"What does it mean to possess a special destiny?"
Shade asked. Miss Annette pointed at him.
"This is the simplest condition of the ritual, because both you and I qualify. You are Beyond Fate, while I..."
Miss Bayes instinctively covered her eyes, then immediately lowered her hand and answered in a firm tone:
"This is simpler than I imagined. If the price of gaining power is only one eye, then I think I'll be fine."
The ritual required the sacrifice of one's own eye, so things like Magic Eyes could not be used as substitutes.
"But for a ritual involving sacrifice to a god, if it demands your eye, I'm afraid it may very well be impossible to restore it afterward."
Shade reminded her worriedly. He had learned more and more occult knowledge recently. She was only seventeen years old; this decision would affect the rest of her life.
"Detective, power always comes at a price."
Miss Bayes gritted her teeth, her expression solemn.
"I resolved to become one of the Chosen Ones not because someone told me to, but because I truly wanted it.
"I'm not a particularly determined person, but this power has always been entangled with me. It is a part of me. In my heart, I have always longed to explore it. You are not me; you cannot understand that fated longing. In the dead of night, I often wondered what that power hidden within my soul and body truly was. Now, I understand."
Shade and Miss Annette both looked at her. Miss Bayes's expression was resolute.
"One eye in exchange for powerful strength, safely obtained—I don't think anyone would refuse. Besides, it isn't necessarily impossible to recover it. But Detective, if the sacrificed eye truly cannot be restored, I hope you won't think my face