Subscriber of the Gods Episode 173
Episode 173. Aptitude Test
“What do I need most? Ethan Wickers, young man, you look at me with a knowing gaze. Do you really know what I need? And can you provide it? Your words defy the King of the Earth, Thror.”
Ethan’s words aroused the Spirit King’s wrath.
It was natural.
Because what Ethan said was no different from saying that he could do what you couldn’t do.
“I know that humans have great potential. I also know that they have the ability to break through limitations endlessly. But you are so arrogant. Do you think that dismantling all my magic and getting here is some great achievement?”
Shaaaaaaaaaaah-!
The wind blew. At the same time, the ground began to shake violently.
Kugugugu-!
The ground shook and Roanna stumbled forward.
On the other hand, Ethan spoke to the Spirit King calmly, without wavering an inch.
“I’m sorry my words have made you feel uncomfortable, Your Majesty. But I said it knowing full well.”
“what?”
The Spirit King put his hand on the ground as if he had nothing more to say.
Then Ethan opened his mouth again.
“A wound in the side, a stigma of exile that prevents return.”
“… … !”
The Spirit King’s movements stopped.
“I can treat you.”
The Spirit King looked incredulous at Ethan’s words.
“Really, you can cure this?”
It’s something I’ve been trying to do for decades now. It’s been a painful time because of this stigma that’s been spreading.
Tror’s head, which had been filled with anger at Ethan’s assertion that he could cure her, began to cool down.
The shaking of the ground stopped and Roanna, barely able to regain her balance, let out a sigh of relief.
“Teacher… … That’s too much persuasion.”
After confirming that Roanna was safe, Ethan turned his head again and looked at Tror.
“Haven’t you been suffering from that wound for quite some time since that day?”
“… … That’s right. How do you know that?”
“I read an ancient document. It was an ancient document about the Demon World Grand Duke. Through it, I learned about the Demon World Grand Duke’s special abilities.”
Of course, I know this because I killed the Demon King in Mepan.
When Ethan spoke about the Demon Lord and his special abilities, Trore’s attitude changed completely.
“You know something.”
“That’s why I said. Make a deal with me, Spirit King. I will heal your wounds and help you return to the Spirit Realm. In return, you will return the Prochesht Estate to its original state. No, if possible… … .”
Ethan wasn’t content with simply restoring the Prochesht estate.
‘When I cleared the quest in Mepan, I was barely able to cure the Spirit King.’
At that time, it was not a complete cure, but rather it only improved the symptoms.
But now it’s different.
‘It can definitely be cured.’
“Please protect the Prochesuit again.”
Roanna was even more surprised by Ethan’s bold proposal.
I never thought they would make such a suggestion to the Spirit King.
“You said you were Roanna’s teacher over there? Then you are an outsider with no connection to this estate, so why are you making such a suggestion to me?”
The Spirit King couldn’t understand.
This offer was actually one that had little to no benefit to Ethan.
Of course, that was purely the Spirit King’s idea.
‘If this Prochest becomes the only spirit master’s tower in the South again, we can connect with our Wickus territory. We can expand our workshop business even further, and it can also become a bridgehead connecting Wickus territory and the South.’
For Ethan, who was seeking to expand his workshop business, this was bound to be beneficial in many ways.
‘You’ll have a solid alliance. An alliance where you don’t have to worry about betrayal.’
That alone was worth helping Procheste.
‘And if you clear the quest perfectly, you will receive an additional reward.’
This is a quest with the highest level of difficulty.
If you can completely cure the Spirit King, you will receive an incredible reward that you have never received before.
‘To perfectly clear the quest, you need to make a big offer to the Spirit King.’
Ethan wasn’t a man driven by goodwill alone.
The calculations have already been completed.
“Because I am Roanna’s teacher. Once I decide to take charge of her, I intend to take full responsibility for her. And in order for Roanna, who is the teaching assistant for the next class, to show a good example, it would be best if the family issues are resolved.”
Of course, there is no need to be honest about your original purpose.
Roanna looked at Ethan with a moved expression on her face at his words.
It seemed as if tears were welling up in my eyes and I was about to burst into tears at any moment.
“teacher……!”
“Hmm… … You are a rare human being.”
Trore also seemed impressed by Ethan’s answer and uncrossed his arms. His expression seemed to be recalling the past when he had made a contract with a human.
“Yes, good. Compared to removing this wound, your request is not that difficult. It may seem like yesterday to me, but it will be a long time for you. I can’t erase everything, but I can shake it off.”
Tror turned his gaze towards Roanna.
Looking at her, it suddenly occurred to me that human time is truly short.
Because I saw the face of the first contractor I used to curse at every day on Roanna’s face.
“But you know what? I need a contractor to protect that land again.”
And that contract wasn’t something just anyone could do.
“I can’t accept your offer unless we have a new contractor, Ethan Wickers.”
“Isn’t Roanna here?”
It’s a contract with the Spirit King.
If the aptitude is not right, your body may not be able to handle the force and run the risk of going out of control or breaking down.
But Ethan wasn’t too worried.
‘Roanna would be fine.’
I had no experience making a contract with the Spirit King, so I didn’t know what would happen, but I thought Roanna would be more than enough to make a contract with the Spirit King.
“Then let’s give it a try. Are you ready, Roanna Prochesht?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Roanna said in a nervous voice.
Thror, the spirit king of the earth.
The thought of making a pact with the Spirit King, who had made a pact with his great-grandfather Sloan, made me feel like I was inheriting a legacy.
Shaaaak-.
As Tror gestured, a magic circle appeared at Roanna’s feet.
“Aptitude check.”
Of course, he’s Sloan’s bloodline, so he’d be a good fit.
“……huh?”
But something was strange.
“It’s not suitable.”
“yes?”
Ethan frowned slightly.
I never thought Roanna would be unsuitable.
“It doesn’t work for me. It works for fire and lightning. They are the opposites of my attributes.”
Tror shook his head. Each person had different attributes that they were suited for. Therefore, if the attributes did not match, it was sometimes difficult to make a contract with a spirit.
Still, most of the time, a contract will be reached.
“You can make a contract with a high-level spirit even if the attributes are opposite. The power will be less than when the attributes are well-matched. However, I am the spirit king in name. If there is no clear affinity, a contract is impossible.”
In fact, there was a reason why he signed only one person.
Because at that time, there were few people who could withstand the energy of the powerful Spirit King.
One and only one among countless humans.
Only Sloan Prochest was able to use its power by making a contract with Thror, the spirit lord of the land.
Ethan approached Roanna.
“It’s okay, Roanna. Attributes are something you’re born with.”
“It might be possible for my father. But he is closer to my great-grandfather than to me.”
As Roanna sighed while saying that, the magic circle of aptitude confirmation that had spread out beneath her feet was passed on to Ethan.
Shaaaaak-!
In that moment, the magic circle carved under Ethan’s feet reacted strongly.
“!”
Trore looked surprised when he saw that.
“Ethan Wickes.”
Aptitude test.
“You have the aptitude to be my contractor.”
* * *
“Hmm.”
Duke Felix.
Hansen, known as the Great Wizard of the South, thought of the wizard of the Prochesht family who had just left.
He was the Duke’s advisory wizard.
He had been with the Duke for quite some time, so it was virtually safe to say that he was a member of the Duke’s family.
He was considered one of the strongest pillars of the Twelve Star Family and Felix.
He used to work as a magician to advise the Duke’s family and received help from the Prochesht family.
It was such a big help that I made a firm promise to repay the debt someday.
Since he couldn’t just make a promise with words, he also gave her a wooden nameplate containing his magic power.
Today, the wizard of Prochesht demanded payment of his debt along with the nameplate.
“It was a long-standing debt. But at this time. Why did you go back to find that precious agate powder? Are you trying to revive the ruined land now?”
Hansen didn’t understand at all.
“It would be a shame for the Lord of Prochesht to give up so easily.”
If anything, he could use that debt as an excuse to get any help he could from Duke Felix and himself.
Giving it up clearly meant that Michael Prochesht was up to something.
“I’m curious. Quite a bit.”
From Hansen’s point of view, Prochesht was a truly pitiful place.
He gave instructions straight to his subordinates.
“Go to Prochesht now and check if there are any unusual circumstances.”
“Yes, I understand!”
* * *
“Am I the one talking?”
‘I’ve never made a contract with the Spirit King, but I never thought it would be a good fit.’
But there was a worry.
This body was currently under the curse of extinction. It was clear that it would not be easy to endure, let alone accept, the great power of the Spirit King.
“That’s exactly the right fit. Hmm, similar to when I was with Sloan. At this point, I can make a contract with you. Then, I can protect Prochesht again with you at the center. But there’s a problem.”
And the Spirit King knew about that problem too.
“You said you would heal my wounds, but aren’t you also not an easy target?”
Ethan just smiled at those words.
“My original therapist said that my body doesn’t heal well. I’m just like that.”
“Teacher, are you sick?”
Roanna looked at Ethan with concern.
Ethan nodded.
“I’m very sick. I’m worried about how I’ll teach you in the second semester.”
“You’re joking.”
Ethan laughed lightly and turned his head.
“So the contract is difficult?”
“It’s not hard. I just need to give you the abilities that fit your body. When your body becomes stronger than it is now, I can give you that power again.”
‘It’s a shame that I can’t get everything.’
Still, it was an unexpected harvest.
In particular, Thror, the spirit king of the earth, is a spirit specialized in defense.
‘The power of the earth can be easily used for defense, and if necessary, it can also be used as a means of attack.’
“Then let’s sign the contract right away.”
“Is it okay if we don’t treat you first?”
“Without mutual trust, we can do nothing. Isn’t that right?”
Ethan smiled and nodded at Tror’s words.
“Let’s start with the contract.”
Shaaaaah-.
The ground cracked and soon jagged rocks sprang up, wrapping themselves around Ethan’s feet.
“I make a new covenant.”
Tror reached out his hand to Ethan.
“Ugh.”
Ethan felt a sudden pain in his forearm, as if it were burning.
A diamond-shaped tattoo. It was a sign that a contract had been made.
-You have achieved the achievement!
– [First Spirit Contract] Likes were earned by completing the achievement.
-You got ‘1’ like!
-You have achieved the achievement!
– [Contractor of the Spirit King] You have earned likes by completing the achievement.
– Got ’15’ likes!
‘This is crazy.’
Ethan cursed inwardly for a moment.
’15 likes? I only got 10 likes from hunting apostles. The Spirit King is definitely different.’
“You are now officially my contractor. Some of my power will now be in your hands.”
-Learned how to summon the Spirit King.
– Added skill: Summon Spirit King (S)
“Now let me show you what that power is.”
fantasy,
