Yeah he's really not.

She puts out a few thought experiments, pointing out what she would have done and why, and why Kaede should learn to think in ways that come to similar conclusions, at least for the next decade.

And then... Monster education.

Gosh there's a lot of types. They mostly stay out of the river itself except where human activity encroaches a lot.

...As a sort of initiation Nayalu will have him kill a goblin she deliberately left unsquished a few miles upriver after he gets slightly used to magic.

...sure, he can do that.

Do not fight an ogre, troll, or similarly unusual or powerful beast alone. Do not fight a genie unless you absolutely have to. And for everyone's sake, just run if a Named Beast shows up.

It is time.

She restates the entire deal and asks, Kaede Park, do you accept my offer?

"I do."

The spirit reaches forward and touches a water claw to Kaede's forehead.

It's - a new qualia, like a hot rushing tingling, on the border of 'what a rush' and 'too much - painful'. It's like opening your eyes on a bright day, except not. It's a lightness in his skin that wasn't there before. It's a distinct sense of becoming something else, something more. It runs over his head, tingling intensely, before going down his neck. It stays most intense at the border as it runs down his torso and arms.

His clothes change with a wave of color as the process passes over them, transforming to an androgynous sort of vest-and-shirt combo, with surprisingly comfy sort-of-dress-pants, and a pair of white gloves. The whole thing is dominated by the color white, and there's silver trim here and there - but it's rather plain compared to other Spirit Bearer raiments he knows of. It will get more elaborate as he grows in power and is supposed to reflect his abilities in some way.

And then it's done, and Kaede is magic and his magic is obvious he can summon a spear or a bright light or - just change...

—change.

Interesting. As I said, I could not have predicted your first spell with any accuracy.

!!!!!!!!!

He has a penis!!!!!! He has a flat chest!!!!!!!!!!!! He doesn't need to bind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He immediately takes his shirt off and removes his binder​ and looks down at his chest and laughs and laughs and laughs—

The spirit turns away slightly, thinking about the river, but otherwise doesn't react. Joyful moments are expected, just let him get it out of his system.

He bounces a bit more and giggles and twirls on the spot but eventually just puts his shirt back on (no binder) and beams at the spirit. "Sorry about that," he says, not sounding it.

Almost as soon as he forms the intent to re-clothe, the discarded shirt and vest aren't on the ground and he's wearing them again, through no clear process.

Terrana did something similar.

He blinks. "How did that happen? And she did?"

Raiment is a property of Spirit Bearers. And yes - her first spell was not healing but she played with it for a time. It is a joyful thing.

"How is it a property of Spirit Bearers, exactly?"

I do not understand it. But your new outfit, your raiment, is very magical.

"Huh. That's awesome."

Indeed. You will learn more spells as you practice. You should have a spear, an element, and the shifting you used.

He summons his spear...

It's a spear! About four feet long, shiny metal tip and dull metal shaft. It comes with an attached instinct that the sharp tip is extremely dangerous to monsters. And genies, and nature spirits, and other Spirit Bearers.

Ooh. And the light?

Is... Odd. He makes a glowing ball that looks disconcertingly physical for all that it also seems to be made of light.

"Coooooool!" Does it do anything?

He could... Move it? He could maybe shape it, but that feels slippery. He can decide how hot and burny it is to an extent.

...huh. He tries to move it.