Chapter 1: A World That Has Already Changed

Claire Edelweiss had always known how to stand perfectly.

Her long white hair flowed straight down her back, softly shimmering beneath the crystal light of the Elystra Magic Academy. That color was rare—and because of that, impossible to ignore. Every step she took was calm, every movement measured. The academy mantle she wore was always immaculate, as though the concept of carelessness had never existed in her world.

Behind that flawless appearance, a pair of pale pink eyes observed the world with an almost cold focus.

Claire was the pride of the Academy.

Her theoretical magic scores were always at the top. History, strategy, spell analysis—there was not a single subject she failed to master. Other female mages often praised her, sometimes with genuine smiles, sometimes with envy they did not bother to hide.

“She’ll definitely become the next Great Wizard.”
“Claire is perfect.”

Claire heard those words almost every day.

Yet only she herself knew—
that perfection cracked at one point.

The Final Magic Control Examination ended in painful silence.

When it was Claire’s turn, the entire hall held its breath. The magical energy in the air trembled, far too powerful for a standard examination. The spell had not fully formed, yet its power was already overflowing.

Then everything collapsed.

Magic exploded without direction. The magic circle shattered. Wild energy slammed into the protective barriers, making them creak violently.

The examination was halted.

Her score—low. Painfully low.

Not because Claire did not understand how.
Not because she had neglected her training.

It was the opposite.

She knew too much.
And her magic seemed unwilling to submit to limitations.

“Your talent is too great.”

The Academy Head said it without blame, yet Claire still gripped the edge of her mantle more tightly.

“And because of that, you require different guidance.”

Claire knew exactly where this conversation was headed.

“Merlin.”

The name echoed like a distant sound—heavy and sacred.

Merlin, the Great Wizard. A legendary mage. The figure who had been Claire’s goal since childhood. Someone she admired from afar, like a mountain peak too high to approach.

“I’m not ready,” Claire replied quietly.

She did not want to meet Merlin as someone who had failed. She wanted to be acknowledged—not corrected.

But the Academy Head only looked at her calmly.

“If you wish to become a Great Wizard this year, then there is no other path.”

Claire remained silent for a long time.

And finally, she nodded.

The journey to Merlin’s residence felt like a journey toward destiny.

The place lay far from the center of the magic world, almost at the edge of the map. Claire exchanged her academy uniform for a simple travel robe, pulling a hood over her white hair. That color was far too conspicuous, even in a world filled with mages.

But when she arrived—
destiny had already left.

“Merlin has been dead for a long time.”

The words were spoken far too easily.

Claire felt as if the ground had been pulled out from beneath her feet.

“That’s impossible…”
“Is there… an heir?”

The villagers shook their heads. No one knew. Nothing remained.

Until someone else, older, stepped forward and spoke hesitantly.

“There is one person.”
“But… he’s a man.”

Claire frowned.

Then the name was spoken.

Asuka.

Asuka had left that place a long time ago.

He went to the Human World.
To the land called the Land of the Rising Sun.

Japan.

Claire swallowed.

Since childhood, she had grown up with stories of witch hunts. Of humans who were fearful and cruel. Of an outside world that was never truly safe.

But if Asuka was the only trace Merlin left behind—

then she had no choice.

Claire’s first step into Japan felt… strange.

There were no shouts.
No suspicious stares.

Humans passed by without paying her any attention. They walked quickly, overtaking one another, busy staring at small glowing boxes in their hands.

Claire stopped for a moment, watching.

Why was everyone so fixated on those objects?

She lifted her head—and froze.

On the side of a tall building, a massive box was displayed. Inside it, a human moved, smiled, spoke.

Claire’s heart raced.

Was that… a punishment?

Yet the people around her simply walked past.

“An advertisement,” someone said casually.

Claire did not know what an advertisement was. She only knew that this world did not function according to the stories she had been told.

The blare of a horn made her flinch. A large wheeled object sped past her. Claire stepped back instinctively, her heart barely settling before another sound echoed from the sky.

An iron bird flew overhead, its roar deafening.

Not magic.
Not a living creature.

A machine.

Claire slowly realized something that sent a chill down her spine.

Humans no longer needed swords or arrows. They possessed weapons that killed from afar, armored vehicles, and flying machines.

If war were to happen now—
mages might not even have time to chant a spell.

For the first time, Claire felt a different kind of fear.

Not fear of being hunted.
But fear of being left behind.

Her confusion reached its peak when she saw people dressed like mages.

Long coats. Strange hats. Fake staffs.

“Cosplay?” someone asked with a laugh.

Claire did not understand what cosplay meant. But seeing the lighthearted laughter of those humans, she realized one bitter, honest truth—

mages were no longer feared.

They were… entertainment.

Claire pulled her hood deeper and continued on her way.

Asuka.
That was the only goal she held onto.

And without warning—

CRASH.

“Ouch! Watch where you’re going!”

Claire staggered. A young man stopped abruptly in front of her, riding a two-wheeled object.

Short black hair. A flat, irritated expression. And eyes—
golden-yellow eyes that, for some reason, made her pause.

“This is a bike lane,” he snapped.

“If you didn’t ride so recklessly—!” Claire shot back, her tone just as sharp.

An awkward, heated argument broke out.

Both of them annoyed.
Both convinced they were right.

And neither of them realized—

that the destiny they were searching for,
and the past they were trying to avoid,

had met right there,
at that very intersection.