Page 210 of Axis of Fire

I followed her example.

Each one was beautiful in its own way.

Yet none of them called to me.

Maybe because some part of me still refused to believe any of this.

“I think I should start with the green stones,” Stasia murmured as she moved toward a display filled with emerald-colored gems.

“My magic has a green aura.”

She examined one pendant after another without choosing a single one.

I let out a quiet sigh.

This was probably just another way their world encouraged people to become more spiritually aware.

Otherwise...

Why was everyone here so superstitious?

The shop assistant seemed to notice my skepticism and stepped closer.

“A talisman won’t choose you unless it comes into contact with you.”

“I just...” I hesitated, carefully choosing my next words so I wouldn’t offend her.

Or sound rude.

Then—

A strange sound reached my ears.

A soft splash.

As though someone had dropped a pebble into still water.

I turned toward Stasia and realized she had already wandered over to the display with amber-colored stones.

The sound came again.

Louder this time.

The moment Stasia noticed one particular pendant, she reached for it without hesitation.

The pendant held a yellow, teardrop-shaped gemstone embraced by a curved silver line that resembled a smile.

“That’s not a talisman for water mages, is it?” Stasia asked, looking up at the shop assistant.

Leaving my side, the woman walked over to her.

“That contains a Metis stone,” she explained. “It originates from Vuduarus magic, but it also shares an affinity with Tutuarus.”

The woman studied Stasia’s slightly confused expression with quiet curiosity.

Meanwhile, I mentally tried to remember which power belonged to the second world.

Then I remembered the end of Airis’s explanation.