Nonagram (3)
Chapter 305
Luna wiggled her finger.
In response, a chair nearby gently slid toward Ray.
Without hesitation, Ray sat down on the soft chair.
Luna, still smiling, looked at Ray and spoke.
“Let’s start with an introduction, shall we? It’s been a while, Ray.”
“…Hello, Luna.”
“You said you came from the past?”
“That’s right.”
“Time travel. How interesting.”
Luna closed her eyes briefly before continuing.
“Ray, as you know, the probability that you actually traveled through time is much lower than the likelihood that you’re some other entity who mistakenly believes you’re Ray.”
“Luna, just…”
“Once, in the past, you told me about the ‘brain in a vat.’ You dismissed it as a joke, but compared to time travel, that concept is far more realistic.”
“…”
“How about this? In fact, you’re my test subject. I implanted false memories into your mind. Everything you remember up until now is fake. The experiment was successful. Don’t you think this explanation is more convincing than time travel?”
“…Luna, I don’t have time for word games.”
Ray tried his best to remain calm, but the uncomfortable shiver running down his back made him frown involuntarily.
Seeing Ray’s discomfort, Luna nodded.
“I wasn’t trying to scare you. But… let’s establish something clearly.”
“…”
“Let’s assume that you are the real Ray, unaltered or duplicated, and that everything you’ve experienced so far is genuine.”
“Ah, thanks.”
“If what you say is true, then you plan to come here briefly in the future and return to the past, right?”
“For me, that past is the ‘present.'”
“Ray, let me make one thing clear: time travel from the future to the past is impossible.”
“Luna, stop wasting time with these meaningless discussions…”
As Ray tried to change the subject, Luna placed her finger on her lips.
Shh, she gestured for silence, and Ray reluctantly closed his mouth.
Luna continued satisfactorily.
“I’ll get straight to the point. The direction of time is immutable, and interfering with time that has already passed is impossible. Even a transcendent being capable of creating power beyond our comprehension can’t do it. However…”
Luna rarely showed signs of contemplation but added an explanation.
“There might be exceptions. If a minuscule being from this spacetime ascends beyond, limited contact with the past might be possible. Still, even if such a thing were possible, there would be definite limits.”
“…What kind of limits?”
“You can’t twist the turning points of history. A being that exists as a result cannot reverse that result without creating a paradox.”
As Luna explained, Ray sighed deeply.
“What are you trying to say? That I can’t possibly be Ray?”
“You are Ray. We already established that. Let’s add another assumption.”
“…”
“Assume that after meeting me, Ray really goes back to the past and awakens consciousness.”
“So what changes?”
“Experiencing something impossible means that experience was false. All the futures Ray has experienced, and even this moment right now, could merely be illusions. It’s something for you to ponder—why someone would show you such a nasty illusion.”
“Are you saying all of this is nothing but an illusion?”
Actually, this was what Ray had hoped for.
Ray wished that all of this was just worthless fiction.
However, Luna shook her head briefly when Ray sought confirmation.
“Of course, it’s also possible that it’s not a simple illusion. Especially if a transcendent being got involved.”
“…Can you explain further?”
“Beings that transcend our four-dimensional spacetime can perceive it much more intuitively.”
“I know that much.”
“No, Ray doesn’t fully understand. But you should grasp this analogy.”
Luna waved her hand.
The surrounding mana coalesced semi-transparently, beginning to form a new shape.
First, the ground appeared, then deep trenches formed winding paths.
Water flowed in, becoming a river, but stopped midway.
Luna illuminated the flowing water and spoke.
“Think of this flowing stream as our spacetime. The tip of the stream is ‘the present.'”
“I get it.”
“The stream will flow toward the future. But from this point, can you predict how fast and in which direction the stream will flow in the future?”
“…It seems possible.”
“Yes. If you can observe the stream from this ‘perspective,’ you can understand, feel, and calculate the variables affecting the stream much more intuitively.”
“You mean transcendent beings view spacetime like this?”
“To put it simply, yes. However, diverting the stream isn’t easy. Throwing a small stone won’t easily change the major flow.”
“So the future is already determined?”
“No.”
Approaching the edge of the translucent river she created, Luna began walking past the broken stream.
“The future cannot be predetermined. The further into the future you try to predict, the more complex it becomes, making predictions useless. But…”
Reaching out toward the broken stream, Luna added.
“Predictions of the near future are almost error-free. This level of accuracy makes it indistinguishable from observation.”
“Am I… seeing that future?”
“The term ‘seeing’ is misleading. To simplify…”
The faintly translucent red stream filling empty spaces suddenly darkened, resembling blood.
“After observing streams that haven’t flowed yet, the World Tree momentarily materializes them…”
Luna reached out and mimed pulling Ray into the stream.
“…and pushes Ray into this materialized stream.”
“So you’re saying what I’m experiencing now is the real future?”
“It’s the most probable future.”
“…Does that mean our meeting was intended by the World Tree?”
“I don’t think so. For transcendent beings, the flow of the stream is macroscopic enough. But collisions between particles within the stream are too microscopic.”
“You and I… are no different from particles?”
“Yes. Observing and controlling each particle is difficult. While precise adjustments might have been possible when Ray was first pushed into the stream, afterward, they likely just shook things up randomly, inducing chaotic collisions.”
Saying this, Luna furrowed her brow momentarily.
“This is strange. Despite the random shaking, the probability of Ray and I meeting is extremely low. If this hypothesis is correct, another entity must have interfered.”
“Another entity?”
“We can’t tell now.”
After erasing the mana-formed riverbank, Luna sat down.
“If this hypothesis is true, I am merely a temporarily constructed illusion. There’s something I want to confirm, but let’s postpone it for now.”
Repeatedly clenching and unclenching her hands, Luna faced Ray with a smile.
“Believe what you want to believe. Whether it’s the brain in a vat or the most probable future.”
“…”
“But Ray, haven’t you missed me? No matter what the truth is, it’s been a while since we last met.”
Ray suppressed a groan.
Wiping his face with both hands after tightly biting his lips, Ray struggled to answer.
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s absolutely terrible.”
The forced smile on Luna’s lips twisted with emotion.
“You have no idea how many terrible impulses I’m suppressing while looking at you claiming to be Ray.”
“…”
“While surrounded by all sorts of terrible impulses, Ray, Ray, Ray… hearing just that name keeps me sitting here quietly, pretending to be a good mage. Tell me, Ray, do I still look like a good mage to you?”
“…”
Ray couldn’t respond.
Ray also felt a surge of emotions while looking at Luna but had to suppress them.
There wasn’t enough time for Ray to drown in sadness and guilt, shedding tears.
So Ray changed the subject.
“Luna, explain. Why did the world become like this? Why is the sky dyed red? And Bella…!”
Ray’s breathing became rough, but he forcibly calmed himself and asked again.
“What happened? And… it’s not that I blame you, Luna… but… why couldn’t you solve these problems?”
“Do you see me as a monster, Ray?”
“That’s not what I mean, Luna!! Just… you were a genius, Luna.”
“Yes, I am a genius. When I reached the 5th Circle level, I became the strongest single entity.”
Not quite able to completely overwhelm Lord-class entities, and still having issues with Swordmasters,
Nevertheless, it was undeniable that among single entities, I possessed the greatest strength.
“The Circle may not be an absolute standard, but it serves as a guideline. If I reach the 6th Circle, I’d likely dominate most of the strong figures in history, right?”
“…”
“7th Circle. At that level, I might transcend the classical form of Circles. And only then would I be able to independently manifest what is called ‘power.’ Do you understand, Ray?”
“What… does that mean?”
“It means that to manipulate the actual power of transcendent beings, I need to reach at least the 7th Circle. Back then, I was a bit arrogant. I expected to ascend the Circles easily. My vision was narrow.”
“…”
“At the point where you arrived, how long do you think it would take me to reach the 5th Circle?”
“…I thought it wouldn’t take too long.”
“If I focused entirely on ascending, it might take around three years. If I continue various experiments and research alongside, it could take close to seven years.”
Here lies the problem.
“How much longer do you think it would take to reach the 6th Circle? And how much more beyond that to surpass it?”
Ray silently rubbed his cheek.
Luna was undoubtedly born with supreme genius, had already reached a position close to the peak, and harbored the potential to climb even higher.
However, Luna’s rapid growth to near the peak was due to Resina’s legacy.
And now, the place Luna needed to aim for was a realm no one had ever touched.
She inevitably had to wander and constantly find new directions to move forward.
The absolute time required for this couldn’t be shortened by effort alone.
“Ray, I won’t deny that if I had actively intervened in the war, the situation might have improved somewhat. But that’s all. Winning a few battles wouldn’t allow humanity to reclaim lands turned into the Demonic Realm.”
“So… so you just… stood by and watched…?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t ignore or neglect the wishes you left behind. Bella is merely…”
“Luna…!!!”
Ray struggled to calm the surging emotions.
The feeling of resentment must never be directed towards Luna.
It was wrong to selfishly spout hurtful words like “If you had worked harder, everything wouldn’t have deteriorated this much.”
With tear-filled eyes, Ray tightly shut them and asked Luna.
“Luna, teach me a way to improve this future. Causes, effects, and solutions. Please tell me.”
If such a future truly comes to pass, it must be changed. It must definitely be altered.
Ray believed that Luna would provide the information he wanted in a concise manner.
But Luna didn’t meet Ray’s expectations.
“Go back home. Call Johanna back home too. Spend the remaining time together. Leave behind memories that will help endure the long darkness with those you love and who love you.”
“Luna, please…! Stop talking nonsense!!”
Unable to contain his frustration, Ray shouted.
“Tell me what I can do for you all!!!”
“Hmm, it’s a little concerning. Would a child be necessary? I doubt I could cherish and love your offspring like Karen does, treating them as your reincarnation. Johanna…”
“Luna!! Right now, tell me how to erase this red sky from the future!! Or at least explain why the sky looks like this!!”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ray abruptly stood up.
Watching Ray struggle to control his emotions, Luna slowly erased the smile lingering on her lips.
“If the World Tree truly showed Ray the future, it must be to motivate and persuade him.”
By the time Ray referred to as “now,” the elves had already identified the direct cause leading to this dire future.
If Ray returned, he would surely chatter incessantly.
But Ray didn’t know this and kept shouting.
“Luna!! Hurry!! You can tell me!! Quickly!! Why are you doing this…!”
As Ray extended his clenched fist toward Luna, the scenery warped.
Unable to contain his despair, Ray was about to unleash curses.
But at that very moment,
Luna rose and manifested a Magic Circle.
Zzzzzz!!
With a massive wave of force, the colors peeled away from the distorting scenery.
Ray, unable to hide his bewilderment, turned to look at Luna.
In the space turned black and white, only Luna’s pupils shone brightly silver.
“Ray, don’t forget my advice. Do nothing more and stay by our side. And trust me and wait. Although it might take a little longer… I will certainly gift you a happy ending.”
“…Luna.”
As the next scene slowly crumbled, Ray shook his head.
“This isn’t a happy ending.”
The next moment, Ray’s figure completely shattered.
Ray disappeared, and the echo of his final voice gradually faded in the space.
Alone in the black-and-white space, Luna stood in place for a very long time before finally turning around.
Indeed, the direction Luna’s gaze pointed was empty.
There was nothing there.
Still, Luna softly smiled sorrowfully and moved her lips.
“Yes, it has come to this.”
Even if it means taking a long detour.
Even if it means she can no longer stay by Ray’s side.
Still, she will eventually gift Ray a happy ending.
“Trust… me, I will.”
Soon, the black-and-white space lost its form and turned into complete darkness.
Nonagram (4)
