Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate!

After Edwin agreed to help us, we immediately began outlining everything we would need to create the anti-teleportation magic device.

"Edwin the Miracle Hand," asked Magic King Salvador with a serious tone, "What kind of tools and materials do you require to build this device? We'll make a list and gather everything you need."

"Hmmm, let's see..." Edwin paused thoughtfully. "I'll need all the tools I usually keep in my blacksmith workshop. That includes an anvil, hammers, tongs, and a high-quality magma furnace that never dies out..."

He paused again, stroking his chin before continuing. "And I'll also need magical tools such as a mana crucible, a magic lens... But you likely already know the rest, Magic King Salvador," he said respectfully.

Salvador let out a small laugh. "Yes, for the magical equipment, I'm already aware of what's required. I'll handle that and have them delivered here. Most of them are in the Solara Kingdom's magic laboratory anyway."

Hearing that brought relief and excitement to everyone in the room. We all knew Salvador-sama was someone we could rely on. Especially with his obsession with magic, it was no surprise he had everything needed.

I couldn't help but smile. Salvador-sama always came through when it mattered.

"However," Edwin said with a hint of concern, "there is one more thing we'll need—a high-grade mana core. Something powerful enough to act as a stable source of mana. But they're incredibly rare... we might need to start searching now."

Everyone in the room exchanged glances, trying to contain our reactions. We hadn't told him yet that we already had exactly what he needed.

Clearing his throat, Salvador-sama spoke. "Actually, Edwin, you don't need to worry about that. We already have a high-grade mana core in our possession."

With a calm smile, he reached into his magic pouch and pulled out The Heartcore of Kray'mundr—a glowing mana core that pulsed with power.

He had already split it into three sections, and one smaller piece, the size of a jewel, had been entrusted to me earlier.

"This is yours, Naoki. I'm sure you'll put it to good use," Salvador-sama said with a warm smile.

I accepted it with gratitude. While I had some ideas for how I could use it, I knew now was not the time.

He then placed the three larger fragments of the mana core onto the table. Edwin's eyes widened in shock the moment he saw them. He jumped in place, clearly overwhelmed.

"SALVADOR-SAMA! HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS?!" Edwin shouted in disbelief.

He rushed over to inspect the core, eyes gleaming.

"This is incredible... The mana radiating from this is unlike anything I've ever seen. Even though it's been split into parts, its integrity remains intact—it's overflowing with mana."

Salvador chuckled. "It's not from me. This one belongs to Naoki."

I stepped forward and nodded. "That's right. I obtained it during the final exam at the academy, while clearing an ancient dungeon. I guess I just got lucky," I said, trying to downplay the story.

Edwin was clearly moved, almost speechless.

"I... I can't believe I'm actually holding a material of this level. This is the first time in my life I've seen one up close."

Then, clenching his fists with determination, he said with shining eyes, "Alright then... I'm ready. I believe I can do this!"

His excitement was adorable in a way—especially with that shiny bald head of his. I had to try hard not to laugh just by looking at it.

But suddenly, Edwin went quiet.

"I'm happy to see a mana core like this," he said slowly, "but for some reason... it brings back a sense of nostalgia."

His tone turned serious, and I could tell something was weighing on his mind.

"Nostalgia? Could it be something from your past? Have you seen something like this before?" I asked gently.

Edwin looked deep in thought, trying to reach back into the recesses of his memory.

"Maybe... maybe I have. But to be honest, I can't remember anything from before I arrived in the Braveheart Kingdom. It's like my entire past is missing."

We all fell silent. That was something none of us had expected.

"So... you've lost your memories, too?" I said softly. "I understand how that feels."

Edwin gave a small nod. "Yes, Lord Naoki. As you all probably know, the continent of Eldaris is separated from the Celestian continent—where most of the special races originate—because of the seal on Mount Archanis. For thousands of years, special races haven't set foot here."

"In that case," said Xerion, deep in thought, "your presence here is a mystery in itself."

Edwin nodded again. "Exactly. I don't remember anything before waking up near Mount Archanis. That's where King Aslan von Braveheart found me. He took me in and brought me to the kingdom."

He smiled faintly, eyes distant. "I owe my life to him. Thanks to the king, I was allowed to set up a blacksmith workshop in this city. The only thing I've ever remembered is how to forge weapons and magical tools. That's the one thing that stayed with me."

Learning that left us all stunned. We never expected the man we were placing so much faith in to carry such a mysterious and forgotten past.

Just then, King Aslan entered the room. Apparently, he had heard everything.

"You've changed, Edwin," he said warmly. "I never imagined you would talk about your past so openly."

Edwin chuckled softly. "Well... it doesn't really hurt to share anymore, so I figured, why not?"

Even though he was smiling, I could tell he was still hiding some sadness behind it.

For some reason, I found myself becoming more and more curious about the special races. If fate continues to guide me along this path, maybe one day I'll be able to visit the Celestian Continent myself.

Envi, the voice in my mind, chimed in, saying that just hearing the mention of the special races reminded him of Aisha. It had been a long time since we last thought about her.

He said he missed Aisha's alluring figure and her floral scent.

I told him to shut it.

Still, he wasn't wrong. I was curious about Aisha—the half-elf girl living in the Braveheart Kingdom.

So I turned to King Aslan and asked, "King Aslan... Edwin isn't the only one of a special race in this kingdom, is he? What about Aisha?"

"That's right," said Xerion. "I remember seeing that half-elf girl when the Braveheart Academy visited the Solara Magic Academy on a study tour." Salvador-sama nodded in agreement.

King Aslan, Edwin, and Headmaster Arsene exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

"Aisha is a case similar to Edwin," King Aslan began, his voice steady. "But there's a key difference. Edwin was born on the Celestian Continent, inheriting the dwarves' knowledge of blacksmithing and magical crafting. Aisha, however, is different."

"That's true," Edwin said softly. "Aisha is different... because she was born here, in the Braveheart Kingdom, eighteen years ago. I knew her mother personally."

That revelation shocked me. What did it mean? Was her family still alive?

Now that I thought about it, during the current academy break, my younger sister Milly had invited Aisha to stay at our family's mansion. But Aisha had declined, saying she planned to visit her family.

"She said she was going to visit her family... So that means..." I muttered, still trying to piece it together.

King Aslan stepped in to clarify. "That's correct. She's still somewhere within this kingdom. But I can't tell you exactly where she is. That was her request."

Arsene nodded. "We're protecting Aisha. So there's no need to worry. We will continue to watch over that innocent girl. And as her headmaster, I will guide her along with the rest of the students at Braveheart Academy... until she's ready to find her own path."

Both King Aslan and Edwin nodded in agreement.

Everyone in the room looked deeply moved by their dedication to protect her.

Lyra hugged the Saintess and wiped away tears. Orion gave a quiet nod of understanding.

Char, on the other hand, turned his face away, pretending not to care.

Then Envi, still in my mind, admitted he felt sympathy for Aisha. He said he wanted to meet her again.

I agreed with him. But I also told him that now might not be the right time. Aisha probably needed space to be with herself and her thoughts.

When we did meet again, I would take her to the Blackmore family mansion and let her spend time with Milly. They were best friends, after all. I was sure that would make them both happy.

As I imagined that future, Edwin spoke up again, agreeing with what Arsene had said earlier.

"There are still many mysteries," Edwin said, "surrounding me, Aisha, and the special races of Celestian. But I believe the truth will reveal itself in time."

He paused, then looked down with a faint smile. "Someday, I want to return to the land I once came from. Maybe Aisha feels the same."

Everyone in the room shared a quiet moment of understanding.

I spoke up next, voicing a thought that had been lingering in my mind.

"One by one, the secrets of this world are beginning to unravel... from the demon overlords, to the truth behind teleportation magic, and perhaps even the barrier that divides the Eldaris and Celestian continents. Maybe someday, a way will be discovered to cross that divide."

Edwin looked surprised at my words.

"Oh right," I said, turning back to him, "Earlier, you said something about how seeing the mana core gave you a sense of familiarity... Maybe while crafting this tool, more of your memories will come back!"

Suddenly, his eyes lit up with a spark of hope and determination.

"I'll do my best to build this tool," Edwin said with excitement. His renewed energy was contagious, and we all clapped and cheered for him.

King Aslan laughed heartily at the sight of our enthusiasm.

"I've already prepared a specialized blacksmith workshop in the royal palace just for Edwin," he announced with a smile.

He added that a brand-new magical research lab had also been constructed nearby, close to Edwin's workshop. The idea was to help the research teams collaborate more effectively with him in creating the anti-teleportation device.

That night, we held a celebration feast to raise our spirits before the challenging work ahead.

King Aslan, Magic King Salvador, Edwin, Headmaster Arsene, Xerion, the Saintess, Orion, Char, Lyra, and I all ate and drank together.

It was a small party, but it marked the beginning of our mission—the calm before the storm.

The true journey starts now.

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