My body felt light, weightless, yet I had no senses at all.Where was this place?
"You are within my domain, Leon."
The voice that echoed across that world arose directly inside my mind.
At the edge of that endless space stood the shadow of a gigantic owl. She was staring at me, but not with hostility. It felt amicable. Her presence was so immense that, even from afar, it was like gazing upon a giant.
"Is that you, Umbros?" I asked.
"Yes."
"So that's your true form. It's not as terrifying as our first meeting," I said, observing Umbros's figure. Compared to what I had imagined before, this form felt far less horrifying.
"This is merely the form I take when forming a contract with you. My appearance depends on the subconscious of the one who perceives me," Umbros replied. Then she continued, "I can sense it, even if only faintly. The concept of time is being disturbed."
I fell silent.
The concept of time. Did that mean a loop?
Come to think of it, Umbros had formed a contract with me. Did she experience the loop as well?
"If you mean repeating time, yes, I experience it. Do you as well?"
Umbros went quiet.
From her shadowy form, I could tell she didn't fully understand what was happening. Was I the only one experiencing the loop? Then how was she able to sense it?
"I cannot experience it. However, I can feel it. That disturbance tells me the concept of time has been altered, not destroyed, but made so that the present moment feels as though it never truly exists," Umbros said.
The looping power came from the game system.
Yet even Umbros, a high-tier spirit, could not experience it. Perhaps this system was far stronger than I had assumed.
That might be the key for me to return.
"Is it possible for us to trace the source of that power?" I asked.If we could, I might reach whoever was responsible for bringing me into this world.
"In this world, there are many powerful beings, far stronger than I am. To them, I may be nothing more than dust," Umbros said calmly. "Though I can sense it, that power feels as if it originates from an unfathomable darkness, without a bottom. I warn you. Whatever being you are entangled with possesses tremendous power."
In other words, the one who brought me here was stronger than any being in this world.
Could I survive that?
"So you're saying this is my subconscious. Then why am I here?"
"You pushed your body far beyond its limits. Your injuries would have taken years to heal. Your muscles were destroyed. Your heart was damaged from excessive blood pumping and nearly burst. I brought you here so I could heal you," Umbros explained.
Leon's body was weak.
No matter how much I trained it, it never grew stronger, as if it was bound by some invisible limiter that prevented growth.
The subconscious.
In this world, I felt lighter, like swimming in a bottomless pool.
"How long have I been here?" I asked.
"Approximately two weeks," she replied.
What!?
Two weeks. What had happened during that time?
"Do not worry. One day here equals one hour in the outside world. You were only unconscious for a few hours," Umbros said, easing my panic.
Suddenly, a vortex began forming beneath my feet, slowly pulling me downward.
"Do not be afraid. That means your consciousness is returning to your mortal body," Umbros said gently. "Before that, there is something I must tell you."
I waited as the vortex gradually consumed me.
"My power has greatly diminished from healing you. For a while, we will not be able to meet. At the same time, less of my power will flow into you."
So now, I had to survive using my own mind.
And if I had to face another deadly battle, perhaps next time I would have to use the people around me.
Without realizing it, my body was completely swallowed by the vortex.
"Alright, Umbros. Use this time to recover. Thank you for healing me."
And then I awoke in the outside world.
The real world.
I could feel my body resting on a soft bed. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Umbros really had healed me, my arm was intact again, though the pain still lingered.
"Leon!"
Penelope jumped on top of me without warning.
I screamed in pain.
"Hey! Why would you do that to a patient?!" Tohime shouted, lifting Penelope off me.
Everyone was there except John.
Elena lay on the bed across from mine, watched over by Arthur, Quri, and Misty, all worried about her condition. When they noticed I was awake, they smiled in relief.
"Leon, you're finally awake. Thank you for helping us fight Elena's kidnapper," Arthur said.
It was the first time we'd spoken properly.
And yet, it felt strange.
Arthur was the man who would kill me in the future. Feeling a sense of camaraderie from my future executioner was unsettling.
"Yeah… you're welcome."
That was all.
We simply stared at each other, the air awkward and stiff. I didn't know what to say and it seemed Arthur didn't either.
"Ah, what about Diabo- I mean, Elena's kidnapper?" I asked.
"He disappeared. After Sir Arion and the teachers arrived, we reported everything immediately. They're investigating his background and have launched a search. He's probably still somewhere near the academy," Arthur explained.
I see.
The same story as before.
At about this time, Arion should arrive.
"Here, address me as Mentor Arion."
Bingo.
Arion entered the academy hospital. He had come to interrogate the witnesses and examine Elena.
"I would like to ask. What characteristics does the invader have?" Arion asked.
But his gaze turned to me.
So did everyone else's.
"He wore a black robe and had red hair. There was a symbol on his chest, a sword piercing a heart."
"That's all?"
"That's all. He summoned his creature immediately, so I only caught a brief glimpse," I said.
If I gave too much detail, Arion would grow suspicious. Better to minimize his attention because he was dangerously paranoid.
After staring at me for several seconds, he continued.
"Very well. Before I leave, you will all be assigned to the Elite Class. All except that girl."
He pointed at Elena.
"Any objections?"
"I do!" Arthur stepped forward, visibly upset. "Why isn't Elena included?"
"She allowed herself to be kidnapped. You're lucky this order came directly from the higher authorities. Otherwise, I would have expelled all of you, that including you."
Arion pointed straight at Arthur.
"I promised I would enter the Elite Class together with Elena. I won't go without her," Arthur declared.
"So, you defy my orders?" Arion's presence pressed down on Arthur, as if ready to crush him.
I stepped between them.
"There is a way," I said.
Arion shot me a sharp glare.
"You're conducting magical experiments, aren't you? My nose is quite sensitive so I can smell potions all over you. The residue on your neck suggests failure. Perhaps your ingredients were insufficient. Why not assign them a mission?"
"You..." Arion scowled.
"Is that true?" Arthur asked, turning to him.
"Tch. Even if I give it to you, there's no guarantee you'll succeed," Arion sighed."One week. Bring me all the required materials correctly, and I'll consider allowing that girl into the Elite Class."
He tossed a list of ingredients onto the bed and left.
"Thank you," Arthur said, gripping my hand tightly.
It hurt. A lot.
"Hey! Are you trying to reopen his wounds?!" Misty snapped, forcefully pulling Arthur away.
"So. You'll help me, right? To gather these materials and help Elena?" Arthur asked eagerly.
"No."
"Huh?"
"I'm hospitalized, and you expect me to help immediately? You'll manage. Go on your own," I said.
Arthur realized my condition and smiled awkwardly.
Stand on your own.
If you don't grow stronger, I'll be trapped in this loop again and again.
For now, become strong, protagonist.