Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World-Chapter 244: Selection (BONUS)

"Hey! Let me make this clear. Although the flash amulet could be used in the way Sanzenin described, my original intention in creating it was so that a few people with weaker personal abilities could use it for self-defense."

"For example, Sonoko, Fujiwara, Hayasaka, and Miss Sakuya."

"Miss Sakuya is just an ordinary person. She really does need to rely on tools to protect herself. Sonoko and Fujiwara also don't have much in the way of personal combat abilities. They need props as well. Then there's Hayasaka."

"Hayasaka's Door-Door Fruit is more suited for support. Before her physical ability reaches a certain level, she still needs defensive tools. Besides, in certain situations, Hayasaka's abilities make her especially suited to using these amulets for area control."

Ren hurriedly explained himself. Otherwise, he would risk being misunderstood as some perverted charlatan.

"By the way, this is something I had already discussed with Sanzenin earlier. Some things should wait until you're ready. If you're not fully prepared, you can hold off for now."

"..."

The girls present all understood the meaning behind these words. None of them responded verbally, but they nodded silently.

"Alright, let's set this topic aside for now."

Ren took the initiative to move on from the somewhat awkward subject.

"Actually, I already talked with Miss Sakuya about this amulet back when we were in the RV. For example, this amulet is indeed useful, but for ordinary people who have undergone a certain level of training or have some resistance, the control time drops to about twenty minutes."

"If it's someone with special abilities like us, the effect is even weaker."

"For Kaguya, Sanzenin, and the others, it would only last about one minute."

"As for Ran, if the amulet's effect is not neutralized, it would last at most twenty seconds."

"Of course, no matter the duration, any tool that risks harming the user is not a good tool. But that problem can be avoided."

As he spoke, Ren waved his hand, and a set of tarot cards appeared.

"These tarot cards are made from a special high-grade material. Keeping one on you prevents you from being affected by these kinds of ordinary props."

"So..."

The tarot cards began to rotate in midair, spinning like a magic trick.

"Everyone here, please choose a card for yourselves."

One of the rotating cards fell into Ren's hand.

"I choose the Fool."

The others turned their attention to the deck, beginning to make their selections.

"Then I'll choose the Lover."

Sonoko was the first to choose, speaking without hesitation. Her quick decision made Kaguya pause for a moment, though she quickly recovered.

"Emperor."

After Kaguya made her choice, Hayasaka followed.

"Temperance."

Ren glanced at the master and servant pair and thought their choices were very fitting.

The reversed Emperor symbolizes childishness, powerlessness, and being dominated—completely matching Kaguya's past situation.

The reversed Temperance represents exhaustion, anxiety, and imbalance—a perfect reflection of Hayasaka's previous state of being controlled.

"Well, I'll take the Empress."

Sanzenin Nagi also chose the card that best suited her.

The reversed Empress signifies a lack of ambition, a passive lifestyle, and family disputes, all fitting well with Nagi's personal circumstances.

After Nagi, Maria made her selection.

"I'll choose the Hanged Man."

Ren felt that Maria's card should be interpreted in the upright position.

It symbolizes trials, sacrifice, rebirth, continuous learning, and unwavering love—an accurate depiction of Maria's life.

She chose to leave Nagi and undergo trials, then was reborn through her travels and studies, giving her love wholeheartedly to the one she cares about.

"I choose the Hermit."

Aizawa Sakuya's choice also fit her perfectly, especially when viewed upright.

It represents independent action, listening to advice, enjoying solitude, maintaining vigilance, and respecting elders—all very much in line with her role at home, especially as an older sister who looks after others.

"Well, I'll choose the Magician."

Saginomiya Isumi also made the most appropriate choice for herself.

Similarly, the upright interpretation suited her well. The Magician symbolizes new beginnings and the power to enact change, which reflects her relationship with Sanzenin Nagi.

It speaks of skillful technique, determination, and the ambition to use natural forces to achieve one's goals—all of which matched her position as a shrine maiden.

"Then I'll choose Strength."

The strongest among them, Ran, chose the most fitting card.

In her case, both the upright and reversed meanings were appropriate.

The upright meaning represents her current self, while the reversed reflects her state before receiving the diary.

After everyone had chosen their cards, the corresponding tarot cards floated down into each person's hands.

The only one who hadn't made a choice yet...

Everyone turned their gaze to the last person, Fujiwara Chika.

"Hmm... which one should I choose? What do you think, Ren?"

Chika, unable to decide, instinctively turned to Ren for advice.

"For you, the Sun is the best choice. The upright meaning suits you perfectly."

"Positive, full of vitality, energetic, successful work, help from benefactors, happy relationships, healthy communication."

Chika's eyes lit up at his words. She immediately smiled and said cheerfully:

"Then I'll choose the Sun."

With that, everyone had made their choices. Ren gathered the remaining, unchosen cards.

However, he had no intention of restoring the deck just yet. Instead, he kept the leftover cards available in case other people joined later.

Ren continued his explanation.

"These cards are made from special materials and can bypass certain abilities. I used one of them to break through Ran's nullification field. Because of the difference in nature, it can accomplish things that ordinary means cannot."

"Just to be clear, I'm not saying I can currently break Ran's magic nullification on my own. That ability really is the nemesis of extraordinary powers."

"But thanks to these cards, as long as you carry one with you, you won't have to worry about getting caught in the effects of the props you use."

It was the simplest and most straightforward solution Ren could come up with.

(To be continued.)

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