faces turned toward her. Shellia forced herself to focus, clutching the memory of the window to her heart as light flared once more between her palms.
---
The deeper they went, the stronger the spirits became. At first, simple wraiths—shadows that dissolved beneath divine light. Then specters wielding phantom blades, striking with hollow clangs that sent shivers down Shellia's spine.
Each time, Shellia fought. Her hands burned with golden fire, her heart pounding with fear and exhilaration. And each time, Yuki amplified her strength, weaving threads of healing light that steadied her shaking limbs.
Lumiel, true to his vow, walked behind her silently. When a phantom beast lunged unexpectedly, his eyes glowed, and with a mere lift of his hand, the creature disintegrated into dust without him taking a step forward. His presence was a fortress—untouched, unwavering—yet he let the battlefield remain hers.
After what felt like hours, they reached a chamber. The mist here was heavier, pressing like weight against her chest. The lantern flames burned higher, flickering as though warning them.
In the center of the chamber, a tall figure waited. A knight in rusted armor, its body translucent, its helmet hollow save for a pair of burning green flames. It gripped a sword made of shadows, and its voice was a rasp of broken chains.
"...Intruders…"
Shellia's knees wavered, but she steadied herself. This was no ordinary ghost.
Yuki stepped forward, his small form blazing with azure light. [Lia, this is your trial. I'll lend you all my strength. Do not falter.]
The knight charged. Its sword came down like a guillotine, the air splitting with its speed. Shellia raised both hands, pouring every ounce of her divine magic into a shield of golden radiance. The impact rattled her bones, but the barrier held.
She screamed, not in fear but in determination, and the shield burst outward in a wave of pure light. The knight staggered, its flames flickering.
Yuki's voice rang out: [Now, Lia! Purify him!]
Shellia thrust her hands forward, golden fire pouring like a torrent. It struck the knight, engulfing him. The green flames in its eyes sputtered, dimmed, and then finally vanished. The armor clattered to the ground before dissolving into mist.
Silence followed.
Shellia collapsed to her knees, gasping, sweat dripping from her temples. Yuki knelt beside her, his small hands glowing as he healed her fatigue. [You did it, Lia.]
She raised her head slowly, still trembling. "…I… I really did…"
Lumiel stepped closer, his aquamarine eyes glowing faintly. "You have proven yourself. And you have seen the truth—the Spirit Beloved is destined to carry more than one spirit at her side."
Shellia closed her eyes, her breath unsteady. That glowing window still lingered in her mind, its empty slots haunting her. Four more spirits. Four more bonds. Four more burdens.
She had thought Yuki was enough. But the world had declared otherwise.
Her hands tightened over her heart. She wasn't ready. She didn't know if she could bear it. And yet, as Yuki's light warmed her, and Lumiel's calm gaze anchored her, she whispered quietly to herself:
"…Then I will not falter."
---