Jack of All Trades, Party of None

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While the world's time was rewinding, I—Shion Nastathium—who possess the supernatural ability of [time reversal], and Orun, who can wield [time reversal] through [all-encompassing phenomena], spent what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment together in the netherworld, a space-time distinct from both the World of Principles of Techniques and the outside world.

Well, most of that time was devoted to training with Mr. August...

The happy news was that Orun finally regained his memories.

It was an incredibly joyful time.

I was able to restore the bond with Orun that I had thought was lost forever.

When I returned from the netherworld, the familiar ceiling of my room at the Downing Trading Company came into view.

"......Downing Trading Company’s private room, huh? —But I can’t seem to lift my body..."

I tried to sit up, but my body felt stuck to the bed, refusing to move.

Earlier this year, during a battle with Due, a demon humanoid created by the Cyclamen Cult, I reached the principle of demons and had been asleep ever since.

After sleeping for several months, it seems my muscle strength has deteriorated.

Just as I was pondering what to do since my body wouldn’t respond, the door to the room slowly opened.

Following that, Telshe, dressed in her usual maid outfit, entered the room.

"——Shion, madam...?"

Meeting my eyes, Telshe widened hers in surprise and whispered my name.

"Good morning, Telshe. Sorry, I guess I overslept."

"……Then I suppose you must have had a very pleasant dream. ……Good morning, Lady Shion."

Telshe’s eyes were glistening with tears as she tightly grasped my hand and smiled at me.

Just from that gesture, I could tell how much worry I had caused her.

I truly felt sorry for making Telshe worry so much.

"Yeah. It was a very happy dream."

Though it felt more like reality, I had been able to spend time with Orun in the netherworld.

That was like a dream-like time for me.

"That is good to hear. However, since you have been asleep for several months, your muscle strength must have significantly declined. Please rest for a while. Leave your personal care to me."

"I just realized that when I couldn’t get up earlier. But sorry, I can’t stay in bed all day."

"......Understood. But please don’t overdo it."

"Thank you, Telshe. If I activate my qi for now, I should be able to manage daily activities, right?"

Though she probably wanted to tell me not to, Telshe suppressed her worries and respected my wishes.

Grateful to her, I circulated qi through my body.

...Alright, with this, I can move freely without any problem.

Maintaining this state constantly will be difficult, so I want to start rehab soon, but for now, I have to go welcome Orun!

Able to stand up, I changed clothes and ate a simple meal.

Then, together with Telshe, I headed to the room where the teleportation circle was drawn.

Orun and I hadn’t just spent idle time enjoying ourselves in the netherworld.

We had also discussed our movements after returning here.

Though we didn’t know exactly when we’d come back, Orun, who had mastered [all-encompassing phenomena] and was taught all the principles of techniques by Mr. August, was able to instantly create a long-distance teleportation circle.

So, we had set this room, which held the teleportation circle of the Downing Trading Company Main Store, as our meeting place.

As we waited for Orun’s arrival, Telshe told me what had happened while I was asleep, and I, in turn, shared my experiences in the netherworld with her; time flew by.

"……So, you’re going to recover Kyokutō, right?"

After hearing my story, Telshe asked.

"Yeah. But Orun said he wants to do something first, so it’ll be after that."

"Understood. I will contact the Amuntzarse’s operational forces."

"That helps a lot. Well, first, we have to hear Orun’s grand plan. I know the ultimate goal from the netherworld, but not the method to get there. —Oh, by the way, Chris is at the main store all day today, right?"

"Yes. While Lady Shion was eating, I informed the head of the trading company that you had awakened and confirmed it. He plans to focus on administrative work all day and has reserved time later for you."