The display in front left him speechless, several colors floated in the faintly lit location. It made him forget about all his problems for a moment. It took a couple of seconds for him to pay attention to the spirits. Inspecting the lesser spirits one by one, until finding the right one. It amazed him how he could pinpoint a single orb out of all the countless ones that varied in color.

I'm more surprised with the fact that I haven't been blinded by this light. Don't want to go blind anytime soon, I like having my five senses.

Connecting with them came naturally to Alvaro much to his liking. As Petelgeuse and Ketty told him, his affinity for spirits was quite high compared to the average citizen. Nevertheless, this is a great thing for Alvaro. If he contracts a spirit for each element then he would gain the ability to cast a spell for every element even if he isn't compatible with all of them.

"—!"

Immediately voices flooded his mind, so much that he clutched his head in the sharp pain of a thousand needles being stabbed in his head. Their words were unintelligible as if unnecessary chatter your brain blocks out. Still the pain in his head caused Alvaro to sever the connection between them. Nearing the end of the pain subsiding, he readied himself to once again contact them.

This time he will prepare to not have the same outcome. Going through that torment was not a pleasant nor welcome one. The same thing happened but this time he chose to speak first.

Grab their attention before the same thing happens. My head still hurts…

"Before you all begin talking, I want to make some things clear." he spoke in a normal tone but they could tell, he wasn't willing to take no for an answer.

"First, please don't flood my mind with your voices. Secondly, there's a lot of you so figure out by yourselves, who will talk first. I'll inform you if there's anything else." Alvaro raised a finger for each time he named a reason.

Begrudgingly, they agreed as they started flinging towards each other, spells were thrown. Normally Alvaro would have stopped it though this would be good dodging practice. By chance he gets seriously injured, he will instantly stop them before it gets to that point.

Still, why are they fighting like this? Can't they talk it out like civilized people, oh wait they're not people. Will they even be able to figure it out? There's a higher possibility of me dying before I get to speak with anyone.

With the spells being flung in every direction, it was difficult for him to dodge them. Alvaro additionally picked up on the fact that they specifically left him alone. Only a few stray ones, which were managed to be dodged by Alvaro.

Hopefully they'll finish soon. I have been awake for a long time and I'm getting tired. Not to mention that—

Soon their tournament esque came to an end. Various of them stood slightly back as the others went forward. The conversation went like an interview; introducing themselves, conversing for a bit, questioning them, telling them that he will notify them upon further notice if he's willing to talk to them more. From time to time, he took breaks as it was strenuous on his brain and jaw.

Never would I think that the day where I talk so much that my jaw hurts would happen. Usually I just say a few words like the npc I am. On topic, I don't like their reasoning for choosing me.

When asking them their reason for appearing, most answered that they wanted to form a contract, only a few appeared just for small talk. Although they didn't discuss further details for the contract, Alvaro got the gist of what they wanted.

The yang spirit he met back at the slums, was also there among them. Fun fact, they were in the top 5 of spirits.

This kept going on until midnight as he finished speaking with the last one. He began thinking of his options. After a while he yawned from all the talking and thinking, then Alvaro gathered them back.

"It has come to my attention that most of you want to form a contract, is that right?"

In response, the spirits nodded, well they just moved up and down. Taking out his Gospel, he presented it in front of them. Some recoiled in fear or horror, or disgust or something entirely else, no one knew besides them. Taking their reactions into account he put it back.

Hmm, my exact predictions. I don't blame them, though this might be a good way to seperate most of them.

"As you see, I'm a witch cultist. Forming a contract with me means you'll be willing to assist me with whatever I do. Those who don't agree, may leave, I won't force anyone to stay."

To those words a bunch of spirits disappeared, though most were blue spirits, also known as water spirits. Surprisingly enough, not all of them left.

Wait, that makes sense. Just because they can use water magic doesn't mean they can use healing magic.

Healing magic is when the user summons water mana to heal the wounds of themselves and others, however, Healing Magic only affects physical damage. The spell's power varies by the skill and talent of the individual or partially that of spirit if the caster is using the spell through Spirit Arts. If an individual has no regard for human life, they're unable to cast Healing Magic as it's a gentle spell.

That's what I read from the basic magic books. Trusting the information, the reason they left was because I, 'a witch cultist', would have no regard for human life. Therefore they assumed I would go on murder rampages, as they helplessly watch how I will slaughter innocent people. In conclusion, they deem forming a contract with me to be disadvantageous, thus why they left.

"For the rest, I have carefully considered whether I got those who might've the potential to make a contract with me."

Sadly, there aren't many of them who show the qualities I require or want. This may or may not be a blessing in disguise.

"It's unfortunate but only three of you piqued my interest."

"Well, the rest of you can leave or stay as I'll be discussing the details of the contract with those three."

Although that sounded kind of rude, I hope they got the message.

They seemed a bit saddened to not be chosen as they slowly dissolved. The sight still was beautiful no matter how many times Alvaro witnessed it. A black orb slowly drifted closer to Alvaro. This was the one that Alvaro wanted to contract as much as the spirit, the feeling was mutual. First up was a yin spirit.

"Okay, my conditions should be normal. You'll help me with anything I need. You'll also do your best to protect me. Of course I'll do the same."

"We'll be tied to this contract for a long time so I suggest you really think about it." Alvaro explained as he grabbed a nearby chair, sitting himself as he was tired of standing.

"What's in it for me?"

If Alvaro concentrated enough he could let the spirits say more than two words. Though there was something that puzzled him, how was the yang spirit able to communicate with him? There was no indication that he called the spirits subconsciously.

Perhaps the spirit chose to speak to me specifically? But why? I have used that word so much lately that it sounds weird to say it.

"Since my affinity is pretty high, that means you'll evolve into a great spirit sooner. The rest knew that as they all gathered like a pair of ants when there's something sweet." Alvaro said as explaining the obvious.

"You already knew, huh?" The tone wasn't one of annoyance but one of surprisement.

"I mean, it's easy to tell when you talk to hundreds of random spirits." Alvaro shrugged, leaning backwards.

He was right as most of them were looking for that specific thing. They wanted to form a contract not because of Alvaro but because of his high affinity. This led him to opt for weaker spirits but ones who actually wanted to form a contract because of him hence why he only chose three, with this yin spirit being one of them. They continued conversing about the conditions until they came to an agreement.

"By the way, are you sure you want to form a contract with someone like me? I'm a fucking witch cultist. Aren't they supposed to be the worst this world can offer?" Alvaro asked, confusion written all over his face, though not because he tried to hide it.

"That's where I have to correct you. It's not like I'll generalize you just because you're associated with those bastards." The spirit proceeded to violently fly around Alvaro in circles.

"How are you so sure? For all you know I could be even worse. I just don't see how you can come to such a conclusion."

"Let's say, I have proof." They confidently nodded, convinced.

"And you're going to tell me?" Alvaro stared at it waiting for a responses

"Nope." They were quick to reject his words.

"I figured as much…" he sighed, placing his hand on his head.

The 'proof' was their instincts, a hunch. Normally this wouldn't be enough for them to make such an important decision, after all, who knows how long they'll be tied to the contract. But the spirit greatly valued that feeling, that same feeling helped them many times before. Plus a certain spirit told them something interesting.

"Well, that's fine." As swiftly went back to standing up.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Do you have a name?" Although he knew the answer, he still wanted to check just to be sure.

"I never had one." They answered.

"Then how about, X Æ A-Xii? Alvaro curiously seeked the opinion of the floating dot.

"…"

"…"

An awkward silence filled the cave as they stared at each other. If the spirit had a face it would be one of disbelief for even coming up with such a name. Alvaro patiently waited for the orb to speak. A while after he began to know that a response won't be given anytime soon, he spoke up, breaking the quietness.

"So what do you thi—"

"I refuse to be named that."

"Now now, I was just joking with you." Alvaro raised his hand in fake surrender as a barely visible smile formed on his lip.

"You don't seem like the type to joke around."

The spirit was actually impressed. She expected him to be cold hearted judging by his demeanor. She noted that while he didn't seem too happy or willing to end the lives of innocents, he would do it without any hesitation if he deemed it necessary.

Like the spirit pointed out, Alvaro was not the type to joke around. While he does once in a while, it's more of a sign that he loosened up. There was no point in being on guard now that the contract was formed.

"Hmm, you'll have to wait as I'm still thinking about a name." Alvaro said to which they nodded if they could.

"Are you tired?" They asked.

He has been awake for more than 24 hours. Being with them should've drained his energy, but he still was here standing. Although he looked a bit exhausted.

"Not really, why?"

"You haven't slept in a while."

"That's because I can't."

"I have insomnia." Alvaro revealed.

"But the dark bags under your eyes aren't that noticeable at first glance."

"Well, I use a certain method to force myself to sleep." Before they could say something, Alvaro continued.

"Don't worry, I've had it for a long time. In fact with this new technique I had decent amounts of sleep."

Somehow this actually works without consequences, for now at least. The thing is that this wasn't anything new since he already suffered from insomnia all the way back on earth. He has forgotten what it has been like to experience a peaceful sleep. And by the looks of it, that won't happen any time soon.

"Anyways, we can talk later as there's still two spirits left."

Understanding, they somehow slowly vanished from his sight. Strangely enough he felt a connection between the two of them. Nevertheless, he paid attention to the next spirit which was a lesser fire spirit. The most troublesome one to deal with in his opinion.


A/N

The next chapter will be when the plot begins.

And about that I have planned that the story will take place before canon starts which will make the story more interesting to write. When I say before canon I don't mean a few months, I mean at least ten years before. Regardless it should be fun writing it. So for that reason I will change and not give him return by death but a ability similar to it. But it will be different from the authority of pride.

Suggestions and ideas are welcome as I like that people take time from your life to give their opinions about my story. I really appreciate it.

For the names of the spirits I want to name them after gods/goddess or stars, and their genders will be female because why not.

Thanks for reading!