Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World
Chapter 124

Chapter 124.3. The Third Year at the Academy - Gardener Lily (3)

I slightly lowered my guard.

Unlike the offensive-type Laniel, Merok seems to be a defensive type.

If these creatures are involved in the disappearance of the soil, they must have infiltrated long ago.

If they harbored any malice or hostility, the headmaster and Lily would have been attacked by now.

I focused on the points of light, but I couldn't see anything.

Laniel was clearly visible, though.

Once I caught the presence of one, it wasn't hard to find others.

I scanned the area, searching for similar presences, and found Meroks moving all over the garden.

Several presences gathered around Lily's potted plants, and the soil inside kept diminishing.

Are they eating the soil?

I don't really get it, but these guys must be the culprits.

The presences consumed the soil Lily created and moved around the garden.

As I cautiously approached, they drifted away.

But they didn't seem inclined to run far.

They don't seem hostile after all.

Still, if it's [Handy Soil], the headmaster should be able to use it too.

Might as well give it a try.

I generated some [Handy Soil] into an empty flowerpot.

They didn't even look at it.

Next, I packed it with as much magic as I could, focusing on richness, and generated it again.

The moment I did, the presences swarmed me, devouring the soil in an instant.

They even gathered under my hand and consumed the soil before it could fall.

"They're like koi fish, though they're soil spirits."

It seems they have a preference, even for [Handy Soil].

Apparently, the headmaster's version didn't suit their tastes.

Feeling amused, I scattered more [Handy Soil] in large quantities.

The presences scattered in a flash, consuming the soil without letting it hit the ground.

And before I knew it—I was surrounded.

They ranged from 10 to 20 centimeters in size.

They looked somewhat like armadillos, but their heads were larger.

These creatures surrounded me, leaping at the soil as it spilled.

These things… are they Meroks?

Why did they suddenly become visible?

Looking down at the sensation of something brushing against me, I found several Meroks clinging to me like cats.

No way...

[Spirit Bond 1]

[Earth Spirit Summon: Merok]

Did I… just learn spirit magic?

When I reached out to the Merok at my feet, it came closer instead of fleeing.

I lifted it, and it fit snugly in my hand without resistance.

"Is everything all right now?"

"Yes. These creatures seem harmless."

As I held out the Merok, the headmaster and Lily exchanged puzzled glances.

Could it be... they can't see it?

When I asked them to try touching between my hands, the headmaster tilted his head but reached out.

Yet, the moment he did, the Merok began thrashing.

When I had Lily try instead, her hand passed right through as if nothing was there.

It seems you can't see or touch them without mastering [Spirit Bond].

I set the Merok down and generated soil with [Earth Handy Soil].

Before it could touch the ground, it vanished.

Lily blinked in confusion, and the headmaster watched in silence.

"Could there really be a spirit here?"

"Yes. A soil spirit called Merok."

The headmaster folded his arms and let out a thoughtful hum.

"You never cease to amaze me. You've learned [Spirit Bond]?"

"Yes. As soon as I used magic-infused [Handy Soil], it just happened. I was surprised too."

Lily looked puzzled, so the headmaster explained it to her in simpler terms.

After understanding, she said she wanted to try and began searching the garden with narrowed eyes.

Amused by her determination, I turned to the headmaster.

"I fought a monster that could wield spirit magic before. I could see it without [Spirit Bond]. So why couldn't I see the Meroks?"

"It's the difference between a summoned spirit and one that manifests on its own. Try summoning one."

I activated [Earth Spirit Summon], calling forth a Merok.

Lily let out an uncharacteristic squeal and pounced on the summoned spirit.

"How cute! Is this really a spirit?"

"Yes, it's a soil spirit called Merok."

The Merok didn't seem to mind Lily's enthusiastic petting.

According to the explanation, a standard summon yields one to three spirits, but by adding more magic, you can summon up to fifteen.

With [Multi-Cast], there's no limit. The duration also depends on the rank of [Spirit Bond].

I'll have to test these things later.

When Lily expressed her desire to summon one herself, I taught her the method.

However, even though the Meroks consumed her soil and clung to her, she couldn't learn [Spirit Bond].

It seems she lacks the necessary aptitude.

Holding one of the summoned Meroks in her arms, Lily cast her eyes downward, looking dejected.

The headmaster tried his best to cheer her up.

"How did they manage to get into the garden? Isn't there some kind of barrier?"

"Spirits can move freely between this world and theirs. It's hard to stop them, and they're mostly harmless."

"I see. If they're harmless and invisible, I guess there's no problem."

"Still, you mustn't underestimate spirits."

The headmaster shook his head and continued.

"There are countless dangerous spirits. If conditions are right, even a spontaneous appearance can lead to materialization. At that point, they're no different from monsters.

Remember what happened in Tarsthorl?"

"Tarsthorl?"

"It's understandable if you don't know. It's a small town far northwest of the Empire. I wouldn't know about it either if it hadn't come up in council discussions.

In Tarsthorl, a volcano nearby erupted, and countless fire sprites called Shumi appeared.

Most of the town was burned to the ground."

"That's terrible… Are the sprites still there?"

"They've all been eradicated."

Hearing this, Lily trembled and skillfully tried to hide the Merok behind her back.

This reminds me of something from my past life.

Will she raise these things to become the next king of bugs? Even though they're armadillos.

The headmaster gave her a reassuring smile.

"That one's fine. It's a harmless spirit.

Meroks sometimes cause trouble for farmers, but their presence means the land is fertile. You should feel proud to have them."

Relieved, Lily began feeding the Merok some soil.

The headmaster smiled at her, though his eyes seemed a bit teary.

Despite working in the garden for decades, the soil had never disappeared until Lily came along.

In just two years, Meroks had gathered.

The headmaster must have mixed feelings about it all.

At least the soil theft case is solved now.

I've learned spirit magic, and I owe it all to Lily for bringing them here.

From then on, the headmaster and I observed the interaction between the girl and the spirits.

It seems the larger flowerpot has become the Meroks' designated feeding area.

"From now on, I'll keep soil in here. No eating anything else, okay?"

At her words, dozens of Meroks, led by the summoned one, nodded in unison.

So they understand speech too.

They're as clever as those floating planks.

After Lily summoned and played with the Meroks to her heart's content, I headed home.

The next morning, when I went downstairs, I found three Meroks playing on the roof beam.

And my magic power had noticeably decreased.

"These guys… Did they come out using my magic without permission?"

I've got plenty of magic, so I don't mind.

But if this happened to someone else, they might pass out before waking up.

The armadillo-like creatures frolicked on the drifting plank.

Unintentionally, my collection of strange things keeps growing.

I leaned back in my chair and watched them in quiet resignation.