Silence hung in the air for a moment, filled only by the gentle sound of raindrops against the glass window.
Kiriya inhaled, then exhaled slowly. "So... there's no other way for us to return to our original dimension?"
Elanor, who had been standing tensely by the window, slowly returned to her seat. Her gaze was still somewhat distant, but now more focused. "For now... I'm not certain."
That answer nearly extinguished the last ember of hope in Kiriya's chest. But before he could say anything, Elanor continued, her voice soft yet carrying a weight—as if she were reopening old memories.
"But… there might be a development. In an old research project I left behind at Starford Academy—a thesis I wrote when I was still an active student. It's possible... someone has continued it."
"Starford Academy?" Kiriya narrowed his eyes.
