The next morning, Arin woke up before the palace stirred.
Not because he was afraid.
Because his mind wouldn't let him sleep.
The ceiling above him shimmered faintly, patterns of time drifting like slow clouds—but Arin barely noticed. His thoughts were already moving.
Survive one year.
That was the condition.
Not fight.
Not impress.
Not change fate.
Just… endure.
He sat up on the edge of the bed and exhaled slowly.
"Alright," he muttered. "If I'm stuck here… then I might as well live."
The word felt strange in heaven.
As he stepped into the hallway later, his steps were thoughtful, measured. Fear was still there—but it no longer ruled him. Instead, something else crept in.
Curiosity.
This is heaven, he thought.
Or at least… part of it.
And yet, all he had seen was stone, silence, and rules.
While walking, he spotted Caelum passing through an intersecting corridor and quickened his pace.
"Hey," Arin called out, a little hesitant but hopeful.
Caelum turned. "What is it?"
Arin rubbed the back of his neck. "So… I've been thinking."
"That's rarely safe," Caelum replied dryly.
Arin ignored it. "Back on Earth, people talk about heaven like it's infinite. Cities of light. Rivers in the sky. Stuff you can't imagine."
Caelum waited.
"I was wondering," Arin continued carefully, "if you could take me outside the palace."
Caelum considered it for a moment. "I could. There are places even gods find… refreshing."
Arin's eyes lit up.
"But—"
"I'd need permission," Arin cut in immediately, sighing. "From her."
Caelum nodded.
"…Yeah. That's off the table," Arin said flatly. "Never mind."
Caelum blinked. "You didn't even let me finish."
Arin shrugged. "I already know how that story ends."
They walked in silence for a few seconds before Arin spoke again.
"Then what about magic?"
Caelum glanced at him.
"I've seen it everywhere—stories, legends, myths. Flashy stuff. Light. Power." Arin smiled faintly. "Can you teach me?"
"I can."
Arin stopped walking. "Really?"
"No."
"…Of course not," Arin muttered.
"You are not my responsibility," Caelum said calmly. "And I am under no obligation to help you further."
Arin nodded slowly, disappointment settling in, and turned back toward his room.
"But," Caelum added lazily, "if you complete a task… I might reconsider."
Arin stopped.
"…What task?"
"Ask the Goddess for permission."
Arin turned slowly. "You're trying to erase me from existence."
Caelum shrugged. "Possibly. But if you succeed, you gain freedom of movement and magic."
A pause.
"Think about it," Caelum said.
And then he vanished.
Arin stood alone for a long moment before heading back to his room.
Inside, he paced.
From the bed.
To the door.
Back again.
"If I get permission," he muttered, scratching his head, "I get to go outside… learn magic… maybe actually do something."
His steps slowed.
"But if I disturb her…"
Silence filled the room.
Heavy. Loud.
He stopped pacing.
"…I'm bored," he sighed. "And I can't hide here forever."
Decision made.
Arin left his room and walked toward the central hall—the place where she usually appeared.
He stopped near the entrance and instinctively slipped behind a pillar, peeking out.
Pointless.
But human.
He peeked out, scanning the hall.
"She's not here…
Figures. Someone that scary probably doesn't just appear out of nowhere."
Relief washed over him.
He relaxed a little and continued muttering, barely aware of his own words. "Thank God… I was afraid and scared of her anyway. I'll just tell Caelum that the goddess was busy and—"
A voice spoke beside his ear.
"Oh? Is that so?
And here I thought I was standing right behind you."
Arin nodded without thinking.
"…yes… yes… she isn't here," Arin replied casually, his mouth moving before his brain could catch up. "You're lucky because even I know how scary she can be—"
He froze .
Slowly… painfully slowly… he turned his head.
The Goddess of Time stood there, eyes calm, expression unreadable.
Arin's soul dramatically exited his body.
Not literally.
But spiritually? Completely gone.
His knees nearly gave out.