"Hyperdimensional Leap?"
Edna lifted her head to look at her magicians.
"Yes... that's correct."
"You said it's a type of teleportation magic, right?"
"Y-Yes. But we don't fully understand the principles of teleportation magic. Magus Baek Yu-Seol left without revealing that secret. It's truly frustrating."
"That's not the only problem. If teleportation is like a simple scooter, hyperdimensional leap is like a theoretically perfect rocket. But we haven't even developed a real rocket, let alone evolving teleportation magic to such an extent..."
"It's not impossible."
"...What?"
Edna bit her lip.
"There must be a secret. Why didn't he reveal the secret of teleportation magic to us? Perhaps... it's because even if he revealed the secret, we wouldn't be able to use it. Yes, that must be it. You probably need to have no mana at all in your body to fully use teleportation..."
As Edna began to mutter like a madwoman, Jeliel, who was bringing her meal, clicked her tongue.
"Looks like you've come to your senses."
Jeliel placed a simple bread and milk in front of Edna and held her shoulders, looking her in the eye.
Edna, coming to her senses, looked at Jeliel.
"It's unfortunate, but I'm not as good at magic as you are, though I'm excellent at making money. However, I want to find him just as much as you do. So, tell me. I'll pour all my resources into this. If you need research funds, equipment, or personnel, feel free to use the name of StarCloud."
"...You."
"So, what do you think? Is there enough potential to invest my money?"
Edna looked into Jeliel's eyes and shook her head.
"No, it's impossible. The hypothesis of completely negating mana in this world isn't a new one. But even the First Magician failed at it. I don't think I can do it alone."
"...So, you're saying there's no chance at all?"
Disappointed, Jeliel pouted, and Edna slowly stood up, looking around.
After the disappearance of the white and black dragons, the Twelve Moons also disappeared.
But Edna could sense it.
One person.
One of the Twelve Moons still left a trace here.
"Are you listening? New Moon Silver?"
"I know. You're observing this timeline."
-...You're an extraordinary lady, indeed.
Surprisingly, a voice responded. Jeliel, along with Hong Bi-Yeon, who was directing the Adolebit guard troops nearby, was shocked.
But it seemed the soldiers couldn't hear the voice, only the women reacting to it.
-Indeed, I'm watching. But the 'me' you knew and the 'me' now are different entities.
"I understand. You're the New Moon Silver from the past, correct?"
-More precisely, I am the New Moon Silver from a 'potential' just before destruction. My world was destined to perish, but by warning the 'past me,' a new story began.
Approximately two to three years ago.
The first meeting between New Moon Silver and Baek Yu-Seol in the Hwal Plain.
At that time, New Moon Silver had realized the future was filled with doom and had given up on everything, spending his days in leisure until Baek Yu-Seol appeared and showed him that the future could be changed.
Since then, New Moon Silver became a completely different person, fully supporting and teaching Baek Yu-Seol by his side.
From one to ten.
About the truths of this world.
So, the New Moon Silver speaking to Edna was the "New Moon Silver from a potential future that perished," different from the one they knew.
The real New Moon Silver of the present had disappeared along with preventing the destruction.
"So, you're just a ghost derived from one of the countless possibilities of this world?"
-You understand well. I'll probably disappear soon. In the future that perished, I had about seven more years to live, but this world prevented the destruction, so I've already begun to disappear.
"Then, before you vanish. Can you bestow upon me a teaching and power?"
-Haha, that's an interesting proposal but impossible. As I said, I am just a 'ghost.' Even transmitting my will...
"Transmitting your will is only possible because you are the New Moon that governs time. This means you still have a bit of the ability to manipulate time."
At Edna's sharp insight, New Moon Silver fell silent. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke.
-Indeed, let me speak.
"I've been thinking. While this world may have become complete, it has lost the Twelve Moons and its great protector. Can we truly say this world is safe?"
A world without Baek Yu-Seol and the Twelve Moons. Though they had averted immediate destruction, there was no guarantee that such a crisis wouldn't arise again.
"If we could somehow revive the Twelve Moons and the protector, wouldn't this world be even more stable? You have a mission to protect this land. Think about it. Is our world truly safe? Is it alright to let things end like this?"
Edna's voice was desperate. She was determined to persuade the New Moon Silver who was on the verge of fading away.
-"…That's a good point. So, you want to turn back time? Is that what you mean?"
When she nodded, the New Moon Silver sighed.
-"…Even Baek Yu-Seol barely managed to save the world after thousands of regressions. Do you think you can do it alone with just one regression?"
"If one isn't enough, then several…"
-Ha! Ridiculous. Do you think Baek Yu-Seol would have wanted that? To force those he loved to walk the path he walked? Even if you turn back time, you only get one chance. If you try more than that, your existence and self will completely vanish.
-Do you understand? Time isn't a clock you can just wind back at will, nor is it a diary you can rewrite as you please!
As the New Moon Silver scolded her, Jeliel approached Edna from behind, ready to support her as she seemed on the verge of collapse.
Even the ghostly New Moon Silver's presence was overwhelming.
-Even Baek Yu-Seol had to sacrifice one dimension for a single regression. But now? This dimension is complete and can't be sacrificed anymore. If you fail after turning back time, there won't be a second chance. That will be the absolute end. Are you willing to take such a risk just for the man you love?
"I…"
Edna tried to argue, but Jeliel, standing behind her, spoke first.
"We can do it! Baek Yu-Seol tried to do it alone, but with the two of us, it's possible!"
It was rare, almost unheard of, for Jeliel to raise her voice, so everyone's eyes widened in surprise.
But she didn't care about appearances. She felt this might be their only chance.
And it wasn't just Jeliel who was willing to join Edna. Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon also stood beside her, glaring at the empty space where the New Moon Silver was presumed to be. He laughed.
-…Alright, this is interesting. The chosen children of fate attempting to turn back time. Though my existence in this world is doomed…
The future seems promising. Though I won't see it, the New Moon Silver of that era will experience the new age these girls will create, and that experience will be passed on to me as I vanish…
"Are you planning to become students again?"
"Scarlet?"
The White Witch, who had been hiding her presence, appeared in mid-air and landed softly. There were no more tear stains on her face.
"How bold and presumptuous. I also spent several months as a student, so I can mimic it well. Take me along."
"This many people…"
Edna was flustered, but the New Moon Silver laughed.
-Haha! With so many, you'll need to prepare thoroughly. Make sure everyone arrives in the same period, and don't think I'll handle all the magic power. The energy needed for five people to regress for three years is immense. Can you manage that?
Everyone looked at Jeliel. She nodded confidently.
"A week should d,o it."
-…Wha,t?
For the first time, the New Moon Silver was taken aback. But Jeliel spoke the truth.
It would be tough, but if she went all out and even took on debt, it was doable.
Even if StarCloud, Trading Company wavered, they were going back in time, so it wouldn't matter.
In the end…
-…Alright. I believe you five could improve the world's future.
The New Moon Silver seemed to like their resolve and agreed.
Thus, a new story began for the five women and for the man they loved
At the same time while the girls were preparing to regress Beak Yu-Seol was teleported to a strange
THUD!!!!
"ouch"
"I thoug,ht gods didn't feel any pain...."
Rubbing his head with tears in his eyes he slowly lifted his head only to widen his eyes and mouth agape what awaited him was a magnificent sight star stretched endlessly into the void it closely resembled the Milkyway Quietly standing up he looked around, finding a temple made of white marbles in the vast expanse, of stars
"W-what is this.." ,still shocked by the mouth-g,aping sce,nery he quickly made his wa,y towards the Temple
In this strange space of stars, the temple stood out even more as it began to glow as he approached a message appeared in front of him
[ WELCOME TO THE DIMENSION OF GODS/CONSTELLATIONS ]
"Deminsion of Constellations?" Wondering if he arrived in heaven after dying he climbed the stairs that seemed to be made out of stars.
After climbing the endlessly serene rectangular waterway cut through the scene, its still surface reflecting the soft glow and adorned with delicate golden lotus flowers drifting lazily atop. At the heart of the temple, a raised platform stood proud, crowned with a statue or figure of something or someone the warm flicker of hanging lanterns. The air thrummed with a mystical scent of stars
"What a nice smell" Beak Yu-Seol having spent a whole year completing the Thirteenth New Moon White Dragon in a space filled with fragments of thought it was a nice change, Well..... it's better than entirely disappearing right?.
Drawing closer he noticed a dense lump of energy floating in the centre of the temple around ,the strange statue cautiously moving his body he approached the status
Another message appread before him
[ Welcome adminstrator of Aether World Online ] to
"Hmm?"scanning the status with suspicion I unconsciously reached my hand out towards the status and began to glow in rainbow hue
[ Fragment of the ?????? ]
Another message.....
"what is this" having seen messages only while using my glasses this felt rather strange although he wasn't expecting an answer another message appread....
[ As the current god king of aether you have full access to Star archive this is a part of your abilities ]
Ah understanding what it meant I immediately asked it a question
"is there any way to get out of this place?"
Although I said I didn't have any regrets while dying so everyone wouldn't feel guilty it couldn't have been far from truth infact I had many regrets wasn't like
It wasn't like he didn't have plans for his life His first plan was to marry a beautiful woman, have children and live a happy life, & ultimately, to prevent the destruction of Aether World
He achieved one of those goals but he didn't plan on dying in process of doing so with hopeful eyes I looked towards the system window
But even before I could a strong wind blew sending me back a few meters the statue upon closer inspection looked like a mage with white robe and its face?..
"Doesn't this seem like those humanoid monster that appread in Northern part of Aether Continent?"
Yes it closely resembled the monster from otherworld drawing argento he waited as cracks spread and bright light enough to blind someone was released..
As he opened his eyes he saw something....the status that was immobile took shape of handsome man with white hair and golden eyes locking eyes with Beak
Yu-Seol it began to speak
"Stranger are you the saviour?"
He heard the same thing when White dragon thirteen moon first opened its eyes
Gulping he nodded "thats right"
"Fumu" the man in white robe wore an amused expression Beak Yu-Seol could sense that the man was feeling an intense emotion of happiness
"Who are you?" I asked after seeing the man only one thought crossed my mind after seeing that intense energy it was enough to even shake Beak Yu-Seol who has a high mental power after ascending to god's throne
"Me?" the man answered smiling happily
"let's see when I was alive people used to call me the Grand Magician, the Great Sage? And "the first magician"
Caught off-guard I stammered as I asked "Didn't the white dragon absorbe First magician's essence?" That's right the white dragon mentioned the first mage used last of his essence to create the white dragon in process becoming one with it
The man chucked before nodding"you are correct I was indeed absorbed by the white dragon but I left this small fragment as an insurance"
"Insurance?"
"Right do you remember the message I left you?"
"Something about going back to my own world after becoming a god?"
"Yes I thought you would choose to return but there was a small chance you would choose to stay instead, so I left this fragment because I feel bad for bringing you to this world and letting you die"
The man or first mage took a step forward and patted my head "Thankyou for saving my world you did what I couldn't so you deserve a reward don't you think?"He mattered his voice filled with mixture of happiness and sadness
"i-i can I go back?" Beak Yu-Seol stuttered and finally spoke the words filled with hope and despair "to Aether?" He hadn't show this side of him to anyone else he was really sacred more than anything more than anyone else,
Seeing the intense wave of emotions the first mage nodded with a gentle expression
"As I've said i feel guilty for letting you perish so I made some preperation" turning side ways the mage looked outside and gesture Beak Yu-Seol to follow him
After a while of walking they reached their destination a white magic circle was drawn on the ground with several pillars floating
As they made their way towards the centre the stars began to shine brightly
"as you know no new timelines were supposed to be born after you saved one deminsion but luck itself seems to hold affection towards you"
As far as Beak Yu-Seol knew new timelines shouldn't exist but feel a sense of urgency he asked "so is there a way?"
First mage nodded and with a small wave of his hand a hologram of surface appread
Displaying Edna, jeliel , Hong Bi-Yeon, Eisel & Scarlet standing beside each other looking towards the sky He heard a voice
"Even Baek Yu-Seol had to sacrifice one dimension for a single regression. But now? This dimension is complete and can't be sacrificed anymore. If you fail after turning back time, there won't be a second chance. That will be the absolute end. Are you willing to take such a risk just for the man you love?
"I…"
Edna tried to argue, but Jeliel, standing behind her, spoke first.
"We can do it! Baek Yu-Seol tried to do it alone, but with the 5 of us, it's possible!"
ah!"
He turned to the hologram, stunned and silent, tears threatening to fall.
"The bonds that you love and cherished are coming back to save you" The first mage holding his hand out asked "Tell me Oh saviour of Aether the first god of this realme tell me what do you desire what is your wish"
"I just want a quiet life… surrounded by the ones I love." Beak Yu-Seol spoke his eyes not leaving the hologram as he looked towards the girls
"A very good answer."
The First mage satisfied, flicked his fingers, causing the hologram to flicker and...
"Wh-whaaa"
thud!..
The girls that were just about to regress got teleported to the same strange deminsion
They looked around mesmerized by the starry expanse and as they turned their around slowly to find a strange man in white.. And opposite to him
"B-Beak Yu-Seol!!"
As soon as they saw him, relief washed over them. Ignoring everyone else, Edna ran as fast as she could, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace before sobbing heavily into his chest.
"You idiot... why do you keep disappearing?"
"She's right, you know," Eisel said, her voice quivering as tears streamed down her face.
"we should wrap tightly so he cant escape"Scarlet spoke her voice trembling
"Don't think we'll let you go that easily."
Bi-Yeon appeared behind him and wrapped him in a hug from behind, her eyes moist, on the verge of tears.
"W-wait" Yu-Seol caught in between hurried tried to get back but was grabbed by the collar he turned his eyes to meet the golden eyes of an elf
"You can't keep running away."after Edna calmed down Jeliel wrapped her arms around with her face filled with tears
As the girls took turn embracing I gave up and hugged them tightly like never letting them go,
Watching the emotional reunion the first mage gave them some space and spoke into the starry expanse of space
"New Moon Silver can you hear me?_"
"Yes... Although this is the out second time meeting I can vaguely guess what you are about to ask"
"I would like to retrieve my time related powers"
After a while of calming down the first mage moved towards the Beak and the girls,
"New Moon Silver should've explained it you but let me say it again, you will be going to the past and you will only have a single chance this deminsion was already saved so Beak Yu-Seol would not have to ascend to godhood"
"But Beak Yu-Seol will lose your memories you little ones will have to help him regain them back"
Can you do that?
The girls nodded their heads with determined look and turned towards Beak-Yo-Seol
"Well...just don't change the past too much" I answered scratching my head After careful consideration I shook my head 'i can't expect these rebellious girls to keep quiet'
As I held my hand with Scarlet towards my left and Eisel towards the right and formed a circle with everyones hands together in a circle the first mage spoke "Now Beak Yu-Seol I'll give you your final mission"
As The first mage said floating window appeared before me
[ REACH THE TRUE ENDING has been cancelled ].
[ NEW QUEST ]
[ REACH A HAPPY ENDING ]
[ MAY LUCK BE WITH YOU ]
Soon a blinding light was unleashed but all he could see were the bright smiles of his future wiv? ??...
.
The operation was named…
"Operation Rescue Baek Yu-Seol. Simple and go"
"How about Operation Time Traveler's Wife?"
"What kind of absurd name is that?"
"It's a classic in my world…"
"Three-Year Regression Operation. Sounds grand, right?"
"Too simplistic!"
…It seems the operation name hasn't been decided yet.
This world is inside the game "Aether World Online." However, it seems additional explanation is necessary.
Aether World is actually a game based on the original romance novel "Don't Love the Unfortunate Princess."
Eisel is the protagonist of the novel, and Edna is the true protagonist of this world.
"So, I just need to be wary of Edna."
Murmurs spread among the students.
The enormous auditorium of Stella Academy was unnecessarily vast and wide, showing off its grandeur. On the podium, an old man with a beard down to his waist was passionately speaking into a microphone.
"-Ahem! Even at this moment! The 'Dark Ones' continue to shake the magical world! The fate of us wizards is to…"
"Ugh, the vice principal is so boring."
"Why do we have to listen to a speech right after enrolling?"
Looking around, a thousand students in black and gold-trimmed Stella Academy high school uniforms were neatly lined up.
It was a scene I had seen many times while replaying the story.
This was the entrance ceremony of Stella Academy.
"…This feels really strange."
What I saw as a 3D game scene had now become a perfect reality. Each student was truly alive and breathing, all with their own emotions.
I subtly turned my gaze to find a girl named Edna.
Or rather, I tried to.
As soon as I turned my head, I met the eyes of a girl with ebony hair, who seemed to be the epitome of "lovely."
'What, what the?'
I quickly looked away, flustered.
Meeting eyes was one thing, but I felt like she had been staring intently at me...
No, it must have been my imagination.
That's what I thought.
What kind of teenage boy's idea is this? To think a girl was looking at me just because our eyes met, and to wonder if she had a crush on me. Such innocent thoughts.
But I am a grown adult.
I don't entertain such delusions.
"Hey, look at the princess over there..."
"She's beautiful…"
That's what I thought, but for some reason, my gaze kept being drawn to them.
Princess Hong Bi-Yeon of Adolebit, who was fated to die eventually, and even Eisel Morph, the so-called 'fake protagonist' of this world.
They were standing right behind me, weren't they?
What's going on? As I pondered, I overheard snippets of the girls' whispered conversation.
"This is cheating! We were supposed to avoid contact until we met in the original timeline…!"
"Hey, what about me? Originally, I was stuck in this space for years as the White Witch?"
"Then go back to that space!"
"Well, there's an elf who hasn't arrived yet due to being at a different school, so let's just call it even?"
"I'm here though?"
"Jeliel?! Go back to the Star Tree!"
"There's no such rule!"
I was bewildered seeing a white-haired girl and a golden-eyed elf communicating telepathically.
'Were these characters in the game?'
If they were that dazzlingly beautiful, they would have been described in the game, but they seemed unfamiliar. While there were characters with similar features from different schools or locations…
Unfortunately, I couldn't hear their telepathic conversation entirely, nor grasp its context.
-...Even so, the New Moon Silver said that time is absolute. If we keep applying shock therapy, we might recover our memories of the future. I've thought of a few ways to make a grand entrance and help him…
'Not shock therapy, but electroshock treatment.'
'You've developed quite a crude vocabulary, haven't you?'
'Try drifting in a space with no one else for months!'
Feeling Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon arguing right behind me, I sensed something was fundamentally wrong with this world.
Were Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel this close originally?
Honestly, I have no idea.
'Should I take a quick peek…?'
With that thought, I slightly turned my head back.
"…Uh, hi?"
"Hey, you!"
"We're nothing."
"Yeah, we're just part of the background."
For some reason, I was startled and met the eyes of five dazzlingly beautiful girls who smiled brightly at me.
I quickly turned my gaze forward again, barely calming my pounding heart and clearing my mind.
'…Something's off.'
But what exactly was off, I couldn't figure out. Nor did I need to.
Because, from now on, a new story was beginning…