Interlude 2: The first meeting with Neveah.
For a while after I traveled in time, I wasn't myself.
I mean that literally.
My memories were so hazy I couldn't remember my own name. Back then, the empire hadn't been born yet, so I wandered here and there, passing through numerous countries... and I ended up in Zircon.
Time traveling was something that deeply contested the universe's laws, and although the side effects of it were severe enough, I still retained my purpose somewhat.
It would get better if I kept swimming in the river of time, yet doing so might just ruin my rational mind in the end.
I only had one opportunity, so I sought out the system's core. Not because I wanted to do something about it, but... I just thought she would be there.
''...Who are you?''
The woman who confronted me had long, bleach-white hair and a pair of bright orange eyes, ones resembled the finest Zircon. She was Neveah, the sole goddess of this world.
The second I saw her, memories flooded back to me like a tide.
Of my transmigration and where that ended. Of my dear friends and their last moments. And of myself, alone in a world of emptiness.
I was certain that this woman held the key to everything. Not myself, not Chloe, nor anybody else. She, who had been exerting herself in silence for lifetimes, was the glue holding us together.
I had to make sure her endeavors succeed.
So, I tried to be friendly.
''Hello,'' I said with a smile.
However, something must have felt off about it. After all, my facial muscles were long paralyzed. Without anybody to show emotions to for thousands of years, they were stiff beyond imagination.
Neveah expectedly frowned, putting on her guard, ''...How did you get here? I placed a barrier...''
Hearing her last mumble, I finally realized my mistake. I should have knocked properly before coming into her house, shouldn't I?
For a bit, I stood still, pondering what kind of approach I should take. Eventually, I chose to proceed cautiously. After all, we still had more than a thousand years to get to know one another.
''I broke that barrier, it seems.'' I honestly replied. ''Sorry for that.''
''No, why are you saying it so casually...?''
''I'm just here to greet you. Ah, I forgot the introduction. I'm Aurora. Aurora Heathcliff. Nice to meet you.''
When I confidently extended my hand like that, even the usually calm Neveah, no, Jennifer, was taken aback. Perhaps she hadn't anticipated this kind of strange encounter.
But that was what made it fun, wasn't it?
''Your name is?''
Gazing straight into her nervous eyes, I asked. Somehow, I was certain that this meeting between us held something special.
Even if I was only clinging to vain, wishful hopes, it was better than nothing.
''I'm... Neveah. Nice to meet you.''
It turned out that the system was still an incomplete mechanism at this stage.
''I wasn't able to add all the skills I had in mind to its index.'' She said. ''Some of them are quite hard to implement, and I keep thinking of new things while struggling with those... is this endless frustration what a game developer feels?''
''It's fascinating how you can do all that by yourself.'' I nodded.
''Thank you, but... didn't you say you were only going to greet me?''
Neveah, evidently still suspicious of me, threw that sentence at me. I would give her some time alone if she needed it, but...
''I'm intrigued by what you're doing. Besides, I don't have a place to go.''
''...What? Where did you come from?''
''My hometown is on another planet, but I am affiliated with the Astra Empire, if you're interested.''
''Stop joking around...''
Neveah let out a sigh, clearly troubled by my presence. Well, I suppose it was time to stop bothering her.
So, I was about to leave, but she held me back, ''Wait.''
''Hm?''
''You don't have anywhere to go, right? How about living here with me?''
''Oh, can I?''
It was a nice gesture from her to give shelter to a homeless woman.
But of course, I found out later that she only wanted someone to run errands for her. Our goddess was a complete shut-in, it seemed.
''You can choose one of these rooms. My house is big, but nobody lives here aside from me anyway.''
''I'll take the attic.''
''Alright. I'll have the furniture ready tonight.''
Neveah had a mansion in the middle of Zircon. Modern style.
The interior was somewhat lacking, though. Even a tasteless person like me felt it was too empty. Maybe we could liven the house with some animals.
So, I took a quick look around the vicinity, and...
''Owls?''
Not those chonky snowy owls I used to see in Zircon, but regular, small owls.
''...''
That said, I still found them endearing.
''...Do you know how to keep an owl?'' Neveah asked. ''Without the knowledge...''
''Don't worry. I'm familiar with owls.''
''Sure.''
We kept the owl for a long time.