A warning

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Okay, so this chapter's gonna be a little funky. Read with a grain of salt.
I considered deleting it, but I'm lazy! Hehehehe!
This is the second and last part of the trial arc. Please read the notes at the end.
P.S. I don't own Fate or Mushoku Tensei.

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A cube floated in my hand. It was moderately sized-around the size of a basketball.

My eyes lazily blinked as I stirred from my slumber. Where am I again? My brain was still on the line between asleep and awake. I rubbed my eyes in drowsiness.

Oh, right. I'm hiding in a cave near Ars, the capital of Asura. I'd been too tired to make a bed to sleep on, I slept on the cold stone floor. My cloak was comfy enough anyway.

I reached below me but didn't feel the floor I slept on. Nope, that didn't feel right. I wasn't using wind magic to keep me afloat when I went to- Hah... It's another one of those dreams again. What did my siblings have in store for me this time? Tsk. No matter how often I experience it, I'll never get used to floating in this void.

Minutes passed, and I looked on in boredom. Weird. In all our previous meetings, Sol would be sitting on my shoulder right about now. While Sagittarius Beta cheerfully chirped nonsense beside her brother.

"Siblings?" I called out to no one in particular. I waited for an answer, but no one answered me in this void. "Hello? Sol? Anyone?!"

I continued shouting for a few minutes. When it was clear no one would return my calls, I stopped wasting my breath.

I took some time to analyze my surroundings. Something felt different about this void. This reality was different from the place I conversed with the Celestials. Their world was filled with beauty and light. But this... It was an endless black abyss.

Also, my body wasn't the one I had in my previous life. I was still in the body of "Rudeus Greyrat."

"Hmm? What's this?" A dull light shone from my right hand. It glimmered like a rainbow. I turned my attention toward the cube in my hand. "How odd. Why is it colored like this? It gives me the chills."

Five faces of the cube were blank, colored a black even darker than the void around me.

M̵̹̠͙͇̞̺̘̺̮͇̈́͐̔͗̒͂̿̎̌̒̾̚ĕ̸̲͆̉̿̔̄͛̓͗̾̈́͋m̸̦̞͙͇̠̎̇̐̐̇̈̋͆̚͝ó̶̧̖͙̺̉͌͗̆̎͘ŕ̴̡̲͇͖̯ͅį̷̰̹̔̌̍͘͝ȩ̶̢̲̲͔̖̗̲̻̞̑́ͅs̴̱͍͙̪̠̓͛̉́̈́̔͋ ̴̧̤̭̠̦̝̱̤͉͖̏̀̊̈͘ǒ̸̢̨̺̲̼̼̣̱̩̳̣͊̍̄̈̃̍̎̂̚f̵̢̣̲̪̭͙̣̿̊̇̀̋̽͝͝ ̵̛̫͇͎͈̀͋̉̈́̊̊̋͘̕͝͠f̴̯̣̝̟̪̮̽̔ḭ̷̧͍̪̳̞̮̠̈́͑͛̔͗̀v̶̹̞̯͚͕͂͒̔́͌̚e̷̛̱͗̉͛̈́̃̾͆̌̕ ̴̙̻̤͕̭̄t̴̬͛h̶̨̢̛̫̱̣̟̗̰̟̩́̊̃̽͜͝r̷̢͖̼̰̗͔͈̬͙̫̹̰̈́̌̇͆̅̈̈́͐̀̇̚͝è̷̛̝͈̬̳̳̭͉̟̖̌̍͘ǎ̷̡͎̻̙̹̥̰̭̍͑̓t̴͉͔̫͕͚̰͉̠̭͉̱͑̅͆͑͋͊ȩ̷̛̘̗̦̟̬̔͛́̇̏̾̓̈́̐n̷̙̱̖̝͒͌̽̇͋̔̓̎ͅȩ̶͓͍̤̪̻̘͈̎̓̒͊͂̈̐͐̿̈́͛̕d̴̡̛̫̠͔͎͉̣͔̗̱̑̑̑̀́̏̅̍̚̕̚ ̶̙̭̘̘̟̏͑͌̄͗̌͂̎̿̕͝t̸̨̛͈͚͙̔̇͒͒̇̕ò̴̩̇̾̍̽͛͊̂͠ ̷̢̨̩͚̘̤͚̻̘͋̾̔͆̔̐͐͑̀͌s̶̲͂̾͐̈́̾̋́̓͘p̴̛͍͍̞̄̍̓͑̍̈́́ͅi̵̧̯̻̍͐̉͑̃́̋͂̎̚͝l̸͇̱̺͖͐̍̈́̾͑͜ļ̵̠̙̙̞̣̹̫̃͂̆͊̊̉͜ͅ.̵̡̡͉̗̻̤̗͐̆́̈́̏̈̊̈̈́ͅ ̸̧̣̥̔͂́I̷̢̛̙̜̼͙̖̙̋͂̃̀͝ ̵̧̛̪̺̺̅̎͋l̴̡̧̺͖̩̻̠̟̪̺̈́̔͑ö̶̢͙̗̼͚̗͇̰̦̰́̊͝c̴̨͕̹̦͓̍k̶͔̗̏ͅȩ̸̼̱͎͓̦̦̱̒͌ͅd̵͓̙̣̮̤̙̙̆̿́̋̋̈́͆̍͘͜ ̷̪͓̼̗͉͈̦̼͚̹̻̄́̊͝͝ṭ̸̨̡̺̻̗͙̥̐͗̍̃̅̈́͝͠h̵̡̘͖͚̬̥̯̐́́̅ͅę̷̩̗͚̲̾̓̾̑͛̍̃̈͘͘̚m̴̖̽̐͐̕͝ͅ ̴̝̦̓̏͗͋͋͂͋̌̀͘a̶̹̞̗̜͖͔̱̅͌͋w̴̢̖̦͎̞͗́̈́͗̆͐́̇͠͠a̶̡̜̝̼̠̱̯͍͚͖͖͕̿̐̆́y̵̨̝̣͙͉̪̦͕̰̪̩̆͒̆́̏́͆̍͑̽̕ ̵̪̦̘́̈́̚͝b̶̖̤̠͖̆͐̒̀̒̅͋̕͘͝͝ȩ̶̭̭̞͕̘͓̳̲̖̟̍̍̔ͅf̶̱͕̹͓̯̼̳̅̍̀͝͠o̴̡̧̙͇̟͔̭͇͉̝̓̎ͅr̸̢̨͓̙̤̺̙͍̘̤͇̽͌̿͛͒̍͗̂̈́͝͠͠ȩ̴̏̄̓̃̑̎̽͆ ̷̧̤̣͚͎̲̱͈͍̃͛̈́͜t̵̖̣̱̦͚̱̓̀̓͆̆̀͋͜ḥ̷̨̜̳͍͔͇͈̜͖̈͛̕ę̶̜̜͈̯̦̲͍̻͛͒̃͑̌̑͝y̴̨̢̩̖̣̤̲̠̯̲̏͒͊̀̀̀̀ ̷̟̌̚c̵̨͕͉̦̥̰̹̮̜͂̓̇̀̃̈̿͛͊͠͝o̵̭͆́́̒͘û̶̠͈̊̈́͗͌̈́̏̏̃͘̕͠l̸̢͖̥͍͕̲͊̋͗̇̈̆̀͠͝ͅd̷̛̟̥̼̰͗̂̌͌̀̏̑͘.̸̢̗͉̃̍̈̇̾

"H-huh? What is... Why-why am I...?" My vision got foggy as salty liquid fell onto my hands. Tears dripped from my eyes like water pouring down Niagara Falls. I felt a kind of sadness I couldn't understand when I saw the emptiness of those sides.

Another side was covered with so much color and life that it almost blinded me. It was as if that side was trying to make up for the drabness of the other five.

My tears stopped immediately. My racing heart slowed to a slow beat. Did I feel...relief?

The last side constantly shifted like a white mosaic on those old TVs. Subconsciously, I punched the white side of the cube. It did nothing. My heart and soul stirred with anxiousness, a kind of fear mixed with anger. I needed to get rid of something. Only then will my anger subside-why am I angry again? What did I need to get rid of? I knew it! I'm sure I did! It was recorded in my memories! But it always vanished before I had a chance to see it.

Hold on... I'm sure I got something wrong there... But what could it be...

Ah, whatever! Who cares if I got something wrong.

Six pillars of what seemed like golden light pierced the cube down the six sides' centers, anchoring them to the seventh side. Chains sprouted from the pillars' top and returned to the bottom. Their formation was similar to a planet's magnetic field, with the pillar of light as the axis.

"Eh... These five are t̶̢̳̣͈̥̥̒̍ỏ̷̢͓̦̣̺̮̆o̵̢͎͌̿̎̕ ̸͓͉̯̺̄͂̈́̿̑s̷̛̰͚̼͐̈́̐͗̄a̶̘͚̳̣̰͆͆̾̕͜d̸̰͇̲͖̝̗̒̉ boring. I'll put them away." The cube's seven sides split from each other, each forming a sphere with colors and patterns identical to when they were the sides of a cube. I waved my hand, and the five black balls vanished into nothing. I was left with a mosaic white sphere and a colorful greenish-blue ball. Both were around the size of my fist.

I stared at the two orbs, contemplating.

When I looked at the green orb, I felt content. I shouldn't touch it. It will only taint such a beautiful w̸̛͕̽̀͘̚o̵̝̮̦̝̗̰͖̐͠͠r̶̩͎̠͇͍̦̻͎̟̤̔́̅͐̒̂̉͗̀l̵̬̊̂̅̋͝͠d̶̢̡͇͍̳͇̥̏ gem. But the white one... There was an emptiness waiting to be filled in the mosaic. It was a disappointment akin to when I started a project but never finished it.

My mind made up, I dismissed the greenish-blue orb.

A single jewel levitated in front of me now. White clouds rolled and spun within, adding an unconventional yet definitely prominent beauty to the otherwise empty interior.

I wanted to complete this gem. I don't care how suspicious it looks. The only thing that matters is someone started work on this and refused to finish it. My pride won't let me overlook such a blunder.

With that in mind, I reached towards the white orb and-

"!?"

The orb broke into a thousand shards and melted into my outstretched finger. I held my head and screamed. Pressure was building up around the center of my forehead. It was similar to when my Demon Eyes first activated. It wasn't only my head, too. My eyes felt like they were gonna pop out from their sockets.

A pulse of Mana shot through my body. I curled up into a tight ball. I could feel the millions of tiny shards traveling through my Magic Circuits. They concentrated around my forehead and eyes.

The pressure popped after an eternity of suffering. I blacked out. My eyes felt like they exploded.

...

*Drip. Drip. Drip.*

The gentle sounds of water dripping onto stalactites made for a less-than-effective alarm clock. I sat up, rubbing my forehead and eyes. It's already been established that what I experienced just now wasn't a regular dream. My eyes and forehead still hurt.

Of course, that dream could have been triggered by actual harm to my body while I slept, but I doubt that's it. I put up countless Bounded Fields around this cave. There should be no way anyone could have discovered me.

"Damn it. What the hell did I do to deserve that ?"

I traced my forehead and groaned. I'm starting to think that was divine retribution for me killing someone. If that's the case, I'm never sending a soul to the afterlife again. Not to mention there's a bump on my forehead that feels all cold and smooth.

Realizing something wasn't right, I projected a mirror and checked out my reflection.

'Who is that?!'

The person in the mirror had white hair, pure as virgin snow, it was. His eyes were blue and green, holding tints of gold. A grape-sized transparent gem was placed smack dab in the center of the reflection's forehead. I would compare it to a Superd's third eye, but from what I learned from Master Roxy's lessons, their jewels were more oval. My gem is a perfect sphere.

This reflection couldn't be me...could it?

I held up my right hand, and the reflection mirrored my movements. I reached for my forehead again and felt a smooth surface. Okay, the reflection was definitely mine. But that begs the question: How did I change this much in one night?! There was no way someone did this to me. The barriers all but ensure it.

"Whatever. Let's see." I placed a hand on my face. "Analyze."

Information flooded into my brain, informing me of the changes my body had gone through. I raised an eyebrow. When I used Structural Analysis in the past, information would be displayed before my eyes in Japanese. I've heard people perceive information differently. Some might see labels beside the object they're analyzing, or a voice will start recapping the item's history.

Now, the language I was seeing was different. It was a language I didn't recognize. But I can still somehow read it. It's hard to explain. You know how after you learn a language, you'll never be able to not understand it? It's kinda like that.

Changing how you process information is possible, but it doesn't happen overnight. I wonder if that dream had anything to do with it. Eh, I'll deal with it later. For now, I skimmed through the memories provided.

There were some bits of info I couldn't see, such as a few names and definitions. Most of the information was decipherable, though. I found the description on my body and scanned the information provided.

ᚷᚨᛁᚾᛖᛞ ᛒᛁ ᚠᚢᛊᛁᛜ ᚹᛁᚦ -: - - - - - -. ᛏᚺᛁᛊ ᛒᛟᛞᛁ ᚾᛟᚹ ᚺᚨᛊ ᚾᛟ ᚱᛖᚲᚢᛁᚱᛖᛗᛖᚾᛏ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛊᚢᛊᛏᛖᚾᚨᚾᚲᛖ, ᛁᚾᛊᛏᛖᛞ ᚠᛖᛖᛞᛁᛜ ᛟᚠᚠ ᚦᛖ ᚨᛗᛒᛁᛖᚾᛏ ᛗᚨᚾᚨ ᛁᚾ ᚦᛖ ᚨᛁᚱ ᛏᛟ ᚱᛖᛈᛚᛖᚾᛁᛊᚺ ᛖᚾᛖᚱᚷᛁ. (Gained by fusing with -̶̘̣̅͌̉͆̿-̷̙̰̾͋͆͊̈́͗-̸͙͙̈́́̄̒̎͝-̶̰̗̊͛-̷̧̺̥̩̔̎-̴̡͖͓̝͎͆̑͛͜-̷͈̬̺͔̮̳͆̍̿̓̃-̷̳͈̱̰͛̆̃͗:̷̡̜̔͂̒̍̌ ̶̟̫̰̣͐ͅ-̸̢͔̥̄̄̿̑̀̕-̶̦̑̂̐̓̅̒-̷͔̤̺̤̺̒́-̵̳̞̊̐̈́̓-̵͓̥̥̊̅-̸̫̩̃̈́͆̾-̶̜̲̤͎̌̏̌-̷̧̛͖̬͊̎ ̶̘̀̽͆͠-̵͉͙̥̘̦̀͌̿͘-̶̩̌͛͒́̅-̸͍̝̫̍̇-̶̡̛̥̮͌̊̊͑-̴̻͙̪̙̗̃̓̓̾-̸͕͈̥̙͋̾͋́̄-̶̨̮̖͕̰̑͒̽̃͠͠-̶͓̠̄̈́̓ ̷̥̈̿̊̀̇-̴̮̠̙̯̅͊́͜-̵̫̗̮̩̗͔͂̌-̶̻̣͐̑̈͐̈́-̴͍̼̮́̆̈́̂-̸̥̓́̈́̓͠ ̷͖̯͉̬̤̫̎͌̐̽-̵̖͙̟̝̅̚-̵̛̗̬͍̎̄̃̿̍ ̸̼̥͖̼̅̊̈́̃-̴̗͊̌̈̉̑͝-̸̡̮͚̜̺̟̑̑͋̕-̵̮̀͆͒͂-̶̦̰̼̝̠̦̉-̷̛͙̙͈͚̺͋̅́̚͝-̵̭̒͆̓͑͑̚ ̶̳̍-̵̤͎͚̓̉̄̂͌͝ͅ-̵̤̏͊̕͠-̷̛̬̦̗̝̘̒͘-̴͊͗̾ͅ-̴̰̞̠̼̈́͜.̷̗̣͗́̃̓͘͘ This body now has no requirement for sustenance, instead feeding off the ambient Mana in the air to replenish energy.)

Dread pooled in my stomach. If it's true, I've become something akin to a Phantasmal Beast or a Monster in this world's words.

I forced myself to calm down. Hyperventilating won't do me any good. For now, I have to do a thorough inspection. I don't have time to go see a doctor. I'm not trusting some random person who can use healing magic with my secrets, so I'll have to do everything myself.

...

Alright. After an hour or so, I've got the gist of everything. Kinda. I moaned in annoyance. I've been at this for so long that the sun began to rise. The moon was still high in the sky when I woke up, for Christ's sake!

Okay, enough complaining. First, I've confirmed that this body now uses Mana as food. How? Using my Celestial Eyes, of course. These babies I have really come in clutch when I need them! All I thought was, 'I wish I could see the flow of Mana,' and here we are! Really, they're so convenient that I worried they might have some long-last, serious-as-crap side effects.

Second, though this body uses Mana as fuel, it can still digest human food. I was so happy when I found that out. It'll be suspicious if I don't eat for...as long as I live.

Third, and finally, my eyes. I was right when I thought they'd changed. Here's their description. "ᛖᛁᛖᛊ ᚷᚨᛁᚾᛖᛞ ᛒᛁ ᚠᚢᛊᛁᛜ ᛞᛖᛗᛟᚾ ᛖᛁᛖᛊ ᛟᚠ ᚲᛟᛊᛗᛁᚲ ᛚᚨᚹ ᚹᛁᚦ ᚲᛖᛚᛖᛊᛏᛟᚨᛚ ᛖᛁᛖᛊ ᛟᚠ ᛟᛒᛊᛖᚱᚢᚨᛏᛟᚾ, ᛏᚹᛟ ᛈᚨᛁᚱᛊ ᛟᚠ ᛗᛁᛊᛏᛁᚲ ᛖᛁᛖᛊ ᚦᚨᛏ ᛖᚾᚨᚲᛏ ᛗᛁᛊᛏᛖᚱᛁ ᚢᛈᛟᚾ ᚦᛖ ᚹᛟᚱᛚᛞ. ᛟᚦᛖᚱ ᛞᛖᛏᚨᛁᛚᛊ ᚲᚨᚾᚾᛟᛏ ᛒᛖ ᚨᚾᚨᛚᛁᛉᛖᛞ." (Eyes gained by fusing Demon Eyes of Cosmic Law with Celestial Eyes of Observation, two pairs of Mystic Eyes that enact mystery upon the world. Other details cannot be analyzed.)

Slumping against the cave's wall, I projected another mirror. I looked at the jewel on my forehead, tracing its edge carefully with my finger. It was imperfect. Golden cracks ran along its surface like glass on the verge of shattering.

My face warped into a thoughtful expression. What would happen if I circulated my Mana through this stone? I shrugged. Heh, might as well give it a try.

The golden fissures encompassed the jewel. My vision shattered, literally. My field of view manifested cracks that separated it into sections. The largest one was my normal vision, but the others... I couldn't make heads or tails of them. It was like watching a movie without sound. The images didn't make any sense. They weren't memories. And they didn't seem to be of particular importance. The clearest one showed a garden full of white flowers. That was it.

"Hmm? Who're they?" My splintered vision showed me three people. I couldn't see their features clearly, but I'm sure they were nobility. I could at least tell the girl was a beauty. Her future husband will cry tears of joy when he sees her. I'm sure.

My field of vision abruptly turned towards the sky. I didn't will it to point there. It just moved on its own.

A young girl appeared in the sky without warning. Teleportation Magic?

"Wait, isn't that-?!"

She was still too far away for me to make out her face, but her cloak. That dress-like robe with vine-like trims and emerald butterflies? I'd recognize it from even a mile away.

"Sylphie?!"

Suddenly, the situation was a lot more tense. I started seriously paying attention to the scene playing out before me. After a few milliseconds, I realized a critical detail.

"She looks... older?"

No one else could have seen the change, but as her best friend and hopefully future boyfriend, I figured it out instantly. Not to mention her hair now spilled well beyond her shoulders, where, in reality, they've barely grown past her neck.

"I see. The future, huh?"

It was the only possible explanation. The Celestial Eyes could peer into the yet-to-come for brief moments, so I guess that's what's happening here.

I grimaced. I couldn't help Sylphie even if I wanted to. This was only a vision. I can't manipulate it in any way. My eyebrows lifted as I heard buzzing and hearing returned to my ears. At first, it was unnoticeable, but then it became a roar of endless chaos.

"When'd that Terminator Boar get here?!"

...

L̴̠̲̟̂͆̿͑̆̕ä̸͍̻̤̦̯́̀͆͋̆̓̃͘d̸̠̆̂̈́̓͑̅́͠y̶̥̐̐-̶̧̦̬͔̽́̆̆-̵͚͇̗̬̈́́̑̈́̈̂̓ ̶̪̤̹̌̅͗̉T̶͓͔̘̽̓́̄́̊̚h̷̛̹̯̣̄͂͗́̄̑̏ȋ̸͔͙͍͊͋̍̀̊̕͠s̸̨̛̹̺̜͙͖͖̥̏̀͋̈́̌́ ̴̮̰̉͆̋͛̊͠ȉ̶͉̥̦̦̟͆͘ͅs̵̮̟̞̎̆̈̐̂͑͜͠ͅ.̸͚͚̭̟͖̓̀̀̈́͐.̷̪̥̗͙͖̩͍̦̠͒͂.̶̨̯̯͔̱̟̬̃͆̓ ̵̧͈̃l̷̨̫̣̜̟͙̪̈́̄̔̀̈́͊͛̆̎á̴͕̎š̷̢̩̘̼̬̦̯̺t̶̡̺̼̱͐̒͂̓̌̈-̵̨̡͉̤̠̪̪͕͆͊̔́̈́̚-̵̙͓̈́̌͆͐͝͝ ̵̺̣̮̇̌̇̅̂͌̌͜ͅP̷̟͇̣͖̏̽͒̆͜͝l̶̢̦̹̞̣̘̳̭̅̀͆̓̄̄̚͘͜͝e̴̦̹̭̐̉͋͋̓͝â̸̯͕̣͊ş̶͇͘ę̸͎̞͖̫͐.̵̪̞̌͛̽̾̏̚.̸̧̢̻̳̗̎̂̃̀̎̔̀̆̕.̸̼̜̠̳̎̉̒́̃̀̕̕͠ ̷̥̲̫̠̺̋t̶͙̘͛̊̈̔̑̄̊̚͘ḩ̴̱͎̻͓̫̇̍r̴͈̲̤͙͉̪͉̬̿̚͝ơ̴̢̜̜͉̝̤̑͐̿͆̐ͅn̵̡̧̠͙͉̘̲̯̭͝e̷̡͉̿̀̽̓̂͘.̸̨̛̣̬͓̠̳̙͎̩̈́̇̒̿̔͘̕.̷̥͖̇̓̉.̵̡͗́̋̐ ̵̮̩̱̦̦̠̯͍̈̋̇Á̶̧̟͔̮͙̩͇͖̅̏͌̋̀̄̉̚s̶̢̘͓̬̠̱̆̂͜u̵̢̦̝̮̭͖͂̂́͜͠r̵̢̩̉̓̔̀͐̓͜å̷̢̠̹̘͎͉̙̎̄̓͌.̴͚̠͉̘̑̐̀̀̍̑̒̕.̴̨͎̘̖̟̼̗͍̌̔́̒.̴̢̥̠͈̎́̚ ̷̘̼̽a̸̛̛̛̪͎͓̼͛̃͋͝ ̶̨̛̯̠̦̦̤͓̪̣̀̇̽̀̈́̇̎ḅ̶̢̢͎̜͖̳̍̋̇́ͅẽ̷̯̬̱̙͇͜͠͝t̸̛̗̺̥̻͔̖̝̼̀͂̊t̷̻̙͙͓͍̀͂̏̂̒̉͊̚e̸̝̭͛̉͐̈́̒̕̕͝ṙ̶̨̠̙͛̔͜͠ͅ ̸̹̳̩̥̟͇͎̜̰̄ç̶͉̇̈́͗o̷̯̹̎ú̶̧̳͚̙̋n̷̪͉̯̱̣̬̉̔t̸̹͇̭͓͂̄̄̅̋̕r̴̨͎͚̦̰̝̹͎̎̈́y̷͙̫̣͎͙̰̋!̷̨̰̞̘̫̘̤̐̄

Ī̵̡̼̤̮̮̣̺̻̤̆̓̀̈́͝͝ ̷̧̤̹̤̜͙͗̔͗͋̈́͊̾̀͘d̶͖̱̉̃̄̆o̵͓̬̹̣̭͐̈́̈̾͌͘ͅñ̵̛͉͎̙͓̺̞̗͕̋͐͐̾̈́̚'̸̨̭̻̀͗̐t̴̳̞̻̤̳͒.̷̛̳̜̣͇͈̪̣̾̑͌̓̌̐.̴͕̟̩̫͇̘͇̊.̴̤̩̱́̏͛͝͠ ̶͎́́͆̀̀̃̏͝y̷̹̗̫̗̼͕̤͑͐ͅo̴̧̥̳̩̤̳̝̻̽̚ú̴̥̫̹̫̑̃͂̿͝.̷̛̹̭͉̌͑̽͋͑̐͂̚.̵͕͚͖̻͊̅̋̚.̴͈̯͓̼͚̞̟̽ ̷̛̗͈̋̔c̵͚̒̀̔̽͗o̴͈̟̗̯̊͊̃̀͐͊̂̐̕m̷̩̿̈́e̵̡̨̜̯͐̀͒̏̍̕͜ͅ.̸͎̼̞͙̠̲̪̙̣̓͊̽͗̃.̵̢̯̺̣̺̖͚̀̋͆̀̆̃.̶͔̎̈́̿̈́̎͑͗͝ ̷̞̜̔w̵̘͙͕͕̓̈͑̆ͅh̴̥̭̺̄̀̇̐͂̕ý̴̛͙̬̆̽̑̔͝͝-̴̺̙̙͚̳͐͑͋͊͜-̸̦̜͝ ̵̛̜̙̮̗̩̞͂͂̾̋̽̚B̵̢̖͈̜͋̄̍ͅų̴͇̝̫̹̲̞͎̖̈̆̅̔̿ť̶̡̡̛͔͉̫̺͎̞͔̂̊̎̊͝͠͝ ̷̰̤̜͕̔́̿̏̉͗̈́̍͝y̸̖̪̗̰̭̹̗̣͗̅̅̚o̸̢̙̰̹̗̰͒́͂u̷̱͖̹͈̱̰̮͊͂͘ͅ.̸̡̧̜̪̳͎͍̦̠̄̔̎͋͑͐͘͝͝.̷̛̲̥̃̈́̈́̈͘̚.̷̢̘͕̹̪͆̎͛̚ͅ ̷̡̹̝̗͇͇͔̂̉͗̽̄͌̔f̷̫̲͚̈́͋͊͗͝ͅŭ̴̢̩͍̼̹͎̈̈̏̓̂̆͗ţ̸̨̪̳͕̟̯͑ͅu̸̡̙͚͕̎r̷͈̤͂̈́ě̸̡̺̝͎͖̥̗̯̰̌̐̇̾͛̀̏ ̸̛͈̜̜̌̅̀͝ͅq̴͍͐̌̑̐̽̂̾̂̚ų̵̨͕͎̣̫̌̄̋̈̈͌̀͝ͅe̵̦̦͉̍e̵̛͖͂̓̀̇̏̕n̸̨̗͚̊̾-̴̲̦͍̐́͊̄̈́̑̀͘͠-̵̘̻̲͉̹̦̋̈͆͋̀̾͝ͅ ̶̛̱Ĩ̸̠̺͇̜̰̘̠̭̞̽̚'̵̛̮́̒̈́͌̑̃̀̕͜m̶̗̟̠̙̥͔̖̉̔͒͑ ̵͚̺̥͉͈̮̂̓̾̂̽̽n̴̞̏o̸̢̍̅͋t̸̙̫̆͠.̸̧̢̢̡̯̳̮͙̀̃̚ͅ.̶͕̭̏͋̾̀̕̚͠.̴͕͉̔̌̈̃͛͝ ̵̜͙̥͆̈d̵̖̫̞̺̗̪͈̓͊͆̊̄i̸̩͙͇͙͆́̈́̂́͐̌̄̕e̵̝̙̻͕̖̙̱̔́̄͑́̕̚͝͠-̶̰͉͍̦̗̾̐͝-̸̧͙̳̊̉̃̾͋͜͝͝ ̴͇̰̘̼̔͛B̶̛͎̳̽́͜͝e̷͚̩̺̞̦̲͖̘̐̋̉̀̕͜g̶̞̭̬̎́̚͝͝ŏ̷̱̰͙͍̲͕̖͊̆̉̊͗n̷̮̦̂̐͛̈́̕e̶̡͎̭̮͓̍!̴̧͕̯̮̀

A̵̡͓͋̈̎a̴̳̟͎̒̈͊̇â̶̪̦̽̈́̓̕͝a̴̧̼̪̯̰̰̟̫͛̿́̅́̓͜a̷̧̛̞̞̹̗̗͍̲̼͑̒̑̄̈̓ã̵̪̭̱ą̶̢̤̖̰̺̲̓̒͐͊a̷̼̥̮̙̯̬̺̟͘å̵͖͎̖͖̱͋̾͒͑̑̀͂a̶͜͝ẖ̸̢̰̖̘̰̣̑͑̎͜͝ͅ!̴̢̥̱̞͕̱͎̋̎

F̴̗͝i̸͔̓n̴͇͐d̶͚̊ ̴̭̀h̶̹̚e̶̫͝r̷̲͐.̷̬́

H̵̼͊ẽ̵̗l̴̪̎p̵̳̂ ̶̩͠h̵̞̋e̴̞̒ȑ̷͖.̵̬̆

...

The cracks faded away, and my field of view became whole. But the images vanished along with them. For a few minutes, I only traced the outline of my third eye. I realized it was a third eye when I could still see with both eyes closed. Then, I buried my face in my hands and groaned.

"What am I gonna do?"

I can't go back to Eris and the others like this. My family's not even gonna recognize me at this point. Okay, I haven't changed all that much-my face and everything else regarding my body are still the same. But that's beside my point here! I'm not even human anymore! I sighed.

"No matter. I can put up a disguise spell. It'll be wasteful, but my Mana Pool is kinda bottomless."

Besides, I needed to do something. Sunlight flooded into the cave from its opening. I stood up, brushing away the wrinkles of my cloak.

"Time to go find a certain princess and warn a knight about his trickery."

...

...

...

The Silver Palace of Asura wasn't only home to many nobles. It also contained several splendid gardens.

There was the Rose Garden, full of flowers red as blood. The Peony garden had blooms so dark they rivaled shadows. Then, the Hydrangea Garden was full of blossoms blue as the sky. But those places, although beautiful, play no part in today's tale.

Let's set our sights on the last garden with the palace of silver-the Lily Garden. It was a place fit for angels and saints where white flowers free from all blemishes bloomed prouder than kings.

As it happened, this was the favorite place of a particularly important peerage.

Ariel Anemoi Asura, age nine. The second princess of the Kingdom of Asura. From her mother, she'd inherited unmatched features and shining golden hair. From her father, she'd been blessed with a peerlessly beautiful voice. Even at a young age, most of the capital's residents already spoke of her as the most beautiful princess in the Human World.

Once every three days, this young lady came to this garden of white. She would sit at a pure-white table, accompanied only by her guardian knight and mage, and quietly take her tea.

In truth, the guardian knight was a young still-in-training boy. And her mage was only a recommendation provided by the Redbat family. But perhaps their rambunctious fighting spirit only added to the charm of this serene image.

In these fleeting moments, the sight of her was enough to make any woman sigh in longing and enthrall any man who passed by. Her petite beauty, akin to the fairies from old folk tales, was such that it seemed uncouth to even approach her.

Thus, no one came to speak with the princess when they visited. They didn't even dare look in her direction, much less drink tea with her.

So she sat alone at her table, enjoying the momentary peace before returning to the ugly truth of the real world. How cruel reality was to force an innocent young girl such as her to join the bloodbath that is a political conflict.

Today was no different. The princess sat at her pure white table with her two guards. Few words were spoken, but the intent was clear as day.

The morning sun made the princess' hair glitter akin to molten gold. Her angelic smile only added charm enough to blind any.

"What do you make of the tale of yesterday's courtroom?" The guardian knight asked the mage. They conversed about yesterday's trial.

It was the trial of a mere butler, so it shouldn't have drawn much attention. Yet the person who appeared unexpected was what all the hushed whispers were about. The event was so shocking that most nobility had already heard what had happened, even though only a day had passed.

A god had appeared.

The mage huffed. "We can't be swayed by mere rumors. I'm sure it's only an exaggeration. The description doesn't match any of the Seven Great Powers."

The "god" was described with white hair and gold eyes. He took the form of a child wearing a white cloak.

A rustle sounded from a few meters away. The mage was instantly on guard. The instructors and Adventurers at the Institute of Magic taught him well. "Who's there?" His youthful voice rang throughout the silent garden. Only around fourteen, he already possessed an amiable attractiveness. His slender face was framed by his brown hair, and his presence added a dash of playful charm somehow different than what the other two people with him were excluding.

Derrick Redbat, the third son of the Redbat family, stepped towards the rustling bush. "Please wait here, Lady Ariel. I'll investigate this."

He walked over to the cluster of white roses. His steps were swift but still made a sound loud enough for the being behind the flowers to detect. The mysterious figure stood up, and Derrick took a moment to examine the boy before him.

He was dressed in an expensive-looking magician's robe. It was white with golden vine-like patterns around the trims. The robe covered his entire body, so Derrick couldn't see what he had on beneath. The cloak's hood covered his face, leaving only his mouth and a small portion of his nose visible. A small dagger was sheathed on his waist, and he carried a simple brown staff that he used to stand up.

He gave a somewhat awkward bow. It seems he isn't very good at etiquette.

"Apologies, sir. I was walking around this magnificent garden when I tripped and fell. I hope I didn't intrude on anything privet."

The boy brushed off his cloak as he stood to full height. From what Derrick could see, this boy wasn't even eight yet. So what was he doing here?

"I'm sorry to be rude, but could I please get your name?"

"Derrick Redbat. Protector of Ariel Anemoi Asura. And you are?"

"Hahaha..." The boy's laughs were akin to wind chimes accompanied by canary songs. Derrick was sure this boy had enough charisma to rival the princess. "How could I be so rude? My name is Animus Greyrat."

Derrick raised an eyebrow. It wasn't uncommon for people to have "Greyrat" as a last name. In fact, it was common among lower-ranked nobility. This boy hadn't introduced himself as a member of the four great houses, but it was best to ask and to make sure. "Do you belong to any of the Four Great Houses?"

The boy scratched his head, and his mouth curved into a cheeky smile. "Yes, I should belong to one."

Derrick nodded, waiting for the boy's answer. The one he got wasn't what he was expecting.

"But I won't tell you. My name is Animus Greyrat. Or Animus Animusphere Hatsuhoshi on my other parent's side. I'm sorry, but revealing my full name will cause problems, ya see."

"If that's the case, I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave. I will not tolerate suspicious people around the second princess."

"It's alright, Derrick." The voice of an angel echoed throughout the garden. "I wish to speak with him."

"But, Lady Ariel! We don't know if he's-"

"It's alright. You can protect me if he's an assassin, right?"

Derrick bowed his head low. "I'm not willing to take chances, Lady Ariel. But if that is your wish, I will permit his presence."

Ariel smiled and nodded. She then turned her attention to the mysterious boy in white. She gestured at the empty seat across from her. "My name is Ariel Anemoi Asura. I hope my friend hasn't offended you in that brief engagement. He's especially untrustful with strangers."

The boy pulled out the seat silently, sat down, and lowered his head in the mockery of a bow. "To think I have the honor of meeting the Second Princess face to face. The heavens must have blessed me with great fortune today." His lips curved into a rueful smile. "My name is Animus Greyrat. But I go by Animus Animusphere Hatsuhoshi these days."

"Please raise your head. My position is nothing to be gawked at. I am only fourth in line for succession." The princess smiled sadly, letting out a barely noticeable sigh.

"That isn't true!" Derrick cut in. His voice was thick with deep passion. "You're the daughter of the queen consort. That makes you the only fully legitimate heir to the throne, and-"

"Stop it, Derrick." Ariel interrupted with a smile. Yet the intent was clear as day. "You're making our guest uncomfortable."

The boy noticed Derrick gritting his teeth. "Apologies, Lady Ariel."

The boy was silent, contemplating. His hand supported his chin as the other tapped at the marble table. "Your friend has a point, you know?" The boy laughed. Wind chimes seemed to play. "But I won't say anything. I can tell at a glance that you have no wish to be queen."

Ariel's eyes widened. Derrick also looked at the boy as untrustful. "How did you..."

The boy laughed. "I can relate to you, see? I became the head of my family at a young age, so I know the pressure and stress of political conflicts."

Suddenly, it became clear to Derrick why this boy had hidden his name. His house lost its head recently. With this boy taking over, it put them in a weakened spot. Many nobles would jump at the opportunity to crush this boy.

"Is that why you hide your name?" Derrick inquired the boy.

The boy thought for a moment before speaking. "I guess that's part of it." He went silent, not wanting to discuss family matters any further.

"I see you have a staff. Are you a mage, by chance?" Ariel attempted to guide the flow of the conversation using small talk.

"I am. I'm still learning, but I suppose you could say I'm a guardian mage." A genuine smile slowly spread across the boy's face. It was evident he was quite fond of the one he protected.

"At your age? That's quite the accomplishment." Derrick was astounded. This boy, who only lived eight years at most, was already proficient in magic enough to be a guard? How hadn't anyone heard a whisper of this until now? And why was this boy giving away valuable information like it was nothing?

"Hmm... It's nothing impressive." The boy-Animus-stood up. He looked at the sun, which was already high in the sky. He placed the teacup offered to him a while ago on the table. It was empty. "Apologies, but I must be going. Sorry for taking up so much of your time."

"It was nothing. It's been a pleasure speaking to you." Ariel stood up to offer her goodbyes.

The boy frowned. "Still, it wouldn't feel right to leave without giving thanks. The tea was delicious, after all." He thought for a moment. After nodding subtly, he turned back towards Ariel. "Let me give you a token of gratitude."

"Ah! That won't be nec-"

"You will heed mine words, mockingbird."

The world seemed to lose its luster as all turned a shade of grey. White clouds covered the garden, like morning mist undisturbed by the sun's rays.

Derrick knew instantly that this boy was the cause of the sudden change. His instinct screamed at him. He no longer had the aura of a mere boy. This...This wasn't even the aura of a human. The Fireball spell was chanted and fired before five seconds passed.

The boy made no move to dodge. He didn't even acknowledge that the fireball was flying toward him. The spell hit its mark. Or would have if the boy didn't disintegrate into white butterflies. They swirled and danced between flowers precisely the same color as them. Even the gentle beating of their wings was enough for the mist to roll and turn. They condensed a few meters away from the white table. The boy was there again, although, this time, his back faced them. His hood finally fell from his head, allowing his pure white hair to spill down his head.

Derrick turned to fire another spell. Yet he realized in horror that he couldn't move at all. Chains bound his legs to the ground, and a magic circle spun lazily above his head. From what he learned from the Institute of Magic, it was beyond Saint-Rank. The same happened to Ariel's apprentice knight.

As for Ariel herself, she had frozen still. No chains or magic bound her, yet the sheer presence of this person before her was enough to make her tense up.

"Wh-what are you going to do?" She managed to muster up the courage to ask.

The being a few meters away ignored her, only repeating his previous words.

"Heed mine words, mockingbird."

The boy pulled the dagger on his waist from its sheath. It instantly grew and became a decently-sized sword. He used it to draw a circle in the dirt. It was about twice as large as the marble table they were sitting around before. The area within said circle shimmered, rippling like the surface of a still lake. The boy waved his hand, and white mist carried the three to the circle's edge.

Blurry images were playing in the circle, barely distinguishable.

"Thy songs charm all whom hast heart to hark, yet thou art more fragile than splintered glass."

"What are you saying?" Now that Derrick had time to examine the situation, he realized something. The being before them had no hostility at all. Instead, he felt compelled to trust him. "Who are you? Really?"

The being paid no mind to his query. The images changed, showing a dark-colored creature. It stood before three humanoid beings.

"In three years' time, the God of destruction shall cast judgment upon the mortal realms. A Reaper of Death shall enter this haven and try to bring thy soul to a distant star."

Derrick's eyes widened. The being's words were mysterious and cryptic, yet he could understand them. "You're saying...Lady Ariel's life will be in danger?!"

The being turned his head just a smidge, and Derrick made out a sliver of a smile. He took that as a yes.

"Yet fear not. An angel of God shall descend from the heavens."

The circle was suddenly blurred by white mist. When it cleared enough for the three to see, the image shone had changed again. This time, the backdrop was blue with white smudges. Derric assumed it was showing a clear sky. A humanoid was in the center of the picture.

"How do you know all this? Can...can you see the future?"

Derrick was desperate for answers. However, the being neither confirmed nor denied having such a power. They could only take his words at face value because of that fact.

"The angel shall lead thou. And guide thou, and marshal't thou in times of want." The being waved his hand, and the images vanished. The circle was gone, and there was no sign it was ever there. "Yet be blinded not by the angel's brilliance, for even gods are not free from emotion's cruel grasp."

The chains and spells that prevented them from moving faded into oblivion. Derrick gasped as he suddenly pitched forward, yet his training and muscles prevented him from falling face-first onto the ground.

The boy turned to them. Locks of white hair pure as ivory flowed like smoke or rolling clouds. His glowing eyes were of molten gold, with streaks of silver more radiant than a full moon. They were filled with worry and caution, a warning of what would come. Derrick's eyes widened, for he recognized that description.

"Y-you're the god from that rumor!"

"Should thee forget all else, at least remember this."

His sword shrank into a small dagger. The being placed it back into its sheath. He turned his back towards them again. His outlines' edges were disintegrating into golden and white butterflies.

"Trust not the white Demon whom bids himself God."

"Wait!" The mage screamed.

The boy would not.

Just like that, with one final warning, the boy was gone. The only evidence he'd been there in the first place was an empty tea cup. A single white and gold butterfly fluttered its wings on the handle.

...

...

...

Butterflies entered the window of a carriage. A moment later, I replaced them.

"Eep!" Eris yelped at my sudden appearance.

Ghislaine, who sat by her side, also looked surprised. "Was that teleportation?"

"Umm... Yes?" Is it really that surprising I knew this spell? I'm a kid, sure. But this world's still in the Age of Gods.

"I thought nobody besides Perugius knew how to teleport."

Right. I remember now. I read somewhere that the Dragon King had declared Teleportation a taboo. Hmm... That's another one on my "list of broke taboos" list. I wonder how long it would stretch if I wrote it down?

"I just...discovered it by accident." I sheepishly rubbed my neck.

"Huh? Alright." The Beastwoman didn't press after that. She's a "go-with-the-flow" person, so she wouldn't care too much about details.

"Hey! Rudeus! Will you teach me that trick?!" Eris asked from across me.

I laughed, reaching over to ruffle her hair. "Perhaps. It's a little too advanced for you right now, though."

I looked out the carriage window as Eris attempted to pry my hand off her head. A gentle breeze hit my face, bringing the smell of fresh grass.

It made me think that things might settle down for a while.

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Alright. This concludes the trial arc. I want to slowly nudge the storyline away from the original timeline, so I did two completely original chapters. :)
Anyways, Please like, share, follow, and comment.
As always, good luck with your game of life.

P.S. Thanks for all the support you people show me.