“It’s bold of you to assume you are the only one capable of using both natures. This world is vast. More so than earth. Wouldn’t those with the same power as you also want to remain quiet about their abilities? If you remained undetected to the gods, it’s a possibility that it’s the same for others.” Yeltena smiled amusedly. “Before you ask; no, none of us were responsible for your powers.”

“Then who? Do you have any idea?”

“Unfortunately, no. We do not shape the beings that are born into this world. That is the work of the administrator.”

I looked at my hands. Within this body lies a destructive power that no one else in this world had. I didn’t yet have access to all of that power, however what if I did?

Wouldn’t I become a second Odette? Feared by the populace?

“This is so frustrating. Why must I hide these abilities which only hinder me!?”

I was never planning on hiding my abilities if it meant someone close to me getting hurt.

“You don’t have to hide forever. Just until you’re strong enough to actually protect something.” Yeltena said.

“Huh? You’re saying I’m not?”

“Tell me Clyde, what did you see in Artoria’s eyes after she slapped you?” Yeltena narrowed her eyes.

‘Why are you avoiding my question….’

“You were watching him this whole time!? Why didn’t you tell me!?” Sol complained from the side.

‘What the hell? This feels so creepy.’

Although that was the case, I answered regardless.

“Eyes looking at trash.” I said without hesitation.

“That’s right. Are you aware that you may not have been here in this cosy mansion here tonight if she didn’t slap you?”

“Huh? What the hell are you talking about?”

I looked at Yeltena in frustration.

“Artoria almost did something she regretted so she had to act fast to prevent herself from doing that. That explains the slap which stopped you from talking any further. You may one day hear what I mean. She didn’t see the Clyde in you that she was madly in love with. The man that made nations tremble just from hearing his name. Even the immortals feared you. You know why?” Yeltena smirked.

I shook my head. “Why?”

“Because he was a man born with infinite potential. Power does not make you feared, the height at which a person can grow, does. You have the potential to grow far beyond the realm of mortals, you can unlock the fifth element of this world which is Aether…These are but some of the things your five previous lives accomplished. As this timeline differs greatly, there is little chance of you accomplishing the same.”

My eyes widened.

“Then…can you tell me if I resemble the other Clyde Astley’s from her previous lives?”

“After digging around in her memories, I can confirm that you do not resemble them in any way.” Yeltena said. “You are given power that even the gods envy and yet you’re a spineless coward who would rather see others die then fight a battle that may result in you getting injured. Do you remember the assault on the Vitian household?”

“Yes…”

“You could’ve saved many lives. Being a toddler was no excuse. You had the power to do that.” Yeltena sighed. “I am not surprised how differently things turned out this time.”

“Then tell me…what did my future self do?”

“….” Yeltena looked at me in silence. “By the time he was two, he had already made a contract with Undine. He stopped the assault of the Knight Order’s brutish hired soldiers and saved many lives. He did it even at the expense of having his abilities revealed.”

“….!” My eyes widened.

‘I’m…not like you at all…’

“But we can only blame the time you were born into. This world was not peaceful for the first timeline in which future Clyde is from. Every day was a struggle to survive.” Yeltena continued. “Anyway, regarding your question about your powers , I have prepared a demonstration of how powerful you can really become.”

“A demonstration?”

Yeltena stood up and waved her hand. A hologram appeared in mid-air.

“Let me explain what spirit magic is. Note that it does not differ from arcane magic much. Both forms of magic borrows something to create something. Do you understand that?”

I nodded. “It’s spirits for spirit magic and mana for arcane magic.”

“Yes. That is how it is.” Yeltena nodded.

“If that’s the case…” I looked at my hands. “Why was I able to use my spirits as fuel for my arcane magic during my fight with Rolath?”

“Good question. Isn’t it obvious since you were born with both cores?” Yeltena tilted her head.

“But I can’t do it anymore. What was that about? Is it because of the temporary power-up Xantha gave me?”

I was able to get a taste of how powerful I could be if I trained harder. At my level, it wasn’t possible to do the same things I did back then. Just goes to show how powerful ancient spirit magic is.

“Clyde, let me make this clear. The two cores were never meant to exist together in one body at all. This is why you cannot use arcane and spirit magic at the same time. That is the limitation placed upon you when you were born.”

“Yes, but…how was I able to do so during that fight?”

Yeltena smiled widely. “Because that is how far you can grow. Your existence on this world will break all common sense people knew about magic. That fight demonstrated only a glimpse into your future strength. Sadly, the dryads have gone extinct so we rarely see elves capable of doing what you did back then. The queen who is the last of her kind is the only one capable of blessing someone with that power you had.” Yeltena explained. “I’m not sure how but you will definitely be able to use both natures at once in the future.”

My eyes widened.

“Anyway, look at this screen. See that man walking up that hill?” The video began playing. “That is a spirit mage.”

“Really? Where is he going?” I peeked from behind Yeltena.

“Just watch.”

The moment she said that, the man reached the top of the hill. He lifted both his hands.

“What’s he…” My eyes widened when I saw what laid below that hill. Thousands of mages were casting a joint magic spell. In the distance, I could see armies fighting against each other.

‘Is this a historical battle?’

I had gone over many scripts and books pertaining to past wars but I had never seen anything like that before.

The man seemed to be from a third party and not part of any of the two armies.

How could I tell, you ask?

It was because he had long droopy ears and white hair.

“A high elf.” I muttered.

“Most of them live in my world now.” Artemis spoke from behind me. “They didn’t like the conditions they had to live with in this world. Even the World Tree was dying.”

The man moved his mouth but I couldn’t hear anything. Perhaps that was a chant?

‘Huh?’

I was wrong. What happened next was something I had never seen before.

“Is…that Undine?”

Multiple copies of Undine appeared next to the man.

“No. Those are her siblings. There isn’t just one Undine in the Spirit Realm.” Yeltena explained.

They circled around the elf and held their hands towards the sky.

‘What are they doing…?’

My question was answered a moment later.

The clouds started darkening and moving at rapid speeds. It was weather manipulation that not even a upper high rank spell could achieve.

Rain drops fell and stopped in mid-air. All the raindrops started merging and forming a bigger body of water. A few seconds passed by and it could compare to an entire lake.

‘What the hell…’

Despite the fact that there were four Undines using his body as fuel for their spells, the man stood calmly on the hill.

The next moment, the volume of water rapidly froze which formed a humungous mountain-sized ice block.

It descended towards the thousands of people chanting together.

BOOM

A large explosion resounded. Their spell which was the combination of thousands was crushed under a pure spirit magic spell.

“….” I stood there with my mouth opened. I blinked repeatedly to process what just happened.

“He…the mages…killed…” I mumbled unintelligibly while pointing at the screen.

“That is true mastery over spirit magic and love of spirits.” Artemis said with her hands clasped over her chest. “Some say that only those with the purest of souls can gain the love of a monarch.”

“Yes, yes! That means you’re amazing, kid!” Sol shouted with a grin. “As expected of the one we reincarnated! Humph!”

“Both of them are correct.” Yeltena spoke. “This is nothing in comparison to what you are capable of.”

However, she muttered.

“You are only a normal human. This elf you see here has lived for hundreds of years. He had more than enough time to master his magic. As most, you could live until you’re 80 years old.”

A mysterious smile appeared on her face. As if she was talking in a whisper, she muttered. “But there are ways of overcoming the boundary of a human’s lifespan.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Anyway, do you see now how far you can advance your spirit magic?” Yeltena made the hologram disappear with a wave of her hand.

I nodded.

‘I can see that but…that doesn’t explain how I have two cores…What’s the purpose…’

In the end, I had to quietly wait for my future self to call me again.

“It seems time has run out.” Sol said as she looked towards her right. I could see that the god realm was slowly being devoured by darkness.

‘So it’s temporary. It wasn’t like this when I met Sol alone.’

“Well, I better get going. I can’t leave my world alone for too long.” Artemis stood up and walked over to me.

She gave me a firm hug.

With her mouth next to my ear, she whispered. “It will be okay. I will do my utmost to help you. You need not to face your fate alone. Just visit any church worshipping my name and call out to me. I will answer.”

“….” I nodded silently. She let go and waved her hand with a small smile.

A golden light engulfed her and made her disappear.

“I guess that’s my queue to leave too.” Yeltena turned around. “Good luck, Clyde Astley.”

“Wait.” I stopped her before she left.

“Hm?” She looked slightly surprised by my next action.

I bowed.

“My, my…”

“Thank you for answering my questions. It has lifted a heavy burden on my heart.”

“That is the job of us gods. Helping where we can.”

‘For your own benefit, that is…’

I wanted to say that but I held my tongue.

“If not for your warning then I might’ve died not knowing why.”

“I feel a but coming.” Yeltena raised her eyebrow.

“But I still hate your guts, you shitty goddess. If not for your mistakes then none of this would’ve happened. I wouldn’t have died and come to this world.”

“You’re mad about something which has already happened? As expected of mortals.” Yeltena laughed with her hand on her mouth.

“After this, stay out of my life. Don’t get involved. Don’t even call me to your domain.”

“…Very well.” A glint flickered in her eyes.

“After I find this girl, I want nothing to do with you gods, the immortals or anything major that’ll happen in the future.”

The golden light embraced Yeltena. A wide, disgusting grin appeared on Yeltena’s face.

“Oh Clyde…Fate is unpredictable.”

Then she vanished. Her disgusting grin made me want to punch her.

“Bitch…” I clenched my fists. I didn’t know why but I didn’t like her. Maybe it was how she was so good with her words that seemed to sugar-coat her evil intentions.

Maybe I was overthinking this.

Or was I?

“She will not keep that promise, Clyde. As long as you don’t steer from the quest she has given you, she will not interfere.” Sol spoke when she appeared next to me. “Remember, even your future self cannot protect you from her if she wanted to kill you. Heck, even mother is cautious around her.”

There was a serious expression on her face. I didn’t insult her as usual and only nodded.

“I…understand. I will be careful.” With a foreboding feeling in my heart, I bid Sol farewell.

“Thank you…goddess Sol.”

“For what exactly?”

“For being on my side despite everything that has happened.”

Sol smiled silently.

“I will try my best to protect you and your family. Have a safe journey, Clyde Astley.”

I disappeared the moment she snapped her fingers.