My name is Kamito Kazehaya.
I'm sixteen years old—and I'm an Elementalist.
But don't assume that being an Elementalist makes me a girl. I'm one of the rare male Elementalists!
I'm not effeminate, nor some special third gender. I'm a genuine male!
My hobby? Girls!
Three years ago, for certain reasons, I lost my contracted spirit, Restia. Since then, I've traveled across the continent searching for her. But after so many years, I still haven't found her.
At times, I even suspected that Restia might have already died because of that incident.
Until that old hag of a headmistress sent me a letter, claiming, "Restia is still alive."
That damn old woman!
Though I wasn't sure if the message was true, I had to check for myself. What if it was real?
With that hope, I set out toward Areishia Spirit Academy.
After a long journey, I finally reached the edge of the scorching desert. Ahead lay the forest!
But my stomach was growling—I needed food first.
"Hm? Who's that?"
A pair in a nearby shop caught my eye.
A blonde girl with her eyes covered, her figure… quite impressive, accompanied by a white-haired loli and a… desert mutt?
What kind of combination was that?
Her gentle smile, the way she occasionally helped the loli wipe her mouth—it really made her look like either a mother or an older sister.
"She's really beautiful… Could she be an Elementalist too?"
I could tell the wolf seemed to be an earth-element spirit. But as for the girl, I couldn't sense anything.
I let my gaze sweep from head to toe, pausing on her alluring legs wrapped in pure white stockings, then resting on the most striking part of her body.
Even though her clothes covered much of it, my keen instincts could still judge the truth of the generous curves hidden beneath.
"That's… quite the scale. Even Restia might not compare…"
"Maybe only that old hag could compete?"
Wait.
Did I just compare a girl who looked about sixteen to a woman pushing forty…?
Ha! That old hag really is pitiful!
"Forget it, I'm starving. Food first!"
As beautiful as the girl was, she couldn't fill my stomach.
Before long, my table was piled high with food.
"Ahhh, delicious!"
After months of hardship crossing the desert, this was the first time I'd eaten this well!
Finally, this ordeal was over!
But then…
The problem came when it was time to pay!
The pouch on my backpack… had torn!
The large stash of gold coins I carried was gone!
"What? Impossible!"
My expression turned grim. Losing money was bad enough, but worse—
I'd been robbed?
Who was Kamito Kazehaya, you ask? Maybe you don't know.
But how about Ren Ashbell?
The Strongest Blade Dancer on the continent—known by all, feared by all!
Even if my current strength wasn't what it once was, I wasn't someone anyone could look down on!
And yet I had been…
Robbed!?
Who would dare do this!?
As I gritted my teeth, the shopkeeper nearby noticed my situation.
This kid had just ordered a whole table of food by himself! Of course he'd draw attention!
And now, he was staring at his bag in shock?
Could it be…
"You brat, trying to dine and dash?" the shopkeeper's voice rang out. I jolted, flustered.
"No! It's just—an accident. My wallet's gone. Could you… let me pay later? I swear I'll repay you!"
"Haha, so that's how it is!" The shopkeeper laughed, but the look in his eyes turned sharp. "You brat, do you take me for an idiot?"
"It's really not like that!" Kamito tried to explain again. "Please, my wallet is really gone—I didn't mean to dine and dash!"
"So you're admitting it was on purpose?" The shopkeeper clearly had no intention of letting Kamito off. Over the years, he'd dealt with plenty of freeloaders like this!
Some of their graves already had little spirits growing on them!
"I'm sorry!" Kamito realized there was no way out. He lowered his head. "I can work off the debt!"
"With those skinny arms and legs? Work it off? Give me a break!"
The commotion only grew worse. Onlookers turned their attention this way, and the blonde girl Kamito had noticed earlier had clearly picked up on the situation too.
No!
I don't want a beautiful girl to look at me like I'm garbage!
"Excuse me, what's happening here?"
The blindfolded blonde girl had approached Kamito and the shopkeeper, her tone calm and questioning.
"Hmph! This brat tried to skip out on the bill!"
"I swear, my coins were stolen—I never intended to dine and dash!" Kamito protested, flustered.
Seeing that the two were about to continue arguing, the girl quickly intervened.
"Enough. I'll cover this gentleman's meal. Let's just put this matter to rest here."
"What? Do you even know how much he ordered?"
After all, Kamito had ordered a feast—the cost was no small sum!
"Will this be enough?"
Elise extended her right hand. Resting in her palm was a pile of glittering gold coins. The shopkeeper's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Enough, more than enough!" He snatched the coins from her hand and hurried off, as if afraid she might change her mind.
"Phew, finally it's over."
Kamito exhaled in relief. The troublesome scene had ended.
"Thank you… um, how should I address you?"
"My name is Elise Holiness. Just call me Elise."
Elise gave a graceful bow. Kamito's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Her manners were refined—she must have noble or royal background. Why would someone like her appear in a place like this?
But first things first…
"Really, thank you so much! If I had been more careful, my coins wouldn't have been stolen, and I wouldn't have caused this mess."
Kamito bowed deeply to his benefactor, his tone humble.
"It's alright. Anyone would find it troublesome to be robbed in the desert. I've experienced it too—it's truly a terrible feeling."
"Oh? You're willing to believe me?"
Most people in this situation would immediately suspect fraud.
But Elise…
"Of course. You don't look like a bad person. And besides, do you need a reason to help others?"
Her kindness, and the saintly smile on her lips, moved Kamito's heart.
This girl was an angel!