“….”

“This is something that none of us have witnessed before. First the fact that my fate has been broken and the fact that that girl’s soul was given to you. Look at this. This is what normal fate is like.”

Yeltena disconnected a string from someone’s soul and tried to connect it to another.

The soul started fading.

She put it back after ten seconds.

Rather, when she opened her hand, it immediately connected itself to the soul that she took it from. The dot stopped fading away.

“Normal fate should look like this, as I said. It’s not the case with you and this girl, however.”

“So…I have her soul while she has mine…?”

“Yes. Your fates are intertwined. You could say that the two of you will cause each other’s deaths.” Yeltena made the strings disappear.

She sat back down and looked straight into my eyes.

“There is not much time before you ultimately die. A soul cannot remain outside of its vessel for long. This is typical for the reincarnated that stray from their fated path. Sometimes, there’s an unlucky soul who is pushed out of the river. It differs from person to person but on average, you have at least less than ten years to live.”

“…..” My entire body shivered. My breath hastened and cold sweat dripped down my back. I grabbed the chair as I looked down at the ground.

-I can’t remember anything past 22 years old. I can only remember the more important stuff…

That was what Artoria told me that day we spoke in the Luxembourg family’s garden.

“It can’t…be. This was what Artoria meant…?”

“Artoria? The archangel?” Sol butted in.

“You know her?” I asked.

“We have heard of an angel that was banished from her tribe for the blood in her veins. The Valkyries are a race belonging to the archangel species. As with many warrior races, the dominant alpha breeds with all the females in their clan. This is what should’ve been the case until it was found out that she was a---”

“Sol!” Artemis shouted and pulled Sol’s ear.

“Uwaaah! Ow! Ow!!” Sol cried out in pain while flailing her hands.

“Are you crazy!? You can’t reveal this to a mortal!”

“I-I’m sorry!” Sol screamed with tears in her eyes.

“…?” I looked confused at the two of them.

‘What did she want to say? No, more importantly…’

“How do gods view regressors?”

“Well…” Artemis frowned with her arms crossed. “Let me explain in simple terms what they are first. They are people who have been given the right to get second chances. In Artoria’s case, she is in an infinite loop of timeline jumping. We are not sure how this is possible for someone to live eight lives. This is the first time anything like this has happened in my years of life. As for how we see them…they are not really in our black book, however, they must follow a certain rule. In addition, a penalty is added to Artoria since she has seen too much.”

“That rule is to keep the future a secret, isn’t it?”

“You seem to have heard quite a bit from this Artoria.” Yeltena smiled meaningfully. “Anyway, back to the topic.”

“Right. How do I avoid my inevitable death?”

Artoria didn’t say that out of all the times she met me that I died earlier than 25 years old. Perhaps there was a way to avoid my destined fate.

“Meet with the girl you saved.” Artemis was the one who spoke.

“Meet with her?”

“This is the only way. The two of you must meet.”

“B-But…isn’t that a bad thing? For someone to know I am from the same world as them?”

Maybe I was too paranoid for thinking that it was bad to reveal myself to them. You never know if they want to kill you or something.

“I understand what you’re worried about. However, this is required so both of you can survive.” Artemis said.

“Then…how do I meet her? How do I even know what she looks like?”

I had a vague memory of a high school girl with long blonde hair, but that was it.

“Your souls are linked to each other. As both of you are from earth, your souls should be able to recognize its real vessel. The exchange won’t be long. Even being in the same room will work.” Yeltena said from the side.

“Actually…” Artemis raised her hand to speak. “We have no idea where she is…”

“WHAT!? YOU DON’T!?”

All three of them covered their ears when I shouted.

“How can you not know but you want me to find her!?”

“C-Calm down, Clyde.” Artemis looked like she was about to cry.

Artoria told me that there was a likelihood that she might be in the Magic Empire but what proof did she have? I wasn’t going to wholeheartedly trust her after hearing that she was given multiple penalties to keep her mouth shut. She might’ve lied too. The Magic Empire was a nation that didn’t release any news out to the rest of the continent. There were four individuals who was from the same world as me. That was all I knew. Bridgette confirmed that for me.

“Since both of you are irregulars in this world, we are unable to locate her as well.” Yeltena calmly explained. “Her whereabouts disappeared the moment she landed in this world.”

She pointed down at the planet that I was reborn on.

“Is it the same as with me?”

“Yes. Unless the barrier on her soul weakens, we cannot find her. Sol’s detection only worked because your future self allowed her to see you because it was necessary. Quite a daring individual, I must say.” Yeltena confirmed what I feared.

“Tell me, is there a likelihood that she has her future self looking over her as well?” I asked.

“We can only guess at this point. I wouldn’t even be surprised if that was the case. However, it is a low possibility. Unless one serves as a great importance to one’s timeline then things like regression and time travel are improbable. I have come to that conclusion by watching your and Artoria’s lives.” Yeltena said.

I looked at Sol and Artemis. Both of them nodded.

“I have come to the same conclusion as Yeltena.” Artemis said.

“….”

‘Shit. You aren’t the one doing this. Right, old man?’

I didn’t want to believe it. If he was involved then he must’ve had a reason for hiding her from the gods.

I was screwed if I didn’t find out where she was.

‘Hold on…’

Professor Jacob said that he’d accept me as his assistant if I ever decided to go to the empire. I would immediately be made into an elite mage under his guidance. If he had such trust in me then I would certainly get a high position like a six star mage. Wouldn’t I get access to information that only those high ranking officials got?

‘No…I have a lot on my plate.’

My first priority was finishing my third term exams and then going to visit my sister when the vacation came. I was thinking of heading to the Rusa Dynasty to visit Arielle as well. I wanted to see my beloved. It had been two years already.

The vacation would only last a month so I didn’t have much time to find the girl. Plus, the Magic Empire was on the other side of the continent.

‘Shit…In the end, I’m screwed if I don’t find a lead.’

I couldn’t even ask Artoria as she was forced to keep her mouth shut. As I mentioned before, sometimes it was necessary for her to lie to me as well. I had a feeling that she’d only speak in roundabout ways that would lead me nowhere.

“I’m doomed.” I held my head.

I couldn’t even trust my childhood friend.

“This entire world is doomed if she dies.” Yeltena added. “Your existence holds just as much importance at this moment.”

“So all I have to do is find her. Sounds easier said than done. But…I’ll try…”

‘This is going to be a long and expensive endeavour.’

Since I couldn’t use flight magic everywhere on the continent, I could only rely on the mana train that was recently finished. It was only for the privileged so it was obvious how expensive it would be.

That was my plan B if I contact Jacob but find nothing conclusive.

“Ah, that’s not the only reason why we called you.” Artemis said.

“Huh? It’s not?”

I looked at Yeltena. She nodded. “This concerns the future events that will take place. Sol, explain what he must do.”

“Roger!”

“Future events…” I stiffened. “A disaster?”

“Yes. And this is orchestrated by the immortals as well.”

‘Fuck. Why is it always them? Damn bastards.’

“What…do you need me to do?”

“It’s an easy task. Just warn Odette of what is to come. Tell her that it is a national threat. She will understand what that means.” Sol said.

“What? Didn’t she die like hundreds of years ago?”

“That is what the high powers want people to believe.” Sol continued. “Only people equal in rank to the king know of her existence. Of course, the White Order is also aware. Also, Viria was Odette’s disciple,”

“…..”

“Iris received the armour that Alucard wore in his battle against Rodion. Let’s see. What else…”

“I think that’s enough Sol. The boy looks shocked enough knowing that she is alive.” Artemis chided Sol.

“Convey this to her,” Yeltena continued. “A threat as big as the Magic Revolution will happen in the near future. Phrase it exactly as that.”

“The revolution…? What really happened during the Magic Revolution that it is written in the history books? How did it affect the Great Sage?” I asked.

The Magic Revolution was only described as: Magic users fought for their rights to publicly cast magic. The nations against magic wanted all Magic Towers across the world to be destroyed. This included the dwarves.

“That is something she probably still remembers. It lasted from the Holy Era 339 until 348. We could say that it was the most devastating years of her life.” Yeltena murmured.

“What do you mean?”

“Those were the years where she watched how her family was killed.”

I gasped.

Yeltena continued. “Her parents were burned at the stakes when she was completing a mission. Even before her revenge against the nations that waged wars for her sister, hate for magic already existed. They feared her power because she was capable of destroying armies with a single spell. Her sister, Merlin, watched her parents get burned alive. She could do nothing but watch. Her powers were depleting because divinity was scarce in those days. That was before this world was blessed by the upper god realm.”

Yeltena took a few breaths and continued. “Despair overcame her and she killed herself to stop the wars.”

“So…you’re telling me that the heroes were hated…?”

“Indeed so.” Yeltena confirmed.

“Odette was hated and feared for her destructive powers….Merlin was being pressured into becoming a puppet of other nations because those people wanted to live forever…What about the other two?”

“Alucard gave up on humanity. They saved the world from Rodion’s might, however, no one was happy. All that remained were the fear, hate and greed of humans. Those times taught many how twisted your race can get. This is why Odette was not revealed to the world even after hundred of years passed. The other hero…well, he just left and never came back. We aren’t sure where he disappeared to because Varian refuses to disclose information about the beings she blessed.”

“I see…”

I leaned forward on my chair and thought.

If that was true then that meant that their actions were justified. They protected humans, but in return, humans looked upon them in contempt. This was why I didn’t think of them as selfish. They tried to be the heroes people could lean on but when the common enemy(Rodion) disappeared, only the negativity remained.

“Those bastards changed a lot of things when they wrote down the Magic Revolution’s section in the history books.” I cursed at the people of that time. They were really rotten.

“That is what humans amount to. Simple-minded, weak and scared. Rather than protect themselves in times of danger, they lean on the strong. In this case the White Order. This is why this world is still full of problems.” Yeltena spat those words out with an unpleasant expression on her face.

“Yeah…” I could only nod in agreement. Wasn’t I a human as well, though?

“From what I can tell from looking at Artoria’s memories, the disaster shouldn’t be happening in another five or so years. We are trying to get to the bottom of this as best we can. Until now we haven’t found anything that might be useful.” Artemis muttered as she held her chin with her fingers. “Could a seal have been broken? That can’t be possible…”

“A seal? What do you mean?” I asked. She was muttering to herself but I couldn’t help but overhear.

“This is in relation to the disaster. The seal that was placed to keep them at bay had been disturbed somehow. Usually, it is maintained using a powerful crystal that can even protect against teleportation magic. Specifically in this case, otherworldly beings.” Artemis stood up. “There’s not much time left until you are thrown back to your world. Is there anything you would like answers to, Clyde?”

“….”

The disaster was fast approaching. I had to find this girl that I saved which resulted in me dying for nothing on earth. I also had to visit my sister. Chloe wanted me to teach her magic which I promised to do.

‘Fuck, there’s so many things that I have to do. If I don’t do it then my sister will hate me forever.’

I was worrying more about her than the disaster to come.

But it’s not like I’d fall into despair if she hates me, okay?

“Clyde!”

“E-Eh?” Artemis’ face was right in front of me. She looked at me in disapproval.

“It’s rude to ignore someone when they are speaking!”

“Ah, sorry…W-What did you say?”

Yeltena shook her head with a chuckle. Sol looked at me as if I was trash. Maybe I shouldn’t be so lenient around gods.

“I said: Is there anything you want to know before time runs out?” Artemis put her hands on her hips with a frown on her face.

“Ah, right. I apologize for not answering you, Lady Artemis.” I took her hand and rubbed it with a sheepish grin.

“W-Well, don’t do it again… Humph!” Artemis went back to her chair and sat back down.

All three of them gazed at me to wait for my question.

I took a deep breath before closing my eyes.

“Magic is a fundamental way of life for all races in this world. Without it, this continent wouldn’t have thrived as it has these fast few millennia. It allows people to control nature however they wish and even control life and death with the sub-classes that us humans have derived from arcane magic like Forbidden magic and necromancy,”

I didn’t cut to the chase just yet. After opening my eyes, I looked at all three of them before speaking.

“Yet how am I the only person in this world who can use both spirit and arcane magic?”