〈Chapter 432〉 No. 13
The kaleidoscope shattered, and the boundary crumbled.
Present and future intertwined.
No. 13 realized that her body would soon house another version of her soul.
In essence, it was the same soul, though strictly speaking, a distinct one.
If it were to happen, she’d behave like someone with a dual personality.
The soul felt indistinguishable, akin to having a twin.
This clearly deviated from Aslan’s expectations or assumptions.
Even if they were technically the same soul, past and future entities weren’t supposed to mix.
Even identical souls carried different histories shaped by time, which inherently differentiated them.
But she wasn’t just any being—she was practically a god of magic.
Despite minor differences, her body could accommodate a soul originating from the same starting point, and even distinguish between them.
Aslan had mentioned that her mana exceeding forty levels surpassed even divine power, a realm untouched by any evil deity.
She wagered her existence on this fact.
Though she couldn’t destroy the overarching kaleidoscope itself, localized destruction was within her reach.
The tightly clenched fists and interlocked hands symbolized the principle behind breaking the kaleidoscope.
Shattered fragments flew as she aligned her soul with the current No. 13.
Of course, the immense mana and powerful magic accumulated by the future No. 13 would fade.
But it didn’t matter.
If the No. 13 from this desolate world could connect, then surely the No. 13 before her could too.
Moreover, this No. 13 wasn’t alone.
Gripping her interlocked hands firmly, she exhaled softly.
Aslan had said:
The only way to save No. 13 was for the No. 13 in Aslan’s timeline to inhabit her body.
Valerie had warned:
If No. 13’s soul entered another body, the vessel would likely burst under the strain.
Thus, Aslan had advised explaining the situation to the No. 13 in her own timeline and seeking cooperation.
At least until Tiyalmisof or Ados could create a new body for No. 13, allowing her spirit to reside there.
But now it seemed unnecessary.
No. 13 met her own eyes.
The two pairs of eyes shared the same color and shape but carried subtle differences.
Despair, pain, tragedy, and sorrow weighed heavily in the eyes of the future No. 13.
While the present No. 13’s eyes, though unaware of such suffering, bore faint traces of empathy and fear upon recognizing what lay ahead.
No. 13 understood herself.
And No. 13 willingly chose to accept herself.
It wasn’t solely out of compassion.
The corporeal No. 13 knew accepting an essentially identical entity would pose no burden or problem.
The disembodied No. 13 recognized the significant help she could provide.
Thus, the two women—essentially the same being—agreed.
[No. 13]
[Level: 8]
[Strength 1] [Agility 3] [Health 2]
[Mana 34] [Will 1] [Luck 5]
Upon agreement, a kind of suction enveloped No. 13.
Divine power infused her body, causing her mana to grow.
There was no need for Aslan to use pure divine power.
Her soul seemed to be returning to where it belonged, drawing her toward the body of No. 13 from a different time.
It was a sort of homing instinct for the soul.
With a clear destination and precise direction, her path became a conduit capable of altering time itself.
Keeeee!
Before Aslan’s eyes, space appeared to split apart.
To Aslan, it was strangely familiar.
It resembled the rift in spacetime she’d witnessed when Captain Aslan first revealed herself.
Realizing something was happening, Aslan leapt forward impulsively but paused mid-leap, turning her head to look at Valerie.
Valerie stood there as if expecting her gaze, her hair fluttering in the wind blowing through the rift despite being the mistress of parallel worlds.
She adjusted the scarf-like hair around her neck and brushed her bangs behind her ear.
Clearly, she understood what Aslan wanted to ask.
“Did you foresee this?”
Confused, Aslan asked.
Instead of answering, Valerie shrugged.
Understanding nothing from her gesture, Aslan turned back to the rift with a subtle expression.
She had to return.
Not returning wasn’t an option.
Yet many questions lingered.
How could the Dark Ram and Valerie possess such abilities, and why did they use them?
Their goals and motives remained unclear, as did their principles and true nature.
Nothing was known.
There wasn’t much time left to ask.
After a brief internal conflict, Aslan voiced her most critical question.
“Why go to such lengths?”
“You’re definitely the Dark Ram’s collaborator.”
Though barely suppressed, Valerie seemed to understand and grinned playfully—the same grin she wore when she first appeared.
Aslan realized Valerie’s purpose couldn’t simply be to devour her like the Dark Ram.
If so, it would be bafflingly inefficient and overly generous.
People cherish livestock they intend to eat, but few treat their beloved pets that way.
Valerie’s attitude toward Aslan felt closer to the latter.
A pet-like feeling, treated generously even knowing it might escape or regain freedom.
This made Aslan all the more confused about the difference between the Dark Ram and Valerie.
Only Valerie could provide answers.
Looking at Valerie for this reason, Aslan watched as Valerie studied her expression for a while before sighing deeply and saying,
“It’s not always about chewing. There are other ways to consume.”
Perplexed, Aslan stiffened, prompting Valerie to clap her hands.
“Anything further is a secret. It wouldn’t be fun otherwise. Figure it out yourself.”
“I am….”
“Hmm, I won’t listen.”
Before Aslan could protest, another Valerie pushed her into the rift.
Anna Helmenius.
Mayor of the city of wizards and one of the greatest contemporary mages, she suddenly awoke in the dead of night.
An incredibly powerful surge of mana was emanating from the center of her residence.
She rose from her bed, still clad in her sleeping gown, and stepped outside.
“What could have happened? Who could produce such a mana reaction…?”
The mana response she felt.
Its density was almost catastrophic.
By sheer volume alone, it rivaled her own.
Anna Helmenius, a hybrid of Green with an extraordinary mana capacity ranking among the top in the world, tensed up as she stepped outside.
The sensation of mana was almost instantaneous—it seemed like a very powerful but short-lived spell had been cast.
Anna quickly moved toward the source of the mana.
“Anna.”
A sprawling four-story mansion with terraces surrounding a central garden.
As Anna hurried across, Tiyalmisof appeared.
The striking mechanical mage with a feminine voice approached Anna, who had quickened her pace, and nodded.
“What is the matter?”
Once close enough, Anna, without slowing down, urgently questioned her, abandoning her usual politeness.
Though typically irksome, Tiyalmisof paid it no mind, seeing it as an opportunity to fulfill her role.
“A tremendous mana reaction. Though I don’t know your opinion, it seems to be non-explosive in nature. It resembles wild magic but has hints of divinity…”
“No, no! Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“Well, it’s unlikely to be an ambush.”
Tiyalmisof’s concise answer caused Anna, who had anticipated an attack, to frown.
“If someone could launch such a powerful ambush, it would likely be an evil deity—but none skilled in magic remain alive.”
“Then….”
“Specter. A highly powerful mage may have ascended to become a high priest. With the vacancy in the upper ranks of the predator priests, it’s possible.”
A foreboding sensation arose. Naturally, Anna’s pace quickened, and Tiyalmisof hurried to keep up, the metallic clinks and scuffing sounds echoing as they approached a room.
A bedroom Anna had created long ago while yearning for her daughter, its decor unmistakably girlish yet slightly unsettling to outsiders—a room originally intended for her deceased child.
Now, it was used by No. 13.
For this reason, Anna Helmenius visibly grew anxious, while Tiyalmisof subtly revealed her distaste through her emotionless steel face.
While understanding maternal love, she found it somewhat repulsive as a fellow grand mage during these moments.
Sighing, Tiyalmisof ascended the stairs two or three at a time.
“She’ll be fine. No. 13 has exceptional magical talent, and her recent studies have focused on defense. She can endure.”
“But….”
“Stay calm and analyze the situation. Use your intellect. You’re a wizard, aren’t you?”
To another mage, this respect from the progenitor of magic would have elicited wide-eyed awe, but Anna, seemingly worried about No. 13’s safety, paid it little heed.
Eventually, Tiyalmisof sighed again and rushed ahead to No. 13’s bedroom.
Under the moonlit shadows, the glass windows of the top floor swayed uneasily.
Tiyalmisof approached the large door of the expansive top-floor bedroom and grasped the handle.
She contemplated the worst-case scenario beyond an ambush.
What if No. 13 couldn’t control a mana overload?
Even with perfect design and process, perfection wasn’t guaranteed afterward, so she pondered whether there was a way to stop it besides killing.
She would kill without hesitation if lives were endangered, but she preferred not to destroy a finished product.
Strangely silent bedroom. Tiyalmisof tensely turned the doorknob.
Neither the widespread destruction from a mana explosion she anticipated nor the ambush Anna feared greeted her.
It was a third scenario.
Opening the door revealed No. 13.
Drenched in sweat, breathing heavily—precisely, the No. 13 of this timeline had fainted due to mana depletion, leaving the consciousness temporarily handed over to the future No. 13.
Upon opening the door, both Tiyalmisof and Anna froze, scrutinizing No. 13 closely.
Anna checked for injuries, while Tiyalmisof analyzed residual mana to assess the situation.
The room was saturated with mana.
Conversely, No. 13’s body held almost none.
Thanks to the elf’s blessing, recovery was imminent, but…
The events were evident.
No. 13 had exhausted her mana.
How?
For an unconventional purpose.
Especially considering her disheveled appearance and erratic breathing, a thought emerged.
Given No. 13’s physical age, such desires were unsurprising, making it a natural occurrence.
Uncertain if using strong mana for self-comfort was appropriate, Anna fell silent.
She hesitated whether to advise moderation or apologize for interrupting.
However, Tiyalmisof nodded approvingly at No. 13.
“I understand. My first magical artifact served a similar purpose. Though it’s scarcely known publicly.”
Anna stared incredulously at Tiyalmisof, while Aslan, hiding in No. 13’s room, squeezed her eyes shut.
Words that the original No. 13 wouldn’t have understood but were starkly explicit to the future No. 13.
Too explicit, evoking recent actions vividly.
Attempting to defuse the situation, No. 13 hastily closed the door, leaving Tiyalmisof with the last sight of her blushing face.
*
