Vincent used inspection while she asked. The possibility of being the fifth Hero's soul became higher, but a difference in information arose. The Book Of Heroes sent the body back if they were real people. Like what happened to Kevin. So why did the soul of the fifth Hero remain in this world? Was she a real person as well? These were a few thoughts repeating in his mind. [Hey, stop thinking! Time is of the essence. I can't tell you about my past like what you did with Ester and Lupa, so start the test. Later we can talk as much you need. I can use Soul Visit to bring you here whenever I have spare mana to spend.] "Fine. We will exchange information later. Kazumi Chida, the fifth Hero who might have been a real person. Will you accept to become my retainer and keep your promise? " Vincent asked. Vincent imagined for the test to start, soon a display window appeared in front of the two. A two-way soul bound contract was ready to begin. [Start [Blessed Retainer] test?] [Agree] [Cancel] [Before I agree, I want to let you know that I like your company. If one day, I could acquire a body in this strange and magical world then...] [I wish to become your woman.] "Aren't you about to become my soul woman right now?" Vincent sarcastically said, then continued, "Save Ester, then we can talk about the details later." [Haha. I didn't think you would play the leave the problems to the future like you always do.] "Agree." The two said in unison after this exchange. [[Blessed Retainer] test starting.] [Checking compatibility...] [Checking personality...] [Blessed Retainer extra test start...] [Checking seven deadly sins...] The fading wisp suddenly shone blinding green light, illuminating the dark Soul Domain like a radiating green star. On her forehead, between its white eyes, the retainer's rune appeared glowing brighter than her bright body. It was enough to blind someone. An unusual and mesmerizing sight. As if the first star was born in the vast emptiness on his soul domain. "Are you experiencing any pain? I know your body looks like a wisp, but I wanted to ask. Ester and Lupa felt pain when the mark appeared." Vincent said with a concerned tone. However, Kazumi didn't reply. Soon the test finished, and a new retainer joined his family. [Test passed.] [Kazumi Chiba has passed the important factors.] [Blessed retainer gained.] The brightness slowly faded, leaving a glowing green wisp lit by a pleasant light to watch. As if her glowing body wasn't light, but an ordinary yet therapeutic color. [Do you think I look cute? My color has returned full force, and your mark is on me. I'm yours, my Vincent, want to bang? Hehe.] Kazumi teased Vincent while loving the expression he made. It seemed she liked to joke or tease him. Knowing everything about him allowed her to hit the right spots. "Ahem... Now keep your end of the bargain, Kazumi." Vincent cleared his throat as Kazumi became sidetracked with her teasing. [Don't worry... Ohh, it looks like time is up.] The surrounding darkness began fading. Ester and Lupa began reappearing in his view as his soul consciousness switch to his body's awareness. Lupa stared at Vincent with the hope of hearing a good answer. It was the first time she felt helpless to do anything after the Great Gray Wolf's fight. She felt anxious to hear the answer from the four-second frozen Vincent. [I can use Soul Export to exit your body and then Soul Visit to enter Ester's Soul Domain, but I will use additional mana for nothing. Direct contact is the best way to save my mana.] [Ahem... It's your choice, grope Ester to create a special link or deliver a passionate kiss. That way, I can enter her body without using Soul Export and have an easier time helping her.] Vincent frowned as he felt like being tricked. As he never touched a woman's chest, Vincent decided to go for a kiss. Soon his lips approached Ester's while Lupa stared with a puzzled frown. Suddenly, Vincent felt something strange inside him, as if something inside his body rose from his stomach to his throat. Then the feeling stopped suddenly in a split second. Vincent stopped the kiss and didn't hear Kazumi anymore. It seemed she told the truth. However, he would soon find out how she tricked him as a joke to watch him become embarrassed. Vincent only needed to touch Ester for this to work. Vincent turned his gaze at Lupa, but her face approached closer than he wanted. Soon with a frown, Lupa said, "Not fair! Kiss me too!" With no choice to stop her wining, he delivered a quick peck on her forehead while pondering if Kazumi was about to ruin his life. She felt like a sly soul. One who likes to have fun teasing nonstop. *Ester's Soul Domain Kazumi entered Ester's Soul Domain with great difficulty. The raging waves of mana made approaching the core, or Ester's soul location challenging to reach. Unlike the retainer bond, Kazumi was more like an invader than a guest with an entry ticket. In other words, she entered from the back door. However, a strange thing happened. The mana matched with that of Kazumi. Her body began slowly, absorbing a small amount of the raging mana surrounding her. Her wisp body felt stronger while making her feel more confident in her success. Kazumi wanted to keep her word, yet at the same time, she felt for Ester. The same as Vincent felt for her. Both didn't want to lose anyone else. In a way, Kazumi was like another Vincent yet not at the same time. She only saw his memories instead of experiencing what he felt and thought. It is like watching a full uninterrupted twenty-five-year-long movie in a day while having the ability to remember everything forever. Soon, Kazumi's strengthened wisp body found the right trail, which later led to finding Ester. She sat on the bottomless ground with a familiar short sword in her hands, crying while hugging the sword alone in the darkness. Kazumi approached, but Ester didn't notice her. The mana seemed to fuel the mana body Kazumi has, so only Ester was in a tight deadline to get saved. Time was of the essence before the situation becomes worse. [Ester, can you hear me? I'm glowing green in front of you, can you see me?] Kazumi tried, but to no avail, Ester remained crying while holding the sword. The idea of the shock factor to become noticed made her try something. Suddenly, her wisp body lit like a star with blinding light. Ester kept crying while her eyes slowly closed from the natural reflexes of the human survival instincts. A few moments later, Ester finally spoke as she said, "Ahh... So bright! My eyes hurt! Where am I... did I die?" [You're not dead yet, Ester. I entered into your Soul Domain to help you become better.] Kazumi stoped her blinding illumination and swiftly returned to the usual pleasantly to watch glowing green light. Then Kazumi circled around Ester until she noticed the wisp hovering beside her. "How is this possible? It's like when I became a retainer, but... The wind feels rough. Also, what are these green, red, and gold colored waves all around us? It's like watching the reflection of oil in the water." Ester said in astonishment while gazing at her surroundings. She couldn't believe this was happening in her soul. [Vincent sent me to hear to save you. I'm Kazumi, the soul of the fifth Hero. Thank you for taking Vincent to the place I supposedly have died.] Kazumi introduced herself while thanking Ester since she made this meeting possible. She was the one who took Vincent to the lake and allowed Kazumi to get reborn as a soul in the Seventh Hero. Vincent Agius, the Soul Hero. "So, you were alive all this time?" Ester asked with a puzzled frown. She didn't know if it was something good or bad. However, this wasn't the time for a chat. Ester began feeling cold from the violent gusts of wind, which surprisingly didn't affect her that much. Unlike Kazumi, who seemed to have a hard time staying in one place wobbling along with the wind. [I genuinely don't know. I have no recollection of my past, but as I grew inside Vincent, I saw all his memories, particularly how much of a good person you are. Instead of killing Vincent, you made him fall for you.] It seemed it was Ester's turn to get teased by Kazumi. But it seemed she had a plan while specifically uttering these words. "How can that be possible!... I have a small chest." Ester muttered while feeling a bit embarrassed. However, she stopped crying after her mind went elsewhere, the plan seemed to work as now Ester had full attention to whatever Kazumi was about to say next. [I know Vincent the most. He is a loyal nerdy guy who never takes the first step. However, he changes when it comes to protecting those he cares about. In other words, he likes you but is too shy to say. Unless you act like Lupa, you will be left behind.] Kazumi gave Ester advice while this conversation broke the ice between the two. As she acted like a person who supported her, Kazumi could continue her job teaching Ester how to control the raging Mana inside her body. [Thats enough of the love support hotline. I don't think you noticed, but what you are watching is the uncontrolled Mana inside your body. Your mana, the Sage Apple mana, and the Golden Acorn mana.] Ester flustered from the sudden change in the discussion, from love suggestion to learning something she never had before. [Yes, that's the right expression; you have a magical class called Sigil Mage.] Kazumi explained while Ester raised a puzzled yet sad frown. As if this was all a bad joke. However, it felt like the issue was somewhere else. "Wait... now I can vaguely remember that I might have used magic, but I forgot until you reminded me. Are you certain I have a sigil mage class?" Ester frowned even more while she massaged her temple. She seemed saddened by something Kazumi said. [Yes, I saw it from Vincent's inspection ability. Why? Is there something wrong with gaining a class?] "Sigil Mage is the worst class in the world. Their magic hurts them, so they are as useful as a person with no class." Disappointment could be seen on Ester's face while she tried to hide her sad feelings. She might have wanted a strong class like Lupa and pull her weight instead of dragging them down. [Really? Is it that bad? Well... Vincent would still accept you no matter how weak you are.]