Simon didn't return to the inn until the sky was covered by a curtain of stars.
"Huh? Why are there only the three of you? Where are the others?"
Upon entering, Simon saw only Alka and the other two, seemingly chatting away. He glanced around but saw no sign of anyone else.
"It's free time now, so of course we should do what we like. After all, the Twin Islands are quite large," Alka said casually.
Although they were all companions, they generally didn't bundle together except at sea or for dangerous operations.
Simon nodded without further comment. He sat down at the table, a large pile of information in his hands, which he placed on the table.
Sofia and Lucilia picked up the information and briefly examined it.
"Star Calling Ritual?" Sofia asked, perplexed, as he surveyed the information in his hands.
The information contained information about the stars and the sky. Most of them were spells, their origins and branches, and some large-scale rituals.
Stars were more closely related to divination, and nearly all divination theories were inseparable from this characteristic of the stars.
"Falling Star Gem," Simon said, and a fist-sized bluish-black gem appeared in his hand, its shape irregular.
In the dimly lit room, the shimmering starlight within the gem could be clearly seen, emitting a pale yellow hue.
It resembled the twinkling stars in the sky.
Simon then pulled out some meteorite iron and various materials from the fallen meteor from his pocket ring.
"These are all the star-related materials we've been able to collect. Do you think they're enough?"
Alka looked at the pile of materials and nodded directly.
"Absolutely enough."
Sofia looked at the information in his hand, then turned to Alka beside him and asked, "What kind of equipment carrier do you plan to construct to carry this divine essence?"
This question actually stumped Alka. It's not that he hadn't thought about it. He just couldn't figure out what kind of carrier would best accomplish it.
He had previously decided to review the information first and then choose based on the materials.
But there was no need to worry too much about the materials now; basically, any equipment that wasn't too exaggerated would suffice.
Then he would have to think carefully.
"How about this?"
Lucille said, placing the information in front of everyone.
Simon knew what he meant at a glance, and Alka and the others examined it carefully.
The information described a very ancient method of divination, but ancient didn't mean primitive, because this world was ancient and had an extremely exaggerated civilization of gods.
It was countless times more prosperous than the civilizations that have lingered on in this shattered world.
And this divination method was passed down from that era.
Depicted on it were individual cards.
Each card represented a different image and pattern, but it was clear that they all seemed to be related to famous heroes and gods of the time.
Because they saw a very obvious image of Poseidon.
"Classic astrology decks require the use of mystical materials and rituals related to the stars, moon, and sun, and they are also cards," Lucilia said.
Even Simon and Sofia beside them nodded in agreement.
Thinking about it, it was indeed a perfect fit for Alka.
A truly perfect proposal, and Alka happened to be very experienced in card making.
After speaking, he looked up at Alka.
However, instead of a look of satisfaction or excitement, they saw Alcala frowning and shaking his head.
"No, we can't use this theme."
"Why?" Simon asked, somewhat puzzled.
In his opinion, this truly suited Alcala.
Alcala's core identity was a magician. Even on the ship, Alcala would practice magic tricks or play card slinging.
Of course, these were mostly for fun and rarely effective in combat.
At this stage, most of Alcala's combat methods no longer required cards.
They simply used thin mirrors to maintain their effectiveness. Even if the mirrors were replaced with blades or other shapes, it wouldn't affect their effectiveness.
Facing the three puzzled looks, Alka shook his head and sighed, "I don't know. I don't know how to describe this feeling. Anyway, making it into a card isn't a good idea. Or rather, don't worry too much about my user experience."
This was Alka's premonition, and the source of it was crystal clear. It came from the last words the Flower Fairy had left him in her message.
It was these words that had given him this premonition.
He was very satisfied with the business proposal Lucilia had proposed, and he would also like to do it if possible.
After hearing Alka's words, the three frowned and thought for a moment, then stopped talking.
Every premonition is important.
"What kind of design do you plan to give it?"
Alka thought for a moment and offered his own idea: "Preferably something simple, accessible, and practical."
The three nodded in agreement. Equipment that was accessible to the general public and not outlandish.
"Ring?"
"Bracelet?"
"Necklace?"
Everyone chatted.
The main materials needed were the gemstones from the meteorite, and the sight of these gemstones naturally brought to mind all sorts of jewelry.
It would perfectly complement these materials.
"A ring, simple and practical," Alka thought for a moment and said bluntly.
Jewelry combinations are truly versatile.
Since Alka had already made her decision, Simon nodded and asked, "So, what abilities can this divine essence potentially provide?"
Knowing the approximate abilities would allow for easier configuration of the equipment to maximize their potential.
Alka sifted through the information in his mind, recalling what he had seen before, and replied, "The characteristics of stars are still related to divination. One can see through each person's destiny star to see their true nature.
It can also see through disguises. Under the night sky, all disguises disappear. The more stars in the sky, the greater the power.
It can fly like stars, and its flight path is like that of stars. It can also summon stars to attack..."
Alka was talking about the use of divine essence, the ability once used by Hochalmera.
But what Alka said seemed more like a technique for using the treasure's own power, rather than a more fundamental existence.
Alka, probably aware of this problem, said with some resignation, "His concept of stars is too abstract. It encompasses the so-called fortune-telling, the symbolism of twinkling stars and meteors, and the guidance brought by the so-called twinkling starlight in the sky."
In short, it's too vague and covers a relatively broad range.
If anyone possessed a power like this, even if Alka knew the techniques used by the former Hochalmera, they might still use it differently based on their own preferences.
It's too abstract, unlike the direct nature of the mirror and dreamcatcher.
After listening to Alka's words, Simon nodded, understanding.
"Let's begin, then. Let's figure out the best construction. I'll first explain the properties of these materials."
The four of them began to work together.
The reason for this seriousness was that this was an item that would carry divine essence of the caliber of a Scepter.
It would eventually become a treasure of the caliber, so no amount of care or attention was too much.
Sofia began to draw the exterior design based on the two's design requirements.
Lucelia reviewed the materials, selecting the applicable spells and rituals.
She then used her knowledge to see if improvements and combinations could be made to enhance the carrier's properties.
Simon and Alka naturally began constructing the ring's body based on the material's properties.
All four of them poured their full energy into the project.
Some even forgot to eat and sleep.
…
"Are they still in the manufacturing hall?"
Jason asked, sitting on the deck, looking at Sofia and Lucilia.
They nodded.
They had already checked out of the hotel and returned to the Voice of the Dawn.
Primarily because the delicate tools they needed for the manufacturing were all inside the ship's cabin.
So everyone returned to bed to rest; after all, the hotel wasn't far from the port.
Although they weren't currently at sea, they were in a ship's warehouse on the shore.
However, they had spent a small amount of money to rent out the entire warehouse.
"You seem anxious? What's going on?" Sofia asked, observing Jason pacing around.
Hearing this, Jason nodded. "I've received word that another member of the Nafas family has appeared on the island."
"Another one?"
"Is the news accurate?"
He nodded. "It's said to be quite accurate. I've verified it with church personnel, and it's true."
"And he seems to be planning to settle here. He's been here for over six months."
Hearing this, Sofia nodded.
"Then you should keep an eye out. It's best to get to know him."
Jason nodded. This was just what he was thinking.
Just then, the sound of footsteps clacking on wooden boards could be heard from the deck below, and several people turned to look.
Alka and Simon emerged from below.
Both had dark circles under their eyes.
Their facial expressions were visibly exhausted.
The reason these two people were in such a state, given their physical conditions, was simply because they hadn't slept in several days.
In the Boundless Sea, two or three days was equivalent to four or five under normal circumstances.
Add to that the intense concentration they were putting into the craft, and it was only natural that this situation had occurred.
"Let's rest for a while. We'll talk later if anything else."
The others looked at Alka and the others, nodded, and took the items Alka handed them.
They watched them return to the room.
Sofia glanced at the small box in his hand and opened it.
A ring gleaming with blue starlight lay inside.
"Is this the result of your efforts?"
Jason asked after taking a look.
Sofia and Lucilia nodded.
Now that the ring had been forged, the fusion ceremony would begin immediately.
Upon hearing this news, all the other companions who had been touring the island rushed back.
Sofia looked at the darkening sky and turned to Jason, saying, "Jason, go to the church and reserve a Silent Chamber. We might need it later."
"A Silent Chamber? What is that?" Jason asked, somewhat bewildered.
He was, after all, a member of the church, and had never heard of such a thing.
Simon, standing beside him, explained, "It's a sealed room that blocks out most interference, necessary for highly sophisticated magical operations.
It can also, to a certain extent, lock out emanating magic power and vibrations within the room, preventing them from being transmitted, providing a certain degree of concealment."
It's something only powerful forces can afford.
Jason nodded and left.
It wasn't until the middle of the night that Alka and Simon finally woke from their slumber. They dragged their finally recovered bodies onto the deck.
They looked at the people who had been waiting there for a long time.
Sofia handed the ring box to Alka.
Alka looked up at the starry sky.
Maybe it was just luck, but the sky was ablaze with stars.
A river of stars streamed across the night sky, dazzling.
"What a beautiful day!"
Alka smiled and opened the jewelry box, revealing the ring inside.
The ring was a matte silver-gray band. A blue crystal floated above it, seemingly suspended in mid-air, but actually firmly embedded within.
Looking closely at the blue crystal, one could sense its brilliance, as if it contained a vast expanse of starry sky.
Other than that, it looked unusually plain.
"Let me preside over the ceremony."
As Alka spoke, a pink mist spread out, revealing a massive circular mirror on the deck.
The mirror perfectly reflected the starry sky, a dense pattern appearing above it.
"Lucelia, take a look and see if it's correct," Alka asked.
Lucelia stared at the pattern for a long time, adjusting it several times before nodding with satisfaction.
"It works now."
It seems more practice is needed.
The crowd stepped back a few steps, giving Alka some space.
Alka tossed the ring in her hand, and it slowly floated to the center of the mirror. Then, Alka made a strange gesture.
The pupils of her eyes transformed into twinkling yellow stars, reflecting the sky and seemingly igniting the starry light of the magic circle above the mirror.
The sky reflected in the mirror below the magic circle seemed to mirror the stars in the sky.
Then the stars reversed, and the light from both sides converged on the ring.
Alka opened his mouth and uttered a strange, tongue-twisting secret language. The echo of this secret language even stirred a certain magical energy in the surroundings, but this magic was unusually hidden.
The language he used was a secret language that Lucilia had recently translated.
He only knew this part of the ritual.
As he chanted,
The mirror finally shattered, transforming into tiny specks of starlight and disappearing into the air.
And the ring floated in the center.
The ring now seemed enveloped in shimmering starlight. What had once been an exceptionally exquisite ring now took on the characteristics of the surrounding shimmering stars.
It was like a transparent curtain of the starry sky, enveloping it.
The tiny gem on top looked like a star that had fallen from the sky and embedded itself in the ring.
Alka immediately placed the ring in the jewelry box. "Let's go to the secret room."
The group quickly passed through a small door on the side of the church and, under the priest's guidance, entered the well-equipped secret room.
It was a room completely enclosed by smooth stone walls.
There wasn't even any lighting inside; it was completely dark.
Once inside, they could no longer sense the magic outside, only the magic that was coming from him.
The magic that had just flowed in when they opened the door was gone.
Soon, this place became a magic-free space.
The materials embedded in the surrounding materials and the unique crafting method isolated any magical and spiritual fluctuations.
It's unclear whether the vibrations emitted by crafting a scepter-level treasure would be transmitted.
Sofia waved his hand, and several balls of light floated around.
Like natural light, there was no magical reaction.
Alka took a deep breath.
He opened the metal box he had taken with him when he left the ship.
The divine essence encased in the flower appeared within.
He slowly lifted the essence, and the flower enveloped it, dissolving into ash at the touch of Alka's magic.
The divine essence, imbued with energy and unknown power, radiated its brilliance before the crowd.
The twinkling starlight even ignited the entire ring, becoming exceptionally bright.
Everyone's faces were filled with nervousness.
A treasure of the [Scepter] caliber was about to be born before them.
Alka slowly brought the ring and the divine essence closer together.
As they drew closer, a kind of attraction seemed to form between them, drawing each other in.
The twinkling starlight grew deeper and deeper.
Finally, the two merged completely.
Like a mist, the divine essence flowed into the ring, and the entire ring's shape began to change.
The original ring had completely transformed into crystal, and from crystal into fluid.
This fluid surrounded it like a galaxy, and the brilliant blue gem above it became the brightest star within that galaxy.
The entire thing became a ring. The gem became a twinkling star within the ring.
The change in appearance was dramatic, and the energy emanating from it began to fade.
But this exaggerated appearance meant that no matter how hard he tried to conceal his reaction, it couldn't hide his precious essence.
The ring floated in the air, slowly descending as the magic faded.
Arka reached out and gently caught the ring.
Everyone's eyes remained fixed on the ring.
Under everyone's gaze, Arka picked up the ring and extended his index finger.
In front of everyone, he slowly slipped it onto his finger.
The ring's starlight shone, and Arka's finger seemed to be surrounded by a galaxy from the night sky.