(Before we begin Big shout out to Logan Hosmer For Joining the art of Imagination society in patreon Really appreciate it.)
As we continued walking, eventually the corridor led us to what seemed like a dead end but with a gentle shimmer, the "dead end" before us fell apart, revealing an entirely different space — a wide, domed chamber filled with arcane etchings glowing on the walls, pulsating with life. At its center stood a towering mecha-golem, crafted with intricate detail and humming with layered enchantments.
Tch. Really? A mecha like Rimuru's trial? I sighed inwardly, already predicting what was to come.
A familiar playful voice echoed all around us:
"Velsun-kun~! So nice of you to finally come visit my labyrinth!"
I narrowed my eyes, raising my hand before she could finish her sentence.
"Velsun-kun, I'm gonna test you. You have to de—"
BOOM.
A blinding flash of golden energy erupted from my palm, a casual blast of solar divine energy, slicing through the room like a judgment ray. The golem didn't stand a chance. No defense. No resistance. Not even dust remained.
Silence fell.
I casually lowered my hand and looked up with a deadpan expression.
"Are we done?" I asked flatly.
A high-pitched, furious voice instantly followed.
"AHHHH! VELSUN, WHAT THE HELL!! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG THAT TOOK ME TO MAKE?!"
From a hidden corridor, she came flying in — Ramiris, Queen of Spirits. Her petite form was now human-sized, with her trademark fairy wings flapping angrily behind her. Her blonde hair bobbed with every step as she floated toward me with a comically puffed-up pout.
But despite her antics, my eyes narrowed just slightly.
"Yep… that's Ramiris at her peak," I thought, sensing the monstrous pressure she was holding back. A suppressed storm of ancient spirit power radiated around her, barely contained beneath that deceptively childish expression.
Even Zalario tensed slightly, his eye flickering with interest.
Karlos kept quiet, respectful. Reinhart? He looked like he was seeing a walking disaster in the form of a fairy goddess.
I gave her a sheepish smile. "Now, now, you were the one who wanted to test me, remember?"
Ramiris crossed her arms, huffing. "That wasn't a test, you solar lizard! That was a handcrafted golem tuned to elemental energies! It was designed to analyze and adapt! It even had a tea dispenser—!"
"Sounds weak," I muttered under my breath.
She glared. "I heard that!"
We stood like that for a moment — me trying not to laugh and Ramiris fuming like a teapot.
Then finally, she sighed and floated back down, her voice dropping to a more serious tone.
"Hmph. We barely know eachother… Velsun. Just like your brother you are causing trouble for me."
Her eyes shimmered faintly as she looked at me. "So… what is it you want? You didn't just come here to destroy my priceless golem, right?"
I took a step forward and placed a hand on Reinhart's shoulder, who instantly stood straighter.
"I came for a blessing, Ramiris. I want to awaken a True Hero."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Even Ramiris blinked. "A Chosen Hero, huh…?"
As soon as the words "True Hero" left my mouth, I could sense a subtle shift in the air. Ramiris' frown deepened, her petite form hovering in place with an almost suspicious air about her.
"How do you know about it, Velsun?" she asked, eyes narrowing. "No Chosen Hero has been made yet.... Only Veldanava and I know about it, and maybe a few others like twilight may know it."
I smiled inwardly. "Oh, I know a lot of things, Ramiris. A lot," I said, my tone nonchalant, though I could feel the pressure building from her questioning gaze. "Now, will you help me or not?"
Her eyes flicked between me and my group, the mock suspicion still lingering in her expression. She was calculating something. But after a long moment of contemplation, she sighed and waved her hand dismissively.
"Fine, I'll give this high human my blessings."
At that, she moved toward Reinhart. Her aura flared as she placed her hands on him, a ripple of energy passing from her into his body. I could feel the shift in the air as she transferred a portion of her power, blessing him with her essence. A light pulse of magical energy enveloped him before fading, and with it, I could tell that Reinhart had taken his first step toward being a Chosen Hero.
"Now, I think you know you need the blessings of either the Elemental Spirits of Darkness or Light," she said as she turned toward me, her voice tinged with an edge of challenge.
I nodded, acknowledging her words with a simple gesture. Reinhart, now bathed in her blessing, stood silently, his resolve unwavering as he focused on the next step. The others were still, watching the scene unfold with quiet curiosity.
"Follow me," Ramiris instructed, turning to lead us deeper into the labyrinth.
The air felt heavy with magic as we moved deeper into the labyrinth. We eventually came upon a massive chamber, where the center of the room housed a giant blue crystal, pulsating with a faint, ethereal glow.
The magicules in this place were incredible — so dense that I could feel them stirring within me, a subtle hum of power that vibrated through the very fabric of the labyrinth.
"This is the deepest part of my labyrinth," Ramiris said, her voice a mixture of pride and awe. "The dwelling place of the spirits."
I couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the place. The spirits had always intrigued me, especially with the knowledge of their power, and now I could sense their presence in the air, like whispers on the wind.
Ramiris turned to Reinhart, her gaze serious.
"Okay, Reinhart," she said, "You may go to the top and call upon the spirits. But remember, the spirits have their own consciousness. They will only come if they feel like it."
Reinhart nodded, clearly nervous but determined. He climbed the steps of the crystal, kneeling at the top. His hands pressed together in prayer, his posture reverent as he began to call upon the spirits.
The room fell into a profound silence, the only sound the soft hum of the crystal. I crossed my arms, watching with a quiet interest, though a small part of me wondered if it would be enough.
For a moment, I looked around at my companions — Zalario and Karlos standing with their usual silent composure, and Reinhart, focused on his task.
I couldn't help but feel a bit of reassurance myself. "I would really appreciate it if some superior light spirit would come and bless him," I called out, my voice casual but laced with a subtle edge of authority.
I figured if they were going to treat me like their patron deity, I might as well throw in a little help.
I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, especially Karlos, whose expression looked like he was about to burst into fanboy-level admiration. Zalario, however, simply gave me a soft smirk, clearly finding amusement in the situation. But it was Ramiris' reaction that I kept my focus on — she was eyeing me with a look of disbelief. "How is this guy so confident?" she thought, her expression a mix of curiosity and intrigue.
I didn't react to her gaze, instead, keeping my attention on Reinhart. My mind was filled with a quiet anticipation. Ramiris might not have fully grasped why the light and fire spirits were responding to me, but I knew the truth. I was their patron deity, or so the spirits themselves had proclaimed. If my call didn't get a response now, it would shatter the confidence I had so carefully projected.
But as I stood there, ignoring everything around me, the first stirrings of power began to form in the air. It was subtle at first — a change in the atmosphere, a slight pulse of energy.
Then, it happened.
A flash of light.
It was as if the very fabric of the room itself split open as a flood of spirits appeared. Not just a few, but what felt like all of them — from the lesser spirits to the greater ones, and finally, the superior light spirits. The room grew brighter, the air charged with an energy that was almost overwhelming. The crystal at the center of the chamber pulsed in time with the spirits' arrival, as if resonating with them.
I stood unfazed, a small smile playing on my lips, knowing full well that the spirits had heard me. This wasn't just a random fluke; this was their way of acknowledging me, recognizing me as something far beyond mere mortal status.
Ramiris, her mouth slightly agape, looked from the spirits to me. Her eyes were wide with astonishment. I could practically hear her thoughts, the disbelief radiating off her. "How... how did he do this? He wasn't even trying... yet they're all responding to him."
"Are they all..." she trailed off, barely able to comprehend the spectacle before her.
I allowed the spirits to surround us, their presence filling the room with warmth and light. They were benevolent, their attention directed at Reinhart, who was still kneeling at the top of the crystal, hands clasped in prayer. The energy in the room shifted again, this time a gentle wave flowing toward Reinhart as the spirits seemed to accept his call, their power infusing into him.
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