He stared deeply at her, muttering again:
"Someone gathered us here for a reason.
But no matter.
Thanks to that, I can finally take the next step."
Wendy dropped to her knees, her body trembling with chaotic sensations—
And yet she still asked:
"What are you really trying to do?
We were the ones who attacked first, sure…
But someone like you could've killed us without hesitation.
Still, you didn't.
You didn't even fight seriously.
You've trapped us here… but for what?
What do you want from people who've already lost their value in this world?"
The old man smirked.
"A good question.
You're not just a quiet girl—you're special.
And since you're human, I imagine you already understand what this place is…"
"The Third Level…
Where a power can be unleashed in its true form," Wendy muttered.
"Exactly.
My ability may seem simple on the outside—just reversing things.
It looks invincible.
But in truth, it has flaws.
Here, though… in this place…
I can unleash the true form of my ability.
It applies to everything inside this domain.
And it's not just basic reversals.
Here, I can reverse concepts.
Truths.
Reality itself."
Wendy's breath caught in her throat.
"If I'm hungry, I can reverse that concept—
My stomach fills instantly.
If I'm tired, reversing the idea of fatigue makes me alert and strong.
Pain, injury, illness, weakness—I can reverse them all and return to perfect condition.
Even time.
If I wanted, I could revert you to a child."
Wendy was silent, stunned by the scale of such power.
"Can something like that even be done?" she whispered.
"Wouldn't that disturb the very order of the world?"
The old man laughed again—this time, genuinely.
"I never thought I'd be discussing philosophy with a child.
Not only that—you're taking it in stride.
Most kids your age would scream or cry.
Are you crazy? Or just… different?"
Wendy didn't reply. She just stared at him coldly.
After a long pause, he continued.
"As I said—my ability works on everything in here.
But there's one thing I can't reach.
Life… and death.
That's the only domain beyond my control."
He looked down, his voice lower now.
"We, the Exiled, have all lost something essential.
Not by accident, not by misfortune…
But as punishment.
This is the truth we live with.
So I thought…
What would happen if I reversed that truth?
If we've lost what was most precious to us…
What do we gain by reversing that loss?
Back then, no one knew who I was.
Not even me.
I had lost my identity as a person.
But when I reversed that truth—
I became who I am now.
So now…
Let's find out what your truths are.
What will be revealed when your reality is reversed?"
Suddenly, Wendy's surroundings changed again.
Black turned to white.
The pain, the pressure—it melted into peace.
She gasped as sensation flooded back into her.
Her hand clutched her chest tightly.
She couldn't breathe properly.
Tears streamed down her face.
What is this heat in my chest?
Am I happy?
Sad?
Angry?
At peace?
Was I laughing… or crying?
With a long, trembling sigh, she whispered:
"Ah… so this is what feelings are like.
It's strange…
It feels beautiful.
But I can't stop crying.
So this… this is happiness."
She looked toward the sky, voice soft:
"So this is what a heart feels like…"
Moments later, her vision cleared.
And the first thing she saw… was Stella.
The blue-haired girl stood staring at the sky, her eyes hollow.
Strange black horns, like tree branches, curled from her head.
Her arms were covered in strange, scale-like marks.
Then, without a sound, she collapsed.
Wendy ran to her side—no signs of life.
Despite barely knowing her, rage welled up inside Wendy.
The old man chuckled softly.
"At least you two look peaceful.
That's good.
Keeping your sanity after such a shift is almost impossible.
And thanks to that…
I won't have to deal with both of your berserk states."
As he spoke, Hiro slowly stepped forward.
Wendy turned to him… and froze.
Hiro had changed.
His now-mature body was covered in ominous markings.
His long white hair reached the ground.
His eyes were completely black—soulless.
But worst of all…
The massive, jet-black wings that now unfurled behind him.
Wendy had suspected something like this might happen…
But still, the sight chilled her.
The old man looked him over and muttered:
"Not all of you, it seems.
Two wings, huh?
Not what I expected—
But still easier to deal with than a real monster.
You look even more pathetic now than when you lost earlier."
Hiro let out a primal roar—no longer human.
The old man smiled.
"Good.
I like that spirit.
Come on then…
Let's play, little elf."