"Bitch?"

A wicked grin touched Su Xuan’s lips when he saw the term, but it vanished just as quickly.

If he added that term to Rosaline’s Attributes, the only normal member in the Guild would probably leave him.

Besides, considering Rosaline’s personality, if she got saddled with a "bitch" tag, she’d probably run him through with her sword to teach him the price of thinking with his lower half.

"Top-Grade Sword Spirit?"

Su Xuan turned his attention to the second option. Rosaline was a sword-wielding Knight. ’This one seems more suitable for her, doesn’t it?’

In cultivation novels, a Top-Grade Sword Spirit was usually a cute young girl in traditional dress. ’I wonder if it’s the same in a Western fantasy game like this?’

Mulling it over, he decided to add the Top-Grade Sword Spirit trait to Rosaline.

[Your Adventurer, Rosaline, has obtained a new trait—Top-Grade Sword Spirit!]

[Top-Grade Sword Spirit: A companion spirit (water spirit) capable of enhancing Sword Intent. It inherits everything from Rosaline (including emotions, senses, etc.). Swordsmanship damage increased by 100%. Top-Grade: The meaning may not be literal, but you’re going to love it.]

"Hm?"

Su Xuan read the description for Top-Grade Sword Spirit, a flicker of confusion in his mind.

’What’s that supposed to mean?’

Before he could puzzle out the meaning of "Top-Grade," Rosaline’s companion water spirit began to change.

"HISS~"

The water spirit flicked its forked tongue joyfully, its tiny wings beating rapidly as it spiraled into the air.

"What is it doing?"

Su Xuan asked in confusion.

Rosaline, however, didn’t answer. She stood frozen to the spot as if her soul had fled her body. You probably could have hit her over the head with a shovel without getting a reaction.

Su Xuan slapped his forehead in a flash of understanding. ’Of course! How could I forget? The water spirit and Rosaline are one and the same!’

As an elemental creature born from Rosaline’s soul, the water spirit was now transforming into a Sword Spirit. The process was bound to affect Rosaline herself.

Right now, the water spirit’s body was growing rapidly. It had been only about half a meter long, but now it stretched to around two meters.

Its body was covered in distinct Snake Scales, neatly arranged and emitting a faint luster, like a field of stars twinkling with mysterious light against the night sky. At the same time, the wings on its back grew fuller, adding to its presence and Charm.

Furthermore, Su Xuan noticed something else. ’Is that a sword it’s carrying in its mouth?’

’That’s actually kind of cool.’

’Maybe I should ask Rosaline if I can have the little guy!’

Once its magnificent transformation was complete, the water spirit floated down as light as a feather. Its body coiled nimbly around Su Xuan’s waist in an intimate embrace. The sword it had held in its mouth had now become a brilliant sigil that rested between its brows, glowing with a mysterious light.

The water spirit flicked its forked tongue joyfully, gently licking Su Xuan’s cheek as if to convey its deep delight and affection.

"Okay, okay~ That tickles!"

Su Xuan chuckled and gently petted the water spirit, trying to calm it down. The little one’s enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming; it was covering his face in slobber.

Amidst their affectionate interaction, Rosaline finally snapped out of her daze. When she saw the water spirit being so intimate with Su Xuan, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes. The starlight within her flickered faintly, as if reflecting her feelings.

"Come back."

Rosaline called out sharply, trying to recall the water spirit. But for the first time ever, the spirit was defiant.

It flicked its forked tongue at Rosaline as if in protest, then went back to rubbing against Su Xuan’s cheek, getting slobber all over him.

"!"

Seeing this, Rosaline’s expression turned grave. She strode over to Su Xuan, grabbed the water spirit’s tail, and tried to pull it off him.

But the water spirit didn’t seem to want to leave, and instead coiled even tighter!

And so, a fierce tug-of-war erupted between the water spirit and Rosaline. For Su Xuan, caught in the middle, it was absolute torture.

"Stop, stop, stop! It’s too tight!"

he cried out in exasperation, muttering to himself, ’Looks like Rosaline isn’t a fan of the water spirit clinging to me, huh?’

After a great deal of tugging, the water spirit finally returned reluctantly to Rosaline, and the starlight inside her stopped flickering.

"I’m going to meditate for a while. Call me if a mission comes up."

With that, Rosaline turned and left. As she departed, the water spirit still seemed reluctant to go, wanting to stay with Su Xuan. But when her Oath Sword was held to its head, it immediately went still and docile, not daring to move an inch.

After Rosaline had gone, Su Xuan looked down at himself and found his face and clothes were soaked with the water spirit’s slobber.

"Looks like I need a bath."

Su Xuan chuckled and headed for the Guild’s bathroom. He mused to himself, ’This water spirit really lives up to its name. So much water!’

After washing up, Su Xuan stepped into the Guild hall and was met with a surprising sight. A paper crane was being chased by a Magic Flame Silver Phoenix Butterfly. The gracefully dancing crane and the fluttering butterfly created an interesting scene.

’Huh?’

Su Xuan was puzzled. ’Why is there a paper crane in the Guild?’

As he was wondering, the paper crane flew directly toward him and landed gently in his hand. Upon seeing Su Xuan, the Magic Flame Silver Phoenix Butterfly seemed to lose all interest in its quarry. It fluttered its wings, landed softly on Su Xuan’s head, and began to wiggle about cheerfully.

"What’s this all about?"

Su Xuan unfolded the paper crane and discovered it was a letter from the Elf Princess, Alina.

[This afternoon, I will be waiting for your arrival at the Elf Lakefront, little man.]

’Little man?’

Alina’s form of address was certainly unexpected, but considering she was an Elf who was over a hundred years old, it was reasonable for her to add the word ’little’.

"This afternoon, huh?" Su Xuan mentally noted the appointed time.

Just then, Ivsha and the others arrived at the Guild.

"Let’s get started on today’s missions."

"As you command, President~"

...

「In the Elf Kingdom, within a secluded garden.」

The Elf Queen stood beside a clear pool, staring expressionlessly at her own reflection in the water.

Surprisingly, however, the reflection of the Elf Queen in the pool was beaming, as if enjoying some profound joy.

"You’ve already told him?" the Elf Queen asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of some imperceptible emotion.

[Yes. Although he is only a human, his status makes him a perfect judge for our matter.]

"Is it really wise to leave this to an outsider?" the Elf Queen questioned softly.

[Only an outsider can make the most impartial choice. Besides, I saw a trace of Kindness and honesty in his eyes.]

"Then I’ll do as you say. But only one of us can remain." The Elf Queen’s tone held an unmistakable finality.

[The other will bear the burden of our malevolence, sealed forever in the depths of the Elf Mother Tree.]

"Regardless of the outcome, there can be no resentment. This is all for the future of the Elf Kingdom."

[It is all for our lovely children.]