Stepping outside from the front train car, Emilia felt the salty breeze blow past her.
Over a hundred people had already gathered in the open fields near the tracks, all trying to get a glimpse of the commotion ahead.
“Wow, so many people came to see this.”
“Yes. Let’s move forward… Don’t let go of my hand, okay?”
“Okay!”
Holding Ford’s hand, Emilia made her way to the front of the crowd.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too tightly packed, so they managed to move forward with ease.
I wonder what kind of spirit it is…
Curious, the two peered ahead.
“Kyu—”
Lying sprawled across the tracks was a giant emperor penguin spirit.
The massive creature was about the size of a small car, resting lazily on its belly right in the middle of the railway.
“Whoa! It’s a penguin! A penguin spirit, right?!”
“That’s right, Ford! You know your animals well!”
“Yeah! I read about them in a book. It said there aren’t any in Wallis… but they live here!”
The Kingdom of Wallis was a landlocked country with no coastline.
Spirits could only take the form of beings that were native to their land.
That was why penguins—and penguin spirits—did not exist in Wallis.
However, the Kingdom of Iselnare was a maritime nation… meaning that penguin spirits did exist here.
Even for Emilia, it was her first time seeing one.
“Kyururuu—”
The penguin spirit wiggled and rubbed its belly against the steel rails.
…Did it like the sensation of metal?
A spirit’s behavior was often influenced by the nature of the animal it resembled.
Emilia pondered this, though she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about penguin habits.
“Maybe it really likes that spot?”
“It’s cute, but… this means the train can’t move, right?”
Beyond the penguin spirit’s massive body, Emilia spotted a group of men dressed in black uniforms.
The silver embroidery, the fine fabric, the medals… and the swords at their waists.
(If I remember correctly, they must be knights of the Iselnare Kingdom…)
Several knights had gathered, discussing amongst themselves.
They were likely trying to figure out how to move the penguin spirit.
And then—just for a moment—Emilia caught sight of a familiar face among them.
“…This won’t be possible without more manpower.”
Emilia blinked in disbelief.
Of all places… to meet him here.
No matter how hard she had tried to forget him, she never could.
Bathed in the summer sunlight, his silver hair gleamed, his icy pale skin shone like polished glass, and his deep blue eyes reflected the crisp clarity of melted snow.
His beauty was otherworldly—cold and untouchable, yet utterly captivating.
Even including her past life, he was the most beautiful man Emilia had ever seen.
He was Rodan Carrick, a Count of the Iselnare Kingdom.
At that moment, a wave of nostalgia and joy rushed over Emilia.
(…I’m glad to see he’s doing well.)
Rodan had spent two years studying as an exchange student at the noble academy in Wallis.
During his time there, Emilia had been assigned to look after him as the top-ranking student of her year.
She and Rodan had been very close—so close that many around them misunderstood their relationship.
However, Emilia had already been arranged to marry Duke Ordon, even while she was still studying.
There had never been a chance for anything more between them.
After she married, Duke Ordon’s possessiveness had completely cut off any further contact.
And now… the very day after being cast aside by her husband… here she was, seeing Rodan again.
“If anything ever happens to you, I’ll help you. You’re a dear friend to me.”
Rodan had once told her that.
When had it been?
Emilia couldn’t quite remember.
(Back then, everything felt so… ah—)
Before she could sink too deep into memories, a small tug at her arm brought her back to reality.
Ford was looking up at her, shaking her hand lightly.
“Mom…?”
“Sorry, I got lost in thought.”
She wasn’t a child anymore. She wouldn’t cling to old words.
Everything that mattered was in the here and now—in the small hand she held.
“For now, we need to convince the spirit to move.”
“Yeah!”
Emilia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Then, she slowly exhaled, allowing her soul to blend with the air.
She recalled the ancient teachings of Spirit Magic from the Kingdom of Wallis.
『Feel the spirits and magic as the wind.』
Breathing became one with the air, carrying magic through the atmosphere.
People were unaware of the magic slumbering deep within them.
Inhale, exhale.
『Call upon the great spirits. From the depths of your soul.』
To Emilia, Spirit Magic was as natural as moving her hands and feet.
She focused her consciousness on the spirit before her—
a being made entirely of pure magical energy.
Slowly. Gently.
In a voice too quiet to be called words, she sang.
“Kyu?”
The penguin spirit turned its thick neck toward Emilia.
『…Pray, and ask.』
『Spirits are not to be controlled.』
『…Beg, and honor them.』
Within her heart, Emilia spoke.
A delicate thread of awareness extended, linking her to the spirit.
Meeting the penguin spirit’s deep black eyes,
she let her resolve ride upon the wind.
This was Spirit Magic.
『Would you kindly move, just a little?』
“Kyu.”
The penguin spirit flapped its wings lazily.
Then, as if gazing toward the western ocean, it slowly… waddled off the tracks—still belly-down.
A cheer erupted from the passengers.
“Oh! The spirit moved!”
“Thank goodness! Now we can get going again!”
As she listened to their relieved voices, Emilia opened her eyes.
A thin sheen of sweat had gathered on her forehead.
Ford leaned in close, whispering to her.
“Mom, great job! That was amazing…!”
“No one noticed it was my magic, right?”
“Nope. I think only I could tell, since I was holding your hand. Your Spirit Magic is really good, Mom.”
Spirit Magic worked by subtly spreading one’s magical energy into nature,
which made it difficult to detect compared to other types of magic.
(No one in the crowd is looking at me… Good.)
That was a relief.
Spirit Magic wasn’t particularly flashy, but in situations like this,
its subtlety proved to be a blessing.
If people had realized she had used magic, she would have drawn unnecessary attention—
something she desperately wanted to avoid right now.
“Kyuu, kyuuu.”
The penguin spirit happily waddled westward, swaying its massive body.
Emilia watched its departure… and for just a fleeting moment—
Amidst the crowd of over a hundred people,
Rodan’s piercing blue eyes met hers.