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(One thing after another... Seriously, give me a break...)
On top of the events of today being so soul-crushingly awful I’d wanted to die, a deluge of facts I’d never known was now rushing in all at once. My head was on the verge of bursting.
Then, as if to deliver a final coup de grâce to my sanity, the man who appeared before Shion and me had introduced himself using the same name as the legendary figure known as the "Fairy Tale Hero" or the "King of Special Ability Users."
To be honest, Shion’s explanation regarding my true Ability didn't feel right to me yet.
However, I couldn't deny that many things were starting to add up.
I had always identified my Ability as Gravity Manipulation, but that didn't explain the fact that I was somehow perceiving mana.
Then there was my strange adaptation to the flow of time.
If my Ability truly was what Shion claimed, that would explain it as well.
When I converted to an Enchanter back in Golden Dawn, I had been able to track time with perfect precision without any real effort. It was the reason I never let my allies' buffs lapse.
Now that I looked back, there were countless instances I’d previously ignored that suddenly made perfect sense.
"You’re slow to react. Did I say something strange?"
As Shion and I stood there, speechless from the sheer shock of it all, August tilted his head in genuine confusion.
"Are you saying... that you are the 'Fairy Tale Hero'?"
"...Heh. So in the future, people call me by a grand alias like the 'Fairy Tale Hero,' do they? That’s... a bit much. It’s actually kind of embarrassing."
August muttered with a wry, self-deprecating smile.
(Wait, did he just casually say 'in the future'? How much does he actually know about what’s happening?)
"How much do you actually understand about our situation?"
As if reading my mind, Shion voiced the same question.
"Hmm. I’ve gathered that this is a localized space-time distinct from the 'World of Principles of Magic' or the 'Outside World,' but truth be told, I’m mostly in the dark myself."
August answered nonchalantly.
His description matched Shion’s hypothesis. Still, I had no idea what he meant by the "World of Principles of Magic" or the "Outside World."
"Then why are you so sure that 'this place' or 'we' represent the future to you?" I asked, pushing for clarification on the point that bothered me most.
"Simple. I’ve been experimenting with various methods to access the future. It was a bit of a long shot, but then I found myself pulled into this place. It’s only natural to assume that this space and you two are the 'future' I was aiming for, right?"
August replied with an airy, carefree tone.
There didn't seem to be any hidden motive behind his words. He looked like a man simply stating the obvious.
"...You’re an even more absurd existence than the legends suggest," Shion murmured, her voice caught between admiration and exasperation.
"Well, dwelling on me is a waste of time. Don't bother. —More importantly, tell me about the future. In exchange, I’ll teach you how to master All Creation."
With eyes sparkling like a curious child, August asked to hear about the world to come.
The price he offered in exchange was incredibly alluring. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was the one thing I needed most right now.
However, I hesitated, unsure if it was safe to divulge the future to a man from the past.
"—Ah, if you're worried about a time paradox, don't be."
August dismissed my concerns with a wave of his hand.
"How can you be so sure? If you learn about the future here and return to your own era, it should cause a massive contradiction."
"I have my reasons, but the biggest one is that the place we’re returning to is the World of Principles of Magic. I’ll explain the details as we go. So, what’s the verdict? Will you take the deal? We don't have much time left."
He was right. We couldn't afford to be leisurely.
Even if this man’s presence supported Shion’s theory, we would likely be pulled back to reality once the time rewind finished. I didn't know when the clock would run out, and wasting a single second was a mistake I couldn't afford.
Besides, if I went back as I was now, I’d just be slaughtered by the Cult all over again.
I had no choice but to move forward.
"I accept the trade."
"Alright! Then let's get started. You can fill me in on the future while we take breaks. —Oh, wait. I never did get your names."
Now that the deal was struck, August looked at us expectantly.
"I’m Orun Doura."
"I am Shion Nasturtium."
"Orun and Shion. Got it. Well then, I look forward to working with you both!"
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"First, tell me about your current state, Orun. I can give you the theory behind All Creation, but usually, an Ability is something you should already understand intuitively to some degree."
"That’s a fair point. The truth is—"
I began explaining my circumstances to August.
With Shion chiming in to provide context where I faltered, the explanation went smoothly.
"I see. That’s a real mess you’ve got there," August muttered solemnly after I finished.
"Yeah. Looking at it objectively again, I have to agree with you."
"But that actually makes things simple. All we have to do is overwrite your distorted perception with the correct one. To start, let me explain the essence of what All Creation actually is."
"...Please. I’m listening."
"All Creation is—as I interpret it—the 'Ability to Know All and Weave It.'"
"The 'Ability to Know All and Weave It'... In other words, if I understand something, I become capable of doing it? Whether it’s a physical technique or... even another person’s Ability?"
August’s lips curled into a grin.
"You’re a quick study. That fast processing speed of yours? That's the Ability at work. It's why we can become more proficient in everything than anyone else. We master things faster than the rest of the world. But don't mistake that for being a 'genius.' We aren't true geniuses—we just have this power. Never forget that."
So the reason I was able to master magic and martial arts to a competent degree just by dabbling in them was all thanks to this power.
In a way, perhaps it was a blessing that Anneri had mocked me for being a Jack of all Trades. If she hadn't, I might have grown arrogant. August’s words felt like a necessary warning.
"...I understand. After all, I’m just a mediocre man who couldn't even protect what mattered to him."
"That’s a bit self-deprecating, but for people like us, that mindset is probably for the best," August said with a wry smile.
I wasn't a god. I was just a human. I needed to keep that etched in my mind.
"...Anyway, with this Ability, seeing is infinitely faster than hearing when it comes to 'knowing.' You want power, right? Then let’s dive into some practical application and have a real fight. I’ve been itching to move my body for a while now. What’s your weapon of choice?"
August’s aura shifted, becoming sharp and bellicose.
Essentially, he was telling me to watch him and steal his techniques. It was a proposal I was more than happy to accept—after all, that was exactly how I had always survived.
"This is my weapon."
I reached into my storage magic tool and drew Schwarzhase.
"Ho, a sword? Then I'll start with a sword as well!"
Upon seeing my blade, August manifested a mass of jet-black mana, molding it into the shape of a sword before gripping the hilt.
"I’m coming at you!"
"Yeah! Bring it!"
With that final exchange, we both lunged. The distance between us vanished in an instant, and our blades collided with a violent, ringing crack.