"Alright then," Selena said with a cheerful smile, "since you've decided, why don't you just join right now?"
Erika blinked. "Right now?"
"Yeah! You're here, everything's ready, so you can just get your Seed of Destiny right away." She said cheerfully.
Akira raised an eyebrow. "Wait a second, wasn't the Seed of Destiny supposed to be the reward for the first mission? You're not saying she's doing one right now, are you?"
Selena giggled. "Oh, that you see her mission is already complete."
"...What?" Akira and Erika said in perfect unison.
Erika tilted her head, saying. "I don't remember doing any kind of mission."
Selena smiled softly. "Erika-chan, you deciding to join the Star Chasers is already an achievement. You are basically joining the fight to protect all of reality; that is a huge responsibility for anyone. And anyone who chooses to take on this fight to protect reality gets one."
Akira said with righteous indignation. "Then why did I have to complete a mission for mine? That's soooo unfair!"
Selena crossed her arms. "Brother, we were born just for this purpose, joining the star chasers is our destiny. But others, like Erika, are choosing to join us of their own free will. That alone is something amazing, don't you think?"
Akira sighed, realising it's true, "But it still feels unfair… but fine, but it just feels a bit unfair."
Selena then sighed. "Why are you feeling unfair? All you did was take out a few mobs. It wasn't even that big a deal for you, but Erika and any future members are all joining the fight to save all of reality."
Akira said, "...okay, fair enough." Thinking, his sister's reasoning really does make a lot of sense.
"Alright, Erika-chan," Selena said, "place your hand on the tree just like my brother did."
Erika nodded, pressing her hand against the holographic tree. Just like before, a fruit of light formed on one of the branches and floated toward her. She hesitated briefly, then took a deep breath and ate it.
A pulse of energy radiated from her body; it's…strangely calm, in fact, she really didn't feel any pressure or anything like Akira experienced.
"Huh… that wasn't so bad," Erika said, confused. "Am I supposed to feel something? Because I don't."
Akira shrugged. "Oh, that, yeah, you won't really feel much pressure."
"Then why," Erika asked suspiciously, "did you scream 'UNLIMITED POWEEEER!' earlier?"
"Oh, that, I was just going along with the atmosphere there," Akira said with a grin.
Erika sighed. "Yeah, of course you did."
Soon, the light surrounding her faded, and everything returned to normal.
"So… did everything go well?" Erika asked, still a bit confused at the situation.
Selena clapped her hands. "Yes! Congratulations on joining the Star chasers, Erika-chan! Congratulations"
Akira also joined in clapping. "Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!" Selena said again, still clapping.
"Congratulations!" Akira also said again, clapping.
Erika gave them both a flat look. "...I have a feeling that's some kind of reference, but I don't know what it is."
"Don't worry about it," Akira said with a grin. "Now check your status. Let's see what kind of power you got."
"Alright, status open," Erika said, opening her menu. A holographic screen appeared before her:
[Name: Sendo Erika
Title: -
Race: Dhampir
Abilities: Lunar Vows
*Updated*
*Blazer*
Device: Unnamed
Form: Unknown
Power: Concept World
Skills: Magician B (Gravity), Blood Control B, Mist Control B, Shadow Control B,
Judo A, Kendo (Sword) A, Yūdō (Archery) A, Naginatajutsu (Pole Weapon) A]
Selena gasped. "Wow, Erika-chan! Looks like you become a Blazer too, just like my brother, and your power seems rare too!"
Erika tilted her head. "It says 'Concept World'... what does that even mean?"
Selena shrugged. "No idea. Maybe you can control earth-based powers?"
Akira said, shaking his head. "Nope, if that was the case, it'd say 'Earth', not 'World'. Maybe it means you can manipulate the elements of the world itself? That's kinda OP…"
"But why 'World'?" Selena asked.
Akira's eyes widened suddenly, realising something. "Erika… try yelling ZA WARUDO!"
Erika blinked. "Yeah, I'm not doing that."
"But if it works," Akira pressed, "you might be able to stop time! And you're part vampire, so it actually fits your theme!"
"Yeah, no, not happening," Erika replied firmly. "Even if it could stop time, I'd rather die than scream that."
Selena chuckled. "Alright, let's not jump to conclusions. Why not summon your Device and see what form it takes?"
Erika nodded. "Right." She paused. "Wait, what should I name it?"
"Anything you want," Selena said.
"I'm not good at naming things," Erika admitted. "Akira, you do it. You're good at weird names anyway."
Akira grinned. "Weird? Alright, what kind of vibe do you want?"
"I have no idea," Erika said.
He thought for a moment, and after thinking for a while, he asked her, "Erika, you like roses, right?"
Erika nodded. "Yeah, I do."
"Then its name from now on is Églantine." He said, striking an elegant pose.
Selena nodded with a smile. "That's actually not bad. In fact, that's actually a really good name."
Erika smiled faintly, sounding out the name. "It does sound nice. What does it mean?"
"It's French," Akira said proudly. "It means Wild Rose. I think it suits you."
Erika's cheeks flushed. "M-Me? ...Fine, whatever."
"Alright," Akira said. "Try summoning it."
Erika nodded, took a deep breath, and called out, "Serve me, Églantine!"
Suddenly, red rose petals swirled around her, gathering around her arms. When the light faded, two long crimson ribbons were tied to her wrists, flowing gently in the air.
"Ribbons?" Erika murmured, surprised.
Akira blinked. "Your Device is… ribbons?"
Selena laughed softly. "Well, she does always wear red ribbons on her head. Maybe that's why."
"Do you know how to use them?" Akira asked.
Erika shook her head. "No idea." She tried moving her hands, but nothing happened. Then she swung her arms quickly, and one ribbon suddenly extended and shot out toward Akira.
"Whoa!" Akira dodged just in time. "Careful!"
"Sorry!" Erika said, embarrassed. She tried again, moving more cautiously this time.
The ribbons danced unpredictably, responding faintly to her will, but she really couldn't control them.
Akira thought for a while and said. "Erika, can you show me your status window again?"
"Huh, sure." Erika opened it once more.
[Name: Sendo Erika
Title: -
Race: Dhampir
Abilities: Lunar Vows
*Updated*
*Blazer*
Device: Églantine
Form: Twin Ribbons
Power: Concept World
Skills: Magician B (Gravity), Blood Control B, Mist Control B, Shadow Control B,
Judo A, Kendo (Sword) A, Yūdō (Archery) A, Naginatajutsu (Pole Weapon) A]
Akira said in surprise. "Wow, your vampire powers are decent, but wait, you can use five different martial arts? And they are all A rank too. When did that happen?"
"I did say I trained really hard, remember," Erika replied with a proud smile.
"And you can also use gravity magic, too?" Akira added.
"Gravity magic is actually my family's specialty," Erika explained.
"Then maybe 'Concept World' enhances that, gravity is a part of the world after all, why not try using gravity to control the ribbons?" Akira suggested.