'User Ray's emotional health dropped by 20 points'
Think. How exactly can I prevent something that is guarnteed to happen?
"So you know, I just playfully crossed the railing. It's not like I would have actually jumped."
Enna said that.
She thinks that she isn't lying.
I know she didn't utter a single lie.
I know she didn't...
But neither did Lianne.
If Lianne were lying, then I would never have caught on to the situation.
The analysis report isn't incorrect. Which means, there was a chance she would have jumped. Nevertheless, her death remains more or less confirmed.
Destiny probably wanted to ensure her death and I was just one of the many means to achieve that.
I was being led on like a puppet.
Enna gave me a playful smile and said, "I just... wanted to act a bit brave and crossed the railing. Hehe, did I scare you?"
Enna was lying to herself. Her situation wasn't as simple as she was claiming it to be.
After I resolve this, I'll have to look into her 'teasing friends'.
'Lianne. Open the divine message that I received.'
[ Divine Message from ???]
The ??? suddenly distorted and changed.
[Divine message from The Goddess of Beauty
Greetings, young contender. I have been observing you and am quite pleased with your actions. If you wish to challenge Destiny in this Round of Game, I can sponsor you.
Here are my terms:
•Goddess of Beauty will sponsor the player/contender named 'Ray' in the First Task of Trial of Destiny.
•Goddess of Beauty will provide further sponsorship depending on success in First Task.
•Sponsorship will immediately stop if any further Task after First Task is failed.
•Sponsorship includes 100 refined points everyday but is not limited to it.
•Sponsorship will give temporary divine power to contender 'Ray' to challenge the authority imposed by the God of Destiny in the First Task of Trial of Destiny.
•Contender 'Ray' in exchange for all the above benefits accepts to enter The Trial of Beauty which will be conducted in the same time period as Trial of Destiny.
•Contender 'Ray' being a Favoured Contestant in Trial of Beauty, accepts to participate in an integrated Trial consisting of Trial of Beauty and Trial of Destiny.
•Contender 'Ray' solemnly swears that he will adhere to the above conditions and try to clear Trial of Beauty to the best of his capabilities without any deceit/treachery.
I, player 'Ray', have read the terms and conditions and agree to have The Goddess of Beauty as my sponsor : (insert soul frame signature) ]
"I know I must have worried you, Ray. Thank you for caring about a stranger... Someone you just met today, someone about whom you don't know anything at all. Thank you."
Enna continued to speak while I read the agreement.
'Enna Kimura's Mental sanity increased by 1 point. Emotional health increased by 2 points.''
'User Ray's mental sanity dropped by 5 points. Emotional health dropped by 10 points'
"Also I am sorry, I said smoking made you look like a bad person, but in truth... I thought you looked cool... it's still bad for your health though so you should stop..."
"Enna, you can jump if you want."
Enna opened her eyes in surprise.
I continued, "BUT as long as I'm breathing..."
The agreement is basically a slave contract.
If I accept it, I'll be venturing into unknown waters. I don't have the time and luxury to argue or negotiate the terms.
All of this was carefully planned out by someone.
'About a minute left before Enna dies.Hurry Ray', Lianne reminded me with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Are the Gods playing with me? Most definitely.
Do I have a choice? Don't people always have a choice?
'Ray, I'm detecting large electromagnetic waves at the ground level.'
I have no choice.
"AS LONG AS I'M BREATHING!" I screamed.
Like a puppet with its strings attached.
"No matter how bad it gets, Enna. Even if everywhere, everything, everyone shuts their doors in front of you..."
'Lianne! I accept the Goddess' terms. Send that agreement to her as fast as possible.'
"If you ever need help, extend your hand to me!"
KABOOOOOOOOM BOOOOM BOOOOOOM
[Enna's POV]
Huge bombs blasted somewhere below.
The building shook violently.
The winds were deathly cold and they stabbed Enna's eyes. She lost her footing and slipped. She immediately tried to grab the railing but her hands clasped nothing but thin air.
Enna closed her eyes, and let go...
'Is this how I die...?'
She thought as time slowed down for her.
'Just when I found someone I...'
She was free falling in mid air.
Life flashed before her eyes. From the happy times she spent as a child to the time she discovered her talent for elementalism and magic. The time she went to the amusement park for the first time with her father, the time she learnt that she was accepted in the prestigious Ishiyama high. The time she first talked to her best friend, Ichika. The time when she wanted to become a professional elementalist and her mother had supported her dream. The time she had her favourite ramen during her school trip.
All the good times flashed by and not a single bad memory surfaced.
At the end of this stream of memories, she saw a face.
It was a guy. Blonde hair falling smoothly on sharp, blue eyes. A tall figure with an impeccable face, the best she has ever seen. Deep voice and a total bad boy with a cute and gentle side. Even his clothes seemed luxurious...
'Wait', she suddenly thought to herself. Why was she still alive?
She opened her eyes slowly.
Her right hand was being held firmly by a much larger and stronger hand.
Looking up, she saw the guy of her fantasy.
It was Ray. His eyes were like deep oceans directly pouring into her.
And with his characteristic deep voice, he said, "I will be there for you.
Against Destiny."