Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Enlightenment Ritual
The top seven and bottom seven floors of Tower Nine were always off-limits, which made them seem extremely mysterious and often sparked heated discussions among the Executors.
From what Lloyd had overheard, some believed these areas were vaults for storing Demon organs, reeking of preservatives, while others thought they must be grim and terrifying dungeons, piled high with bones and severed limbs.
Probably no one would have guessed that the seven floors above ground were actually decorated like a luxury hotel...
Gilded candelabras and a series of landscape paintings hung on the walls. Potted plants, vases, and other decorations were placed symmetrically on the floor. Underfoot was a soft red carpet, creating an atmosphere that was both magnificent and comfortably serene.
There weren’t many rooms here, but each one was exquisite and elegant, spacious and bright, and fully equipped. They even featured a soft, king-sized bed big enough for three people to roll around in.
Lloyd couldn’t help but ask in astonishment:
"I’m supposed to complete my Enlightenment in a place like this? Isn’t this a bit too extravagant?"
Weiya shook her head and explained:
"Every Transcendence is far from easy. Your first, in particular, is a hurdle that has stumped countless people. That’s why the Chief Judge believes a superior environment like this helps you relax and increases your chances of success."
As she spoke, she led Lloyd into the room, gestured for him to sit on the sofa, and continued:
"There are drinks and food in the cabinet. You can help yourself, but I suggest you don’t drink too much alcohol."
While speaking, she lit some incense in the corner of the room, then fiddled with a vinyl record player next to it, releasing a soothing, melodious tune. After that, she tore off several paper seals from the floor and walls, revealing patterns underneath.
These were all components of the Enlightenment Orbit.
Lloyd just watched as she bustled around the room, her long legs in black stockings and tall boots moving back and forth before his eyes. The atmosphere started to feel a bit strange. He felt an inexplicable stirring within him, and his imagination threatened to run wild.
Fortunately, he shook his head hard and cast those inappropriate thoughts from his mind.
Doing so also dispelled much of the tension that had been lingering in his mind.
Before long, Weiya returned, pushing a massive full-length mirror in front of Lloyd, so that it reflected his image. She then lit two scented candles and placed them on either side of the mirror. Finally, she took out a music box, wound it up, and placed it behind the mirror.
The music box let out a series of soft, TING-A-LING chimes, which failed to form a melody, as if it were broken.
"You should have already read the Chief Judge’s notes, so I don’t need to remind you of the relevant precautions. Don’t worry about your privacy being exposed. Not even a Saint can spy on this ritual...
Well then, I’ll be going. May the Radiant Light bring you good fortune."
With that, Weiya gave Lloyd an encouraging look, then left the room, locking him inside alone.
"Whew... Let’s begin."
Lloyd let out a long sigh and rubbed his face vigorously. He then looked up at the full-length mirror before him, listening intently to the strange tune from the music box.
The first Transcendence of the Veto system required one to Veto a ’past self’ under the influence of a specific Orbit, thereby completing the initial Enlightenment.
It sounded very profound, but the actual process was quite simple: in this room, you had to sever ties with a ’past self.’
It could be your ’lazy self,’ your ’arrogant self,’ or, of course, you could even choose your ’excellent self’ or your ’happy self.’
It wasn’t about forgetting the associated memories. It was more like turning over a new leaf, a thorough reformation—or perhaps, self-reflection—to achieve one’s first taste of becoming Extraordinary and Unworldly.
The difficulty lay in the fact that it wasn’t enough to just say pretty words like ’I’ll never slack off again,’ ’I’ll do it next time for sure,’ or ’I’ll never miss an update.’ You had to perform a complete and utter Veto in the depths of your consciousness.
Of course, Vetoing your ’slacking self’ didn’t necessarily mean you would become your ’diligent self’...
Considering the various aspects of human nature, the Chief Judge advised in his notes against setting vague or unrealistic goals.
For example, a ’mediocre self’ or a ’poor self.’ These were certainly not problems that a single Enlightenment could solve. Targeting such a self was bound to end in failure.
It was best to choose a smaller, more practical target to increase the chances of success.
That was why Lloyd had already decided last night which ’self’ he would sever ties with.
As the strange tune from the music box played, he felt his consciousness begin to blur. A number of cringeworthy memories surfaced in his mind one by one, and the intensity started to ramp up.
The image in the full-length mirror before him, flickering with the candlelight on either side, began to blur and change. It gradually switched to a strange first-person perspective, as if he had entered someone else’s body.
People from this world might have felt tense, uncomfortable, or even gotten motion sickness from this scene, but to Lloyd, it was exceptionally familiar and nostalgic. He used to enter this exact perspective all the time, practicing his aim by drawing outlines around enemies in places like Desert Labyrinth City and Purgatory Town.
Only, what was reflected in the mirror wasn’t one of his familiar spawn points, but...
His waifu?
Then, a sound like the frenzied barking of a dog rang in his ears:
"YEAH! Awesome! I got the pull! I got the pull!"
That was followed by the piercing shriek of a seal:
"How’d you know I got her on my first ten-pull?"
The scene shifted again, and a cringey comment reached his ears:
"Hehehe~ My waifu looks so good when she draws her sword! *slurp slurp*!"
Watching this scene, the real-life Lloyd felt the corners of his mouth lift slightly, feeling that joy that came from the bottom of his heart.
But in the next second, the tone suddenly shifted. The person in the mirror was staring at their nearly depleted bank account balance, looking troubled.
"Damn it! My pulls were a total bust. Looks like I have to spend real money now. I can’t leave my waifu in the cold, hard gacha pool!"
"Sigh... Looks like it’s instant noodles for me again this month..."
"Dammit, lost the 50/50 again. Screw it, for my new waifu, I’ll swipe!"
"My money didn’t disappear. It just transformed into a brand-new waifu to keep me company."
Lloyd watched these familiar scenes, watched that familiar version of himself, and his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.
This was the self he wanted to Veto.
Although these memories were rather cringeworthy, he didn’t shy away from them. He continued to watch, his emotions remaining relatively stable.
Until the scene in the mirror changed again. The self in the mirror was taking out his phone and typing a text message:
"Mom, I’m out of money..."
Lloyd’s eyes instantly began to sting, a sharp pain like a nail being driven into them.
