866 Realization and Acknowledgment
The eighth, the day when Erina would fill a grand concert event as one of the main characters on stage, finally arrived.
She trained her vocals and music performance in the last two days with Elysia and several other girls. They rarely left the penthouse because everyone wanted to spend their leisure time.
The Guardian of Dream’s members also held secret meetings to discuss important matters. Still, the majority were related to the grand meeting tomorrow morning.
“Ely, good morning.” Ai rubbed her eyes as she just came out of Elysia’s shadow.
“Hi, Ai. Good morning. Would you like some tea?” Elysia offered a cup of tea.
“Oh, okay. I feel a little thirsty.” Ai nodded in agreement and sat down on an empty chair. Elysia was then offered a cup of hot tea for her.
“…” Erina just watched that with a gentle smile. She was no longer surprised to see the peculiarities or extraordinary abilities of each member of the Guardian of Dream.
From the start, she had never thought of them as mere humans but as angels in various forms. Elysia’s friends showed their specialties in front of her without hesitation, and she was pretty used to it.
There was a girl who could turn into a cat, the seven-tailed fox girl, a soul fox, a divine owl, a little fairy, an elf, a devilish dragon, and even Goddesses.
Even the big muscular man in scale armor turned out to be a cute little earth dragon that looked a bit like a tortoise.
Someone who could come from a shadow, a particle of light, a flash of darkness, or even emerge from thin air no longer surprised Erina.
Despite all of that, she felt like she had been recognized by everyone. Yet, like Fortuna, the divine owl, Elysia’s group hadn’t invited her to join her.
“I will fight and wait for that day to come…” Erina spoke in a mosquito-like voice.
“Did you say something, Erina?” Elysia was conversing with Ai, but she felt Erina saying something.
“Hmm-mm, no. This evening is a big concert at the Tokyo Grand Theater. Will everyone be there to watch me perform on stage?” Erina smiled and clasped her hands.
“That’s for sure. We already have our VIP spot. Have you prepared well for today, Erina? Lots of fans are waiting for your new album.” Elysia replied with a wink and an ok hand gesture.
“Hehe, of course. But, it still surprises me. I finished my new album in just two days. It’s all thanks to you and everyone’s inspiration. You all helped me a lot in perfecting it.” Erina looked at the girls in the living room, then at Elysia.
“I’m not very good at singing and music. Aria and Helen helped you a lot. Tifa gave you many inspiration too. You need to thank them specifically later.” Elysia shook her head slightly and opened her palm. Unfortunately, the ones she mentioned were still in the next room for an emergency morning meeting with Elena.
“En, I will do it. This evening, I will release my new album as my farewell to the entertainment industry.” Erina nodded in understanding and grasped her hand.
“You need to get back into the military? The golden diva suddenly stepped back from the stage… it might cause some riots if not done properly. Have you thought about it again, Erina?” Elysia tilted her head slightly. She could understand Erina’s situation.
“Not because of that, Ellie. My family doesn’t stop me from playing the golden diva, but it’s for a personal reason. I want to reach the higher heights so I can reach you.” Erina stretched out her hand and made a grasping motion.
That was right. Despite all the shocking things that happened in the past two days, she had no idea how strong everyone else was, including Elysia. Her friend was the kindest and most friendly among the others, but she felt Elysia was the most mysterious one.
“Is that a confession? That would be very difficult, though?” Ai put down the cup. She said that with a flat expression.
“I will fight for it. I will reach rank eight before twenty five.” Erina clenched her fists.
“Ascend three ranks in five years? Good luck with that. Oh, I almost forgot. It might be possible since Ely has invested in you. However, don’t disappoint her trust. She deems you useful and worthy, but I won’t forgive you if you took advantage of Ely’s kindness.” Ai looked into Erina’s eyes with a sharp and somewhat intimidating look.
“I see.” Erina nodded meekly.
“My dear big sister, Ai. Please don’t scare my friend. What if Erina get scared and run away?” Elysia rubbed Ai’s arm.
“Then that’s great. It will make you realize that your friendship is so shallow. It will take great effort to stay with us. Thank you for the tea.” Ai patted Elysia’s hand and left to gather with the girls in the living room.
“…” Elysia stared at Ai’s back in silence.
“Apparently, some people feel I’m not worthy enough to join… Is it correct in my guess that you’ve passed rank nine?” Erina clasped her hands and lowered her head slightly.
“Not really. I’m still rank four.” Elysia couldn’t help but smile. Ai intimidated Erina just now for an unknown reason.
At that moment, the Goddesses came out of the bedroom because their emergency meeting had just ended.
“Phew, finally the morning meeting is over. They’ll be in trouble tomorrow morning.” Fortuna raised her hands up and did a little stretching. She overheard Erina’s words and rushed over.
“Don’t be fooled by Ely’s innocent face, Erina. She does look like a rank four, but no one can measure her depth. It’s either you back off from the start or fight to the end. So, pick your poison wisely.” Fortuna went to put her hand on Erina’s shoulder from behind.
“Eh?” Erina was a bit surprised. This beautiful golden-haired lady was a divine owl, and literally the divine lady. Something this lady had just said was significant.
“I’m honest, though?” Elysia wore an innocent expression.
“Listen, Elysia’s family might look like hate you, but that’s to test you because of Ely. I’ll be a little honest with you, I’m already rank ten, an entity beyond mortal. Yet, I still can’t join their group as member even though I asked them. They need to test us, first. Got it?” Fortuna whispered near Erina’s ear as if she was influencing this girl to her side.
“O-oh~” Erina widened her eyes in realization. Her conjecture proved correct, yet she could hardly believe this impromptu information.
“Fortuna, is that how a divine owl plays her card?” Lifa came closer and stood behind Elysia.
“Fufu, I’ll go through all your tests later. Just watch, I can see my good fate, Lady Tifa.” Fortuna grinned, covered her mouth, and turned around.
“Hmm… Don’t overthing about it too much, sweetie. Fortuna is quite cunning and manipulative. You need to be a little careful with her.” Lifa went to sit beside Elysia. She was satisfied with her second name after asking Elysia yesterday.
“That’s such a mean assessment. I’m a good, benovalent one. I will also be in charge of looking after Erina for you later, so I will bring her to my side as my attendant. Worry not, I will help and guide you to rank eight so you can try your luck like Xentia. Also, you can’t refuse this arrangement.” Fortuna sat beside Erina.
“???” Erina didn’t understand, but she seemed to receive help and support from Fortuna. Therefore, she bowed slightly in appreciation. “Then I will be in your care.”
“Good, as expected of one of the blessed children. All right, put this on, and everything is set.” Fortuna attached a gold feather hairpin to Erina’s hair.
“Eh?” Erina touched her hairpin.’This will make it easier for me to communicate and protect you remotely. Let this stay around you because I will always be watching over you. You’re so important, and I’ll be in charge of this while Ely and everyone else goes far away.’ Fortuna divulged some sensitive information without hesitation.
‘Ellie is going somewhere far away? Where to? She’ll be back, won’t she?’ Erin was surprised.
‘Yeah, they need to come back to save another world. It’s a difficult task, and that’s why Ely and her friends can’t stay long.’ Fortuna shrugged her shoulders.
“Saving the world? Is your world in danger, Ellie?” Erina muttered under her breath and looked into Elysia’s purplish blue eyes. She knew that Elysia and everyone were too perfect to exist in this world. Yet, who would have thought that they actually came from another world despite all her guesses?
“Yeah, we’ll go there in a few days.” Lifa nodded in reply.
“Ellie, why didn’t you ever tell me? I barely even know about you now. The more I know, the more distant and mysterious you are.” Erina lowered her head slightly. She grasped her hand with some irritation but aimed at herself.
“Erina, please don’t be sad. It just isn’t the time yet.” Elysia held Erina’s hand.
The answer was simple and light, but it was clear and meaningful in Erina’s mind. She had mysteriously regained her composure.
“We’ll be back here someday. This isn’t a farewell. We’re still connected, right?” Elysia heaved a subtle sigh. She thought they would tell Erina about this tomorrow, but it seems something happened because of Fortuna.
“I understand, Ellie. I’m just annoyed with myself. I don’t deserve to know more yet, but I’ll get to that point when you get back. I’ll be looking forward to that time. You too. Everyone, I wish you success and good news. Saving the world… That’s a big and tough task. But, please be safe.” Erina straightened her back and expressed her intentions confidently.
A few moments later, Elysia invited Erina to be rehearsed once again, and the girls joined in.