Sacrifice: Time of Mine

In the unknown area in the south of Arcansas Continent, Avion came out of the Lord Sorcerer's base. After reading the letter left by the Lord Sorcerer himself, Avion was just more confused as to what's happening.

He had long suspected that being brought to that time is not a coincidence. Why did he snort the sand within the hourglass?

Avion thought it was on a whim, however, that doesn't seem the case.

'Everything is lined up?' he recalled what he read. 

"Why dodge the question? You really don't want to tell us who the woman you like."

Arcansas, the previous overlord of the continent, that is why it is named after her, playfully spoke to Avion.

After almost failing her ascension due to other Rank Es Elementalist, she didn't punish any of them but told them they all have one common enemy.

"It's... it's because he's shy."

Alisera, the key to Haliviana's ascension and also the Princess of the Karan Kingdom, tried to reason herself while hiding behind Avion.

"Master Avion, don't get pressured by them, they're just jealous."

Nequinn, the attendant of the Lord Sorcerer before being gifted to and serve under Avion.

"I don't think that's the case, Nequinn."

Avion, he's Avion.

"If you really don't want to tell us, then fine. Do you trust me now?" Arcansas confidently asked.

"Trust...?" the other three muttered.

"Yes, I hope you haven't forgotten that you took Haliviana's core. I still need it. If I can, I could've taken in from you earlier when I got a hold of you, right?"

Remembering the time Arcansas suddenly made them fly away, Avion realized what she was talking about.

'She's right, I'm already under her grasp at that time. She is also aware that I'm cornered that time since she's using it as a point.'

"So... will you give me Haliviana's core? I can't force you now even if I want to. Actually, if you want to kill me right now, I wouldn't be able to resist. You have a new subordinate who's stronger than me after all."

Arcansas casually pointed at Nequinn. However, observing closely, she was slightly sweating, signifying that she's actually nervous.

"Me?" Nequinn pointed at himself.

Arcansas nodded.

"Oh, don't misunderstand. I was much stronger before when my creator is here. My strength is waning as time passes."

"Ah-! Even if that's true, why did you tell her that!? Now she's aware she has the advantage, freak!" Alisera gave Nequinn a barrage of hits.

"S-seriously?" Arcansas's eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes, I am not Master Avion's guardian or warrior, I am only his attendant. My strength is directly proportionate to my master's physical strength. That is my nature. Now that Master Avion accepted me, I will become weaker than him."

Avion was stupefied.

"But... Nequinn... I have a strength of a mortal human..."

"What?" upon realizing this, Nequinn finally felt the blows from Alisera. On the last hit, he was sent flying by the Rank Bih Life Elementalist.

"Ah..." Alisera froze.

Nequinn landed a few meters away. 

Alisera ran up to him and asked, "Are you okay?"

After the dust settled, the disfigured body of Nequinn could be seen. Since he looked non-human, it wasn't grotesque as it sounded.

"I am fine. I am immortal, after all. That is also my nature." Nequinn stood up before his body returned to its original shape.

"Then, if you're that weak... umm, aren't you kind of worthless?" Alisera bluntly mentioned.

"Ah!" Nequinn's spirit was shattered. It took him a while before he tried to defend himself.

"But I can accompany Master Avion!"

"I'm already doing that." Alisera smiled.

"I can paint!"

"That's useless..."

"I can shapeshift!" Nequinn turned into a giraffe but he still retained his skin.

"What creature is that? But you still have no strength so it's useless!"

"I can emotionally support Master Avion!"

"Ha! I can do that too!"

"Ah... ah..." Nequinn was unable to say anything.

"Can do that too!"

"Yes, I remember! I can help Master Avion relieve his stress!"

"I can...!" Alisera's face then reddened, 'Wait, he can shapeshift, right?'

She then bashfully asked, "What... what kind of help?"

Princess of the Karan Kingdom, she may look innocent from the beginning but never forget, Edora was always at her side!

Since as a child, she would always become curious and ask a lot of questions. However, her parents wouldn't want to "taint" her mind so they didn't answer any of it. Only when she reached puberty and met Edora did her questions were answered.

Although she's oblivious to some, she is aware of most of it. So now, she suspected that Nequinn's main purpose is that!

"Any help! I can make a perfect bath, I can clean, I can cook, and I can also shapeshift into the comfiest bed!" Nequinn immediately answered, destroying Alisera's imagination and her image to herself.

'So I'm the only one thinking dirty here!' Alisera internally screamed.

"But since I can shapeshift, if Master Avion has some pent-up lust, I don't have gender in the first place so I can become his preferred woman!"

"I knew it! I'm not dirty!"

While the two were arguing, Arcansas asked Avion again.

"Do you still not trust me? If what Nequinn said is correct, then I can catch you now again but I'm not going to do it."

Avion closed his eyes.

"It's not about trust, Arcansas." he then looked at her sharply, "It's about Alisera's soul."

"Is that so..." but Arcansas didn't falter, "That can be solved. Although her soul is going to be kicked out of her body, it doesn't mean that soul will get immediately destroyed."

"So there's a solution?"

"Of course, although there will be some side effects, as long as Alisera agreed to it, it can be done."

"What side effects?"

"The soul is not something you can just remove from and place in a body. The compatibility between the soul and body is perfect from the start. To understand what I'm trying to say, the method is to temporarily keep Alisera's soul in another body."

"..."

"In other words, if the body is not compatible, it may damage or change the soul."

"So... how do we do that?"

Arcansas was surprised Avion chose to consider it.