novelzi Chapter 155: Epherene’s Time (2)
Chapter 155: Epherene’s Time (2)
Chapter 155: Epherene’s Time (2)
Epherene slowly opened her eyes. Above her, a wooden ceiling came into view, and a mana stone lantern swayed overhead.
“Mmm... Hmmmmmmmm...” Epherene murmured, blinking slowly before stretching her mouth wide with a yawn that shook her head. “Aaahhhhhhh...”
“You certainly take your time. What are you, some kind of a dinosaur?”
At the sound of the familiar voice, Epherene froze in place. Her body stiffened, turning her head slowly with a creaking motion. Of course, it was Deculein.
“Ah... Was it a dream—”
“No, it was not,” Deculein said, closing the book in his hand. His gaze rested on her, carrying a strange gentleness that sent a cold shiver down her spine. That unsettling softness filled Epherene with dread.
“Why... No, are you really Professor Deculein?”
“Yes,” Deculein replied without hesitation.
Epherene quickly blurted out, “You’re not a monster, are you?”
“What?”
“No, no. I mean, where are we? Why did that kid suddenly grow up, and what happened to the village—"
“You’ve been swept up in a magical phenomenon,” Deculein explained.
A magical phenomenon... Could it really be because of that pond in the thicket? All I did was touch a little water. How could that be enough to warp the flow of time? Epherene thought.
Deculein explained, “It’s because you’re someone special.”
“... Sorry?”
“You’ll understand more eventually. For now, come with me,” Deculein said as he rose to his feet.
Epherene climbed out of bed and trailed behind him. The moment they stepped outside the town hall, the sharp wind of the Northern Region cut through her skin like icy needles.
“Huff.”
However, the village was now full of life, with people bustling through the streets, their faces glowing with energy and their steps brisk. Inns, shops, markets, restaurants, and taverns buzzed with activity.
What had been a cold, quiet village not long ago had suddenly transformed. Epherene could only stare in disbelief at the sight of the once still place now flourishing before her eyes.
"... How many years has it been?" Epherene asked.
"Who can say?"
“Oh, right. You wouldn’t know how many years have passed from my time either, would you, Professor?”
Deculein walked ahead in silence, while Epherene quickened her steps to keep up with him.
"But I don’t understand, Professor. How could a magical phenomenon like this even happen? I thought time travel was impossible, even with magic."
“For an ordinary mage, it’s impossible. But you are not.”
Epherene couldn’t tell if Deculein’s words were meant as a compliment or a subtle jab. She glanced at him briefly before the rich, savory aroma of grilled chicken skewers caught her attention, the glistening sauce tempting her senses.
“... Gulp.”
Deculein let out a quiet chuckle and said, “Is your stomach growling?”
“N-no... but what did you mean when you said I’m not ordinary?”
“It’s because of your Origin,” Deculein answered.
Epherene tilted her head, puzzled, and echoed, “Origin?”
"You will understand in time," Deculein replied.
“... What’s that supposed to mean?” Epherene muttered, shooting a glare at Deculein before quickly lowering her eyes, nervous that he might scold her. However, Deculein remained unbothered, showing no sign of displeasure.
What’s really going on with him?
Epherene, her mind swirling with questions, asked, "So, I really am in the future, right?"
“Correct.”
“How do I return to the present?”
"Who can say?"
“Oh, I see... Wait, what?” Epherene muttered, her eyes widening in surprise.
Epherene had expected Deculein to have all the answers, to offer a straightforward explanation and guide her, as he always did, with clear instructions on exactly what to do.
With a faint smile, Deculein said, “You are in the future. Bridging the past, present, and future is far from simple.”
“Then how do I...”
“You’ll have to wait. The path will open again in due time.”
“... The path?”
"Correct," Deculein replied, nodding as he used Telekinesis to guide a chicken skewer toward her.
Epherene took the skewer without hesitation, clutching it tightly as she asked, “And when will the path open again?”
“It will likely be when the second comet descends.”
“Oh, I see...”
Epherene suddenly remembered a villager's words of warning from earlier—how a shooting star had fallen into the thicket just two days ago.
"When will that be?" Epherene asked, taking a bite of the skewer. The taste was so delicious that she found herself chewing faster, eager for more.
“I cannot say for certain. It could be in three days.”
I asked again, “Isn’t this place a bit too small to serve as a base for patrolling the Northern Region, Your Majesty?”
“Enough. You talk too much. Be gone!” Sophien barked, kicking her legs against the sofa in frustration. And just like that, she drifted off to sleep. As I watched her, it struck me once again how her constant ennui and lethargy seemed almost like an incurable affliction.
... Snore... Snore...
Fortunately, her sleep habits were far from disruptive. Sophien rested quietly, a soft snore escaping her now and then. Even her awkward position gradually eased into a more graceful form, as if her natural dignity emerged despite her attempts to appear unruly.
“Hmm.”
As I watched her, a sudden thought stirred in my mind.
“Epherene.”
I found myself wondering where that child had gone. I wasn’t concerned—she could take care of herself—but curiosity lingered. The shooting star that fell in the Northern Region was undoubtedly tied to some magical phenomenon. I thought of her again, imagining where she might be and how she was navigating it all...
***
“Got one!”
Epherene’s days in the future with Deculein passed without much fanfare. They fished, read together, and she quietly absorbed the professor’s teachings.
The only noticeable difference from the past was the faint warmth in Deculein’s manner, something she found both curious and unfamiliar. She had no idea what had happened in the future to change him this way. Despite her growing curiosity, Deculein never offered her any answers.
“Professor, look! Isn’t this fish worth a fortune?” Epherene exclaimed.
“It’s an Aurafin. At that size, it would fetch around three hundred elne,” Deculein replied.
“Three hundred elne!” Epherene gasped, her eyes widening as she tightened her grip on the fishing rod.
Deculein silently observed her, his actions steady and deliberate as he kindled the bonfire. It seemed he was preparing to cook the fish.
Swishhh—
As Epherene cast her line into the water once more, her eyes drifted to Deculein, who was tending to the fish skewers over the fire. She swallowed instinctively, almost without thinking, but then she felt a shift—a sudden change in the air.
Deculein's hand paused mid-motion, and the air around them turned tense. A chill settled over the space, his face hardening into something cold and unyielding. In an instant, a wave of hostility and murderous intent flooded the air.
Startled and uneasy, Epherene stammered, “Wh-what’s wrong?”
After a moment of silence, Deculein looked at Epherene and said in a calm, measured voice, “I withhold much from you because interference in the future can have a profound impact on the past.”
“Sorry?”
"But we’re not the only ones who know that."
At that moment, Epherene noticed something as well—the faint scent of blood carried on the breeze. Her shoulders tightened instinctively.
“There are those foolish enough to think that killing you now would erase your future,” Deculein said, placing the fish skewer over the bonfire.
Sizzle... Sizzle...
As the fish sizzled over the flames, Deculein's mana surged, filling the air with tension. Sensing the impending danger, Epherene began preparing her own spell in response.
“So, what you're trying to say, Professor, is...”
“They believe that ending your life here will erase your future—a foolish notion, given the importance of who you become,” Deculein remarked.
Upon hearing Deculein’s words, Epherene gave a solemn nod.
At that exact moment, the silence fractured. The assassins advanced in perfect, chilling calm, their steps utterly soundless, stirring the air like a passing breeze. Epherene struggled to follow their swift, fluid movements. A metallic clash then sliced through the quiet, trailing a sharp current that tore through the still air.
“Ugh!”
Epherene quickly cast a barrier, though its strength against their assault remained uncertain...
But then...
Beside Deculein, pure white crystals blossomed. In a blinding flash, their brilliance filled the air, and the result was nothing short of breathtaking.
Crackle—!
Ice and fire sliced through the air like a thunderbolt, tearing the space apart. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of assassins crumbled, their bodies shattering like brittle wood. Yet not a drop of blood fell—it froze, suspended in the air. Deculein's Snowflower Stone froze and scorched his enemies at once, erasing them from existence.
“... Huh?”
The battle was over in an instant. The field lay strewn with frozen shards of flesh, their remains swiftly devoured by the purging flames of the Snowflower Stone.
“Um...”
The Snowflower Stone blazed with a radiant light, flooding the area like a burst of lightning. In mere moments, the wave of enemies that had surged forward was reduced to nothing but ashes.
“... What just happened?”
Epherene was unable to comprehend what had just unfolded, her eyes blinking slowly as she tried to process the scene. Noticing her confusion, Deculein explained, “This is the Snowflower Stone.”
“... Sorry?”
“They’ll keep coming for you until you return, but you need not be afraid. My purpose here is to protect you.”
Epherene stood frozen, her mouth parted in stunned silence. The field lay beneath a heavy stillness, as if even the wind dared not stir.
Swooooosh—
A gust of wind swept across the mountains, rustling through the terrain. Amidst the lingering silence, Epherene noticed something off. Her five senses, sharpened in preparation for battle, detected something unusual. She narrowed her eyes at Deculein, her instinct echoed within her, sounding an alarm.
“Um...”
Deculein was unnaturally silent, void of the sounds that belonged to the living. His body lay in a stillness so profound it felt unnatural. Simply put—his heart was no longer beating.
“... Professor,” Epherene murmured, her voice trembling as she focused on his chest.
Sensing her attention, Deculein’s lips curved into a faint smile as he said, “Don’t be alarmed. My heart died long ago.”
Despite his reassurance not to be alarmed, Epherene couldn’t help but feel deeply alarmed.