Mylora’s head buzzed faintly.
She felt like she’d plunged into a thick fog.
Something was speaking to her.
And she was speaking back.
Not in any human tongue, not in any known language—not even producing physical sound.
What was this sensation?
Could this be what Torina called… “Resonance”?
A name surfaced in her mind.
“Gravity Rune.”
Not “Stellar,” but *Gravity*.
In this world, gravity was seen only as “the force that pulls things to the ground”—a crude notion, far from Earth’s advanced physics. (Truth be told, even on Earth, debates lingered; many wrongly equated gravity with universal gravitation.)
But resonating with a rune wasn’t about textbook definitions.
What mattered was spiritual sensation, not intellectual parsing.
For Mylora, bonding with this dangerous Gravity Rune—one Torina never mentioned—was likely her only escape.
*Feel it.*
The pull. The pressure. The constraint. The support. Action and reaction. Sense its imprint on the visible world.
But that was merely physical. What of the spiritual?
—“I want to be *your* sole school idol… so you must belong only to me.”
—“What must I do for you to return? I’ll do *anything* within my power!”
—“I hate that Shimamura smiles where I can’t see… and that you hold hands with others!”
—“I give you my love for Ushiromiya Battler—become the woman he dreams of.”
—“Love burns hotter than hope, sinks deeper than despair.”
She heard them again.
The girls’ voices.
Their childish worries, desperate cries, soul-bared confessions—how *heavy* was that emotion?
This, too, was a form of gravity.
Perhaps closer to gravity’s true essence than any physics equation.
Would she ever carry such weight?
And if so… for whom?
Torina’s face flashed in her mind.
Her clear, gentle voice whispering:
“Forever—”
In that instant, Mylora’s consciousness flooded with blinding clarity.
---
---
As Annawiel exited the labyrinth, the Stellar Rune in her palm shimmered with brilliant silver light, fusing deeper into her left hand under the system’s guidance.
“How’d it go?!” Lei grabbed her, eyes wide.
“Not bad… Honestly? This thing’s *powerful*.”
“YES! Haha! The bracelet’s guidance is real! You’ll dominate the Battle Festival!”
“Mm…”
The Alpharis family was already popping champagne.
Other challengers trickled out. Molly checked the clock and broadcasted:
“Final warning: the labyrinth’s second session ends now. All remaining contestants—exit immediately!”
More left—some grinning, some grim-faced. But no Mylora.
Torina’s gaze strained toward the entrance.
“Patti! Did you see Mylora inside?”
“Nope! She’s not out yet?”
“No!”
Torina’s stomach tightened. Failing to find the Stellar Rune was bad enough—but now? Overtime meant disqualification from the *third* exploration!
*What if something happened?*
Contestants could shout to withdraw… but what if she faced a hidden threat? Silenced before she could cry out—
“Last call! Exit now or forfeit your third chance!” Molly’s voice cut sharp. Seconds ticked. No Mylora.
“Sis—*please*! Something’s wrong! Let me go look—” Torina rushed over, laying on the cutesy act (cringey, she knew), but Molly stood firm.
“Rules are rules. Time’s up. Disqualified.”
“HEY!!!!” Torina’s shout cracked with panic. No time to argue—if Mylora was hurt—
“I’m going in!”
“Rescue team’s handling it.”
“But I—”
Just then, Mylora stumbled out. Torina froze.
Mylora looked wrecked.
Dusty, bruised, dark shadows under hollow eyes—as if drained by a battle of body and soul.
“Mylora!!”
“Ah… Torina?”
“How are you *this* battered? Infirmary—*now*!”
“Mm…”
...
...
...
A dazed Mylora passed medical checks. Injuries were superficial; healers promised quick recovery. After medicine, she collapsed into deep sleep—dead to the world.
Torina steeled herself.
*It’s okay.*
*It’s okay.*
Mylora had failed. No Stellar Rune resonance. Battle Festival hopes? Gone. But… she was *alive*. That was enough.
Later, Annawiel arrived, expression tight.
“Asleep?”
“Mm. Drained—physically and mentally. Doubt she found the rune.”
“Uh… yeah. Tough luck.”
Annawiel’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. The system cackled inwardly.
[Ha! With *my* guidance, she wouldn’t have flopped like this!]
(Why so bitter? Did you know her?)
[No. None of your business. Also—your mom says stop loitering. She’s eager to see the Stellar Rune in action. Follow my lead.]
...
...
...
Outside Valhalla City—
“Ready…”
The silvery rune danced between Annawiel’s fingers. Starlight swirled in her palm, condensing terrifying power.
“Blazing Star Arrow!”
A colossal starlight arrow shot forth, splitting the earth with a jagged fissure—minimal charge, maximum impact.
“Star-Creating Rain!”
A celestial array bloomed overhead. Light-rain hammered the zone in a blinding barrage, forcing onlookers to shield their eyes.
“Phew… Still getting used to it. That’s all for now.”
“PERFECT! Absolutely brilliant! Truly the Alpharis heir!” Lei roared with laughter, victory already in grasp.
Oroei, the elf, watched silently.
(So *this* is the “Stellar Rune” His Majesty mentioned… If nurtured, its power will be immense…)
