The magical expo, a grand event prepared by Yuren, was progressing peacefully. Citizens filled the fairgrounds with excitement, while mages from the Floating Island descended to the continent to demonstrate their newest magical innovations. Even the elders of the Round Table—Astal, the Addict; Jektaine, the elder; and Ihelm—had risen from their seats to attend.0

Of course, I was also looking around at the many inventions on display at the magical expo. From time to time, my senses picked up tremors from the volcano, but none were strong enough to cause concern.0

"Nothing of significance on display," I muttered.0

At that moment, a voice reached me from just behind my shoulder.0

“Nice work,” said Quay, the final boss, appearing beside me without a sound. “You stopped the volcano before it could do any real harm.”0

"Not I—Epherene was the one who stopped it."0

“None of it would’ve worked without you. But, I wonder if she will be okay?" Quay muttered.0

Quay was fiddling with something in one hand—a doll made of tiny interlocking gears, probably picked up somewhere at the expo.0

"Epherene’s talent is more than most humans could carry without breaking."0

“Is that so?”0

“Yes, what she lacks is the mental strength to hold herself together.”0

Quay was right—Epherene’s greatest weakness had always been her mental strength.0

Of course, she had a unique determination, she ranked above average among mages. But even that wasn’t nearly enough to contain the kind of talent Epherene possessed.0

"Epherene might not even know what time she belongs to—or end up lost outside the timeline altogether."1

Thud.0

“The grand tour of the continent—still underway?” I inquired, stopping to glance over my shoulder.0

“Mm-hmm.”0

There was a strange lightness in Quay’s response, and perhaps influenced by the continent, even the way he spoke had changed—just a little.0

Perhaps he’s grown this way from spending so much time at Epherene’s side, I thought.0

“What were your impressions of the continent?” I inquired,...0