Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Witnessing Reya’s Inauguration Ceremony

At this moment, Ingram was no longer in his ordinary old priest’s attire. He had changed into a set of solemn ceremonial vestments, white with golden adornments.

Two blue, scripture-embroidered stoles hung from the old man’s shoulders, adding a solemn majesty to his gentle disposition.

However, his actions didn’t quite seem to match his dignified appearance.

The old man gazed with a kindly, even loving, expression at the helpless-looking Jon and the sniffling Reya curled up in his arms. He let out a sudden sigh, his voice filled with nostalgia.

"Ah, it’s wonderful to be young... This scene reminds me of when my wife and I were courting back in the day..."

"Ah—"

Reya let out a small cry as a blush quickly spread across her cheeks. She shyly pushed herself up a little from Jon’s chest, wiped her tear-streaked face, and bashfully lowered her head.

"Grandpa Ingram... I’m sorry, you had to see me acting so childish..."

"There’s no need to apologize, Reya. When have we, the faithful of the Sun, ever mocked such pure emotion?"

"It is like the rising sun—pure and warm. There is nothing in this world more beautiful."

"Besides, in my eyes, you’ll always be the same mischievous little girl who used to pull my beard."

As he spoke, the old man casually winked at Jon, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening with his smile, as if to say, ’I know even more embarrassing stories about her childhood!’

Jon couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.

’So Reya was actually a mischievous troublemaker when she was little?’

His chuckle only made the red-haired girl’s face burn hotter, to the point where it looked like steam might start rising from her head.

"Grandpa Ingram! What are you saying in front of Mr. Jon!"

She frantically moved to stand between Jon and Ingram, waving her hands back and forth as if that could stop the old man from revealing any more of her "unspeakable" secrets.

Her posture naturally sent the old priest into a fit of hearty laughter, his booming voice echoing through the small prayer room.

"Hahahaha... The little girl has grown up and learned how to be shy..."

Jon chuckled along with them, a hint of gentle teasing in his eyes. Only Reya remained, utterly mortified.

The once somewhat heavy atmosphere had completely vanished, leaving only warmth and laughter to flow through the air.

But after the laughter subsided, it was time for the day’s main business.

Reya carefully wiped her face clean, dabbed away the tear stains on her clothes, composed herself, and then moved to the center of the prayer room.

She faced the statue of the Sun God Poao, pressed her clenched fists to her chest, bowed her head, and stood in silence.

Ingram stood directly beneath the statue of Poao, on a spot slightly higher than Reya.

The smile on his face was gone, replaced by a faint glimmer of the majestic authority he would one day wield as the Golden-robed Bishop, leader of the entire Imperial Sun Church.

Jon, the sole spectator for this important ceremony, sat on a bench to Reya’s right.

As a veteran player, how could he not know what Reya was about to do?

Under the gaze of the Deities, with the guidance of her elder, and witnessed by a friend, she was about to step onto the path of faith and become a Saint Professional!

Jon even knew the ceremony’s procedure—the "Three Questions" of faith!

But for him, this ceremony held an additional layer of meaning beyond simply being a spectator.

’The players who completed the quest to save Reya back in the day probably never got to witness this scene of her becoming a Professional...’

’Otherwise, the forums would have been full of videos and screenshots of this part...’

’In other words, I’m the only person witnessing the moment the future [Flame-haired Princess] embarks on her path as a Professional...’

It was a curious thought.

He gently caressed the armrest of the bench, savoring this unique feeling.

It was a pity there was no one to share it with.

The ceremony began soon after.

Ingram’s voice, solemn and gentle, echoed through the prayer room as if carrying the warmth of the sun itself.

"Reya Xavier, child of Poao, why do you seek to walk this path?"

Reya lifted her head. Her eyes, still slightly red-rimmed, shone with an unprecedented, determined light—a light that outshone even the fiery blaze of her hair.

She stared directly at the tall, silent statue, her voice clear and firm, without a trace of hesitation.

"I want to be the master of my own Destiny!"

The moment her words fell, the surface of the majestic statue of Sun God Poao seemed to be caressed by invisible sunlight. It suddenly lit up with a soft, sacred glimmer, bathing the entire prayer room in an even brighter light.

The light was not blinding, yet it possessed an undeniable presence, as if the gaze of the Deity was truly falling upon this place for the first time.

Jon sat to one side, quietly watching the scene unfold.

He could sense the intense longing in Reya’s words—a desire to break free from her shackles and seek Power.

This longing was born from the terror of her near-kidnapping, from the powerlessness she felt in the face of the merchant guild’s chaos.

She was no longer content to be protected. She wanted to become a Power, one that could protect herself and even others!

Ingram nodded slightly, approval shining in his eyes. His voice, filled with hope for the younger generation, continued.

"Then, what is the belief you hold to?"

Reya took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

Her voice was even louder, ringing through the solemn air with the weight of a proclamation.

"I believe that justice will triumph over evil!"

This time, the divine manifestation was even more astounding.

The very space within the prayer room seemed to twist, and a hazy yet magnificent image materialized in the air—it was a phantasm of the legendary Sun Country, the [Court of Radiance]!

Golden clouds drifted by, magnificent halls faded in and out of view, colossal pillars of light descended from the heavens, and a sacred chorus hummed like celestial music deep within their souls.

Though it was but a fleeting illusion, it was enough to stir the soul!

For some reason, Jon felt a tremor deep within his soul.

’What’s happening... Why am I feeling this?’

Ingram’s expression grew even more solemn as he asked the final, and most critical, question.

"Reya Xavier, can you remain true to yourself, never betray the oath you make today, and never prove unworthy of our Lord’s light?"

Reya straightened her back, as if pouring all her strength and determination into this very moment.

She clenched both hands into fists, pressed them against her chest, and with every fiber of her being, let out a declaration that was almost a roar:

"My heart and my soul will never waver, never regret!"

BOOM—!

A silent thunderclap seemed to detonate in the depths of his soul, and Jon could even hear his own heart begin to race!

As Reya’s vow concluded, the round stone held aloft in the statue’s hand—a symbol of the Sun—erupted with an unprecedented, brilliant golden light!

A stream of light—so dense it seemed solid, composed of pure sacred radiance—shot from the statue’s hand like a descending Saint Flame. With unerring accuracy, it crossed the space in an instant and plunged straight into the crown of Reya’s head!

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