TSMMT Ch 31

An Unexpected Talent

[Sasha] "Pleasure to meet you for the first time, My Lady."

[Dianna] "Pleasure to meet you."

Since the Princess specified it was their first meeting, Dianna offered a graceful curtsy. A bitter smile crossed her face.

[Sasha] "Forgive my sudden intrusion. I am Alexandra Cagliari, the eldest princess of the Cagliari Kingdom. Please call me Sasha."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "Why? Is the nickname Sasha too adorable? It can't be helped. Alexandra sounds far too solemn."

Dianna didn't conceal her internal disapproval. Sasha was a young girl, yet she held the official rank of a princess. She surely understood why Dianna had fled the scene so quickly yesterday. Prince Philip had undoubtedly explained the situation to her already.

Dianna gripped her dress tightly. Sasha offered a gentle smile.

[Sasha] "Lady Brienne, you have no reason to worry."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "I have seen you before."

[Dianna] "You have seen me?"

[Sasha] "Today's visit was already planned. The King and I arranged it beforehand."

Relief washed over Dianna. She finally studied the young princess. Braided black hair fell in twin tails, and curly bangs framed her youthful face. Cute freckles dusted the bridge of her nose, and her upturned golden eyes gave her a sharp, cat-like expression. Despite her small frame, Sasha carried a mature aura. Was she older than Dianna?

[Sasha] "And I feel wronged. I didn't realize the girl I met yesterday was Lady Brienne."

Dianna decided to ask directly.

[Dianna] "Why did Your Royal Highness come to the estate of a mere noble lady?"

[Sasha] "My spirit."

[Dianna] "A spirit?"

[Sasha] "The spirit under my contract follows you."

Sasha pointed a finger, and a tiny, noisy creature waved its hands.

Dianna knit her brows. Yesterday's chaos had left no time for surprise, but this creature was indeed a spirit. Sasha cheered.

[Sasha] "You can see it!"

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "Beholding an uncontracted spirit is a magnificent feat, Lady Brienne!"

[Dianna] "Is it?"

[Sasha] "It happened at the palace too. My Sylph followed you!"

[Dianna] "Oh……"

Excitement flushed Sasha's calm face. Her cheeks reddened as she spoke rapidly.

[Sasha] "Do you know how I recognized you? My spirits insisted that you resemble a spirit yourself!"

[Dianna] "I resemble a spirit?"

[Sasha] "Incredible, isn't it? When I investigated, I discovered the girl was Lady Brienne. I immediately requested an audience with the King to meet you! Don't worry, the King knows nothing about spirits. I told His Majesty that I simply wished to dress you in Cagliari garments!"

Sasha spoke with relentless energy. Dianna offered a forced smile. Her clear eyes stared into Dianna's face, as if peering into the depths of her soul.

[Sasha] "This is fate. As a summoner who works with spirits, I refuse to let your talent go to waste."

I possess such absolute talent as a spirit summoner? Really?

This ability had remained entirely hidden during her past life.

[Sasha] "Therefore, I intend to give this little one to you."

Sasha placed the spirit on her palm and winked. The spirit mimicked the action perfectly.

[Sasha] "This is my spirit, Sylph."

Sasha spoke softly, a gentle smile masking her underlying regret. She retrieved a necklace adorned with a blue bead from her pocket. As she moved the necklace, the spirit reluctantly entered the bead.

[Sasha] "This was my very first contracted spirit. It lacks the strength to protect your life, but it remains highly useful."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "You saved my life. This gift is a small token of my gratitude."

Sasha extended the necklace. Dianna hesitated but accepted it after seeing her intense gaze. Touching the blue orb evoked the sensation of a blowing breeze. Her bangs shifted.

[Sasha] "Merely holding this item grants you the blessing of the wind. This creature is a wind spirit. No foul air can harm you, and it will provide a cool breeze when the weather grows hot."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "An individual with your innate talent will develop a powerful affinity for spirits. You will eventually summon Nevera, a high-ranking wind spirit capable of slicing through solid iron."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "I originally sought you out merely to reveal your potential, but since you saved my life, I must repay the debt with my own spirit. I never forget a favor."

Dianna examined the spirit-infused necklace. In her past life, she had observed Guiscard conversing with representatives from the Cagliari Kingdom.

The Cagliari monarchs descended from a legendary line of spirit summoners. While normal humans had long since abandoned spirits, causing the summoner lineage to vanish from the world, the Cagliari royal family uniquely maintained the bloodline.

Is this princess the famous woman from my past life?

A Cagliari royal had once caused an absolute stir by summoning a high-ranking spirit. Rumors specified the summoner was a woman. Dianna couldn't verify the truth.

[Dianna] "What must I do to summon Nevera?"

She asked cautiously. Sasha grinned and dug into her pocket, pulling out a brightly colored book.

[The Easiest Way to Become a Spirit Summoner]

Sasha shifted her feet awkwardly.

[Sasha] "Forgive me. I wish to teach you, but I am also a mere student. If you visit the Cagliari Kingdom, you can learn easily, but I understand that the eldest daughter of a ducal house can't travel abroad at will."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "But a crucial fact remains. Summoning requires far more than mere theory."

[Dianna] "……."

[Sasha] "You will soon understand it perfectly."

Dianna exhaled a quiet sigh. She had entertained a fleeting hope of wielding massive power through spirits, but reality crushed the fantasy. Regardless, she now held a priceless artifact.

Sasha studied her closely.

[Sasha] "Tell me, My Lady."

[Dianna] "Yes?"

[Sasha] "Have you ever encountered a dragon?"

A dragon? So suddenly? Why bring this up?

Sasha narrowed her eyes, as if listening to an unspoken voice.

[Sasha] "Loo, my intermediate wind spirit, claims that a dragon's aura clings to you."

[Dianna] "A dragon's aura?"

[Sasha] "Two dragons, to be exact."

Dianna had never crossed paths with a dragon. Seeing her bewildered expression, Sasha tilted her head.

[Sasha] "Forgive me. I can't communicate perfectly with spirits yet. They voice bizarre things on occasion."

[Dianna] "I see……."

[Sasha] "My goodness, I have overstayed my welcome. This visit has lasted far too long for a simple delivery of clothing."

Sasha rose from her seat. Walking down the corridor, she pondered Dianna's nature. Dianna possessed the rare ability to see spirits contracted to another master. This demonstrated an extraordinary affinity. Why did a noble lady possess such a gift? Furthermore, why did Sylph describe her as a spirit instead of a living person with a soul?

It is completely baffling.

Flanked by her personal guards, Sasha encountered a youth at the end of the hallway. Sun-kissed skin, midnight-black hair, and an exceptionally handsome face captured her attention. Her golden eyes met his sharp purple gaze. Sasha narrowed her eyes at the boy. The heavy collar around his neck labeled him a slave.

[Sasha] "A slave in this estate? How peculiar."

Inside her earring, the spirit Loo began to thrash wildly, but Sasha ignored the frantic messages completely. Her spirit frequently blundered—in fact, it happened constantly.

Loo, dragons are not a common sight in this world. Quiet down; I am blocking your voice.

Sasha furrowed her brows and adjusted her earring, stealing another glance at the boy.

He is remarkably handsome.

He possessed a powerful, well-built frame and a clean face. Despite his status, he carried himself like an individual raised in luxury. His wild, predatory gaze resembled a sharp blade, yet he looked his age.

In contrast, the young lady of the house possessed the gaze of a weathered adult—an old soul devoid of childhood innocence. The realization brought a chill to Sasha's spine.

The boy brushed past her and entered Dianna's room. A spirit-friendly, mature young lady paired with a fiercely sharp slave—the combination offered an ominous dynamic. Sasha shook her head and walked away.

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