Chapter 159: Time. (1) (2/2)
Then, Epherene’s face grew sullen, like she was about to cry at any moment.
“Should we go on a future tour together?”
“…”
“What? You don’t want to? It’s the Emperor’s suggestion.”
Epherene puffed her cheeks and looked up at Sophien. Then, she fiddled with her hands.
“I want to go and look for the Professor.”
“…”
Sophien’s expression hardened for a moment, but soon she gave Epherene a small smile.
“Well, can’t help it then. Good! Let’s go, Teragon!”
Wheeeeee—!
Teragon appeared, surprising Epherene.
“Oh, what? He came to the future, too? How did he?”
“How? There’s no such thing. Don’t ask too much, and just get on. We don’t have much time if we’re going to look for Deculein.”
“…Oh, yes!”
Sophien settled on Teragon’s back, helping Epherene up.
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii—!
Teragon, feeling more macho somehow, began galloping.
*****
…Time’s sanctuary. I looked around this mysterious and hollow space before making a table and chair. Gratitude came back from an unexpected place.
—Oh, thanks. A table and chair appeared suddenly.
“…”
It was for me to sit down, but anyway. I made another chair and sat in front of it. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her voice.
—Are you in front of me?
“That’s right.”
—Wow. This is amazing.
“I am more amazed at you for creating this space.”
—Hehehe~, whose disciple do you think I am?
I shook my head as I imagined her smiling like a kid.
“Epherene. How is it there?”
—It’s okay, thanks to you, Professor.
“It looks like I’m not there.
If I were, she wouldn’t have said things like, ‘I wanted to have a conversation with you at least once.
—…Yes. That’s right.
Epherene sighed.
—That fact is too hard for me right now. I want to see you one more time. If I am face to face with the Professor… is it possible to change the future or the past?
“No.”
I cut her off firmly. It was completely impossible and shouldn’t even be tried. It was a magical taboo.
“Even if the future changes, there’s no hope that we would meet. Locralen was broken after four hours, and even if you put in great effort to change it, it wouldn’t be your world. To change the future, we have to change the past, but even for a wizard, there is no way to go back to the past and revive someone.”
I didn’t know what kind of bond this kid and the future me had. I didn’t know what would happen to me in the future. But the timeline was not correct. Therefore, I didn’t know what kind of affection this kid held, and most of all, the future would never change.
Whether I died in her future or if I went back to reality. Whatever it was-
—…Ahh!
Boom—!
The ground shook. It was probably Epherene’s magic.
“Epherene, are you trying to break this place?”
—It’s not me. The timing is right. Just as the Professor said, how could I interfere magically with the past from the distant future? It doesn’t make sense.
Her voice was slightly angry.
“Then what?”
—There are probably many enemies near the Professor. They’re all monsters that the Professor has to deal with. Should I say it’s an admission test for Time?
I looked to the right of the crystal. Before I knew it, a handful of monsters had gathered.
Growl… grooowwl…
They were very dirty monsters that licked their lips as they watched me. But, they didn’t dare approach me but watched from afar, maybe because the magic from the crystal water was blocking them.
“Okay.”
—Really?
“I was planning on staying here for about a week anyway.”
Calculating the uniqueness of this space, which significantly raised my mana and amplified recovery rate, it was worth staying in for a week.
—By any chance… is it because of me, Professor?
“No.”
Not. It was to give the Level 5 [Midas’ Hand] to all of my equipment, including my formal attire.
—…You don’t speak empty words, as expected. Anyway~, I acknowledge that.
I took out one wood steel and waited for my mana to rise. The red-eyed monsters were annoying, but they were all going to be dealt with after a week anyway.
“Epherene, don’t you have anything to do as a wizard?”
I questioned her while waiting for my mana to recover, but Epherene was silent.
“Epherene.”
When I asked again, a brusque voice returned.
—The Professor said not to change the future. No, the past.
“…”
—That’s why I’m not doing anything. I lost my life goal just now…
She grumbled.
“That’s unexpected.”
—Hmm? What’s unexpected?”
“Were you always such a good listener?”
—…
At that moment, the conversation was cut off. She seemed to be truly speechless. I now had five thousand mana thanks to the crystal water. Recovery speed +300%… I’d never heard of such a crazy performance.
Either way. I scraped off all the mana and used [Midas’ Hand] on the wood steel. But, one condition was added in the process. It was still specialized in offense, but-
——!
The mana in my blood set fire all over my body, spattering violently and leaving me. The flow of mana permeated the wood steel.
“Hmm.”
It had changed for sure, turning blue.
—Professor~. What did you just do?
Right on time, I could hear Epherene. I spoke as I pulled myself together.
“I have other things to do, but I have to wait for my mana to recover. During that time, if you have any questions, ask me.”
—…Hehe.
Epherene laughed. Like it was ridiculous, no, like it was adorable.
—Professor, there’s nothing that I don’t know.
“You’re arrogant.”
—…Ah no, I take it back. I have one.
I fiddled with the wood steel, testing it with Psychokinesis. Indeed, it was so sharp I wondered if it could cut through the air.
—I still don’t know the Professor.
Epherene’s words gave me pause. I looked across to the chair where I believed she sat.
“Are you bored?”
—No. No, Professor. I am very happy. I’m so happy I could cry right now.
“…You seem bored, so just do this.”
I made a cube and placed it on the desk. Whatever future she was in, this could be transmitted if I put it here.
“Did you get it?”
—…Yes, I got it. A cube suddenly appeared.
“Play with it.”
—Play with it?
She grumbled, but nothing followed. Epherene said nothing further. Or maybe she couldn’t. Sometimes, I could hear her shaky voice.
—…
She might have been crying, but I didn’t care. Emotions were something to be dealt with alone. It wasn’t like she wouldn’t cry if I told her not to or laugh when I told her to.
“I can hear well.”
I just focused on restoring mana and using [Midas’ Hand].
—— [ The Enchanting Map] ——
◆Information
: A map artifact that records the area around the wielder.
: It has a special effect from [Midas’ Hand].
◆Category
: Rare magic article ⊃ Map
◆Special Effect
: Automatically draws geographic features with a radius of 500m.
: Marks the location of the user and the movements of bodies within a 300m radius of the user.
: Tracks the path.
[ Midas’ Hand: Level 5 ]
[ Main Quest: Time ]
◆Joining Sanctuary in Time
: Store currency +1
: Mana +100
[Abnormal Condition: Crystal Water’s Vital Force ]
—— [ Wood Steel ] ——
◆Information
: Pure magic made into wood steel.
: A special item that communes with Deculein. If it isn’t Deculein, use it with caution.
: All performance amplified with [Midas’ Hand].
◆Category
: Magic Item ⊃ Weapon
◆Special Effect
: Penetrates Magic.
: Learns autonomously during combat.
: Specialized in destruction.
[ Midas’ Hand: Level 5 ]
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