Kissing a pure maiden to seal a contract, what a revelation for Altair. The emphasis on pure maidens made him suspect high-ranking spirits were quite the connoisseurs. Perhaps the male spirits, at least, shared his tastes. Who better to understand such inclinations than himself?

Initially, Altair planned to learn the contract method, pick a pleasing maiden, and bluff his way through. But kissing? That tested his loyalty to his "wives." A devoted man, he cared little for other women, but selecting a maiden to kiss challenged his resolve.

If he were bold enough, he could kiss every girl, claim none could handle his power, and walk away, since, as a non-spirit, no contract would form. A perfect excuse to steal first kisses without consequence.

But Altair was steadfast. Such betrayal would dishonor his beloved wives. So, he'd choose one, quickly, before Est awoke. He'd kiss, seal the deal, and stay chaste thereafter, keeping his indiscretion from Est.

Time to survey the candidates.

At Areishia Spirit Academy's plaza, every student gathered. As an all-girls school, only two men were present: Kamito Kazehaya, recently arrived, and Altair, the selector. The Spirit Users lined up, awaiting his choice to become the contractor of the "highest dragon spirit."

Greyworth had students erect a canopy. Altair sat beneath it, with Greyworth at his side. Kamito was confined to her office, an outsider and male, he couldn't roam freely. Outside, the girls queued, entering to showcase their abilities.

The scene resembled an ancient emperor choosing a consort, but as the maidens demonstrated their powers, it felt more like a talent show audition. With many students, Greyworth grouped them in threes, like a girl group performance, which struck Altair as oddly theatrical.

Still, watching maidens perform wasn't bad, especially with their short skirts. A quick twirl revealed glimpses of white, pink, and, to his surprise, black and purple lace. At sixteen, such mature choices were shocking, worthy of a second glance.

Most students were unfamiliar, as few appeared in the original story. After a while, a trio entered that sparked recognition: a redhead, Claire, Kamito's first harem member; a blonde, evoking a Russian vibe; and a blue-haired knight in light shoulder armor. Part of Kamito's team.

"Introduce yourselves." Greyworth prompted as they entered.

Claire stepped forward eagerly. "Honored sir, I am Claire Rouge of the Ordesia Empire, a Fire Spirit User. My contracted spirit is the fire spirit Scarlet."

Summoning a flame-wreathed red kitten to her shoulder, she aimed to impress Altair first, hoping to win his favor. Contracting him would ensure her Blade Dance victory, freeing her parents.

Altair nodded faintly. Claire, the flat-chested tsundere. White, noted.

His gaze shifted to the blue-haired girl. Claire, deflated, stepped back.

"Ellis, Ellis Fahrengart! Second daughter of the Fahrengart family, Ordesia Empire. I am a Wind Spirit User, contracted to the wind spirit Simorgh." She declared, summoning a green-feathered eagle. She saluted knight-style and retreated.

Ellis, decent chest, rigid personality. Green, got it, Altair noted.

He turned to the blonde.

She stepped forward, hand on her chest, poised elegantly. "I am Rinslet Laurenfrost, eldest daughter of the Laurenfrost family, one of Ordesia's four great noble houses. Noble dragon spirit, my contracted spirit is the ice spirit Fenrir."

Summoning a crystalline white wolf, Rinslet concluded her introduction.

Altair's interest piqued at Fenrir. Namesakes were common across media, but this wolf felt unique. He rose, approaching Fenrir, recalling its abilities: ice manipulation and a vast subspace, akin to his spatial pocket, used by Rinslet as a luggage compartment.

Ice and spatial abilities weren't typical for ordinary spirits, especially in a world lacking teleportation magic. Spatial powers were rare.

"You say its name is Fenrir?" Altair asked.

"Yes." Rinslet replied confidently.

Staring at Fenrir, Altair mused, the wolf tilting its head like a curious husky. "This name isn't ordinary. I knew a Fenrir once, much larger than this one."

"Really?" Rinslet said, surprised, unaware her spirit's name was known to this high-ranking spirit.

"It feels like the Fenrir I knew, a high-ranking spirit. But its power seems suppressed, unable to fully manifest." Altair said, patting Fenrir's head. Cool to the touch, brimming with ice.

"What's your name again?" He asked Rinslet, distracted by Fenrir's lore.

Far from offended, Rinslet beamed, thrilled to have made an impression, even via her spirit. "Noble dragon spirit, I am Rinslet Laurenfrost, eldest daughter of the Laurenfrost family."

Altair recalled her profile: a noble's daughter, exceptional Spirit User, skilled archer, and domestic virtuoso, handling her team's chores single-handedly. Plus, she had the most prominent chest of the trio.

"Alright, you're the one!" Altair clapped her shoulder. "Since Fenrir's your spirit, I'll join Fenrir as your contracted spirit!"

Nidhogg and Fenrir together? In Norse myth, they'd trigger Ragnarök.

Rinslet, elated, nodded vigorously. "Thank you for your favor!"

***

Every 5 reviews and 200 power stones, a bonus chapter will be dropped.

(5,10,15, 200, 400, 600, and so on then two bonus chapters will be dropped, 1 for 5 reviews and 1 for 200 power stones, so that's 2 bonus chapters!)

And if you want to read more than 50 chapters early, feel free to visit pat re on. com / Xelenea (remove space).