Master of Time

Of course, I know that my suggestion wouldn't go well with Eliana.

The dark elves are far too prideful to let themselves be enslaved to another species, especially to the humans, which I am unfortunately a part of.

They would rather kill themselves than to be humiliated and treated like a toy, so I am assuming that the humans of this world has some sort of means to prevent them from committing suicide after being captured – a slave collar perhaps.

That seems logical.

"Who do you think I am, human!?"

Dense magical power erupts from Eliana, filling the small room and crushing down upon me. A magical aura shrouds her entire body and cloak while her eyes electrifies with power.

Eliana is a 3rd circle druid after all, so her aura alone can probably crush a normal person.

A 1st circle mage would probably shit their pants in her present since the difference in power levels is literally day and night.

Luckily, I am not a normal person.

And my pants are completely unspoiled.

To be honest, it feels a little bit uncomfortable when being pressured by her aura, but it isn't anything I couldn't handle. Spiritual energy is far deadlier against me than magical energy since spiritual energy attacks my soul directly.

However, getting attacked by her magical aura would probably harm me in the long term.

I rather not subjecting myself to such assault.

"Please stop doing that, Eliana."

I request calmly before vanishing from my seated spot.

Her magical aura stops abruptly when the cold steel of a knife presses against her neck. The enchanted weapon obviously could penetrate her magic armour, protection and defence very easily. It should be since the knife is one of her most prized possessions.

The knife has always been on her body.

Maybe I will keep it for myself.

"I know who you are, esteemed elder of the dark elves, Eliana of the Shadowsong clan, but in my eyes, you are just a defenceless woman."

I whisper softly into her long ears from behind her before vanishing away.

I have returned to my seat, looking like nothing has happened.

The beautiful knife in my hand tells Eliana what just happened isn't a dream, however. I wouldn't want her to think otherwise.

I could have slit her throat with her own dagger before she even knows what had happened, and from her flabbergasted expression and body language, I don't think I need to demonstrate my words further – not that I wouldn't.

It is fun to scare the living shit out of people. It is also an art to do without resorting to violence.

"Teleportation? No… I would have known if you did. This is Time Magic!"

Eliana utters and touches her neck, trying to make sure she hasn't been cut. If drawn blood, the knife will place a powerful curse on her, which will sap her strength and magic until she dies.

It is near impossible to remove the curse. That is why the dagger is very deadly.

I smile and shrug at the question.

"Let's just say that if I really wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be standing here right now, Eliana. I might not know how to use magic of your world, but the power of my world isn't something to look down upon if you actually listen to Elune. Did she not tell you how I cut her up?"

Eliana recalls what Elune has said.

In magic, light is not an abstract element like time, but that did not mean it is weak. No, it is an advance element like darkness, which is higher rank than secondary or compounded elements like steam and metal.

"Hmm… there are exactly 3029 elves living in the village and 28 children, shall I kill a few children as a demonstration, Eliana?"

Eliana is taken back.

Whatever doubts she has in her mind vanish.

She swallows hard and gives me a respectful bow.

Even Eliana does not know how many elves there in the village are, but she knew the exact number of children. Each child is very precious and must be protected. It is her job as an elder.

"I apologize, Great One. May I ask why you are masquerading as a human?"

Eliana apologizes.

She knows how outclassed she is now.

Her magic pales in comparison to my power, which could reduce her to atoms with a single thought. I could also undo all of her powers.

That is how overwhelming my time ability is.

"I am human."

I response reluctantly.

Technically, I am still a human since my body and my soul are. The more correct term to describe me in my current state would be aspectual empowered human, but let's not get too technical.

Eliana didn't believe me, and I didn't bother to change her mind.

"So, would you like to be one of my summons, Eliana? I will treat you well, at least you won't have to answer to the Goddess anymore."

Eliana takes a very long time before she speaks up. She is weighting her options, no doubt.

She understands what I am hinting – immortality. If she becomes immortal, she will never have to face her judgement in the afterlife. Of course, immortal is not the same as invulnerable.

Eliana can still be killed by others. But I take great offense to that. No one hurts my possessions except me!

"Perhaps there is something else you want, Great One. You wish to use magic of this world. I have just a potion that will grant you your wish."

I chuckle and shake my head.

Eliana has already tried this in the previous loops. And thanks to her offer, I know of one way to form a magic core.

The potion she has in her possession is one of a kind.

It was brewed by a 7th circle mage in time immemorable. And when ingested, it will form a very small mana core within the consumer's body, allowing the consumer to finally absorb and channel magical energy.

In other word, the potion would allow me to use magic. Highly inefficient form of magic, but still magic, nonetheless.

It is still better than nothing.

"I think you are mistaken something, Eliana. If you become one of my summons, everything you own, your body, mind and soul belongs to me. Isn't that right?"

I look at her.

My eyes narrow darkly.

"Or would you like to be my pets, instead?"

I question.

"No, Great One. It will be an honour to be your summons. Please allow me to become one. But I have a small request. Please leave my village and the villagers alone. They mean you no harm."

Eliana makes the right choice. She did so out of fear. Being a summon is still better than being a pet, and I could totally turn her into one at my leisure.

It wouldn't even take an effort.

"That is more like it, Eliana. I like those who are obedience to me. Those that aren't obedience will be severely punished."

I get off my seat and approach her, slowly and calmly.

Eliana takes a few steps back until her back is now pressed against the wall. Her body tenses as I stand in front of her. Her hands press against the wall, stiffening.

This is the 15,000 years old woman? I think Eliana spends too much time indoors and not enough time socialising.

I could guess with reasonable accuracy what is going on in her head.

Eliana has made a grave mistake, coming here.

Now, she has no choice but to make a deal with the devil, who will have claims to her body, mind and soul. At least her people will be saved. Everything she did, she has done so for them. Let only her pay for all the sins her kind has committed.

When I am only an inch away from her, I smile.

The moment I placed my hand on her shoulder, her eyes widen in surprise as powerful magic fills her being. It is her magic. I am simply returning them to her.

I don't think anyone could feel the temporal effects of my power.

Her grey hair turns golden as life returns to her eyes. Those eyes are now shining with brilliant green just like Elune.

It didn't take more than a fraction of a second to return her youth.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master."

Eliana utters tearfully as she looks at her youthful hands. She is now about 15 millennia younger.

The elves aged like a normal human would until a certain point. They then spend most of their lifespan in their youthful form. It is quite a gift by the Goddess.

Yeah, I didn't believe that bullshit either. There must be some other and more logical explanations.

"What I have given, I can take away, Eliana. Please keep this in mind before you decide to try to do anything stupid. I will not treat those who are loyal and obedience to me harshly. In fact, if whatever you desire is within my power and reasonable, I will grant you it."

I return to my spot on the wooden couch while stating that.

Eliana is still looking at her slender and youthful hands, touching her fingers one by one to see whether they are real or not.

"Come and have a seat with me, Eliana. We have some stuffs to discuss about."

Eliana obediently did without hesitation. She looks a lot better now as a young woman in her twenties, so I guess appearance does have it uses.

I wouldn't kiss Eliana when she was much older just a few moments ago.

Her dark olive skin is quite exotic, and those sparkling green eyes of her are very alluring.

I am unsure which one is more beautiful, Elune Whisperwind or Eliana Shadowsong.

"Shall I please you with my body, Master?"

Eliana asks softly and pulls the dark string around her neck, letting loose the dark cloak that is covering her entire body. She is wearing light armour beneath the cloak, covering only the necessary parts like almost everyone in the village.

"All in good time, my dear Eliana. You are very beautiful and youthful. It does take a lot of my willpower to restrain myself, so you can be proud of the fact."

I response with a smile. I haven't even made a summoning contract with her yet, and she already shifts into her role. I suppose the sooner the better in her mind.

Aside from having another sexy elf in my service, I also need someone in a higher position than Elune for my purposes. Having Eliana also allows me to take control of the village if I choose.

However, bringing these elves back to the prime universe requires me to learn how to create temporal rifts with my power. It takes enormous amount of temporal energy, but Hammond is working on it. I can speed up his progress if needed.

"Can see that potion you have mentioned, Eliana?"

I request. I do need a way to cast magic without resorting to manastones.

"Yes, Master."

Eliana produces a purplish potion magically out of nowhere.

I narrow my eyes at that before scrutinizing those rather plain rings on her fingers. They are obviously not for decoration.

"Would you like to see everything in my inventory?"

Eliana notices my scrutiny.

"Actually, I would."

Eliana is more than happy to. Those rings of hers are storage spaces, allowing the wearer to have. Only spatial mages can create them.

The laid them all out on the table before me, allowing me to examine them.

I have her explains to me how to use those. Only mages can use them since it requires the wearer to channel a bit of their magical energy for any actions, such as taking item in or out or even looking into the spatial space.

After that, Eliana takes all the item out of the rings.

The items are potions, artefacts and runes – all sort of magical items. It will take a long time for Eliana to explain them all, but so many ideas cross my mind when I learn of what they can do.

Incredible! Magic is incredible!

"These are my most prizes possessions. I have collected them over thousands of years, but even they are pale in comparison to your power, Master."

Eliana points out. There are some tears in her eyes.

"I have thought that I would require to go through painful rituals to regain my youth and power again. I didn't expect that you could do so with a single touch. Only Gods have this kind of power, Master. Even if you deny it, you are my God now. Your wishes are my commands."

Eliana vows. Her magic shimmers throughout her body, coating her in a majestic aura. She seems a lot stronger than before. She probably reaching 4th circle right now.

I am a bit touched at her display.

I suppose my power is beyond even this world's comprehension.

"If you have collected them over thousands of years, then you can keep them. I just need to see them before I recreate them."

Eliana blinks before duplicates of her rings materializes on the table.

And inside each ring contains duplicates of all the items she has taxingly collected over the years.

Eliana is too shock to even say anything. Even Gods themselves does not have the power to duplicate divine artefacts so effortlessly. They would exhaust their magic doing so.

"Who are you really, Master?"

Eliana utters, shakily.

"I have already told you, Eliana. You know who I am."

I smile and stroke her hair and face. Her skin feels nice upon my fingers.

"I am Maximilien Maxwell."