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"And the name of this magic, well, it's called the Riddikulus Curse."
Sylvester lightly grasped the wand and first swung it a few times as if using a flail, moving with fierce momentum.
Then he pointed it normally toward an empty space, aiming precisely.
"Just aim at the target like this and shout Riddikulus, and the magic is released."
"As for the effect…" Sylvester chuckled lightly, "it makes anything that causes fear, dislike, or any negative emotions appear ridiculous."
"Is there really such a bizarre spell?" Huohuo asked in surprise.
Contrary to first impressions, her skill with magic was actually quite high.
Though not mastered, she could proficiently use the spells taught at the Ten-Lords Commission, and her assessment scores were always at the top.
She often simply didn't use them in time due to her timid nature.
In other words, she was an exam-focused Pathstrider.
Without this talent, relying solely on Tail's 'assist,' she could never have stood out among the Ferrymen and become a trainee Judge.
But among the spells accepted by the Ten-Lords Commission, none were as peaceful as the Riddikulus Curse Spell.
Huohuo propped her chin on her hands, oddly intrigued by the wand.
Turning anything that brings negative emotions into something slapstick… so if she had this, she could calmly handle creatures like Heliobi?
Compared to her, Qingque's thoughts were far simpler.
"Then this Curio… isn't it perfect for Giovanni?"
The Riddikulus Curse Spell—just by hearing the name, it sounded like pure Elation.
"Ha ha ha, exactly. Nothing suits us Elation Pathstriders better than this."
Aha grabbed the wand, first stroking along the wood, then bending it and letting it snap back, toying with it thoroughly.
It seemed more like a toy in THEIR hands than a tool to toy with others.
It was unclear what THEY observed from this 'torture' of the wand.
In any case, THEY said with satisfaction: "Good, excellent."
"Being able to turn all fearsome things into something ridiculous… wouldn't the world be taken over by Elation? Truly significant, truly significant. Hahaha."
Hearing this, Sylvester's expression soured.
"Sss~~ tsk. What are you planning?"
THEY wouldn't do anything terrible… right?
No, it should be the opposite.
It would be stranger if Aha wasn't causing trouble!
After playing with the wand using every conceivable technique, Aha suddenly stopped laughing.
THEY were polite now, like a true gentleman.
"Of course, I want to see what my 'fear' looks like."
"Oh, that's fine then."
Sylvester exhaled in relief, then grew slightly puzzled.
You… have fear too?
An Aeon of Elation could have moments of unease.
It was almost as hard to believe as the idea of the Hunt and Abundance Pathstriders getting married.
"Of course. Every living being experiences fear, and I am no exception."
With that, Aha closed THEIR eyes, holding THEIR breath.
Elation power surged, and THEIR body instantly transformed into a dazzling, multicolored energy form.
Sylvester, with comparable power, sensed Them linking back to THEIR main body.
Judging by the form, THEY were likely about to create some kind of Elation construct.
Qingque and Huohuo had no idea.
They just assumed this was a normal application of Elation power, watching it like an amusing juggling act, scrutinizing Aha from all angles.
"So, the power of Elation really is flashy, huh."
"Hey, do you think They'll ride a unicycle while throwing balls?"
"Well, probably…?"
Sylvester smiled at them.
If they knew the clown performing this trick right in front of them was actually Aha, he couldn't imagine how terrified they would be.
After a few breaths, Aha completed THEIR creation.
In front of 'Giovanni' stood a figure roughly the same height—a completely black humanoid.
Only the eyes and mouth showed any different colors.
It stood motionless, eyes calm and rigid, like a sculpture.
Yet those with strong perception could sense it was a living being!
"The power of Elation can actually create life from nothing?"
Huohuo was astonished by this strange display.
This had never been revealed before.
"Ha ha ha, of course." Aha said proudly. "The greatest Aeon Aha grants the greatest power to THEIR followers!"
"Incredible… but who is this person?"
Qingque circled the black figure, tapping and prodding it, but found nothing—only growing more puzzled.
Strange as it was, what was frightening about it?
She asked suspiciously, "Could this be… the little black figure from the Fisherman Case?"
In that case, the culprit appeared in this form before their identity was revealed.
But would Elation Pathstriders fear a character from an old story?
"Of course not!" Aha said with a mysterious smile.
Then, somehow producing a pile of masks, THEY commanded the black figure to lift its arms, and the masks floated atop its hands.
Everyone immediately realized what this was.
This image was too classic; almost every related book contained a depiction like this.
Qingque blurted out her thought: "Is this… the doll of the Exalting Sanctum Lord?"
Aha smiled proudly.
"Exactly. Doesn't this work emanate divine essence? It's identical to what the Aeon of Elation would make."
THEIR own image had clearly left a deep impression; just a small symbol could evoke resonance.
Watching THEM boast, Sylvester couldn't help but admire THEIR audacity.
Alright, fine, only THEY could pull this off.
Using THEIR own model as a test subject for the Riddikulus Curse Spell, and even showing it off to others, with pride to spare.
After carefully observing the black figure, Sylvester roughly understood Aha's intention.
He finally realized what THEIR 'fear' was.
"You… fear the Aeon of Elation?"
Saying it out loud, Qingque found it ridiculous.
Impossible—they called themselves as followers of the Aeon of Elation!
But what else could it mean?
"Yes."
"Hmm?" Qingque and Huohuo's eyes went wide.
You actually think this way?
"N-not exactly."
"Ah?" They stared at THEM in disbelief.
Are you playing a joke?
Aha's eyes were full of mischief as THEY shook THEIR head, refusing to elaborate.
They perversely waited for the girls to beg for an explanation.
Sylvester groaned.
Messing with mortals… there really was no one like THEM.
He spoke up, decisively seizing the Aeon's 'Elation.'
"This is indeed the Aeon of Elation, but one who is rigid, solemn, with not a trace of elation."
Qingque and Huohuo suddenly understood.
Looking back at the black humanoid, just as Sylvester said, it bore the symbols of Elation but had no hint of it.
Its expression resembled a corpse that had slumbered for millennia, utterly lifeless.
"Tch. Killjoy."
Aha was displeased at Sylvester's spoiling of THEIR demonstration.
But thinking of Huohuo's situation, THEY let it slide.
"Exactly. This is what every being who believes in Elation, including the Aeon of Elation THEMSELF, fears most."
"The divine might of Elation remains, but THEIR core is gone."
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