Chapter 18: Success or Failure?
Vivian blinked multiple times at the sudden intrusion of bright light that was in front of her. When her vision adjusted and finally saw her surroundings, she found herself not in the mansion anymore but in another familiar place.
'This place, this is Eclio's territory. The heart of the forest. What is the meaning of this? Am I already done with my trial?'
The chirping of the birds was ringing everywhere. A soft breeze of the wind blew sending chills to Vivian and the bright blue sky filled her vision. Those natural feelings that came from nature made her feel more at ease and less stressed. She closed her eyes to take advantage of the peacefulness after all the brutality that she experienced a while ago. Then when she opened her eyes once again she noticed something that got her attention.
[System Notice: Prelude before the Main Story.
Time left: 65 days left.]
She also glanced at the system blue translucent screen that was blinking in front of her. "I'm back."
"Yes, you're back after two days of finishing the trial." She heard Eclio's voice.
This time, Vivian realized that she was lying on some stone pavement. She immediately jerked up and turned to see the white tiger. He was just behind her, sitting comfortably on the grass fields of flowers.As if the tiger was guarding him the whole time.
She also noticed someone familiar. It was Isaiah, he was lying on a separate stone pavement that was closed to her by a meter. However, it seemed that he hadn't regained consciousness since his eyes were still closed.
"He's a vampire." Vivian said as her gaze was just on the unconscious Isaiah.
"Yes, he is." Eclio simply responds as he already expects that Vivian says those words.
"Despite that, you die three times in order to help him and even help escape those prisoners."
"Did they escape?"
"Well, perhaps." Eclio said. His golden eyes looked at Vivian with gentleness. "That is just a manipulated memory of his, recreated to be a trial for you. They might escape in that recreated memory however, things might be different in the real events that create that memory."
"I see…" Vivian said as she turned to the unconscious Isaiah. "Then,if that is how it goes and since I'm out here, does it mean that I succeed on the trial?"
"Yes child." Eclio, the elemental spirit of the Forest said. "I just want to congratulate you for succeeding in the trial, brave child. You can now form a contract with me."
Vivian stood up. "Great, finally. Let us begin now."
"I, Eclio the Elemental Beast of the Forest, would now begin the contract signing to Vivian, second daughter of Jack, a hunter and Victoria Desiree. My Conditions are as follows:
Vivian will not cause harm to the chosen child of the Moon.
Vivian will give 20 percent of her soul to Eclio, the Elemental Beast of the Forest on her death.
Only on Vivian's death the compensation soul would be gathered and the contract would be void between the two parties.
In return for Vivian's soul, Eclio would support and give Vivian the power she needed in order to fulfill her desire as long as it didn't cause harm to the chosen child of the moon.
Vivian is not compulsory to aid the chosen child of the moon. But if a situation arises that both Vivian and the chosen child of the moon needed help, Eclio would prioritize the chosen child of the moon. Vivian would be able to summon Eclio at any place and time she desires.
Eclio would follow the conditions of Vivian on the contract as long as none of Eclio's six conditions are violated."
'Unbelievable. No matter what, it is all in favor of Eunice hahaha.' Vivian wanted to laugh with sarcasm in her mind.
"Child, state your conditions now for this contract." Eclio said as he looked directly at Vivian's eyes.
"My conditions…" Vivian pondered for a while.
"First, Eclio, the Elemental Beast of the Forest will not betray me as long as I don't cause harm to the child of the moon."
"Second, Eclio will accompany me on my journeys."
"Third, as Eclio provides me with power, I will also provide him the necessary support when things come down in the future."
"Fourth, as long as Eclio knows, he will provide me with real and honest information that I would seek from him."
Vivian looked at Eclio. "Since, most of what I want was already stated in your conditions, there is nothing much I needed."
"Very well, I see no problems with the conditions you seek. Give me your dominant hand, child." Eclio extended his right paw. While Vivian extended her right hand.
As soon as his right paw and her right hand touched, a white light glowed from their touch. Vivian felt a warm sensation gushed through her skin. And she felt something enter her.
[System: You have gained the Empathetic Heart.
Empathetic Heart:
-The power bestowed upon making a contract with Eclio, the Elemental Beast of the Forest.
-When used at will, you will be able to move faster than any normal human.
- And you will not be immune to dark miasma.
- One with the forest - No harm from the creatures of the Forest shall befall you to any forest you will enter.
- The Elemental Beast of the Forest, will aid you if you encounter any battles.
- When you do kindness, the effect of Empathetic Heart will increase. ]
Seeing the hovering blue translucent screen,Vivian couldn't help but grin. 'Speed and protection from the dark miasma plus the aid of Eclio. Finally I'm done with the first contract.'
"With this child, our contract has been formed. To think you won't ask any questions regarding my condition."
"As long as I don't do any harm to the child of the moon, you will help me." Vivian smiled. "That is enough for me."
Eclio looked at Vivian with a profound gaze. "Are you aware who is the child of the moon?"
"I will not lie to you, Lord Eclio. Yes. I know about her."
"I see." Eclio turned around. A Faraway looked into his eyes. "Do you have any other questions for me child?"
"I do have two questions."
"Let me hear it."
"First, do you know about the ancient language that was written on that stone?" Vivian gestured to the huge stone tablet where she got a fragment of the constellation.
"I have not seen any written language in that stone. However, that stone is emitting a strong sense of divine energy that helps this spot be cleared by any dark miasma."
"Divine Energy?"
"It was a long time. That stone appeared out of nowhere clearing the dark miasma surrounding the forest. I don't know where it came from nor how it came here. But that stone was helpful to this place."
'Divinity…' Vivian pondered. 'Plus the truth of this world.'
Seeing Vivian contemplate, "Child, this old one apologized if he couldn't give more information. But if you want to have knowledge of this stone, you may seek the guidance of the Church of Light in the Capital of the Empire of Roxburg. They must have more knowledge when it comes to any divinity."
"The Church of Light, that is quite a journey from here to that place. But I'll keep that in mind." Vivian said. "Then for my second question, you mentioned before that a tainted beast by the dark miasma is the one who killed my father.
And it escaped. Do you have any idea of what exactly it looks like and the possible whereabouts of it?"
"That tainted beast is a grifon. And if possible, it will head to places where the dark miasma could be dense."
"I see…Last thing, that guy over there, he will not remember anything about me using his memory for the trial right?"
"Yes. He would not."
"Good. Then I would take my leave now, Lord Eclio. Let's see each other again once I summon you out."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone