A step forward, a balance to take.
*clink clink*
With confident strides, I walked along the balcony's railing, my footsteps echoing against the metallic surface. Each movement shifted my body's weight, and I knew that even if I were to fall, I could use my telekinesis to save myself.
Though I was fully aware of the risks involved, I had chosen to take this path. As I fluidly moved my hands through the air, adjusting my balance from side to side, a sudden voice echoed in my head, causing me to startle before quickly regaining my composure with telekinesis.
"The railing is there to prevent falls from high structures, either due to accidents or mindless actions," Pheleppeides's stern words echoed in my head. "Although it may not be fatal, I recommend using the designated pathways intended for walking."
Using the mouth of my body, I whispered aloud, "I know." – But that's not fun.
Ignoring Pheleppeides' words, I continued forward, feeling the gentle sway of my body as I moved without telekinesis. I never thought about having a physical body, nor did I imagine finding enjoyment in it, and I lost track of time since then.
And before I realized it, the ghost who couldn't walk a straight line, even crashing headfirst into the ground, found myself improving. Although, I truly wished I could take my first walk with the body I created, but even now, it remains unfinished.
Following the soft, sparkling light —the guiding light — it felt like urging me to descend the railing, I disregarded its instructions and continued on my path whilst following. Before long, I neared the main bridge that linked the two central buildings.
The building I was in is called the 'Facility', where Aegirs carried out production-creating and experiments, while the other building served as office quarters where they focused on research and discussions. Or, that's what Pheleppeides has told me before.
The Dorning room and Modular Frame Building were situated within the facility. Though I had ventured into the office quarters on numerous occasions, I found nothing notably interesting aside from rooms filled with books, papers, and unfamiliar devices, most even unknown to Pheleppeides. However, this would mark my first visit into the so-called Council hall.
As I crossed the bridge, feet never touching the ground, I playfully navigated along the railing to reach the opposite end. Using telekinesis to double jump around the pillars that reached from the ground to the ceiling above. My eyes wandered, drawn to the Aeonian members' statue posing on the ground floor below. I paused momentarily to admire Stephany Trinity's figure seated on stone before continuing.
At the bridge's end, the path split into three passages. A stairway continued forward while flanking corridors curved along the sides of the building's exterior. The guiding light beckoned me towards the central staircase, I followed suit mindlessly.
As I scanned the area, I couldn't find any railing to continue, and as a result, I thudded down onto the ground with a sound that echoed throughout the library. Ah, I touched the ground; I lost.
The little game I played with myself held no real weight in terms of winning or losing, Nevertheless, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as it ended so abruptly.
"You lose," Pheleppeides's said nonchalantly, its tone unchanged.
Maybe I should just float… That will do it. However, I quickly changed my mind, realizing that it didn't really matter and I wasn't even playing seriously. So why should I care?
As I turned my attention to the staircase leading upwards, I continued while asking, "You mentioned finding a key in the Council hall. What does a key look like, and why?"
Immediately after, a floating box—a holographic window — appeared in front of me, displaying multiple images of the same item from different angles. At first glance, the item resembled a bookmarker: a thin card with numerous lines on one end, engraved with numerous unfamiliar characters, and attached to a knotted threading-myr at the other end. Could this be the Key?
Pheleppeides explained, "This is known as the Three-Key, typically issued to individuals holding the highest positions within the Department. As the Head of Chrono Writing Department, you must always carry it with you; and use it to access restricted areas like the Singularity."
"Are we going to Singularity now?"
"Yes," Pheleppeides replied, "you have familiarized yourself with your new body. I think you're ready to enter the Singularity."
I couldn't help but feel joy at the praise. It would be my first time venturing into the other levels of Aeonian… I wonder what I will find. The idea of exploring the lower levels hardly crossed my mind, as I was preoccupied with so many things at the present. I picked up my pace, and ascended the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
"Why do we even need a Physical body? Isn't my Form enough?"
"In order to access the Singularity, you must meet specific requirements: holding a high position within Aeonian, obtaining the Three-Key, and possessing the prints of Aeonian."
"Prints of Aeonian?" I repeated. I never heard of that term before.
Pheleppeides continued, "Previously, you did not bear any resemblance that would qualify you as a member of Aeonian. A foreigner in a sense, and as such, you do not meet certain requirements. However, the body you are currently inhabiting was made by Aeonian; all bodies carry the prints of Aeonian."
"Does that mean you don't have a print too?"
"I do possess a print. In fact, I, alone, would be enough to be presented." Pheleppeides explained, "However, I need to connect to the Aeonian networking channel to present it, which is currently offline."
Is that so?
As I climbed the stairs, I caught sight of a familiar flag in the distance, flanked by two similar banners on either side. Intrigued, I approached it as soon as I arrived at the floor to examine them closely. The center flag displayed a simple design—A four-pointed star encircled by two rings. The side flags featured a circle with four lines spiraling towards a central dot.
I gestured towards the flags and asked, "Pheleppeides, I've seen those flags many times before. What do they mean?"
"The central flag represents the nation of Aegirs, known as Aegir, while flags flanking it symbolize Aeonian. Each symbol represents a meaning and history, explaining it verbally would take hours. I suggest delving into the details through reading rather than a summarized explanation."
"Is that so? Can you tell me later about it?"
"Certainly."
Before moving towards the guiding light, I glanced around the room and noticed its spherical shape. Several items were on display within numerous enclosed glass cases spread across the room, with waist-level walls that separated several areas filled with desks and chairs. Various shelves neatly arranged on the sides, and papers and unknown devices cluttered the tables.
"This space serves as the pre-council gathering area for Aeonians. It is where the members engage in casual conversation before proceeding to the main Council hall for important discussions."
Is that so?
As there was nothing interesting here, I followed the guiding light until I found myself across the room, facing a large open pathway leading to a dark corridor. I didn't waste any time and pressed on, following the path until I reached the other side — The Council hall. The room's spherical shape immediately caught my eye, with its wall filled with floating spheres.
Those floating spherical-shaped objects stirred a sense of familiarity within me. I recalled reading about them in a book – chairs occupied by members of Aeonian during important discussions, each taking turns presenting their topics from the center of the hall.
Continuing the path where the guiding light faded, I noticed ground had disappeared alongside, replaced by a void lined with the floating spheres on either side. I noticed one of them were open, revealing a chair within filled with numerous unfamiliar devices on what seemed like a desk.
As I continued, it became apparent that the spheres were opening from the center, splitting open towards the sides.
Hm? That's odd. Something beneath the floating spheres caught my eye. Below, several Guardians lay motionless on the ground, while floating platforms resembling stairs ascended towards the central floating dais within the hall.
"The chairs are currently not in operation due to the power outage. I will provide the location of where the Head of Departments' chairs are placed." Pheleppeides stated.
Immediately after, I was presented by a new guiding light that led to the upper seating area. I effortlessly ascended and soon found myself standing in front of a row of floating spheres.
"There is currently no power available, so it is impossible to open the Head of Department chairs. Please phase through the sphere and find the Three-Key among them," instructed Pheleppeides.
Before following its instructions, a thought crossed my mind — is it possible for my physical form to phase through objects? Before I knew it, I found myself reaching out, my fingers grazing the smooth, cold hard surface of the sphere. Like most spheres, the top half of the sphere appeared to be made out of glass, while the bottom half was made of materials I don't know.
Despite my uncertainty, I decided to proceed. After all, if this fails, there has to be a different option. As I channeled my Mana into my body, I felt subtle, waving-like sensations caressing over my skin. It was an unfamiliar experience; something I had never felt before. Was it because of my new body that I was feeling this way?
That should do it. This is what I usually do to phase through objects. Simultaneously, my palm that had been placed on the surface suddenly felt no resistance. Observing it, my fingers had submerged a little. It does work.
With my question answered, I entered the sphere and scanned my surroundings. A familiar furnishing greeted me — A chair featuring arm and backrest, and I noticed a slight difference compared to the previous. The desk area curved around the sphere's wall, completely encircling the chair.
Aside from that, the sphere appeared completely empty. The usual presence of paper, strange devices, books, or pens; everything was missing. How odd — How weird. It felt a little bit unsettling, I couldn't help but ask Pheleppeides about it.
"Is it normal for the spheres to be empty, or is there a hidden Koma… Compartment somewhere?" I inquired, turning my head as I reclined in the chair.
As I leaned back, the chair unexpectedly shifted beneath me. A startled gasp escaped my lips, and I leapt to my feet, my body trembling. With wide eyes, I watched in bewilderment as the chair continued its slow, steady rotation. Gradually, the realization dawned – it was simply the chair's movement, not a threat. As the tension melted away, replaced by a sense of relief and even amusement at my own overreaction, I noticed my lips were pressed tightly together.
As if by timing, Pheleppeides answered, "I am uncertain about the contents of each chair; it ultimately depends on whoever is using them. There are no hidden compartments, so there is no need to search for it."
Is that so?
While listening to Pheleppeides words echoing in my mind, I spun the chair around, feeling the growing interest within me. Why was it rotating? And did all the chairs within the spheres rotate?
I held my breath, gathering my courage to sit on the chair with a tense anticipation, before softly attempting to move it with my telekinesis.
What is this? This is a bit fun.