Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 168
168. Mari-nee and The power awakened through a connection
“If the place to converse with the gods is a church, then this Great Star Hall is where one faces oneself. To awaken a new power, you must find the answer yourself. This place is perfect for someone like you,” the King declared, his tone grave as he looked straight at me.
The last time I underwent a class change, Zela-san guided me to my new job. However, it seems that won’t be the case this time. If it were, Zela-san wouldn’t be staying silent. Speaking of silence, I can’t help but notice how quiet Estelle-san is as well. And, more than anything, I’m curious as to why she’s even here.
When I asked the King about this, he replied, “I needed their cooperation to connect you all together, so I summoned them.”
“Connect us?” I questioned.
“Indeed. In the end, Maria, you must make the final decision yourself. But in the process, the presence of your family will surely aid you.”
Without fully grasping the prophetic tone of his words, we moved to the center of the Great Star Hall.
At the King’s urging, I called upon Gils and Vel. The two appeared cautious as they were summoned to this unfamiliar place. But once I explained the situation, they quickly calmed down. Surprisingly, they accepted Zela-san, whom they were meeting for the first time, without hesitation. Perhaps they sensed something, given that she’s my mentor as a jester.
“Are we all here? Then let us begin. Maria, stand by Estelle’s side. Vel, go to Zela. Gils, you stand before me.”
The King and the others formed a triangle, standing about two meters apart. As we moved into position as instructed, the King nodded once and began chanting words as if in a song.
<To protect the noble heart is pure affection.>
<To protect the deep heart is refined skill.>
<To protect the broad heart is a resilient body.>
The words of the multi-part chant flowed seamlessly as they alternated turns.
<The summit lies at the end of the narrow path.>
<The guidepost is the bond you have connected.>
<Advance as your heart desires.>
<<<Thus, may your feelings reach and seize the power!>>>
The final chant was sung by the three in unison.
The moment I finished listening to it, my consciousness began to fade rapidly.
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When I came to, I found myself in a pitch-black space. Unlike the Great Star Hall, there was no light, no ground. My senses were vague, as if I were drifting in the middle of a dark sea. Although I felt a bit uneasy, there was no fear—only confusion.
“Should I just wait, or do I need to do something…?”
But floating in this state left me with limited options.
“I can’t take out any items, and my skills… don’t work either.”
As I started to feel at a loss, I noticed a small light in the distance. The lights multiplied and grew gradually larger. When I realized they were moving toward me, the true nature of the light became clear.
“Is that… a scene from when I first met Estelle-san?”
Though it was in black and white and slightly blurry, there was no mistake. I reached out in nostalgia, but the light slipped past my grasp and moved on. Feeling a pang of loneliness, I turned my gaze back and saw more lights approaching one after another. Each one was a scene from my time in Mebius.
When I saw the moment from the “Cave of Oaths” battle, my chest tightened, but suddenly, yellow and green lights appeared and gently comforted me.
“To think I’d meet you again like this… Nero, Kuuga…”
The two lights grew brighter before me as I teared up. They merged into one and enveloped me, as if to protect me.
“Thank you, Gils… for everything.”
When I expressed my gratitude, the light flickered slightly, as if to say, “Don’t mention it.” I smiled wryly at Gils-like response. Then the light began to show me images of Liberta—the first sea I saw, peaceful moments on a remote island, and the battle with Jade-san. My feelings towards Jade-san were complex, and even now, they still waver.
Perhaps “unease” is the better word for it.
As soon as I recognized this, a gray light was born and began circling around me. Its desperate manner reminded me of that child.
“You’re trying to encourage me, aren’t you… Vel?”
The light danced happily upon hearing my words and, like Gils, enveloped me. Ah, how reassuring and warm it is…
Soon, the glowing images faded, and the space was once again filled with darkness. If those scenes were fragments of the past, then what’s to come must be the future. No one knows what lies ahead. But I’m not alone. I think of my precious companions. I think of my own way of being. As these two thoughts intertwine, they create a new light before me in the darkness.
The moment I reached out and grasped that light, suddenly.
<<You have class-changed to [Marianator].>>
…
Wait, what? I don’t understand at all.
A pun? What’s going on, Your Majesty!? Or is it Zagreus!?
Though I shouted from the depths of my heart, no answer came… as usual.