Although Laplace was talking about Earl Mi, Angel noticed that this was the first time Laplace had clearly explained the meaning of "Reflection of the Heart."
Reflection of the Heart and what they imagined as "prophecy" seem to truly be different.
The name "Reflection of the Heart" comes from Laplace’s perspective, where she sees the desires of everyone’s heart.
This "heart’s desire" and "what’s on one’s mind" are two separate matters.
What’s on one’s mind is a person’s subjective thoughts, things that one can definitely perceive, belonging to the domain of the self.
Heart’s desire, however, is not necessarily perceivable to the self; it resembles fragmented thoughts hidden deep in the Sea of Subconscious. These thoughts may not form complete ideas, but they might touch the core of self-awareness.
Going further, it belongs to the "super-ego," a kind of inexplicable intuition. It’s the inspiration that allows wizards to seek good fortune and avoid disaster.
Reflection of the Heart is highly likely to reflect precisely those thoughts that lie between the self and the super-ego.
These thoughts don’t need your subjective thinking at all. As long as you have vital signs, the fragmented thoughts hidden in the depth of the Sea of Consciousness are bound to be reflected.
Just like Earl Mi, even if he has no subjective consciousness, even if he’s controlled by the Seed of Distortion, those subconscious desires still reflected in Laplace’s eyes and were interpreted by her.
Angel didn’t know if he understood correctly, but from Laplace’s explanation, Reflection of the Heart is highly likely what he imagined.
"Only in the chaotic cinder flame can one see the faint opportunity for rebirth," Angel muttered this phrase, "Is this the way out for Earl Mi?"
Laplace didn’t respond because she didn’t know.
Angel thought for a moment: "Are you sure this is Earl Mi’s innermost thought?"
This time Laplace nodded: "His external thinking is in the contradiction of chaos and order, but the subconscious is gradually converging, trying to break through the blockade of thought and send out a message of desire to the outside world."
However, what Laplace didn’t say was that without her Reflection of the Heart, Earl Mi would have been unable to break through the blockade of thought. The power of the Seed of Distortion was too great, directly sealing off all possible futures for Earl Mi.
Laplace’s presence, instead, spoke out for Earl Mi, the hopeless desire hidden deep in his Sea of Subconscious.
It’s just, how to fulfill this desire and let Earl Mi awaken again is currently unknown.
Also, if Earl Mi truly awakens again, what the consequences would be is also unknown.
Angel pondered for a moment, not knowing what decision to make.
Perhaps, just like he thought before, he needs to meet the Boiling Gentleman again for further developments. After all, the "so-called chaotic cinder flame," in Angel’s interpretation, points to the Boiling Gentleman, or rather... Origin of Chaos.
As Angel was contemplating, Laplace said: "Now, it’s your turn to answer me."
Angel snapped back and instinctively wanted to ask, wasn’t there a Speedy who hadn’t given their words? But on second thought, Speedy wasn’t attached to him, but on the alchemy golem, so it was normal for Laplace to consider it an "outsider."
And whether Speedy gave words... it doesn’t matter. Probably like Dangross and Wood Spirit, nothing could be reflected. Only those like Earl Mi, who seemed closely tied to Angel but, because of chaotic thoughts, didn’t associate with Angel, could get read by Laplace to give words.
So, now how should he answer Laplace?
Previously, Angel’s guesses primarily involved: green patterns, Primeval Flame, Blood Night Shelter, Wilderness of Dreams, and Eye of the Sky.
If Reflection of the Heart has nothing to do with prophecy, then "Blood Night Shelter" might be ruled out.
Blood Night Shelter mainly guards against prophecy...however, Angel calmed his mind and thought carefully, finding it uncertain.
Although the main function of Blood Night Shelter is to guard against being locked by prophetic abilities, it also has anti-spy capabilities; could it be the anti-spy capabilities at work?
If the anti-spy did block the Reflection of the Heart, then Blood Night Shelter’s likelihood is even higher than previously thought.
Apart from Blood Night Shelter, in the other answers, Primeval Flame should be ruled out.
If Reflection of the Heart looks at subconscious thoughts, Primeval Flame likely won’t play a role since it is hidden in the fire mark on Angel’s earlobe. From a certain perspective, Primeval Flame hasn’t fused with Angel nor become an ability of Angel’s. It doesn’t have a deep connection with Angel; it’s entirely an "external object."
To put it simply, Angel is currently just a custodian of the Primeval Flame.
Since Reflection of the Heart involves the subconscious, external objects are unlikely to have any effect.
Even if Primeval Flame can be ruled out. Eye of the Sky... probably doesn’t have a deep link with Angel, so it can be ruled out too?
Now the range of answers is narrowed significantly...
Angel pondered for a moment, and then said: "I have a very special alchemy tool."
When Angel spoke these words, no one present was surprised. Who is Angel? A member of the Research and Development Institute! Isn’t it normal for him to have special alchemy tools?
But what kind of alchemy tool is it that can block Laplace’s Reflection of the Heart?
Laplace also gazed at Angel curiously, seemingly searching for the alchemy tool Angel spoke of.
Angel hesitated for a moment, stretched out his right hand, and pointed to the blood-colored glaze like a teardrop on his left shoulder.
With Angel’s touch, the glaze dispersed like water, exploding from within into a large patch of pitch-black, initially a deep Abyss of Shadow, but soon it grew in the wind, eventually forming a black cloak that seemed to flow.
Black brocade gold pattern, red lining.
The cloak, though not particularly magnificent at first glance, began to subtly change Angel’s presence the moment he donned it.
"Milord seems to become... elusive?" Kaier murmured.
Elusive, a fitting word Kaier strained to find.
To Vay, "More than elusive, I feel like milord’s presence has vanished."
Dox muttered aside, "His presence was inherently lower than others, and now you only notice?"
Under the influence of Boundless Solitude, Angel’s presence has always been rather low. However, perhaps because Vay has always regarded Angel as an idol, the impact of Boundless Solitude has not affected Vay much.
But now, after donning the Blood Night Shelter, the sense of "concealment and alienation" from Boundless Solitude is further amplified. Even as a little fanboy, Vay will immediately disregard Angel’s existence if he slightly averts his gaze from him.