A Message Across Time
A long silence followed. Just as thoughts like Was that too much? or Maybe people from the distant past can't understand? began to flit through his mind, Amanewt broke the quiet with a chuckle.
"I've been alone for so long that I'm not immune to fresh expressions anymore."
The lich's form grew even fainter as she paused.
"It won't be easy. Interfering with the world is never something to take lightly."
Interference. Timeo, which should never have stopped, had halted. It might seem simple at first glance, but delving deeper revealed it was an act of awe-inspiring mastery.
"I've felt firsthand that it's not something to abuse."
"Dragons didn't teach spatial and temporal magic to humans just to preserve their unique supremacy—they also questioned whether we could handle it."
Amanewt gazed steadily at Maness before continuing.
"Still, I believe you'll succeed."
"Is there a specific reason?"
"A reason..."
To Maness, she seemed filled with a strange trust, born of conviction. It wasn't the vibe she'd give a sudden outsider.
"You've never considered defying fate, and once exposed to something, you grow accustomed to it."
"That's hard to accept."
"After battling other races, you start encroaching on their domains, even if just a little."
Maness mulled over her circuitous words.
Understanding of demonkind. For now, that was the limit of his interpretation.
"So, you'll pull it off."
"...I get the gist."
Nine out of ten parts escaped him, but even if perfect understanding was impossible, he could take his time. There might be direct expressions, but if she was being roundabout, she had her reasons. Probing too deeply would be rude.
"The word magic you experienced was possible only because I aided your comprehension. From now on, you'll need independent effort. If we'd had more time, we'd have delved deeper, but you can feel it too."
As she said, Maness could clearly sense it. Amanewt's time in this world was nearly up. She showed signs that vanishing before his eyes wouldn't be surprising.
"No need for regret or pity. This is as far as I'm allowed."
"Thank you for your kindness."
Maness realized not just her, but the space itself was fading. The past, forcibly sustained by mana, was falling asleep. Gratitude for her efforts being solely for him could only be expressed in words.
"I have no special words to leave you at the end of my long journey, but do you have any for me?"
Words of comfort would be an insult. Claiming to understand her life was arrogance and rudeness.
"There's a message left by the past version of you that I saw."
"Let me hear it."
So Maness chose to relay words from someone who could stand beside her.
"I shall not doubt you."
Deliberately. Carefully.
"Future Amanewt."
Maness bridged past and present.
"......"
He couldn't presume the emotions in the lich's silence. Gratitude for faith transmitted from the past? Relief at drawing the curtain on her solitary endurance?
"Thank you for passing it on."
One thing was certain: it wasn't a bad choice.
"I'll send you back where you belong. This will be my final spell."
"I'll live up to that faith."
"No need. Just prove yourself."
Consciousness blurred. As if denying everything experienced in this space. Maness accepted it fully. Experiences engraved on the body, memories on the soul.
"...I should have practiced goodbyes."
The dwelling returned to silence. Amanewt moistened her lips with bitterness, awaiting the end of her long thread of life.
"Who knew adaptation to humans would come so easily. Demon sorcery is truly astonishing."
With a murmur of admiration.
"Guess there's truth to living long and seeing much."
*
"Maness!"
A urgent voice pierced his hazy mind. Soon, Maness recognized a familiar face rushing over, on the verge of tears.
Feels like a dream. Circumstances suggested little time had passed since teleporting via the magic circle. Dust from the earth dragon still hung in the air, and Boltman wasn't far from his previous position.
The space he'd visited must flow differently from here.
"Stop!"
Blinking, Maness finished taking in the scene and shouted at the charging Boltman.
Boltman froze in an awkward pose.
"Did you just stop even though you didn't want to?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"Still too much for you, huh."
Unlike Boltman's worry about a head injury from falling magic stones, Maness felt a surge of challenge.
A power on another level from ordinary magic, uncertain even to handle. An realm untouchable despite inheritance—it was plenty intriguing. If he could revive that sensation...
Metaph had said primal senses aided magical growth. It would apply to word magic too. When he'd directly felt Timeo's killing intent, word magic had activated partly due to that nature. Ordinary situations wouldn't provide such stimulation, but no worries. His future stage was Snowrobe.
"You handled it well, though?"
As intended, the earth dragon lay pinned under the absurdly huge magic stone, immobilized. No matter how tough its scales, surviving that impact was unlikely. Dead or unconscious? Irrelevant. The unique magic was inherited, and merchants safe from the dragon.
"Of course! The Gail family never betrays trust."
"Sniping the weak spots with mana bullets couldn't have been easy."
"I-It was, but I did it!"
Metaph's theory held true. Even Boltman wielding mana bullets precisely. Was life-threatening peril essential for mages? Snowrobe's system was surprisingly effective.
As he indulged in idle thoughts, vibrations came from the entrance.
"Hah!"
Boom—
The entrance, blocked by collapsed magic stones, burst open. Emerging was the beastman he'd conversed with since entering the book.
"Kids, you okay... My god."
Even bodily prowess couldn't easily catch someone on fluidity potion. The beastman, who managed somewhat, gaped at the scene.
"The earth dragon... No, are you hurt?"
Rushing over, the beastman fussed over their bodies. Seemed like a guardian at first, but given the youths' sacrifice drawing the dragon's attention, the reaction was natural.
"No need for concern. This second son of Gail slew the earth dragon!"
Maness let his proudly boasting friend be. He'd earned it after his efforts. Maness got unique magic; Boltman taking credit for the kill was fair. A beastman mercenary with all experiences wouldn't miss the truth.
As predicted, the beastman's encouraging gaze shifted from Boltman.
Everything from the fluidity potion intentional? Preparing for earth dragon attacks made sense—desert's top threat. But using fluidity potion specifically. Plus charging the exact spot, using magic stones for subjugation. Unimaginable for someone without desert monster experience.
"Good work, and thanks. I'll report details to the caravan. They'll reward you generously."
"It's fine. This is the end of the line."
Maness inwardly clicked his tongue as even Boltman questioned it. Surely purpose injected upon book entry. Expectations soared after landing a hit on the dragon, nearly crashing when plummeting, but forgetting after hardship was understandable.
"What do you mean... end of the line?"
"Time to return where we belong."
Boltman finally got it, mouth agape in silent awe.
"Your help made it smoother. Warrior's blessing on your journey."
Warland farewell. With Maness's words, the book's final page closed.
*
"Urp—"
Boltman dry-heaved, unable to endure the drifting mind in shifting space. Maness, calm, accepted the change. How many times now? Recent frequency built immunity.
[You did well, somehow.]
Retos, holding the flying book with a net-like tool, descended to greet them. Shocking enough it flew; more so he caught them personally. Probably boredom. A grand mage couldn't fail at one book.
"We're back."
[I watched everything in the book. Your wisdom rivals the Magic Tower's old fogeys.]
"You're too kind."
As Maness bowed thanks, Boltman hastily stood, straightening his clothes. But his follow-up differed.
"Time for cold soup, right!"
True to form otherwise.
[Yes, I saw the magic stone subjugation. Magic control was exquisite.]
"A Gail second son must show such talent!"
[Gail, huh. By reputation, a house led by capable heads generation after generation. You don't disappoint.]
Boltman's face flickered at the ability mention, but Maness ignored it. Closing the gap with his brother was Boltman's job.
[And...]
Retos's gaze, treating the prospect warmly, shifted sideways.
[Luring the earth dragon head-on? Impressive courage.]
An insane plan without madness. Maness wouldn't have conceived it without conditions.
"We believed injuries or death in the book's world wouldn't affect reality. We just acted as the characters."
[Hmm.]
"Plus, we trusted the library's curator."
Retos's eyes widened at the trust.
[What do you mean?]
"One who laid magic's foundation wouldn't overlook young mages' peril."
[Hoho.]
Chucking, Retos laughed heartily.
[First time seeing my kind! If I had a body, I'd have taught you a lesson—such a shame!]
Satisfied with the goodwill, Maness pondered the magic circle's momentary gap. He'd prepared excuses, but no probing. Maybe unnoticed. No matter. Book world, circle, Amanewt's space—too entangled to guess if the curator noticed. Best to respond to reactions.
[Anyway, good work. Much to say, but you came for something, so best to deliver.]
Thud—
Retos stomped, and the library moved in unison. Bookshelves slid like opening doors, meshing like gears, forming a grand passage.
[I'll guide you.]
Turning toward it, Retos led the magic heirs.
[To the treasure vault you've so desired.]