Milora’s mind was buzzing.
She felt like she was lost in a fog.
Something was speaking to her.
She was also speaking to the other side, but not in any human language, not in any language of any race, not even making a sound on a physical level.
What was this feeling? Could this be what Torina referred to as… “resonance”? A name suddenly appeared in her mind.
“Gravity Rune.” Not “Star,” but “Gravity.” The other world’s understanding of gravity was only at the basic level of “the force that pulls objects to the ground,” far less advanced than Earth’s sophisticated physics analysis—in fact, even on Earth, there are still many disagreements about the definition of gravity, and many people mistakenly equate gravity with universal gravitation.
Of course, establishing resonance with a rune is not about being pedantic.
What’s important is the emotional experience, not the rational understanding.
Milora now had no other way to escape except to establish resonance with this dangerous Gravity Rune that Torina had never mentioned.
Try to feel it.
The pull, the pressure, the binding, the support, the action and reaction of gravity, feel its impact on the macro world.
But that’s ultimately just on the physical level, what about the spiritual level?
—I want to be your academy idol, so you must belong only to me—
—What do I have to do for you to come back? I’ll do anything I can!—
—I hate seeing Shimazaki smile where I can’t see, and I hate you holding hands with others!—
—I give you the heart that loves Ushida Kyōto, so you can become the ideal woman of the warrior—
—More intense than hope, deeper than despair, is love—
She heard them again.
The voices of those girls.
Those childish or desperate troubles, those heartfelt words from the soul, the emotions contained within—how heavy are they? This must also be a form of gravity.
Perhaps even closer to the source of the concept of “gravity” than mere physical phenomena.
Will she one day possess such heavy emotions? If she does… who will they be for? At that moment, Torina’s face flashed in her mind.
And the words spoken in her clear voice.
“For a lifetime”— In an instant, Milora’s consciousness was illuminated brightly.
Anna-veil left the labyrinth with the Star Rune in her hand already shining with a dazzling silver light, the system’s guidance further integrating the Star Rune into her left hand.
“How is it!” Rei immediately grabbed her to ask about the situation.
“Not bad, to be honest… this thing is really strong.”
“That’s good! Haha! The guiding power of this bracelet is real! You will definitely come out on top!”
“Hmm…” The Alphares family was already popping champagne.
Other challengers were also leaving the labyrinth one after another, Morai checked the time and broadcasted to the entire labyrinth: “The second opening of the labyrinth is about to end, remaining contestants, please exit the labyrinth immediately!” More contestants left, some happy, some worried, but Milora was nowhere to be seen.
Torina was already anxious.
“Patty! Did you see Milora in the labyrinth?”
“No, she hasn’t come out yet?”
“No!” Torina had been uneasy all day, if Milora still couldn’t find the Star Rune this time, it would be really troublesome!—But now it’s not about finding the rune, if she doesn’t come out soon, she’ll be considered overtime and disqualified from the third labyrinth exploration! Could something have happened to her? Contestants can shout to exit if they encounter danger, but if she really encountered some hidden dangerous opponent, or was harmed by someone, without even having time to make a sound— “Repeating once more, remaining contestants exit immediately! Violators will lose the opportunity for the third exploration of the labyrinth!” Morai issued a final ultimatum, waited a few seconds, but Milora still didn’t appear.
“Sis—sis! Wait a minute! Maybe something happened? Can I go into the labyrinth to find her—” Torina quickly ran over to plead with her sister, but Morai was strictly impartial.
“Impossible, rules are rules—end! Contestants who did not leave on time lose the third qualification!”
“Hey!!!!” Torina was also angry, but she didn’t have time to lose her temper at her sister, what if something really happened to Milora? She had to go into the labyrinth to find her immediately! “I’ll go find her in the labyrinth!”
“No need for you to go, we have a dedicated rescue team.”
“But I’m worried—” Just as Torina was about to enter the labyrinth despite the obstruction, Milora suddenly came out, startling her.
Milora looked in bad shape.
She was disheveled, covered in scratches and bruises, with dark circles under her eyes, as if she had just been through an exhausting and mentally draining battle.
“Milora!!”
“Ah… Torina?”
“Why are you in such a mess? Quick! Go to the infirmary!”
“Hmm…”
A somewhat dazed Milora underwent a full examination, fortunately, she wasn’t seriously injured, and with the best healers and care, her physical injuries could recover quickly.
After taking medicine, she fell asleep like a log.
During this time, Torina had already mentally prepared herself.
Just let it be.
Just let it be.
It seems Milora failed, there was no sense of the Star Rune from her, making her participation in the battle festival a far-fetched idea… but just let it be, as long as she’s alive, don’t expect too much.
Later, Anna-veil, with a somewhat unnatural expression, also came.
“Is she asleep?”
“Yes, I don’t know what she encountered in the labyrinth, her physical and mental energy are severely depleted, I hope she didn’t find the Star Rune she was looking for.”
“Uh… ah, it seems so, what a pity.” Anna-veil’s expression was a bit complicated, while the system was quite pleased.
【Ha! If I had guided her, she definitely wouldn’t have been so unsuccessful!】 (Why do you sound like a resentful woman… did you know her before?) 【I don’t know, not sure, don’t overthink it, also, your mother wants you to stop wandering outside, she eagerly wants to see you demonstrate the power of the Star Rune, do as I say then】
Not long after, outside Valhalla City— “Ready…” The silver-white rune danced lightly between Anna-veil’s fingers, the brilliant starlight gathered in her hand, compressing terrifying power.
“Radiant Star Arrow!” The giant arrow of starlight she threw left a huge, hideous crack on the ground upon impact, with a very short charging time and considerable destruction.
“Starfall Rain!” The star map array unfolded, a large number of light raindrops fell from the array, launching a bombardment on everything within the covered range, blindingly bright.
“Phew… I’ve just gotten familiar with it, this is all I can do for now.”
“Great! Very good! As expected of the daughter of the Alphares family!” Rei laughed heartily, very satisfied, confident of victory.
Meanwhile, the Elf Man named Oroi silently observed.
(Is this the ‘Star Rune’ His Majesty mentioned? If it grows, it is indeed a very strong power…)
