[21 Years ago.]
"What the hell do you mean by that?! 21 years ago, Evan wasn't even born!"
Eliza was the one who finally snapped, but Eithwack remained calm. That was because of Laurene's silence.
She was silent because she knew he was not lying. Her Mystic Eyes which had never failed her told her this.
But she was also confused because as Eliza said, Evan wasn't even born 21 years ago. So how could he have drawn it?
[Now that you have asked the prerequisite questions, I can now present the item I was told to deliver.]
Holding up his hand, Eithwack distorted space and pulled out a phone. A smart phone.
He tossed the rectangular device to Eliza and then spoke before she could ask any questions.
[According to Evan Eris, you are to press and hold the first button on the right-hand side of the device while infusing your magic power into it.
Wait until the screen lights up and then slide upwards.
He said that the 'password' is something only you, Eliza Lane, know. The hint is 'First Kiss']
It didn't take five seconds after Eithwack finished speaking before the device in Eliza's hands was unlocked.
Laurene looked at her with slight surprise and sensing her gaze, Eliza asked.
"What? Who wouldn't remember the day they first kissed the guy they like?"
"…I didn't say anything yet."
Eithwack ignored this little interaction and continued relaying the instructions he was given.
[Next, you are to tap the icon in the centre of the screen and play the video contents.]
Eliza didn't immediately tap the icon in the centre of the screen. Instead, she turned the device over to inspect its design before looking up and asking.
"And when did Evan give this to you?"
[21 Years ago. Exactly 4 minutes and 30 seconds after he drew this magic circle. He also told me to add that unlike the previous message, there are zero problems playing this in the presence of others.]
The two girls looked down at the cell phone Eliza held. They had so many questions, and whatever this video was, it probably had the answers.
So, Eliza tapped the icon and it expanded to cover the whole screen.
◇ ◇ ◇
It started with a recording of Evan, removing the black jacket he was wearing as he spoke to someone off camera.
[Really 'Aidos'? You acted like you didn't know me! You said you wanted to yeet me into outer space!]
A voice then responded to his words.
{I told you no lies, Evan. That was my intention until I realised it was you, then I changed my mind.}
[You said you changed your mind because of Kayla.]
{No lies there as well. If it wasn't for her connection to you, then I wouldn't have realised it was the same arrogant brat who showed up 10,000 years ago.
Also, Evan, that phone is already recording.}
The other person's prompt made Evan finally turn his gaze to face the camera.
[Oh, I forgot. But since it's already recording, I might as well just go along with it.
Hello Liz! Nice to see you…wait, no. Nice for you to see me?]
The boy seemed confused about what greeting to give, then he turned to ask the person off-screen.
[How do I make an intro for this kind of video?]
{How the hell am I supposed to know that?}
While he was bantering with the other person off camera, Eliza was noting various differences on this 'Evan'.
For starters, he looked like he had aged a year or so and was much closer to physical maturity. His hair was a bit longer, and there were far more white highlights in his hair than she remembered.
Turning back to the camera, Evan continued.
[Since 'Aidos' is no help, I'm just going to wing it.
Anyway, it's Evan here, and I bet you're confused as hell.
Trust me, I was too. But don't worry, there's a perfectly logical explanation for all of this.
As for why I made this recording, it's kind of like a reassurance video.]
Evan's smile slowly faded as he continued speaking.
[From your point of view, I probably got yeeted through a giant spatiotemporal portal, and you've got no clue what's going on.
Maybe Artemisia told you something... I don't know. Or maybe Kayla mentioned something—she definitely hasn't forgotten how we actually met.
But the most you have as a lead is probably that video I left with Peggy.]
Before Laurene or Eliza could wonder who 'Peggy' was, Evan clarified.
[That's Luceras, the light spirit. He's a Pegasus so I call him 'Peggy'. He doesn't like it on bit.]
He gave a classic Evan statement before moving on.
[Even with that video, I'm sure you're still worried, which is why I made this. Just to reassure you I'm completely fine.
Hopefully, this is one of the first locations you come through.]
Evan shifted his gaze slightly to the side, as if he were looking right at Laurene, and spoke.
[Please, Laurene, I really hope you didn't read the map upside down and make this the last place you came to.
If you did, I might just curse you for dragging out the time it took for this video to get to Liz.
No joke—I've come across a lot of curse magic here, and I'm itching to try some out.]
Then, as if he hadn't just casually threatened her, Evan's expression brightened into a dazzling smile.
[But if you didn't and this is one of your first stops, then thank you! I'll get you some Law crystals when I'm back.
Anyway, like I said before, this is all just reassurance.]
From that point on, his tone softened, directing his words mostly at Eliza.
[I'm fine. 200% fine. Can I go 300? Let's make that 300% fine.
You may or may not know this, but I was sent back in time 10,000 years.
As of this recording, it's Year 1034—about 21 years before your current time.
Evan then spread his arms out wide, taking a few steps back as he spoke.
[And as you can see, I am not dead.]
Already anticipating what Eliza might think next, Evan quickly waved his hands in front of the camera.
[And no, I did not live through 10,000 years. I'd look a lot older if I did.
I'm not sure how much I can say, but I just wanted you to know I'm okay. And, as of this recording, I'm on my way back to the future.]
Suddenly, his expression shifted and he smiled like a kid who just got a new toy.
[Oh man, I just referenced one of the best time travel movies of all time! And, of course, the one with the Black Feline Superhero!]
Eliza and Laurene were left with more question marks than they could count. Evan had always been the type to say the most incomprehensible things sometimes.
[Guess it's time to wrap this up. Just remember, as of this recording, I'm already on my way back. Hopefully, by the time you watch this, it won't have been too long since I got yeeted off the planet.]
[Just stick to the plan. Do everything I laid out in the video I left with Peggy. I'll pop back up on Aidos eventually.]
He reached for the camera, about to turn it off when a sudden realization crossed his face. His eyes lit up as he flashed an even bigger smile.
[Oh, right! Liz—when I get back, we'll start planning the wedding. See ya!]
With that, he finally ended the recording, leaving Eliza staring in shock at the now-blank screen.
◇ ◇ ◇
Words couldn't express the wave of relief that washed over Eliza.
If Evan had truly sent this message while returning to the future, the weight pressing on her heart would ease considerably.
The silence that followed the video's end was broken by Eithwack's steady voice.
[Now that you have played the contents of the video, my provisional contract with Evan Eris is fulfilled. I shall now take my leave.]
With a slight bow, his form dissolved into the sand beneath him, merging seamlessly with the earth, leaving only the plain wooden chair behind