-- Erephir Linell Darvening, nice to meet you, -- perhaps Sonata's student managed to catch part of the spoken speech, who knows. Looks like they'll be studying together?

- This is what a lack of faith does to people, - Sonata's student commented on Erephir's previously heard monologue, - life is much simpler and more beautiful if you don't invent meanings where there are none. For me, for example, Darkness is the most appealing. Why, you ask? Everything is simply conveyed through three elements that converged like a parade of planets:
- In our world, darkness is a masculine element, and it just so happened that I am a man. Although, considering there are only two genders, this cannot be called unusual.
- Beauty is the foundation of culture, the foundation of love. Look at your equipment, your clothes and accessories - without a striving for the beautiful, they would look completely different.
- This path is patronized by the True Goddess, so do I need to doubt it?

- What curious students I have today. Be it known to you, Erephir, that in the world where this philosophy and combat practice originated, this direction was called precisely the path of metal, so you are fully entitled to call it exactly that. I merely adapted it to the categories generally accepted on Anuzish, that's all. Do you know that categorization lies at the heart of our understanding of the world? For example, if you observe a blue sky above your head, but do not have the corresponding word in your lexicon, you will not be able to comprehend its color. Or one can look at the example of beauty mentioned by Pion; without the corresponding term at your disposal, the most you would be capable of when seeing something beautiful is to feel it on a sensory level, but the concept itself would be foreign to you. Therefore, for a better understanding of this path and its place in our world, it is more effective to be guided by the categories of elements known to us. Be that as it may, I will have to disappoint you - mastering these concepts and embodying them in life is not at all the same as studying traditional sciences and combat training. Having once stepped onto the path of matter, metal, Kalentia, and abandoned it, you have misled your spirit and body, and returning to the original state will be far more difficult than mastering the other seven options, and that is the only thing I can offer you. - In exchange for ✹.

Added after 17 minutes

"I wonder if yesterday's piece of cake has already gone bad at home?..."

It didn't go bad because she already ate it 😎

—I remember: on the third! Technically, the last OD can be spent on the founder... Well, let me bring the first, second, and third, and you see which cover your soul leans towards more.

After thinking a bit about the options available to her, Sanexa settles her choice on SMM and Air.
- It seems that even for noble people, life can be difficult, - she concluded, finishing reading SMM, - is it just me, or were there more tragic stories here than otherwise?.. But for some reason, Bertali's fate touched me deeply. From his reaction first to the betrayal, and then to the murder of his wife, it's clear that he loved her very much.

He aggressively seals the envelope and hangs it on a tree, pretending to be mortally offended, but in the end, he cannot stop himself from laughing, just as Beata herself does.

- Ah, it's you, - the musician finally noticed the couple, - lanky, beanpole, and skyscraper, - he recalled the three women he had met in the morning, - so how's the party, having fun?

- Ha-ha, yeah, alright, alright. But that reminded me of one question. A bit out of place for today and this location, but it seems to make sense... uh... - the question was addressed in a private chat to Sonata and Cleone. - Do you know by whose specific "mercy" you were thrown into Risser? There are quite specific conditions required there... If it was "her", then now you're, uh... on your own? Is that how it is?

The toxic greenery and the alien dog shook their heads from side to side, demonstrating their ignorance.

- No, nothing, just asked...

- Really?.. - The beauty took Ayano in the viewfinder of her camera. - Or maybe our innocent and pure princess has a dirtier mind than might appear at first glance, hmm??

- I think... that the amount of text could have been cut... - Ayano said with difficulty, turning her face away and hiding the expression of pain on it with her palm.

- So you hold that opinion too, I see. We'll have to go back to the old format.

- Ayano said with difficulty, turning her face away and hiding the expression of pain on it with her palm.
"Okamisama... What has become of us?.. What a shame"

Noticing her friend's confusion, Sonata placed her palm on her back.
- Are you okay?

- Too bad... This is already which "event" in a row that I won't be able to get ✹ for?.. Not that it's that important, but... sigh.

- Why won't you be able to? Everything will work out.