One-Eyed Monster

”Why are you making that face? What’s so surprising?” Upon seeing Igor’s exaggerated shock, the voice couldn’t help but ask. It was intrigued as to what could have possibly caused Igor to look that way.

Many things could surprise Igor, but few could make him gasp, eyes wide and holding his breath. Usually, Igor’s surprise was indicated by sparkling eyes, but this time, it wasn’t just sparkling; it was as if his eyes had sunk deep into their sockets and couldn’t come out.

”Oh, your reaction seems out of character. Don’t forget you haven’t fully untied the knots in your hand yet,” the voice continued to remind Igor.

This reminder helped Igor regain his senses. His hands immediately busied themselves, and he resumed untying the knots.

Igor remained silent, his mind a maelstrom of thoughts. Despite knowing the voice’s owner might perceive his thoughts, he couldn’t stop his mind from racing.

Perhaps Igor was thinking too many complex things, making the voice’s owner somewhat uncertain. One moment Igor would find something unbelievable, the next he’d be immensely overjoyed. His emotional complexity was no less than Kuren’s earlier turmoil. The only difference was that despite his many thoughts and complex emotions, Igor wasn’t muddled at all. His hands continued to deftly work on the knots, and soon, he undid another one.

This complex yet orderly display confused the voice’s owner even more. Growing anxious, it raised its volume, ”What’s happening? Can you explain it to me?”

Igor lifted his head, as if feeling the nearly roaring voice right before him. He grinned. ”Nothing much. Your words earlier just reminded me of many chaotic things.”

”What chaotic things?” the voice’s owner demanded aggressively.

”Lots of things... hard to explain in just a moment,” Igor said.

”Take your time. There’s no hurry.”

”Well, actually, it’s quite simple. What you said just now revealed who you are.”

”Huh?” The voice was puzzled, not knowing what Igor was hinting at.

”You said the old man, the Great Mentor, created you but couldn’t awaken you. Hearing that, I knew who you were!” Igor’s eyes gleamed, as if this discovery held immense significance.

”Then tell me who I am.”

”You say you’re not the Spirit Book, but I don’t think you’re much different from it. You’re a spell.”

”Interesting.”

”Stop pretending with me; it’s pointless. I already know who you are. You’re a spell, specifically the ’World Setting Technique.’ You’ve just suddenly turned into a living entity.” Igor untied another knot, his voice tinged with impatience.

”Hehe, I’m not pretending. You’re right, I am. What I find interesting is simply your reaction. You’re overreacting so dramatically; I find it amusing.”

Igor dismissed the World Setting Technique’s remark. His knots were almost untied, and it wouldn’t be long before he completely undid them, so he wasn’t tense at all. He continued methodically with his task.

As for the World Setting Technique finding his reaction interesting, Igor attributed it to the technique’s naivety. A spell transforming into a living entity is an incredibly rare occurrence, and this is the first talking spell I’ve ever encountered. How could I not be astonished? So, he scoffed at the World Setting Technique’s claim, attempting to mock it with a dismissive tone, though he wasn’t skilled at such things.

”You find it amusing because you haven’t experienced the joy of discovery. You’re the first I’ve encountered; for me, a talking spell is an absolute novelty! You’ll never understand this joy. Too bad you’ve just awakened. You’re like a newborn baby, you know nothing.” Indeed, he wasn’t good at this sort of thing at all; his sarcasm was blunt and devoid of humor.

”Oh? Is that so?” The World Setting Technique was equally unimpressed by Igor’s words. It didn’t mock him in return, merely retorting with disdain. Yet, its response was far more potent than Igor’s sarcasm.

”Of course, that’s how it is! Isn’t it obvious? You’ve just awakened and are completely ignorant about this world; you don’t even understand what you’re seeing...” Igor launched into a tirade. Once he was on his usual track, he could speak endlessly, potentially even until the next day if uninterrupted.

However, the World Setting Technique was not one to be easily fooled. It was clearly shrewder, or rather, craftier than Igor. Its dismissive retort hinted at its sagacity; it was far older than Igor had imagined. This time, Igor had completely misjudged.

Thus, when the World Setting Technique interrupted Igor, it seemed well-prepared. It was neither rude nor abrupt, but rather appeared as if driven by some peculiar urge, eager to know the answer.

It interrupted Igor, saying, ”Wait, wait, wait. I’ll reserve judgment on this whole ’awakening’ matter for now. You just mentioned ’the first’—that I’m the first awakened spell you’ve encountered. That surprises me a little. I don’t believe I’m the first awakened spell you’ve met at all.”

This interruption wasn’t merely perfunctory; it showed great patience and attentiveness. It conveyed to Igor that not only had the World Setting Technique been listening to every word he said, but it was also earnestly trying to understand.

”You must be referring to that Spirit Book,” Igor said, assuming the World Setting Technique meant it. ”We can ignore that for now. It’s not a spell I master, so it doesn’t count.”

”No, I’m not talking about that thing,” the World Setting Technique said coolly. ”Think again.”

”There’s nothing else!” Igor started to scratch his head. By now, he had untied all the knots.

”There is. You haven’t been listening properly at all! Think again, young man. I don’t just make things up.”

”Ugh...” Igor frowned and thought hard, but he still couldn’t think of anything, much to his frustration.

”There really isn’t anything else! Stop messing with me, alright?” Igor suspected the World Setting Technique was teasing him, and he was determined not to be fooled.

”Alas, what a pity for that old granny who always told you stories. She was so dedicated, yet you don’t remember a thing,” the World Setting Technique prompted. This hint, laden with disdain and coupled with its earlier remarks, was dripping with sarcasm.

Igor froze instantly.

He was indeed stunned. Yes, the Scale of Faith I carry is a spell, and an amazing one at that, because that spell has been communicating with me in words all this time...