If two beings had identical memories and bodies, were they the same person?
This classic question from parallel-timeline theory was, of course, familiar to the future Roxy, who had spent countless days and nights with Cui Ciyou.
During one of their late-night conversations, she had even used it to leave Cui Ciyou thoroughly bewildered after just two glasses of fruit wine.
Well... she knew the question.
The answer... she did not know.
But as she faced the man before her now, the future Roxy knew one thing with absolute clarity.
He was not her husband, not the husband who had sacrificed his life for her.
Roxy had never expected to feel so calm when she saw "him" again.
Starting at her toes, her figure slowly turned transparent, like thin ice melting in the sunlight.
Countless tiny golden motes rose from the edges of her robes, and her body began to slowly disperse like fireflies in the night sky.
Roxy's life-or rather, the brief stay she had bought by recklessly burning through her own magic power to sustain this forced leap through time-had finally reached its end.
In the original story, even the old Rudeus had to sacrifice all his internal organs after using time magic. With far less magic power than him, Roxy naturally had to do the same-sacrifice her life.
Yet as her body slowly fell apart, Roxy felt no fear of death. She had only one thought: This time, I have to say a proper goodbye!
"Wait!"
Cui Ciyou immediately lunged toward her.
Without a second thought, he frantically channeled the mental power within him, connecting to the Magic Crystal to draw on its magic power. The Magic Crystal at his waist burst into dazzling light.
He unleashed the highest-level Healing Magic he could currently manage, heedless of