A vast city stretched beyond the towering gates of the Ingracia Kingdom. Marble walls gleamed under the sunlight, bustling crowds moved through grand avenues, and the faint hum of magicules interwoven with civilization painted a picture of stability.
Yet, for Velnova, it was nothing more than a backdrop to his true objective.
His translucent form pulsed faintly as he extended his perception beyond the walls.
And then—he saw them.
Five young children, their magicules raging wildly, their very existence unstable.
And at their center, the woman who guided them.
Shizue Izawa.
A living remnant of his past world, a Hero who had long since burned herself out, a woman who—had things gone the same way as in his memories—would soon perish.
Velnova's core throbbed with anticipation.
"Raphael. Confirm their existence."
[Confirmed. Five children identified: Kenya Misaki, Ryota Sekiguchi, Gale Gibson, Alice Rondo, Chloe Aubert.]
The names sent a ripple through his mind.
Everything was the same.
Everything was as it had been in Rimuru's timeline.
But there was one crucial difference.
Rimuru was dead.
And Velnova stood in his place.
His form flickered as he took a step forward, yet before advancing, a question formed in his mind—one that demanded an answer.
"Raphael, is this the original timeline where Rimuru dies?"
A pause.
Then—
[Negative.]
…What?
Velnova's movement stilled. His magicule flow tightened, his focus sharpening to an absolute point.
"Explain."
[This timeline does not match pre-established events. Deviation points detected:
— Veldora's disappearance occurred unnaturally.
— Clayman's future actions have become unpredictable.
— Manas Michael's control over Rudra is accelerating.
— The Eastern Empire's invasion probability has increased to 50%.
— Guy Crimson's intentions remain unclear.
— Velzard's state is undetermined.
— Yuuki Kagurazaka's long-term plans have shifted.
— The Voice of the World has not reacted to key events as expected.
Conclusion: High probability this is not the original timeline but an alternate divergence.]
Velnova's core pulsed again, this time colder, more methodical.
An alternate timeline.
Everything followed a similar path, yet critical elements had shifted.
"Probability that I was the cause?"
[98.7%.]
A smirk.
It was obvious. His very existence had broken the fragile chain of fate. Rimuru, the supposed protagonist, was dead. And now, an entirely new flow of events was taking place.
One he could shape as he pleased.
He turned his gaze back toward the city.
The children. Shizue. Yuuki, hiding within.
A ripple of amusement and cruelty flickered through his thoughts.
No Rimuru meant no safety net.
Would they become pawns? Would they be discarded?
Or would he simply erase them all?
The possibilities were endless.
And Velnova was the one who would decide.
Velnova's Plan: Using Chloe's Power to Change Fate
Standing before the gates of Ingracia, Velnova's gaze swept across the city. His mind worked at an accelerated pace, analyzing every possibility. The children, Shizue, and most importantly—Chloe Aubert—stood within these walls.
If things followed a certain path, Chloe would awaken Manas: Chronoa, the embodiment of her strongest will. And with that awakening, her ability to manipulate time would reach its peak.
Velnova didn't believe in leaving things to fate. He was here to take control of his future.
Step One: Securing the Children
The five children, each with powerful yet unstable magicules, wouldn't survive much longer without intervention. Their bodies were rejecting the overwhelming energy within them.
Taking them to Ramiris' Labyrinth was the best course of action. There, the dense magicules could be stabilized, preventing their premature deaths.
But saving them wasn't the goal. It was merely a necessary step toward ensuring Chloe reached the point of awakening.
Step Two: Forcing a Time Leap
If events aligned correctly, Chronoa would emerge and merge with Chloe's consciousness.
At that moment, Velnova would attempt to use her time leap ability to travel into the past.
If successful, he would:
Eliminate Past Veldora Immediately – The Voice of the World wouldn't allow two versions of the same existence. By eliminating the past Veldora, he could ensure that he wouldn't be erased himself.
Neutralize Chloe in the Past – Preventing her from interfering with future events.
Manipulate History – With the advantage of future knowledge, he could shape this world as he saw fit.
It was a risky but potentially perfect plan.
Step Three: Alternative Plans
However, Velnova always accounted for failure. If the time leap did not work, he had two alternatives:
1. Deal with Chloe Directly
If she merged with Chronoa but the leap failed, he would need to ensure she didn't become a threat.
He would determine whether he could absorb her abilities.
If not, he would find another method to counteract her power.
2. Escape and Begin a New Evolution
If things spiraled beyond control, retreating was always an option.
This would expose him to certain factions, but he had another path—the evolution into a True Dragon.
If Chloe became too dangerous to engage directly, he would focus on surpassing her through sheer power.
Even if something unexpected happened, he had ways to adapt.
The Ultimate Goal
Velnova wasn't simply trying to survive. He was aiming for absolute control over his future.
No matter the outcome—whether through time travel or evolution—he would ensure that he dictated the flow of events.
The world wouldn't guide him.
He would reshape the world itself.
His mind set, Velnova took the first step toward the city gates.
One way or another, history was about to change.
Velnova stood before the city gates of Ingracia, his gaze locked onto Shizue Izawa and the five children she had taken under her care.
Everything was falling into place.
These children were precious not because of sentiment, but because of Chloe Aubert—the key to his future.
If he wanted to manipulate time itself, he needed her trust, her awakening, and her power.
And for that, he needed to control their emotions.
Velnova's voice was calm, warm, and reassuring, yet every word carried hidden intent.
"Shizue Izawa… You've done well caring for these children, but their time is running out, isn't it?"
Shizue stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly. She was a woman of instinct. If she felt something was off, she wouldn't hesitate to act.
Velnova needed to disarm her immediately.
"I know about their condition. Their magicules are too unstable. You've been searching for a way to save them, but…" He sighed, his expression filled with artificial sorrow. "If this continues, they will not survive."
At those words, the children's expressions shifted—fear, desperation, and hope all clashing together.
Perfect.
Now, he needed them to believe in him.
"I have a way to help," he said, his tone laced with gentle certainty.
He extended his hand, and Infinity Attribute subtly activated.
A barely noticeable wave of energy pulsed from him, amplifying their trust and dampening their suspicion.
The effect was immediate.
The children, who moments ago were wary, now looked at him with curiosity and interest.
Even Shizue's defensive stance softened slightly—not entirely gone, but weakened just enough.
Velnova continued, using half-truths mixed with genuine logic.
"There is a place where their magicules can stabilize. A labyrinth. It is safe, hidden, and protected by someone who can help them regain control of their power."
Shizue hesitated.
"You can feel it, can't you?" Velnova pressed. "The magicules in their bodies are unstable. This is the best chance they have."
Her eyes flickered, doubt still present—but hope was beginning to win.
Now, it was time to seal their decision.
He turned to Chloe, the true target of his plan.
She was the most important, but also the hardest to manipulate.
Unlike the others, she had unusually sharp instincts—a subconscious connection to her future self.
But even that could be worked around.
Velnova kneeled slightly, bringing himself to eye level with her. His voice became softer, almost empathetic.
"Chloe… don't you want to live?"
She flinched, her lips parting slightly.
"I do."
That was all he needed.
The final barrier fell.
Even Shizue, who had been holding on to her doubts, lowered her guard.
Without hesitation, Velnova activated Spatial Manipulation.
A shimmering portal opened beside them, the connection already locked onto Ramiris' Labyrinth.
"It's time."
Before anyone could react, the energy wrapped around them— teleporting them instantly.
The city of Ingracia disappeared from their sight.
The next step of his plan had begun.
As the teleportation completed, Velnova and his group arrived in the depths of the Labyrinth. The air here was dense with magicules, and the atmosphere had a strange whimsical energy—a sign of its ruler.
A few moments later, a small, glowing figure shot toward them.
Ramiris, the Fairy Queen.
Her tiny wings fluttered as she stopped midair, hands on her hips, glaring at Velnova.
"Oi! Who are you, and how did you just teleport into my Labyrinth? You better not be causing trouble!"
Her tone was demanding, but her aura wasn't threatening.
Velnova didn't answer immediately. Instead, he lifted his hand, and from his storage, he pulled out a plate of delicious-looking sweets.
The Fairy Queen froze. Her eyes locked onto the food.
"What… what is that?" she asked, suddenly wary but unable to hide her interest.
"Something tasty. We can talk while you eat."
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, but the temptation was too strong.
She zipped forward, snatched a pastry, and took a bite.
Her reaction was immediate.
"Mmmmh!! This is amazing! How did you—?!"
She was completely distracted now.
Velnova took this chance to speak.
"I need your help, Ramiris. I have children here who need to stabilize their magicules. And we need to visit the Dwelling of Spirits."
Ramiris, still munching on sweets, blinked.
"Wait… spirits? You wanna call spirits for them?"
Velnova nodded.
She stared at him for a moment, then at the children. Finally, she sighed.
"Fine, fine! You're lucky these sweets are so good. Follow me!"
And just like that, the path to the Dwelling of Spirits was open.
The next step of the plan was underway.
---
Velnova observed as Chloe stepped forward, her small figure bathed in the glowing energy of the Dwelling of Spirits. The air vibrated unnaturally as the ritual began. The moment her hand touched the spirit formation, something changed.
A sudden, overwhelming presence descended.
The light twisted into darkness.
The ground trembled.
The air itself became heavy with killing intent.
Velnova felt it instantly.
A presence far beyond a mere spirit had answered Chloe's call.
Then, she appeared.
A pair of cold, silver eyes opened within Chloe's soul, filled with hostility and wariness.
A wave of pressure burst forth, forcing even Ramiris to stumble back in shock.
"Wha—what's happening? This isn't normal!" the Fairy Queen gasped.
Velnova didn't flinch. He watched as the entity within Chloe fully awakened.
Chronoa had returned.
And she was completely aware of everything.
Her silver eyes locked onto Velnova, filled with suspicion.
"Who… are you?" her voice was soft but laced with lethal intent.
Velnova smiled slightly. Interesting. Chronoa wasn't mindless like in the original timeline.
She wasn't just a raging destroyer.
She was watching him, analyzing him.
She didn't trust him.
As Chronoa's presence fully manifested within Chloe, Velnova wasted no time.
"Raphael, initiate forced synchronization."
A pulse of infinite energy spread out, weaving itself into Chloe's very essence, entwining her fate with Chronoa completely.
Chronoa's silver eyes widened in shock as an invisible force crushed her resistance, binding her to Chloe's soul permanently.
"You—!" she tried to resist, but it was already too late.
Velnova's Infinity attribute took effect, locking the fusion beyond reversal.
The air trembled.
A golden glow enveloped Chloe's body as her existence shifted, adapting to the forced union.
[Forced Fusion: Success.]
[Individual: Chronoa and Individual: Chloe have become a Singular Entity.]
Velnova didn't hesitate.
"Now, let's begin."
"Raphael, activate Time Leap. Target: Past."
A blinding surge of magicules erupted as space fractured around them.
The timeline itself shuddered.
And in the blink of an eye—
Velnova vanished.
---
The Moment After
For a brief second, silence followed.
Then—
The Labyrinth shook.
The very walls cracked, ancient defenses faltering against a power that should not exist.
BOOM!
The entire floor ruptured as overwhelming presences descended.
One after another, they arrived.
Velzard.
Velgrynd.
Guy Crimson.
Feldway.
Rudra.
Dino.
Zalario.
Obera.
Milim.
Dagruel.
They all stood there, their eyes locked onto the place where Velnova had just disappeared.
The air was thick with tension.
Something had changed in the very fabric of reality.
And they all knew it.
Flashback: The Other Plan
Before leaving for Ingracia, Velnova stood in the depths of Veldora's cave, his translucent form shimmering with power. His evolution had granted him something truly terrifying—an infinite expansion of possibilities.
And he intended to use them all.
"Raphael, initiate clone creation."
[Affirmative. Utilizing Infinity Attribute to ensure equal distribution of power.]
A ripple of space and nothingness surrounded Velnova as his form distorted.
A perfect replica formed before him. Identical. Indistinguishable in every way. The clone bore the same abilities, the same mind—but its purpose was entirely different.
Velnova smirked.
"You know what to do."
The clone nodded, his expression mirroring the original's.
"Yes. The other part of the plan must proceed simultaneously."
Without another word, the clone vanished, slipping into the folds of space-time, heading toward an unknown destination.
Velnova turned away, his eyes gleaming with cold calculation.
"Now… time for Ingracia."
[A/N:Buwahahahha]