Book 1 Chapter 948

948.

Leo let out a wry smile at her unwavering answer.

'If it's like Luna, it's a typical Luna answer.'

He knew without asking why she wouldn't change it.

It wasn't simply because she would be sacrificing her current companions.

"I'll have regrets too. I want to change it. But."

Luna's eyes shone clearly like stars.

"No matter the outcome, it's a result I created by doing my best."

Luna was an elf who cherished every single moment.

Her unwavering passion for magic and continuous research, even in a dying world, wasn't just because she loved magic.

It was because she believed that the efforts meticulously built up, at this very moment, could positively change the future.

The results obtained by doing her best.

Whether by luck or by misfortune.

They hold meaning in any form.

That's why, to Luna, nothing was more meaningless than regretting the past and trying to change it.

Luna was an elf who thought it was more right to invest that time in a better future.

Especially if it meant sacrificing her current companions for that past.

"Well, that's how I feel. Opinions differ from person to person."

Luna smiled sweetly and looked at Lisinas.

"Lisinas, what do you think?"

Lisinas pondered deeply at Luna's question.

"It's difficult."

Lisinas muttered briefly and looked at Leo's red eyes.

"You said your name was Leo, right? Although we've only met for a short time, I can pretty much guess what kind of person you are."

Lisinas smiled faintly.

"You seem like the type of person who doesn't regret the past much. Like someone I know."

Lisinas' keen insight saw through much of Leo's eyes.

And she immediately noticed that Leo resembled Kyle the moment they met.

'Though he seems to have a brighter personality than Kyle.'

"I believe there are many reasons why you, of all people, are conflicted about the past."

"……"

"If it's purely for self-satisfaction, I wouldn't recommend changing the past. But."

"But?"

"If it's for you to become a better person than your past self. And if you're trying to change the past for that reason. Then I would say go for it."

Lisinas sensed that Leo was wavering.

That's why she gave him this advice.

Leo let out a hollow laugh at Lisinas' words.

'As expected, he's unnecessarily perceptive.'

Past Kyle had effectively abandoned Leisart.

Kyle knew that if things continued like this, Leisart would collapse soon.

Of course, it collapsed even faster than Kyle had predicted.

So, anything that could be attempted in Guardsron was fundamentally blocked.

Guardsron, which had suffered heavy damage from the invasion of the Giant King Gias, had no capacity at the time.

To survive, the rotten flesh had to be cut out.

A decision that someone had to make.

Even so, if Kyle had been a little less ruthless back then.

Perhaps he could have saved quite a few more people.

That remained as Kyle's regret and burden from that time.

Of course, during the era of disaster, Kyle carried countless regrets and burdens.

Yet, the reason this particular event occupied such a large space in his heart was because of Arion.

Arion, who lost his master due to this incident, grieved over it until his death.

'To become a better me…'

Leo made a resolution.

He would end this fight without losing anyone.

That "not losing anyone" included Leo's own life.

His past life was a more desperate one than anyone else's.

Having lost so many things, he eventually stopped valuing his own life.

But in the end, he lost everything, and the life he thought had no value was lost after saving the world.

He who lived as if there was no future, only after dying and being reborn, realized the preciousness of the future.

And he also realized his own worth.

Leo closed his eyes.

Even if he saved Leisart a hundred times in the hero's world, the past wouldn't change.

But at least his old friend, who was forced to remain in this era.

Arion would be happier than anyone else.

He would be able to shed the burden on his heart.

'Then saving Leisart has value.'

A companion more precious than his own life.

Now, a friend as precious as his own life.

'I won't let Erebus take anything more.'

Leo opened his eyes.

And he looked at Lisinas.

'It's the same as always, telling me the path I must take.'

"You seem to have made up your mind."

Luna admired Leo.

Then she clenched her fist as if to cheer him on.

"Whatever you choose, I hope it's a choice you won't regret."

Although Luna had answered that she wouldn't change the past, that was Luna's own decision.

Mages are beings who must pursue various possibilities from various perspectives.

Luna respected Leo's decision.

And she gave him a push.

Leo smiled, seeing his friends leading him and pushing him forward.

***

When he arrived home, Kyle was sitting on a chair outside the house.

"Lisinas? Are you okay now?"

"Yes. More importantly, why are you out here?"

"The kids seemed to be playing well together. I don't really like noisy places."

Kyle had given them space because Berchia and Vihar seemed unusually excited.

"By the way, who is that?"

"He's a friend of the children. I met him on the way and brought him along."

Leo muttered inwardly as he saw his past self looking at him with a crooked gaze.

'I've felt this before. From a third-person perspective, I looked pretty annoying back then.'

"He's a cocky-looking kid."

Kyle, perhaps having similar thoughts upon seeing his future self, revealed his inner thoughts directly.

"Lisinas. Let me talk to you for a moment."

"Yes. Leo, you go inside and meet your friends."

Lisinas smiled faintly and pushed Leo's back.

And as Kyle came out to the street in front of the house with Lisinas.

"Take this!"

"Ugh!?"

Luna, who had been hiding in the alley, lunged forward and delivered a dropkick to Kyle's side.

"Hoo! That was refreshing."

As Luna brushed off her hands with a relieved expression, Kyle, who had sprung up, grabbed Luna's ear.

"What is the meaning of this? You damn long-ear."

"Ow, ow, ow, ow! Let go! Let go!"

Luna ferociously swung her fists at Kyle.

Of course, Kyle dodged Luna's attacks and pulled her ear even harder.

"Kyle."

"Yes?"

*Crack!*

Lisinas jabbed Kyle's temple with her elbow.

"Hoo."

Lisinas also had a refreshed expression.

Seeing that, Leo reaffirmed his resolve.

'As expected, let's not reveal that I'm Kyle.'

It seemed to be for his own good.

Lisinas grabbed Kyle by the scruff of his neck and dragged him away.

Meanwhile, Leo entered his old house.

"Huh? Leo?"

"Leo-nim?"

"Ah, Chairman!"

Kal, with a troubled expression, widened his eyes upon seeing Leo.

Eiran and Perena also looked surprised upon seeing Leo.

Meanwhile.

Leo glanced around the inside of the house.

Berchia and Vihar were at opposite ends of the living room.

Berchia was hugging Eiran from behind, and Vihar was with Perena.

"What is this situation?"

"Um. Lisinas-nim's faction and Luna-nim's faction?"

Kal replied with an awkward laugh, and Berchia said.

"You're his friends too, right? Then decide. Who is more suited to Master Kyle: Lisinas-nim or Luna-nim?"

At Berchia's words, Leo looked at Eiran.

"Um. Since I'm an elf, of course…"

"Yes, yes."

"Lisinas-nim is more suited. Perena. Don't you think so too?"

"Yes. Well… that's what I think."

"I'm neutral, for reference."

Kal smiled brightly.

Seeing Kal like that, Berchia grumbled in a sharp voice.

"Bat."

"Flap flap."

"Ugh, how annoying."

Berchia bickered with Kal, who acted slyly.

Since Kal had formed a friendship with Berchia during Gias's invasion, they playfully matched each other.

Berchia shot Kal a glare and then approached Leo.

"Anyway, you choose too! Well! Master Luna is incredibly too good for Master Kyle, though!"

Berchia said, puffing out her chin with a triumphant look.

Leo unhesitatingly smacked Berchia on the head.

"Ouch! What is the meaning of this!"

"Who is too good for whom?"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Leo pulled Berchia's ear with his fingers.

Berchia struggled and tried to bite him, but Leo easily dodged.

"Leo-nim!"

Eiran hastily tried to stop Leo.

Having narrowly escaped Leo's hand, Berchia hid behind Eiran and glared at Leo.

Vihar muttered, looking at Leo.

"There's another person like Master."

Vihar muttered with a look of wonder, and his eyes met Leo's for a moment.

Then, Vihar, feeling a sting, averted his gaze unconsciously.

'As expected of Leo. Even in disguise, he perfectly subdues both of them.'

Kal muttered inwardly.

"Kal."

"Yes?"

"Let's talk outside for a bit."

"Yeah? Alright."

Kal nodded.

Berchia stuck out her tongue towards Leo's retreating back.

Of course, when her eyes met Leo's, she had to have her tongue grabbed this time.

Watching Berchia being punished, Vihar muttered.

"He really resembles Master…"

***

"Arion-nim! Let's look for Argon-nim together!"

Ar said, his eyes sparkling.

"Huh? You'll help me look for Master?"

"Of course! Just trust me!"

Ar pounded his chest with his fist as if to say, 'Trust me!'

"Thank you!"

Arion smiled brightly and took Ar's hand.

"Huff! Huff!"

Ar's eyes widened, and he began to breathe heavily.

Arion quickly let go of Ar's hand.

"Arion-nim-nyaaaaah?!"

"Yes, yes. That's enough. Don't scare this person any further."

As Ar was about to pounce, Azonia, who had intervened, grabbed Ar by the scruff of his neck.

Watching Azonia like that, Arion muttered blankly.

"Cool."

"Don't act like you're smitten with me. You damn wolf. I already like someone."

"You like Arion-nim, don't you!"

"What nonsense is this foolish cat talking! Didn't you hear me?!"

"Aaaargh! But! Beastmen! All like Arion-nim!"

Watching Ar being punished by Azonia while talking as he pleased, Arion, who had unconsciously laughed, suddenly felt a throbbing in his head.

'Ugh?! What is this?'

He clutched his head, closed his eyes, and opened them again.

'Where is this…'

Arion looked around.

'Leisart…? Why am I here…? Ah, to meet Master Argon.'

His consciousness flickered and returned.

'These beastmen…? I've never seen them before… or have I? It feels like I have…'

Arion looked at Azonia and Ar.

'The cat-type beastman… her name was Ar, wasn't it?'

As he thought that far, Arion's eyes widened.

'Ah…'

Memories began to flood back clearly.

'This is…'

Arion looked up at the sky.

And he understood the situation.

'It's the past.'