Chapter 48

"Is it the Closed World?"

Aris answered.

Their fifth meeting. Always in the same library, always in the same spot.

The sunlight that gradually moistened one end of the glass table was becoming familiar to him.

Of course, during this time, their relationship had undergone significant changes.

"Sometimes, while studying alone, I hear it mentioned. Do you happen to know anything about it?"

Renock no longer hesitated much when asking about mysterious magical theories, and he was even more proactive when he encountered theories that did not match his own experiences.

Aris, while still not giving him specific guidance, continued to sit by his side, listening to Renock and confirming whether his words were right or wrong.

And with just that, Renock's magical skills were rapidly improving.

Of course, her help was not insignificant in the process of turning the enchantments on the artifact into his own.

He would have preferred to meet after reading Eden's research journal, but there was something he had to ask her first, so he couldn't help it.

However, Aris's expression, upon hearing Renock's words, was sharper than usual.

"Whatever story you heard, it's best not to take too much interest in it."

"......What?"

This was the first time Aris had reacted this way to Renock's words.

Naturally, Renock couldn't help but hesitate.

Perhaps thinking that a mere warning was not enough, Aris hesitated and then began to speak more seriously.

"It's one of the very old hypotheses occasionally mentioned among high-ranking mages."

With the development of magic, all possible changes in this world have come to an end.

This radical and bold idea, proposed by someone, quickly spread among mages and was once even accepted as if it were the truth.

"A multifaceted and concrete examination of order and chaos, the distinction and understanding of good and evil. The skepticism that the end of the world was already determined was a very fresh theory in that era."

".........."

The same went for Renock.

Since hearing those words from the Seer, he still couldn't forget them, which was why he was now searching for clues on his own.

But Aris continued as if to say there was no need to worry any further.

"And it was a hypothesis that was just as good at giving birth to extremists."

What could one do to verify if the changes had truly ended?

Those who were obsessed with this question generally reached the same conclusion.

"After an entire country was completely destroyed, the hypothesis was proven to be just that—a hypothesis. Now, it's a whispered rumor that people are reluctant to mention."

Just like you asked me now, Aris concluded, staring intently at his expression.

As if trying to confirm his thoughts.

".........."

Hypothesis. Just a hypothesis...

But Renock didn't hear this story from some unknown person.

If it was the last words of the Seer Madrea Falsier before she died, it seemed unlikely that it was completely baseless.

What kind of world did the Seer, who could see the farthest, see?

Aris probably wanted to warn Renock not to chase after illusions, but Renock, on the contrary, had become more resolute after hearing her words.

'...I need to investigate the black mages.'

He still hadn't forgotten the words left by the black mage he encountered at the power plant.

A mage of that caliber would likely be a significant figure even among black mages.

So, there was a high possibility that someone knew about the strange longing for the Closed World.

'Besides, the factory where I first opened my eyes...'

Wasn't it a place where black mages traded their items?

The thought that the secret might be hidden there naturally darkened Renock's eyes.

"Are you going to keep being so heavy about it?"

"........"

Aris's voice, asking with a bewildered expression, echoed emptily in the eighth floor of the library, where only the two of them remained.