I stared at Cally, trying to come to grips with what she told me. Was I dreaming? Perhaps. However, this all felt too real to be a dream. Cally and I sat in the drawing room of Icefall Manor, surrounded by tasteful art pieces. The air still felt a little cold from Cally's argument with Lord Icefall earlier. My tongue tasted sweet and felt a little sticky from the sweet tea I drank earlier. A heavy silence hung over us as Cally watched me with a patient expression on her face.

No. This wasn't a dream, which meant either Cally was lying, delusional, or speaking the truth. While the first two seemed the most likely explanation, I didn't think that was the case here. Cally's gaze remained steady as she waited for me to accept her words. Her icy blue eyes seemed to pierce into my soul, as if she understood my inner struggle.

Regressor.

They were rare, even rarer than transmigrators. So much so that, back on Earth, I had only heard of them. I never met one. They were beings who experienced a future that no longer existed. For them, this was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because they could use their knowledge of the future to further their own goals, whatever those may be. A curse, since this knowledge was a heavy burden, one that disconnected them from the present.

From what I learned, regressors weren't actually time travelers. At least, not in the way most people thought. Rather, they retained their memories from before the flow of time for an entire realm had been turned back. Such a feat was only possible for gods and other beings of comparable power. This was why regressors were so rare. It took the power of a literal god to bring one into being.

If Cally was a regressor, and I believed she was, that would explain a lot. That was why she was so skilled with magic, despite her youth and low power level. She had the knowledge and experience of her first life, not unlike me.

It would also explain why I returned to this body when I transmigrated back to Lumina. A god had turned back the flow of time for this realm, allowing me to become Gabriel Sturm again. Which god was it? Lumina had several. My first guess was either Sol, the chief god venerated by the Church of the Sun, or his wife, Luna. They created Lumina, so it was within their power to reverse its flow of time.

I shook my head. There wasn't any point in speculating about this. Something of this magnitude was well beyond me in my current state. Hell, even if I were at the height of my power as Brandon Norwood, this would still be beyond me. Instead, I decided to start small and focus on the girl in front of me. No. The full-grown woman inhabiting a girl's body.

"You're a regressor." I said.

Cally nodded.

"From your reaction, you know what that means."

"I do. Let me just say that I learned quite a bit in my previous life."

And yet, despite that, I never managed to find a way to return to Lumina.

"So, you admit it then?" Cally asked. "That you're a transmigrator?"

I shrugged.

"There's no reason to deny it, not at this point." I narrowed my eyes at her. "Still, that doesn't explain why you revealed the fact that you're a regressor to me. That's a big secret, the kind you don't share with just anyone. Why me?"

"I revealed the truth to you because I need your help. From what I saw, you're a skilled martial artist. If I'm to accomplish my goals, I need someone like you on my side." She shook her head. "While I could try and manipulate you or push in the direction I want you to go, that's not the kind of person I am. I'd rather deal with you in good faith."

I frowned.

"What exactly do you need help with?"

Cally's eyes became unfocused and she stared off into space with a haunted expression on her face.

"I need your help to save Lumina."

Both my eyebrows went up.

"Excuse me?"

Cally's eyes focused on me again.

"The hellhounds we fought? Those are just the scouts, the vanguard of a demonic incursion that will destroy Icefall City, unless we find a way to stop it." She closed her eyes. "I lived through it once before, and I don't want to go through it again."

I recalled her words from earlier, when she said that she was the last surviving member of House Icefall.

"You lost your family." I said in a quiet voice.

Cally took a deep, shuddering breath.

"I lost everything when the demons razed Icefall City to the ground. My family, my friends, my home. Everything. The only reason I survived was because my loved ones sacrificed themselves so I could escape, including-" Her voice cracked. "Including my younger brother." She opened her eyes and gave me a bitter smile. "Worst of all, that was only the beginning. The demonic incursion that destroyed Icefall City was the first of many that occurred all over Lumina."

My blood ran cold. I had heard of something like this before from Teacher. First Murim experienced something similar.

"You're talking about a full-blown invasion by the Infernal Lands."

"Yes. If we don't stop it, the demons will destroy Lumina. I witnessed it firsthand." She leaned forward and gazed at me with an unnerving intensity in her eyes. "That is why I need your help. I know how powerful the Lightning element is at eradicating demons. Kaylee wielded it to devastating effect. Together, we might be able to save Lumina. At the very least, we might be able to save my home."

"Haven't we already done that? Now that the authorities, including your father, know there are demon summoners in the area, they'll be able to deal with them."

Cally scoffed.

"If only it were that easy. The scum responsible for destroying my home are devious and cunning. They'll sacrifice a few pawns and lie low for a while, before they make their move. It's what they did in the First Timeline. They'll likely try it this time as well." She shook her head. "And I can't tell my father the truth, not without sounding crazy. He already half-believes I've lost my mind." She gave me a half-smile. "I'm not the same shy and naive daughter I used to be."

I took a few moments to gather my thoughts. While I sympathized with Cally, that didn't mean I wanted to rush into this without thinking things through.

"There is only so much we can do on our own," I said. "We'll also need to bolster the city's defenses somehow."

Cally nodded.

"Agreed. A friend of mine is working on that even as we speak. She's… Like me."

It took me a moment to understand what she meant. When I did, my jaw dropped.

"There's another regressor?!" I asked. "One is rare enough, but you're telling me there are two?"

"Seven, actually. However, I don't know who the others are. I just know that there are seven of us. As for my friend, I found out about her because she acted out of character and arrived here when she hadn't in the previous timeline. Even then, it took me a while to work up the courage to meet with her."

"Who is this friend of yours?"

Cally hesitated.

"I can't tell you. Not without her permission. I took a gamble by revealing my secret to you. I won't do the same with hers."

I nodded in understanding.

"Fair enough. Just let her know that I'm a friend, so there aren't any misunderstandings between us. After all, I'm also acting out of character. By this point in the First Timeline, I assume I was either in a coma or dead. I don't want her to think the worst and attack me."

Cally gave me a skeptical look.

"I shall," she said. "You agree then? To work together that is?"

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Of course," I said. "This is my home. Why wouldn't I fight to defend it?" I shrugged. "Besides, if you're speaking the truth, that means you were Kaylee's comrade. Any friend of my little sister is a friend of mine."

Cally narrowed her eyes at me.

"You speak as if you are the real Gabriel Sturm."

I grinned at her.

"That's because I am."

Cally revealed her biggest secret to me. I figured I might as well reciprocate as a gesture of trust.

"You expect me to believe that?" Cally asked with a scoff.

Said the woman who remembered a timeline that no longer existed.

"Twenty five years. That's how far back you went, isn't it?"

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Cally looked stunned. That was all the confirmation I needed.

"That's how it was for me." I continued. "I died and transmigrated to another world. After twenty five years, I died again and ended up back here." I snorted. "Imagine my surprise when I found myself in my old body. It was very confusing. Thanks to you, I now know why."

Cally stared at me for several moments.

"You're being serious." She said.

"Of course. I wouldn't lie about something like this."

Cally gave me a relieved smile.

"Even better. I dealt with a few transmigrators in the First Timeline. They never considered Lumina their home, so they were reluctant to risk their lives for it. I'm glad that isn't the case with you."

I nodded, before I stood up.

"Well then," I said, "It's been a long day and you've given me much to think about. I shall take my leave."

Cally stood up as well and curtsied.

"Thank you," she said, "You have no idea how much your help means to me."

I smiled.

"No need for thanks. Just make sure you reciprocate, in case those demons come after me and my family."

Cally bit her lip and looked away. My smile faded away as a pit opened up in my stomach.

"No." I said in disbelief.

"There is a reason why Kaylee and I became so close." Cally said in a quiet voice. "We understood each other's pain."

I clenched my fists so hard that it felt like I would break my hands.

"I see." I said, my tone calm despite the maelstrom of emotion raging inside me. "Thank you for the warning."

"It's the least I can do." Cally said. "For you and Kaylee."

I nodded, before I put my disguise ring back on and made my way out of the drawing room.

After I left the drawing room, I ran into Leroy, who finished with the measurements a while ago. However, when he realized that Cally and I were in the middle of a private conversation, he remained outside. My chaotic mental state must have been obvious, because when Leroy saw me, he gave me a concerned look and asked if I was alright. I shook my head at him and didn't answer.

Of course I wasn't alright. I just learned that in the First Timeline, my family died at the hands of demons. Anger and rage burned inside me, like a volcano waiting to erupt. It took every ounce of self-control to keep myself in check. Otherwise, I felt like I would rush out and hunt down every demon I could find.

Leroy and I left Icefall Manor, before we split up. After witnessing the bout between Anna and myself, Leroy said that he wanted to train more, so he didn't fall behind. He was on the verge of forming his Second Star, and training would help him cross the threshold.

I let him go, before heading back to our rented house. It had been an eventful day for me, and I needed to rest. I also wanted to sort through everything I learned from Cally. Regression, an invasion from the Infernal Lands, my family's death. There was a lot to unpack there. At least Kaylee survived, so there was that silver lining.

However, after I returned to the rented house, I found myself unable to relax. No matter how much I tried to calm down, I remained agitated and restless. My thoughts kept going back to my family. I just reunited with them, and now there was a chance that I would lose them again? Anyone would feel aggrieved after hearing that.

Unable to stand it anymore, I decided to take a walk. I hoped that the cold and refreshing air of the Icefall region would help cool my emotions. I left a note for Leroy, in case he returned before me, and headed out.

At first, I wandered about without a destination in mind. I ambled through Icefall City, lost in my own thoughts. Every once in a while, I took a moment to study the city's residents. Most of them were regular people eking out a living, some more successful than others. The rest were adventurers who had come to Icefall City seeking fame and fortune. None of them knew that a demonic incursion would soon devastate the entire region, bringing death and destruction in its wake.

This was why I considered regressors cursed, since they remembered a timeline that no longer existed. That knowledge burdened them in mind and soul, disconnecting them from the present. Thanks to my conversation with Cally, I bore that burden as well. Still, this was a small price to pay.

Now that I knew that the Infernal Lands planned on invading Lumina, I could do something about it. I could save my family and prevent their deaths. Kaylee wouldn't have to endure all that pain and suffering.

However, what if she was also a regressor? I wasn't sure how I would react, if that turned out to be the case. So, I put it out of my mind for now. I could cross the bridge when, or if, I came across it.

After a while, my stomach rumbled with hunger, so I decided to head down to Icefall Undercity to grab some food. While there were plenty of restaurants in Icefall City, I really liked the noodles from the shop run by Marilyn's parents. They were expensive, but worth the price.

I passed through the entrance in the dilapidated potion shop, waved to the middle-aged man who guarded it, and arrived at Icefall Undercity'S North Tunnel. The liveliness and warmth of the place lifted my spirits. While I still felt angry and restless, the bustle and noise of the undercity grounded me in the present.

I grabbed some free skewers from the stall owner I rescued the other day, whose name turned out to be Robert, before I made my way to the noodle shop run by Marilyn's parents. However, before I reached the entrance, a voice called out to me.

"There you are, Brandon Norwood!"

I turned to find my cousin, Andre Leone, heading in my direction. He wore another set of expensive red robes. A golden circlet adorned his head, giving him a rather regal appearance. All in all, he looked like the young master from a prestigious family that he was.

Richard, Andre's bodyguard and Leroy's older brother, followed Andre from behind. He wore an outfit similar to mine: tough, practical, and designed for colder climes. Looking at him now, it was obvious that Leroy and Richard were related. I must have been blind not to notice it during our first meeting.

Andre walked towards me with an excited expression on his face, while Richard regarded me with wariness and suspicion. While I wasn't in the mood to deal with either of them, I decided to be polite.

"Greetings, Young Master Andre." I said, giving him a slight bow. "What may I do for you?"

"I've finally found you," Andre said, stopping a few feet away from me. "You're a hard man to reach, Brandon."

I gave him a questioning look.

"Is there something you needed from me?"

After our first meeting, Andre should've forgotten my existence. Why had he looked for me? Unless… What if Andre or Richard caught a glimpse of Leroy during our first encounter? In that case, they might suspect my true identity. If so, things were about to get messy.

"No." Andre chuckled. "Rather, it's the opposite. I wanted to reward you for your help the other day."

I gave him a blank look, before I remembered what he meant. Oh. Right. He said something along those lines, after I helped clean his robes. I had forgotten about that.

"That isn't necessary, Young Master Andre." I said. "I helped you because it was the right thing to do."

For Robert's sake, not Andre's, but I wasn't going to mention that part.

"Oh, no need to be humble." My cousin gestured to me. "Come now. Tell me what you want. As long as it is reasonable and within my power, I shall grant it."

I opened my mouth to decline him once more, but paused.

"Actually," I said, "There is something you can do for me."

Andre raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Well, what is it? Tell me. Don't be shy."

"I need to provide some context."

I looked for a quiet corner, so we could talk with some measure of privacy. When I found one, I headed over and gestured for Andre to follow me. He gave me a skeptical look, but followed along. Richard tensed, but otherwise didn't react.

After the two joined me in the quiet corner, I told them about the hellhounds I encountered. I left a lot of details out, including the fact that my companions and I killed the hellhounds, but I left enough in to illustrate the potential danger they presented.

"This may end up being a small matter." I said, acting worried. "However, I'm afraid that a demonic incursion will hit Icefall City. If that happens, many people will die. While there are plenty of adventurers here, they may not be enough to deal with a large-scale demonic incursion."

Andre nodded with a serious expression on his face.

"You're right to be worried." He said. "Any demonic incursion, no matter how small, must not be taken lightly." He frowned. "However, I fail to see how this is related to your request."

"Clan Leone is famous for its power and influence." I said. "Is there any way you can bring some warriors here, to reinforce the city's defenses?"

Andre pinched his chin with a thoughtful expression on his face, while Richard narrowed his eyes at me.

"Perhaps." Andrew said. "I may be the heir, but my authority has its limits. Even I can't command my Clan's forces without sufficient justification. Summoning warriors to aid a city at the edge of the empire, that may or may not face a demonic incursion, isn't reason enough."

I expected as much. However, I already had a solution for that.

"True," I said, "But what if it was for a training excursion?"

Andre gave me an interested look and gestured for me to continue.

"Monsters plague the Icefall region. Hunting them down gives adventurers and martial artists a chance to test their strength and gain experience. I'm sure Clan Leone has several young warriors who are looking for the chance to prove themselves. Why not bring some of them here for training? That way, even if the demonic incursion ends up being less of a threat than expected, or not a threat at all, your Clan still benefits."

Andre's expression lit up with excitement.

"What an excellent idea! And if the demonic incursion is a serious threat, this is an opportunity for the warriors of Clan Leone to earn honor and glory. I love it!" He laughed. "I like you, Brandon Norwood. Why don't you become a retainer for Clan Leone? We could always use someone like you."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Young Master," Richard said, "This is unwise. We don't know anything about this man."

Andre scoffed.

"Brandon saved me from embarrassing myself, and gave me the opportunity to earn some merit. That's all I need to know about him." He looked at me. "So, what do you say?"

Damn it. I needed to find a way to reject Andre's offer without offending him. Damn young masters. They were annoying to deal with, even when they were being generous. In the end, I decided to give him the same excuse that I gave Lord Icefall.

"I am flattered by your offer, Young Master Andrew." I raised my hand and showed him my disguise ring. "However, I have my own family obligations."

"Ah, I understand." Andre said. "Say no more. However, send me a message after you return home. Making a connection with your Clan must be worth it, if they produced someone like you." He pulled a token out of his inventory ring. "Here. If you send this with the message, it will reach me without issue."

I stared at the token. It was a small golden medallion, with the Spirit Tongue characters for "Andre Leone" engraved on it. With my mana sense, I saw that it had a few enchantments on it, to both prevent forgery and theft.

Giving away tokens like this was a custom particular to Murim here on Lumina. Mother told me about it, before I left Sturm Manor. Clan scions, and even entire Clans, gave them to individuals they held in high regard. In this case, Andre's token served as proof that I was a friend, or at least a close acquaintance, of his.

"This is too much." I said. "I can't accept this!"

"He's right, Young Master!" Richard exclaimed.

Andre snorted, before he marched over and shoved the token into my hands.

"Take it. I won't accept any refusal. This is yours." He nodded. "Now then. My business with you is concluded, so I shall take my leave."

With that, Andre marched off before I could even protest. Soon, he disappeared from sight. I stared in the direction he went in, before I sighed and put the token away. It might prove useful in the future.

I turned towards the noodle shop run by Marilyn's parents. However, before I even took a step towards it, another voice spoke up. It sounded familiar.

"That was an interesting conversation."

The voice sounded like it came from right next to me. However, when I looked around, I saw no one. Several possibilities flashed through my mind. I settled on the most likely one.

"Sneaking up on someone while invisible and eavesdropping on them is a good way to get yourself killed." I said in a cold voice. "Not to mention it's rude. Reveal yourself, Anna."

I heard a chuckle, before a patch of air nearby rippled. A moment later, Anna appeared out of nowhere. She grinned at me.

"So," She said, "About that meal I owe you."

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