It was… sparkling.
Somehow!
The heavy, cream-colored parchment seemed to glow with a light of its own in her hands. Embossed silver runes spelled out her name and achievement, shimmering with a faint, permanent enchantment of authenticity.
Her sixth and final initiation certificate. The culmination of the 'Top-Tier Nerd' persona's academic journey, earned not through safe telekinesis drills, but by giving a Sea Dragon vertigo!
"Why do I have such a great sense of accomplishment…?" Cecilia murmured, spreading the thick paper before her, her fingers tracing the raised lettering. "This is not even the real-world me…"
"What do you mean?" Oathran's voice was a soft rumble beside her. He leaned in, his shoulder brushing hers. "Whichever version of you deserves it."
His words made her believe she had earned this, in any reality.
