"Yes!" Spirit Queen Replied
"And What might those cons be ?" I asked delving deeper.
"It's you, Boy. You..." Aquarius said, pointing a slender index finger directly at my chest. "You are currently far too weak to wield this Queen's power."
"Too weak? you say," I repeated, a spark of annoyance flickering in my gut. I feel like vein are popping out at my temples.
"...Let me finish boy, it's bad manners to interrupt a lady," She said, Trying to sound like teacher, teaching manners to a kid.
Yeah, I don't remember ever being taught that.
"Alright, Go on," I pulled my chair and sat down.
She looked at me with the exact same expression as a corporate HR manager I'd dealt with back on Earth, the one who had been offended that I took my seat without a formal greeting, During my job interview. In my defense, It was my first ever interview. I didn't know any better.
and For the record, I failed that interview. huh.. The painful days of Unemployment.
So, Never follow my example and always show respect to your interviewer, If you want the Job of course.
The Queen was not about to accept a loss either.
With a casual flick of her wrist, ice crystals blossomed from the air, weaving themselves into an ornate, shimmering Ice Throne. She sat, crossing one long, silk-clad leg over the other with a regal arrogance that made the room feel three sizes smaller.
Yes, a throne and not a chair. That's another level of Extreme.
"So, as I was saying, before a certain rude boy interrupted me. ...you're too weak to use my powers. So, If you make a contract with me, it will be years before you reach enough affinity to use my powers." She continued, exchanging the position of her legs. "It might even take a decade."
That's not how a lady sits, Woman!
"If that is the Con then what are the pros ? there must be some, Right ?" I asked
"You get to have the honor of making a contract with a spirit queen and can use my power when you Reach the required affinity. Isn't that enough for pros ?" she said with an arrogant smile.
Not really, Honor is worth shit in Real world. The word 'Honor' only sounds good in movies and Stories about Knights. But here ? Power is Everything, lady.
...But A wise man, Especially one with two lifetime worth of experience, doesn't argue with women. Especially a woman is stuck with the Beautiful woman complex.
What is that? It is the theory that the more beautiful a woman is, the more arrogant she is and thinks that beauty is everything and can get anything with it.
On that note, Women like those are the worst to be in a relation with. They don't put effort because they think Being Pretty is already enough of an effort and their partner should serve them and treat them like a princess, Just like how they've been treated throughout their entire life.
"Let's say, that's the case, what about until then ? Do I not get any other benefit ? My Fair Queen ?"
I should have worked more on my flattering skills.
"We will be bound by contract. So, we can be talking companions. And I can provide you with any intellectual help you might need in the near future, especially water magic." she said without being even a little bit fazed with my words.
Should have known. Who even takes praises from an Eight-years-old kid seriously. Even if that kid is the most cutest kid in the whole wide world.
But, Aside from that, her proposal Sounds like something, a lonely person would make and I am Not even really sure if I would even need that ancient wisdom of hers. But...
"Haa... Fine, I will choose the second option." I accepted it regardless.
I know that she, most likely just wants to keep an eye on me. But, She could easily lie to me and convince or rather, trick me into making a contract. Instead of that, She has been honest with me about her cons until now. That honesty counted for at least something in my book.
So, I guess it should be fine. She seems trustworthy enough.
...For now.
And I wasn't after power anyways. This might just be the best outcome I could possibly hope for.
"You are acting like I am forcing you to do this." seeing my exhausted Sign, The queen huffed, her eyes narrowing. seeing my exhausted Sign.
"No, not at all. It's my honor, My great queen." I said.
"Hmph! Good that you understand."
I stood up from my seat, "Then, May I ?" I asked as i stretched my hand towards her, as if asking for her hand to dance.
"Yes, You may," She accepted my hand by putting her fingers on my hand and stood up. her fingers were like polished marble—cold, smooth, and impossibly firm.
"Then, I Beseech you..." I began.
"And, I Allow you..." she replied, her voice overlapping mine.
"To Make a Pact with Me!" We said in unison at the same time.
Soon, The mana in the room went berserk. It didn't explode, it swirled, a violent, blue vortex of energy that centered on our joined hands. I felt a sharp, icy sting as the mana carved its way through my skin, traveling up my forearm. It felt like liquid nitrogen was being injected into my veins.
The mana scattered and the light finally died down, a blue mark shaped like a stylized wave remained on my forearm—a literal brand of the Tides.
After a few seconds, The mark disappeared as if it was never there.
But I can tell that it's there, just invisible to naked eyes.
"With that our contract is now done," she said retracting her hands back.
"Yes... Now what ?" I asked.
I asked, feeling the sudden silence of the room. I had initially planned to test my new powers immediately, but with the currently useless Queen as my partner, I am basically a kid with a key to a vault i couldn't even open.
And again my life is not standing by my side and I have to throw my plan out of the window.
Well... But at least, The reason for that deviation Is something good, this time.
[What ? Is there something else to do ?]
Suddenly I heard her voice directly in my head.
This is one of the powers of spirits. A privilege granted to their contractor through the contract mark.
Telepathy.
[No. Nothing. Are you planning on returning to the Spirit Realm right now, or are you gonna go back or stick around for a bit more ?]
I replied with telepathy as well, as testing.
"Hmm... well, to be completely honest with you, I was planning to leave soon. but since you suggested it, I shall stay here for a little while more, I guess." she said.
Like hell I ever suggested it! Do not put words in my mouth, woman! You just don't want to go back, Do you ?!
"What ? I can tell you're thinking something rude." She said, Catching me stare at her "Don't tell me You're gonna Kick out your own Contracted Spirit ? Huh ?"