For a brief moment, silence settled over the gathering.
The warm afternoon breeze drifted through the trees surrounding the park, carrying with it the scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers. The monument of Akashino Shitetsu stood proudly behind them, its stone surface reflecting the golden sunlight.
Yet despite the peaceful scenery, everyone's attention remained focused on the small girl standing before them.
Catherine.
A visitor from the future.
Ryūsei's granddaughter.
And perhaps the person carrying the greatest burden among them all.
The revelation had already shaken everyone enough.
A corrupted Elementalist from the future.
Time travel.
A looming threat that endangered the entire Elemental World.
Yet somehow, what happened next managed to surprise them even more.
Ryūshi slowly folded his arms.
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Catherine before shifting his gaze toward Jikan.
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"Well this one's a shocker."
His voice carried genuine surprise.
He slowly walked toward Jikan while scratching the back of his head.
"Seems like you already knew from the very beginning, weren't you?"
Jikan merely smiled.
The Crowned Dragon of Time looked completely unbothered.
"What gave it away?"
Ryūshi let out a tired sigh.
"I suspected they were related because their Elemental Arts felt somewhat similar."
His gaze shifted toward Catherine.
"But I never expected something like this."
Even Ryūshi, someone who had lived for thousands of years and witnessed countless impossible events, looked genuinely caught off guard.
Time travel itself wasn't shocking.
Future descendants weren't shocking.
But seeing Ryūsei's future granddaughter standing before him?
That was something else entirely.
Catherine nervously clasped her hands together.
"I can't tell you any more details about what happened in the future..."
Her voice grew quieter.
"As it would ruin the entire Space-Time Continuum—"
Unfortunately, she never got the chance to finish.
Yuki suddenly appeared beside her.
"My grandniece is so cute!"
"Eh?!"
Before anyone could react, Yuki grabbed both of Catherine's cheeks.
Squish.
Catherine's face immediately deformed under Yuki's assault.
"Mmmph?!"
Yuki's eyes sparkled.
The future traveler looked less like a heroic warrior from another timeline and more like an adorable doll being attacked by an affectionate aunt.
"So soft!"
"Mmpphhh!!"
Yuki pinched harder.
Catherine desperately tried to pull away.
Her tiny arms flailed helplessly.
Shadow immediately facepalmed.
"Yuki."
His voice carried the exhaustion of a man who had endured this behavior for years.
"Could you at least let her finish talking before doing something like that?"
He pointed toward Catherine.
"Besides, you're hurting her."
Yuki blinked.
Then finally released the poor girl.
Catherine immediately stumbled backward while rubbing her abused cheeks.
"T-Thank you..."
She looked as though she had narrowly survived a life-threatening battle.
Shizen stepped forward and bowed politely.
"I'm very sorry for her actions."
He rubbed his forehead.
"She's a little too girly when it comes to cute things."
Yuki pouted.
"What's wrong with appreciating cuteness?"
"Everything."
Shadow answered instantly.
The entire group laughed.
Even Catherine couldn't help smiling.
For the first time since arriving in the past, she felt somewhat relaxed.
These people...
They really did resemble the stories her father used to tell.
Kasai suddenly raised his hand.
"Before we continue."
Everyone looked toward him.
He pointed directly at Jikan.
"Who exactly is this guy?"
The question instantly redirected everyone's attention.
Jikan froze.
"..."
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
Ryūshi immediately sensed trouble.
A lot of trouble.
"Hello there."
Jikan stepped forward.
"I forgot to introduce myself."
He casually adjusted his coat.
"My name is Kanji Shitetsu."
A dramatic pause followed.
"Nice to meet all of you."
The world stopped.
For exactly three seconds.
Then—
"S-S-S-SHITETSU?!"
Everyone screamed simultaneously.
Birds immediately flew away from nearby trees.
Even Ryūsei jumped.
The reaction was so loud that several nearby civilians turned to look at the park.
Ryūshi immediately buried his face into his hand.
His soul physically left his body.
"I know we need to hide our identities..."
Ryūshi muttered internally.
"But couldn't he have picked literally any other last name?"
He slowly turned toward Jikan.
The Time Dragon was grinning like a mischievous child.
Jikan pointed at Ryūshi.
"Oh."
Everyone followed his finger.
"I'm Ryu's older brother."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Ryūsei slowly looked toward Ryūshi.
Ryūshi slowly looked toward Ryūsei.
Catherine slowly looked toward the sky.
"He's so dead."
Ryūsei thought.
"He's definitely dead."
Catherine agreed internally.
Fortunately, Catherine quickly intervened before things spiraled completely out of control.
She clapped her hands together.
"Anyway!"
Everyone looked back toward her.
"What were we talking about?"
The subject change worked immediately.
Ryūsei raised his hand.
"Why are you here in our timeline?"
His expression became serious.
Despite everything, this was the question that mattered most.
Catherine's smile faded slightly.
She took a deep breath.
Then answered.
"I traveled back in time with the help of an ancient spell."
Her eyes drifted toward Jikan.
"A spell belonging to the Crowned Dragon of Time."
The reaction was immediate.
"You met a Crowned Dragon?!"
Everyone stared at her in shock.
Even Kasai looked impressed.
Catherine nodded.
"Yes."
Her voice carried admiration.
"He came to our aid when everything seemed hopeless."
She smiled softly.
"Without him, I would never have reached this era."
Nearby, Jikan awkwardly looked away.
Compliments always made him uncomfortable.
Kasai immediately leaned toward Ryūsei.
"Amazing."
Ryūsei already disliked that tone.
"Your granddaughter is cooler than you."
"Kasai."
"She met a Crowned Dragon."
"Kasai."
"Meanwhile you struggle to pass history class."
"Kasai."
The fire Elementalist burst out laughing.
Shizen quickly returned the conversation to its original direction.
"Why did you come here?"
His voice became serious.
"What happened in the future?"
The atmosphere immediately changed.
The playful mood vanished.
Catherine lowered her gaze.
Her fingers tightened.
The smile disappeared from her face.
"To stop my friend."
The words came quietly.
"So he won't destroy the Elemental World."
A heavy silence followed.
Kasai blinked.
"A friend?"
He looked confused.
"A friend who's trying to destroy the world?"
He scratched his head.
"I don't really see the friend part."
The instant those words left his mouth—
Catherine's expression crumbled.
"He isn't like that."
Her voice trembled.
Everyone froze.
"He was never like that."
Tears began forming in her eyes.
"He was just corrupted..."
Her shoulders shook.
"He was corrupted because of me."
The first tear fell.
Then another.
Then another.
Everyone immediately glared at Kasai.
The fire Elementalist pointed at himself.
"What?"
The death stares intensified.
"I didn't even do anything!"
Ryūsei moved first.
Without hesitation, he walked toward Catherine.
Then gently wrapped his arms around her.
The small girl froze.
"Hey."
His voice was warm.
"It's alright."
More tears rolled down her cheeks.
"It's not your fault."
Ryūsei smiled softly.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened."
The words shattered whatever strength Catherine had left.
She buried her face into his shoulder.
And cried.
For a while, nobody spoke.
They simply allowed her to release years of pain.
Years of guilt.
Years of regret.
Eventually, Catherine managed to speak.
"We've been friends for so long..."
Her voice shook.
"I never noticed."
Another tear fell.
"I never noticed he felt that way."
The group listened quietly.
"The day he confessed..."
She lowered her head.
"I wasn't ready."
Pain filled her eyes.
"I didn't understand what he was going through."
Her voice broke.
"I didn't understand how much he was suffering."
She clenched her fists.
"And instead of helping him..."
Her shoulders trembled.
"I became another burden."
Everyone remained silent.
There was nothing they could say.
No easy answer.
No magical solution.
Only understanding.
Yuki eventually stepped forward.
She gently hugged Catherine.
"It's okay."
Her voice sounded unusually mature.
"We're here now."
Catherine looked up.
Yuki smiled.
"We'll figure something out together."
A small smile appeared on Catherine's face.
The first genuine smile she'd shown since arriving.
"Yeah."
Shizen nodded firmly.
"We'll save your friend."
His voice carried absolute certainty.
"Corruption or not."
Nearby, Shadow remained unusually quiet.
His eyes studied Catherine carefully.
Analyzing.
Observing.
Thinking.
Dark blue hair.
Blue eyes.
Gentle personality.
Surprisingly mature.
Emotionally fragile.
"..."
Shadow's eyes widened slightly.
"What are you thinking?"
Shizen asked.
Shadow rubbed his chin.
"Kayosha."
The water Elementalist looked up.
"Hm?"
"You're the only blue-haired person I know who's this close to Ryūsei."
The entire group froze.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Shadow pointed at Catherine.
"Could you be her grandmother?"
The park exploded.
"WHAT?!"
Kayosha nearly dropped dead from embarrassment.
"W-W-W-WHAT?!"
Her face turned bright red.
"SHADOW!!"
Even Catherine looked startled.
Shizen sighed.
"It's possible."
Then he frowned.
"But wouldn't her Elemental Art resemble Kayosha's?"
Shadow nodded.
"Good point."
Then he turned toward Catherine.
"If it's alright..."
He hesitated.
"What is your Elemental Art?"
Catherine froze.
Immediately.
Her expression stiffened.
Everyone noticed.
Yuki crossed her arms.
"Shadow."
"Yes?"
"Stop asking questions that could destroy the future."
"Fair."
The group laughed again.
Thankfully easing the tension.
Catherine smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry."
She lowered her head.
"My Elemental Art is..."
She hesitated.
"A little complicated."
Nobody pushed further.
Kayosha instead offered a cheerful smile.
"Well."
She crossed her arms proudly.
"If you're Ryūsei's granddaughter."
Her grin widened.
"You must have an incredibly powerful Elemental Art."
Catherine froze.
Then stared at Kayosha.
For some reason—
Her eyes became watery again.
"T-Thank you."
Her voice trembled.
"That really means a lot."
Nobody understood why those words affected her so deeply.
But Catherine clearly treasured them.
Ryūsei smiled.
Then placed a hand on her head.
"Catherine."
She looked up.
"I promise."
His voice carried absolute conviction.
"We'll rescue your friend."
The future traveler stared at him.
For a moment, she saw not the teenage boy before her.
But the legendary hero spoken of in her father's stories.
A warm smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
The words caused Ryūsei to awkwardly scratch his cheek.
He still wasn't used to being called that.
Yet moments later—
The smile vanished.
Everyone noticed.
Her eyes became distant.
Sad.
Lonely.
"Catherine?"
Ryūsei's voice softened.
"What's wrong?"
Yuki immediately moved closer.
"Yeah."
She gently squeezed Catherine's shoulder.
"You can tell us."
For several moments, Catherine remained silent.
As though debating whether she should say it.
Finally—
She spoke.
"It's just that..."
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
"In the future..."
Tears slowly formed once more.
"I never met you."
The words struck like lightning.
Everyone froze.
"I never even once spoke to you, Grandpa."
The world seemed to stop.
"You weren't there during my childhood."
"WHAT?!"
The entire group exploded.
Kasai immediately pointed at Ryūsei.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"WHY ARE YOU BLAMING ME?!"
Yuki smacked him.
Shadow smacked him.
Kayosha smacked him.
Even Shizen smacked him.
Ryūsei nearly fell over.
Meanwhile, Ryūshi stood completely still.
A cold feeling ran through him.
Not there?
What did that mean?
Was Ryūsei dead?
No.
That wasn't possible.
Right?
For the first time since arriving, genuine concern appeared in the Crowned Dragon's eyes.
Ryūsei swallowed.
Then quietly asked the question nobody wanted answered.
"So where am I?"
Catherine looked at him.
Then smiled sadly.
"Grandpa and Grandma..."
Her voice trembled.
"They're no longer in the Elemental World."
Silence.
"My father only told me stories about you."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"Stories about your adventures."
Her smile grew weaker.
"Stories about the people you saved."
She looked directly at Ryūsei.
"And seeing you now..."
Her eyes glistened.
"Even if you're only the younger version."
Her smile became brighter than before.
Warmer.
More genuine.
"It makes me really happy."
And beneath the golden light of the afternoon sun, surrounded by friends, family, and legends beyond imagination—
Catherine smiled.
A smile she had waited her entire life to show.
To the grandfather she had only ever known through stories.
The conversation inside the palace slowly began to settle into something more serious.
What had once been a chaotic reunion filled with teasing, shock, and emotional revelations gradually shifted into a heavy atmosphere of responsibility. The kind that always followed when Crowned Dragons became involved.
Outside the palace windows, the sky had already begun to dim. The golden glow of afternoon sunlight faded into the deeper hues of evening, casting long shadows across the stone floors of the royal residence.
The calm was temporary.
Everyone could feel it.
Something dangerous was already moving beyond their sight.
Ryūshi finally broke the silence.
His voice, though calm, carried undeniable weight.
"Well since everyone now knows each other, we can go back to the mission we started."
His words immediately shifted the atmosphere.
The casual tension vanished.
Yuki tilted her head slightly.
"Mission?"
Ryūsei crossed his arms, his expression turning more serious as well.
"Catherine's friend was corrupted and started a rampage in the future."
He paused briefly, as if organizing his thoughts.
"Unfortunately, he traveled back in time to this timeline and is currently hiding under our radar."
The room fell quiet.
Even Kasai stopped smiling for once.
"So that explains why the Crowned Dragons are here."
Yuki nodded slowly, finally connecting the pieces.
Shizen folded his arms.
"I'll have the Imperial Knights on high alert tonight."
His tone was already shifting toward leadership.
However—
Jikan raised a hand immediately.
"It's better to keep this between us."
Everyone turned toward him.
"The more people who know, the more the timeline changes."
A brief silence followed.
Then one by one, everyone nodded.
No one argued.
Not when a Crowned Dragon of Time spoke about consequences.
Shadow leaned slightly toward Yuki and whispered something under his breath.
Yuki blinked.
Then her expression shifted into something far too cheerful.
"Oh."
She clapped her hands together.
"I've decided something."
Everyone immediately felt a chill run down their spine.
"Catherine, you'll be sleeping with us tonight."
She pointed at Catherine without hesitation.
"And Ryūshi and Jikan too. You're both welcome at our house."
Catherine froze instantly.
"W-wait—"
"No buts."
Yuki's voice dropped slightly, but it carried terrifying authority.
Catherine stiffened.
Her instincts screamed that resistance would be dangerous.
Even worse—
It felt like instinctive survival logic.
Inside Catherine's mind, only one thought repeated itself.
Grandma Yuki is still scary…
Even younger… maybe even worse…
Ryūsei raised a hand cautiously.
"Uh… Yuki…"
Yuki turned her gaze toward him.
Ryūsei immediately straightened.
"Yes ma'am."
A satisfied smile.
"You."
She pointed directly at him.
"Go spend time with your granddaughter."
Ryūsei blinked.
"That's an order."
He nodded instantly.
"Yes ma'am."
Within minutes, the group split.
Ryūshi and Jikan moved to patrol the Kingdom under the pretense of observation.
The others returned to the palace to prepare rooms and supplies.
Meanwhile—
Ryūsei and Catherine were left alone.
Evening — Kingdom of Ryūgū
The Kingdom had transformed under the setting sun.
Lanterns lit the streets with warm orange light. Merchants were closing their stalls. The distant sound of children playing echoed through stone pathways.
Catherine walked slowly beside Ryūsei, her eyes wandering everywhere.
"It hasn't changed much…"
Her voice carried quiet amazement.
Ryūsei glanced at her.
"You've been here before?"
Catherine hesitated.
"A long time ago."
She smiled faintly.
"It feels… familiar."
They continued walking without urgency.
For the first time, there was no battle, no crisis, no urgency.
Just a grandfather and granddaughter walking through a kingdom neither of them fully understood yet shared in fate.
Eventually, night arrived.
The palace lights glowed softly in the distance as they returned.
At the entrance—
Two familiar figures were waiting.
Kasai and Sora.
Kasai immediately raised a hand.
"Catherine!"
He approached with his usual energetic confidence.
"I have a question."
Ryūsei immediately sighed.
Catherine tilted her head.
"Yes?"
Kasai leaned closer with a wide grin.
"How many kids do Sora and I have in the future?!"
Silence.
Sora turned bright red instantly.
"K-Kasai!! Not now!!"
She smacked his arm repeatedly while trying to hide her face.
Kasai only laughed.
Catherine stood frozen.
Ryūsei stared blankly into the distance.
Without a word, all three entered the palace together.
Inside the Palace — Living Room
The group had already gathered.
The atmosphere had shifted again, this time into serious discussion.
Jikan stood near the center, arms folded.
Ryūshi leaned against the wall.
Shizen and Shadow observed quietly.
Yuki sat with perfect posture, radiating authority.
Kayosha rested nearby, arms crossed.
Jikan spoke first.
"As you all should know, the threat we are dealing with is a Corrupted Elementalist."
He paused.
"His Elemental Art is called 'Imitate.'"
Sora raised her hand.
"Yes?"
Jikan pointed toward her.
"Question?"
She nodded.
"How does an Elementalist become corrupted?"
A brief silence followed.
Catherine looked toward Jikan.
"Jikan… is it okay to tell them?"
Jikan exhaled.
"We must."
Then he nodded toward her.
"Catherine will explain."
Catherine stepped forward slowly.
Her expression became more serious.
"A few years ago…"
She began carefully.
"The first sightings of corruption began."
Her voice softened.
"At first, it was rare."
She lowered her gaze.
"But over time… it spread."
"A demon was responsible."
That single word changed the atmosphere instantly.
Everyone stiffened.
"It targeted Elementalists with strong emotions."
Catherine continued.
"Pain… sadness… humiliation… anger…"
She clenched her fists slightly.
"It used those feelings to offer power."
A pause.
"But the price… was losing yourself."
Silence filled the room.
Even Kasai didn't speak.
"The Elementalist becomes a slave to it."
Catherine finished quietly.
Yuki broke the silence.
"Is there a cure?"
Catherine nodded immediately.
"There is."
She looked up.
"It isn't exactly a cure… but every corrupted Elementalist has a gem inside them."
Her expression hardened.
"If we destroy it… we can free them."
Jikan nodded.
"But we don't know where the gem is located."
He crossed his arms.
"And during corruption, the Elemental Art becomes stronger… unstable."
Kasai leaned forward.
"So what's the corrupted guy's name?"
Catherine hesitated.
Then answered.
"Chad Preston."
The name hung in the air.
"And his Elemental Art?"
Kasai asked again.
"Imitate."
Catherine's voice became sharper.
"He can copy any Elemental Art he sees."
She paused.
"Originally, only one per day."
Her eyes darkened.
"But now… corrupted… we don't know how many."
Jikan added quietly.
"He already copied my Time Dragon."
A heavy silence followed.
Ryūshi clicked his tongue.
"That complicates things."
Ryūsei frowned.
"So we can't rely on our Elemental Arts?"
Jikan nodded.
"Not fully."
Ryūshi exhaled.
"Then it becomes close combat."
A tense silence followed.
Catherine lowered her gaze.
"We lost him when we arrived here."
Yuki placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll find him."
Ryūshi suddenly spoke.
"There's something I don't like."
Everyone turned toward him.
"The corrupted Elementalist imitated Jikan's power and traveled back in time."
He narrowed his eyes.
"That means he's trying to change something."
His gaze shifted.
"Jikan… what happens in the future that made him do this?"
Jikan's expression darkened.
"I cannot answer that."
A pause.
"If I reveal the future, it will no longer exist the same way."
Ryūsei sighed.
"Then we beat him first."
He scratched his head.
"Simple."
Nobody disagreed.
But nobody relaxed either.
Then Yuki spoke again.
"By the way."
She turned toward Catherine.
"Your Elemental Art?"
Catherine stiffened slightly.
Jikan nodded.
"It's safe to tell them."
Catherine inhaled.
Then spoke.
"Eclipse Dragon."
A pause.
Then—
Shizen blinked.
Kasai froze.
Shadow tilted his head.
Ryūshi slowly opened his eyes.
Then Kasai immediately pointed at Ryūsei.
"Fight her."
"What?!"
Ryūsei stepped back.
"Are you insane?!"
Shizen nodded.
"You need training."
Yuki agreed instantly.
Kayosha smiled.
"It'll help before the Grand Shōtotsu."
Sora raised her hand slightly.
"It might be useful…"
Kasai grinned.
"This will be fun."
Ryūsei looked at Catherine.
She looked back nervously.
"I… don't want to hurt anyone…"
Kayosha shook her head.
"You should."
Shadow nodded.
"Agreed."
Ryūshi suddenly smiled faintly.
"This should be interesting."
Jikan sighed.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Without further discussion, the group stood up.
One by one, they headed toward the training room.
The tension had shifted again.
Not toward danger—
But toward anticipation.
And as Ryūsei and Catherine followed the group through the palace corridors, neither of them realized that this simple spar would mark the beginning of something far more dangerous than any of them were prepared for.