-1355- The key to awaken

"Zing..."

The dazzling gold ring still adorned Rozen's hand, emitting a faint glow.

Staring at the ring and listening to Altera's words, Rozen's brow furrowed deeply.

In this situation, Altera began to speak.

"From the very beginning, I have always been suspicious and amazed by the ring you named 'Miracle.'"

This was unavoidable.

"Although the 'Holy Grail' assisted, you used that ring to open the path to the stone chamber where my true form resides, made a contract with me there, and then, through that ring, transformed me into a pure record engraved in your soul. I don't believe such things can be done so easily."

Altera's was well aware of her circumstances.

She knew very well that the stone chamber where she resided could not be casually accessed by anyone, let alone someone who could arbitrarily open a path to it, and even transform her heroic spirit form into a pure record engraved in Rozen's soul. Even the 'Holy Grail' couldn't do that.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Altera's was very concerned about the existence of 'Miracle.'

This concern grew even more intense when she learned it could allow Rozen to travel to completely different worlds.

"If it were just parallel worlds or different dimensional spaces and worlds, that would be understandable. But that ring can open doors to entirely different, completely unknown worlds in the truest sense. Even with the power of the 'Root,' this should be impossible."

Altera thus concluded that the ring in Rozen's hand was no ordinary object.

"The Swirl of the Root, the origin and end of all things, cannot accomplish such feats. This mystery, this power, why does it appear on you?"

Altera's voice resonated clearly in Rozen's heart.

"Rather, such power shouldn't exist at all because what it accomplishes surpasses the 'Root.' Doesn't that imply that its existence is higher than the 'Root'?"

This was impossible.

As the origin and end of everything, the vortex of the 'Root' was the very source of a world, the existence that creates everything.

In other words, everything flows from the 'Root,' created by the 'Root,' and even upon destruction, returns to the 'Root.' Its existence is supreme. How could there be a power higher than that?

Even in other worlds, similar existences to the 'Root' are the same. They might be omniscient and omnipotent in their respective worlds, but they absolutely cannot interfere with other worlds. Otherwise, Rozen would not be the only one in history who can traverse entirely different worlds.

This shows that the 'Root' and similar existences cannot open paths to completely different worlds, influencing and interfering with each other.

Yet, this very feat was accomplished by a mere ring.

Given this...

"It's definitely not as simple as you think."

Altera was certain.

"..."

Rozen was speechless.

If Altera could think of this, how could Rozen not?

As the only one capable of traversing different worlds, Rozen understood how incredible this power truly was.

"You once said that this ring appeared on you after you were saved at the age of two. It cannot be destroyed or removed, and it even coexists with your soul. It's not an exaggeration to say it is your soul."

Artoria raised several questions.

"So, why did it appear on you?"

"And where did it come from?"

"You can't answer these questions, can you?"

Because these are mysteries without solutions.

Rozen himself didn't know why it appeared on him or where it came from.

The only one who might know the truth could be...

"Big bro..."

Indeed.

Romani might be the only one who knows something.

When Romani saw this ring for the first time, his reaction was very telling. Later, he advised Rozen to keep its existence a secret from others.

This implies that even if Romani didn't know the whole truth, he was aware of some of the answers.

And then...

"No matter where it came from or how it was born, its power is definitely not just what it shows now."

Altera believed.

"Maybe your previous usage was just a tiny fraction of its power."

In other words, Altera thought Rozen had never truly awakened the 'Miracle's' real power.

"The proof is that it guided you to this world, right?"

At this point, Altera's tone changed slightly.

As if feeling complicated, Altera spoke.

"When you wanted to save my true form, this ring opened a path to this world, letting you come here to find a way to achieve your goal."

But Altera didn't think there was any method in this world that could truly save her.

Again, Altera was well aware of her circumstances.

So, she knew that even if this world was extraordinary, finding a definite way to save her true form was still unrealistic.

However...

"If it's your ring, it's not impossible."

Altera spoke, seemingly against her own will.

And this thought made Rozen feel as if the mist had cleared and everything became clear.

"You mean..."

Rozen involuntarily clenched his right hand, speaking in a low voice, uncertain and hesitant.

"It guided me to this world not to find a way to save you, but to awaken its true power?"

Because if Rozen could do that, he could use the 'Miracle's' power to save Altera's true form, just as she said.

This was Rozen's true mission in coming to this world.

"Have you never wondered why it guided you to this world?"

Altera revealed all the answers.

"Because the power of the Blazers in this world comes from their souls."

"Their souls can materialize into a power called Device."

"And it is a power that coexists with your soul."

These words awakened Rozen as if from a dream.

In other words...

"If you were a Blazer, your Device would be it — 'Miracle.'"

Altera said in a calm tone.

"And like your disciple, your true power has never awakened."

But now, Rozen was ready for awakening.

"Your 'Mind's Eye' has reached the highest level, capable of perceiving the records of the world itself. This might be the key to awakening the true power of 'Miracle.'"

So at this moment, Rozen's 'Miracle' shone.

Understanding this, Rozen's eyes trembled violently.

Gazing at the brilliant ring in his hand, Rozen remained silent for a long time.

Altera also fell silent.

Only the light of the 'Miracle' continued to shine, endlessly.