The Wandering Fairy [LitRPG World-Hopping]

"I don't know what assumptions you're making, but you're probably wrong." Soren corrected with an even deeper sigh. "I haven't yet traveled to other worlds—just another dimension where I can reach those worlds."

"So basically another world but with extra steps." Cassia rolled her eyes.

"....."

Not knowing what to say, Soren shook his head.

"Still… A Forgotten Rune… I can't believe you were hiding a secret that big." Myrin flicked his hair back, trying to comb it in the way he remembers how to. "Though, I wouldn't really fault you for it."

Soren floated in silence, surrounded by the endless reflections of himself and who he became. Although he wanted to hide it, it became clear that those in the Mysterious World would eventually find out anyway—The Blossom Sword Flower was one such example. With just Her abilities alone, She was able to piece together the truth that only a few had witnessed so far.

In fact, he realized that She had spoken about it in front of the others as a warning. She wanted him to realize the reality of his situation.

But more than that, Soren realized that it would not be to his advantage to hide it to begin with. The Whispering Dream was already aware of his secret and was likely going to target him for it. If the Blossom Sword Flower was able to make this assumption on Her own, what's stopping others from coming to similar conclusions?

His allies needed to know at least the basics of what their enemies were hoping to achieve.

As long as they don't know what exactly I possess, a bit of information won't hurt in the long run… He considered even making them his anchors, but that would be something he would have to think about more deeply.

With these thoughts playing in his mind, he decided to forward a question that no one so far was willing to answer:

"What exactly are Forgotten Runes to begin with? Why are they so different from regular Abstract Runes?"

His other two companions all looked at the distant rose in anticipation.

[I cannot tell you that.]

Figures… Soren wanted to roll his eyes, but he decided against it.

[But I can say at least this. Your presence in this world is no secret. All Six Orthodox Deities are aware of your existence and that which you possess. Though, you may rest assured—none have any desire to act just yet.]

Just yet… Soren honed in on the true meaning behind Her words. The Gods were all waiting for something to occur before they could act…

Is it Mount Tolarion? He wondered, but doubted the spirit would answer his questions any further. Even the discussion around his true identity wasn't fully addressed. If his Soul Weapon had been formed through the manipulation of [The Faerie Court], could his race not being listed as human anymore on the status page also be a result of that interference?

But if he wasn't human, what exactly was he? A fairy? A few have called him by that moniker, yes, but if it were truly a reflection of his species, would the flame not have said that already?

Perhaps there's another element to it that I don't fully understand yet…

As these thoughts spun freely in his mind, the echoing yet soothing voice of the spirit echoed around them:

[Alright. I believe I have answered most of your questions—let us return to the main topic at hand.

[What choices will the two of you be making?]

Soren glanced back at the strange game-like window once more, this time with a bit more determination. Myrin also did the same. Though in the end, neither of them could fully come up with a choice. Cassia also tried to weigh in, but she too wasn't fully certain of what the best option would be.

"Your Excellence…" Myrin glanced up at the reflective rose. "I apologize for being improper, but I am unsure of what to choose…"

There was a long pause before She answered.

[Long ago—during the Age of Heresy, Vagrant Phantasms were called by a different name: Pathfinders. The word 'Phantasm' was a bygone of the First Age and was deeply associated with the ruling class in the Avalon Empire. It only made a comeback once the Flower Maiden ascended to her rightful throne.

[While everyone clung to the hope that the Old Gods may return, there were those who decided to walk their own path—to worship only themselves. That is who Vagrant Phantasms are in the end. It didn't matter whether their choices were right or wrong. If the path they had forged was one of doom and despair, then they would accept that as the outcome. They wielded Divination techniques like a compass, leading them down a dark and gruesome road.]

Myrin's mouth opened slightly, as if wanting to say something but deciding not to in the end. Soren, however, had no qualm replying:

"Are you saying that we shouldn't allow others to choose for us?"

[Indeed. For the path you are forging is yours alone. As for you, The Exiled Prince,] Her voice echoed in Myrin's ear. [Your faith in the Maiden is most commendable, child. But, you must learn to have faith in yourself too.]

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He closed his eyes, unable to respond. It was clear to Soren that Myrin knew what Her advice truly meant—he was just unsure of how to proceed forward. His trial during the Mirror Game displayed his inner insecurities very clearly… No matter how calm and joyful he may seem on the surface, his status as an Unblessed Elf still weighed on him heavily.

Soren had realized just how dependent Myrin was on his faith long ago. Even after joining Star Fate Guild, the Soothing Bard had simply replaced his idol with a new one—Mistress Sienna.

It was for this reason he was hesitant to bring Myrin with him on his journey at first. Soren was unsure whether his companion would become a liability or not.

Though, that turned out to be an empty worry in the end. Despite his failings in the Mirror Game, Myrin had already proven himself to be capable time and time again. His actions in Camp Sebastian saved countless lives, and then there was the escape from the Safe Zone… Without his healing magecraft, he would have already died from his injuries many times. Their abilities also meshed really well together, despite them both being magi.

But most important of all, he trusted him with his back. This was a statement he wouldn't even conceive of saying in the past. But now, even after realizing that the Blossom Sword Flower had leaked his secret on purpose, he was certain that Myrin wouldn't betray him.

As silly as it was, it did make him feel slightly more comfortable… Soren struggled to even remember the last time he felt similarly about someone else.

[At the very least, I will provide more information on each rune.] Her voice beamed from high above, as if the reflections surrounding them were all speaking at the same time.

[I will begin with yours, Myrin.

[Cantor's Crown. Its governing concepts are resonant multiplicity, harmonic convergence, and worldsong embodiment. It has a Topology Index of 1, 2 and can grant you the ability to summon spirits in sync with this world. I only possess 1 Insight rune fragment for this rune.

[Chef's Delight. Its governing concepts are sacred flavor and unending sustenance. It has a Topology Index of 1 and can grant you the ability to cook miraculous foods that grant mysterious effects. I only possess 3 Insight fragments for this rune.

[Waltz of the Unseen. Its governing concepts are dirge of spirituality and vengeful ghost dance. It has a Topology Index of 1 and can grant you the ability to dance in the same rhythm as the dead. The wishes of these spirits grant you power. I only possess 2 Insight fragments for this rune.

[Wordweaver. Its governing concepts are dreamborne metaphor, enchantment of verses and loom of language. It has a Topology Index of 1, 2 and 3. Possessing this rune makes you a master of all languages, embedding mystical meaning even without the need of Scripted Runic. I only possess 1 Insight fragment for this rune. Also, it's currently possessed by the Demon of Whispers, who is imprisoned in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds, so growing its influence will be a lot easier.]

As She continued, Soren couldn't help but be baffled. Is that how they plan to weaken the Daemons? By allowing others to possess their runes so that their fragments are slowly stolen with time…

[Whisperveil. Its governing concepts are veil of intimacy, cognition chorus, and silent trespass. It has a Topology Index of 1, 2 and allows you to read the minds of others in silence. You can even combine the inner voices of others into its own song. I possess an Expression fragment of this rune.]

Expression? That meant that She had 5 Insight fragments worth of this rune…

She continued, [Finally, Sword Summoner. This rune… It was something Princess Myrella's mother, Queen Flanore, once held. Its governing concepts are anima-forged steel and sword legion commander. Contrary to what I said before—this rune used to be a part of my Spirit Body. However, I gifted a portion of it to the Queen when she ascended the Verdant Throne. After her tragic death, I discarded the remaining fragments I held of this rune from my Spirit Body and have held onto them since.

[It has a Topology Index and 1, 2 and 3 and can allow you to create your own Sword Spirits that will follow your every command.]

"Sword Spirits…" Myrin glanced up at the distant rose, his thoughts in disarray. "Are they the same spirits that are summoned when invoking the Fairy Spirit Sword Net magecraft spell?"

[Indeed, child,] She confirmed. [That spell you used in the Mirror Game was something Myrella learned from her mother. It's a spell that summons the Sword Spirits that once followed Queen Flanore's every command.]

"I see…"

[Now then, what will you choose?]

Myrin closed his eyes and began to contemplate. Cassia who was standing beside him in silence this entire time finally spoke again:

"How about running a divination to find out? Just like She said, Vagrants are meant to forge their own paths and they used divination as their guiding principle."

Soren smiled warmly then nodded in agreement. "I'll do it for you."

They both turned to look at him, their expressions showed both confusion and amusement.

"I have a way of utilizing my Soul Weapon as a Divination Medium," he explained. "The book will display the results of the divination for me if I ask it a question."

"It can do that?!" Cassia leaned in, as if eager to shake the answers out of his body.

Soren chuckled. "Yes. My Soul Weapon can do a lot of things. Jealous?"

"Tsk." She rolled her eyes then looked away.

Though he made it sound simple, the true idea behind it was slightly more convoluted. Essentially, he would ask the question to The Records in his mind, and since his Soul Weapon had a direct connection to the conduit (The Records of Enigma), he could allow the Figment of his Imagination to do the divination for him and present the results on the enchanted pages of the book.

If he had to describe it in 21st Century terms, this was his own archaic version of a search engine. Except, rather than surfing the web, it's bringing results from reading and interpreting the Beyond…

I wonder how that damned flame feels about all of this. Though, if it had anyone to blame, it would be Tazzith. He only got the idea through Him using the Fairy Ring to communicate in his head. This concept uses the same method, since his body in Yarian was essentially an avatar connected to that enigmatic space.

Closing his eyes, Soren uttered the divination question:

"From the six runes presented to Myrin Zinrie, which would be the best option for his next Tier as a Phantasm?"

It took a while, but eventually, the page shifted on its own to display the results, much to the astonishment of both of his companions:

Divination Result:

Sword Summoner

Chef's Delight

Whisperveil

Myrin read the page and closed his eyes, as if to contemplate.

I guess Sword Summoner was the obvious choice from the start. Soren thought. Not only does it boost his overall offensive capabilities, but it was also something he was familiar with… He did essentially become Princess Myrella for a while too.

Eventually, the Elven Songster took a deep breath then glanced up at the distant rose. His lips curling into a smile as the decision formed in his mind:

"I have decided. I will pick Chef's Delight."