Chapter 789: The World That Is

What did Aether mean when she called herself the essence of the world?

What was the Root of existence?

And finally, this great tree, and its many branches... what exactly did they represent?

These questions kept swirling around in my mind as I tried to wrap my head around the truth about Neron, and the world that was.

"Your reality is a stream that flows into a much larger sea that is connected to several others. There are immeasurable realities different from yours. Other than this world of yours—even beyond your universe—there exists other dimensions that are parallel to the one you know."

"W-what?!" My mind nearly exploded upon hearing all of this.

According to Aether, we were just one of a nigh-infinite system of existence—a single branch in the tree of reality.

It was fascinating—a new concept I had never even considered in all of my life. This truth contained infinite possibilities.

There was now so much to explore. The unknown seemed much deeper than I thought. It seemed I hadn't even begun to scratch the surface of Magic at all.

This had to be something one could only see when they had access to the Root!

"This... this is..."

Wasn't this supposed to fill me with despair? The very idea that I was nowhere close to solving the secrets of the world? That I was simply something as insignificant as a speck in a branch that expanded into infinity.

Wasn't that supposed to be depressing? Yet...!

"... THIS IS AMAZING! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!"

I couldn't help but wonder just how diverse or completely new the concepts of these realities would be.

However, with these many thoughts came another sharp realization. No, it was more like an inquisition—a blot that existed in the image I pictured.

"So, this Nether... he comes from where exactly?" I asked.

The branches that Aether spoke of were all connected to her. She seemed to be the origin of pretty much everything that existed.

But, what about the Nether?

"I never said there was a single tree, did I?"

My eyes bulged the instant Aether said this. Did this mean that—!

"There are two primordial trees that spring from Origin. The tree of Life—the one I govern—and that of Corruption—which is ruled by the Nether.

Life and Death.

Good and Evil.

Light and Darkness.

Just as these elements contradict each other, our trees cannot coexist, and are in always conflict."

In awe, I silently listened. My mind was ever expanding to this amazing truth, but it seemed the subject weighed heavily on Aether.

The smile on her face was nowhere to be seen.

"The Nether Realm of existence is fundamentally different from this one. As a result, we are always—and should always remain—separate."

It seemed the Nether didn't think that was enough. Based on what he said before I was killed, he wanted more.

"The Nether seeks to consume me and finally reach Origin—the source from which we both sprung out." Aether gently spoke, her voice taking on an immensely serious tone.

However, my curiosity could not stop there.

"What exists in the Origin? Why does he seek it?"

"@ll T%!^&$"

I could not properly hear or comprehend the words Aether said. It seemed completely beyond me. Still...

"What did you say?"

"@ll T%!^&$" She repeated herself, but I still could not hear her words.

"You do not possess enough capacity to hear such truth that exists beyond the primordial. The Origin is far deeper and older than even the trees. You cannot know it."

Even though I wanted to have more knowledge, it appeared that I was bound by my own limitations. Knowing more than I did was impossible.

"Any more questions?" Aether asked gently.

She must have sensed my realization concerning the futility of my curiosity. However, the fact that Aether was still willing to answer some of my inquiries proved that there were things I was allowed to know.

And currently, there were two things I was extremely curious about!

"The original owner of this body... what happened to him in the original timeline? The one Neron erased?"

My family was very happy to have a brilliant child like me, but... I wanted to know what would have happened if I never got reincarnated.

"Jared Leonard originally wouldn't have had any talent in Magic. His constitution barely allowed him to form his Mana Core until he became twelve. Even then, he struggled to cast Spells and it caused a lot of friction within the Leonard household since they needed an heir who could utilize Magic.

It also caused a dispute between the Alphonse household since the arranged marriage between both families had been for the sake of producing an offspring that could practice Magic and elevate the Leonard family's name..."

Once Aether was done narrating this body's future, I realized that my reincarnation was truly a blessing to my family. Knowing that alone brought me great ease and satisfaction.

My mother and my father... they were helped by Neron's actions.

"One more question." I spoke up, my heart pounding a little more than usual.

After all, this was something I had been mulling over ever since Neron was brought up. Since this was a new timeline, there was someone I wanted to know about—most especially his activities in the past.

That person...

"Legris Damien. What kind of person was he before Neron changed the world?"

... I needed to know everything about him!

So far, he was the most persistent person I had ever faced. He also seemed to be popping into my mind, and the many things I found out about the Netherlore household—as well as the Nether Cult—seemed to involve him in some ways.

Last, but not least, he managed to trap Neron somewhere.

There was no way he was one ordinary character! At least, by knowing who he had been in the past, I would be able to determine—

"I do not know."

Aether's words stopped my thoughts right in their tracks, and I let out a whisper of disbelief.

"H-huh...?"

This was a being who knew the secrets of existence—who explained primordial truths to me a few moments ago. Yet...

... Legris Damien's identity seemed to evade her?

"The man called Legris Damien... I have no idea who he is."

*

*

*

[A/N]

Legris is indeed built differently. I've been hinting at this from the third arc.

I wonder what kind of person he'll turn out to be.

Perhaps even I do not know.