Chapter 161: Ages (2)

As my mana gradually recovered through the crystal tree, I continued to apply

Midas Touch

. Beyond the Wood Steel, I granted my Geork suit jacket, coat, and shoes, each piece acquiring its own unique effect.

───────

[Geork Custom Suit Shoes]

...

◆ Special Effects

: The feet serve as the body’s foundation, and these shoes provide soothing comfort that radiates through every part of the wearer.

: Enhances walking efficiency and improves overall balance.

: Offers strong resistance to all forms of binding spells.

[Midas Touch : Level 5]

───────

Additionally, the jacket and coat were imbued with anti-magic and protective functionalities. I granted the Wood Steel, specialized for defense, the ability of

Replication

—allowing it to multiply itself. For the Wood Steel specialized for support, I added

Taping

, a self-healing mechanism that combined Duct Tape with attribute fusion.

—

Professor, I still find you fascinating.

At that moment, Epherene broke the silence.

Examining the enhanced Wood Steel, I responded, "What exactly is so fascinating?"

—

That you’re not curious or worried about what the future holds, or why you’re not part of it.

“Am I not?”

—

Would you like me to tell you?

Epherene’s question led me to look at the chair across from me, still empty.

—

If I do...

“That won’t be necessary,” I replied, with a slight shake of my head.

No one could predict the path this world would take or where it might lead, as my presence—Kim Woo-Jin’s influence—was bound to twist the story into the unknown.

However, forcing the issue on purpose seemed unnecessary. Epherene’s future didn’t appear to be a worst-case scenario, so letting it run its course wasn’t a bad option. After all, in the main quest, the worst outcome was the destruction of the continent.

—

... Actually, I can’t tell you~ The future you, Professor, asked me to keep it a secret and said not to say a word~

Once my mana finally hit the 5,000 mark, I imbued the last piece of Wood Steel with the

Midas Touch

.

Zaaap—!

Mana crackled as it poured into the Wood Steel, signaling its completion. Although I had anticipated that this would take a week, I was able to complete it in just two days.

—

Is everything complete, Professor?

At that moment, Epherene finally spoke.

“Yes.”

I controlled each piece of Wood Steel, each infused with its own unique attributes. However, there was no need to direct them; all nineteen blades moved in perfect harmony, as if they were alive.

“At this point.”

In the deepening shadows, I looked into the distance. Countless monsters had gathered, their numbers having doubled since I last saw them two days ago.

“Dealing with these filthy creatures should be straightforward.”

—

Okay, Professor, best of luck.

"... Is that all you wish to say?" I inquired, standing up.

There was no need to wait for my mana to recover; after all, controlling the Wood Steel with

Telekinesis

used nearly no mana.

—

I wanted to say that I love you, Professor? Even if it’s just a one-sided love that lasts forever... But I didn’t say it because I know we’re not quite at that level in our connection yet.

At a loss for words at her absurd remark that slipped out so suddenly, I narrowed my eyes and glared in her direction, saying, "... It’s good that you are aware."

—

Yes, Professor.

There was no need to continue the conversation. I stepped into the darkness, beyond the reach of the crystal tree’s light. As if they had been waiting for this very moment, hundreds—no, thousands—of monsters surged toward me in a frenzied stampede. Their howls shook the ground, and the pounding of their feet roared like an oncoming earthquake.

"Foul creatures," I muttered, a frown crossing my face as I activated the Wood Steel.

Hummm...

Mana surged through all nineteen blades of Wood Steel, which then moved as a single, unified unit.

Swooooosh—!

The sound of steel slicing through the air filled the atmosphere. Blades streaked across the void, each serving its purpose. In the distance, thousands of monsters rushed like a tidal wave, and in this battle, every blade played its part.

Some blades cleaved through the oncoming monsters, while others spiraled freely, shaking the earth itself. A few rose as barriers, protecting me like a shield.

Division and specialization defined this flawless formation; I didn’t need to lift a finger. Step by step, I moved forward, slipping effortlessly through the gaps between my enemies.

Krrrunch—!

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The crunch of breaking bones filled my ears, mingling with their cries—half scream, half roar—that echoed around me. Blood sprayed in all directions, scattering chunks of flesh and foul remains. Shielding myself from the filth with

Telekinesis

, I set to work, cleaning up the carnage...

***

... Meanwhile, Epherene and Sophien reached the village in the Northern Region where she had first encountered the future Deculein.

“I’m certain we’ll find him here, Your Majesty!” Epherene said with eagerness.

Sophien stood still, breathing in the atmosphere of the moment. The air felt different between the future and the present—a distinction she sensed profoundly.

“

Hmm...

let’s see...”

Epherene scanned the bustling marketplace, and soon, amidst the crowd, the person she sought came into view.

“There he is!” Epherene exclaimed, pointing as Sophien turned to look. “You! Hey, you!”

Epherene hurried over and firmly grabbed the man's wrist.

“Hey, herbalist kid!”

It was the same herbalist she had encountered before. He looked startled by her sudden approach, but upon recognizing her, he gave a slight nod and said, "...

Ah

, yes, it's you, Mage Epherene."

“Hey, it’s nice to see you again,” Epherene said warmly, smiling.

“Yes, likewise.”

Sophien then approached, hands clasped behind her back. The herbalist gave her robed figure a brief glance before turning back to Epherene and saying, "You’ve returned once more, I see."

"Yes, I have a few questions for you."

"Yes, feel free to ask," Jupan replied, his expression neutral but cooperative, showing a willingness to help.

Without hesitation, Epherene asked, "Do you know where Professor Deculein is? Do you know Where he went?"

“... Pardon?” the herbalist replied, surprise flickering across his face as his once thread-thin eyes widened, fixed on Epherene.

Epherene tilted her head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

"Well... you wouldn’t happen to know, would you?"

"What happened? What is it that I don’t know?" Epherene asked.

The herbalist's expression remained unreadable as he pondered quietly, scratched his cheek, and finally broke the silence.

“The... Professor, he...”

Jupan glanced between Epherene and Sophien, assessing their reactions before letting out a heavy sigh and saying, "He has gone, as far as I know."

"...

Hmm

?" murmured Epherene, tilting her head in confusion, while Sophien regarded the man with a solemn look, as if the brief silence that settled over them dimmed even the bustle of the marketplace.

Epherene swallowed before asking, "He’s gone...? Do you mean he went back home? Oh~ He returned to his home, right?"

"No, what I mean is... umm... the Professor traveled to the Leoc Kingdom. He did return here afterward, but..." Jupan mumbled, scratching his head before snapping his fingers as if something had dawned on him. "Ah, right. When I asked what brought him back, he said he was waiting for someone."

“Waiting?”

“Yes, he was... probably waiting for...” Jupan said, looking at Epherene.

Though his words were left unfinished, they conveyed enough. Epherene stood in stunned silence, her mouth slightly open, until the words slipped from her lips.

“You are lying?”

"... My apologies. I thought you were already informed."

“

Ah...

No way.”

Epherene recalled her last encounter with Deculein—the man who claimed his heart was already dead, but assured her he would endure for at least another century...

“There’s no way. He said he’d live for a few more centuries, and he’s not one to lie about it.”

"For a few more centuries? I’m uncertain what that means, but... Count Yukline visited in person himself."

The news left Epherene dizzy, while Sophien remained silent, still taking in the air of the place. And only then did she begin to notice the subtle differences between this present and the future she knew.

“... I see.”

A sudden wave of dizziness made Epherene stumble, while Sophien stood silently, simply breathing in the atmosphere. Only a little later did she begin to sense the difference between the present and the future.

"Luna," Sophien finally called out, addressing Epherene.

Epherene’s lips parted soundlessly as she turned to look at Sophien.

"I extend my deepest gratitude; I have come to understand something of great significance."

In that instant, a wave of shock swept over Epherene. The Empress Sophien’s face held a fearsome stillness, as cold and impenetrable as sculpted stone.

***

“

Hmm...

”

In a distant future, Epherene fiddled with the cube in her hand, twisting its colored pieces. She had previously dismissed such a toy as not worth her attention, as it did not suit her character. With a faint smile, she completed the cube in no time and looked at it closely.

“... There.”

Smiling contentedly, she rested her chin in her hands and looked around the empty sanctuary—the Sanctuary of Ages. This place held so many memories for her—meeting Idnik, seeing Murkan, reuniting with Sylvia, confessing to Deculein... so many moments had passed here.

Now, this place was nothing more than a ruin. The life force of the crystal tree was nearly spent, and even time itself seemed to be running out for the sanctuary. Only she, Epherene Luna, remained here—alone.

Epherene was suddenly drawn back to memories of Lokralen. The days spent with Deculein were distant and faint, filled with such happiness yet such bitterness. More than anything, even as an archmage, holding onto those drawn-out memories in their entirety was nearly impossible... By the time she left Lokralen, more than half of them had slipped away.

An emptiness swept over her, sorrow so heavy that it drained her of tears. The pain cut deep, as though her heart had been torn clean away.

“... Professor.”

Epherene pressed her lips gently against the crystal tree, calling his name in a soft whisper. But his voice no longer answered, and his face, of course, did not appear. Her last meeting with Deculein was in Lokralen. ... Whatever happened there would remain her secret forever.

—

I am here.

A sudden voice pulled her from her thoughts. Startled, Epherene’s face brightened with a smile as she asked, "Have you finished everything, Professor?"

—

They have all been exterminated.

"... Of course. Just as I’d expect from you, Professor," Epherene murmured, resting her hand gently on the crystal tree’s surface.

Rustle— Rustle—

A blue leaf drifted down, coming to rest on her crown—a quiet signal that her time bound to the past was nearing its end.

“Professor.”

—

Yes, go ahead.

Listening to a voice that could vanish at any moment—the most beautiful sound in the world—Epherene smiled, promising to never forget it, not even until her dying day.

"Goodbye now, and take care, Professor. I’m glad we could meet again after such a long time."

Deculein was silent.

“And please, listen closely," Epherene went on.

Epherene still had words left unsaid—words of utmost importance. If, by any chance, the future could change—even the slightest bit—it would be because of these words.

"As this will really be the last one."

Epherene took a slow breath, then said, “Please, listen closely. לפנ ■■שאור ■■אל עוזב...”

***

“

לפנ ■■שאור ■■אל עוזב...

”

The Epherene from the future left behind strange words before she disappeared. They couldn’t be the runic language, as even I couldn’t understand them, and they weren’t a foreign language—I knew them all. It seemed more reasonable to consider them an intervention from beyond this world.

"I’ll remember them," I murmured, committing the sounds and pronunciations firmly to memory before leaning back in my chair.

"Epherene."

I called her name, but no reply came, no matter how long I waited. The connection between our space-time had broken. She had mentioned it cost her about ten years of her life, yet in just two days, it had ended.

"

Hmm

."

I glanced at the glimmering surface of the crystal tree and recalled her words.

"So, I won’t have a place in her future."

It would be a lie to say I’m not curious about what place, if any, I might hold in her future.

“Death, perhaps. Or...”

I paused, lost in thought for a moment. However, no matter how deeply I thought about it, everything brought me back to the same conclusion.

“... I must have died.”

Death. My life span was far shorter than I had anticipated. Given the scale of the main quest, even the most optimistic outlook left me with less than three years. In that time, I would die, and she would be left chasing after a memory—someone who was already long gone.

“How tragic,” I murmured.

I couldn’t say whether her situation was more tragic than my own. Just as that thought settled over me, I felt a presence nearby—a soft, fleeting movement, like the flutter of a small bird.

Rustle—

Stone chips skittered across the ground, followed by a sharp, startled breath. I turned instinctively toward the sound, and the nineteen Wood Steel blades at my side shivered in response.

Hummm—

The nineteen Wood Steel fragments resonated in unison, aligning sharply toward the intruder. But when I recognized who it was, I raised a hand to signal restraint—this one posed no threat.

"... How unexpected," I remarked.

Though it seemed she did not intend to be noticed, once discovered, she held her ground and met my eyes directly. Her fingertips trembled, but she remained steady with composed confidence. Perhaps she overheard my conversation with Epherene.

"Though not unwelcome," I said, greeted her with a faint smile. "Sylvia."

Beyond the fog clinging to the shadows beneath the crevasse, a child with golden-blonde hair stared directly into my eyes.