Elqueeness - Chapter 3

Minerva…do you have evidence that I am setting my own limit?  I still haven’t done anything.”

It’s true I didn’t forget my human memory, but just that doesn’t simply make me forget that I’m a spirit.

I’m not used to everything yet, but I’m breathing underwater.

If I wanted to argue that I was a human, then enough time has passed that I would have died by drowning. (TL note: they are underwater -> if he thought he was human his mind would have tricked him into drowning)

I boldly claimed that we won’t know until I try.  Nevertheless, Minerva had an indifferent face and she cuts my words like a knife.

“Yeah?  Then make a spirit.”

“…….”

“The fact that you are hesitating is evidence that your self-knowledge is lacking.  Are you trying to give the excuse that you don’t know the method to make it?
Spirit Kings instinctively know from birth how to make spirits.  They don’t have to learn from anyone.”

Ku-huk..Okay, I lost.

I don’t know how to do anything and I’m stupid enough to fool myself that I’m human.  I’m an idiot.

Can you stop looking at me like I’m awful?  I already know that I’m wretched!

“What do we do now?  We can’t keep the status quo, can we?”

He carefully asked Minerva.  Trowell was sweating after watching me totally humiliated.  I retreated to the corner and I guess it wasn’t a good look.

Afterwards, Minerva got back into a thinking pose and shook her head.

“I don’t think so.  No matter what anyone say it doesn’t change the fact that Ji-Hoon is a spirit king.  Since he can breathe under water, I don’t think his self-knowledge is too lacking.  Maybe the problem will solve itself with time.
The problem is we need Elqueeness’ ability right now…”

Usually it wasn’t a problem if a spirit king wasn’t fully awakened.  There wouldn’t be much damage since he can rely on what the previous generation achieved.

However the situation being as it is, all the water spirits were annihilated. Minerva explained that there was no time to waste and I had to discover my abilities to make spirits.

The lower level spirit Naias can wet the air, but they wouldn’t be able to replenish the polluted sea, lakes, and springs.

“On top of that, the rain has to come down.  There is only so much you can do with water drawn up from the ocean.
You would have to collaborate with Minerva to create a storm to drive off the polluted air..
I would have to re-drill the water channels that have been blocked…Whew…It’s been awhile since there was a mountain-like stack of stuff to do.”

What the hell?  Bring down the rain and create a storm…open up a water vein?

I blanched at Trowell’s complaint-ridden words.

“Spirit kings have to do all that?”

“Sometimes…usually the High-level spirit does the work…if we want to affect change in a short amount of time, it would be faster for us to move.
One month…no two month should be enough to recover everything to normal.”

“No…What I mean is…what does god do?  Isn’t god supposed to do that?”

I was a bit shocked because I thought it was god’s work to make wind blow and rain fall.

This time, Trowell stared at me like I was talking nonsense.

“Gods?  You mean the lazy gods that play around in World of the Gods?  Why would those bastards covet our territory?  The 4 Spirit Kings were given power over Arkadon’s nature.  Even if other gods made trouble here, it would come up short.  So who would tell us what to do?”

“R..Really?  So there are no people here that believe in the gods?”

“There are some.  Some gods come to play at Arkadon when they are bored out of their minds.  The main god gets work piled on him every day and does most of the work. The others lower tiered gods use their status as an excuse, don’t you think they have good fortune?
Sometimes the humans forget about the value of Arkadon’s 4 Great Spirit Kings. Chet.”

“………Haha..”
I guess Trowell had some grudge built up against have and the gods.  He grumbled continuously.

I could only laugh awkwardly while sweating profusely.  I felt like I was put on fire and someone poured gasoline on me.

I just wish a spark wouldn’t jump towards me.

Minerva was still thinking hard about something and it seemed like she came to a decision as her face took on a better shade.

I was excited, thinking she had some secret plan.  However, I was sorely disappointed at her simple plan.

“It can’t be helped.  This has never happened before, but for now, let’s let Ji-Hoon apprentice under the other Spirit Kings.”

She spoke those words carefully and mysteriously but…she wants me to learn the job?

Is that really it?  Of course you learn if you don’t know anything!!!

Are you implying that you wouldn’t have taught me!!!

My stunned face looked at the always serious Minerva.

She wasted several minutes thinking about such an obvious solution.  I really don’t understand Minerva.

Maybe your appearance is a lie! You looked like you were smart and full of wisdom.

Yet, something more shocking happened next.

“What?  We have to teach Ji-Hoon???  Even if we are desperate, do we really have to?”

Trowell was horrified and he answered like he couldn’t believe that she said such words.

Minerva looked really sorry, but she stared at me and shrugged her shoulder.

“We have no choice.  If Ji-Hoon is okay with it, then I would like to do that..”

“No matter what…you have to look at it through Ji-hoon’s perspective…”

Trowell forces the last words out of his mouth and Minerva looked like she felt an enormous sense of guilt.

Why are they making such a big deal about teaching me?

I was baffled by Minerva and Trowell’s reaction.  It made me feel like I was the strange one and it made me feel really uncomfortable.

I couldn’t just say ‘Are you guys stupid?  Of course you should teach me~’.  Their mood was too sincere to do that.

All I could do was try to lessen their unfounded guilt.  I laughed awkwardly as there was no choice but to accept Minerva’s words.

“I’m okay with it, Minerva.  It’s a really good idea.”

“……Really?”

“Ji-hoon!  Do you really think that?”

Huh-guk…if you are that surprised, then wouldn’t I be more surprised?

Especially Trowell!  I wish you wouldn’t get closer than 1 meter…haha. (TL note: trying hard to resist the Boys Love route~)

The close up of Trowell’s face made him look sexier. (TL note: huhuhu)

Without realizing it, my face became red. I tried to look away, disguising it as a head shake.

Damn.  If he wasn’t a man, I would have worked on him…What a waste. Kul-luk.

“Ji-Hoon.  You are a really good guy!  I’m so glad that this Water Spirit King’s heart is so large.”

“…Ah haha…R..Really?”

I was told I’m a good guy just for doing a minor thing…I was feeling numb because it felt like I was experience an adventure in a mysterious world. (TL note: you actually are -_-;)

I asked to be taught, so I’m the one who is lacking?

No matter how I look at it, I should be the first one to thank you guys.

Something is wrong with this scene.

Should I say it feels like we switched places?

I learned this later, but Spirit Kings consider themselves to be perfect beings.  They are very sensitive about learning or teaching others.

Especially among Spirit Kings when you teach and learn, they feel like a hierarchy forms and their pride will take a huge hit…

So whatever the case, it is considered very rude to teach among Spirit Kings.

It would seem the previous Water Kings were more sensitive compared to other Spirit Kings, so they thought I would be like that.

What kind of big personality did he have that they would label me the same just because I was his successor?

I thought Trowell and Minerva’s personality were weird based on how they treated me, but I didn’t know the reason for it.  I was curious about the previous Elqueeness.

The saying you should meet a good ancestor first is apt? Chuup.(Tl nope: another sound effect)

Even Spirit world has night and day.

It’s just that unlike earth, the sun doesn’t come out when it gets light outside or conversely the start and moon doesn’t come out when it’s dark.
I confirmed that the environment gets darker when its night.

I thought there were only water, but if you look closely, there are beddings and daily necessities prepared.
Since the domain had the characteristic of water, I could swim around and it felt like heaven.

I dreamed of being a pilot when I was little and I wanted to fly in places with no gravity!

This place isn’t space, but it doesn’t feel like water either.  It feels like I’m swimming in air and that is one reason why I’m so satisfied.

(I was able to fly as a ghost, but I couldn’t feel the air on my skin. So it was this exciting.)

While it was night and the space was dark, I had no problem looking around my surroundings.

I was naturally born with bad eyesight and I had to wear really thick glasses to differentiate objects.  Compared to my past self, I’ve changed a lot!
No, should I say I’ve been promoted?

Anyways I was filled with a feeling of satisfaction.  Slowly, I looked around my surrounding to imprint where I’m going to live and I started to work.

“Table. Table Cloth. Chair. Bed… Ooh Waa…everything is here~
I thought the Spirit World was like cavemen time period but they do have culture here~

It would be nice if they had TV and computer…Is that too much to hope for? HaHa. Huh?
It’s a mirror!”

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen myself since I was born.

My previous form had a shameful face, so I avoided mirrors.
However, Arehis said I would revert to my original form, so my face should be different from Kang-Ji-Hoon’s?

The other Spirit Kings looked like Westerners, so my looks shouldn’t be too different.

My heart was beating fast as my gaze fell on a mirror covered with really fancy decoration.

It’s okay if I’m plain!  Just don’t be ugly!!! If not, then I’ll be too deficient compared to the other Spirit Kings~!  I refuse that result!!

“EHHHEKK? What is this~!!!”

I was shocked after looking at myself in the mirror.

My reflection was too different from what I imagined.

I don’t mind the wavy blue hair that fell to my back…
No, it’s a perfect blue color that you couldn’t dye on earth even if you paid money.  It was such a natural shade, so I really liked it.

The only problem I had was that it was a little too long, but I can cut it later…The problem is…

“I look like a chit of a girl~~!!!”

Yes. It was like that.

My face was not like the ugly but manly Kang-Ji-Hoon’s face.  I had skin that seemed like I had absorbed milk and then spread flour all over.  I had a sharp nose with red lips like I had painted it.  My face was small and had a shape an egg..I really was kind of pretty with a face of a girl.

My body looked frail, like it’ll fall if someone bumped into me. With my hair being this long, if someone asked me if I was a girl then even I wouldn’t have a good answer for them.

Out of all the faces, I had to born with this kind of face…What the hell…

Even if it’s a similar pretty type, I think Trowell’s side is better.
Though the only weak point is that he releases too much pheromone, but at least he looks like a male.

I don’t want this pure virgin type. It’s not the style I want~~!!

It’s not funny that I have a flat chest and a woman’s face.  Maybe it’ll look better if I cut my hair?

I look even weaker then Minerva.  Hmm?  Something feels missing..?

I checked my body with discontent in my eyes.  I tilted my head in confusion because there was an absence that I wasn’t used to.

I felt like there should be something, but it’s absent?  I was fine until earlier, so why am I uncomfortable?  It shouldn’t be important…what is it?

I slowly patted down my body one part at a time and I tried looking for the reason I had this weird feeling.

It wasn’t really hard…no, it was an easy reason but I had hard time comprehending it.

“!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~!#$@%#$^&!!!!” (TL Note: I should have realized it was gender bender (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■))

I felt a great shock flow through my body like getting shocked by 1 million volts of electricity.

I didn’t even try to, but my head was shaking.  It was because my hand felt something that couldn’t be believed.

The shocked face that was reflected on the mirror changed to show a figure that was about to cry.

“Gone…It’…Gone! IT’S GONE~!! KAAAAAHK THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!”

Is this how it feels when the hardened emotion you protected crumble?

The truth I knew for 17 years was nixed and I lost the will to live.

Even if I was on a high speed train to from heaven to hell, I don’t’ think I would be able to taste this kind of emotion.

“WHY AM I A WOMAN!!!?”

That night…my body’s precious part was gone and I realized the truth.  I became a woman.  I couldn’t sleep all night and I greeted the morning with hollow eyes.

I was in haggard not because I had no sleep, but from the mental shock.  Ifrit saw me and she judged me while her face looked like she saw something awful.

“Are you an idiot?”

“Kuu-huk!! B..But!!”

“But. What do you mean but?  I heard from Minerva, but I doubted her…  You really did retain your human memory.  You are a Spirit King and you don’t know that spirits are genderless…
(TL note: (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ nvm not a gender bender)

If the previous Elqueeness knew about this, he would have fainted and he would have never woken up. Ha-Unbelievable..”

“Wait, so I am~..What?”

I was trying to protect myself from the bitter and twisting words of Ifrit, but suddenly I stopped.

What did Ifrit just say?  What?  Spirits are genderless???

Ifrit’s face scrunched up in disdain after seeing my surprised face that must have look idiotic.

“In the beginning, spirits are sexless.

There is no reason to differentiate between male and female.  Only the outer appearance is different from male and female.
Have you ever heard of Spirits bearing children?
Minerva and I definitely have a female outer appearance, but do you see boobs?  We are like you.”

“Huuk…Come..come to think of it…”

Yes…it doesn’t make sense that females don’t have a certain amount of chest protruding.

Even if you didn’t develop fully and if you calculate the female to be with 17~20, their chest shouldn’t be this flat.

Ah, that’s great.  It means I’m not female?  I don’t know how I should feel about being sexless but at least I’m not female…right? (TL: lol idk how I should feel about this statement-as a bro I might agree?)

I felt considerable relief in my heart and I let out a long sigh.

At least I’m male. (TL: technically you aren’t)  I’ve been living as a Korean male where it has a patriarchal society as a foundation.  So for me to be a female, the shock would have been tremendous.

I want to preface that I’m not trying to discriminate between male and female.  I guess it’s about different values?
Hypothetically, if I was female and I turned into male then I would have been equally shocked.

Anyways, Ifrit watched me as these feeling swept through my heart.  I don’t know what she is thinking but I saw a twisted smile on her face.

“Now that you mention it…How can you say your face looks female?
You are on the pretty side, but any way I look at your face, you look like man.”

“R..Really? Ha Ha, it’s true…when I was human, if a man was even a little bit pretty then we had a habit of thinking that he had a girl’s face.  I guess that habit is still leftover.”

“Hoong. How boorish.”

“Hahaha…”

Yes…if I think about it, I was so shocked that my nether region was empty that I assumed everything else became female.

I didn’t like it because I looked like a virgin(TL note: pure), but compared to Minerva and Ifrit, I look like a male..

Is this what you call a pretty boy? KuKuKu…People would pay money to be reborn.  I shouldn’t complain too much, right?

I would look more masculine after I cut my long hair.
I can grow my muscle by exercising.  (Do spirits gain muscle?)

Huk..I think it’s really weird.  I have no chest and my lower region is missing..
My top is all male and my bottom is female?  Ook…I feel abnormal.

My emotion finally calmed down, but it started stirring again and a feeling of dissatisfaction started forming..
I think it’ll take time to get used to this strange body.

I decided to stop being curious about my body before I develop more bad feelings.

I think that’s the shortcut to living the happiest life. (TL note: just ignore it-great advice for young kids out there ((d[-_-]b)) )

Then the proof came to me that the thought wasn’t wrong.  I was able to quiet my heart and maintain a peaceful state.

On one hand I was satisfied, but I felt that something was bothered me..ah! That’s right!

“Why are you here, Ifrit?  What happened to Minerva and Trowell?”

I didn’t realize it at the time because I was too shocked.  The Spirit King that arrived in my Water Domain was Ifrit.

She was the spirit king who tried to pick a fight with me and left.  What reason did she have to visit here again?

From her action, she seemed like she’ll cut all ties and live a hardened life by herself.  She was still brusque, but she came to find me.  To tell you the truth, I felt a little dazed when watching Ifrit.

The Spirit Kings, Minerva and Trowell, who made the irregular statement that they would have to teach me the job were nowhere to be seen…

There are a lot of weird parts that I have to learn about this world..Kul-luk.

 

Ifrit found out that I finally realized she was there.  Her mood soured and her face scrunched up like yesterday.

Then she started mumbling to herself for a very long time and her figure was very dark.  Before I realized it, I was sweating profusely and I stepped back away from her.

…Surely, Ifrit!  Are you trying to put a curse on me?

“What’s with that frightened face?  Do you think I’ll eat you?  The previous Elqueeness was rude, but at least he had some elegance..
Your condition is..tsk tsk..”

“..I’m sorry I have no elegance..”

Does she think she is overflowing with elegance?  You look like a yankee from Ahp-gu-junk(TL note: it’s a place in S. Korea where delinquents hang out)..chet.

I couldn’t boldly say this in front of Ifrit.  My life is too precious and valuable..hu hu.

I know I’m living by being very subservient.  They say the subservient person has a really tough life line that won’t be broken easily.

Hmmm…would Ifrit understand me if I called her a yankee from ahp-gu-jung?

The dimension is different and it’s a term that is known in the small country of Korea.  Of course she wouldn’t understand…
Then, like slitting my stomach, should I just say it? (TL note: he mean YOLO)

Eh ee…let’s forget about it.  She wouldn’t understand what I said, but she might notice it doesn’t have a good meaning.
I didn’t have the guts to go ahead with it after knowing the likely consequences.

By the way…Why did this Spirit come?  Maybe she purposefully came to pick a fight with me. It couldn’t be that….

I guess my thoughts were revealed on my face.

Ifrit’s gaze looked at me like I was very pathetic and then she boldly revealed why she came.

“I’m in charge of your education from now on.”

“…What?”

“Jeez.  I just found out that a Spirit King can be deaf. Didn’t you hear me?  I’m incharge.of.your.education.” (TL note: said each letter separately-clipping the words)

Huh guh guh…

This is a prank from the gods.  Or it’s Arehis nefarious plan!  It can’t be!  It makes no sense!  How can this Spirit King be in charge of my education~!!!

I felt like I was falling off a cliff and Ifrit mockingly lifted the end of her lips.

To another person she might look really really sexy and really really provocative, but to me she was like a devil descending from the sky.

She was that evil and demonic to me.

Why would this happen? why?(TL note: author wrong in English lower case why) For what reason!!?

“Stop looking like you are going to die.  My mood will sour.  Do you think I like this assignment?  Minerva and Trowell are focused on Arkadon’s recovery, so I had no choice but to take you on.”

“…I..frit…You aren’t busy?”

“Yes.  Right now I just have reduce the unfathomable and tyrannical fire energy.  So I have more time than the others.  Don’t worry.  I’ll make you a complete Spirit King within a week.”

“………….”

If you say that while glaring at me…How can I not be worried!

Isn’t this a form of ordeal!  After I was born as a Spirit King – it’s been only one day but – there hasn’t been a single thing has gone properly.

I was in grief when thinking about the hard days ahead when Ifrit suddenly spoke to me.

“You. Don’t you have something to say to me?”

“….huh?”

Something to say? I got a lot of things I want to say.  So Ifrit…about teaching me…can you rethink that?

To tell you the truth, even if I look nice and diligent, I’m really dumb and I can be…a little rebellious?

You’ll make me suffer when I can’t follow your instruction even after you taught me in a Spartan way. Right?

So please, I’m begging you. Rethink this…

A lot of ideas were swirling around inside my head, but faced with speaking my mind, I could only say “Unnng?” (TL note: huh? might be an equivalent word)

Ifrit looked like she was frustrated and her facial expression seemed like it won’t relax for the foreseeable future.

She probably said “Idiot” more than 10 times and cursed me without voicing it.

“Are you really deaf?  I said don’t you have any questions for me!  Yesterday, you told Minerva and Trowell to call you “Ji-Hoon’!
Why won’t you say that to me?”

“Huh?  Ah~ You mean that…Ha ha..”

I awkwardly laughed because of the guilty feeling I felt when faced with Ifrit’s steaming attitude.

She left abruptly yesterday so we had no chance to introduce each other and I guess in her own ways, she was expecting an introduction.  I wasn’t very perceptive so I was thinking about how to avoid Ifrit’s teaching.

My first impression was bad and I think she held it against me.  I felt sorry in my heart.

It may be that Ifrit just have a rough way of expressing herself and she doesn’t actually hate me…
I think I’ve been cruel in rushing to judgement and deciding on my own.

I shouldn’t live with a narrow-minded vision of the world..chup.

Therefore I decided to forget about the bad first impression. I’m going to try to get along with Ifrit.

After that I didn’t think learning from Ifrit was such a bad thing.

I opened my mouth trying hard to have a bright expression. I’m going to try to leave a good impression if I can.

“Ah, sorry.  I didn’t introduce myself.  Please look after me, Ifrit.  I’m still not used to the names..
You can call me ‘Ji-Hoon’ like Minerva and Trowell.

My eye-watering hard work crumbled in a second.

“Why.should.I?”

…….What?

What did I just hear? Haha.

Ifrit’s eyes were merry when she saw my laughing face turn into stone.

Then she showed off a haughty expression and she nonchalantly proceeded to make me look like a fool.

“Minerva said…You are still attached to your human memories and you aren’t able to fully awaken as a Spirit King because of it?
In that situation, if I call you “Ji-hoon” then wouldn’t it interfere with you awakening?
Therefore, I’ll just call you ‘Elqueeness’.  You should be very thankful to me.”

“…T..Then why did you bring up the subject of me wanting to be called Ji-hoon?”

If you were going to call me Elqueeness from the beginning, then we didn’t have to go through this process!

Why did you complain!

“Because it’s fun.”

“………..”

Hweeeeeeeng…(Tl note: sound of wind blowing)

She watched me being broken into nothingness and told me that my education will start tomorrow.  She turned around feeling no remorse and left.

She talked to herself right when she was teleporting.  I wasn’t meant to hear it, but I heard it clearly.

“I don’t know about anything else, but he seems to be worth making fun of?  Ah~ I won’t be bored for a while.”
………….

At this moment….the war with the Queen had started.  Kuu-huk.

“That’s not it!!”

“T..Then like this?”

“No, No, NOPE!!!  Is your head made out of stone?  Why can’t you follow something you have already seen once!
Are you sure you inherited that bastard’s ability?
Why is your skill like this!!!!  Among the 4 Spirit Kings, Water Spirit King has the best guard and attack.  Please explain to me.  Explain!!!”

…If I knew that, I would have already put a mattress on the floor. Chet.

The next day, Ifrit started the lessons but it was a lesson only in name.  The training is just her abusing me continuously.

Not a single word she throws at me comes out nicely.

I was worried from the beginning.  What did she say?  I think it was ‘If you received the previous Elqueeness’ power then there is no reason why you won’t be able to follow my lessons.  If you can’t, you better prepare yourself!’?

After that, she started the lesson without even telling me what abilities there are and how to use it.  She didn’t even explain the theories at~~~~all.
She wanted me to immediately make a top level spirit. Of course it’s absurd!

She just made one high level fire spirt right in front of me and asked me to follow her example…hu hu..

There weren’t any special characteristics.  She just put one hand forward and it just appeared.  How am I supposed to copy that?

Isn’t she expecting too much from a noob?

“So? I knew how to do this from birth.”

“……..”

“You’re the strange one who can’t do it.  I even gave you a demonstration and you haven’t awaken to anything.  My insides are going to explode.  What went wrong?”

She acted like she was oppressed and she complained for a long time.. I pretended I didn’t hear anything.

Even if you are dejected, how can it be more than the victim?

To tell you the truth, I was close to regretting not drinking all the bitter medicine Arehis gave me.

If I drank it all, I had a chance to lose all my memories and I wouldn’t be a Spirit King that hasn’t awakened.

I shouted I would rather die than drink that damn liquid, but now I’m regretting not drinking it…

It’s all because Ifrit is burning me to death by driving me up the wall!

In the beginning she didn’t have kind eyes toward me, but after the lesson started she treated me like a mortal enemy with an axe to grind.

Every sentence ended with ‘Stupid guy, Worthless guy’.  It was given that my pride was hurt and I would fall into despair thinking ‘How am I supposed to do that?’  Also, she would keep comparing my every move to the previous Elqueeness…

It seemed like she memorized everything that a proper teacher shouldn’t say to their student..
Ah, Hmm Hmmm..this isn’t it.  Ifrit is not my teacher.

Right now, Ifrit is training me as a fellow Spirit King to self-awaken, so she isn’t my teacher.

As a Spirit King, you can’t lower or raise your hierarchy amongst each other.

So I can’t treat her nagging as a student having grievance against a teacher.
If I do that, I’ll be more aggrieved..

It’s really strange.  Wasn’t the past Elqueeness and Ifrit’s relationship pretty bad?

For someone who had a really bad relationship with him, she is comparing me to the
previous Elqueeness too much.

It can’t be…she liked him but hid that fact and picked a fight to compensate.

It could happen I guess.
Ifrit and Elqueeness was famous for not getting along for multiple generations and it would be hard to reveal that they wanted to be friends…hmmm.

Is that why Ifrit is acting like she is displeased with me?

If I’m in her shoes, I would hate it if someone you had interest in was suddenly replaced by someone like me.  Someone who is a bit dumb and timid, so she may be deservedly mad.

If I think of it like that then I could understand why Ifrit is repulsed by me.

The feeling she stored up won’t disappear.

No, this just might be my conjecture.
If Ifrit and the previous Elqueeness really liked each other, than Trowell and Minerva would have realized it since they lived with each other for a long time.

Then what…Is she sad about a good rival disappearing..?

Ooh-ook.  Let’s give up..It’s out of character for me to try to solve a mystery.  If I ponder on it I’ll just get a headache…
I’ll just set a date in the future to have a serious talk with Ifrit.

“I’m trying hard to teach you, but why are you thinking about something else!  Are you really going to act like that?”

Trying hard to teach me my ass…if thunderously shouting at me to make it faster is considered trying hard, then wouldn’t that make all the Korean school teachers as martyrs for their students? (TL note: if you attended Korean school you would know they discipline you a lot-I don’t know what it’s like right now but they could yell and hit you – author is saying all Korean teachers would be considered great if the only criteria in being a good teacher is yelling)

I wanted to argue with her and my inside was starting to boil.  However, it’s true that I was thinking about something else in front of a Spirit King who was trying her best. So, I decided to endure.

But I can’t wrap my head around Ifrit’s teaching method.  I’m not some kind of genius.

“Ifrit.  Please, can you explain it to me? I don’t think I’ll get it if you only demonstrate.”
Moreover, she only shows it once.
Stingy Ifrit only did it once and afterwards she would just berate me about making spirits.

Since a while ago, I felt that the High level Fire Spirit Ignes was moving around frantically.

It had the image of a phoenix and Ignes was very ecstatic just being next to Ifrit. The spirit didn’t know what to do himself while watching me and Ifrit like catnip.

I’m not his direct superior and Ifrit showed him my lack of skill, but Ignes never laughed or looked down on me.

Even if the spirit and Spirit King is from a different faction, there is an absolute relationship that is maintained.

After I see the spirit’s loyalty, my desire to make a spirit skyrocketed.

Who wouldn’t want a peon who treats you as the absolute existence?

The lesson started on a tangent and I made no progress with Ifrit by not being serious.

“Explanation?  Yes, I’ll give you an explanation.  Just concentrate.”

“…That’s it?”

“What more do you want?  Stop making small talks and concentrate with your mind.  Think as if your energy is being stored in one place.”

“……….”

Afterwards, I would ask her to continue teaching me but she would tell me to concentrate my mind.

Even if I was trying to do something, Ifrit kept yammering on so I couldn’t concentrate.

Soon, night came and there was no progress in sight.

Spirits do not have to sleep or eat -I was already a spirit for couple days so I was used to it.
When I found out about it, I wasn’t very surprised.

The day ended with us getting mental stress and we were both very tired.

She was complaining a lot, but she was fired up about her duty to teach me.  We decided to meet up tomorrow and we each headed to our domain.
I wasn’t in my right mind because I felt pathetic and embarrassed.

Spirits…will there come a day when I can make a spirit?
When it became night, the whole region became dark, and at the same time it was very quiet.

I didn’t feel like this yesterday, but today I felt hopeless.  It might be Ifrit’s fault for nagging me the whole day.

Come to think of it, yesterday after Ifrit briefly came and gave her explosive declaration, I’ve been by myself the whole day doing nothing.

I would relax if there was someone was next to me even if we couldn’t communicate..
I usually hate being alone and I’m in an environment I’m not used to.  It’s weird that I didn’t feel anything.

Maybe it’s because I found the location I was supposed to be and my soul feels safe.  Or is it because Spirit Kings are that kind of existence…

“Hmmm…I don’t care, but I am a little bored..Isn’t there something to do?”

Minerva and Trowell dumped me on Ifrit by saying they were busy, but it seems they are going to take a little break in the night.

I bet they are playing in their domain.  They’ll welcome me if I visited.

‘I don’t know how to teleport, damn..’

I guess I could walk there but I don’t know which way to go.  I couldn’t just head out.

What if I’m unlucky and arrive at the Fire’s Domain.  I don’t think I can take Ifrit’s massive nagging!

I know that making Spirit is a priority, but wouldn’t it be nice to give me information that I need for a normal life?

I can’t help but think Ifrit is too stingy.

Still..For a Spirit King it’s easier than breathing to make spirits. I’m stuck even on that so how would I be able to teleport…
Still, she is stingy.  Chet…

“Since it’s like this, should I follow Ifrit’s words to concentrate?  There is no one here to butt in~ It’s quiet… I should do better than earlier.”
For the whole day, I was harassed mentally. She didn’t agitate me, but she was loud.  I couldn’t make any progress.  Since I’m alone, I decided to try again.

I’m not sleepy and I have nothing to do, so I’ll just relax.

Even if I fail, the Fire Spirit King isn’t here to make fun of me.  Also, the Fire spirit Ignes who was more embarrassed for me isn’t here either.

I can let it go and try! Ha Ha Ha.

I felt like I could do it so I sat myself on the bed.  I closed my eyes and readied my heart.

It’s more comfortable to close the eyes than keeping it open.

The Water Domain disappeared from my vision and as if waiting for a signal, the darkness started coming in.

I was able to achieve perfect solitude.

‘Yes~ It has to be like this for it to be comfortable to concentrate~’
I wasn’t able to see anything(of course you have your eyes close.) or hear any sounds.  I felt a thrill all over my body that made me realize that I’m totally alone, and it wasn’t too bad of a feeling.

I think I’m more used to this kind of solitude.

Just couple days ago, it was part of my life. (TL note: he was alone when he was a ghost)
I thought me concentrating with my eyes closed was the happiest I’ve been in a couple of days.

Should I say I felt peaceful?

I think my human habits – I don’t think there is much left – are still there.

‘Those times were no game.  Dad always used to come in drunk..
My brothers would always look for something to fight about.  They searched like hyenas searching for food.
No, at least hyenas are cute.

We all got the same gene, but they didn’t want to look at my ugly mug.
I remember hiding in the closet to avoid those bastards.  It’s a sad past that I can’t help but think of..chup.’

If I got caught by my drunk father, then I would get beaten until I got bruises.

My brothers and mother didn’t even put up an act to stop him.  He would beat me continuously until he got tired.

So if I got the information that ‘Father drank alcohol!’ then I would quietly sneak off to the attic and hid myself.

I was afraid he would find me and my body would shake in fear.  I slowed down my breathing so that he wouldn’t hear me breathing…
I would stay until dawn when everyone was asleep.

The next day, my body would ache because I spent a long time in a small space.   Still, my heart was warmed because I had passed one challenge safely.

Wouldn’t my body hurt 100 time more if I got hit with his scary golf club?  (TL note: Damn poor sob (´；ω；`) )

‘Ah, stop thinking about useless thoughts.  Focus. Concentrate.’
It’s been awhile since I experienced total isolation and it stirred up some useless memory.

I tried too hard to grasp my unsettled mind and I remember Ifrit’s advice to gather your energy in one place.

Energy? Energy..

Is it the energy in martial art novels where it flows out of the martial artist?  How did I not catch that?

…you have to give an easy explanation so that I can understand what you are talking about.
There are procedures to every work.. How can you expect me to easily gather energy when I can’t even feel the energy?

I cursed Ifrit.  She was probably sleeping peacefully.  After badmouthing her, I made an educated guess that the energy is floating in my body so I heightened my sense.

Maybe it’s because of my sensitive skin, but I faintly felt the water’s flow that I hadn’t felt earlier.

It might be very weak so if I relax I probably will have a hard time finding it again.

How should I explain this?  You can say it’s like us living in air but we don’t really know how air flows?
Air probably flows continuously, but we don’t realize it until wind blows.

Right now, the water is flowing in my domain but it is so faint that I didn’t realize it.

After being able to sense the faint movement of water, I found out a truth which is my body shook whenever the water current moved…

“What is this?  My body is shaking because of the small current…what is happening?’

Even if the air current is in unrest, a person’s body wouldn’t move.  Maybe if there is a hurricane it might.

It should brush by naturally.
I was a bit curious because the water currents’ impact that should have been absorbed or passed through moved my body.

Therefore, I relaxed my heart a little more and I decided to concentrate on the water current.

Moreover, I decided to enjoy the feeling of floating naturally and being moved by the current.

I realized I had to learn about the energy flowing in my body before attempting to make a spirit.

Whatever.  It’s not my style to review what I learned.

I only tried this since I have nothing to do, but I found something curious so I’m going to stubbornly obsess over it.

Anyways, there is no guarantee that I’ll succeed on a task I failed just by concentrating more.

It’s my free time, so shouldn’t I use it how I like it? Hu Hu.

If Ifrit found out, her features would sour but I decided not to think about it.

I closed my eyes and concentrated until I could feel the water’s current.
After a long amount of time had passed, I could faintly hear the sound of the water current.
It was a fresh sound that murmured continuously.

The isolation I felt earlier was washed away and I was able to relax to a state where I felt like someone was with me.  It was a good feeling and I was able to maintain it.

Ah Ah.  That’s right…I’m not alone.  My environment is overflowing with water and they are with me.

I’m the Water Spirit King..doesn’t that mean I’m water too?

My body is in the form of a human, but my body is probably composed of water.
After thinking about it like that, I felt like I was one step closer to the water around me.

Fresh feeling, fresh senses, fresh emotion..

I was enjoying the sound and movement of the water. Then I was caught up in a thought on whether I could move water with my will.

You are water and I’m the Water King, so shouldn’t you move like how I want?

I don’t know why I thought like that.  I was drunk from the great feeling and I think my mind went nuts for a second.

I opened my eyes while concentrating on the water.

Even if it was night, I was surrounded by beautiful blue water and it was flowing like it was wrapping around my body.

Really…That’s strange.  Before I close my eyes I wasn’t able to see this.

It was a good idea to concentrate on impulse.

‘Now.. In what way should I move the water?’

If it was the normal me, I would have thought like this.  Moving the water…

The water is not my limb.  It’s not attached to my body so what method needs to be used to move it.

But right now I had confidence that I can definitely move the water.

Did I go crazy? Well, who cares?
The environment looked like someone grounded up a sapphire and pasted it in broad strokes.

If I could take one part and make it round then I think it’ll be pretty.

Were the color of water always this beautiful?

Inside my heart(TL note: soul could be used here too), I imagined a ball of water forming.  No, I can’t say it was imagination.

Even before I thought about it, the water in front of me started coalescing slowly and it made one ball.

It was like…moving your hand without even thinking about it.  It was so natural.

It looked like a raw sapphire. I was numb inside looking at the blue-colored basketball-sized water ball.

Who would have thought…I can actually move the water..

 

Now that I can control the water, it’s time to rapidly advance.

If I concentrated hard, I could feel the faint water current and I was able to find it without much difficulty.
I had the freedom to mold the water into any shape.

At first, it was a simple basketball shaped water ball but after some work I was able to make a tree and other odd shapes.

I had too much fun making shapes and I pretended to be a once in a century genius sculptor that is showcasing his masterpiece.

I made a dog, bird, tiger, etc…The water domain was rapidly filling up with animal shaped lump of water.

Should I try making a person?

I couldn’t think of a model, so I decided to make it look like my old self.

However, my plan was thwarted by a sudden visitor so I wasn’t able to put my plan in motion.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Huh? Ifrit?”

On one side of the Water Domain, a red fire flared up.  It rapidly became a shape of a person and extinguished.

It was Ifrit with her burning hair and attractive sexy eyes.  The high level spirit phoenix, Ignes, also came along.

I can understand Ifrit coming..she just made him yesterday – why did she bring Ignes?

Is she trying to rub it in my face since I can’t make a spirit?

If it was someone else I wouldn’t have thought this, but if it’s Ifrit then it’s possible.  I started unconsciously shaking my head.

I knew it.  Ifrit’s teaching method is wrong..

“What, why are you shaking your head?  You are making me feel really~ bad?”

“Ah ha ha, my thought just wandered a little..why are you here so early?”

It hasn’t been long since we departed promising we’ll meet tomorrow, but she came back again for no good reason…

Does she want to study at night??

…That’s not it since her face is wrinkling.

“What are you talking about?  The day has been bright for some time.  I even took my sweet time getting here.”

“….Huh?”

It’s bright outside?

I looked around feeling shocked…huh-guk.  It really is light outside.

I was so immersed in making things with water that I didn’t know time was passing by rapidly.  What a shocker…

My concentration is this good?

Without me noticing, the morning drove away the darkness from the Water Domain and white lights were illuminating the surrounding.

Suddenly, she made a haughty pose and spoke.

“Hmmm. I’m a genius?”

“What. What is?”

I made the sculptures, but why are you saying that.  Isn’t Ifrit making a mistake?

Ifrit didn’t realize my dumbfounded gaze was on her and her gaze fell towards the sculptures.

Then she turned around with a confident expression and spoke.

“You progressed so much during the night!  I’m amazing~
If you are able to control water this exquisitely, then its only matter of time before you can make a spirit.  My teaching method sure is good.”

“…….”

Ah Ah.  What the hell…I wanted to argue the point that she had good teaching method.

It’s true that my achievement was possible in part of getting a hint from Ifrit to concentrate.
Still, if I accept this fact then something inside my chest will rise and overflow.

If I had to make an expression…I wouldn’t be able speak because of my pent-up anger and outrage?

It’s definitely not due to my heart being too small.

Ifrit started fake coughing and pretended to do something else after noticing my less than thrilled face.

I guess she can feel guilty?  It made me feel a little better.  Ah~ Little.  Just a little.

Like an earthworm carrying a single sand, like a fire ant’s weak antenna, as big as micro-organisms that are spread over the world!!!!

“Why are you staring at me? Are you interested in me? Huung~ You have a big liver to covet me when your skill is even less than the previous Elqueeness~?”

“Kuh-huk.  Why did the story turn that way?”

“Why?  Don’t tell me you aren’t when you keep staring at me with your burning gaze?
I guess~  It’s hard to find a pretty and sexy spirit like me.  How can I not understand your heart for falling for me?
But~ I’m really grateful for you feelings~  You know, I have no intention of being in good relation with the Water Spirits?
Please give up.”

….Ifrit, you have a princess syndrome?(TL note:gongju byung-you think you are pretty, and want to worship you~)  It’s an incurable disease (cancer, AIDs, princess syndrome) that is hardest to fix…
Should I give up a silent prayer?

Of course, Ifrit is pretty.  If I compared her to my classmates when I was Kang-Ji-Hoon, then she looks like an angel.  Even if you gathered all the famous actors in one place, you would have a hard time finding someone prettier.

So I guess I can look over a little bit of the princess syndrome.

However, isn’t it too much that she has Do-Ki-Byung(It’s a scary disease where the person believes any sex(male or female) will love you)  too?

I swear to the heavens that I will never lust after you or had any romantic feeling for you!

Maybe if it’s Trowell…Ku..Kul-luk. No. No, that’s not it…hmm hmm..

Anyways, I received mental damage from Ifrit’s words and I shakily went on talking so she wouldn’t misunderstand.

“Look….I…don’t have any….feelings toward you?”

It doesn’t make sense, so please stop having false illusions?  I have standards too.

If I said this, then Ifrit probably would have attacked back.

She would have asked ‘why were you watching with a hot gaze, stop being embarrassed to show your feelings’ or something along that line.

I thought she would say with her usual haughty face, “I was joking”…

“Uh? I..Ifrit?”

The previous mischievousness from before vanished from Ifrit’s face and she looked at me.

Her expression stiffened.

Inside the eyes that are staring at me faintly, there is an emotion there…sadness? Maybe disappointment.  Or a yearning… (TL note: yup MC blew it)

From that moment, I could feel a cold brick wall between Ifrit and me.

There was a sense that we’ll never get along like water and oil..fire and water…

Ifrit is a fire spirit and I’m a water spirit..it was a rude awakening.

I know she treated me like she couldn’t stand me, but I never felt this much distance from her.

Her eyes were filled with enmity.  Ifrit was mad.

I think I have a hunch why she is angry.  Ifrit is glaring at me, but I wasn’t contained in it.

For a while, Ifrit stared at ‘someone’ through me and with great effort she started mumbling quietly.

“I know…I know you don’t have any feelings for me.”

Her voice was filled with soft sadness and it wasn’t directed at me.

She was talking to me, but Ifrit wasn’t looking at me.  (TL note:she’s expressing her feelings to him but it’s not actually for him -he is the conduit to the previous King)

I was sweating inside because I touched a subject that I should have.

Shit…I just wanted to drive out her Do-Ki-Byung a little.

‘Why did the conversation become this way!!’

“I’m leaving.”

I didn’t know what to do so I was screaming inside.  She started seeing ‘me’ and Ifrit spoke bluntly.

She showed a cantankerous expression.  I guess her feeling were hurt a lot from the previous event.

“You…are going to leave?

“Hoong(TL note: noise made nose-hmmph is equivalent), this is too troublesome.  I don’t know why I should teach you.  After thinking about it, I have no reason to.  You are able to control the water by yourself now, so you won’t mind if I’m not here?  Good luck~”

“What? S..Stop~~!!”

Ku-huk..it’s too late.  Ifrit and Ignes turned into a flame and disappeared from my domain.

My face was in a stupor and I had no choice to but to stare at the space where Ifrit disappeared.

Even if she didn’t teach me properly…how can she just pack up and abandon me!

Earlier maybe…did Ifrit use advanced acting skill to get out of an annoying work?

I was feeling sick thinking about my not so bright future.

Kang-Ji-Hoon -He’s a person who was lucky enough to be reborn as a Spirit King. No, he had frighteningly bad luck being reborn from a human into a Spirit King.

It’s been only two days since I learned about a Spirit King’s job from Ifrit and it’s already been buried in a graveyard…Ku-Huk(TL:sound of him bitterly crying)..