Aiden's fingers gently brushed over the familiar magic names on the parchment.
His gaze lingered on that thin sheet of parchment for a long time.
His fingertips unconsciously traced the words "Ripple of the Past," feeling the slight indentations left by the sacred text on the parchment.
Alfia's three spells were like three indelible brands, deeply engraved in his soul.
A bitter smile quietly bloomed at the corners of his mouth.
This was probably what they called a "white moonlight."
Precisely because she was unreachable, precisely because he watched helplessly as she walked toward destruction, this longing and unwillingness were so etched in his bones, eventually planting a seed in his soul that bloomed into a flower named "Magic."
He hadn't expected that his near-obsessive fixation on Alfia would become the source of his power in this way.
He suppressed these complex emotions to the bottom of his heart and moved his gaze downward, calmly analyzing his skills.
[Descender]. This was proof of his identity as a visitor from another world, granting him absolute mental resistance.
In a world where gods walked everywhere and various mental magics and curses emerged one after another, this was undoubtedly a top-tier trump card for survival.
[Trailblazer]. This skill solved his most pressing need.
He didn't have time to level up slowly step-by-step; the Black Dragon hadn't left him much time.
This skill was his sharp weapon to race against time, his guarantee to avoid becoming a powerless "cameraman" in the end.
Finally, [The Abyss Gazes Back].
Looking at this permanent passive skill that couldn't be turned off, Aiden frowned slightly.
He had some vague guesses in his heart.
Skills weren't all beneficial.
Just like Alfia—her cursed talent eventually turned into a skill that, while granting her power, accelerated the withering of her life like a maggot in the bone.
His third skill was likely a double-edged sword as well.
It could bring him huge benefits, but "attracting the malice and curiosity of the Dungeon" and "inducing the generation of special monsters"—these descriptions all foreshadowed dangers far beyond the norm.
This meant his path of adventure was destined not to be smooth from the very beginning.
After pondering for a moment, Aiden solemnly folded the parchment and placed it in his bosom.
His line of sight finally fell on the System panel that had been silent for so long.
In the center of the panel, a light sphere of mixed pink and blue, like a dreamlike nebula, was slowly rotating, emitting an enticing halo.
That was the "Intertwined Fate."
Fourteen years of waiting were for this moment.
Aiden extended his finger, pausing slightly just before touching the light sphere.
He took a deep breath, and then, with an attitude close to piety, he tapped it.
The light sphere shattered in response, turning into brilliant light spots dancing in the sky, instantly disappearing from the System interface.
Immediately after, at the top of the interface, a meteor representing a summon tore through the virtual night sky.
The trajectory of that light, after flying for a moment, began to change color rapidly—from ordinary blue to dazzling purple, and finally, amidst a burst of brilliant radiance, it thoroughly transformed into the eye-catching golden color that symbolized the highest rarity.
"Whoa! Wh-what's happening? What's happening?!"
In reality, inside the originally peaceful wooden house, a huge golden magic circle unfolded on the ground without warning.
Complex patterns flowed with iridescent light, illuminating the entire room in resplendent gold.
This sudden change startled Furina, who was still looking around curiously, causing her to jump up.
"It's fine."
Aiden's voice was unusually calm, but those blue eyes staring fixedly at the center of the magic circle, forgetting even to blink, completely betrayed the excitement and anticipation in his heart.
"Just... got lucky on the first pull."
Who would it be?
Which one would respond to his call and cross the barrier of worlds to come here?
Accompanied by the spreading golden light, a burst of ethereal and beautiful singing sounded faintly in their ears.
That singing didn't seem like a sound from the mortal world; it was as if it came from a distant sea of stars—pure, melodious, carrying a wondrous power that soothed the human heart.
When the light reached its peak and then slowly receded like a tide, a girl stood quietly in the center of the magic circle.
She wore a gorgeously designed gray-purple dress, the hem short in the front and long in the back like blooming petals.
Smooth, light purple, long curly hair draped behind her back, with a few strands hanging over her chest.
She had a pair of lake-green eyes, clear as a pool in the forest, currently carrying a trace of confusion from first arriving in another world.
The moment he saw the girl's appearance, Aiden's heart skipped a beat.
That iconic hair color, that angelic face, and that singing voice that resonated through the galaxy in his memories... The girl with the halo wings... no, it was the superstar who shone brilliantly on the stage of Penacony, the Galactic Songstress—Robin.
The confusion in Robin's eyes lasted only a short moment before being replaced by clarity.
Clearly, the System had already instilled the basic information of this world and the reason for her summons into her consciousness.
She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Furina and Aiden, finally landing on Aiden.
She lifted the hem of her skirt and curtsied slightly to the two, performing an impeccable ladylike bow.
Her movements were elegant and calm; every detail revealed good upbringing and noble temperament.
"Nice to meet you. I am Robin. I have come in response to your summons. Please take care of me from now on."
Her voice was as pleasant to hear as the singing just now.
"Welcome, Miss Robin."
Aiden forcibly suppressed the smile that was about to split his face to his ears, trying hard to look more steady.
But the excited light flashing in those blue eyes couldn't be concealed no matter what.
This was Robin, the top idol who conquered the entire universe with her singing.
Who would have thought that his first formal summon would welcome such a heavyweight existence?
"Ahem!"
Beside him, Furina cleared her throat, puffing out her chest not to be outdone, putting on the airs of a patron goddess.
"Hello, Robin. I am Furina, the Goddess in charge of Water and Justice in this world."
She specifically emphasized the word "Goddess."
"So it is Lady Goddess. Pardon my manners."
Hearing this, a look of just the right amount of surprise appeared on Robin's face. She then smiled and very cooperatively curtsied again.
Her reaction was flawless, showing respect for a god without making people feel she was being obsequious.
"Eh, eh, eh, no need to be so polite! We're a family from now on, all on the same side!"
Seeing Robin being so "sensible," Furina felt a bit embarrassed instead, feeling like her little petty thoughts were all seen through.
She hurriedly stepped forward to support Robin, stopping her from bowing again.