novelzi Chapter 154: Epherene’s Time (1)
Chapter 154: Epherene’s Time (1)
Chapter 154: Epherene’s Time (1)
... Even on the Floating Island, snow fell—a magical occurrence, created by the mages. Without it, far too many addicts of the island would lose their sense of time and the subtle shifts of the seasons.
Crunch— Crunch—@@@@
Sylvia walked through the snow-covered streets of the Floating Island, her steps slow as she waited for Idnik.
Crunch— Crunch—
She deliberately pressed down harder, amplifying the sound with each step.
Jingle—!
At that moment, the bell rang as the door of the magic shop swung open. Idnik, who had asked Sylvia to wait, finally stepped outside.
With a backpack over her shoulder, Idnik handed the newspaper to Sylvia and said, "Sylvia, read this."
Without a word, Sylvia took the newspaper and scanned its contents, her blank stare drifting over the headlines. Deculein and Yulie’s names filled the front page.
"They say that their engagement is being called off, and there are plenty of strange rumors swirling around. Some are even claiming that Deculein killed both Veron and Rockfell—"
“No,” Sylvia interrupted, shaking her head and pointing at Yulie’s picture in the paper. “This woman is a complete fool.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
Sylvia understood the wrong Veron had inflicted upon Deculein. She knew every detail of what had happened between them. And more than anything, she was keenly aware of the depth of Deculein's love for Yulie.
But this foolish woman knows nothing at all... completely clueless.
“Forget it.”
Sylvia’s blunt response prompted Idnik to shrug before saying, “Alright. Anyway, are you ready?”
“Yes, but—”
“Here you go, you cheeky little one,” Idnik said, handing Sylvia a stone. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
It was the infamous Deculein’s Exam—a stone that, once distributed by the Mage Tower of the Empire to the Floating Island, sparked an instant craze.
The evidence was everywhere—nearly every mage in sight clutched one of these stones. Cafés and restaurants were filled with them, staring intently at the stones laid on their tables, and some even collapsing from sheer exhaustion.
Idnik commented, “Geez. If anyone is not specialized in the manipulation category, it’s almost impossible to figure out. He certainly knows how to create a trend.”
Idnik’s words made Sylvia glance at the stone. With just a focused infusion of her mana, it clicked—shifting in her hand.
"Oh, and did you hear that? Deculein's new writing was published privately, kept out of public circulation."
Sylvia looked up and asked, “A new writing?”
“Yes. People are losing their minds over it. Since it was privately published, it’s not available to the public. And knowing Deculein, he probably has no plans to sell it. I’ve heard the Floating Island’s library has even tightened security around it.”
“... Tightened security?”
“They say there are only five copies of his new work. Some mages have even joked—half-seriously—about breaking into the library to steal one. Bunch of idiots, all of them.”
In silence, Sylvia bit her lip. Mage Deculein’s reputation had grown immensely on the Floating Island, his theories now recognized as the very foundation of magic here.
“Sylvia, aren’t you also curious?”
After a long, thoughtful pause, Sylvia looked up at Idnik and said, “I might be able to borrow it.”
“Borrow what?”
“Deculein’s theory.”
“Hmm?”
Without another word, Sylvia spun around and dashed toward the library. Her magically enhanced speed left a faint blur in her wake as she raced to the 10th floor of Megiseon, the Floating Island’s vast library known as Pentamol, where the world’s knowledge was gathered. At the information desk, she found the Library Addict waiting for her.
“You’ve come, Esper Sylvia,” the Library Addict said with a knowing nod, as though her arrival had been anticipated. He handed her a heavily wrapped and sealed tome, its layers meant to ensure security.
Deculein’s Theory: The Essence
“Please treat this with care. It’s classified as a 2nd Grade tome. There’s also a note from Monarch Deculein, specifically addressed to Esper Sylvia.”
Along with the tome, Sylvia was given a small slip of paper. The note, penned in Deculein’s graceful hand, contained only a few words.
I look forward to the day you will kill me, Sylvia.
***
Through the train window, a snowstorm raged, the sharp winds whipping snowflakes into chaotic swirls. But within the cabin, the warmth wrapped around us, a stark contrast to the storm outside.
"See? This is why you should’ve paid more attention to theory in class," Drent said.
"... I would've paid more attention if it wasn’t so hard," Epherene muttered.
Drent continued his tutoring while Allen absentmindedly toyed with a string, weaving it between his fingers. In the distance, the engine let out a soft chuff, adding to the peaceful quiet. The calm was welcome—none of us, not Epherene or Allen, had any complaints. But we all knew this serenity wouldn’t last.
"Professor, which book are you reading?" Allen asked, breaking the silence.
Without a word, I tilted the book, showing him the cover.
The Dynamics of Mana for Proper Manipulation of Complex Properties in Dual Category Magic Circuits
"... Hehe," Allen muttered with an awkward chuckle, then pulled out a scarf and handed it to me. "Here, Professor... I thought you might be feeling a bit cold."
"I have no need for that," I said.
"Oh... Yes, Professor..." Allen muttered, his shoulders sagging slightly with disappointment.
I added, "Let’s consider it a gift from me to you. I don’t mind the cold, so you should be the one to wear it."
“Ah... Yes, Professor...”
Screeeeeech—
At that moment, the screech of metal echoed through the air as the train began to slow. The three assistants rose quickly, gathering their belongings.
Knock, knock—
"We’ve reached our destination, Professor Deculein," a crew member announced, gently knocking on the door.
We disembarked together, stepping onto the platform as the train hissed to a final stop.
"Whoa, it’s absolutely freezing out here!"
“Y-yes... it really is...”
We had arrived at Mazar Station, deep in the Northern Region. As soon as Epherene and Allen stepped onto the deserted platform, they crossed their arms tightly, shivering against the cold. I scanned the barren landscape—empty of life, with snow-covered mountains looming in the distance, their peaks softened by a shroud of mist.
"Not a single person to be found," I remarked.
"It seems most people are staying indoors with winter approaching," the conductor replied.
“Ugh, it’s so cold...”
“It’s freezing...”
“I’m Jupan.”
"Okay, Jupan. Keep up the good work with those herbs~”
“Alright,” Jupan replied with a firm nod before heading back into the forest.
Watching the boy disappear into the woods, Epherene placed her hands on her hips and asked the nearby villagers, “Alright, everyone! Is there anything else I can help with?”
“No, I believe we're all set for now.”
“Oh, and I noticed there are plenty of weeds near the forest that could be used as livestock feed. Let me pull them up and bring them over right away!”
“There’s really no need for that. Just two days ago, or maybe it was yesterday, a shooting star fell into the woods—”
"Ah, don’t worry! It’s perfectly safe!"
Perhaps it was due to the fresh air of the Northern Region, she felt more alive than ever, as if a spark had ignited within her, both in body and spirit. With a spring in her step, Epherene strode toward the forest, swiftly pulling up the thick patches of weeds.
At that moment...
"Huh?"
Epherene came across a mysterious pond, tucked away within the dense thicket. The small pool shimmered with a blue glow, its surface gently rippling with mana. Intrigued, she tilted her head and moved closer.
“What is this...?” Epherene muttered, staring blankly into the pond. Her reflection shimmered faintly, the water distorting her features as it gently rippled.
Looks like I’m getting prettier as time goes on... Ahem!
The colors and light of the pond were so mesmerizing that, without realizing it, she reached out her hand.
... Plop.
As Epherene’s hand met the reflection on the pond’s surface, a sudden shock ran through her, like a burst of electricity. The pain was sharp and fleeting, leaving a lingering sting.
"Ah!" Epherene gasped, pulled her hand back and massaged her tingling fingers. "What just happened?"
Maybe I should just ask the professor about this. It might be some kind of magical phenomenon. Yes, that seems like a good idea, Epherene thought.
Epherene turned back, retracing her steps, but something felt wrong. It didn’t take long for her to notice—the path had changed. The road she had just walked no longer seemed the same. The snow now lay in deeper drifts, much higher than it had been just minutes ago, and the air had grown colder, sharper. She couldn’t quite describe it, but it was unmistakably wrong.
"What the... Oh, excuse me!"
Epherene noticed a young man approaching from the other side of the hill and waved to catch his attention. He had the appearance of an herbalist, moving toward her at a slow and deliberate pace, making his way over.
“Yes. How may I help?”
“Did anything strange happen in the village just now?” Epherene asked.
“Strange? In what way, precisely?” the young man asked.
"Yes, yes, yes, anything at all," Epherene said, nodding repeatedly. But as her eyes focused on his face, she suddenly paused, startled. "Wait... what?"
“Is everything alright?”
“No way...”
The man stood tall, his face still youthful yet touched by the first signs of maturity. Though he now towered over Epherene, the softness of his features and the traces of boyish innocence made it clear—without a doubt, he was the same boy she had met just minutes before....
“Are you Jupan?” Epherene asked.
“Hmm? How do you know my... Oh~”
It was Jupan—the ten-year-old kid she had seen moments ago, now standing before her as a young man.
Jupan recognized her too, not showing much emotion as he said, "You’re the mage I met a long time ago. It’s been quite some time, yet you haven’t aged a day. It’s good to see you again."
“Haven’t aged? What do you mean... a long time ago?”
"Well, that explains it. The professor recently arrived in our village."
"Professor?" Epherene echoed, her confusion slipping into her voice.
"Yes, the professor who was with you and the other mages on your previous visit."
"Where?!" Epherene shouted.
Jupan leaned back slightly and said, “The professor is currently waiting at the town hall...”
Without hesitation, Epherene broke into a sprint, racing toward the town in the direction Jupan had pointed.
Swishhh—
The snow crunched under her boots as she ran, her pulse quickening with each step. But when she finally reached the village, the sight that greeted her left her utterly speechless.
“What...?”
The quiet, humble village she had visited just that morning had been transformed into a lively marketplace. Fur-clad merchants bartered with the villagers, their loud voices echoing through the busy streets.
"What’s going on...?" Epherene murmured, pressing her hands against her chest.
Jupan had spoken of the town hall, and it was just a short distance away.
"... There it is."
The small hut that had once stood there only hours ago had transformed into a towering, formidable structure. Though overwhelmed, Epherene steeled herself, took a deep breath, and grasped the doorknob.
Gulp—
Her throat tightened with nervous tension as she swallowed hard and gently eased the door open.
Creak—
As the door creaked open, her eyes fell upon a figure cloaked in black, seated beneath the dim light of a crimson lantern, engrossed in a book.
"... Professor?"
The figure turned, and though only his lower face was visible beneath the hood, she knew immediately—Deculein.
With a slight curl of his lips, he pulled back his sleeve, tapped his wristwatch, and said, “You should have been more precise with the time, Epherene.”
“Sorry? What do you mean by that...?” Epherene stammered.
“Six o’clock. It’s now five past. When you return, tell them it was six-oh-five, not six on the dot,” Deculein said with calm finality, pulling back his hood to reveal his perpetually composed face.
His words made no sense to her. Epherene blinked in confusion, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for words, before finally stammering, “Return? What... where are you talking about? Where?”
Her thoughts spiraled in confusion. Yet, everything she had seen—the thriving village and the boy turned man—led to one undeniable truth. Time had shifted—taking the future with it.
“Correct," Deculein replied, a faint crease forming on his brow, as though disappointed she hadn’t realized it earlier. "You’ve encountered a brief disruption in time. That’s why I’ve come to find you."
Epherene’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. Deculein, observing her astonishment, responded with a gentle smile.
“Ahhh...!”
That smile was more unsettling than the strange magical situation unfolding around her, and Epherene, overwhelmed, felt her mind momentarily slip away.
Thud—!
... Suddenly, she crumpled to the floor, her head striking the wooden boards with a dull thud.