"So how is it?"

"It's fine, I guess...?"

The old man nods his head in acceptance. The lights emitted from the chandelier begin to spread across the entire chamber. I appear to be sitting on an expensive chair made of gold and red fabric. It is a grandeur room that is elaborated with western influences. There is a wooden office desk along with several bookshelves housing different varieties of books.

And before my eyes, is Wizard Marshall Zelretch. Or at least he introduced himself as a Magician capable of using 「Second Magic」. That is— the magic that governs the operation of parallel worlds, as he explains it in layman terms. For Zelretch-san to say that he snatched me from the moment I was about to die, I was genuinely surprised.

If I remember it correctly, I was sending a fragment of my memories to my other self in an Adjacent World through the 「Regalia」 ring in order to put a stop to Archimedes schemes. For someone "incomplete" like me doing such an uneasy feat, self-destruction was inevitable. Of course, I can still remember the feeling of being incinerated as my Spiritron shell dispersed due to the sheer amount of data while using 「Slide」while I'm just a moving Spiritron husk without a Mind and Soul.

"I'm happy to hear that. You don't know how many strings I pulled just to get that new body of yours prepared."

"Did this cost too much?"

"Oh no, no, no. You don't need to to know how much it cost, all you need to know is that you are not just a digital shell of your former self anymore, Kishinami."

"Hakuno. I'm Kishinami Hakuno."

"Yes, yes, Kishinami Hakuno-kun."

Zelretch sips some tea from his teacup. Earlier he had explained to me that my Spiritron data which served as an avatar within the Spiritron-riched environment of Moon Cell now acts as a 「Soul」 in this new anchor of mine, which Zelretch-san "put" me into.

"However, aren't you a little too calm? I mean, you just got resuscitated in a new body, I thought you would be surprised and shocked."

"With all the weirdness that I've encountered... All of this feels like I'm inside a dream. To be honest, even if I died I won't be unsatisfied."

That's right, I did not regret anything. At least in some alternate reality, she will be saved. She will obtain the dream that she always wanted to grasp with her hands. I'm still flexing my hand muscles as I'm trying to get used to my new body that Zelretch-san had prepared for me beforehand.

"So after this, what will happen to me now?"

"I am glad that you ask that. You see, due to the rules implemented there is no way for me to return you to your original world as much as I want. I am truly sorry."

"Okay..."

"However, I can send you to an Adjacent Reality or another world to start a so-called second life."

Oh? Starting a new life in an alternate reality... That feels right, I guess. I wonder if it is possible to go to where she is?

"This alternate world that you speak of, is it the world where she is?"

"Unfortunately, no. There can't be two Kishinami Hakuno in the same world as the rule implemented by the World itself. I know what you're aiming for and I would advise not to do it. You already know that reality is a stable world, no?"

I nod my head in acceptance and understanding of Zelretch-san's words. If I pushed myself to be sent to that world, then Archimedes' plan will succeed which I tried to prevent in the first place back in my original world at the cost of my life. It is kinda a hard pill to swallow but for Altera's sake, I will swallow it hard anyway even if it scrapes my throat.

"So what kind of another world are you sending me?

"Hmm... Compared to your original world it is not as developed. The Moon Cell isn't present there, either. The only difference is that Age of Gods is the prevalent age in that world."

Eh? A world where Age of Gods still persists... I'm quite surprised, to be honest, though the information of Moon Cell not being present didn't shock me. I say I'm relieved about it because it means that the Umbral Star also did not exist in that world. Still...

"Um, does that mean that Gods and other supernatural beings walked alongside with humans in that world?"

"Yes. Another thing, magic is prevalent there so you will fit right there."

Zelretch-san smiles as he pours a tea on his cup and mine. Being courteous, I mouthed a "Thank You" before taking a sip of freshly brewed tea in my cup with my mouth. It tastes good.

"I feel like I'm being thrown into a battlefield unarmed. It would be nice if I have a prep kit or something."

"I agree with your sentiment that's why I have the right gift for you. Here."

"This is..."

The item that Zelretch-san handed to me raised my brows in surprise considering that said item is eerily similar in shape and design. How did he manage to get a hand of this artifact?

"How?"

"A Magician doesn't expose his tricks out in the open. Although if you want to be my apprentice, then maybe I can tell you. So, what do you say?"

"Hn."

I replied with a grunt as I nod my head without second thoughts while putting the golden artifact on my left ring finger. The man in front of me just portrayed a cheshire grin as his eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Wonderful! Now then, I'll be sending you now to your new world."

"Thank you for everything."

"No, I should be the one thanking you. You don't know how happy I am that you want to be my apprentice."

With a wave of Zelretch-san's hand, a portal manifested itself out of nowhere.

"I'll be sending you directly to your lodging. Once you have settled in, we can start your apprenticeship afterward."

"Thank you."

"You can contact me through that ring of yours if you have any troubles."

Zelretch-san points at my golden ring in my finger when he says that.

"Well, see you on the far side."

Zelretch-san grins and then I walked into the portal.