8 Embracing The Desire Of The Heart, Mind, And Soul (2/2)

'My heart desires warmth in the form of fire, my mind desires sincerity in the form of light, my soul desires companions.h.i.+p forged by traveling alongside one another through the darkness.'

'Roy was formed by my heart and soul's desires, desiring both warmth and companions.h.i.+p. I had already embraced both of those desires at that time, but had never taken into consideration the idea of embracing my mind's desire, sincerity. Just because I can make contracts with summons doesn't mean we'll automatically have the sincerest of feelings towards one another.'

'Only by experiencing the best and worst of moments together will we have a genuine companions.h.i.+p, learning about each other's earnest desires and wishes in life, accepting one another for who we truly are.'

'My mind's desire, sincerity, a genuine companions.h.i.+p with true acceptance towards one another, it can only be represented by the element of light.'

Rentaro's thoughts poured out steadily and resolutely, clearing his mind of any muddled thoughts. He had realized that the experience of Affinity Awakening was unique for each individual and that his awakening required the synergy of the heart, mind, and soul. Suddenly, numerous system notifications resounded in his mind.

[Elemental Affinity Obtained] [Light - a.s.similation Stage]

[Elemental Affinity Upgraded] [Fire - a.s.similation Stage]

[Elemental Affinity Upgraded] [Dark - a.s.similation Stage]

[Completed Affinity Awakening] [Reached Affinity Foundation]

[New System Function Unlocked] [Cultivation Milestones & Achievements]

Acknowledging the system notifications, a sudden stream of gentle heat flowed along his veins, pus.h.i.+ng Rentaro into opening his eyes. His sight was filled with a resplendent golden aura that surrounded his body, followed by a warm, yet seemingly shy red aura, then a dark purple aura that gave off an intimate feeling. Each aura filled Rentaro's surroundings with strange murmurs, as if the auras were whispering towards him, until they gave out sighs as if saddened their voices couldn't reach out to him.

Feeling a unique connection to the auras that surrounded him, 'Wil-Wilhelm, what's going on? These- these ”voices” and this aura? Are they mere auras of the elements or are they spirits?'

[Lil' Bro, what did you just experience? You had been sitting down in meditation, when all of a sudden these three spirits surrounded you in unison.] Wilhelm teased, astonished by the current situation just as much, if not more, than Rentaro.

'I- I know even less than you!' Rentaro fumed in a childish voice under Wilhelm's teasing.

[Alright, alright. Neither of us know what's going on, just try establis.h.i.+ng a mental connection with them by using the [Spirit Whispering] skill.]

Focusing his attention on the three auras in front of him, Rentaro focused his mind in the same manner which he uses to open the systems interface. Suddenly, he felt three auras mentally connect to his mind.

'He-h.e.l.lo? Can you three hear me?' Rentaro questioned in a wary tone.

'What's up? He-h.e.l.lo. You're the inheritor?' Three voices rang out simultaneously, immediately sending pain throughout Rentaro's consciousness as his mind was overwhelmed. As Rentaro grabbed his head, the voices abruptly quieted down, seemingly having realized that they had caused him to undergo pain.

The three spirits had stopped jumping around him, standing still with what one could only guess to be expressions of concern as they watched Rentaro, who was gritting his teeth and enduring the splitting pain, which had started to ease up thanks to the constant soul bindings strengthening his soul and tempering his mind.

'I'm alright now, who are you three exactly?' Rentaro gave one question to maintain the situation in a calm and orderly fas.h.i.+on.

The three spirits appeared to look at each other before the spirit covered in a golden aura moved forward and spoke up, 'I am Auron, the spirit of the Grimoire of Twileigh, also a spirit of light. The red spirit is Eremic, a fire spirit, while the dark-colored spirit is Anu, a dark spirit. The three of us are elemental spirits who were contracted to Master Twilight.'

At mention of their master, Twilight, the three couldn't help but choke up in sorrow, as they looked towards the distant sky. Rentaro didn't speak as he watched quietly, feeling empathy as he too knew the feeling of living a life alone, let alone living in such a state for seven hundred million years. As if time was caught, the four of them didn't speak and acted as if they were in their own worlds, their individual thoughts unknown to one another, continuing to watch as the clouds drifted by and the sun slowly set on the horizon, changing the scenery around them.

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