He who Bends Time-Chapter 75 - a promise

"Don’t exaggerate it," said Auran,

but the awe in the Mother Crystal’s eyes did not fade.

"I’m actually seeing a time magician in front of my eyes... and it’s not someone who’s..... Actually crazy," she said.

"Another time magician? Wait—so you’ve seen others? Where or when?" Auran asked.

"So you’re telling me that you can truly bring back my family?" asked the Mother Crystal, seemingly ignoring Auran’s question.

"You say that like they’re dead... but there is a way I could heal and bring them back. Don’t ask how—I’m a time magician, and the mysteries of time aren’t something you’d understand even if I explained. Especially considering you’re a healing magician, some of these mysteries fall into a category that would actually be helpful in healing your family," said Auran.

"Then, please proceed," said the Mother Crystal.

"Unfortunately, the current me is not at a point where I can be of any help. I need to study more of the mysteries of time, and only then will I be able to assist," said Auran.

"So, if I wait a little longer, you’ll be able to heal them?" asked the Mother Crystal, looking at Auran with hope-filled eyes.

"Yes," Auran gave a direct answer—but his true intention was far different from what he showed the Mother Crystal.

’She bought that lie so easily. Wow, she’s really desperate—clinging to any hope she can find, huh, I pity her for falling into my trap. But... it’s not a complete lie. Maybe one day, I will be able to heal them—since I’ll eventually grow stronger with the help of my Access Finite.’

Now to the most important aspect of this promise...

After a brief pause, allowing the Mother Crystal’s hope to regrow, Auran opened his mouth again.

"But currently, I’m in a rather unfortunate situation myself... one that’ll take more than just a little time to resolve. And because of that, I’m ashamed to say this—but I was hoping Mother Crystal could make my stay in your domain a bit more comfortable," said Auran, wearing his most innocent face.

"Of course. Since the great time magician has promised to help me, I’ll support you however I can. But the current me is weakened and can only offer something like this," said the Mother Crystal. Then, from nearby, a crystal pillar rose, and with a wave of her hand, the crystal shattered into tiny pieces and fell.

"These are..." Upon closely observing the small crystal pieces, Auran realized they were the currency used in the Awakened City—the arena crystals.

"Arena crystals, right?" Auran confirmed his thoughts aloud.

"It’s the common currency used among the inhabitants. You can take all of it," said the Mother Crystal.

"Take all of them? Unfortunately, I currently don’t possess an expanded space vault with me," said Auran.

In the next moment, the Mother Crystal waved her hand, and all the crystals gathered together and flowed into a beautiful crystal pouch that appeared among them. The pouch slowly floated down into Auran’s hand.

"And this—when the time comes and you’re able to help me, you can use this to inform me," said the Mother Crystal, handing Auran a smooth, round crystal. He placed it inside the expanded space pouch.

"I’ll be sure to do so. But before I go, can you tell me about the time magician you mentioned earlier?" Auran asked.

"It was a long time ago, when I had just recently been born from the dust of my parents. In an extremely remote corner of an ancient battlefield, I saw him. Although I tried to speak to him, he didn’t respond. With a sword in his hand, he struck down anyone who got close to him. The slash of that sword itself felt like it could tear my very existence apart."

While saying this, the Mother Crystal revealed her leg from beneath her clothing. There, a deep scar remained—clear evidence of the wound left behind.

My curiosity at that time disappeared after receiving this cut, and after shouting something like a name, he suddenly vanished. That was the first and last time I ever saw a time magician. I have lived for about one hundred thousand years, and in all that time, I have never again seen even a sign of a time magician—which is why you are special.

The appearance of a time magician signals a shift in the tides of time, as well as the arrival of — — — — — — —"

At that point, once again, Auran couldn’t hear her words, which meant she was speaking something Auran wasn’t supposed to know.

"In any case, I believe in you. And if you help me, I would put even my life on the line to help you," said the Mother Crystal.

"I will try my best," said Auran, after which he prepared to leave but waited for the Mother Crystal to open a portal for him.

"She’s definitely a superior species. How else could she cast other spells despite being a healing-focused mage? Must be her inherent abilities from her race," Auran thought while waiting for the portal.

With a wave of the Mother Crystal’s hand, the portal appeared in the air. It shone a light blue color and hovered above the crystal floor.

"You should know that I will take care of you as long as you remain in my domain, or especially upon my own body," said the Mother Crystal before Auran prepared to stepped toward the portal.

"I’ll keep that in mind," muttered Auran.

"But be careful of the stranger at your door. They appeared just a second after you entered the forge stage, right in front of your door. After knocking, they’ve been obediently waiting for your response," said the Mother Crystal.

"To be able to pass through the Blessing Crystal Guardian Golem’s inspection, they must possess remarkable skill in the stealth path. And since I’m not sensing any strong magical sense among them, it means they’ve likely used some kind of item to appear directly in front of your door," she added just before Auran stepped through the portal.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel