His voice echoed without sound, like it came from every direction and none at the same time.

He said:

"When someone violates time, you will know.

You will receive a system notification.

And with my authority, you may summon that person to where you stand…

or drag them into your time dimension to pass judgment."

Those words have been repeating in my mind ever since.

And yet—none of it has happened.

No one has triggered the system.

No one has broken the rule.

Maybe they're scared.

Maybe they're waiting.

Or maybe something bigger is preparing to happen.

Nolan lay there, staring at the ceiling as those thoughts flowed through him, the room quiet, the house filled with the distant sounds of Signe and Linda cleaning downstairs.

For now… silence.

For now… no disturbances in the river of time.

But for how long?

After he slept for about an hour, a faint ripple brushed through his senses—so small that a normal mage would never detect it, but sharp and clear to someone like him. Someone had crossed into the yard. Someone with enough presence to disturb the flow of mana around the barrier.

Nolan's eyes opened instantly.

He stood up from the bed without hesitation and walked downstairs, each step quiet, controlled. When he reached the door, he already knew who it was, but he still opened it calmly.

Standing outside was Lucan, the guild master, with several adventurers and two city guards behind him. They all looked on guard, hands near their weapons, clearly prepared for combat.

The moment the door swung open, Lucan blurted out—

"Ah! It's you, Sir Nolan! You're finally back! I thought it was an intruder since you said I should watch your house. That was why I came. We just met in the forest."

"Oh, really?" Nolan said with a relaxed expression.

"Yes," Lucan replied, then turned to address the adventurers and guards behind him. "Everyone, you can all return. It's not an intruder. It's the owner of the house."

The adventurers and guards all nodded and began walking away, whispering among themselves as they disappeared down the path.

Lucan walked forward and extended his hand. Nolan shook it firmly.

"It's good to see you again," Lucan said.

"Good to see you too," Nolan replied.

"There were news I received already that you won the tournament. And another news I heard… about how you won it," Lucan said, crossing his arms.

"Yes, I did," Nolan answered. "And I defeated your brother, Luthar, as well. The cult and everything has been stopped."

Lucan frowned slightly, lowering his voice. "So tell me something… I heard the cult summoned a demon. And that you fought it. How powerful was it?"

"Well, nothing powerful enough for me to worry about," Nolan said casually.

Lucan narrowed his eyes. "Well… what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" Nolan asked.

"Well, something isn't right," Lucan said, confusion written all over his face. "I usually sense your mana. I always sensed how dangerous and powerful it was. But now? It's completely sealed away. Completely. Like you are someone with no mana at all. Weak. Ordinary. How is this possible? Was this your breakthrough? How did you reach this kind of feat?"

Nolan smiled lightly. "Well… there's no need for you to know."

But inside, he thought to himself:

I can't tell him. I've actually descended and reached the level of a god when it comes to pure strength. Now that I'm in my divinity, my mana doesn't show. It's completely sealed away. Only someone divine can read my mana now. I can still see my own mana clearly… but mortals? They can't.

As his thoughts settled, he looked back at Lucan with a calm expression.

"Anyway," Lucan said with a deep bow, "I really appreciate you for doing this. Really, I do. You protected my city, protected the people, and you trusted me with your home. Thank you—thank you. I'm in your debt. Anytime you ever need anything, you can come to me."

Nolan chuckled softly. "Well, I'll take you up on that offer. Soon. Because I'm sure I will need your help one day."

Lucan nodded firmly, unaware of how much Nolan's words would matter in the future.

"Well, see, I don't care about that for now. But you can come in. Your sword… see, I didn't even use it that much. It wasn't really helpful," Nolan said casually as he stepped aside, motioning for Lucan to enter. His voice was calm, but his mind was already racing ahead—thinking of the Dwarf Kingdom, the sword he needed, and the potential threats that might be waiting there.

Lucan followed him inside, taking in the surroundings. Every detail of Nolan's home reflected both power and comfort: the faint glow of protective wards in the corners, the polished wood of the floor, and the soft hum of magic that seemed to resonate with the very walls. He paused for a moment, scanning the room carefully. "This place… it's fortified. I can feel it," Lucan murmured.

"Wait here," Nolan instructed, his tone firm but not harsh. There was a subtle weight to his presence that made Lucan instinctively nod and follow the instructions.

Celia, who had been quietly tidying the living room, noticed Lucan and immediately approached with a warm, polite smile. "Good morning, Lucan," she said, her tone bright and welcoming. She paused, then glanced at Nolan and nodded, as if silently asking for permission to proceed.

"Go bring Lucan's sword," Nolan said casually, though his eyes never left the newcomer.

Celia turned quickly, moving with the practiced efficiency of someone used to service and order. Moments later, she returned, carrying Lucan's sword carefully. She handed it over with a steady hand, making sure the weapon's surface gleamed even in the muted light of the room.

Lucan's eyes widened slightly as he accepted the blade. "Wow… you brought it back just as new," he said, running his fingers along the polished hilt and checking the balance. His admiration was clear, but his voice carried the weight of one who had fought in countless battles.

"Well, yes," Nolan replied lightly, a faint smile on his lips. "I just did." He leaned against the doorframe, observing Lucan with a quiet curiosity. "That demon I fought… it was incredibly strong. I could sense its presence even from afar. If I hadn't intervened, there would have been widespread devastation. Even now, I don't sense any human stronger than that demon. Maybe there's someone, but not that I've encountered. That demon… it grew stronger by consuming the souls of those it killed. Luckily, I stopped it before it could do more harm."

Lucan's expression shifted slightly, a mixture of awe and respect crossing his features. "That's… incredible," he said slowly. "You didn't just save the empire—you saved this village, and Sandra. That's remarkable."

Nolan nodded, his gaze softening slightly. "It was necessary. People shouldn't suffer from monsters they have no chance against. That's all."

Lucan shook his head, a small smile forming. "Well, that's not a problem. But I won't be staying here for long. Soon, I'll be heading to the Dwarf Kingdom."

Nolan frowned slightly, concern creeping into his voice. "But… why? Out of all places… humans are hated there. And you're really going?"

"Yes," Lucan replied firmly. "I was told to go there, and I still will. The reason is simple—I need a sword. One strong enough to match my abilities, one that I can forge into something uniquely mine. It has to be capable of enduring my strength, capable of holding my magic without breaking."

Nolan's eyes glimmered with understanding. "Ah… I see. That makes sense. A weapon like that… it has to resonate with its wielder, or it's useless." He leaned back slightly, thinking ahead. "I hope the Dwarves cooperate. They're… particular about whom they trust, and they don't take orders lightly. You'll need to prove yourself to them."

Lucan nodded in agreement. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes. That sword must be forged properly. There's no room for mistakes."

At that moment, Linda stepped forward, carrying a tray with freshly brewed tea. The aroma filled the room, and she handed it to Lucan with a polite smile. "Here you go, Lucan. Please, take this," she said.

"Thank you, Linda," Lucan said sincerely, accepting the cup. He lifted it carefully, letting the warmth seep into his hands, then took a small sip. The tea's soothing taste seemed to calm his mind for just a moment. He looked around at the group, a fleeting smile crossing his features. "It's good to be back here, even briefly. This village… it feels like home, even if my path now takes me elsewhere."

Nolan studied him for a moment, observing the subtle tension in Lucan's shoulders. "Just make sure the sword is truly yours when you leave. A blade like that… it's more than just metal. It has to resonate with your strength. If it doesn't, it won't survive the battles ahead."

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