The moment my master mentioned the ⟦Magi⟧ class, a fleeting thought struck my mind—
"M–Mother?"
Was she the one he was talking about?
Could she really be… my mother?
But… why can't I remember anything about her?
Even if she is my mother…
How could I have forgotten her?
I have a few glimpses of my childhood in this world…
I still recall my father somewhat clearly.
I don't remember his face, or shape, or even what he was…
But some of his words still linger.
Especially that warm voice...
"Whatever your class may be, I'll always be proud of you."
That line… it's etched into my memory.
Was it because he was the first who didn't fear me, despite how different I was from the others my age?
Or was it simply because he loved me as his son—his greatest treasure?
I don't know.
But if the woman he's talking about is my mother…
Then I have to go see her—
I have to be sure.
If I lay eyes on her…
I'm certain I'll remember everything I've forgotten.
"What's with that serious look on your face?"
I told him what was going through my mind…
About the possibility that my mother is the current High Dryad of the clan.
About how, one day, I just lost all memories of her… and never noticed.
"Don't worry. Forgetting memories like that is perfectly normal."
"…What do you mean?"
"Well… maybe it's because you've never met someone on your level—Half-Virtues—but the greatest obstacle on their path isn't power or trials… It's something much worse."
Okay, fair enough—
In this world, I'm sure I haven't met any Half-Virtues.
But in my previous lives, I encountered beings far beyond any Virtue I've ever known here…
Sure…
Pride may be the strongest in this dimension.
But elsewhere…
I've met people who were the definition of strength itself.
People who ruled multiple dimensions at once.
Emperors, perhaps? I can't recall clearly…
"Once someone reaches the level of Half-Virtue, they face a terrifying trial—
⁂Self-Fading⁂…
It begins with the loss of crucial memories. And if you fail to overcome it,
you eventually forget who you are, deny your very existence…
and die without even realizing it."
…What?
That's horrifying.
⁂Self-Fading⁂…
It's…
It's like the Saint's path of self-denial.
But wait…
"If you're saying that, then doesn't it mean you've overcome it? So why are you still a Half-Virtue?"
He looked at me with sorrow in his eyes—
As though memories he had tried to forget had returned to him.
"…You're right.
Had I been born in a different world, I would've ascended by now.
But there's something more important than overcoming Self-Fading—
Something even harder."
Something… more important?
Harder than surviving the erasure of your very identity?
"…That something… is your 'Story'."
"…You're joking."
"I'm not."
He summoned his sacred mana and began drawing strange patterns in the air.
"On the path to the peak, what matters more than raw power…
is proving to the world that you existed.
Only a handful leave behind legends—mysteries, adventures, epic tales…"
The swirling forms transformed into a brilliant golden bolt of lightning.
"Surely you've heard of Zeus, right?
That's the kind of story I'm talking about.
A tale that carves your presence into history…
and turns you into a legend retold by generations to come."
I understand now.
I need a grand tale—one that reaches the ears of all…
One they'll never forget.
That's why I haven't become a Virtue yet—
No matter how much power I've gathered.
"The fact that you still remember so much…
proves you're close to conquering Self-Fading.
All that's left is to leave your legend behind—
Then you'll ascend.
You might even become a Virtue… before I do."
Hearing him say that, in such a bitter tone…
Reminded me of something important.
If we're talking legends, then my master has more than enough:
He's the fabled Dragon King.
Even the story of his countless wives and no children has spread across worlds.
Not to mention…
He once burned down an entire continent—
Simply because he was annoyed by a war.
So why…?
Why hasn't he ascended?
"I can read your thoughts just by your face, you know, brat."
"Fair.
But your legends are many—and unforgettable.
So why haven't you ascended?"
"…Because we are sealed… in this world."
Sealed? We?
"…Due to the restrictions placed by the Virtue of Greed,
her power was locked into Classes and Skills.
And ever since, no one has become a full Virtue.
Even the number of Half-Virtues has dwindled.
Anyone born here is fated to remain lesser."
"…Then what about me?
Am I bound by this seal too?
Is that why I can't reach the next level?"
He sighed… then smirked.
"Didn't I just tell you?
You can become a Virtue—
because your soul… wasn't born here."
Right…
I was born in this world…
But my soul travels from world to world, with every wish I fulfill.
How could I forget that?
More importantly…
I've already inherited Greed's Authority.
Even if the seal is inside me—
If I can master the Authority of Mother Wisdom…
I'll break free.
Just like I did… for my disciples.
Looks like I'll need to overcome Self-Fading and put it all to the test.
"Master, don't get your hopes up, but…
Do you remember the Paths you saw with your Dragon Eye?"
"Paths? Let me see…
There was the Path of the Sword, the Path of Despair, the Path of the Body… and… the—!!!"
The old man's gloom vanished—
Replaced by joy so overwhelming, he nearly shouted.
"Don't get your hopes up.
Remember, my Path… is Despair.
Though I wouldn't mind being wrong~"
"You greedy bastard…
Alright, I won't hope too much.
But I will waiting it."
We spent the rest of the evening talking about everything I'd been through—
Trying to awaken the lost memories within me…
Until he started bragging about his wives again.
…I honestly don't think he'll live long if he keeps marrying every girl who catches his eye.
.....
Morning came.
I hadn't slept.
I no longer felt hunger or fatigue—
But I continued syncing with Chaos Mana, trying to reduce the side effects from channeling it through my mind instead of the heart's core.
The girls woke up and got ready for the journey.
I told them about our next destination.
I thanked my master…
And his guardian—for caring for my disciples while I was away.
And once the teleportation gate was finally ready—
"Hold on to me.
Let's not get separated during the transfer."
"Yes, Master Til!"
Let's go…
To the Dryads' Clan—
To the World Tree.