Book 4: Volume 1 Chapter 5, Summon!

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Mia surveyed her newly constructed building with satisfaction. She had designed it specifically for harsh winter conditions, with second-floor access that would remain functional even if heavy snowfall buried the first floor.

 

A natural spring had been installed within the structure, providing a reliable water source throughout the coldest months.

 

The renovation had required replacing numerous installed objects throughout the floor, but the investment proved worthwhile. The experience taught her valuable lessons about the precautions necessary when managing a snow-covered environment.

 

After completing these modifications, Mia made her way to the fifteenth Floor and entered the main building of her base. The structure resembled the nearby stables in basic design but featured a crucial difference: it stood two stories tall, with the floors connected by a gentle slope rather than stairs.

 

This architectural choice made it exceptionally practical for a world where snow accumulated regularly, suggesting the original designers had anticipated such conditions.

 

Adjacent to the stables, a smaller building housed another spring containing Holy Water. A covered walkway with protective walls connected this building to the stables, ensuring safe passage regardless of weather conditions.

 

The comprehensive nature of these facilities impressed Mia, though she remained acutely aware of the substantial Divine Power required to maintain them all.

 

Had she attempted such an extravagant setup immediately after conquering Amamiya Tower, her Divine Power reserves would never have supported it. The very fact that she could transform an entire Floor into a winter wonderland demonstrated that this project represented a luxury rather than a necessity.

 

Having thoroughly inspected the improved fifteenth Floor and confirmed its functionality as an operational base, Mia approached the summoning circle she had previously installed in the stables.

 

For this snow-covered environment, she had selected a snow leopard as her summoned beast. The creature’s pristine white fur made it perfectly suited to the transformed landscape.

 

This snow leopard would mark a significant milestone as the first feline among Kousuke’s dependents, though that distinction had not influenced Mia’s decision.

 

When she took over the fifteenth Floor, the available summoning options became limited to creatures compatible with such conditions. Among these restricted choices, the snow leopard had resonated most strongly with her instincts.

 

Standing before the summoning circle as it began to glow against the stable floor, Mia felt an unexpected wave of nervousness wash over her. Since childhood, she had stood before the control panel on the Management Floor, imagining what it would feel like to perform such a summoning herself. Now that one of her long-held dreams was finally within reach, her emotional response seemed entirely natural.

 

“I am somewhat nervous…” she admitted aloud, pausing with her hand hovering over the activation controls. She took a moment to steady her breathing and center herself.

 

“Are you okay, Sister?” Riku’s concerned voice interrupted her preparation.

 

Riku had been spending his school break on the Management Floor and had chosen to accompany Mia when she announced her intention to visit the fifteenth Floor.

 

“I’m fine.” Mia replied, drawing upon her determination not to compromise her dignity in front of her Younger Brother. However, her Siblings had long been aware of her passionate feelings about Tower management, making any attempt at pretense rather pointless.

 

Once she had regained her composure, Mia activated the summoning circle. Following the mystical patterns of the summoning process, the first snow leopard materialized before them.

 

The creature showed no signs of aggression, apparently recognizing Mia as its summoner despite technically being one of Kousuke’s dependents. This clear acknowledgment of her authority filled Mia with satisfaction.

 

Mihaku and Miku, positioned on either side of Mia, approached the newcomer and began investigating it with careful sniffs, perhaps recognizing it as a fellow feline family member.

 

“I have seen Dad perform such summonings before, but it is still so amazing, like a miracle.” Riku murmured, watching the interaction unfold.

 

Common sense suggested that monsters and beasts not raised by humans should be incapable of such peaceful interaction. Conversely, this type of behavior indicated their qualification as proper familiars. The sight of creatures that had received no traditional familiar training behaving so naturally with one another defied conventional understanding.

 

Mia fixed Riku with an exasperated expression. “What are you say? Coming from someone who has been Dad Father’s dependants one after another, do you truly hear what you are saying?”

 

Riku’s frown deepened at her words. “Hey, it is not like I am deliberately charming anyone,” he protested, though his voice lacked conviction. Perhaps he recognized that his track record made forceful denials difficult to accept, even to himself.

 

As Mia had pointed out, Riku possessed an unusual tendency to attract the affection of Kousuke’s dependents. Various dependents had developed attachments to him over time, though Riku himself remained genuinely puzzled by this phenomenon and felt more confused than pleased by the attention.

 

“What nonsense?” Mia responded with continued exasperation.

 

The newly summoned snow leopard seemed to prove her point immediately. After a brief exchange with Mia as its summoner, the creature headed directly toward Riku and began rubbing its body affectionately against his legs.

 

The display of attachment was unmistakable!

 

“What is happening? Wait! Wait a moment!” Riku exclaimed as the powerful creature’s enthusiasm overwhelmed him, finally causing him to collapse.

 

Remarkably, the snow leopard had moderated its strength, leaving Riku completely uninjured despite the tumble.

 

After confirming her Brother’s safety, Mia chose to leave him to manage the situation alone and proceeded with summoning the remaining creatures.

 

This scene represented a familiar pattern that had repeated itself since their childhood, making it hardly worth her continued attention.

 

Mia successfully completed the summoning of all twenty snow leopards. She instructed them to establish their activities around the base before returning to the Management Floor.

 

By the conclusion of the summoning session, a significant number of the snow leopards had grown attached to Riku, though not all of them. The experience left him thoroughly exhausted in multiple respects.

 

***

 

After returning from the fifttenth Floor, Mia and her companions encountered Shrein in the relaxation area. He had emerged from the opposite side of the portal, indicating his arrival from the Southern Tower’s control room.

 

“Has the snow leopard summoning gone well?” Shrein inquired.

 

The other Family members had been aware of Mia’s plans to summon snow leopards on the fifteenth Floor. Since this represented the first summoning of this particular creature type, everyone had expressed considerable interest in the outcome.

 

“Yes! We did it!” Mia reported with evident satisfaction, prompting Shrein to smile in response.

 

“Great. But, in that case, why does Riku seem so dejected?”

 

“That, well, do not concern yourself with him. That’s just how he always looks.” Mia replied dismissively.

 

Shrein’s eyes widened momentarily at her response before he began chuckling. “I see. Entirely normal, sure.”

 

Mia’s explanation provided Shrein with sufficient understanding of the situation, and he chose not to pursue further questions with Riku.

 

The younger man’s tendency to attract the affection of their Family’s dependents was well-established knowledge among them all.

 

“Where is Dad right now?” Mia asked.

 

“He went to the laboratory, so he may still be there.” Shrein replied thoughtfully.

 

“Okay.” Mia responded, her shoulders sagging with disappointment. She had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to report her successful results to Kousuke directly.

 

Observing Mia’s reaction, Shrein’s expression softened with fond understanding. “You Father will not disappear forever. He will come out at dinnertime, even if that is not what he wants. You can report it to him then.”

 

Mia found herself smiling at Shrein’s characterization of the situation. The exact scenario he described played out regularly, making it easy for her to visualize it.

 

“Yeah, you are right. I will do that then.” Mia readily agreed.

 

Shrein’s practical advice helped temper Mia’s excitement, and she spent the remaining time until dinner in comfortable relaxation.