Chapter 476 : Summoning Medium
Chapter 476: Summoning Medium
After formally concluding the contract with the mermaid Anna-Russell, the two of them selected a new medium according to the subsequent steps of the ritual.
Just like the Seraph 【Lucifer】, Mermaid Anna, as an extraordinary being that responded to the 【Prayer Summoning】, also required a corresponding medium for future summonings.
Of course, compared to a high-tier existence like the Seraph 【Lucifer】, summoning Mermaid Anna—who resided within the same 【Material Plane】—did not demand an extremely precious medium.
Thus, the two eventually agreed that each time Janna-Roland summoned Mermaid Anna, she only needed to provide one Water-Elemental Magic Stone, without any grade restriction.
In other words, with just the lowest-grade Water-Elemental Magic Stone, Janna could summon a Deep Sea Mermaid whose power rivaled that of a formal wizard.
Naturally, a Deep Sea Mermaid capable of matching a formal wizard on land would have her combat prowess multiply severalfold when fighting in aquatic environments.
Even a veteran First-Tier Wizard such as Anthony-Rook would have to avoid direct conflict if he encountered a Deep Sea Mermaid within the waters.
"It has been a long time since I left the depths of the sea. It’s about time I return."
With her tail fin gently stirring the surging seawater, Mermaid Anna, the Ocean Envoy of 【Atlantis Russell Family】, prepared to depart as she noticed it was already late.
"If you ever need me, you can summon me anytime. I hope it won’t be too long before we meet again."
"Alright, see you next time."
嘩啦啦–
—
Amidst their farewells, Mermaid Anna vanished once more into the Contract Array along with the rising tide.
With her departure, all the grand and terrifying oceanic anomalies within 【Zoe Star】 disappeared as well, leaving only the restless waves that continued to stir faint ripples upon the sea’s surface.
"I didn’t expect this round of 【Prayer Summoning】 to go so smoothly———"
Although the “creature” she summoned greatly exceeded Janna’s expectations, overall, she was quite satisfied with the Deep Sea Mermaid Anna, who had called herself the Ocean Envoy.
Not to mention Anna’s formidable strength, even her friendly demeanor and voluntary offering of the 【Origin of Tides】 had deeply surprised Janna.
After all, before attempting the 【Prayer Summoning】, Janna had already prepared herself for the possibility that the other party might “ask for an outrageous price.”
Even White Cat Tifa had once mentioned during the course 《Advanced Contract Studies》 that every higher-dimensional being summoned through 【Prayer Summoning】 upheld a contractual principle of “fair exchange.”
The strength of the being should always correspond to the value of the medium offered.
For instance, with Mermaid Anna’s power being on par with a formal wizard, normally, each of her appearances should have required a summoning medium worth no less than a top-tier Elemental Essence—or even a portion of 【Source Power】.
However, when signing the contract, Mermaid Anna had made no demand for the quality of the summoning medium—only requesting a single Water-Elemental Magic Stone of any grade.
Such a request was nothing short of “extremely considerate” toward Janna’s poor “wallet.”
Not only that, but rather than demanding payment, Anna had even volunteered a significant quantity of 【Origin of Tides】 after discovering the issues within 【Zoe Star】, using it to repair Janna’s nearly depleted 【Ocean Origin】.
This act greatly accelerated Janna’s progress in cultivating 【Zoe Star】 and saved her a considerable amount of resources that would otherwise have been needed for ocean purification.
After all, the 【Law of Tides】 itself possessed remarkable purifying power within the domain of 【Ocean Authority】.
Although 【Zoe Star】 did not yet contain the 【Law of Tides】, the infusion of these 【Origins of Tides】 was already sufficient to meet Janna’s current needs for cleansing the ocean.
After completing the 【Prayer Summoning】 ritual, Janna’s spiritual consciousness withdrew from within 【Zoe Star】 and returned once again to the 【Material Plane】.
"Altogether, this summoning took about three hours—not bad."
Glancing at the clock that pointed to eleven-thirty, Janna felt rather pleased with her efficiency in performing the 【Prayer Summoning】.
After tidying up the ritual materials that had already been rendered unusable, she then took out the script of 《Fallen Angel》 to study it in advance.
"According to David-Berg, the script reading for 《Fallen Angel》 will be held at the beginning of next month at the latest."
"By then, the casting for each role should be finalized."
Thinking so, Janna opened the script while retrieving a chicken breast sandwich and a bottle of iced coffee from the refrigeration cabinet, planning to handle lunch as she worked.
"I wonder what Vivian-Rose is doing right now—"
Time flew by quickly. Unknowingly, Janna had already spent three months in the White Tower.
During that period, aside from her regular coursework, she had also been busy cultivating 【Fallen Stars】.
Outside of that, she spent her spare time practicing the “latest” play 《Withering Rose》.
《Withering Rose》 was, in fact, the revised version of 《Fallen Angel》. After David-Berg’s secondary edits to the script, not only was the content adjusted, but even the title was changed accordingly.
As the decisive performance marking the Nightingale Opera Troupe’s debut in Dordogne, both the troupe leader Roman-Roland, David-Berg, and all the other members held high hopes for it.
Because of that, the script reading—originally scheduled for a month ago—had been repeatedly postponed due to adjustments to the play, unresolved administrative issues regarding the Nightingale Opera Troupe’s entry into Dordogne, and the delay in finalizing the musical score for 《Withering Rose》.
"Ding-dong一"
Inside the dormitory, as Janna glanced at the script of 《Withering Rose》 that she had already read several times, she picked up the 【Strings of Frotenas】 and, almost unconsciously, began to play the harp according to the melodies she had memorized in her heart.
Having acquired her “musical talent” through the innate ability 【Soul Listening】, Janna had composed quite a few melodies during her free time over the past two months.
Some mournful, some joyful, some lonely, and some furious—
In this great city known as the City of Magic, Janna had not only witnessed its brilliance and prosperity but had also glimpsed the darker side hidden within its shadows.
Of course, she hadn’t been deliberately searching for it—rather, the emotional sounds resonating through her 【Soul Listening】 talent naturally led her to the place where Dordogne’s negative emotions were most concentrated.
That was—the slums of Dordogne, the Kumish District—"