In My Previous Life I Was a Saint, but Now I Want to Cut Corners - Chapter 4

The child-like creature was glowing with a powerful golden aura, on its back were beautiful transparent wings.

“Who… Who are you?”

I don’t know if this creature could think like a human or speak like one. As I continue to ponder on what this creature was, it gave me a look of sadness. As if my thoughts were being communicated directly to the creature.

“All of me belongs to you!”

What? Why is it talking to me as if I’m its lover? In confusion, I shuddered and stepped back.

“All of you belongs to me too!”

I don’t know what this tiny flying creature is saying. Maybe it was someone I had been involved with in my previous life? Others may have been reborn as well, so I can’t throw that possibility out.

“You made a contract with me! Hmph!”

“Contract? Could you be….? Are you Aerial?”

“Yes! Finally, Renaria is listening to me!”

Aerial flew happily around me, playfully lifting my hair as it spun around. Aren’t Aerials supposed to be invisible spirits? I don’t believe anyone has seen one before… They are known as the has-been spirits for a reason. In the middle of my thoughts, Aerial spoke.

“You’re correct! They can’t see us because their magic is too low!”

Now that I think about it, all the spirits have unique designs. The fire spirit that protects my father and brother takes the form of a salamander that shines bright red as if it was a flame. While undine, who is my mother’s guardian spirit, is more of a calm blue creature. But none of them have this human-like shape like Aerial.
// Translator note: Currently, they describe undine as a “blue drop” sorry, I have no idea why the author can describe the fire spirit as salamander but not describe undine. Please forgive me ):

“I’m sorry that your kind has to deal with the bad rumors, but what makes me special?”

“Of course, you’re special! You’re the first person to have enough magic to see and talk to me! Phew! I’m glad I beat the rest of them to the punch!”

“Beat the rest of them?”

“Yes! I beat the other spirits in the competition to become your guardian spirit!”

If I’m honest, I am delighted that Aerial was the winner of this competition between spirits.

“Yes, didn’t you see us? Wait… Nevermind, I forgot humans can’t see us until we make a deal with them.

“Is that so?”

“Yep! After spending some time together, our magic power will blend together, and we can take a form that allows others to see us. The bigger magical power a spirit has, the longer it takes them to form this appearance.”

It’s starting to make sense why I couldn’t see Aerial at the test.

“When I made a pact with you, there were a bunch of Aerials besides me. However! I am the strongest, so they backed down instantly! They basically handed me to you! But there was a pest among us, the spirit of light was extremely persistent, but realized you hated holy magic and ultimately gave in and let me have you!”

Weird, at the time, I had no memories of my past life. I wonder if I subconsciously gave off my dislike of holy magic. I am fortunate that Aerial chose me, if the spirit of light made a contract with me, I would most likely have to become a saint just like in my previous life. I feel a little bad for the spirit, but I am relieved that Aerial is here instead.

“Hey, uhm… Aerial if there is a spirit of light, does that mean I can use holy magic as well?”

“Of course you can! You can use everything except for dark magic!”

Aerial was on the palm of my hand, laughing at me and I’m not entirely sure what to do. Aerial does look incredibly cute, I couldn’t help myself but smile at her. However, I was still worried that she said about me being able to use holy magic.

“Wait, Aerial, I’ve never heard about anyone being able to use all of the elements of magic before?”

“Well, that is true. It’s rare for humans to use all of them. I’ve only heard of them using three different types, but that was because their magic was much weaker.”

I see, so three seems to be the limit for people, but something bothers me about what Aerial said.

“Magical power from humans is mostly weak. They use those wands there to amplify their magical power. Didn’t you know that, Renaria?”

“… Sorry, Aerial, I’m just starting to learn…”

“I see! No problem! You can ask me anything you don’t understand. I’ll gladly teach you!”

Aerial was beaming with energy and flew around like an excited child. Still, I’m guessing she’s actually much older than she looks. So I took this chance to ask her a few questions that were on my mind.

“I’ve been told that Aerials are invisible guardians, but I can see you? Why is that?”

“Easy! You have powerful magic within you. I was able to take form because of this. Only people who are close to you will be able to see me, though.”

I wonder if this meant my family could see me.

“Does this mean my family can see you? Like my father, mother, and brother?”

“That’s right!”

Well, that’s good. Aerial is just too cute to keep to myself. I can’t wait to show my family this otherworldly adorableness.
// Proofreader Note: Heh, look whos talking

“So, you said ordinary people can’t see you because they have little magic. Does that mean you’ll die soon?”

“Die? Why would I die?”

Aerial looked at me with a confused expression.

“Well, don’t you use your life force to use magic?”

“Oh, then how do guardian spirits use magic?”

From what I know, magical power is used with one’s life force, so naturally, I thought it was the same for spirits as for us humans.

“Well, there are magical elements all around us.”

“Magical Elements?”

“Wait? What? You don’t know about the magical elements? Then how did you use magic earlier?”

“Well… It’s my own magic…”

“Wait. You used an ancient method of magic. How do you know about the old methods if you don’t even know how things are done today?”

Aerial jumped off my hand and rolled her eyes in disbelief.