The Reaper had detected the timeline shift the moment Leo ambushed Vann and successfully killed him.
Since it happened just within 15 minutes after the Azzy's battle with Vann and timeline shift can only be done by both of the time travelers, the Reaper wondered whether it is due to Barbara or Azzy.
If it's the latter, then, the reason for the timeline shift is the duel that's just happened. Thinking that it's unlikely, the Reaper concluded that Barbara might be the reason.
However, he didn't know the reason. Too bad that he had already given the control back to Azzy.
Back then, Azzy was a little displeased with how the Reaper spoiled the match with one move. Respecting his host's feelings, the Reaper never tried to take control of Azzy's body even while he's sleeping.
But, now that Leo's secret is out and the worse that he tried to prevent is going to happen, the Reaper left the choice to Azzy.
To his surprise, suppressing his own wishes, Azzy asked him for the opinion.
The Reaper felt happy and immediately allowed the boy to do whatever he wants, despite knowing the risks.
At the same time, he also wished to know even more regarding the timeline shift. If he knows the reason, the Reaper thought he would be able to help out Azzy from the crisis.
Thankfully for him, Azzy gave the permission.
While returning to the dorm, Azzy took over his body and connected with the time. Almost instantly, he realized what event triggered it and let out a sigh, "So, Azrael's duel was the reason, huh!"
When he returned the control to Azzy once again, the latter asked him about it.
"Looks like the Galarian king turned out to be smart. It took advantage of the situation and killed the Prince of Hildegard during his vulnerable state. Now, it abandoned its previous form and transformed into Vann Hildegard.
Not only that, the Galarian King now evolved to celestial grade and removed the limits the heavens put on the wild beasts."
"Eh? Prince Vann was assassinated?" Azzy went into a daze. "Because of me?"
As soon as he heard the news, in depression he didn't even listen to the rest of the explanation. "I was the one who sent him to afterlife. I killed a person..."It's all my fault."
He blamed himself for his opponent's death. Azzy thought if he hadn't accepted the challenge, Vann would have been alive.
Slowly, the Protos energy that was being suppressed once again started to act.
The Reaper quickly suppressed it before he said, "No, it isn't your fault, Azrael. Think about it for a second.
Vann was the one who challenged you which result in the battle.
Your Vice-Principal Sahara is the one that approved of the challenge which resulted in the battle.
Claire is the one who hurried you to eat fast and finish the dinner early which resulted in you meeting him at the stairs.
Barbara is the one who recommended you to the prince of Hildegard that made him want to spar against you.
Gideon is the one who challenged the student of Moon Academy, which made you battle him and attracted the attention of Vann.
Lark is the one that reported to you about Gideon's battle.
The two students of Moon Academy bullied the students from other distant academies which made Gideon challenge them that triggered the battle between you and them.
Princess Snieca is the one that suggested you attend this academy.
Your grandfather Oakley is the one that sent you to the death clan which made you time travel to this timeline.
Like these, several incidents triggered a chain of events that led to Vann's death. Then, are all of them responsible for his death? Or is the Galarian King that committed the deed?
If you still think that you are the culprit, then, every one of the above is also the culprit even including me, your parents, and your ancestors because you are born because of them.
If not, then, there's only one person responsible for it."
"Galarian King…" Azzy clenched his fist as he growled the beast's name. All of his depression turned into hatred when he realized the truth. He felt an enormous amount of hatred towards the beast that not only killed a person but it even dragged him into the mess with the royal family. "I'm going to kill it, right away…"
Thankfully, the Reaper was completely suppressing the Protos energy and the aura, or else, a commotion would have risen in the academy due to his aura eruption.
"Calm down, Azrael. In your current state, you aren't a match for that beast even if you go all out."
"Then, I will turn back the time…." Azzy immediately summoned the hourglass.
"Don't be an idiot, Azrael." The Reaper almost roared in return to make him get back to his senses. "Why do you think we let him live until now. It's because you can't prove that he's a beast. No one here is a peak-rank-8 that can vouch for your statement. Even if there is one, will the royal family believe it?"
"Sorry…" Azzy quickly apologized to the Reaper upon learning his mistake. "I guess I'm acting too much on my emotions and didn't think clearly."
The Reaper commented, "Emotions will always cloud one's judgment, Azrael. That's why it's important to control them as much as you can while making a decision."
Azzy stayed silent for a while. He glanced at the hourglass in his hand and remembered something.
Gripping the hourglass tightly, Azzy then asked, "Then, can I reverse the time and return Vann to life? You said there's a timeline shift, which means, Vann isn't fated to die. So, if I just reject his challenge, he will live. I can do that, right?"
"No, it will only make things worse." The Reaper let out a deep sigh. "I told you that the Galarian King is now a celestial grade beast. It can resist the effect of time rewind. So, if you turn back the time, Vann will sure return to life.
However, his soul power will not return. He will have to live as a mortal and die within a few decades. He's the crown prince of Hildegard. Suddenly losing soul power will only make his situation worst.
The only way to save him is to travel through the time and rewrite history, or in this case, restore history."
"Then, what should I do now? Should I continue to ignore the presence of the beast while it goes after another victim just because I can always rewrite history?" Even though the Reaper convinced him to not use the time reverse, Azzy still can't forgive Galarian King beast for its actions.
From the start, he always thought of exposing its true colors during a spar or some tournament so that he can kill it and save himself trouble.
But, when he really wants to exterminate it, the Reaper said that he wasn't even a match for it anymore. Azzy didn't know what he should do…
The Reaper responded that although the current Galarian King can't be sensed by anyone except for peak-rank-9 Expert, they can still be sensed by a fellow celestial grade Arcana spirit.
He further explained how he sensed the presence of a celestial grade inside a girl when he applied the Seal of Faery to defeat Vann. The Reaper didn't explain to Azzy about the Excalibur and its relation with him as it would complicate things further, but he did advise to be patient for now as the problem no longer belongs to him alone, at least not anymore.
***
Several flying cards can be seen in the skies of Northern Qudour nation. Everyone's destination is the same. The travelers are indeed going towards Aclein city to watch the Champions League.
Meanwhile, more than a thousand meters above the ground which is allotted for the flying summons, a lightning dragon was gliding through the skies like lightning while leaving behind a streak of sparks.
Those who were on the ground or traveling on the Flying Cards couldn't help but raise their heads to see the streak of lightning traveling above them.
Eventually, it reached the skies of Aclein city and started to slowly descend onto the ground.
It landed in the grassland which is located on the outskirts of the city before a young and attractive woman with fierce-looking eyes stepped down before entering the city.
"That damn prick…" Izora gritted her teeth in frustration. "How dare he use his clan heir authority to make me travel to all the way here for assistance… When I see him, I'll electrocute him to death…"
Follow current novels on (f)reew𝒆bnovel