The Worldline Without You (1)

Something was off.

Bensy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠William was the first to notice.

In Bensy's office. The sunset filtering through the window.

"……Hm?"

Bensy flipped through the parchment.

One page, two pages, three…… But no matter how many he turned, there was no reply from the Chief.

As someone who had exchanged more written correspondence with the Chief than anyone else, Bensy couldn't help but tilt his head.

"That's strange……?"

The rejection notices always arrived at the same time. Precisely at sunset.

He didn't know the exact reason why they came so consistently—because Hoyeol started his workday by notifying Bensy of his rejection—but there was never even the slightest deviation.

For a moment, Bensy wondered.

"……Could it be? Have you finally recognized my sincerity this time?"

But Bensy had a conscience. No, he had instincts.

"No, that can't be……."

His instincts told him this silence wasn't positive.

After staring at the blank parchment for a while, Bensy picked up his quill.

Scritch-scratch—

Writing Mage Tower Regulations brought up the real-time status of the Mage Tower's executives.

What Bensy wanted to check was none other than whether Hoyeol had submitted a leave request.

"Let's see."

If he hadn't submitted a leave request, there was no reason the ever-punctual Chief wouldn't reply.

But soon, Bensy's pupils shook as he found the Chief's name.

"……Huh?"

……

Floating Garden.

Marcelo faced Senior Bensy William.

"It's a concern you can certainly afford."

"As expected, I knew Chief Marcelo would understand!"

"However, concern must not turn into suspicion."

The Mage Tower's regulations were strict. Even a Chief was not exempt.

Especially since it was the Chief himself who had been absent without violating the rules—there must be a good reason.

Marcelo continued.

"I don't know the details, but the Chief said that as of today, the selection process for the vanguard begins. Surely he'll return soon to ensure no disruptions in procedure?"

But several hours later.

Marcelo and Bensy, who had parted in the Floating Garden, reunited unexpectedly.

In front of Chief Lee Hoyeol's office.

Bensy, who had been bowing his head at the sound of footsteps, looked up.

"Ah, Chief Marcelo."

"You've arrived first, Senior Bensy William."

"W-Well, something just felt off……."

They didn't schedule unscheduled meetings. He knew it was rude and against decorum, but Bensy had knocked on Chief Lee Hoyeol's office door anyway, lips pressed tight. Etiquette be damned—he just hoped for that cool voice.

But.

"Still absent, it seems."

Silence.

No voice or presence from inside the office.

Marcelo recalled.

'A fortnight.'

The longest the Chief had been absent was then. Compared to that, they might be overreacting.

But the situations were clearly different.

'……That His Excellency gave no prior notice?'

Absurd for anyone, let alone Hoyeol.

Thud.

Finally resolved, Marcelo placed his hand on the doorknob.

If he had waited silently trusting Hoyeol before.

Now, it was the same trust that led to this decision.

Bensy flinched and said,

"Chief Marcelo, this severely violates decorum……!"

Despite his words, Bensy stuck close behind Marcelo as the door opened.

The office came into view.

Marcelo and Bensy slowly surveyed the austere room.

Documents neatly stacked on the desk.

Teacups aligned on the table.

Everything was as usual.

Bensy cautiously spoke.

"W-Well…… Maybe I stirred up trouble for nothing. Our Chief Lee Hoyeol isn't someone who could be threatened. Especially not from inside the Mage Tower!"

Marcelo didn't reply immediately.

He stood frozen before the desk.

After a long silence, he answered.

"You can tell from the order of the sorted documents."

"……Pardon? The order of sorting?"

"As the Chief mentioned beforehand, it seems he's organized the documents for the vanguard selection in sequence. Even yours are included, Senior Bensy William."

"Really?"

Floating up—Bensy examined the documents.

"……!"

It was true.

From the list of his own flame magic treatises.

To the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠introduction of his tower exit application—written so extensively he'd forgotten it himself—now filled meticulously in Chief Lee Hoyeol's handwriting.

Bensy, visibly moved, said,

"As expected, there was profound meaning behind every rejection."

Clearly misinterpreted.

But Marcelo didn't correct him.

Something else mattered now.

"These documents are proof the Chief had no intent to violate procedure. Even if he left of his own volition, it means he didn't plan to be gone this long."

……Then, against his will?

Shake shake.

Bensy shook his head, rejecting even the worst assumption. Unacceptable.

Only one option remained.

"Something unexpected went wrong……?"

Marcelo nodded.

There must be a reason for His Excellency's absence.

But clearly, something unforeseen had prevented his return.

'I have no certainty I can help His Excellency.'

But if so.

He wanted to assist, even a little.

Thus, Marcelo cast a spell.

Surge of mana—Bensy stammered.

"Ch-Chief Marcelo. Casting magic in the Mage Tower……!"

"Per procedure. I'll submit a justification report."

Resolved to file the report.

'He noticed something too……?'

Bensy swallowed dryly, watching the spell manifest.

Marcelo's mana settled softly over the office.

Soon, the mana traces etched in the room surfaced.

His Excellency wouldn't still be in the Mage Tower.

He must have moved via portal.

But…… No.

The surfaced traces showed no portal interference. Not even mana residue.

Hummm—

Marcelo withdrew his mana.

His face darkened.

Marcelo spoke.

Indeed.

"……Now we desperately need Senior Matis's help."

Only suitable mana had been detected.

*

The organizer of black magic.

The founder of black magic studies.

Senior mage Matis Din Karl, who achieved magical feats comparable to theoretical magic—the greatest discovery in Mage Tower history—was gripped by helplessness at this moment.

Crystal Hall.

Matis desperately clung to his sanity.

He gazed at Marcelo, who continued.

"The mana traces detected in Chief Lee Hoyeol's office were no ordinary traces. Only suitable mana that resonates solely with black magic manifestation."

Marcelo's words conjured the office in Matis's mind.

The Chief's office, scrutinized ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠relentlessly from days ago until moments before.

Marcelo was right.

What was detected in Hoyeol's office was merely vast suitable mana.

'Only I can grasp the clue.'

Matis reviewed his black magic knowledge.

But he knew nothing of black magic that could replace portals.

Nor the reason for manifesting such magic.

'How can I claim to be the founder of black magic studies like this?'

Marcelo's gaze turned to Matis.

"Quoting Senior Matis Din Karl of black magic studies: Even if black magic exists to replace portals, there's no reason to manifest it."

Matis continued.

"Because suitable mana is unstable."

Suitable mana derived from the caster's past and background.

Yes.

In truth, Matis had suspected from the start.

Chief Lee Hoyeol.

His disappearance tied to his incomprehensibly vast suitable mana.

Undoubtedly influenced by a past and background too deep and dark to fathom.

Elder Yugweed asked,

"Any guesses, Senior Matis?"

But Matis shook his head.

He couldn't suspect.

Or rather.

Suspecting would mean sinking into it.

'That must never happen.'

If that vast suitable mana stemmed from a past and background that backflowed.

Even the Chief couldn't overcome it, he feared.

That was why Matis had worried about blackening all along.

Not that the Chief couldn't overcome blackening if it happened.

But that he would never fall into it.

As founder of black magic studies, he instinctively sensed it.

The unfathomable depth of that past and background, where even struggling might prove meaningless…….

As Matis sank into thought.

Tremble—

The cat—Tower Master—shivered once and spoke.

"Then what the Mage Tower must do from now on is decided."

What the Mage Tower must do.

Those familiar with its ways would scoff.

As if it had such things.

The Mage Tower ignored anything not aligned with its truth.

But hadn't a new wind blown through the Mage Tower?

None other than the Chief.

The new wind Hoyeol had brought.

"I……."

Riding that wind, the pure mana senior who returned—Banggrit—spoke.

In this situation, his passive nature didn't hinder him.

"Just as Chief ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Lee Hoyeol saved me from the devil worshiper's clutches…… This time, we—the Mage Tower—must step up for him!"

The Tower Master's tail swished.

"A rare correct answer, Senior Banggrit."

*

Merely five days.

Yet the absence felt greater than ever.

News of Hoyeol's disappearance reached the Holy War Alliance.

As the Mage Tower traced from within.

They pursued his traces from their positions.

Yusra Kingdom.

Golden Palace annex.

Garden of Dignity.

"Hmph."

Elf Elcidoir slumped over the table, propping his chin, gazing at the garden.

Who am I?

Elves, closer to nature than spirits born of it.

"No flaws. No need to inspect."

Elcidoir kicked his legs casually.

Five days to an eternal elf? A mere blink for humans.

But it felt different.

Elcidoir grumbled.

"Still, shouldn't I check my pride?"

Elcidoir still didn't know what pride was.

Just that reclaiming it would restore his mother's blessing, as that arrogant silver-haired guy said.

He tended the garden for that.

Elcidoir snarked.

"No, the one who vanished without a word lacks pride."

Just one person's absence.

Yet the Golden Palace felt desolate.

Already uneasy, now more so.

"Humans, always……."

Elcidoir grumbled while tending the garden.

Even chatting with sprouting rare herbs and elixirs.

"Complain when he returns. Tell him we're upset."

But Elcidoir's complaints didn't last.

On the sixth day of Hoyeol's disappearance.

Elcidoir's body twitched.

"……!"

Precisely.

Thicker than blood, it boiled.

Elcidoir's gaze urgently shot skyward.

He spoke.

"……Lizard?"

Connected by world tree lineage, he sensed it.

The dragon about to manifest in reality was amiss.

……

With Hoyeol missing.

The emergency update felt like despair to humanity.

But even in defeat.

Not retreating was pride.

And filling Hoyeol's void.

Holy War Alliance.

In Total Commander Hoyeol's stead, Lion Heart Knight Captain Harcon shouted.

"Today, we meet a glorious end!"

Even if filling the gap with fatigue.

*

Orc auction master Ullichu.

His voice trembled roughly for the first time, facing Kichi.

"……I-I can't believe it, Kichi."

"What can't you believe? He's alive and well, that person you mean?"

"No, even seeing with my own eyes, I can't believe it."

Ullichu couldn't continue sober.

Gulp gulp—

Downing strong liquor, he barely continued.

"……I peeked."

"Peeked? What?"

"Sage Rise, the great seer foretelling futures from Pandora's Attic."

"Ah, that old man?"

"I witnessed his end through the attic window crack……!!"

"……!"

……

Something was wrong.

I realized thanks to the system message.

I opened my eyes in darkness.

Comprehension low.

Past unstable.

It didn't take long to grasp the meaning.

Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo.

I thought I knew every bit of my black history.

Apparently not.

Silver hair fluttering before my eyes.

Through it, a man's back with the same hair color.

The man, face unseen, said,

"I hate you, Grandfell."

This trash……!!