Ciara felt uneasy.
No, it wasn't because of the imposing stares all the Constellations gave her, nor was it due to the question she was just asked by Aquarius.
The reason for her discomfort was one thing and one thing alone!
'Jerry! He's being forced to kneel!'
However, the moment she had this thought, Ciara quickly corrected herself and looked at the rest of her friends who suffered the same.
Yes, this wasn't just about Jerry. Her allies mattered too, and right now, they were being held captive by these all-powerful Constellations.
'I wonder why I'm not being affected, though…' Ciara wondered to herself.
It wasn't like she was that much different from everyone else in the room, and there were even more powerful people in the hall.
"Answer my question, human. What did you just do?"
Upon hearing Aquarius' question, Ciara felt even more perplexed.
'I don't think I did anything, though.' However, even though that was what she thought, Ciara decided not to tell the truth.
Instead, she gave a smug look and crossed her arms in absolute confidence.
"I'm not going to tell you."
Her defiant gaze met with Aquarius' faceless face, and the both of them stared at each other for some time, before a voice finally broke the silence.
"She has a point, though. They are merely ignorant children. We should do well to enlighten them."
Ciara turned and spotted Virgo speaking.
Her pure white form served as an inspiration to Ciara, and for some reason, she instantly lost her cocky attitude.
"Hmm… I suppose you are right. Very well, then." Aquarius muttered, and the rest of the Constellations nodded, though a few of them simply shrugged.
"Listen carefully, all of you."
At this point, the pressure in the multicolored expanse vanished, and all the thirteen individuals who stood at the center of the surrounding Constellations looked at Aquarius.
"Your friend, Jared Leonard, has made a deal with us. It involves all thirteen of you, and your prospects in relation to defeating the scourge known as Legris Damien."
"Where is Jared?" Maria's voice suddenly echoed out, interrupting Aquarius with her tone of concern.
Instantly, Aquarius turned to her, and in what could only be interpreted as a glare, she spoke.
"Be quiet. I am still speaking."
That was all it took to silence the worried girl, and so Aquarius continued.
"All thirteen of you will undergo trials within this place, and we will spectate these trials. This is so we can see if you are worthy of our power, as Jared Leonard has told us you are."
Of course, the expressions of all the mortals in the room said it all.
What kind of deal did Jared make with the Constellations? Why would the Constellations want to give them their power?
… Would they be able to succeed in these trials?
"Should you pass your trials, you will be selected by a Constellation that fancies you. This keeps things fair for everyone, and leaves it all to your abilities."
Silence pervaded the hall as Aquarius concluded her words and stared at everyone present.
"Any questions?"
Maria swiftly raised her hand, but Aquarius instantly ignored it.
"Any other question?"
"I have a question. What about those who already possess Constellations? Is there a need to undergo those trials?"
The one who spoke was Kuzon, and he had a serious demeanor etched on his face. He gave a sideway glance at Leo, before returning his gaze to Aquarius.
"That is a very good question. For those who have already been favored by a Constellation, you may choose one of two options."
Kuzon and Edward stiffened their faces as they listened.
For these two, they had already undergone trials of unspeakable horrors and persistence in order to attract the attention of their respective Constellations.
It was ridiculous to think they would have to undergo another trial just like the rest of their comrades.
"You may choose to participate in the subsequent trials and gain the attention of another Constellation, or choose to train and develop your powers with the Constellations you are currently contracted with."
As soon as Aquarius finished her words, she looked at the ones with whom they were concerned.
"What will it be?" The moment she asked, Edward and Kuzon answered without missing a single beat.
"Develop my powers with the Constellation I'm currently contracted with."
"I'll develop my powers."
There was no reason to hesitate.
In the first place, it wasn't guaranteed that they would be able to get the attention of another Constellation. Besides, they both recognized that their current levels of mastery in their respective Constellation abilities were too lacking.
The better option was to sharpen the blade they already possessed, rather than seek out another dull blade that wasn't even guaranteed to be theirs.
"What about you… Maria Helmsworth?" Aquarius turned to the flustered young girl who still seemed slighted by how she had been treated thus far.
All she wanted to know was Jared's whereabouts, and all she got for it was the harsh response of Aquarius.
"What do you mean?" Maria asked, her brows furrowed in confusion. "I don't have a Constellation as a Familiar."
"Well, you do. You just never realize it." A voice appeared from behind her, drawing Maria's attention to the angelic-looking entity that stood majestically among the other Constellations.
"Hello, Maria. My name is Virgo, and I chose you as my Host."
The moment Maria heard this, her heart nearly stopped. Not only was Virgo beautiful beyond anything she could have ever imagined, but the news was too shocking for her to comprehend at the moment.
"Y-you're… not an Angel?"
"I am not. I often appear that way to those I choose as my Hosts, though. In essence, the Archangel that is your Familiar is a part of me, an extension of myself that I gave to you."
In essence, Maria had made an indirect contract with Virgo by contracting with a portion of herself.
When put that way, it all made sense.
However, something was still strange about this whole arrangement.
"Why? Why would you choose me?"
For a moment, there was silence. Neither Constellation nor human spoke, and they simply stared at each other for what could be calculated as an eternity encapsulated in a second.
However, Virgo finally broke the silence.
"Let's just say… I made a promise to someone. It started out that way, but I suppose I'm genuinely interested in you now."
"Haa…?" Maria did not completely get it, but she could at least understand what Virgo was saying.
"So what do you say? Want to develop yourself under me?"
Yet another period of silence enveloped the room. However, this one didn't last very long… because Maria opened her lips to speak.
"D-do you know where Jared is? I'll accept everything if you can tell me."
"Hahaha! You're an interesting child. Jared is fine. He has already begun something akin to his own trial."
Upon hearing this, Maria opened her lips and eyes in both relief and surprise.
"You don't want to get left behind, do you?" Virgo's additional words spurred something within her, and she instantly shook her head.
"Then what do you say?"
Maria's lips curled up to form a grin. Now that her heart was settled, and she knew Jared was doing his best to become even stronger, there was no longer any room for hesitation.
She had long made up her mind before the question was posed.
"I'll do it! I'll develop under you as well!"
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[A/N]
Thank you all for reading!
