“… And that’s how you responded to the summon that Lilil’s life was at stake.”
Jinhyuk asked Ishizu for a detailed explanation. It wasn’t difficult to understand.
All human beings in this world have a talent, which blooms at the age of 15. The talent comes from a combination of complex factors, such as their thoughts throughout their life, and the kind of environment they lived in, before turning 15.
Lilil had a talent for summoning.
“The worst. Other talents require magical abilities as well, but summoning is the most magic intensive. But Lilil’s magical power is comparable to a peanut’s.”
If your talents have blossomed but are unable to be utilized properly, you are restricted from attending the academy. It was absolutely necessary, as Lillil’s dream was to admit and become powerful.
“Lilil may as well have never summoned ever. Fortunately, it’s possible for a wizard to transfer their magical power to another once a year. So, I did just that for Lilil and made her cast the summon. If she failed, that was going to be it.”
I remembered the desperate voice that came across the portal. That trembling voice, worried that this may be the end.
“This is really strange, though. I’ve never heard of any summoners who summoned humans. They usually summon spirits and monsters at best.”
Being a summoner did not mean you can summon them for a fight whenever you want. Depending on the level, the number of summons one can bind a contract to can increase, but 1 is the typical number.
In other words, you can’t bind a contract with another summon unless you cancel an existing contract.
“I-I’m so sorry… I don’t know how to cancel a contract, nor how to send you back to your original world… ”
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Like I said, I think this will be fun.”
Jinhyuk dropped the smartphone he was holding in his hand on the floor. It was now a piece of scrap metal that no longer serves its function.
“So, let’s formally introduce ourselves. I don’t know for how long, but we’ll be together for a while, right?”
“Y-yes, of course! My name is Lilil. My talent is being a Summoner. And… um.. That’s all there is about me. Sorry.”
“Well, an introduction is just to make a first impression. Let’s get to know each other slowly.”
Jinhyuk comforted Lillil with a smile and turned to Ishizu. Ishizu was startled when their eyes met, then showed respect by bowing with a hand on her chest.
“I am Ishizu Aherndite. Third daughter of Count Aherndite, talented as a wizard. My goal is to prove the value of our nobility in the academy to maintain our power.”
Interesting. Wizard, noble family, all things you’d only find in fantasy novels and games.
“But what is the value of being a noble? Aren’t you automatically a noble by being born as one?”
“For you to lack such basic knowledge, I can clearly feel the cultural difference.”
Ishizu explained in as much detail as possible. In this world, nobility is the honor an emperor gives to those who are likely to be a threat to him. It did not matter if you were born from a noble family – if the emperor does not feel threatened, he will not recognize the nobility.
“I kinda get it. You share your nobility to protect it, right? Sort of like making an accomplice.”
“An accomplice… I’d appreciate it if you’d take it as something more honorable than that. In a world where there’s not enough to punish the evils of this world, fighting among your own wouldn’t make anything better.”
“Evil? There’s evil in this world?”
“Correct. There is relative evil and absolute evil.”
“Relative and absolute evil?”
That made no sense. Can those phrases go together? Jinhyuk’s found it contradictory.
“Relative evil refers to the enemy of humans, and absolute evil refers to the enemy of other races as well.”
“I see, with so many different intelligent races in this world, such a statement could make sense.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
To be honest, Jinhyuk couldn’t give two shits about evil and whatnot. He’s tired of being the world saving hero. His only interest was in making Lilill stronger.
“Well, enough of that, I guess I can now introduce myself?”
“I was about to say. I am curious about the world you came from, what kind of person you were, and things like that.”
“Alright, I’ll tell you. My name is Jinhyuk Sung, but you can just call me Jinhyuk. I am 23 years old.”
Jinhyuk first told them about the Republic of Korea. A world where hierarchy no longer exists, and money determines everything.
“But then monsters appeared out of nowhere and destroyed everything. I was a hunter who killed them, and the strongest among all.”
“You were the most powerful even in your world. And to reach that level at the age of 23… That’s incredible. You may regain your strength and become the most powerful again once Lillil grows stronger.”
“Well, my power might not be that big of a deal. There could be opponents that I cannot defeat even with all my power.”
“Well, our emperor is pretty powerful.”
“Are they that strong?”
“Absolutely. Their magical powers are known to be beyond human. And a magician on top of that, aren’t they amazing?”
“And still they gave you the title of a noble because they are worried you’d be a threat. I guess it doesn’t matter how strong you are when you get pulped.”
“Pulped… What do you mean?”
“I mean to bully by beating someone up together.”
“That’s correct. Our emperor’s biggest concern is the rise of another power that could lead to a rebellion.”
Lilil just kept her head down throughout Jinhyuk and Ishizu’s conversation. She felt so guilty that Jinhyuk, who was so powerful, could no longer use his power properly now.
Jinhyuk asked, glancing at Lilil.
“Does my summoner lady have any questions for me?”
Too drowned in guilt, his question startled Lilil. Lillil floundered, not knowing what to say.
“I, um, ooo, uhhh…”
“Lilil is shy and timid. Not a surprise from her background…”
“Are you Lilil’s friend?”
“Yes, I am. She’s been my friend since childhood.”
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Come to think of it, Jinhyuk didn’t know what Lilil’s last name was. Perhaps she’s not a noble? But then how could she be childhood friends with Ishizu, the daughter of a noble family? He wasn’t sure what’s going on here.
‘Not that I care to dig into that.’
Things never turned out great digging into things like this. There are bound to be stories that are difficult to hear. As Jinhyuk was about to change the topic, Lilil dropped to her knees with tears.
“I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault you’ve lost all your strength, honor and wealth with nothing in return. I’m so sorry!”
Jinhyuk looked at Lilil quietly. Her tears showed she was truly sorry. Was the guilt of inconveniencing another too much for her?
Jinhyuk felt strange. It was the first time he’s been in this kind of situation.
‘Why doesn’t she think this is her chance?’
Jinhyuk remembered the times back on Earth. The people who tried to do anything to make some connection with the almighty hunter Sung Jinhyuk, and those who managed to – too busy trying to profit from it.
He’s seen countless people like that. And when they make a mistake, they’d shrug it off with a thick skin, telling him he should be understanding as the strongest man.
But Lilil wasn’t like that. She believes summoning Sung JinHyuk here is a mistake, and apologized crying as if it’s a mortal sin that he’s weakened.
‘Since she summoned someone as strong as me, shouldn’t that make it an opportunity for her?’
He was exhausted from the filthy world filled with ignorant people. So an odd situation like this was hard to comprehend. Thoughts don’t flow flexibly and get stuck in stereotypes. Could it be that his intelligence was also affected by Lilil’s limitations?
Jinhyuk wasn’t sure, but in any case, this wasn’t so bad. It’s just hard to understand.
‘To feel guilty instead of looking to take advantage, what a good-hearted and kind kid.’
Ishizu described Lilil as shy and timid. That’s better than being a know it all who thinks too highly of themselves. Hundreds of millions of times better.
Jinhyuk felt that he wanted to help Lillil from the bottom of his heart, beyond just having fun. He tenderly patted Lilil’s head.
“Don’t cry. You shouldn’t look like this in front of your summon, should you?”
Lillil looked up and stared blankly.
Warmth.
Warmth she’s never felt ever since she lost her family to the absolute evil.
The kind of warmth not that even Ishizu, her only friend, could give with her cold personality.
Lilil could feel that warmth.
From Jinhyuk, someone who she’s caused harm.
‘I’ve done him wrong, but why is he so kind? ’
Just as Jinhyuk could not understand Lilil, Lilil could not understand Jinhyuk’s warmth. Her world’s been so cold ever since she lost her family no matter what she did. To find this warmth from no one else but from someone she feels guilty for…
‘Is this alright?’
She wasn’t sure, but in any case, the warmth made her feel better. She opened up her wounded heart a little and nodded.
“Y-you are right. I am the summoner. I shouldn’t be kneeling and crying in front of my summon.”
“That’s the spirit. You summoned me, the strongest man, so have some confidence. Take it as a real opportunity.”
“Yeah! Okay. I am the strongest summoner who summoned the strongest summon… Well, not really, but I will be one!”
Lilil said out loud, clenching her fist. Her trembling fist showed there was still a long way to go, but it was nice to see that she was showing some strength.
‘Is this how it feels… to have a younger sister?’
Jinhyuk looked at Lilil with a smile. She carefully held her hand out for a handshake.
“Well, um, uncle… ”
“I’m a summon, so you can call me by name.”
“Uncle Jinhyuk… ”
“That makes it longer. Just call me Jinhyuk.”
“M-Mr. Jinhyuk.”
“Alright then, whatever you want to call me, summoner lady.”
“Mr. Jinhyuk, I’ll be in your care for a while.”
Even the hand she held out was trembling. What a refreshing experience. Jinhyuk gladly shook her hand.
“So will I.”
After the handshake, Ishizu quietly stood up.
“I shall be leaving then. Seems like you won’t have an issue with the academy application since you have a summon. It’s almost time to practice magic as well.”
“Oh, sure. Fifteen is a ripe age for studies… was it?”
“Fifteen, the age for studying hard. Your world is surely interesting. We’ll meet again at the academy.”
Ishizu placed her hand on her chest, bowed, and left. A silence lingered in the room, really showing Lilil’s shy personality.
“Hmm, so what should we do?”
Jinhyuk asked, being the first to break the silence. After a moment of thought, Lilil hurriedly pulled a book out of the bookshelf, titled: ‘There are No Bad Summons in the World’.
‘What kind of book is that…’
It reminded him of dog trainers back in Korea. Lilill fumbled through the pages, then opened the refrigerator with a bright smile.
She then took out the chocolate and handed it to him.