Reo leans forward, his crimson eyes staring at Celestia. "What do I have to do?" he asked, his voice sharp and direct.
Celestia gave a faint smile. "I like your directness," she said in a playful tone. "No unnecessary drama. Good."
Her smile faded, replaced by a serious look. She leaned back in her chair. "Let me be clear: I can't explain everything right now, but this world is on the path to destruction. Big events have already started, and they will lead to its collapse. My job is to stop that from happening. That's why I made a deal with the Earth Deity to bring your soul here."
Reo frowned. "If you're a goddess and you know everything, why can't you fix this mess yourself?"
Celestia sighed, the glow around her dimming. "Because gods can't directly interfere in the mortal world. If we do, it would make things worse—bigger problems than the disaster itself. This world is fragile, Reo. The balance must stay intact."
Reo crossed his arms, his expression hard. "So why me? Out of everyone, you're saying I'm the best choice?"
Her faint smile returned, her gaze steady and confident. "I've looked at all the possibilities. I've seen a trillion different outcomes. No one else can do what you can. If it's you, fewer people will die. Without you…" She paused, tilting her head as she studied him. "This world won't survive. It's that simple."
Reo stared at her for a moment, his jaw tightening. "What's the catch?"
"Catch?" Celestia chuckled softly, the glow in her eyes flickering like a spark. "There's no catch, Reo. Your task is simple: live as Leonhardt Caulem, the Duke's son. Play your role and follow Ellynn's guidance."
Reo raised an eyebrow. "And who, or what, is Ellynn?"
Celestia made a small gesture with her hand. "The voice you hear in your head. It's a system made specifically to guide and help you."
Reo's expression twisted with annoyance. "Oh, you mean that irritating voice that never stops talking?"
Celestia laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Yes, that's Ellynn. I designed it myself. It's efficient—so it's annoying."
Reo leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp. "Alright. Last question." His voice dropped, colder now. "Where is Chloe?"
Celestia's playful tone disappeared. Her smile softened, and her voice became serious. "Do what I've asked, and you'll find her. I give you my word, Reo. But first, we have to stop what's coming."
Reo didn't respond right away. His eyes dropped to the teacup in front of him. He stared at his reflection in the amber liquid, his mind racing. Slowly, he stood, the chair scraping against the floor. "Fine," he said after a long pause, his voice steady.
"I'll accept your deal, but I have one condition."
"Don't worry," Celestia said knowingly, a faint smile on her lips. "That thing will be in your hand when you wake up."
Reo turned and walked toward the glowing blue portal. But just as he reached the edge, he stopped.
Without turning, he spoke, his voice low and firm. "If you're lying about Chloe—if even one word of this is a lie..." His hand clenched into a fist. "I'll destroy this world. The very world I'm supposed to save. Do you get that?"
Celestia didn't flinch. Her face stayed calm and peaceful. "I know what you're capable of, Reo Carter. I wouldn't dare lie to you."
Satisfied—or as close to it as he could be—Reo stepped into the portal. Just before the light surrounded him, Celestia's voice echoed softly.
"Oh, and Reo, try to be kind to Ellynn, or—"
Her words were cut off as the portal swallowed him, the blue light fading into.
Celestia sat silently for a moment, her gaze locked on the empty space where Reo had been. A quiet sigh escaped her lips, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
---
Reo's eyes opened. His vision was blurry at first, but it quickly sharpened. He was back by the stream. The hunting knife trembled in his hand, it's still pressed against his throat. The system's voice echoed in his mind, calm and steady.
[Motor functions re-enabled. Host control restored.]
The knife slipped from his hand, landing with a clatter on the rocks below. His hand shook as
he stared at it. The wedding ring on his finger glinted in the sunlight.
For a moment, it's only silence. Then, a low chuckle. It started bitter and hollow but grew louder, echoing through the quiet forest.
His shoulders shook with laughter, wild and uncontrollable, until tears rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away with the back of his hand, his laughter fading into a heavy sigh.
"At least she's safe," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Chloe… she's safe. That's all that matters."
He leaned forward, gripping his knees as memories of her filled his mind—her smile, her laugh, the way she teased him. He closed his eyes, her image vivid in his thoughts. He ached to see her, to hold her, to hear her voice again.
Somehow, it was possible. She was here, in this world, just like him.
The deal with Celestia settled on him again. His jaw tightened, his fists clenching. If he wanted to see Chloe—if he wanted even the smallest chance of being with her—he had to keep his promise. There was no other way.
Reo stared into the stream. The water was clear, showing the face of the person he now was. Leonhardt Caulem. The name felt strange and distant, like a memory he couldn't quite grasp.
"This kid…" Reo murmured, tracing the reflection with his finger. "What kind of life did he have? And what happened to him?"
The silence was broken by the Elynn's flat, emotionless voice.
[Would you like to install the memories of Leonhardt Caulem?]
Reo blinked. "Wait… you have his memories?"
[Yes. The memories of Leonhardt Caulem were stored before his death. They are ready for transfer.]
hHe leaned back, thinking. He didn't know much about this world or the boy whose body he now lived in. But he knew one thing: to survive, he had to understand Leonhardt's past. He let out a sharp breath, running a hand through his messy red hair.
"Fine. Transfer the memories."
The system responded immediately.
[Starting memory transfer.]
[Warning: Host may feel pain during the process.]
Reo confused. "Pain? What kind of—"
A sudden, sharp pain shot through his head, cutting off his words. It felt like his skull was splitting open. His mind flooded with images, voices, and emotions. He gasped, clutching his head as he dropped to his knees. The knife lay forgotten beside him.
"Argh!" Reo screamed, his voice raw as the memories overwhelmed him. The emotions were intense, almost unbearable. He rolled on the ground, clawing at the dirt as if trying to grab hold of something solid.
—
The Obsidian Academy, the largest and most respected institution in the Kingdom of Elaris, was a hub of knowledge and power.
Its grand halls were filled with the chatter of students, the shuffle of papers, and the occasional spark of magical energy.
In one of the busy hallways, a girl in a spotless uniform walked briskly, her calm demeanor betrayed by the urgency in her steps.
Her dark hair was tied into a neat braid, and glasses framed her sharp, focused eyes. She carried herself with quiet confidence, every movement purposeful.
She stopped at a door at the end of the hallway, knocking lightly before entering. The room was far from an ordinary dorm—it was a private suite reserved for the academy's elite.
Inside, a woman with long, golden hair stood by the window, gazing out at the academy's magnificent courtyard. Her posture was regal, her presence commanding.
"Princess Thalina," the girl began, her voice respectful but urgent. "The rumors about Leonhardt Caulem's death… they're nearly confirmed."
The princess turned slowly, her piercing blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Nearly confirmed?" she asked, her voice calm yet heavy with authority.
Before the girl could respond, a loud *thud* interrupted them. Both women turned toward a young man on a couch. His fist rested on the table he had just slammed.
His silver hair was messy, and his sharp features were twisted into a scowl. "Why does it matter?" he snapped, his tone irritated. "That idiot was useless."
The princess sighed quietly and walked over to the table. "He *was* important, Adrian," she said firmly. "For all his flaws, he's still the heir to the Caulem Dukedom. His death—or disappearance—could disrupt the balance in the academy's elections."
Adrian leaned back, arms crossed. "Elections?" he scoffed. "The guy was a complete train wreck. Honestly, good riddance."
Thalina shot him a sharp look but didn't argue. Instead, she turned back to the girl. "Keep me updated," she ordered. "The moment we get confirmation, I want to know."
The girl nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."