'Wait a minute, then what does that make ?'
Eiji suddenly thought of himself.
He wasn't a Heroic Spirit, nor a Magician or True Ancestor—just an ordinary nobody. According to the rules of this Singularity, he should be nothing more than an NPC.
Was this a case of an NPC gaining self-awareness and competing alongside players?
Would Goetia even allow soone like him to interfere?
Given that he hadn't been attacked back in the infirmary, it was probably fine, right?
Eiji's mind raced with wild thoughts, startling even himself.
"That's about it. If you understand everything, then get going."
Scáthach waved her hand, ushering them out.
"Alright."
Eiji nodded and turned to leave the office.
"Wait, I still have a question."
But Aoko suddenly spoke up, her expression tense.
"You just said this is a Singularity—I think I grasp that concept. But what I want to ask is... what happens when everything is over?"
"What do you an?"
"I an this world. It's a Singularity, right?"
Aoko placed a hand on her hip. Though her tone remained respectful, there was an undeniable urgency in her words.
"And what about these fused worlds? What happens to them in the end?"
The atmosphere in the room instantly chilled.
Eiji froze for a mont before realizing sothing, his expression darkening.
That's right.
There was still one critical question.
What would beco of this Singularity after the selection was over?
Where would the people and Heroic Spirits living here ultimately end up?
"Of course, it will disappear. Nothing will remain."
Scáthach gave the answer Eiji least wanted to hear.
"Just as Aozaki said, this is a Singularity. Once it no longer serves a purpose, it will naturally be pruned away. Everything will vanish, leaving no trace behind."
Eiji's heart sank.
Every Singularity is eventually pruned.
This Singularity exists only because the Counter Force has permitted it—to serve as a stage for selecting the Ultimate One.
But once the UO is chosen, or if the selection fails, this Singularity will lose its reason to exist. It will be pruned without hesitation.
That ant...
Eiji's family in this world would disappear. Raikou and Souji would return to the Throne of Heroes, their mories of this ti erased. His "mother" and "little sister" would cease to have ever existed.
As for the fused worlds, they would likely return to their original states.
And under the corrections of spaceti, Aoko and Alice would forget Eiji entirely. Their encounters would beco void, every trace wiped clean.
"Can we really allow that?"
Aoko's expression darkened inexplicably.
"There's no question of allowing it. This is the will of the World."
Scáthach closed her eyes. She knew this was a bitter truth for anyone to accept.
"No matter how strong an individual is, opposing the World is nearly impossible... But there is one way."
"There's a way?"
Aoko's eyes lit up.
"Indeed, there is exactly one thod."
Scáthach nodded slightly, her tone turning playful. "Beco an existence equal to the World itself. To be specific—win the final selection and beco the Ultimate One of Earth!"
That's right.
Becoming the Earth's UO would place one on equal footing with the Counter Force, at least granting the right to negotiate.
At that level, it would certainly be possible to preserve this Singularity.
"..."
Aoko fell silent.
Was it even possible?
The participants in this selection included Magicians, Heroic Spirits, and even Beasts of Humanity—unfathomable beings representing the accumulated legacy of Earth over millennia. Each was a true powerhouse dominating their own era.
For soone like her, who hadn't even fully mastered the Fifth Magic, victory was unthinkable.
The very idea felt hopeless.
"Then let's participate."
Before she could dwell on it further, a resolute voice cut in.
"Are you sure?"
Scáthach raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "If you want to run, it's not impossible to forfeit."
"I refuse!"
Eiji didn't hesitate for a second.
"One of the things I hate most is having what's mine taken away. And the second is giving up before even trying."
His expression showed no trace of doubt. His resolve was absolute.
This man lived by his convictions without compromise.
"...Seems like there's no other choice."
Watching him, Aoko felt sothing stir within her.
With a sigh, she brushed aside her chestnut-brown hair, her lips curling into a faint, amused smile.
That's right.
She, too, treasured these past few days as precious mories—ones that included her first genuine feelings as a girl. Wasn't that worth fighting for?
"Fufu! Excellent!"
Scáthach chuckled heartily, her delight evident.
"You two are quite interesting. I'm itching for a fight now... Oh, how about receiving so special training from ?"
She made the offer with visible enthusiasm.
The Queen of the Land of Shadows, fad for ntoring countless heroes, felt her teaching instincts flare up once more.
It had been too long since she'd last crossed blades with anyone. She couldn't hold back any longer!
This was the perfect chance to vent her pent-up desires.
Her battle lust, that is.
"Seriously? Isn't that cheating?"
Eiji's eyes sparkled, his hands clenching eagerly.
"Of course not."
Scáthach grinned. "The final selection is still far off. How much you grow in that ti is entirely up to you."
Using the current world fusion to strengthen themselves was a clever strategy.
"Then I accept!"
Eiji agreed without hesitation.
Only by fighting the strong could one grow the most. That had always been his belief.
" too?"
Aoko pointed at herself, incredulous.
"Naturally."
Scáthach nodded as if it were obvious.
"The future you fights with a mix of martial arts and magecraft, but your current physical skills are lacking. There's plenty of room for improvent. Plus, I can help you master the Fifth Magic!"
"Alright, I'm in!"
With that incentive, Aoko had no reason to refuse.
Pleased with their responses, Scáthach smiled in satisfaction.
"Oh, one last thing before you go—the second world is about to rge in."
As they were leaving, she suddenly added a warning.
"What do you an?"
"Last night, that incident in the residential area where an entire family was slaughtered—rember?"
Scáthach interlaced her fingers over her abdon.
"All four victims were drained of blood, their deaths grueso... Need I say more?"
Exactly.
—The True Ancestors and Dead Apostles were on their way.
***
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