Encia gazed down at her own translucent left hand.
Comprised of magical power, that left hand was swirling with magic and faith, tangled like threads of a ball of yarn.
“This feels… strange.”
「Truly a bizarre sight indeed.」
The framework of magical power and skin beneath it, interwoven with faith and magic to form flesh and blood, made up Encia’s left hand.
After observing her altered left hand, she gently clenched it into a fist then relaxed it, as her left hand gradually returned to its original appearance.
“The sensation of magic and faith intertwining and flowing is quite peculiar, but this definitely allows me to manipulate faith… I think.”
「For now, it’s just your left hand though.」
“Hmm. Since I tested out giving up my left hand, how about converting my entire body next?”
「Stop right there. Seriously.」
“Why? If this test went well, wouldn’t converting the rest be fine too? Besides, I don’t have much attachment to my human body anyway.”
A few others had similar thoughts, but considering what happened to them… Hmm…
Ah, Encia has the divine essence to act as the core, so she might be alright?
However, it can’t be denied that it’s a dangerous endeavor.
「Let’s take it step by step. Slowly. Once we do something irreversible and end up with an uncontrollable problem, it’ll be troublesome.」
Well, in the worst-case scenario, I could probably handle it somehow.
“Hmm. In that case, I should gradually transform my body bit by bit.”
「Right. Taking it step by step is key.」
And thus, Encia began slowly transforming her body, starting with her left hand, moving on to her entire left arm, both legs, then her right arm and internal organs.
Using magic, she recreated the necessary biological organs for life, altering everything except her heart and brain. It reminded me of Theseus’ ship, yet I couldn’t stop her.
Not that stopping her would’ve done any good since Encia wasn’t listening anyway. It would’ve been useless.
「I wish Sia would live more as a human.」
“Between living as a human and attaining divinity to become a god, which is more important needs no explanation, right?”
Ugh… Indeed, who would refuse ascending after finishing their life and becoming a god? Who would deny transcending the limitations of the physical body and reaching divinity? It must feel like liberation from finite life, weak power, and the constraints of existence. Sacrificing one’s life to become a god…
That’s why Encia didn’t listen to me.
“Tiara doesn’t understand humans. She doesn’t understand life. She doesn’t understand the meaning of living within limited time.”
「To tell the Goddess of Life that she doesn’t understand life—someone might call that blasphemous if they heard it, you know?」
“But it’s true. Tiara exists in such a lofty place, watching over the world eternally. Everything in this world likely feels insignificant and frail to her. Still, despite that, she continues to watch over and nurture this world. That’s why I believe Tiara deserves respect.”
「Respect, huh…」
“Comparing Tiara to a human, it’s like she’s taking care of tiny ants… No, creatures even smaller than ants. She helps lives that could easily be disregarded.
But I imagine she finds it tiresome.”
Tiresome, huh… Hmm. Is it really that bad?
I’m not sure. Sometimes it gets frustrating when things don’t go as planned, but my basic approach is laissez-faire… Hmm. Is it truly laissez-faire? Have I ever neglected life?
Excluding the times I hibernated… Hmm… Almost never? Did I neglect anything?
If someone prays, I answer their prayers, cleanse souls after death and reincarnate them, punish unruly gods who harass life, and do various other tasks…
Hmm… Have I done almost everything?
“So, I think it’s best for Tiara to gather plenty of subordinates to assist her.”
「She already has many children, though.」
One ran away, but the others are doing their respective jobs… Hmm… Though Sylphid doesn’t really have much to do. But once more people start sailing across the vast seas, he’ll naturally find work.
Since I’ve created fragments to handle the duties of the Goddess of Life and the duties governing death, I’ve gained enough leisure time to even hibernate without issue.
“The best thing would be to do absolutely nothing, I think.”
「Doing absolutely nothing has its issues too.」
“Tiara, thinking that way sounds like work addiction.”
「Is it?」
“Yeah. Tiara has done so much for such a long time, maybe it’s become instinctive for her to seek out tasks?”
Work addiction at an instinctual level? What is that even?
“If the world Tiara has nurtured isn’t as fragile as she thinks…”
Encia spoke with conviction, but… Is it really? Is it really going to be okay?
If I let go and only observe… Will it really be fine?
I’m not sure. I hope so, but… I hope! There are still many uncertainties!
“And if I become a god, then I can help Tiara, right?”
「Even just hearing you say that makes me grateful.」
“Just saying it? I mean it!”
Encia then transformed her body composed of magical power into a semi-transparent state.
Having changed every part except her heart and brain, Encia had reached the very edge of humanity.
Just one more step, and she would ascend to godhood, becoming a deity while still possessing a human body.
「Are you sure you won’t regret this?」
“What regrets do I have left? My parents have passed, and my disciple has grown into a proper mage.”
「But… You’re giving up being human.」
“Tiara, you place far too much value on humanity.”
Encia spoke calmly, as if correcting my flawed thinking, suggesting it wasn’t the right answer.
“I don’t know why Tiara places such great significance on humans, but humans aren’t as remarkable as she thinks they are.”
「…」
“Looking at Tiara’s actions, it’s clear she cherishes humans. She values them deeply. But humans aren’t valuable enough to warrant such care.”
「But…」
I was once human…
I swallowed those words back before they could escape.
“I don’t understand why you cherish them so much. But I believe humans aren’t worth delaying ascension to maintain their existence.”
「Is that so?」
“That’s so.”
Encia gave a small smile.
It seemed she found joy in our exchange, like a role reversal of sorts.
「Still, to Cecil as your disciple…」
“I’ll pass everything on to Cecil. And once I become the God of Magic, I’ll always keep an eye on him.”
But will that child accept it?
Even if Encia ascends to godhood, will those left behind see it the same way?
Which led me to think…
“Is that so?”
Her nonchalant acceptance left me no choice but to agree.
「Surprisingly compliant.」
“As a mage, handling magic means wielding immense power, so danger inevitably accompanies it. Thus, being a mage is akin to always having death close by.”
Mages being that dangerous… Hmm… Can’t really deny that.
After all, mishandling magic can lead to massive explosions anytime.
“Mages are individuals who prepare themselves for such dangers while honing their skills.”
“Except for the teacher though.”
「Exception?」
“Exception? Why?”
“Well, you casually use magic that breaks the mage’s common sense of altering weather, and you don’t even look strained. Meanwhile, when I try to change the weather once, I nearly collapse from exhaustion.”
At Cecil’s comment, Encia started pretending to be distracted, glancing away.
“It’s just the greatness of the magic Tiara taught me! Cecil, you may get tired, but it’s not dangerous for you, right?”
“True, but whenever I hear news of mages dying due to accidents, it gives me chills. Still, I don’t regret becoming a mage.”
「You don’t regret it, then.」
I had heard a bit about Encia’s disciple. Being a mage is undoubtedly better than being a slave.
Anyway, after Encia and her disciple exchanged some appropriate conversation…
“Therefore, as I am about to ascend and become a god, I intend to pass on everything I have to you.”
“Everything you have, Teacher?”
“Yes. I have no children, and Cecil, you’re my only disciple. There’s no one else to pass it on to besides you.”
Cecil pondered Encia’s words for a moment before responding.
“Understood. I shall inherit the legacy of my teacher and strive to ensure your name is remembered forever.”
“Ah, that’s unnecessary. Actually, I’d prefer if you erased my name entirely.”
“Wha-?!”
Encia’s request shocked Cecil.
He couldn’t comprehend the idea of erasing his teacher’s name.
“Why? The name of such a great mage should be etched in history forever!”
“Well, I’m ascending beyond humanity to become a god. Having my human name linger indefinitely feels like it would become a shackle.”
“A shackle…?”
Ah, [Sientia ≠ Encia] still bothers him, it seems.
“So, attribute all my accomplishments to you. All my wealth, the countless books I’ve collected, the rights to the books I’ve written—all of it, take it.”
“But…”
Cecil clearly struggled to accept such a request. Of course, it’s hard to grasp being asked to take everything from someone like a parent figure.
“In return… Hmm. Let me ask you one favor.”
As if trying to lighten Cecil’s burden, Encia added.
“Yes, yes! I’ll fulfill any request you make! Just speak!”
With determination gleaming in his eyes, Cecil responded to Encia’s words. Watching him, Encia smiled faintly and continued.
“Gather as much knowledge and as many books as possible. And construct a building—a library—to store those books. Name it after Sientia. That’s my request.”
“A library…?”
“Yes. Build a structure filled with as much of the world’s knowledge as possible and dedicate it to Sientia. That’s my final request.”
That was Encia’s last wish.
