Editor : Amethyst00



Without hesitation, Leo gave a wry smile at the response.

'That's such a Luna-like answer.'

He didn't even need to ask why she wouldn't change the past.

It wasn't simply because she'd have to sacrifice a current companion.

"I do have regrets. I'd like to change it too. But still…"

Luna's eyes shone clearly like stars.

"No matter the outcome, it's a result I gave my all to create."

Luna was an elf who cherished every moment.

Even in a world on the verge of destruction, she never lost her passion for magic and continued her research—not merely because she liked magic.

It was because she believed that the sincere effort she invested in each moment could lead to a better future.

Results born from such wholehearted efforts—

Whether born of luck or misfortune—

Had meaning in any form.

Because she thought that way, nothing felt more meaningless to Luna than regretting the past and trying to change it.

To her, investing that time in creating a better future was far more worthwhile.

Especially if saving the past meant sacrificing someone in the present.

"Well, that's how I feel. Everyone thinks differently."

Luna smiled and looked at Lysinas.

"What about you, Lysinas?"

At Luna's question, Lysinas pondered deeply.

"That's a tough one."

After murmuring briefly, she looked into Leo's red eyes.

"Leo, right? I've only known you for a short while, but I think I get what kind of person you are."

Lysinas smiled faintly.

"You don't strike me as the kind of person who regrets the past easily. Like someone else I know."

Lysinas's insight pierced through Leo just from looking into his eyes.

And the moment they met, she realized how much Leo resembled Kyle.

'Though he seems a bit more cheerful than Kyle was.'

"If someone like you is conflicted about the past, there must be several reasons."

"…"

"If it's just for self-satisfaction, I wouldn't recommend changing it. But—"

"But?"

"If it's because you want to become a better version of yourself—so much so that you want to rewrite the past—then I'd say go for it."

Lysinas could tell Leo was struggling.

That's why she gave such advice.

Hearing those words, Leo let out a dry chuckle.

'Her insight really is annoyingly sharp.'

In the past, Kyle had effectively abandoned Raysar.

Kyle had known.

He'd known that if things stayed as they were, Raysar would fall before long.

In fact, it had collapsed even faster than he expected.

That's why he'd shut down any chance to try something in Godthrone from the start.

Godthrone had taken massive damage from the invasion of the Giant King Giath, and at the time, had no resources to spare.

To survive, they had to cut away the rotting flesh.

It was a decision someone had to make.

Still, if Kyle had been just a little less cold-hearted then—

He might've saved more lives.

That event remained one of Kyle's deepest regrets, a weight on his soul.

Of course, Kyle carried countless regrets and burdens during the Age of Calamity.

But this particular memory haunted him the most—because of Aaron.

Aaron had lost his master in that incident, and he had grieved for it until his dying breath.

'To become a better me, huh…'

Leo made a firm resolution.

That he would end this fight without losing anyone.

That included his own life.

In his past life, he had lived a harrowing existence like no other.

He had lost so many things that he eventually stopped valuing even his own life.

But in the end, he lost everything, including what he once thought was worthless—his own life—only after he had saved the world.

He had lived as if there was no future.

But after dying and being reborn, he finally came to understand the value of the future.

And also, the value of himself.

Leo closed his eyes.

Even if he saved Raysar a hundred times in this Hero's World, the past wouldn't change.

But at the very least, his old friend—who was now stuck in this era—

Aaron, more than anyone, would rejoice.

He could finally let go of the burden in his heart.

'Then saving Raysar is worth it.'

A companion more precious than his own life.

A friend who had now become even more precious than that.

'I won't let Erebos take anything more from me.'

Leo opened his eyes.

And looked at Lysinas.

'Then and now, you're always pointing me in the right direction.'

"Looks like you've made up your mind," Luna said admiringly as she looked at Leo.

She raised a fist in encouragement.

"Whatever happens, I hope it's a decision without regrets."

Even though Luna had said she wouldn't change the past, that was her decision alone.

A magician must pursue various possibilities from many perspectives.

Luna respected Leo's choice.

And gave him a little push forward.

Watching his friends guide and support him, Leo smiled.

bl

When they got home, Kyle was sitting on a chair outside.

"Lysinas? You alright now?"

"Yeah. But why are you out here?"

"The kids seemed to be having fun together. And I don't really like noisy places."

Kyle had stepped aside since Velkia and Bihar seemed unusually cheerful.

"By the way, who's that?"

"He's a friend of the kids. I ran into him and brought him along."

Leo looked at his younger self, who was giving him a suspicious glare, and muttered internally:

'Like I thought… seeing myself from a third-person perspective… I was pretty annoying.'

"His eyes are real arrogant," Kyle muttered honestly, apparently thinking something similar upon seeing his future self.

"Lysinas. Come with me."

"Okay. Leo, go inside and see your friends."

Lysinas smiled and gave Leo a gentle push on the back.

When Kyle and Lysinas stepped out into the street in front of the house—

"Take this!"

"Gah!?"

Luna, who had been hiding in the alley, launched a surprise dropkick into Kyle's side.

"Whew! That was satisfying."

As Luna dusted off her hands with a refreshed expression, Kyle shot up and yanked on her ear.

"What the hell was that, you damn pointy-eared brat?"

"Owwww! Let go! Let go!"

Luna threw a punch at Kyle, but he dodged easily and tugged her ear even harder.

"Kyle."

"Huh?"

Thunk!

Lysinas slammed her elbow into Kyle's temple.

"Whew."

Lysinas also looked satisfied.

Seeing this, Leo reaffirmed his earlier decision.

'Yeah… no way I'm ever telling them I'm Kyle.'

That would probably be better for his own safety.

Lysinas grabbed Kyle by the scruff of the neck and dragged him off.

Meanwhile, Leo stepped inside the house.

"Huh? Leo?"

"Leo-nim?"

"Ah! President!"

Carl, who had looked troubled, widened his eyes when he saw Leo.

Eiran and Freyna were also startled at the sight of him.

Leo took a quick glance around the room.

At opposite ends of the living room were Velkia and Bihar.

Velkia was hugging Eiran from behind, and Bihar was sitting close to Freyna.

"What's going on here?"

"Uhh… Luna faction vs. Lysinas faction?"

Carl gave a sheepish smile as Velkia spoke up.

"You're friends with that guy too, right? Then pick. Who suits Master Kyle better: Lady Lysinas or Lady Luna?"

At Velkia's question, Leo looked at Eiran.

"W-Well, I'm an elf, so of course…"

"Uh-huh."

"Lady Lysinas suits him better. Right, Freyna?"

"Y-Yeah. I guess so…"

"I'm neutral, by the way," Carl said with a big smile.

Velkia clicked her tongue and muttered with a pointed voice:

"Traitor."

"Flap flap."

"Ugh, you're so annoying."

Velkia glared at Carl, who just went along with her antics as usual.

They had built a bond during the Giath invasion and bantered easily now.

After shooting Carl a look, Velkia came right up to Leo.

"Anyway, you have to choose too! Even if Lady Luna is way too good for Master Kyle!"

With a smug face, Velkia raised her chin.

Without hesitation, Leo smacked her lightly on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

"Who's too good for who?"

"Owww!"

Leo grabbed her ear and tugged.

Velkia struggled and tried to bite him, but Leo dodged effortlessly.

"L-Leo-nim!"

Eiran hurriedly intervened.

Velkia escaped Leo's grasp and hid behind Eiran, glaring at him.

Bihar looked at Leo and murmured.

"He's just like Master…"

With a curious expression, Bihar and Leo briefly locked eyes—and Bihar immediately looked away.

'As expected of Leo. Even while hiding his identity, he completely overwhelms them.'

Carl muttered to himself.

"Carl."

"Hm?"

"Come outside. Let's talk."

"Huh? Okay."

Carl nodded.

Velkia stuck her tongue out at Leo's back.

But when he looked at her, she ended up getting her tongue pinched as punishment.

Watching Velkia get scolded, Bihar muttered again.

"He really is just like Master…"

bl

"Lord Aaron! Let's go look for Lord Agon together!"

Aru excitedly suggested, eyes sparkling.

"Huh? You'll help me find Master?"

"Of course! Leave it to me!"

She thumped her chest confidently.

"Thank you!"

Aaron smiled brightly and took her hand.

"Huff, huff!"

Suddenly, Aru's eyes widened and her breathing became heavy.

Startled, Aaron quickly let go.

"Lord Aaronyaaack?!"

"Okay, okay. That's enough. Don't scare the guy anymore."

Just as Aru pounced, Azonia stepped in and grabbed her by the scruff of the neck.

Aaron looked at Azonia in a daze and muttered.

"So cool…"

"Don't act like you're falling for me, you damn wolf. I already like someone."

"It's Lord Aaron, isn't it?!"

"You stupid cat, what nonsense are you spouting?! Didn't you hear me?!"

"Aaagh! But beastkin all love Lord Aaroooon!"

As Aru screamed while being punished by Azonia, Aaron found himself laughing—until a sudden pain shot through his head.

'Ugh?! What was that?'

He clutched his head, eyes shutting.

'Where…?'

He looked around in confusion.

'Raysar…? Why am I here…? Ah, I was going to meet Master Agon.'

His consciousness faded for a moment, then returned.

'These beastkin…? Are they strangers? But… they seem familiar…'

Aaron looked at Azonia and Aru.

'The cat beastkin… her name was Aru?'

At that point, his eyes widened.

'Ah…'

The memories came flooding back.

'This place…'

He looked up at the sky.

And understood the situation.

'It's the past.'