Lugg!

'Lugg, could it be that her crown does understand what you're saying but can't communicate back?' Lian thought for a moment.

-This...- Lugg had to admit that Lian's words made sense. -But that will make things harder, no? It's not like the crowns themselves move either. I, for example, haven't moved a single centimeter from your head ever since we were born. All that happened was that I grew in size to fit your head, but that's about it.-

'Ah! How about this! We can see when the crowns shine due to the gathering of Star Energy, right? That's how we identified the attacks before they were even released. Tell Carol's crown this, you'll leave her alone as long as she helps Carol feel Star Energy.'

-Wait! Isn't that the same as saying that she doesn't want to hear me? That's not possible!-

Lian's mouth twitched in response. 'Just where the hell did you get all this confidence from?'

-What's wrong with being confident? Anyway, if Carol's crown can understand me, then it can definitely talk back. Now, the only question is, why can she hear me but I can't hear her.-

Lugg and Lian went silent for a brief moment before Lian asked something. 'By the way, how can you even talk to me? What kind of method do you use to do such a thing? You're obviously not talking straight to my mind since Carol's crown can hear you as well.'

-Me? I basically gather a very thin amount of Star Energy and convey my thoughts into it before sending it out,- Lugg explained. -Usually, I send it into your head. I tried to do the same thing with the others, but they couldn't hear me at all. Only you have this ability. It's most likely because you can see the crowns while others can't. That means the same thing applies to my voice, or thoughts, for the matter.-

Lian nodded. 'That's good, then. Carol's crown might be able to do the same thing, don't you think? Of course, that's considering our theory that her crown can understand you is correct at all. Perhaps the crown just hears what you say, but Carol's mind processes the thought, even though she can't really hear you. That would also explain her anger and why she can't understand why she's angry.'

-Hmm... Let me try.-

Lugg once again tried to communicate with Carol's crown, saying, -Hey, if you want to answer, just use Star Energy and convey your thoughts through it. Don't use too much, though. Keep it as thin as possible as it makes your thoughts a lot easier to understand as well as makes it travel much further.-

Lian and Lugg then waited as Lian and the others talked about the Coral Bear. However, in the end, there was no response whatsoever. -Lian, it seems like your second theory is correct.-

Lian nodded after hearing that. 'I think so too. It would have been great if we could talk with other's crowns, though. Imagine what we could ask without their owners even knowing?'

-Well, it's their loss to not be able to talk with a crown as amazing as me. That just means I'm much better than Carol's crown. Hahaha!-

[YOUR ASS!]

Lugg and Lian got a scare that even made Lian jump from his chair a little. 'What was it?'

-You heard that, right? Could it be... Carol's crown?- Lugg immediately tried to talk back. -Hey, beauty, so you really can hear me, huh? I'm happy for you.-

*Bang!*

Suddenly, Carol hit the table again as anger continued to build. However, she always felt startled every time her anger built up and tried to control herself. "Is there something wrong with me?"

At the same time... [Who the hell do you think you are? Thank you very much for letting me know how to communicate. Now I can finally ask you to shut your mouth... or thoughts! Don't talk to me anymore!]

Lugg and Lian were ecstatic to hear that. 'Hey, Lugg, can she hear me as well?'

-No,- Lugg answered to Lian only. -She definitely can't hear your mind. Only I can do that. Obviously, the same should be the case for Carol's crown. Only she can hear Carol's thoughts.-

Lugg then turned his attention back to Carol's crown. -Hey, have you tried to use the same method to talk with Carol? Why don't you give it a shot? She really needs your help, you know?-

[Do you think I haven't tried? The moment you explained to me how to talk to you, I tried the same thing with her. But she's completely oblivious to my thoughts. All she can do is share my feelings, weirdly enough. Otherwise, why would I even waste time talking to you? Your human, on the other hand, seems to be able to hear and even see you. How come? I can't hear him, though.]

-We both don't know the answer to that. Just so you know, Lian has had this ability since he was born. However, it was only after arriving in this world that I obtained sentience. Was it the same for you?-

Carol's crown calmed down, which calmed Carol as well. [No... you might not believe it, but until you made me lose my mind a moment ago, I seemed to be in a dormant state. It was as if I would continue like that until the end of Carol's life. Do you know why?]

Lian, of course, could hear it as well since Carol's crown was transmitting the same thought to him. If Lian wanted to, he could talk to Carol's crown. However, that meant he had to open his mouth and speak. Naturally, it would catch the attention of everyone there and probably scare Carol. They would definitely think he had gone nuts.

-Oh! So your sentience awakened because of me? There's no need to thank me, though.-

Carol's crown began to feel angry again. [See if I don't make Carol give Lian a beating even though she can't understand why she's doing that.]

'Lugg!' Lian felt like crying already.