In this world, most Development Abilities were fairly similar.
For example, Swordsman could be obtained through the repeated use of a sword.
By enduring abnormal status conditions, one could gain Abnormal Resistance.
There was Mixing for brewing potions, Hunter for slaying monsters.
Beyond these, there were many common Development Abilities that almost any adventurer could acquire as long as certain conditions were met.
But there were also extremely special abilities—unique, one-of-a-kind in a certain sense.
For example, Bell's Luck. In the entire story, he alone possessed that Development Ability.
There was also Alise's Hunter and Asfi's Mixing.
These were all special Development Abilities unique to specific individuals. It was practically impossible for a second person to obtain them.
And now, the newly appeared Ego seemed to follow that same logic.
A Development Ability that no second person could ever obtain.
If anyone else in this world saw this ability, they would probably be completely baffled. After all, its name gave no clear indication of what kind of power it held, making it impossible to evaluate properly.
Even Elise herself could not fully understand why this ability had appeared.
It was simply too sudden.
"It seems to be a Development Ability I've never seen before," Astraea's voice sounded from behind her. "Elise, do you know what this is about?"
"I'm not entirely sure either..."
"But judging from the literal meaning..."
"It should mean revealing one's true self, perhaps?"
In other words, this was also a choice.
Whether to expose her true self before others.
"Then what is your decision, Elise?"
"What does the real you look like?"
Astraea's voice remained as gentle as ever, like a soft breeze brushing against Elise's cheek.
"Let me say this first—no matter what choice you make, you are my Familia. My attitude toward you will never change."
Astraea gently embraced Elise from behind.
"Mm! I'll choose it!"
Development Ability—
Ego!
At that moment, Elise successfully leveled up. Her Level rose to Lv2, and her former Max-1999 ability points were instantly reset to I-0.
"So, how do you feel, Elise?" Astraea asked as she watched Elise get dressed, stepping forward to help her straighten her collar.
"After obtaining this Development Ability, do you feel anything special?"
"Would you like to show me your true self?"
The goddess' teasing words reached Elise's ears, but Elise responded with an unusual smile.
"Of course, Lady Astraea!"
"You are as radiant as fluttering blossoms yourself!"
"In front of beautiful girls, I always show my true self!"
"How does it feel, Lady Astraea?"
Her tone was identical to that of a certain pink elf-like girl. The moment she spoke, Astraea immediately sensed the difference.
"This version of you is wonderful, Elise!"
Astraea could not help but clap lightly in applause.
However...
As Elise's patron goddess, Astraea could still see through to her essence.
There was still something missing.
Elise had not yet fully revealed her true nature.
But there was a long road ahead. She would let Elise find it on her own.
After all... it was a path she had to carve out herself.
If someone else guided her entirely, the future story would become far too monotonous.
"And congratulations on reaching Lv2!"
"Thank you for your blessing!"
Elise smiled faintly. Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly spoke.
"Lady Astraea, may I step away for a moment? It won't take long."
"Of course. Do whatever you wish. I won't stop you. But afterward, you must tell me what you did."
"After all..."
Here, Astraea playfully imitated Elise's earlier tone.
"You are also a beautiful girl, Elise! And I quite enjoy the stories of beautiful girls!"
"Haha! Lady Astraea, you imitate me so well!"
"Don't worry. I'll explain everything later..."
With paper and pen in hand, Elise left the Familia hall.
There was something she wanted to do for a certain girl.
Inside a closed room, a door composed of white light quietly began to form.
It was naturally the portal of the Lord God Space.
Elise looked at the sheet of paper in her hand, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
The pure white paper gradually transformed beneath her deft fingers into a paper airplane.
"Thank you very much for your help... This is all I can do."
Unlike before, Elise did not step through the portal herself. Instead, she tossed the paper airplane into it.
"Please, Lord God..."
"Make sure it reaches her!"
Normally, the Lord God Space could only send someone to a corresponding world. The time and location were completely uncertain.
But this time, something seemed different.
The dark Lord God Space flickered twice, opening a gate to a certain special world solely to allow that paper airplane to pass.
...
It was a pink room. Everywhere one looked was pink. It was obvious at a glance that it belonged to a young girl.
A girl with long pink hair sat before her dressing table, carefully arranging her hair in front of the mirror.
She tilted her head from side to side, occasionally nodding in satisfaction.
"This hairstyle suits me best! A maiden as shy as a blooming flower!"
Just as she was about to stand, a white paper airplane flew in through the window and landed neatly on her desk.
"Hm? What's this?"
Puzzled, she picked up the paper airplane and noticed writing on it.
Driven by curiosity, she unfolded it and began to read.
To the Pink Elf Miss:
Hi there! Hello!
Pink Elf Miss, I am the Golden Elf Miss!
You probably don't know who I am, do you?
But I'm not telling you!
After all, secrets make girls more beautiful!
The reason I'm writing this letter is to thank you for your help!
You might not remember, but you really did help me!
So I specially wrote this letter for you!
Let's keep working hard together!
Let's grow stronger for the future!
The contents of the letter ended there.
There was no signature.
Instead, at the bottom, there was a small doodle of a chibi figure with golden hair.
It truly did look like a golden elf.
"My, what a shy little girl. It would be wonderful if we could meet in person!"
"But that's fine too!"
The pink-haired girl carefully folded the letter and solemnly placed it inside her drawer.
"No matter when or where, Elysia will always respond to your expectations!"