Harlan's system lit up again.Customer: Fischl. Completed: Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! — Reward: True Evil King's Eye.
Reward Summary: Grants a glowing golden eye behind an eyepatch. Saying the phrase "Burst, reality! Crush it, spirit! Vanish, this world!" activates a light burst that stuns nearby viewers. Visual-only. No damage.
Harlan couldn't help but smirk. "Of course. That's the one she gets."
He stepped out from behind the counter. "Fischl, ready to accept your reward? With this power, your delusions are officially backed by cosmic light."
Fischl raised her chin. "The Prinzessin der Verurteilung is ever prepared."
"Good. Because once this activates, you'll no longer just rule over the Nachtpureland," Harlan continued. "You'll shake the very foundation of this world's perception. Even destiny will flinch."
By now, the entire store had gone silent. Lisa raised an eyebrow. Barbara looked up from her book. The Lady's focus sharpened. Even Luke and Daryl stopped their manga mid-page.
Fischl stood centered in the shop, Oz perched beside her. A golden beam of light burst through the ceiling, surrounding her in a quiet column of energy. Her hair ruffled slightly, her stance solid. Her eyepatch glowed from behind.
When the light faded, Fischl pulled the eyepatch off with purpose. Her right eye now shone a brilliant, pulsing gold.
Barbara's eyes widened. "Whoa. That's… not fake, right?"
Lisa leaned over. "It's real enough to look impressive. I'll give her that."
The Lady didn't say a word, but she didn't look away either.
Fischl took a breath and pointed toward the ceiling. "Burst, reality! Crush it, spirit! Vanish, this world!"
The golden eye flashed, unleashing a wave of brilliant light across the room. Everyone recoiled—not out of pain, but sheer surprise. The flare was intense, like staring into a sunbeam from a divine spotlight.
The shop fell into a stunned hush.
Even Harlan had to admit—it was a strong visual. Not dangerous, but it made a statement. That mattered.
Fischl slowly lowered her arm. The glow faded, leaving her with the faint shimmer of gold in her right eye. She replaced the eyepatch with careful precision.
"The path of fate is now lit by the Eye," she declared. "I go to find the Dark Flame Master and unite our forces."
Oz bowed his head. "Your loyal servant follows, my lady."
Harlan cleared his throat. "I don't think the Dark Flame Master exists—"
Fischl was already halfway to the door. "He must. I've seen signs. I shall uncover him, no matter the realm."
She left without hesitation, cape fluttering, Oz flapping behind her.
Lisa exhaled. "That was… dramatic."
Barbara nodded. "She seemed so serious about it."
Luke turned to Daryl. "Think we'll get something like that?"
"Maybe," Daryl replied. "Depends how fast we finish Cardcaptor Sakura. I want a wand that lets me fly too."
Lisa looked at Harlan. "No offense, but are you intentionally pushing her deeper into her act?"
Harlan raised a hand. "I didn't make the comic. I just hand out the results."
Barbara walked to the shelf, eyeing the manga Fischl had just finished. "That one's next on my list."
The Lady remained seated but clearly thoughtful. Her gaze lingered on the spot where Fischl had stood. "No damage, but powerful presence. Enough to impress a room. If Solstice had a few like that..."
Harlan noted the shift. Each time a new power was claimed, even one as harmless as a light show, the others responded. Fischl's delusion was backed by spectacle now. That counted.
The store gradually returned to its normal pace. Books rustled. Lisa resumed reading. The glow faded from memory—but the impression lingered.
Reflection:Fischl's reward, the True Evil King's Eye, adds no physical threat, but its dramatic light show changes how others view the power of Galehaven's comics. Her act of channeling that light in public left the other customers stunned. Even skeptics like the Lady began reassessing what could be done with theatrics alone. With Fischl now believing she has a new mission and Barbara turning her attention to the same comic, momentum continues to build around Harlan's shop. This reward doesn't alter the battlefield—but it's shifting the balance of influence.