The ground beneath Epherene gave way, sinking beneath her feet. Everything she felt—wind, scent, moisture, time, space—faded, swallowed into the depths like a distant echo sinking into the sea…0

The twenty-first experience remained as strange and disorienting as ever. As a phenomenon beyond magic itself, regression was deeply uncomfortable and riddled with questions. However, the sensation of arrival was unexpectedly clear.0

Snap—0

The sound of something snapping echoed through the air—the bracelet, her Curios, no longer hers. With it came the familiar, suffocating pain that coursed through her with every regression, as if it would steal the breath from her lungs.0

“Phew…”0

Epherene braced herself with a deep breath before slowly opening her eyes. The first thing she saw was the bracelet hanging loosely from her wrist. Its connection was completely broken—no longer a bracelet, just a fragile strand of thread, which she held carefully before tucking it into the inner pocket of her coat.0

“... His heart consumed by hatred for your mother, and because you bore her likeness, he loathed you as well.”0

Decalane’s voice echoed in her ears, a ghostly whisper that returned each night like a recurring nightmare.0

I don’t want to believe it. And maybe a part of me still won’t. I’m not holding onto Decalane—I’m holding onto the father he once was, Epherene thought.0

"Have you awakened?"0

Just as Epherene was about to lose herself in thought, a voice called her name, and when she turned toward it, a bright smile bloomed on her lips.0

"Knight Yulie!" Epherene said, springing to her feet and rushing into her arms.0

"Oh…" Yulie murmured, catching her instinctively, though...0