Chapter 1: A motivation of sort

Prologue.

Some people say that the realm of spirits of the otherworld has been always close to our world. Every story has an otherworldly being guiding the heroes to their path.

Because of those spirits, the world has changed drastically. From the beginning of magic to the advancements of technology. Those who received these spirits are given a chance to change the world.

And all you need to call unto them is a strong desire.

“What is it that you desire?”

It was in the middle of the night when I came across the spirit, just as how the ritual was performed. Like all the others, they ask the same question, in hopes that they can try to help you achieve the desire.

As threatening the experience is from all the stories I heard about them, I think that…

“You were judging me from my appearance, are you?” the spirit spoke. It looked to me that the spirit was simply a floating flame, an eye being at the center of fire.

It felt like I came across the spirit in some tall grass instead of spending the entire day to meticulously manifesting it to the world. I wonder if all those rumors I heard from the folk were simply rumors in the first place.

“Honestly, I was disappointed of what I looked like too, I feel like some low-budget monster instead.” The spirit said, flickering their flame to a dimmer shade of orange.

“Low-Budget?”

“We’re getting out of topic, what is it that you desire to bring me here?” I paused and thought for a moment, trying to organize my thoughts of sheer shock and disbelief as I stand before my chance for adventure.

“Every story starts off with a spirit guiding an adventurer, facing adversaries and becoming legends that lasts forever. Now that I summoned you here, I wanted you to follow me so that I can go on a journey of a lifetime.” I said as if I was reading on a book

The spirit shot me with a confused look, I don’t know how it was able to express emotions on a flame but I guess that’s how it looked like to me. “So, are you in it for the riches? Comradery? Some kind of personal or family reason?”

“I wanted to carve my name in the history books.” I summarized

“Fame huh? But why do you want to be an adventurer specifically? Do you have a motivation? An ambition? Does your stories say that…

The spirit continued to question me in rapid succession, while I struggle to answer them as fast as possible, only leaving behind stuttered words too vague to understand.

The pestering kept on going until I couldn’t stand it anymore and said the one thing I kept it hidden in the back of my mind.

“I’m wanted to have an adventure like all of the stories I’ve read, I wanted to stop working to inherit my family work and do something new” I shouted in frustration.

The spirit paused from their pestering, it looked like it was thinking with its dim flames swirling around in a mesmerizing way.

It turned from a bright orange to a warmer shade as they said “I see, you wanted freedom don’t you?”

They continued “Honestly, I was thinking like your main motivation was simply you trying to get rich or having revenge on some evil person who pushed you in the wrong side or something from what I can see from this getup.”

I quickly looked at myself to see all my clothes are in a mess with papers scattered across the floor.

“it really is common isn’t it, now that I think about it” the spirit muttered to themselves.

“Huh?” I asked.

“Nothing.” the spirit discloses it, quickly moving on.

“Look, before you wanted to do some crazy adventure as you, I wanted you to think about what you are going to do for a moment, making sure that you have nothing to regret on.”

“And what you’re saying is?”

“Take a rest” the spirit replied calmly “think it over in your dreams or what-so-ever and we can talk about it tomorrow or so.”

With a shock in my face I said “Does that mean…”

Knowing what I am going to say, they leisurely floated down then up again, imitating a bowing gesture:

“I’ll be in your care, my name is Zephyr of the Wind. And you are?”

“Reimi” I replied, knowing my journey has just begun.