Chapter 539 - Reaching for One's Own Star
"Alright, first, let's sort through the things you think are 'irreversible,' big bro."
"Sort through?"
"Whether they're true or not."
Mi-na began, I tilted my head, and Ri-na supplemented—the usual pattern. I nodded in understanding and adopted a listening posture. The red-haired girl, playing the part of the instructor, puffed out her chest proudly and began to speak.
With all due respect, the difference in gravitas between her and Ashe was night and day.
"First, the part that's almost certain: it's true that with [Starlight Magic Aptitude], you can only learn one spell per person. So far, there haven't been any reports of anyone learning a second one—okay, I know you have something to say, but zip it for a while."
Yes, the difference in gravitas between her and Ashe was night and day.
"Related to that, it's also true that the magic acquisition process when you activate the aptitude is treated like a 'gacha.' Depending on how you look at it, that's not wrong."
What she meant by activating the aptitude skill was likely what happened when I activated [Water Magic Aptitude] and immediately acquired the basic magic, [Aqua].
As for [Starlight Magic Aptitude]—or rather, the special attributes that exist outside the four basic elements of fire, water, wind, and earth—they apparently don't have a concept of 'basic magic.' The first spell you acquire isn't necessarily a beginner skill.
For example, Sora's [Light Magic Aptitude] also falls under special attributes. Thinking about it, the [Heal Light] she first acquired, while having a modest healing effect and being a bit tricky to use, was an extremely excellent and cost-effective instant-healing spell.
If someone told me that wasn't a beginner spell, I'd probably just nod and accept it.
And so, it seems that players refer to this initial skill-setting "ritual," where the acquired magic differs from person to person, as a 'gacha'... but,
"Well, naturally, everyone wants to pull something good, right? So they try to time their skill setting mysteriously, or they go to some special-looking place that seems related to the attribute to set it... or they believe in some occult theory that your stats and stuff at the moment of activation are important, so they let the skill rest for a while."
"Some people believe in it like a superstition, while others say it doesn't matter. There's also the theory that the appropriate magic is selected by the system the moment you acquire the aptitude, not when you activate it."
"...Personally, thinking about it calmly, I believe it's the latter, but I can also understand the urge to perform some strange ritual based on a superstition."
In any case, this was related to a rare skill he had gone to great lengths to obtain. It seemed there were many gamers who were particular about such occult-like good luck charms, so it was no surprise.
"So, yeah, that's right. The only answer we can give is what we ourselves did."
"I see. I'd love to hear it."
Despite her casual attitude in all things, she was, without a doubt, a top-tier mage who held the title of Arcadia's strongest artillery cannon, thanks to the "stars."
In other words, the path they walked was none other than the path that led to 'the strongest.' There could be no more reliable experience to draw from.
"That said, it's not like we were progressing through the game with any particular plan."
"Yeah, that's right. We got our aptitude on the second day of playing, and back then, there wasn't much information to gather..."
"And to begin with, we weren't serious enough to gather information for every little thing we did."
"Oh..."
If I recall correctly, these two rose to prominence as the 'Eastern Wings' during the second or third Four Pillar War. That would make them seniors to that blonde samurai, meaning they were certified veterans.
I didn't know when they actually became [Arcadia] users, but it was possible they had made their virtual world debut way back in the earliest days, three years ago.
"So, yeah, we just rolled the gacha right then and there without thinking. And considering the fact that we've become suuuuper successful as a result—"
"In the end, I think it comes down to personal effort and aptitude. And luck."
"In that sense, it's pretty on the mark, isn't it? So, I guess the conclusion is—'it's irreversible, but there's no point in worrying about it,' maybe?"
"Yeah... I guess you're right."
Honestly, it was something I knew even without being told. As long as there was no answer from 'God' about the system's specifications, it was impossible for players to intentionally influence the outcome, no matter what they did.
More accurately, it was impossible to observe the results of one's efforts—all you could do was wait for fate's decree. But the fact that they'd explained it to me with such convincing words was huge.
It would probably save me from a future where I nervously attempt the 'gacha' with vague anxieties, only to be tormented by unnecessary regrets.
Well then, if that's the case...
"Oh, you're gonna do it right away?"
"Now you're being bold."
Immediately after hearing their conclusion, I unceremoniously opened my system window, drawing two kinds of gazes: amused red eyes and quiet blue eyes blinking in surprise.
"No point in worrying, right? Then it's more productive to just quickly see what my 'Starlight Magic' is and move on to the lecture."
If there was no point in hesitating, wasting time was nonsense. On top of that, I had a lot to prepare in a hurry before the upcoming weekend—so, with that...!
Here I go, [Starlight Magic Aptitude]. I pray for a super-useful grand magic to manifest, so here's a three, two, one—ah, wait, stop.
"Eh? Why did you suddenly turn into a girl?"
"Even if there's no point in worrying, I should still cling to any simple superstitions I can...!"
Ignoring the countdown, I suddenly activated [Trance], eliciting a confused response from the red one. But beneath my poker face, I was actually desperate.
I mean, come on, magic skill acquisition is related to your MID stat, right? Even if I'm just waiting for fate, there's no reason not to do everything in my power!
"You come too, Sapphire! It's a 'star' connection! Your master is about to roll the gacha of a lifetime, so watch over me! If possible, a blessing or two would be greatly appreciated!"
"Huh...?—Whaaaat?! A DRAGON?! Hey, big... big sis, forget the Starlight Magic, what's with that dragon?!"
Suddenly, the red one started making a racket, while the blue one stared, wide-eyed and stunned, at the giant dragon that had materialized from my shadow. I'd deal with their reactions later. For now—
"Come to me, grand magic!!!"
It was time to welcome my new power.
◇ [Starlight Magic Aptitude] has been activated ◇
◇ Skill Acquired ◇ ・《—————…
"—Congrats, big bro. You hit the jackpot."
"...And you look at this disaster and call it a jackpot, my senior?"
Five minutes later, after finishing the test run.
While receiving a grinning congratulation from Mi-na, who was crouching beside me, I lay like a worn-out rag against the training facility wall and offered a weak protest in a hoarse voice.
Listening to the crackling sound of residual blue magic in the air, I stared blankly at the high, white ceiling—
"Why is it that every weapon and skill that comes my way is so..."
As I let out a sigh of resignation, at the edge of my vision, Ri-na and Sapphire were happily playing together, as if none of that mattered. A pair of blues getting along.
...It was peaceful, and that was just fine.