Chapter 1296
A difference of one-thousandth in genes is enough to create two entirely different species. A slight change in the rules can lead to two completely different worlds.
It took a full three minutes before Leon felt the collision of two rules reach a balance. Within a two-meter radius around him, the world operated under normal rules.
But that was already enough...
Because within those two meters, the path Leon walked was the normal path. As he advanced, the two-meter radius remained unaffected.
Ten minutes later, Leon finally reached the mountaintop under the suppression of the entire world. The moment he arrived, the sensation of the world raging against him abruptly vanished, and the changes in the rules seemed to disappear as well.
Leon’s face was slightly pale as he dismissed the shadow of the demi-plane. For now, Leon could only use the Natural Semi-Plane as an infinite mana reservoir; he was still unable to wield its true power. This time, he had simply found a clever workaround.
Yet in just those ten minutes, the lake of mana within the demi-plane had dropped by another third...
He caught his breath and looked around at the mountaintop. It was very different from what he’d imagined.
The summit was a rough, uneven platform, less than a thousand meters across. A small wooden cabin stood quietly at the top, surrounded by a fence. Inside the fence was a small vegetable patch, planted with a type of vegetable that could be eaten like fruit.
Looking at the simple little courtyard in front of him, then glancing back at the rough path he’d just struggled up, Leon’s expression turned a bit strange.
"Since you’re here, come on in. Try some of the cherry tomatoes I grew—they’re delicious."
A voice, old yet gentle, came from inside the cabin. There was nothing powerful in it; it was like meeting a friendly old man in a mountain village.
Leon walked into the courtyard. Nothing changed, and there was no shift in the rules. The cabin wasn’t expanded by magic, nor filled with alchemical devices—just an ordinary wooden hut.
A wooden bed, a wooden table, a simple ceramic teapot resting on a small stove—the kettle was already boiling, and the sweet aroma of tea filled the cabin.
The only thing of interest was a star chart hanging on the wall, but it wasn’t a magical artifact—just an ordinary, hand-painted picture...
Behind the wooden table sat an old man in rough linen clothes. His hair was all silver, but his face looked young—only his eyes revealed the weight of years.
Looking at the old man, Leon didn’t feel so surprised anymore. Even though he seemed like a retired farmer from a mountain village, Leon didn’t dare underestimate him.
There was no sense of power, no trace of mana—everything suggested that he was just a perfectly ordinary old man...
Leon didn’t dare act presumptuous and greeted him respectfully.
Archmage Leon Merlin greets you, sir.
The old man smiled faintly and nodded.
"Sit down. This is Protea herbal tea I picked myself—it's just ready. No need to be formal."
You must be curious who I am, and why I wanted to see you. My name is Agalon. As for you, I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time."
When Leon heard that name, he nearly jumped out of his chair.
Agalon the Star Magus—even at the peak of Northend's history, this name was remembered by many. It was even printed in the textbooks of that era.
Leon had known about the Natural Semi-Plane ever since he’d heard of Agalon the Star Magus. The most vivid impression was that thanks to Agalon, Northend learned of the Natural Semi-Plane, and just how terrifying its owner could be.
Even thousands of years later, there was never any shortage of mages obsessed with searching for the Natural Semi-Plane.
When Gandalf mentioned meeting someone, Leon had guessed Agalon might be the one, but he wasn’t sure—he’d thought the odds were low.
According to history, when Agalon reached the peak of Sky Rank, he fought another Sky Rank master in a battle that shook Northend. The Natural Semi-Plane was exposed during that fight. Afterward, many learned of Agalon’s limitless mana and terrifying power, and the search for the Natural Semi-Plane became all the rage among the elite.
It wasn’t until many years later, when another powerful figure gained the Natural Semi-Plane, that its secrets truly spread throughout Northend.
Back then, the reason Leon thought it couldn’t be Agalon was that no rumors of a battle had ever leaked out. A fight between two peak Sky Rank masters shouldn’t be so secret—not with Leon’s current strength, he should have heard something.
Looking at Agalon now, it was clear he had already reached the peak of Sky Rank, and was on the verge of igniting the Divine Flame. He’d surpassed Sky Rank, just a step away from godhood. If not for that, he wouldn’t be able to alter the world’s rules as he did now.
No other Sky Rank could do this—but Agalon absolutely could, even before igniting the Divine Flame.
Could the historical record have gotten the timing wrong?
Leon’s mind was a mess. Seeing Agalon, already having completed the Sky Rank path, meant one thing: the great battle recorded in history had never actually happened!
Has history already changed?
Has this little butterfly finally started to stir up a storm with its wings...?
Leon’s expression grew complicated. He thought of many things in an instant—whether it was changing the future of the Blazeforge Realm, or the Gilded Rose blooming across the Andalusia Kingdom, these events weren’t truly significant to the course of history. At least, not for Northend.
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But if, because of this butterfly’s wings, Agalon was affected—and never fought that other peak Sky Rank master in a battle that would have shaped Northend’s future for millennia...
From the moment of his rebirth until now, Leon finally felt he could catch his breath. The pressure of the apocalypse always weighed on him, relentlessly searching for its truth and a way to survive.
Now, at last, something made Leon truly feel that history was beginning to change—and that was good news.
Agalon watched Leon’s expression, silently waiting for him to calm down. Only then did Agalon speak again—almost making Leon jump.
Archmage Leon Merlin, would you be willing to take charge of Astral Academy?
Leon was utterly shocked, then shook his head without hesitation.
"Lord Agalon, you must be joking. How could I possibly..."
Agalon wasn’t surprised. He smiled and poured Leon a cup of tea himself.
"Don’t be so quick to refuse. In truth, I’ve been watching you for a long time. In battle, you’re utterly relentless, with nearly limitless mana—each fight, you unleash strength far beyond your rank.
Whether it’s the most mana-consuming spell torrent or the strongest spell you can cast, none of them work without immense mana—far more than your rank should allow.
At that time, I realized you’d also gained a Natural Semi-Plane, and you’d developed it quite well. Only a well-developed Natural Semi-Plane can provide you with such nearly limitless mana.
No magical artifact or potion can do that. Lately, your Natural Semi-Plane seems to be thriving—each battle, your mana consumption rivals ten mages of your rank.
My guess was right: only a Natural Semi-Plane with fully stable earth, fire, water, and wind—where the rules of those elements are complete—could support you to this level.
I have a Natural Semi-Plane too—that’s why I noticed you and wanted to meet you. But as I learned more about you, my reasons changed."
A flash of realization appeared in Leon’s eyes. Ever since he gained the Natural Semi-Plane—especially after earth, fire, water, and wind stabilized—he’d never worried about running out of mana in battle.
Now, if Leon kept casting Ninth-Level spells, his mana consumption would be far outpaced by the pure mana produced by the vast mana vine forest in his Semi-Plane. In other words, in a normal fight, his mana would never run dry.
Others might overlook Leon’s mana problem, since he’s a powerful alchemist with plenty of ways to recover and store mana.
But Agalon didn’t. He keenly noticed Leon’s Natural Semi-Plane. In this era, Leon had no fear of exposure—because no one knew the benefits of a Natural Semi-Plane, except Agalon...
Before it’s fully mastered, a Natural Semi-Plane can be stolen. That’s why mages who became famous for their Semi-Planes only did so after gaining complete control.
Agalon discovered the advantages of the Natural Semi-Plane, and now realized someone else possessed one too—naturally, he’d be curious to meet them. But when Agalon said that wasn’t the reason, Leon was confused.
But before Leon could ask why, Agalon gestured at the teacup.
"You have to drink this while it’s hot to appreciate its richest flavor. Meanwhile, let this old man tell you a story..."
Since Agalon had started talking, Leon picked up his cup and listened quietly—how could he refuse?
Agalon’s voice was calm yet full of age and experience, with a strange magic that gradually drew Leon into the plain, unremarkable story.
"Many years ago, the Third Dynasty had already fallen, but its royal bloodline survived..."
As Agalon spoke, a complete story unfolded before Leon.
Long ago, the Third Dynasty fell, and the countries of Northend split into a dozen or so states. That was the dawn of a new era—the most chaotic age.
During that time, endless wars raged across the land. Eventually, all the kingdoms fell, leaving just three great nations.
Foremost among them was the Odin Kingdom, which held the Third Dynasty’s capital. Not only did they inherit its legacy, but they also controlled Northend’s richest resources. With their eastern border on the sea and a long coastline, they could tap the Endless Sea’s bounty—naturally, they became the strongest nation.
After the three kingdoms began to check each other’s power, the wars in Northend ended—at least on the surface. What followed was a long cold war, with endless struggles beneath the calm.