(Heartfelt thanks to 'darkrad,' 'Liu Guang Zhi Shui,' 'Itsuka Kite,' 'Yèhuǒ zhī Sēn,' 'Yan Ai Ai,' 'Invincible Origin,' and 'Long Lian Qingxue' for their donations!)
"Whoosh—!"
A terrifying gale swept back and forth through the entire shrine, like a powerful storm battering in every direction and carrying sand and dust into the air.
Standing at the entrance to the passage, Noah raised one hand before him and watched the sword on the altar. Claire gripped it tightly as it shone all over and stirred up wave after wave of wind. A trace of surprise appeared on his face.
"What incredible divine power. The spirit sealed inside that sword definitely isn't an ordinary Sealed Elf."
Having realized that, Noah instead began to worry.
"Can that girl really form a contract with a spirit like this?"
It wasn't that Noah was worried Claire would steal a powerful spirit that belonged to him.
Rather, he was worried that if someone with Claire's abilities failed to form a contract, she would probably be injured by the rampaging Sealed Elf.
Recalling Claire's resolute eyes, so full of purpose, Noah could only smile bitterly to himself.
I hope that girl doesn't do anything reckless...
Unfortunately, things did not unfold as Noah had expected.
"Urgh..." Claire, gripping the sword hilt tightly, let out a small, pained groan. The immense divine power coming from the sword felt almost tangible as it rampaged through her body.
"—I command thee to form a contract with me—"
Even so, Claire did not let go of the hilt. Instead, her grip tightened further. Waves of divine power began to ripple from her hand around the hilt and pour into the sword, attempting to communicate with the Sealed Elf within it.
"Bzzzz—!"
At that moment, the sword clutched in Claire's hand suddenly trembled,