Chapter 55 - Take Over Part 2

A pain pierced through Celina's mind, as if someone had taken a needle and stabbed her forehead. However, it lasted only for a second; after that, a gentle feeling enveloped her whole self.

[--Marc--: I'm here, relax.]

The White Tiger girl took a deep breath when she heard that familiar voice and felt that familiar embrace. When she opened her eyes, they were surrounded by white light. There was nothing there besides the two of them...

[Time: Several seconds back in time...]

[--Vorst--: Celina Za.]

The familiar voice appeared inside Celina's head. She quickly raised her head. The owner of that voice stood right next to her. Correction—right now, she was locked inside his embrace. She was confused; he was this close, but he used telepathy?

[--Vorst--: There is something about me that you need to know.]

His voice in her head also conveyed that he was quite hesitant, or more like he was trying to find the right explanation. Then, with a mental sigh, images suddenly appeared in her mind.

...

..

.

Marcdrak Euharm Maxkael Adajax Emerald Vegyla.

Celina was utterly shocked.

An ancient being from another world.

Her head became a bit dizzy from receiving such unexpected information. It was so unbelievable and far-fetched that it perfectly fit his image and unnatural abilities...

[--Vorst--: There is one more thing I want you to know. You are my link, and I will continue to protect my links. No matter what. Forever. Until I die, for I am Vegyla, and only as Vegyla shall I die.]

With the word 'link,' he also conveyed emotions that were identical to 'very important.' The word 'Vegyla' was colored with a vast amount of pride and determination. He was an alien, but did it really matter?

[--Vorst--: You don't need to be so fearful. You're mine, and you shall remain so. I wish for you to live freely. There is no need to mind me; speak your mind freely. If there is something you wish of me, I shall grant you that wish. Any wish... besides...]

His voice did not finish that sentence, but the image of Mersa flashed through. Celina immediately understood. She felt at ease because it was any wish besides him leaving Mersa. Right, even among humans, she might not be able to find someone this caring... His sincere aura completely put her at ease. She was convinced that he was not lying—or more accurately, even if he was lying, Celina would be willing to believe that lie.

If being fooled meant that she could be with him for a little while, she was willing to accept it. Somewhere deep inside, she even hoped for that to be a lie because once he scarred her, she would be able to give up on him. That was her choice—to put her trust in him.

Once her resolve was set, she calmed down considerably. She was a level-headed girl to begin with. The weakness that had haunted her for the past month was completely patched up.

Then panic came again.

The (Double Layered Hex Blast) was aimed at them, and they were leisurely chatting about relationships! That felt so unreal. Well, this kind of relationship was also unreal... Everything was unreal...

[--Celina--: Vorst, what about 'that'?]

[--Vorst--: Hmm... I have a method to deal with it, but with the time on hand, it won't be able to save our Circulation Sphere.]

The White Tiger girl's face was suddenly painted with horror...

[--Celina--: R-really? ... Really?]

It was the first thing they had made together. And here, she had just received her first kiss. And... Here... She declared to be his...

[--Vorst--: ... There is also... that.]

After he saw Celina make that face, he couldn't help but let it out involuntarily in an unconscious attempt to comfort her.

[--Celina--: That? What's 'that'? Vorst, please... Please...]

[--Vorst--: A technique that I’d prefer not to use.]

His voice was saturated with reluctance.

[--Celina--: Ah... Umm... *Sad face*]

[--Vorst--: ...]

[--Celina--: ... *Sad face*]

[--Vorst--: ...]

[--Calla--: This is where m'lord loses.]

[--Lily--: Inevitable.]

[--Calla--: *Nods* No one can best m'lord in a match of strength; however...]

Silence... and that silence conveyed more than words could.

[--Marc--: ...]

[--Kaya--: Hehe~]

Kaya only chuckled a little; she was still being punished, after all.

[--Vorst--: That method...]

His actual strength was insufficient; he was only 7th HST, after all. However, it would be a completely different thing if he had access to 6th LCT. Full access. The current (Telepathic Link) between them was not enough; it gave him control over her bots, but he did not have any power over her Photon Core.

He hesitantly told her about (Mind Overthrow), a Mind Psychic power capable of usurping control from another person. It would lock someone else’s mind and take over their body...

In normal cases, it would also require an enormous amount of power to suppress the victim, but that’s only if the victim was actively opposing the control...

Nod.

She nodded.

[--Celina--: It's fine.]

[--Vorst--: ... Are you sure?]

[--Celina--: Yes. It's because I trust you. It's because the Vorst I know will not harm me.]

She smiled sweetly.

[--Vorst--: ... Sigh...]

...

..

.

10s...

Celina/Marc opened her eyes...

[--Celina--: Whoa..]

Even though her mind was "locked," she was still linked to her senses and thus could "see" what Marc was doing. A golden aura continuously poured out of her, and the (Runic Circulation) rotation speed increased even further.

[--Marc--: These are Runes.]

From Celina's point of view, out of nowhere, thousands of violet symbols appeared all around her, now combined with several golden strands released from her own body. Everything was so magical...

It was magic indeed...

5s...

Suddenly BAM!

The blast was fired off a few seconds before the approximate timer countdown.

The speed of the black cubes around the white Circulation Sphere suddenly increased by at least tenfold, and as if to answer that, the shot from the Double Layered Hex Blast was hurried. The laser beam became just a little bit more scattered, but it did not lose any of its power.

All of the black boxes immediately responded to the imminent threat. As one, they all made a 180-degree turn; their edges suddenly turned a bright golden color and rushed forward to meet the beam.

A white light crashed into them... and vanished.

An uncharacteristic fierce smile appeared on Celina's face. It worked perfectly. A newly formed (Reverse Transfer Array) took the power from outside, and with numerous (Store) runes, Marc fully absorbed the enemy attack. Now there was no need for (Runic Circulation) anymore.

The black boxes reformed into a circular shape once again. A spark of energy suddenly rushed out from one box, but it was once again absorbed by another. (Store) runes also had a time limit; once that was up, they had to release the power within, often in quite a dangerous form.

Crack... Crack. Crack. Crack.

Numerous lightning surges started appearing within the black encirclement. At first randomly, but then, as if following a certain will, they started moving in one direction. After a few seconds, all of them formed a uniform river of golden energy. After a few more moments, it was as if the river came to life and formed a rough shape of a Golden Serpent.

[--Marc--: My turn.]

A predatory smile appeared on his face. Although right now Vorst did not have the friendliest appearance, Celina couldn’t find it in herself to dislike this kind of Vorst. Maybe it was because of his aura—although he was emitting a very fierce one, whenever a random strand touched her, it magically turned into an exceedingly gentle gale...

[--Marc--: Little one, roar for me.]

He gave the command to his Golden Serpent, and as he willed, the “little one” opened its enormous jaws...

ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

A soul-shattering cry reverberated through the battlefield.