A Fairytale for Wizards

The lump of light became larger in a flash. It was now about the size of a fist. It wavered unstably for a short moment and soon took a round form like the light of a firefly. The spirit, now that its form was stabilized, floated to the air from Azriel’s hand. Then it circled around her, blinking.

“Huh?”

“The newborn spirit is trying to recognize the world. It’s also a way to check who made it.”

“Oh… I see.”

As if to explore, the spirit tapped Azriel’s forehead, cheek, and the tip of her nose. It was cute and tingly that she laughed in a small voice. Then the spirit burrowed into her hair. It dug up between her black hair and suddenly pulled it.

“Ouch!”

“Trying to play around the minute it’s born, it’s indeed a spirit,” Rhema clicked his tongue in a lone tone. Azriel narrowly caught the lump of light that continuously hid in her hair and pulled it out.

“My hair is not a toy, you little kid.”

The spirit which had been struggling in her hand escaped through her fingers. It fluttered and flew and got on Azriel’s shoulder. It tapped her hair again.

“I’ll really get mad if you pull my hair again, okay?”

When she warned it with an upset tone, it stayed quiet for a little while and began roaming around her arm, not being able to hold any longer. Her sleeve was pulled to different directions. Azriel shook her head, “the one in your house was a quiet one.”

“That’s a fairly old spirit.”

She looked into the wavering spirit that was perching on her index finger.

“How can I name this guy?”

“I don’t want to recommend giving it a name.”

“Come to think of it, the spirit you made doesn’t have a name.”

Did he say that it would be bothersome if a spirit gets personality? When Azriel tilted her head, the spirit floated before her nose and sparkled busily. It seemed like it was nagging her to give it a name.

“Will there be any other problem other than being bothersome when you give it a name?”

“There are no other problems, but it will be very noisy.”

“Wow, will it be able to talk, too?”

“Yes, it’s possible once its personality forms. And usually, spirits are quite talkative.”

The lump of light was going to and fro between Azriel’s eyes. Then it rubbed itself on her forehead as if it was acting charming. Its marvelousness and cuteness made her laugh.

‘This is the first spirit I made, and I’d like to hear it speak—’

“Umm, if it’s just going to be talkative, then I’d like to name it. Can I do that?” She asked.

“Since it’s your spirit, you don’t have to ask for my permission. If you teach the spirit its name and kiss it, its personality will be created. Try it.”

“Kiss it?”

“Mouth is where ‘words’ come out. It is also the most outstanding passage of mana. Putting one’s mouth over another’s is an original and old way of exchanging mana.”

“I see— I’ll try!”

What would be a good name? There was something that just came to mind. It was the name of a fairy from a picture book. She held the spirit with her both hands and took it to her mouth.

“Your name is ‘Brownie,’” she whispered to the spirit that was spinning on the spot.

She kissed it lightly. She felt her little bit of mana flowing to the spirit from her. Suddenly, the light of the spirit largely swayed and swelled. Inside the enlarged light, a faint childlike outline was formed. Then a voice resembling the ringing of a little bell came out.

“Brownie! It’s a name, a name! I got a name! I have a name! My name is Brownie! What fun! Thank you, Esthera! Thank you!” Brownie said.

Brownie circled around Azriel noisily, scattering golden sparks. Thanks to that, she looked like she was surrounded by gold dust.

“It’s nice to meet you, Brownie,” she greeted the spirit, smiling.

“Yes! It’s nice to meet you! It’s very, very nice! It’s the nicest in the world! Now, Brownie will take care of this castle! I’ll do well! What can I do for a starter? What do you need now? Cooking? Cleaning? Laundering? Brownie can even bake cookies!” Its clinking voice rang her ears continuously. She felt all over the place. Bewildered, she shook her head.

“No, I don’t need anything right now—”

“You don’t need anything? That can’t be! You made Brownie and there’s nothing you need? That doesn’t make sense! That’s not fair! Esthera is not fair! Brownie is good at working! You just need to let me!” Brownie shrieked. Azriel involuntarily covered her ears. Rhema sighed quietly and grabbed the spirit that was circling around.

“Brownie, if you are the spirit of the castle, find out whatever is necessary for us on your own and act like a spirit.”

“I don’t listen to anyone other than Esthera! Who are you?!”

“I’m a person who’s going to be living in this castle.”

“What? What? Is that so? Esthera, is that true? Is this strange person going to live with us?”

“He’s not a strange person. It’s Rhema. Rhema Reshith. He will be living with us in the castle,” as Azriel nodded her head, the spirit also nodded.

“I see! It’s a person living with Esthera! It’s someone who’s going to live in Brownie’s castle! Then it’s fine! You can ask anything to Brownie!”

“We will be staying in the castle from today. Prepare it on your own.”

“Wow! From today? Right away? Wow! People! People are going to live here! There will be people in Brownie’s castle! Leave it all up to me!”

Rhema let go of the chatty spirit. Excited, Brownie circled around them about seven times and flew away.

“Brownie will do well! Anything will be done readily! I will make the most comfortable house for you!”

With the voice furthering away, golden sparks were scattered behind it like a trace.