"Why is this happening to me?"
Standing before me was Aurora, still in disguise, holding my hand. Every instinct screamed for me to run — but I was powerless to move.
My mind raced at high speed, desperately searching for a way out.
"Hey, System, tell me why this is happening!"
[Host, how would you feel if you had been alone for thousands of years — lonely, isolated — and then suddenly found love?]
[You're lucky she didn't just assault you on the spot.]
"Bastard! I understand how she feels, but why am I not affected by her Destruction Element?"
[Host, have you forgotten your Adaptation ability?]
"So that's why… I can't believe it's that strong."
[Actually, that ability alone isn't enough to withstand the Destruction Element. But because your soul exists on a higher level, it works.]
"Oh… I see."
Armed with that information, my brain immediately began formulating an escape plan. Glaring at the girl in front of me, I snapped angrily:
"Sorry, I don't even know you!"
Hearing the irritation in my voice and realizing that she was bothering me, Aurora reluctantly let go of my hand, though I could tell she didn't want to.
I breathed a sigh of relief — though that insane affection level still echoed in my head. After releasing me, she looked at me again.
"Sorry… you looked like someone I know."
"It's fine. Whatever."
With that, I walked toward the dining area to get my food. When I sat down, a waitress came to take my order — and at the same time, Aurora came and sat directly across from me.
"Do you need something?"
"Hmm, could you tell me your name?"
I stared at her warily, as if she were suspicious.
"Why would someone as powerful as you need my name?"
Since she could immobilize me, it was obvious she was extremely powerful — so I asked her that directly.
"Oh my, forgive me. I lost my composure. My name is Naya. What's yours?"
"My name is Zeref. What do you want?"
For now, I planned to ignore her and remain cautious.
"It's nothing. I'm just… a little curious. Don't worry, I'm not your enemy… because no one could ever harm you."
I didn't catch that last part, but for some reason, my body shivered instinctively.
"Oh."
I just nodded slightly and focused on my food. When the meal arrived, I lowered my hood, removed my mask, and began eating.
Even then, I could feel her intense gaze locked onto me, making me extremely uncomfortable. I could only lower my head and focus on eating — a wise move, because then I didn't have to see the wide, blissful smile spreading across Aurora's face.
After I finished my meal and put my mask back on, I looked at Aurora, who was still sitting there.
"Do you actually want something from me?"
"Yes… could you tell me what you think of Goddess Aurora?"
"Huh?"
This was dangerous. If I said anything bad about her, I might die on the spot.
"Damn it… I'll just tell the truth."
"Naya, I don't know what you're getting at, but in my opinion, Goddess Aurora is both tragic and magnificent."
This time, Aurora looked genuinely surprised.
"Why? Isn't she supposed to bring destruction? Isn't she a woman without emotion? Dangerous? A witch no one cares about?"
The more Aurora spoke, the more intense the aura around her became. Her breathing grew heavier.
"Naya."
I called her name, and she looked at me. I could see her eyes trembling. For now, I decided to speak my mind.
"I don't know why you're asking me this, but let me tell you — I only believe what I see, not what I hear. I know that Goddess Aurora was once human, and that she cannot be touched."
"I don't know much about the other gods, but I do know that for someone who was once human, that must be painful — especially for her, representing the demon realm even after her ascension. That must be hard."
"And I believe that someone who helps others can't truly be evil. That's why, to me… she's extraordinary."
When I finished speaking, I could see a stunned expression on her face. She remained like that for about a minute before a bright smile spread across her lips.
"You really are the one destined for me."
"What do you—"
Before I could finish my sentence, the space around me trembled. In the next moment, I was standing on top of a hill, and Aurora was standing in front of me.
"What's happening? What are you doing?"
I glared at her with questioning eyes, but she only smiled. A moment later, light radiated from her, forcing me to shut my eyes.
When I opened them again, the teenage girl from before was gone. In her place stood a woman, seemingly in her twenties.
She had jet-black eyes and hair, an unbelievably beautiful face, and wore a black dress that clung tightly to her curvaceous figure.
"You…"
Seeing the woman before me, I froze in shock. After all, her statue stood in the churches where she was worshipped. Seeing my reaction, she smiled.
Then, she raised her hand. A vast amount of mana surged toward me, and a massive magic circle formed above my head.
"What's happening?"
Before I could say anything, Aurora spoke.
"In the name of Aurora Vernietiging, Goddess of Destruction, Curse, and Misfortune — I hereby acknowledge you as my equal. From this moment on, you are under my protection and guardianship. Your enemies shall be my enemies, and none shall live who dares harm you."
As soon as she finished, the magic circle shot toward me, and at the same time, a system notification echoed in my mind.
[Ding!]
[Host has been blessed with the Highest Blessing of the High Goddess Aurora Vernietiging.]
[From now on, no curse or calamity can affect the Host.]
[If the Host reveals this blessing, he will be recognized as the Holy Son of all mages.]
[Ding!]
[Host has acquired the Destruction Element.]
As soon as the messages ended, my body began to sway. Just as I was about to collapse, Aurora caught me. My mind grew hazy as consciousness slipped away.
Holding me in her arms, Aurora gazed at me with burning eyes. She didn't want anything else — she just wanted to take me away. But she knew that right now, Zeref was still just a child.
She would have to wait until he was grown.
Hugging me tightly, she sat down on the ground and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"Don't worry, my love… you'll eventually fall in love with me."
At that very moment, in churches and temples across the land where Goddess Aurora was worshipped, saints and high priests went mad with excitement as the news reached them.
They had just learned that they now had a Holy Son.
"Find our Holy Son — by any means necessary!!"
roared the High Saint of Goddess Aurora.