―In the [Time-Space Interval].

I was facing the silver-haired beauty, the goddess Aristia.

Why did Aristia suddenly come to see me?

I was going to ask that, but...

"Hah, hah, hah... Finally, after confirming the emergence of the distortion gate, I was finally able to find Yuuri-san. I never thought I would reach such a level where I could actually create a gate myself..."

The noble impression once held was nowhere to be found, as Aristia panted heavily, muttering something under her breath.

I wonder if everything is okay?

"Um, Aristia―"

"Yuuri-san!"

"―Ah, yes."

As I became worried and tried to call out, Aristia shouted that I was interrupting me.

It seems that my concern was unnecessary.

While I was thinking about such things, Aristia suddenly bowed her head right there for some reason.

"First of all, please allow me to apologize. Yuuri-san, I am truly, truly sorry for this!"

"...Um."

I don't understand what I'm being apologized for, and I'm completely bewildered.

Then, seeing me like that, Aristia made an even more apologetic expression.

"...Of course, I don't expect to be forgiven with just this level of apology. The crime I have committed is that serious."

"Um, what have you been talking about since earlier?"

"...Yes, indeed. It's only natural for you to react that way. I realize now that even thinking you would listen to my apology was naive of me."

"...Hmm?"

It feels like we've been missing each other for a while... or rather, it feels like our conversation isn't even matching up at all. Is it just my imagination?

In the first place, why is Aristia apologizing to me?

"Um, I don't even know what you're apologizing for, so could you explain that to me first?"

"...You want me to confess my sins with my own mouth, right? Yes, of course."

There's still something that bothers me, but anyway, I will listen to the rest.

"First, I would like to confirm something... Yuuri-san, you probably believe that you spent nearly a thousand years in the [Time-Space Interval], but is that not incorrect?"

"Ah."

"...As I thought, it was true."

After tightly closing her eyes as if regretting something, Aristia opened her mouth again.

"To be honest, the responsibility lies with me."

"What do you mean?"

"Originally, Yuuri-san was supposed to stay in the [Time-Space Interval] for at most 2 to 3 years. However, there was a significant miscalculation for me."

"...Hmm."

In other words, the training that was supposed to take 2 to 3 years ended up taking 1000 years, she must be apologizing for that.

However, there is something I don't quite understand. Why does such a thing happen?

Aristia is a goddess.

─God wouldn't let a trivial mistake go unpunished, so there must be some significant reason hidden there.

I remembered what happened back then and then, I realized the reason.

Could it be... because I don't have any magical power?

Well, that's...

Even in this short period of time spent in another world, there have been numerous troubles arising from the fact that I have no magical power.

Every time I honestly talked about that fact, without exception, people were surprised.

I think that in another world, magical power is not that important an energy.

Indeed, it was so unexpected that I would have to fight without any magical power.

When I started training in the [Time-Space Interval], I casually told Aristia, "Until I have enough strength to defeat low-level monsters."

Aristia probably accepted the offer gladly, thinking that I could surely reach that point in about two to three years.

However, the reality was different.

Acquiring skills without using magic was far more difficult than Aristia had anticipated.

Aristia had previously said that she had never encountered a human without magical power, and I must have been the first case.

In other words, I didn't know how fast a person with zero magical power could grow.

Additionally, she said that in the case of other reincarnators, just a month of training in the [Time-Space Interval] was enough to gain sufficient power to embark on their journey to another world.

If I estimate roughly 2 to 3 years from there, everything can be explained.

The results are, well, as I can see.

(If this prediction is correct, then I understand... but just to be sure, I'll double-check.)

To avoid any misunderstandings, I ask Aristia.

"Is that miscalculation due to the fact that I don't have any magical power?"

"Ah! Y-yes, that's right. So you noticed too, Yuuri-san (that I couldn't find your whereabouts for so long because you didn't have any magical power...)."

Aristia nodded repeatedly.

I feel like there was some weird pause, but it seems my prediction was correct.

"Haa."

But if that's the reason, then the words I have to convey to her are already decided.

After taking a deep breath, I spoke directly to Aristia.

"If that's the case, Aristia doesn't need to worry."

"B-but, that's not how it works—"

"Rather, from my perspective, I'm grateful to Aristia."

"―Huh?"

Because that's how it is.

If I had known from the beginning that it would take 1000 years to reach my goal, I might have given up on training and headed straight to the other world.

If that were the case, not only would I not be able to defeat even the beginner monsters, but I would have died without being able to defeat even passing dogs and birds.

Of course, the days of training alone were tough, and the number of times I wanted to quit was not just ten or a hundred.

Even so, I was able to obtain a certain level of power.

The reason I can survive in this other world is entirely thanks to Aristia.

Moreover―

"Everyone makes mistakes. Especially when it's the first time. So, don't worry too much about it, Aristia."

"Yuuri-san..."

Upon hearing my words, Aristia had tears welling up in her eyes and was trembling slightly.

It seems like she's really moved, and it's a bit embarrassing for me...

In that way, spending a few minutes is a time that's hard to describe.

After finally regaining her composure, Aristia cleared her throat and began to speak again.

"Thank you so much, Yuuri-san. I, Aristia, will never forget this kindness."

"That's an exaggeration."

"It's not an exaggeration. As proof, I would like to make one proposal to Yuuri-san."

"A proposal?"

Aristia nods.

"Yes, as an apology for this matter... no, as a thank you, just one thing. If it's alright with Yuuri-san, how about spending time not in the other world, but in this divine realm?"

"Here...?"

"Yes. Normally, this right is only granted to heroes who have accomplished numerous great deeds... but here, you can spend your days without any worries. Since Yuuri-san does not possess magical power, there are limitations to what can be done, but various authorities are also granted."

"...Hmm."

Indeed, there are various dangers overflowing in another world.

With my level of skill, that's even more so.

I was able to learn about that well enough, even in this short period.

If I can escape those dangers, it might indeed be a pretty good proposal.

However―

"No, I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."

"I haven't explained the details yet, but are you really sure about this?"

"Ah."

Everyone from the [Four Symbols of the Fine Weather], Walter, Rina, and many others.

Although the time we've spent together is still short, the days with the people I've met in this other world have become irreplaceable to me.

Even if there are dangers in another world, there is still more to be gained.

So,

"My place is already in another world."

When told that, Aristia closed her eyes for a few seconds and then nodded quietly.

"Understood. In that case, I have nothing more to say."

She must have understood my thoughts.

When Aristia extends both hands forward, a distortion in space appears there.

"Well then, this time for sure. Off you go to another world, Yuuri-san."

"Ah, I'm off."

And then I passed through the distortion and returned to the other world─

""""Yuuri-(san)!""""

They probably took care to consider the position.

The ones who welcomed me back to the place I had just been were the four members of the [Four Symbols of the Fine Weather].

Then, among them, Alicia stepped forward and spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

"I'm glad. I was thinking that maybe Yuuri-san wouldn't come back."

Hmm.

I don't think my conversation with Aristia was overheard, but I wonder if something happened.

For now, I say to alleviate that anxiety.

"There's no need to worry about that. My place is here in this other world."

"Then I'm relieved. I have a lot of questions to ask, but... for now, this comes first. Welcome back, Yuuri-san."

At Alicia's words, I nodded.

"Ahh… I'm home."

My otherworldly life is far from over.

End of Volume I

Chapter 36: Epilogue