The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

Aisha didn’t know how long she sat there, processing the fact that there were two spiritual beasts inside her bedroom. One as tiny as her forefinger, and another creature large enough to fill half the space. It even glowed in faint green, watching her with an expression far too gentle.

Finally, she broke the silence.

She stiffly said, ”Hi.”

It was the kind of greeting she used with a stranger in her old world. It was an awkward greeting. But she didn’t know how people in this world greeted spiritual beasts. She only manifested her own a few days later at the hospital. And this body had no impression of other spiritual beasts and never got close to them.

The beast continued staring at her.

Feeling her awkwardness growing under that gaze, Aisha cleared her throat and tried again.

”Where’s your host?”

Finally, a reaction. Its ears twitched before it turned toward the window.

Aisha followed its gaze and understood. Whoever this spiritual beast belonged to had to be outside.

She rose quickly and crossed to the window. Her palms pressed against the cool glass as she scanned the space outside the mansion. The front was empty. No one was there.

However, her mind couldn’t help but shift to the man who’d followed her home.

Was it him?

But she dismissed the thought almost as quickly as it came. Anyone who manifested their spiritual beast wouldn’t so easily let it wander far from their side. She didn’t think he’d be that sort either. Not when he came from the Association.

Moreover, she had never heard of a spiritual beast without its awakened host.

Did it slip away entirely on its own and end up here by pure coincidence, then?

Deciding not to dwell on it further, she turned back toward the two spiritual beasts—and stopped dead.

Her spiritual beast had started going crazy.

It was now nibbling contentedly at the edge of one glowing horn.

***

The next morning, Aisha lay in bed with eyes dull and tired. A hint of dark circles was already forming under them as she stared at the ceiling.

Daisy would worry once again if she saw her like this.

But Aisha was even more concerned about whether her young maid would faint at the sight before her.

The entire night, Aisha hadn’t slept peacefully. She had the intention of waking up with full energy and a brighter mood. But there was no way she could take a wink when two spiritual beasts constantly hovered around her.

Even now, the massive beast with her own spiritual beast perched on its tuft was lying on her bed with its limbs folded underneath it.

They both had been staring at her for hours.

Of course, Aisha wouldn’t have felt so tired if that was it. But being stared at was one thing, but hearing the two of them speak in her head was another.

Like right now.

”She’s my awakened host.”

”Pretty.”

”She is!”

”Warm.”

”I know!”

”Good.”

”Yeah, she’s good.”

Her spiritual beast nodded in agreement, whatever the other beast called Aisha, to the point she wondered if they were just there to drive her insane.

They were just a bunch of ’guru’ and ’chii’; Aisha could understand them quite well.

Although staying awake for days wasn’t an unfamiliar experience for her, this body, however, had never suffered like this before!

Now, Aisha felt even worse than yesterday.

It was at this time she heard a knock on her door followed by Daisy’s voice asking for permission to enter.

Aisha let her in, but didn’t try to stir from her prone position in bed. Finally, she heard the door open and the young maid enter.

This massive spiritual beast hadn’t left her side since last night till now. Did it really have no host?

’Bam!’

Suddenly, a bang sound was heard from the door. And when Aisha turned to look, she saw her young maid backed against the door, hand lifted in the air as she pointed toward the bed with a frightened expression.

”Mi—miss, what is that?”

Ah, I forgot.

Aisha completely forgot to warn her maid about the other spiritual beast before she saw it. Fortunately, Daisy didn’t faint when she saw it.

”It’s a...” Aisha turned to glance at the massive creature. ”A hostless spiritual beast?”

She sounded uncertain, as there was no other way to describe its presence in the room without its awakened host.

She had counted the time since the first time it had appeared before her. It had been 9 hours. So, the possibility of it having an awakened host was almost null.

Daisy loudly gulped as she warily stared at the spiritual beast, half fearing it for her life and half praising her young lady for not being scared of it.

After a while, Daisy finally realized that it meant no harm. Most of the time, it stuck to Aisha and ignored her. Thus, she also relaxed and helped Aisha get ready for the day.

”Miss, do you want to come down to eat breakfast?”

Aisha thought about the food they served before and shook her head. ”No. I’ll go to school early today.”

Since the time was still right, she could come to school early and rest there.

Aisha walked toward her door once she was set to leave. As just passing the door to her bedroom, Daisy suddenly called out to her.

”Wait, miss!”

Aisha turned around.

Daisy asked, ”Are you going to school with them?”

Aisha paused at the question, glancing back at the massive beast behind her, obviously trying to follow her out.

”No,” she told it. ”It’s not coming with me.”

She’d barely made it three steps down the corridor when she sensed it didn’t stop following her. Its ghostly form drifted just above the floor, moving agilely with ease. Perched between its majestic horns was her own spiritual beast chirping happily, clearly delighted with the ride.

”You can’t come with me,” she said, meeting its mesmerizing gaze. ”I’m going somewhere you can’t be seen. You need to stay here.”

Aisha took her playful spiritual beast from its head and continued walking.

But the beast reappeared in front of her.

She firmly said, ”No.”

It didn’t listen. Instead, it closed the distance between them and pressed its massive head against her chest, nearly knocking her off balance with the sheer weight of it. But she knew it meant no harm, only nudging her gently.

”I can’t bring you,” she said gently. ”You’re too big. Someone will notice you the moment we step outside.”

The words barely left her mouth when the beast’s form shimmered, blurring like smoke. With a soft poof, the massive form collapsed and turned smaller.

A miniature version of the same creature stood on the floor before her, no bigger than a house cat. Its luminous eyes had somehow grown even larger, blinking with unmistakable, deliberate cuteness.

It blinked innocently, tugging at her heartstrings.

There was no way she could turn it away.

Aisha made her way down the grand staircase toward the front entrance. She’d barely reached the bottom step when her mother’s voice called out from the dining hall.

”Aisha, come join us for breakfast.”

Aisha paused only briefly to acknowledge her by simply saying, ”No. I’ll be eating at school.”

And without waiting for a reply, she walked straight out the door.

From now on till the day she get out of that family, she won’t be eating with them.