Time on the continent inexorably continued its course.
No matter who died and who lived on, human life was constant and always followed the same path.
Even if the most important person in the world died, eventually time would make everyone forget him.
The destruction of the continent caused by the last follower became a legend just like the existence of the giants who once ruled the continent.
Epherene was sitting on the shore, a fishing road in hands, looking blankly at the float.
She didn't know exactly how many years had passed since he died.
"Professor," Epherene muttered softly, "I understand why you left."
People.
Magicians were consumed by self-interest, nobles were fixated on pretentiousness and status, and the Floating Island was obsessed with magic, relentlessly trying to extract every fragment of knowledge they could get from her.
Everything on this continent was of no interest to Epherene.
"So archmages fishes too?"
At one moment, a noble voice, which belonged to the most majestic being on the continent, reached the ears of Epherene.
However, Epherene remained indifferent.
– Yes. I am fishing.
The old Epherene, stammering and bowing to Empress Sophien, was no more.
"I heard it's been five years since the last time you went to Floating Island"
– Has it been five years already?
– Yes. Today is the fifth anniversary.
Epherene nodded her head indifferently.
Sophien chuckled and sat down in the chair next to her, while making magically appear a fishing road.
"Maybe I'll try fishing too."
Sitting on two small fisherman's chairs were two of the most distinguished women on the continent. It was an incredible sight, but, unfortunately, there was not a single spectator who could tell this story.
– It's not good to be too obsessed with one person.
Epherene found it funny to hear that. This "one person" was dearer to her than the entire continent put together.
– I know. Time, space and people are all relative, she muttered absentmindedly.
– Would you like to see him again?
Epherene focused her gaze at Sophien who was grinning.
-Of course.
– Well. I know a way.
Simultaneously with these words, the empress threw her float into the water.
Pluck!
Waves splashed around.
"However, this requires your and my dedication."
The meaning of these words was mysterious even to Archmage Epherene.
– So I'll ask you... Are you ready to sacrifice yourself for Deculein?
Epherene involuntarily smiled.
– If it's just me, without a doubt.
– Nothing to worry about. Your dedication will be enough.
Epherene looked intensely at Sophien. The latter seemed unconcerned, her attention still on the float.
– Particles of time.
Epherene widened her eyes.
"They say it's the magic you learned in Locralen."
The rod lingered. The float began to sink.
– As you remember, shortly after Deculein's death, a meteorite fell in the north.
Epherene thought for a moment, then nodded.
"The day Your Majesty and I traveled together to the future…"
– Yes.
In the past, Sophien and Epherene traveled together into the future. There, Epherene received a wand from Deculein, the last gift that he left her.
– I have a fragment of this meteorite.
Epherene's pupils fluttered.
– Moreover...
Click!
Sophien snapped her fingers.
At that moment, the bushes behind them stirred. Looking around, Epherene made a funny expression, but quickly smiled.
– Hi. It's been a while.
Sylvia's voice rang out.
"Greetings, Archmage Epherene"
Lia, who was with her, also made her presence known.
– Lia, Sylvia. Why are you both here?
Lia smiled widely. For some reason, her gaze and posture were full of confidence.
– If you want to distort the passage of time…
Lia was from the Red Red Garnett Adventure Team. Having received the title of "Continent's Best Adventurer" for the past 5 years, she was now almost at the same level as Epherene. Looking straight into her eyes, she explained:
– With this fragment's meteorite, we can distort the passage of time and make it so that the professor is not dead.
It was the most absurd sentence that she said with the most serious expression on her face. But no matter how impossible something may seem, a wizard will always challenge the limit of the possible, at any cost.
Epherene pondered a little before turning to Sylvia.
– And you agree with this idea?
Sylvia nodded.
– It does not contradict providence. It's not about bringing the dead back to life, and it's not about turning back time.
Epherene acknowledged Sylvia's words.
The content of this absurd plan was simple.
The first step was to create a [Passage] leading to the past using Time Particles; return for a brief moment to the time when Eternal Winter froze the entire continent.
It will take a lot of effort, mana, a catalyst, an intermediary, and sacrifices just to complete this first step, but it would not be difficult to succeed.
Then the second step: find Deculein, who went into hibernation ten thousand years ago, and "hide" him from the world.
"Have you developed a spell yet?" Epherene asked Sylvia.
She calmly replied:
"Yes. I made a canvas that look like [Outworld] as much as possible.
Deculein's hiding space was created by using hundreds of millions of elnes and many mana stones from Marik. There, he could hide from the eyes of the world.
–… and what's next?
– There are many paintings in the lighthouse gallery. Hang a canvas among them, then come back…
There was no need to talk about the third and last step.
Meeting with the professor.
– This is crazy.
Epherene smiled bitterly.
Sylvia nodded her head.
Archmage Epherene and de facto Archmage Sylvia. Even these two mages thought it was an absurd plan…
– It's possible. I'm sure.
Lia was as determined as everyone else to save Deculein.
She remembered his last moments.
For a brief instant, he had been different. His appearance, voice, and face... it was as if Kim Woojin had been talking to her. Even though it was selfish, that brief encounter only deepened her resolve to bring him back.
"We'll save the dormant professor, spend time with him, and before the professor dies, we'll bring him back to this timeline."
– But…
Epherene began, but Lia quickly interrupted:
– Until then, the progress of [Understanding] will stop. To deceive the world means to temporarily cut off all connection with these forces or talents. So the professor will remain human.
– …are you sure? Epherene asked, her face filled with fear. Lia smiled.
– Yes. But don't expect him to live very long. He has already pushed his body and soul to their limits. Besides, he must one day return to this timeline and meet his death. Just like it happened five years ago in this hut. Only then can the world be deceived, and we can save Epherene in Locralen.
385 years in Locralen.
Epherene could not and should not endure this time alone. What's more, she had already been through this with Deculein. Whatever the future held, Deculein would return to this timeline.
– Of course, this interference will cause a slight distortion. However… you know, don't you?
Lia pointed to Epherene.
– What should happen, will definitely happen.
* * *
Late night in the north. Rohakan's hut.
Epherene was engrossed in creating a [Passage] leading to the past. Even though she was an archmage who controled time, bridging the huge gap between past and present was a major challenge. Fortunately, the fragment of the meteorite that was the catalyst for this miracle was shining brightly on her desk right now, going according to Lia's "optimism".
What they were trying to do could have huge consequences, if even the slightest calculation was wrong, the world that Professor Deculein was able to save would be doomed.
Clap!
A hand rested on her shoulder.
– I see you still have some uncertainties, said Sophien.
Epherene looked at her and smiled bitterly.
– I'm fine.
If such a situation arose, Epherene would know how to deal with it.
Sophien looked at Epherene's table. The papers on which the formula was written were neatly arranged. Sophien grabbed a pencil and corrected some of the parts of the formula that Epherene had been thinking about.
Epherene opened her eyes wide when she saw the corrections and jumped to her feet. She felt her brain tighten for the first time in a while. She witnessed an insight that penetrates the essence of magic and the mind and went beyond the level of an archmage.
Sophien grinned mischievously and said:
– Get ready. Let's save that impudent professor.