Chapter 255: The Gilded Cage Opens
[Your affinity with Cassandra Von Virellia has reached 4.5 stars.]
[Upon reaching 5 stars, you will unlock Aura Sync.]
I stared at the message window, confusion taking over me.
Already 4.5 stars? Did it increase after all that we went through? What would I need to do for it to reach 5 stars?
And an Aura Sync? What was that? Another rare phenomenon? Or does it stand for aura synchronization? Or was it a combat boost?
The system’s description was frustratingly vague. I’d have to look into it more in the future.
Besides, they weren’t the only messages I got.
It seems like that weird phenomenon is called "Emphatic Resonance" - a rare phenomenon that allows deep emotional connections to manifest shared experiences and memories in visual form.
The system explained that it occurs when two individuals with high affinity reach a state of complete emotional vulnerability and trust.
I even got to learn a mental ability thanks to it.
[Memory Resonance - Level 1]
[Ability allows visualization of deeply traumatic or significant memories when emotional barriers are completely lowered between individuals with 4 and 4+ star affinity.]
[Warning: This ability requires significant aura expenditure and can only be activated under specific emotional conditions at your level.]
Now that explained everything, from the sudden manifestations to the aura drain.
I didn’t know if this would be useful, but having more abilities was always good; maybe I would get more chances to activate and train it in the future.
And it wasn’t the only gain I received. The Lanter’s Glow was already at the threshold of upgrading, I just needed to fulfill another emotional breakthrough to fulfill it. I was awaiting more useful effects from it since the last upgrade didn’t satisfy me that much.
Shared Burden as well, I feel like I can upgrade it after a few more times.
Come to think of it, the Empathic Resonance might have been triggered because I used them simultaneously. It seems like I would have to try out more possible combinations like that when opportunity arises.
I also got a message that said I was a step away from unlocking my first path. And then I would be able to advance to the second tier and become a Path Seeker officially.
However, since I have three loci - body, energy, and mind, and a wide range of abilities and skills, I am compatible with many paths. With Mystic, Warrior, and Specialist being the closest ones.
I’ll discuss it with Master in our upcoming meeting next week.
I would have to talk about my affinities too. I still don’t know how to use them. But I guess you would have to become a Path Seeker to be able use them.
Great, more problems to think about. But at least they were useful for my growth.
And last but not least, there was a hidden scenario completion window that kept waiting.
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SCENARIO: "THE GILDED CAGE OPENS"
STATUS: COMPLETED (HIDDEN SCENARIO)
"A broken bird had forgotten how to sing, convinced her voice was worthless. But someone listened to her silence and taught her that even shattered songs can heal."
▸ OBJECTIVES COMPLETED:
✓ Earn Cassandra’s complete trust – Break through her emotional barriers
✓ Witness her truth – See her memories through Empathic Resonance
✓ Reaffirm her worth – Help her understand she is not a commodity, not now, not before, or in the future
✓ Strengthen her resolve – Remind her of her own power and journey
✓ ...Etc.
▸ REWARDS:
- ["Phoenix Tears"] – "What was broken can be made whole again."
- ["Memory Resonance"] – "Some connections transcend words."
- 250 Scenario Points
- [Affinity Resonance Has Evolved to Tier 4 Resonance Art]
- [Affinity Boost: Cassandra] Current Affinity: ★★★★☆ (4.5 stars)
- [Echoing Heartstone (Paired Relics)]
- Title Acquired: [Keeper of Scars] - "You don’t heal wounds, you make them sacred."
- Achievement Earned: [The Merchant Queen’s Heart] - "You found something priceless that was never for sale."
SPECIAL NOTE: This scenario had multiple failure conditions that could have resulted in permanent affinity loss or psychological trauma. Your approach of genuine empathy over manipulation has unlocked new future scenario branches.
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My lips curled up in pure satisfaction and relief as I read the title and the system’s usual poetic description.
I was happy to know that I was somehow able to contribute to Cassandra’s healing, even if it was just a small step in her grand journey.
With a positive attitude, I quickly scanned the objectives and then focused on the rewards.
Although I didn’t do much, I would never say no to them. It also kinda felt like I was being rewarded for almost nothing. But I guess emotions and inner turmoil were deeper battlefields than any physical arena, and navigating them successfully truly deserved such boons. But...
... Isn’t this a bit too much?
My eyes widened as I scanned the rewards, my eyes stopping at the scenario points.
250 points?
That was almost triple the highest amount I’d received before, which was 100 points from the last two scenarios. Then, this must have been an incredibly significant event for the system to award such massive points.
With this amount, I could easily return the debt I owed to the system from my first emergency purchase. But of course, I’d need to consider my options carefully and survey the shop again before making any decisions.
With wild fantasies, I skipped the affinity boost since I already knew it.
I moved on to examine the title and the achievement. Oh! Both seemed to have surprisingly good effects. I was expecting ineffective ones like usual.
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[Title: Keeper of Scars]
"You don’t heal wounds, you make them sacred."
Passive Effect: Individuals with traumatic experiences feel naturally drawn to confide in you
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Oh, this will definitely be helpful while mending and training specific abilities like the Memory Resonance and Lantern’s Glow.
And now...
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[Achievement: The Merchant Queen’s Heart]
"You found something priceless that was never for sale."
Passive Effect: [Unbreakable Bond]
- Immune to any attempts to turn you and Cassandra against each other through manipulation, relic, technique, art, or coercion(*).
Active Effect: [Heartlink]
- Can communicate basic emotions and intentions telepathically within a 10-meter radius (Can be upgraded).
Special Effect: [Protector’s Leap]
- When Cassandra is in mortal danger, you can instantly teleport to her location. This ability has a one-month cooldown and, upon activation, grants a temporary boost to all abilities, allowing you to act decisively in her defense.
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