One day
The world is known as the world of trials. Here, creatures are created merely as experiments within a system governed by the elders.
Trinity, a collective of Gods, created various worlds with the tree of life as the fundamental foundation of the many universes that exist.
We, the Quantex creatures, are beings that combine quantum and Experiment X from the gods above. We were created without emotions and with immense strength.
But our advantage lies in our minds. Yes, we are renowned for our highly intelligent brains, which compel us to create various materials that do not exist in these universes.
I, Liam's Qeon, from the Qeon race, aim to realize my ambition: to free our people from the grip of the gods.
I am utterly fed up with their games!
But we are merely third-tier Quantex creatures, meaning we truly lack strength or power, unlike those in tiers one and two.
And the place we live in is called Limbara.
The world of Limbara, more precisely, is a third-tier world.
Yes, there are tiers for experimental creatures like us. Tier 3 excels in intelligence, Tier 2 excels in physical strength, and Tier 1 can wield things like magical energy.
Although we are experimental creatures, our existence is at least higher than that of ordinary beings like humans.
Perhaps that's our advantage, something we, as experimental creatures, can take pride in.
But do they care about low-tier beings like me?
The answer is no, because according to those above, when the game ends, they themselves will stop it and erase us.
Yes, once our task is complete, we will be destroyed by them, no matter how it happens.
I call this cycle the first cycle.
Yes, I can't quite remember how long I've been through these repeating cycles.
But fundamentally, I want to break this endless time loop.
And this is my journey to become one of those who will break this cycle.
It begins at my home, a simple house but one that holds precious meaning to me.
My family's home, and also the best resting place I have.
I, Liam's Qeon, am a young man with a tall stature and balanced weight.
Yes, I am one of the top graduates of Heaven School Academy.
Even though we are experimental creatures, we can still access the highest educational institution in this world.
I like wearing a white suit, both the top and the pants. And I often wear my white hat.
People call me a magician, a clown, or someone unimportant.
Well, that's basically true, but I have an ambition to create a time machine that can prevent a great disaster in the future.
But can I actually do it?
"Food, come here! Come here!"
"Fish, don't forget to buy fish!"
"Cubes, don't forget to buy these nutritious cubes!"
Even though we live here as experimental creatures, at least we still carry out daily lives like ordinary beings in general.
Huh? Wait, have I already walked this way?
It seems I took a wrong turn. But what is this building?
A structure that looks like an ancient civilization building. Like an old medieval church.
Ah, since I'm hungry, I'd better hurry home before my mom leaves.
I start navigating the streets around me, watching people selling, buying, performing theater, and so much more.
Yeah, until I get home, no one must know that a cool clown like me was at this market.
I'd better walk faster.
I quicken my steps while still paying attention to the streets around me.
I hope I'm not late for lunch.
[Qeon family home.]
"Steve, have you prepared the dining area?"
"Yes, Lia, I'm definitely not late this time!"
"Good, my husband, but what about the kids?"
"They're probably still out, especially Liam. Where did that kid go?"
"I hope they can come back before lunch starts."
Hah … hah … hah …
Oh, darn! Am I late again?
I'd better hurry inside before my mom scolds me.
I start climbing the small steps in front of my house and approach the door.
I begin to open my house's door.
But … why do I feel something's a bit off?
*Creak …*
And just as I expected.
Hehe, sorry, Mom.
I see my mom standing in front of my door.
"I told you not to be late for lunch, you naughty boy!"
My mom grabs my ear hard.
Ow! That hurts, Mom!
"You need to learn a lesson like this!"
Oh no, why does this always happen to me?
My mom keeps pinching my ear while dragging me to the dining room.
Yeah, that's just how my mom is.
What can I do about it, right?
What are we eating now, Mom?
"Just look at the food I've prepared, Liam!"
Yup, it seems my mom is still mad.
But I was only a little late.
Alright, let's eat.
"Wait a minute, big brother."
Huh? That voice came from behind me.
Is that …
"Hey, selfish brother! Why do you want to eat lunch without me?"
You … Fanny, why do you look so angry?
Yes, my little sister Fanny is glaring at me with eyes full of rage.
It seems she's mad at me because I started eating without her.
Fanny is my younger sister; she excels in biotechnology and developing electrical energy for life.
"Hey, brother, why'd you stop eating? Are you scared of me?" Fanny's smile looks like the grin of death to me.
Yeah, I was waiting for you so you wouldn't be mad at me, Fanny.
"Good. By the way, why does a jobless person like you always show up late for lunch?"
Why do you always assume I'm jobless, huh?
"Because you're basically unemployed, brother!"
You little … Fanny! Just you wait!
Our bickering is so loud it reaches Mom in the living room.
"Why is it so noisy? Don't tell me it's them. You two, watch it!"
Hey, don't pull my shirt, Fanny!
You too, brother!
We're pulling at each other's clothes, unaware of a terrifying figure behind us.
"Stop it right now!"
T-that voice …
"T-that voice …"
"Can't you two stop fighting while eating?! You're grown up, so why are you always bickering over small things like this?!"
S-sorry, Mom.
"S-sorry, Mom."
Both our ears are pinched by our mom. It's the first time I've seen this as something so childish.
But … moments like these are what make unforgettable memories with family.
Things that seem small but are so beautiful to remember.
I hope I can continue like this with my progress, so I can see my mom's proud expression when I achieve something in the future.
Even though I think the future might not be as beautiful as I imagine.
As long as they're still here!
At least I can look forward to that girl's arrival.
A beautiful young girl with blonde hair who loves reading books. Yes, she's like the woman of my dreams.
And her name, if I recall correctly from my dream, was…
"Hey, brother! Come on, why are you daydreaming during mealtime like this?"
Huh? Daydreaming? Since when?
"You said you wanted to meet a blonde girl who loves reading books. Did you think I didn't hear that?"
Damn it! I thought you didn't hear!
"Besides, what girl would be interested in an unemployed guy like you?"
Hey, you! I do have a job, you know, even if it's as an entertainer clown or a cleaner.
"A job like those human creatures? Cheap work!"
You little…
"And your physique looks like those human creatures too."
Hey, even if my body looks human, I'm not human, you know!
"Yeah, yeah. You're just like a human working as an entertainer clown for the beings above."
You little Fanny!
[Bournemouth Castle]
"Well, it seems the price of this gem is high. Alright, let's get out of here!"
"Okay, brother. Let's go!"
*Beep! Beep! Beep!*
"Huh, that's…"
The sound of a door being slammed echoes through the castle, signaling their arrival.
The figure the thieves had been waiting for.
That person's name was…
"It's Lord Zeko Deluxe!"
"How are my minions doing? How's your condition? Have you successfully stolen the gem?"
"Yes, Lord, we've taken the gem, and I thought we'd get caught!"
"No, but you will…"
"Huh? What, Lord?"
Zeko pulls out a small knife from his pants pocket.
He approaches the thieves with a sharp, cold-blooded killer's gaze.
"Chk!"
The sound of a knife piercing one of the thieves' bodies.
"Yes, I want no one to know about me."
"Lord Zeko, you! Argh …"
"No, Kir, my friend! Watch out, you traitor!"
Kir's body collapses helplessly to the ground. His friend Sir tries to attack Lord Zeko, but before he can …
"Chk!"
"You too, Sir. Goodbye."
"Argh … Lord Zeko, you traitor!"
"This is for the safety of many, Sir and Kir. Forgive me."
Lord Zeko slowly leaves Bournemouth Castle, disappearing into the swirling smoke.
Aghh … Yes, it's time to set off again!
Goodbye, Mom and Fanny.
"Goodbye, brother."
"Be careful on your way, Liam."
Alright, Mom.
After lunch, I set off again to explore the world while finding a way to create a time machine.
Yes, it seems I'll be meeting that person.
I will follow the directions given by him, if I'm not mistaken, the card.
I start pulling the card from my pants pocket.
Here it is, the card I took from the tree in the park.
[Meet me at the old Bournemouth Castle in the north of this city.]
Yes, whoever gave me this card yesterday afternoon must want to give me a clue.
And I hope this can be a good start for me.
And I hope he can help me find a way to explore time.
I quicken my pace because if I'm late again, I might miss something new.
I have to hurry to meet him.
[Bournemouth Castle.]
"Hey, young man, I'm over here."
Huff … Huff … Huff …
Yes, no doubt, it must be him.
The person who sent me this letter.
"So you're the one who took the card. I was hoping for an older person, not you."
"But your appearance, you're human, not another experimental creature."
Hey, why are you talking about my appearance? And are you really the one who owns this card?
"Yes, that's true. It's not something new, is it?"
Yeah, but it's still strange.
Huh? That's …
"What?"
The gem? Why is it here? Did you steal it?
"Switch places!"
Hey … What's going on?
In an instant, the man and I switch places, moving from Bournemouth Castle to an empty old house.
Did you just switch our locations?
"I don't have time for questions like that!"
"Come on, let's go inside."
Weird guy.
We start entering the old empty house, and the man hurries toward a device covered with a cloth.
Hey, what are you doing?
It seems he's preparing something.
But what?
The man pulls off the cloth covering the device, and suddenly, an ancient machine replica appears with orbs representing various worlds.
W-wait, is this a time-traveling machine?
Hey! What are you actually trying to say?
The man takes off his hat and approaches me.
He takes a badge from his jacket and pins it onto my clothes.
Hey, at least you should explain what you want first!
The man walks back to the corner of the room and turns on a light.
Suddenly, the entire room lights up and …
"This is your time."
"The new time traveler."
Huh? What? Time traveler?
The man just gives me a faint smile.
I don't know what he wants to do with me, but …
It seems he wants to make me a time traveler like him.
Does that mean he used to be a time traveler?
"As I said earlier, I'll explain from the beginning."
W-wait a minute, what do you mean by this device, the badge, and me? Are they all connected?
"Yes, I've created a simple model for your time machine. You just need to develop it because I don't have much time left."
The man activates a projection screen and displays an image.
That image …
The God of Trinity?
"Yes, they are our creators and the cause of our suffering!"
Huh? Suffering? Is that because we were made as experimental creatures by them?
"Back in that era, the three gods created a hierarchy among their perfect creations: the messengers, the guardians of the sacred tears, the experimental creatures, humans, animals, plants, and everything else."
"But do you know why they created all of that?"
No! Why?
"They created it purely for their amusement. If they get bored with one of their creations or if one disobeys them, then …"
Then what?
"Destruction is their response."
Why?
"Because to them, it's no longer entertaining. And one more thing: the Gods don't really care if you're suffering, nor are they pleased when you're experiencing happiness."
"I want you to solve the 35 fragments of the Mystery of the World."
What are these fragments?
"Fragments that can lead you to clues, enabling you to understand everything about this world."
"And your name now is Kaito Deluxe, as the apprentice of …"
Apprentice? Who are you, really?
"I am Lord Zeko Deluxe, who will be your mentor for now."
Lord Zeko Deluxe? Kaito Deluxe? What is all this?
Will this be a good start for me, or the opposite?