"You have passed, human. Your answer was quite interesting."
The holy tome trembled lightly, as if in thought, before finally reaching a conclusion and informing Yuhran.
Although it wasn't the standard answer,
the idea that "only by living on can one help more people" perfectly aligned with the conditions for using the Goddess's magic—
Healing and salvation.
"You…?"
Yuhran watched as the surrounding environment gradually shifted, eventually reverting to the interior of the great hall. His eyebrows rose slightly.
Birds flew past the windows outside, and a question surfaced in his mind.
Why did the holy tome suddenly change the way it spoke?
"Human."
The tome's tone carried a touch more ease and casualness now, completely unconcerned with Yuhran's confusion.
After all, what had just transpired was a solemn trial; this was merely light conversation, so its manner naturally relaxed.
"Although you have successfully passed the test, and I may grant you a blessing on behalf of the Goddess, I ultimately cannot equate to the Goddess herself."
"From the illusion you just experienced, I learned of your wish."
"In theory, once one receives a blessing, one can use the Goddess's magic. This is a special form of authorization—an exception granted to all. However…"
At this point, the holy tome deliberately paused, floating up to eye level with Yuhran.
The flipping pages stared at him like a pair of eyes.
Yuhran's eyelid twitched. A sense of foreboding rose like dark clouds in his chest.
However.
Whenever that word appeared, it usually meant a turn for the worse.
His luck couldn't be that bad, could it?
…No. He'd already anticipated something like this from the start. Still, giving him hope only to snatch it away felt cruel no matter how he looked at it.
Moments later, his premonition was confirmed.
The holy tome hesitated, then shifted its tone. The pages flipped without wind, producing a soft pat—almost like a sigh.
"However… your body does not contain the magic seed that the Goddess bestowed upon sentient beings at the dawn of creation."
"If nothing unexpected has occurred, you should be a visitor from another world, correct?"
"..."
At the words another world, Yuhran's breathing abruptly stalled. It felt as though an invisible hand had clenched tightly around his heart.
He had mentally prepared himself for this possibility long ago—after all, the other party was a creation of the gods—but to have it stated so directly…
The holy tome seemed to sense the fluctuation in his emotions. Its pages gently closed together, like a comforting embrace.
"There is no need to panic. Since the Goddess was able to create this world, it stands to reason that other worlds must exist beyond it."
"I do not know how you arrived here, but to use the Goddess's magic, a magic seed must exist within you—and that is something I cannot provide."
Hearing this, the tension Yuhran had just released sank straight to the bottom.
So it really had come true—the worst-case scenario.
He frowned deeply as a powerful wave of disappointment mixed with a bitter 'just as I thought' surged through him.
If it was impossible, why hadn't it said so earlier?
He looked at the holy tome and reached out, half-tempted to grab it and vent his frustration.
The tome deftly avoided his hand. A silver sheen flickered along the edges of its pages as its clear voice continued.
"Yes, I fully understand how you're feeling right now. After all, when the Goddess created me, she granted me the thought processes of a sentient being."
"However, matters are not without a turning point."
"Haven't you always wanted to go to the Central Continent? In that case, please take me with you. I may be able to help you realize your wish."
"?"
Yuhran froze for a moment. The Central Continent? He immediately understood what the tome meant by a "turning point."
He'd planned to go there anyway—but was this level of enthusiasm really necessary?
It had just been expressing regret a moment ago.
Suppressing his doubts, Yuhran scrutinized it more closely and asked:
"Are you serious? I don't quite understand your reasoning, but if you leave, won't no one here be able to become a believer anymore?"
"Narrow-minded."
The holy tome's tone carried a detached, almost transcendent indifference, as though gazing down upon humanity's smallness and limitations.
"Do not measure divine power using human thinking."
"I have my own considerations."
"Do you accept?"
"Although I cannot directly grant you a magic seed, I can allow you to temporarily use my power."
"Consider it compensation for passing the trial yet gaining nothing—and also a necessary investment to ensure you reach the Central Continent safely."
Only by reaching the Central Continent could it contact the Goddess and inform her of Yuhran's existence.
Two hundred years ago, the Goddess had given explicit instructions: if someone from another world arrived, she must be informed immediately.
Unfortunately, the Goddess was currently in slumber. Thus, the only option was to follow him for now—to prevent him from doing anything that might damage this world.
"..."
Yuhran blinked. For a moment, his emotions were so mixed that he couldn't find a single word to describe how he felt.
A sacred artifact—something that sounded incredibly powerful—wanted to accompany him?
Not knowing its true intentions, Yuhran took a deep breath, steadied his turbulent thoughts, and decisively reached out toward the holy tome.
"Deal!"
His heart thumped wildly.
The holy tome didn't resist, allowing itself to be gathered into Yuhran's arms as it thought:
I hope this human from another world harbors no malicious intent… otherwise…
The Goddess was kind—but sacred artifacts were not.
To maintain the order of the world, they were capable of anything.
Holding the holy tome, Yuhran ran his thumb along the spine, his emotions surging.
At last… even if it was only borrowed power for now, he had finally taken a small but solid step toward his goal.
Just as he was about to turn around and show off to Milialde, he realized she was gone.
The holy tome spoke up at just the right moment:
"Are you looking for your elven companion? She has already gone out. I heard some disturbance outside earlier—there seems to be a demon causing trouble."
The smile on Yuhran's face paused briefly, then shifted into one of understanding.
"A demon, huh? Got it. She's still as quick as ever."
He shook his head lightly, hugging the holy tome as he strode toward the door.
Now, with a sacred artifact backing him, his confidence surged.
Perfect timing—he could use those reckless fools as test subjects for his "new equipment."
It would count as getting familiar with the Goddess's magic in advance.
Once he reached the Central Continent and obtained a magic seed, everything would fall neatly into place.
Bang!
The door to the room slammed shut. Yuhran's voice echoed faintly through the vast building.
"Since it's come to this, you count as my partner now, right? So what should I call you—Miss Holy Tome?"
"Call me whatever you like. I have no gender. The voice you hear is merely shaped by your own preferences."
"…Haha, is that so?"
Yuhran rubbed his nose, feeling inexplicably awkward.
Well, Miss it is.
As long as it's useful.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/BlackDevil808