Chapter 59: The Reflection of Infinite Worlds

The mist surrounding the ruins grew thinner as Kanata, Asuna, and Celestine A.R. pressed deeper into the forest path. The air shimmered faintly — like time itself was bending under their presence.

Celestine A.R. walked slightly ahead, her expression calm yet nostalgic.
“You know, Kanata-kun… in my world, you were completely different.”

Kanata blinked. “Different how?”

“For one, you were the type who wanted to become number one in the Academy. You were always competing, studying, pushing everyone — including me.”

Asuna chuckled, her silver ponytail swaying as she leaned closer.
“Wow, that’s the opposite of this Kanata. This one just wants to quit!”

“Heh. Typical.” Celestine smiled wistfully. “You were also… kind of a flirt. You loved teasing the girls. Especially me.”

“Hah?! I—what?!” Kanata’s face turned crimson. “Don’t just say that out loud!”

Asuna burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “Oh, that’s too good. So, you were a playboy in another timeline, huh?”

“I said stop it!” Kanata growled, covering his face while Asuna kept laughing. The echo of their voices softened the eerie silence of the ruins — a brief pocket of humor before the storm.

Up on the northern ridge, Nagisa gathered branches for a campfire when she noticed a familiar figure walking alone along the beach below.

Her eyes widened.
“Kanata-kun? …Wait—no. Something’s off.”

The man’s posture was heavier, older. His gaze carried years of pain and exhaustion. Standing beside him was a tall elf with glowing blue hair.

“That’s… him. But not my Kanata.”

The realization hit her like ice. The Kanata she saw wasn’t from this time — he was from a world that had already ended.

Not far away, Celestine was busy organizing tents for Team Black Dragon when she felt someone watching her.
Turning, she gasped softly.

There, behind the trees, stood Itsuha A.R., the older version of her classmate — eyes wet with tears.

“Celestine…” Itsuha whispered.
“You’re alive. In my world… you and Kanata died protecting us.”

Her voice cracked. She quickly wiped her tears before anyone could see.
“At least now… I get to see you again, even if you’re not my Celestine.”

Celestine’s hand tightened around the rope she was tying. She didn’t know what to say — so she simply smiled, a fragile gesture in the fading light.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest clearing, Aine A.R. leaned against a tree, watching her younger self laugh while collecting fruits near the water.

She chuckled softly. “Still the same lazy attitude, huh? Guess some things never change — even across worlds.”

Far from the island, in the real Tokyo, Nagisa A.R. sat quietly in a dimly lit room, staring at a photograph — a picture of Kanata and Haqua, smiling together.

Her tears finally broke free.
“So you’re both still alive in this world… I thought I’d never see that smile again.”

The door opened. Naomi and Haqua stood there, startled to find her.
Haqua’s eyes trembled. “Nagisa…? But you’re—”

Before they could react, Nagisa A.R. rushed forward and hugged them both tightly, trembling as she spoke through sobs.
“I’m not your Nagisa… but please, just let me hold you for a moment.”

Naomi’s eyes softened. “I understand. You’ve lost everyone in your world, haven’t you?”

Nagisa nodded silently.

“Then stay,” Naomi said gently. “When the time comes, we’ll talk about everything. For now… you’re safe.”

In a dark, empty library, Caine A.R. stood before rows of ancient tomes. The air reeked of dust and forgotten knowledge.

A heavy presence emerged from the far side — Salvation, his eyes glowing dimly.

“You’re not the Caine of this world,” Salvation said coldly, hand hovering near his sword. “So who are you?”

“You’re right,” Caine A.R. admitted, lowering his hood. His features were almost identical — yet softer, more human.
“I come from another timeline. One where I fell… completely into darkness. I’m here to stop him — to stop myself.”

Salvation’s expression darkened, uncertain whether to believe him. The silence that followed was heavier than the air itself.

Back at the island, Kanata and the two women finally reached the ancient basin — the Fountain of Eternity.
Its crystal water shimmered with light that didn’t belong to this world. The surface rippled faintly, reflecting dozens of faces — his faces — from other timelines.

Kanata stepped closer, staring into the reflection.
“So this… this is what they all fought for.”

He raised his hand to destroy it — but a familiar voice whispered from within his mind.
“Will you truly change the future, Kanata?”

He froze. It was his own voice.
“What do you really wish for? If you destroy the Fountain… what will remain?”

The reflection smiled back — the older version of himself.

Kanata clenched his fists. “I don’t know. But I’ll find out my own way.”

Far across the island, the students gathered at the central plain for their first examination.
Reiga and Kobayashi stood at the front, their expressions serious.

“Listen up, everyone!” Reiga shouted.
“This is your first official combat evaluation. You’ll be facing one another — but only in controlled duels. Attack-type magic is restricted. Understood?”

The students nodded in unison, though the tension was palpable.

Kobayashi added, “This isn’t about strength. It’s about coordination and control. Remember that.”

As the teams took their positions, the sun dipped low, painting the island in hues of red and gold.

Reiga glanced toward the distant ruins, his heart heavy.
“Kanata-kun… wherever you are, I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

He raised his hand.
“Begin.”

The bell rang, echoing across the island — and the Fountain War silently drew one step closer.