Tristan was left speechless by Nyra's harsh, venomous words.
He'd been brutally humiliated, treated as if he were even lower than a human. His expression was empty, drained of all life, while a laugh escaped him — a laugh detached from reality itself.
– Me? Lower than a human?
– Hahahaha! That has to be a joke!
He laughed… as if even his rage had faded. All of his will, his confidence, his arrogance — everything vanished instantly, as if it had never existed at all.
Nyra hadn't needed much to shatter him. She simply forced him to wake up from his fantasy. He'd been living in a delusion, convinced he was all-powerful and invincible.
Convinced he deserved to stand at the side of an Ancestral Divinity.
It was the most ridiculous thought imaginable.
Pria, who stood nearby, only kept watch over the area, ensuring no one dared interfere.
The idea that anyone would interfere was laughable — but it was her duty as Nyra's right hand: to keep everything under control while her friend handled the main task.
Nyra, meanwhile, stared mockingly at the man kneeling before her, pale and trembling like a child.
He no longer resembled the tyrannical, imposing figure from moments ago.
– You know… I was going to kill you right now, but I can't do that yet.
– Not until I pull my beloved out of this oracle you created.
– And for that, I'm going to need your power.
She lifted her hand, opening her palm right in front of Tristan's face. Her eyes glowed gold as the elements of time flowed from her hand and connected to his head — now frozen in place.
Nyra had frozen Tristan's personal time, rendering him unable to use his own power. She couldn't risk him doing anything to Evo's soul, trapped inside that realm.
There was absolutely no way she would allow that.
So she froze his time and forcefully manipulated his power without his consent.
For anyone of his level or weaker, that would have been nearly impossible.
But for her — someone far, far beyond him?
Calling that an effort would be pathetic.
Compared to Nyra, Tristan was nothing but a speck of dust — or even less. They weren't comparable.
The moment she invaded his power system and took full control, she began injecting her own power into the spiritual world where the oracle had been created.
Every divinity possessed a spiritual realm where their apostles and messengers received oracles.
They were different in some ways, yet built around the same principles.
For someone like Nyra, with her experience, this was child's play.
Once she gained full control of that world, she sent her manifestation to retrieve Evo.
....................
Back to Evo — he was living through his twenty-ninth repetition.
It was lunchtime, and he was eating alone in the kitchen.
He ate quietly, something he had prepared quickly — simple, nothing extravagant, just enough to satisfy him.
Inside, he reflected on how pathetic his attacker was. He was beginning to feel pity for someone so small-minded and miserable.
– Harrrr! Just how long is that idiot going to keep up this little game?
He asked himself, not expecting an answer. But someone decided to give him one.
– He's just an idiot with a pea-sized brain, Dani. Don't waste your time on him!
A voice echoed in his ears. Evo stood from the table immediately, alert.
That voice was familiar.
He'd only heard it once, but it had been so striking that it was impossible to forget.
He relaxed his guard just a little and asked:
– I wasn't expecting to hear your voice in a place like this. What are you doing here?
The voice laughed playfully.
– Hihihihihi! Oh, how wonderful it is to know you remember my voice!
– I'm so happy my heart is about to jump out of my chest.
Evo raised an eyebrow at the murmured comment.
But he said nothing — just waited.
– Well… the reason I'm here is to take you out of this place!
– You being here, even if indirectly, is my fault.
– And I can't leave you trapped forever.
Evo felt relieved knowing he would finally be able to leave. He'd been running things on autopilot for a while now. But a question rose in his mind.
– What do you mean by "your fault"?
The silence lasted a few seconds before she replied more calmly:
– I'll tell you, but not now. There's a lot I have to explain, but only when we meet in person.
Evo sighed, resigned. If she didn't want to answer now, he couldn't force it.
He shrugged and nodded.
– Fine.
– So… can I leave now?
Her sweet voice answered, excited:
– Hold on a bit longer!
– I'm rebuilding the connection between your body and soul so I can send you back safely.
– The idiot closed the passage after sending your soul here, afraid you'd find a way to return on your own.
– It'll take around two hours. Just wait. When I'm done, I'll come back to send you home.
Evo nodded.
– All right. I'll wait.
Around one hour and forty minutes passed.
Evo was lying on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
Silent, watching the dim chandelier lit by natural daylight.
After a while, a familiar sensation washed over him.
But unlike before — when it had been violent and rough — this time it was gentle and soft.
Time had stopped once more.
Nothing moved. Not even the air. Only Evo remained able to move.
The world began to dissolve… like paper submerged in water. It became translucent, then disintegrated, leaving only darkness.
Evo remained still, waiting.
When everything vanished, he found himself sinking into a dark ocean.
He drifted downward slowly, looking up toward a small shining light.
He didn't drown. And ironically, he felt comfortable there… calm… at peace.
A warm, comforting feeling filled his chest.
He also noticed he was completely naked, skin exposed.
After some time, he saw a golden light descending toward him.
It had been just a distant point, but as it approached, it took shape.
When it finally stopped inches from his face, he saw clearly.
The shape of a woman.
Long hair. Beautiful, voluptuous body. Like him, she too was naked — but made entirely of golden energy with silver dust swirling through it.
They stared at each other as she placed her hand on Evo's neck.
Their bodies were close, connected, as she smiled softly.
Evo, looking into her eyes, rested a hand on her waist.
– You're late.
She laughed gently.
– Hihihi… don't start. I told you two hours, and I finished early.
– Hmph!
She pouted, pretending to be offended.
– You should be praising me for finishing faster than planned.
Evo wanted to laugh, but he was too relaxed — he just wanted silence.
– All right, all right. Thanks for getting me out. You're my savior.
He teased, their bodies enjoying each other's warmth.
Nyra, inwardly, lamented that this body made of light was just a manifestation of her power. She wanted to be with him in her true form.
But she knew it would take time.
A sad expression formed — and Evo noticed instantly.
– Why do you look so sad?
She shook her head.
– It's nothing, Dani. Don't worry.
– Everything is ready. I can send you back now.
Evo panicked. There was so much he needed to ask.
Most importantly…
Who was she?
Why did she feel so familiar?
Why was she the one who gave him the chance to reincarnate?
So many questions — he didn't even know where to start.
She sensed his despair. Time here was short. So she said what she could.
She cupped his face with both hands.
– Dani… my love… listen. And calm down.
– I know you have many questions, but we don't have time now.
She glanced around, noticing something shifting.
– This passage will close soon. I need to send you before that happens.
– But don't worry. The answers you want so badly will come.
– I'll be the one to tell you most of them… when you come see me.
– Until then… grow stronger. Strengthen your foundation. Become someone no one can touch.
– I'll be waiting for you. Patiently.
Evo tried to speak, but nothing came out.
He understood.
If he wanted answers, he needed qualifications.
He needed to reach her.
A long, brutal, nearly impossible path.
But even so… he would pursue it.
He would crush anything that dared stand in his way.
For now, he could only sigh and nod.
– Harrr… fine.
She smiled sadly at the sight of him.
– I also need to apologize… for everything you went through, Dani.
She embraced him tightly, her large bare breasts pressing against his chest.
– I should've been more careful… I shouldn't have exposed you like that. I promise it won't happen again.
Evo pulled her closer, their bodies melding together even more.
– I know it wasn't your fault. Don't worry about it. In a way, all this helped me see things I couldn't before. So… it wasn't all that bad.
She pulled back just enough to gaze into his eyes — eyes nearly identical to hers.
– Thank you, my love.
– Before you go… I want to give you something useful.
Evo raised an eyebrow.
– Hm? What is it?
She answered:
– You're looking for an offensive spell, right?
– For time users like us, offensive spells are hard to obtain.
– Usually, we only get a truly powerful spell after reaching the Paragon Realm, when our understanding of the element deepens enough for us to create our own.
Evo's eyes widened slightly.
Time manipulation was notoriously complex. Likely the hardest element of all.
– So, with that in mind, I'll give you a spell to use as an attack.
– This spell was created by me.
She smiled proudly.
– Of course, I can't give you the complete version. If I did, you'd be erased the moment it touched you.
Evo swallowed hard.
– So instead, I'll give you only the foundation. The rest will grow with you.
– This spell has an effect similar to what happened the day you awakened your time element.
– Do you remember what happened to the Time Elemental Stone? How it disintegrated?
Evo's eyes widened again.
– You know what happened to the stone?
She smiled.
– I do.
Evo waited eagerly.
– That stone returned to the nothingness from which it came when your power touched it.
– To… nothing?
– Yes. Listen, Evo. Everything that exists was born at some point. Nothing — not even power — has existed eternally. Everything had a beginning.
– And if something gained form… then it gained time.
Evo was puzzled. She giggled at his confused expression.
Then she continued:
– Let's simplify it. Think of the stone as a living being.
– It was born when compressed time elements created it — like a child forming in a mother's womb.
– What happened that day was your power reversing the stone's lifespan, forcing it back into its prior state — into nothingness.
– In other words… as if someone had their lifespan inverted.
– An adult would become a young adult… then a teenager… a child… a baby… a fetus… and then…
She stopped, waiting for Evo to finish.
Evo murmured:
– They'd be erased from history. As if they never existed.
She smiled, satisfied.
– Exactly! And you can also do the opposite: accelerate the target's time until they decay completely.
– But I don't recommend that yet. It requires too much power and will exhaust you.
Evo nodded.
Then she decided to bestow the spell.
She ran her hand down his neck, pulling him closer.
– Dani… we need to go. I'll give you my gift now.
She drew even closer. Their lips brushed… and then connected.
A deep kiss.
The sound of it echoed through the silent void.
Evo bit gently at her soft lips as she scratched his back.
They held each other tightly, exchanging intense caresses, until they finally parted — a thin thread of saliva still connecting them.
She smiled and gave him a small peck.
– Done. I transferred the spell to you.
– Thank you…
Evo murmured as she pulled him upward.
A bright light enveloped him as they rose toward the surface.
He lifted an arm to shield his eyes…
Everything went dark.
..................
After some time, Evo began hearing familiar voices.
His eyes opened slowly, vision blurry.
He was in a dim room, far from the blinding light from before.
Around him, his subordinates were watching the stage ahead, where Luneth explained something to the gathered crowd.
Then, in front of him, a golden screen appeared with two notifications:
First: You have new notifications!
Second: You have obtained a new Spell! → Back to the Origin
Evo rubbed his eyes as his vision cleared.
He leaned back in the chair, sinking into it.
– Arrrrrrr! I'm finally back!
He brushed his fingers across his lips, still feeling the taste of her kiss.
– And I didn't even ask her name…
Author's Note:
Readers, I announce the end of the first arc! I'm very satisfied with the journey so far. Now it's time to stay focused and make the next arcs even better. I hope for your support! See you next time! Bye-bye!