EPHEMERAL SCENES SETSUNAS JOURNEY LIGHT NOVEL SC (2025)

Setsuna Sugimoto is summoned to another world as the 68th hero only to be abandoned because of his weak and sickly constitution. But everything changes when he's given a third chance at life by his dear friend Kyle, the former hero, thereby inheriting his vast knowledge, power, and lifeforce. Freed from the tethers of his past, Setsuna begins a journey as an adventurer where he'll encounter all walks of life, each experience bound to leave their mark on both him and his world.

Setsuna continues on his journey with his apprentice Alto in tow. Along the way, Setsuna nurtures Alto's relentless curiosity while showing him the love and care he was denied earlier in life. But the pair's bond is put to the test when Setsuna is attacked by a pair of beastfolk who mistake him for a slave trader... Meanwhile, Alto experiences a host of new feelings-from doubt to envy to love-toward Setsuna as their teacher-pupil relationship evolves over the course of their travels. When the two happen upon a woman while exploring a cave, they begin to consider what it means to be family...

After getting separated from the dragonfolk girl Tuuli, Alto and Setsuna continue their journey and come across a man sitting in the forest. The man is Cyrus, a knight falsely accused and banished to this place via magic transportation circle. When Setsuna and Cyrus realize the true cause of the knight's banishment, however, he decides to join him in his quest to return to the country of Lypaed. But someone connected to Tuuli is waiting for Setsuna...

At the guild in a town in Lypaed, Alto accepts a request of his own will. The request involves spending Ragi's remaining days with him, as he is nearing the end of his life. Meanwhile, Setsuna accepts a request to save the florist couple Norris and Elly. However, a different request directly from the empress comes in at the same time... Will Setsuna and Alto be able to carry out their requests???

Setsuna and Alto have now been settled in Lypaed for a month, and the country's biggest celebration, the Founding Festival, is fast approaching. Yet the king is forced to prioritize a national crisis over the celebration, leading the fearful queen to make a request of Setsuna. He works behind the scenes to smooth things over between the royal couple, but just as he thinks his job is complete, the unexpected happens... Meanwhile, Ragi spends his days peacefully with Alto but wonders what more he can do with the little time he has remaining. The season shifts from summer to fall, bringing with it the warmth of friendship.