My Free Will System: Transmigrating Into My Favorite Immersion Game

Elias stood at the edge of Eldoria, the city's towering gates before him, flanked by the thick walls that had protected its citizens for centuries. Beyond the gates lay the vast wilderness of Elaris, filled with untamed landscapes, ancient secrets, and countless dangers. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the city at his back and the pull of the unknown before him.

This was it—the beginning of his journey to become stronger, and attain his goal.

But as he stepped forward, ready to leave Eldoria behind, he noticed two familiar figures standing near the gate, waiting for him. The High Luminary, with her regal bearing and serene expression, and Margo, her short, blue hair unmistakable even from a distance. Elias paused, surprise flickering across his features. He hadn't expected to see anyone, least of all them.

"What are you two doing here?" Elias asked as he approached, his tone a mix of curiosity and confusion.

The High Luminary, clad in her flowing white robes adorned with golden embroidery, smiled softly but did not immediately answer. Instead, she looked at him with a calm yet piercing gaze, one that seemed to see right through him. "I could ask you the same question, Elias," she replied, her voice gentle but firm.

Elias blinked, realization dawning on him. "You knew I was going to leave," he said, more a statement than a question. The High Luminary nodded, her expression remaining calm and composed.

"Yes," she admitted. "I've known for some time. The Goddess of Light, Lira, revealed it to me. She spoke of the Child of Light and the Demon Kings, and that things would unfold differently this time. Your path is not one that can be contained within the walls of Eldoria."

Elias's mind raced. He hadn't expected the High Luminary to be so direct, nor had he expected her to have foreseen his departure. It made sense, though. As the spiritual leader of Eldoria, she was closely attuned to the will of the divine. Still, it felt strange to have his intentions so plainly known, even before he had fully resolved them in his own heart.

Margo, however, did not share the High Luminary's composed demeanor. Her brows were furrowed, and her lips were set in a tight line of frustration. "And you weren't going to tell me?" Margo snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not even a word, Elias? You were just going to disappear?"

Elias winced slightly, feeling a pang of guilt. Margo had been a steadfast companion, always ready to back him up, no matter the danger. He hadn't meant to hurt her by leaving without a goodbye, but he also knew that goodbyes could be complicated and messy. He had hoped to avoid that.

"I'm sorry, Margo," he said earnestly, meeting her fiery gaze. "I just thought it would be easier this way. No long farewells, no complications."

Margo rolled her eyes. "Easier for you, maybe," she muttered, but Elias could tell she wasn't truly angry—just hurt. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, you know."

Elias turned back to the High Luminary. "Are you here to try to convince me to stay?" he asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it from her lips.

The High Luminary shook her head, her expression softening. "No, Elias. I cannot, and I will not. Your journey is your own to make. It is not my place to keep you here when your destiny lies elsewhere. But," she added, her voice taking on a firmer note, "I would be remiss in my duties if I simply let you walk away unprepared."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

The High Luminary's gaze sharpened. "You have not yet received your blessings, Elias. Without them, you are still vulnerable. If you were to die now, the title of the 'Chosen Child of Light' would pass on to another, and we would have to start our search all over again. It would be a devastating setback, not just for Eldoria, but for the entire realm of Elaris."

Elias considered her words. He had known the risks of leaving without the blessings, but he had decided it was worth the gamble. Yet, the High Luminary's concerns were valid. He was not invincible, and the road ahead would be fraught with dangers he couldn't yet predict.

"I understand," Elias said, nodding. "But I have to do this. I need to be stronger before I accept those blessings. They'll be worth more when I am."

The High Luminary inclined her head in agreement. "Then take Margo with you."

Elias blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Margo turned to the High Luminary, her eyes wide. "Wait, what? We didn't talk about this!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in surprise. "You never said anything about me going with him!"

The High Luminary remained unflustered, her serene expression unwavering. "It's not a suggestion, Margo. It's an order. Your skills and experience will be invaluable to Elias on his journey, and I trust you to ensure his safety until he's ready to return for his blessings."

Margo stared at the High Luminary, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to form a coherent protest. After a moment, she huffed and threw her hands up in defeat. "Fine, fine," she grumbled, though her tone lacked its usual fire. "Guess I don't have much of a choice."

Elias smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm fine with Margo coming along," he said, glancing at her. "Besides, Margo still owes me some 'spanks' from that bet she made with me."

The High Luminary raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by Elias's words. "Spanks?" she repeated, looking between the two of them with a puzzled expression. "What is he talking about, Margo?"

Margo's cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickly turned to the High Luminary, waving her hands in a flustered manner. "Oh, nothing! Just… just some silly  banter," she stammered, desperately trying to steer the conversation away. "We, uh, we mess around a lot! You know how it is."

Elias chuckled at her embarrassment, enjoying the rare sight of Margo losing her composure. She shot him a glare, but he could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. The tension eased slightly, the exchange bringing a brief moment of levity to an otherwise heavy conversation.

The High Luminary observed them both with a knowing smile, though she let the topic slide. "Very well, then. Margo, I will miss your presence, but I know you will serve the Church and  Eldoria well by staying at Elias's side."

Margo nodded, her expression softening. "I'll miss you too," she admitted, a rare note of vulnerability in her voice. "But I'll be back. We both will. I'll make sure to keep this perva— child of light safe."

Elias watched the exchange, feeling a sense of warmth at the bond between the High Luminary and Margo. He was grateful for their unwavering support, even if it meant dragging Margo along on his journey. There was a comfort in knowing he wouldn't be facing the unknown completely alone.

As Elias prepared to leave, he remembered something that had been nagging at the back of his mind. "What about Priest Mathias and the acolytes?" he asked, glancing at the High Luminary. "Won't people notice your absence from the altar?"

The High Luminary chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, don't worry about that. Priest Mathias is filling in for me. No one will notice I'm gone."

Elias raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on his face. "Mathias? How? He's… well, he's a man."

The High Luminary's giggle was uncharacteristic, a light and airy sound that caught both Elias and Margo off guard. "I simply had to adjust his attire a bit," she said with a mischievous smile. "A few layers of robes, a carefully arranged veil, and some strategic positioning. The congregation will never know the difference."

Elias laughed, the mental image of the stern, no-nonsense Priest Mathias awkwardly swathed in the High Luminary's ceremonial robes flashing in his mind. "Poor Mathias," he said, shaking his head. "I can't even imagine."

Margo snickered, the thought clearly amusing her as well. "He must be fuming," she said with a grin. "The old man always hated anything that deviated from tradition."

The High Luminary's smile was both playful and reassuring. "He will manage. And this way, I can ensure that you two start your journey without any additional complications."

Elias nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and determination. He had been prepared to face the unknown alone, but having Margo by his side made the prospect a little less daunting. Together, they would navigate the challenges ahead, growing stronger with every step.

He turned to the High Luminary, bowing his head in respect. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "For everything."

The High Luminary stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "May the light of Lira guide you both," she said, her voice filled with quiet conviction. "And remember, no matter how far you may go, the light of the Goddess will always dwell on you"