"Today, we have gathered here to welcome our youngest companion into our company. His presence shall bring us all glory. Everyone, welcome Grand Master Kael." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Loud applause reached Kael’s ears when he opened his eyes.

He gasped as he took a deep breath before looking around the room. He immediately noticed the dated yet familiar walls surrounding him.

The high ceiling and gothic arches made his heart feel heavy with memories he wanted to forget.

’Is this... another dream? I don’t think I ever dreamed about the day I was given the title of the youngest Grand Master. I guess not all dreams are bad.’

Not that this was a good memory.

In fact, this was the beginning of everything that went wrong in Kael’s life. But even so, he could not say that he regretted accepting this title.

"Now, Grand Master Kael, please come here and demonstrate your abilities to us all."

The oldest Grand Master said as he extended a hand toward Kael. Kael looked at that hand and waited for his body to move... but his legs stayed still.

’How weird. Doesn’t my body move automatically in my dreams? After all, they are just memories of what happened.’

The looks on the faces of everyone around Kael were becoming strange, making him question a few things.

But since this was a good dream, he did not want to waste it. He stood up and moved toward the grand stage where the world crystal rested.

It was a collection of every mage’s mana and held immense power. And right now, it was Kael’s turn to add his mana to the collection.

He reached toward the crystal and pushed his mana into it.

The familiar sensation filled his body and made him shudder with delight. It felt so real that Kael began to wonder whether he was truly dreaming or not.

But as he continued to pour his mana into the crystal, something happened that had never occurred in his memories.

The crystal turned red before exploding.

"W-What happened? This has never happened before—"

"Was that a reaction? Why did this happen—?"

Everyone was confused, but no one was more confused than Kael. This was not something he recalled ever happening.

Nor did he remember seeing the screen floating in front of his eyes.

[Congratulations, you have been brought back to change the fate of the world.]

[Objective: Prevent all heroine bad endings]

[Failure Condition: World Destruction]

[Warning: Emotional instability rising]

[YANDERE RAISING SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

The messages moved too fast, and all Kael could let out was a confused curse.

"What the hell—"

[Current World Endings: 7/7]

[We shall inform you when something significant is about to happen. Please change the ending of this world.]

The glow faded, leaving no trace behind. It felt like ancient magic, yet it left no residue.

Kael had heard of such magic before. It was said to invoke an ancient vow only when there was no other option left. It was rumored to be the will of the world itself.

And this time, it was asking Kael to save the world... or maybe he was hallucinating because of the smoke.

The smoke was slowly making Kael feel lightheaded, but someone quickly cast a spell to dispel it.

Kael finally noticed how everyone was staring at him. So much was different from his memories that he was beginning to question whether this was even a dream at all.

But if this was not a dream, then there was only one explanation...

’Did I... go back in time? Did I return to the moment I first became a Grand Master? How is that even possible?’

The only answer to his questions was magic.

Magic was a mysterious force with neither beginning nor end. It was impossible to fully understand, and the only known truth about it was that it was born from emotions.

If those emotions were strong enough, then anything could become possible.

Even the destruction of the world.

But reincarnation... was that truly possible? And if so, then who could have cast such magic? What kind of emotions would someone need to feel to create a spell of this magnitude?

"Grand Master Kael, are you alright? What happened?"

The elder asked in a worried yet observant tone.

Kael had never noticed it in his previous life because he had been too young and inexperienced. But after living a second life, he could now see the truth clearly.

Everyone in this gathering was looking at him like a piece of meat they could not wait to sink their teeth into.

Their concerned expressions hid their eagerness to use him and discard him afterward. Even the elder helping him up was no different.

He wanted answers so he could determine how much value he could get from Kael.

"Even I don’t know what happened. I was pouring my mana into the crystal when I felt someone else interfering. There might be an intruder trying to take advantage of the situation."

For the first time in his life—or rather, his previous life—Kael told the elder a lie.

A concerned expression overtook the elder’s face as he believed Kael’s words.

"Oh my! That is indeed concerning. Has news already spread that you have been chosen as the next hero’s teacher? I will have to investigate immediately."

The elder pretended to be concerned and quickly stepped away. The others began gossiping among themselves, and Kael could hear them questioning his qualifications.

Many claimed he was too young and that the elders should not make a sixteen-year-old a Grand Master, while others questioned his mental stability.

But despite all their complaints, no one stepped forward to openly oppose him.

After all, being the hero’s teacher was a position filled with hardship. It was a role where people constantly questioned you and blamed you for even the smallest mistake.

Everyone wanted the glory, but no one wanted the responsibility that came with it.

The elder searched the area for a while, but after finding nothing, he returned and gave Kael a deep look.

"My child, I know things did not go as planned, but your mission remains unchanged. Please guide the hero so he may stop the approaching disaster of darkness. You are the only one who can do this."

The elder placed a hand on Kael’s shoulder in a gesture of support. He was counting on Kael to save the world from the coming darkness.

But little did he know that Kael now had an even more important mission—

To make sure the world did not end before the hero even had the chance to face that darkness.