Have you ever bothered with observing the mundane lives of everything in the world?
Even down to the very atoms.
Ever tried to understand them. Replicate them. Create them. And understand them again.
And then... have you ever considered just how many atoms there would be in the vastness of a planet. A solar system. A galaxy. A universe. multiverse.
All of existence.
... If not, then you do not know the true meaning of insanity.
*
*
*
"I need your help, Neron. I'm sure you already know the details of my predicament. It's of utmost importance that I return home. Please can you... no, I mean, please take me back!"
Silence echoed all over the hall as Kuzon pleaded with the old man before him.
Desperation rang in his eyes, and his heart oozed sincerity.
"Hmmm. Well..." Old man Neron rubbed his beard, his eyes closed for a few moments.
One could only wonder why he was taking so long to determine his answer when he already knew what it would be.
"Nope. I don't wanna."
"H-huh...?"
"I said I don't feel like it. It's all inconsequential to me anyway. Why should I bother?"
Hearing those words caused a certain effect within Kuzon.
His heart began to race quickly, and his muscles tightened. His teeth grinded together and his facial muscles twisted to depict one thing.
Anger.
"Why? I'm sure it wouldn't take you much effort at all."
"En. It wouldn't even take any."
"So why? It won't cause you any detriment, right? So please just help me and—"
"You do realize how hypocritical you sound right now, don't you? Didn't Maya ask you to help out with saving other people? I'm pretty sure you responded the same way I did."
Upon hearing those words, Kuzon's heart gree heavy. He understood the implications behind them, but how could he simply accept it?
"I-I couldn't do it because I didn't have enough time. I have to return home for my friends and family. For my world."
"Simply put, you would only take action if it's of value to you. Besides, didn't you pass by many settlements in your investigation? I'm sure it wouldn't take you any time at all to save the suffering people by at least transporting then to your Emperor's Domain."
"B-but where would I put them after—"
"Oh, please. Like you couldn't just destroy the Midas Empire and give them the land. Oh, is that too extreme? If you were going to meet me anyway, and dump Maya's load on me, wouldn't it be better if you were already saving this world's denizens, rather than just handing all the responsibility to me. The people in this reality are also people, you know?"
"If you feel this way, then why didn't you save them sooner?" Kuzon yelled, unable to contain his dissatisfaction.
"Same reason you didn't. I care about something more. So much so that I really couldn't care less what happens to this reality. And if I don't care about the reality I was born in, do you really think I would consider your own world? Especially when, if our roles were reversed, you wouldn't care about mine?"
"I... I..." Kuzon was at a loss for words.
"Look. I get it, okay? You want to save your people and planet and lover, and all of that. But try to think about it from my perspective. Just wrap your head around if for a moment. Maybe I should explain." Neron sighed.
"I'm not interested in this world. Your world is included in it. This entire dimension was create by me. It's currently as large as a couple million universes, and I can make it stretch on as much as I want. I set an automatic expansion rate, so it's growing on its own. I can also manipulate it at will."
"Even... spending all this time talking to me is more important than sending me to my world? Even though this is far more time consuming?" Kuzon spoke, his words echoing the pain that occupied his heart.
"What time is being consumed? It's all relative to me. I'm sure you thought you were walking for hours while following me, right? Well, it only took me a moment to get here."
Kuzon's face entered a daze as soon as he heard Neron. He didn't even know what to say on response.
"Do you get it now? The laws of reality are different here. I pretty much make the rules, and the amount of life here is already far more than this world and yours combined."
"A-ah..." Kuzon could only whisper.
It seemed he had been underestimating the man in front of him all this time.
He was beyond fathoming.
"Let's continue our talk in my office. I feel like seating down." As soon as he said this, a chair suddenly appeared, and the old man plopped to his seat.
'If you're seated now then why do you need the office?' Kuzon wanted to say, but no words came out.
"Wake up, Maya. It's time to go."
"Y-yes!" Maya jumped to her feet, her expression indicated complete attentiveness.
"A bit of time and energy manipulation makes her up and ready in no time. Perfect, right?"
Before Kuzon could even give an answer, Neron moved away from him, toward a magnificent golden door that suddenly appeared in the middle of the hallway.
At this point, the young Midas knew not to question anything he saw anymore.
With Neron, it felt like anything was possible.
"Let's go!"
The door opened, and in an instant, all three of them were sucked inside, dragged into another new world.
********
This time, it was a library.
One look, and one could tell that this was a place not meant to be perceived by mere people.
Its grandeur knew no bounds, stretching endlessly in every direction, defying the limits of mortal comprehension.
The library's imposing façade rose majestically, adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering stained glass windows. Its architecture bore the marks of countless civilizations and eras, reflecting a timeless amalgamation of human achievements and wisdom.
"Haaa... I really can't see the end of it." Kuzon whispered.
Even though he was using his full Magic capacity to sense how large it was, he simply couldn't comprehend it.
This place was impossible large.
"Welcome to my Grand Library. Feel free to explore, or not. I mean... your choice." Old man Neron hovered on his chair as he moved forward, not even bothering to look at the two dumbfounded people who gawked at everything in their line of sight.
"T-that is...!" Kuzon's gaze traveled to a particular corner in the library where a pile—no, more like a heap—of cards stood.
He had sensed strange signatures from the cards, so he moved there in a hurry.
"A-ah, those are... well, they're not really that impressive." It seemed Old Man Neron was a bit embarrassed when he talked about them.
Almost like they were a pile that didn't deserve anyone's attention.
"T-these are all Arcanas! All of them!" Kuzon shouted, almost deafeningly.
There were all the real deal—no, perhaps even more impressive. He even noticed a lot of variations that were foreign to him, but we're just as powerful as the others he was familiar with.
How was this even possible?!
"I call them the Bala-Blu. You want some?"
Kuzon could feel it more and more as he conversed with this world's version of Neron. He had been skeptical to conclude it before, but now he was certain.
'He... He's crazy!'
*
*
*
[A/N]
That's right!
This is Old Man Neron, also known as Crazy Neron.
You can only guess how powerful he is.
