The discomfort came quickly and faded just as fast.
Sylvia was sensitive to memoria, but it seemed her adaptability was equally high.
Even though the dizziness had subsided, that subtle feeling—like floating on your back in an illusion—lingered stubbornly.
Only by keeping her [Truth-Seeking Sigil] active could Sylvia find some peace.
But leaving aside the fact that the sigil would visibly manifest in her eyes, making it rather conspicuous…
Maintaining it continuously was quite draining on her energy.
Since there didn't seem to be any immediate danger, there was no need for Sylvia to turn this instant-use ability into a passive one.
Still, this peculiar phenomenon made her regard Penacony with increased wariness.
Whether her sensations were due to the natural environment here or some artificial influence was beside the point.
The mere fact that it could trigger the [Truth-Seeking Sigil]'s effect meant everything in this star system carried the risk of causing widespread mental harm.
The Asdana star system seemed more perilous than Sylvia had imagined.
She pondered silently. Could the mastermind behind the current events on Penacony be exploiting this environment to manipulate dreams or illusions?
And assuming what she sensed was truly problematic…
Then those most likely to exploit Penacony's environment would obviously be The Family.
It wasn't impossible.
In any case, she needed to stay vigilant.
Having sorted through these thoughts, Sylvia had just stood up and opened the door to the medical bay section.
There, in the corridor ahead, appeared someone who shouldn't have been there.
Clothes hugged her figure tightly, accentuating her full curves, while long blue hair cascaded down her back.
Black Swan toyed with a card in her hand, her high heels clicking as she approached Sylvia with an elegant gait.
Click—click—click—
The rhythmic, crisp sound of heels meeting the floor echoed.
"Well, hello there, little one. Neither a Dragon-kin nor a Memokeeper, yet capable of glimpsing immortal memories. The galaxy truly never runs short of fascinating things."
Black Swan smiled as she stopped before Sylvia.
She raised a hand, her palm gently brushing Sylvia's cheek.
Leaning in slightly, her dazzling eyes—an interplay of deep blue and gold—studied the silent Sylvia intently.
"Let me introduce myself. I am a Memokeeper from the Garden of Recollection. You may call me Black Swan."
"What is a Memokeeper from the Garden of Recollection doing here?"
Sylvia was surprised that Black Swan had sought her out. Of course, she wasn't the least bit surprised that the woman knew about her.
After all, this person's profession was essentially dredging up memories.
"Why, I came looking for you, little one. You're far more intriguing than you realize."
Black Swan's voice was gentle as velvet, elegant and unhurried.
It seemed capable of soothing one's heart with ease.
Holding up the iridescent card in her hand, Black Swan inquired with a smile, "Would you care for a free divination?"
"No, thank you. There's nothing I particularly wish to know at the moment."
Sylvia took a step back, evading the hand on her cheek, and declined the offer.
Seeing her retreat, Black Swan chuckled softly and withdrew her hand.
"No need to refuse so hastily. The invitation stands indefinitely. I know you also possess the ability to glimpse fate, but a healer cannot cure themselves. Wouldn't you like to add another chip to your hand for the upcoming venture in Penacony?"
Her gentle tone was almost irresistibly persuasive, but Sylvia clearly had no intention of simply following Black Swan's lead.
"I don't consider a single divination much of a chip. Moreover, Memokeeper, your appearance here is rather suspicious."
Though Sylvia knew of Black Swan and had indeed considered meeting her earlier, that didn't mean she was ready to extend trust just yet.
"Memokeepers from the Garden of Recollection focus on collecting memories across the cosmos, restoring history. What do you want, suddenly appearing before me like this?"
What had Black Swan set her sights on? Her memories? Or her ability to upgrade Light Cones?
Besides, Memokeepers' methods for manipulating memories were unique. Sylvia wasn't fond of the idea of having her secrets laid bare without even noticing.
"And, I'll return your words to you, Black Swan. Would you care for a free divination?"
"Hmm... How direct. But I do appreciate people who speak plainly."
Black Swan's brows furrowed slightly, adopting a pitiable expression.
"That ability of yours to alter Light Cones is quite the curiosity. And those memories shrouded in mist... To obstruct a Memokeeper's sight within the Asdana star system is no ordinary feat."
The Asdana system was saturated with abundant memoria. For a Memokeeper who manipulated memories, it was like a fish in water.
All their capabilities would see considerable enhancement in such an amenable environment.
Yet even under these conditions, Black Swan couldn't even make out the general shape of Sylvia's memories.
Everything was veiled as if by dense fog, blocking her observation.
Coupled with Sylvia's previously displayed ability to directly deconstruct and reassemble Light Cones...
It was enough to make Black Swan reveal herself.
She was dedicated to history, true, but that didn't preclude her curiosity when encountering an existence like Sylvia.
Hearing Black Swan's words, Sylvia was taken aback.
Shrouded in mist? Something was preventing the Memokeeper from peering into her memories?
Sylvia's first thought went to the System.
Even though the thing loved to nitpick and criticize her constantly…
Considering the array of bizarre items she had drawn from it so far…
It seemed perfectly plausible that the System could block a Memokeeper's prying eyes.
Seeing that Black Swan's expression didn't seem feigned, Sylvia felt a momentary internal sigh of relief.
But she wasn't completely at ease.
"That's my secret. It has nothing to do with your people, anyway. Surely the Garden of Recollection isn't planning to take action against me?"
"Hmm~ It seems you have some misunderstandings about the Garden, little one."
Ignoring Sylvia's wariness, Black Swan laughed lightly.
"The Garden regulates Light Cone technology to prevent the abuse of memoria imprints, not to monopolize it. While we don't know how you managed it, as long as you don't act recklessly, it's of no concern."
"So, you're saying you sought me out simply because you're interested? To make friends?"
Sylvia wasn't buying Black Swan's explanation. If the Garden of Recollection's stance was truly that lenient…
Light Cones wouldn't still be produced exclusively by the Interastral Peace Corporation.
After all, there were so many members in the Genius Society. Surely at least one of them must have taken an interest in memoria.
Sylvia found it more believable that Black Swan, upon discovering Sylvia's memories were difficult to tamper with and that this ability couldn't be removed non-violently…
Had simply switched to a different approach on the spot.
After all, an organization that trafficked in memories likely only seemed reasonable.
Any parts they found undesirable, they'd probably just hit you with a big ol' memory-erasing spell.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.