At that moment, it was less that Handel could not sense anyone else and more that destiny occupied almost all his awareness. His surroundings and fellow students seemed far beyond his reach.
Mulan gestured to the students gathered around the edge, then pointed toward the sky. As they focused their attention overhead one by one, a hazy vision appeared before them.
At first, there was only the ordinary blue sky and white clouds. Slowly, however, a phantom image grew clearer. What had initially seemed like an immense bank of mist gradually became a vast celestial body-a gigantic platinum-colored star pressing steadily downward.
Many students recalled what they had studied and read. This was the destiny star mentioned in certain Fate Path magic books.
Then all the students began to feel a crushing pressure. Some had already started tensing their muscles.
Mulan smiled, his calm voice seeming to sound beside everyone's ears.
"When you see the star of destiny, you also feel its pressure. Though it is nowhere near as intense as what Handel is experiencing right now, it is not something you can bear as if nothing were happening."
Some students instinctively reached up to support the sky. Those who did were instantly forced to their knees.
But Handel had no attention to spare for the other students. The pressure overhead had already reached the limit of what he could withstand.
Stand up. Stand up. I have to stand up. I can't let it crush me...
Veins bulged all over Handel's body, every muscle standing out sharply. Sweat soaked his clothes. His hands braced against the ground, clutching the turf, while his body trembled continuously.
Other visions began appearing around him: everything he had experienced since birth, his childhood toil, his father's stern discipline...
Meeting Professor Jonester, his first encounter