Kazuki sat cross-legged in a silk robe three sizes too big, the sleeves dragging across the tatami mat.
"Why are we here again?" he whispered to Tala.
"The Lady of Teishin Castle invited us personally," Tala replied, adjusting her kimono. "It's a diplomatic event. Try not to spill anything."
Kazuki nodded solemnly. "Got it. No spills. No accidents. Just tea."
Smile quivered nearby inside a lacquered box with air holes. Getsuryu sat coiled outside the castle like a particularly judgmental statue. Pickles the Holy Goat was not invited.
Aurelis was also there.
In full armor.
Drinking tea.
Grimacing every time Kazuki breathed.
"Focus," Tala warned. "Don't touch anything you're not told to."
Kazuki gave a thumbs-up.
He immediately touched something.
✦
The ceremony was serene.
Incense floated lazily in the air. A noblewoman poured hot water over green powder, whisking it into a fine froth.
Kazuki stared at the jade-colored tea bowl placed before him.
"Do not sip until the fifth bow," the attendant whispered.
Kazuki nodded.
Then sipped.
On the third bow.
[System Notification]
You have consumed: Temporal Infusion (Relic Grade)
Warning: This tea is not for mortals. Especially not you.
Status Effect Gained: Temporal Slippage
Current Timeline: In Flux
The world tilted.
Everyone froze—except Kazuki, who blinked, holding an empty bowl.
"Uh," he said. "Oops?"
Aurelis dropped his teacup. "What did you do?!"
Reality flickered.
Kazuki disappeared.
✦
In the Blink Between Seconds
He reappeared in a white void.
A thousand tea bowls floated in the air. Some full, some shattered, some… screaming?
A mirror appeared in front of him.
Inside it stood a man wearing the same robe as Kazuki. Older. Cooler. With a beard.
"Kazuki?" Kazuki asked.
"Yep," the man replied.
"Are you… me?"
"Sort of. I'm Future You. Timeline 7B."
"…How many timelines do I mess up?"
"Too many to count."
Kazuki rubbed his face. "So, uh, what now?"
"Now?" Future Kazuki grinned. "You break the loop. Or make it worse. Either works."
[Temporal Fragment: Acquired]
You now possess the ability: Chrono-Blink (Lv. 1)
Effect: Once per day, dodge a fatal blow by stepping half a second into the future.
Side Effect: Nosebleeds. Sudden cravings for noodles.
Suddenly, Kazuki blinked again—and found himself back at the tea ceremony.
Aurelis was halfway through yelling.
"—DO YOU EVEN UNDERSTAND—"
Kazuki sneezed.
Time paused for half a heartbeat.
His teacup levitated, dodging a fall.
Everyone stared.
Tala narrowed her eyes. "What was that?"
Kazuki wiped his nose. "I think I just leveled up… in manners."
✦
Later That Night
"Explain everything," Tala demanded.
"I drank a god-tea."
"Why?"
"It smelled nostalgic."
Smile quivered. "Gloop."
"Then I met myself in the future," Kazuki continued. "He was hot. Had a beard."
"That's not relevant."
"Also, I got a time dodge. Look!" He dramatically fell backwards off the bed.
A shimmering blur activated. He vanished and reappeared safely standing next to the door.
Tala blinked. "That's… actually impressive."
"I know, right?!"
Getsuryu's voice echoed from outside. "He now has the potential to become a Temporal Trickster."
Kazuki tilted his head. "Sounds cool. Do I get a hat?"
Smile hopped into his lap. "You'll need it."
✦
Somewhere Else
In a dark chamber beneath Teishin Castle, cloaked figures stood over an empty pedestal.
"The Chrono-Leaf is gone," one said.
"Who took it?"
A crystal orb lit up with Kazuki's confused face.
"Oh no," they whispered in unison.
✦
Meanwhile, Back at the Inn
Kazuki stood in front of a mirror, holding a stick he insisted was a "time wand" (it was a spoon).
"I'm Kazuki, the Accidental Time Guy," he announced.
Tala threw a pillow at him.
"Bed. Now."
"Fine," he said, collapsing happily. "But if I wake up in the past, I'm investing in slime futures."
Smile giggled darkly.
A clock chimed somewhere far, far away—and briefly, the moon reversed direction for half a second before correcting itself.
The timeline had accepted him.
Heaven help it.