Vision 4 - Scammed (1)
"School? Why? I hate schools."
To be honest, I didn't like school that much either. There are kids, and I don't like kids. It's because most of them are stupid... but dangerous.
"School? Why? I hate schools."
"I don't like them either."
"Oh? Were you not good at studies?"
"No. I wasn't."
I was a pretty average student. I realized that after a long time, and I was stupid as well. I thought it was all about dreams—you wish for something, and it will happen eventually. But I was very wrong.
Persephone didn't say anything. I thought she would tease me or mock me, but she didn't. Was it because of the Contract? Was she able to sense something through it? It was a weird feeling, being able to have a thought like that. I am thinking about some of the craziest things I could have imagined.
"So then, Where is this school?" Persephone spoke while releasing a long breath, her chest moving up and then down as she seemed to sink further into the air, as if it were her bed.
"Fortunately, it's also in Atlas." I ignored the fortunate scene and focused on flying, soaking in its epic sensation.
"We're already going there, so it's convenient," she said casually, as if she were about to fall asleep.
Yeah, we were lucky that the person I want as my Blesser is in the same country we are heading to.
"If we're not going for the Hidden Script, what will you find in that school?"
"There's a woman I want to meet," I replied to her sudden—and obviously understandable—question.
"Am I not enough for you?" Suddenly, Persephone jerked awake with a fake angry expression.
What is this woman trying to say? Accusing me? I'm just going to get myself a Blesser.
Persephone's expression slowly changed to one of hurt. "We made the Contract, linked our souls, and the first thing you do is go look for another woman." With every word, her act became more exaggerated.
I get it. She's stretching the show from earlier. I just waved my hand, signaling her to stop the charade.
"Stop being so overdramatic. It's just a stupid contract."
Persephone pouted at me with her red lips, but her eyes never changed, maintaining the same grace she always had.
It seemed an unexcepted reaction, by how dignified she looks, but it was oddly cute.
In the middle of the conversation, suddenly, a notification window appeared, forcing me to stop mid-air.
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' comments "Hi." ]
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It looks like some 'Nubecula' finally noticed me.
A white slate screen appeared floating in front of me. It was like a sci-fi game screen with several features on its border, and a "comment" was neatly written on it.
Nubecula. It was a term granted by the 'Milky-Way Revelation Administration' to higher existences who use their services to view lower existences.
'Milky-Way Revelation' is the name of the stream where all the media-like systems exist, and higher existences can access it to watch live streams.
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' comments "Wave your hand." ]
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Seriously? He wants me to wave at him? I'm not some monkey. I shouldn't be surprised, though. This is how Nubeculas are.
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[ The Nubecula 'Kafzeil' comments "What is your flight skill?" ]
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The messages started to appear in panels. It looks like we're getting closer to the land.
My eyes were glued to the screen, reading the text and what they authored. The thought struck me that there must be some people nearby—people I used to see in dreams, and they'll be actual people, not just figments of imagination.
The Nubeculas must have been watching them, and then some wandered toward the sea and saw me flying in the area.
The screen shifted in a glitch, snatching my attention back to it. The outer edge of the screen turned dark purple, and a smoggy hue covered the screen from the inside as it changed to a tablet screen with purple-hued smoke and runic designs.
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[ You have great knowledge about Nubeculas. The ▮▮▮ Skill is reacting to your knowledge. ]
[ The ▮▮▮ Skill stage-1 is activating. ]
[ You can perceive a better understanding of the thoughts and gestures of other Existences. ]
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And the screen glitched back to the sci-fi game-like interface from earlier.
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[ Some Nubeculas are curious about your expression. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Razel' is observing you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Yael' is observing you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Belzeebub' is observing you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is smiling at you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' is scoffing at you. ]
Well, would you look at that? Multiple screens, each describing Nubeculas' reactions and gestures, appeared. If Nubeculas knew I had access to this, the 'Milky-Way Revelation' would be flooded with complaints from them.
Nubeculas use their points to send comments to lower existences, and I can now get not only those comments but also insights into their gestures and thoughts. Let's just say it would be a huge problem for them.
But the strange letters that appeared on multiple parts of the screen—briefly visible before disappearing—caught my attention. They were covered with symbols, hiding the description beneath.
I don't understand why my skill isn't fully visible to me. It's extremely inconvenient if I don't even know the abilities I have.
Focusing back on the screen in front of me, I read some of the comments. I got one from 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy.' It was a funny username, similar to the kind one creates while making an online account.
Most higher existences choose to use their god names, which display their power, holiness, and credentials. Obviously, if a lower existence knows which god is commenting about them, their faith—and loyalty—toward that god increases.
There was also a comment from 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken,' and I honestly had no idea who these two were.
There are two types of Nubeculas who use these kinds of fake names. One type includes those who aren't that famous and just want to enjoy the live show without revealing their identities. The other type includes those who are too high in existence, like supreme beings, who don't want to reveal their identities to avoid creating chaos.
If I had to guess about these two higher existences, I'd say they probably belong to the first category for obvious reasons. But there was something else that caught my attention.
Some famous higher existences were also watching this area. 'Kafzeil,' for instance, is a well-known angel—and an extremely manipulative one at that.
I remember him from my dreams. He's part of an Asterium, a rank above a faction Constellation. He also holds an extremely high political ranking in that faction.
What is he observing here? He should have a lot of work in his Asterium. If I didn't know better, I'd think he'd taken a tea break and decided to observe the lower existences for fun. I'd have believed it too.
He's just that kind of guy. But because of the skill—which I'm still not entirely sure about—I got the information that 'Yael' and 'Razel' are also observing this area.
Three powerful higher existences. There's also 'Beelzebub,' a high-ranking demon general. There might be more; I only got their messages because they had some sort of reaction to me.
Something must be going on around here. It must be serious enough for four extremely powerful higher existences to be watching at the same time.
I have a bad feeling about this. Persephone, who hadn't said anything all the time I was looking through the screens, finally spoke.
"What is it?"
Again, is it because of the Soul Contract that she always seems to sense my discomfort? I raised my head slightly, shifting my vision from the screens to Persephone.
Persephone—in her astral form—was standing mid-air like me this time, her arms crossed under her chest as usual, with a graceful aura emanating from her, though not literally.
I looked into her ametrine eyes, studying them, which still held their light, as I went through any incidents that might have happened near the shore or sea in my dreams—focusing on my breath and the sound of the waves.
I couldn't remember anything major involving these angels and demons around this time, but there must be something going on among the people nearby that attracted 'Kafzeil''s interest.
I really don't want to get involved in other people's mess, especially when I'm practically the weakest on this planet.
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[ The Nubecula 'Kafzeil' comments "Fly in a straight path, towards the shore." ]
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This bastard. Did he guess that I'd try to avoid getting involved with whatever he's watching? Suddenly, another comment regarding Kafzeil appeared, grabbing my attention.
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[ The Nubecula 'Kafzeil' is delighted to see your expression. ]
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He's really sharp. Whatever. I'm now more determined not to go in the straight direction. I was about to move in a different direction when—
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' comments "Go straight." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' comments "Go in a straight direction." ]
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Now there are two more who want me to go straight. Why are they suddenly commenting to me? I literally appeared out of nowhere in this universe.
I want to avoid whatever 'Kafzeil' wants me to do, but now these anonymous Nubeculas are urging me to go as well. Damn curiosity, started to build up inside me.
This is a problem—I don't know who these two Nubeculas are. I know Kafzeil from my dreams, and he's a sly person, so I wasn't going to do what he said.
But now these unknowns are telling me to go. Curiosity overtook me as I thought, There better be some treasure waiting for me at the end of this straight path. And I decided to go straight.
"Per—..."
I was about to call Persephone when I realized that the drones might not be able to hear or see her astral projection, but they could hear me talk.
Persephone seemed to realize that as well. I felt her tense up when I was about to say her name. The astral projection of Persephone looked at me and said, "Don't worry. Just speak in a lower voice and don't say my name."
I nodded to show that I understood.
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[ Some Nubeculas are curious about your behavior. ]
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I ignored the unnecessary notifications and spoke in a low voice.
"We're going in the straight direction. Get ready."
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' comments "He's ready. Just move." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Razel' is observing you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Yael' is observing you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Belzeebub' is observing you. ]
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I clicked my tongue at the messages. I wasn't talking to them, but the Nubeculas thought I was telling them to get ready.
I swear, I want something at the end of this. I clenched my jaw and flew toward the shore.
***
"Wahahaaaa... Wooohooooo..."
Inside a big mansion, the cheerful voices of people could be heard. Everyone was having a good time, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
The mansion was luxurious, with three floors and large windows. Light seeped through the curtains, giving the mansion an attractive aura. It was also well-decorated, perfectly complementing the event.
The mansion was located in a small village near the seashore of the Cloud Continent kingdom, Atlas. Usually, ships departed from here for the Underwater Continent country, Oceanus.
People who wanted to visit the underwater countries could be seen on the shore. There were all types of individuals—some were merchants heading for business, while others were vacationers.
Among these people, the mansion was quite famous for providing a good time while waiting for ships.
"Wow! This place is even better than I expected!"
"Yeah! The atmosphere and music are amazing!"
"Yes! Inside is a lot like some pub in the modern continent.!"
The place was lit up with neon lights. There was a bar, and people were dancing on the dance floor, which was covered with numerous disco lights.
"Let's get something to drink!"
"Yeah!... Miss, let me buy you a drink."
"Aren't you a human? Why don't you buy a drink for that lady over there dancing on the floor?"
"Nah. I've seen many demi-humans in my life, but I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you."
"Really? You're a smooth talker... I'll go for that drink."
People could be seen enjoying themselves, drinking, and flirting, trying to have a good time.
Even though Cloud Countries aimed to preserve a medieval atmosphere, that didn't mean they didn't use technology. The mansion was a modern pub designed to look like a grand estate.
That was what people from the outside could see, but the mansion had an even bigger shed in the backyard. That's where the real fun happened.
"Yeah! Hit him harder!"
"Yeah! You punk!! You better not lose this. I've put a lot of money on you!"
"HAHAHA... The bull is tougher. You'll lose this!"
"SHUT UP!"
It was the dark side of the fun and loving mansion, where travelers came to relieve some stress.
People's voices echoed throughout the shed. The shed looked normal from the outside, but inside, it had a large ring in the center. The ring was fenced to ensure that those inside stayed there.
The ring was surrounded by platforms rising one above the other, providing seating for spectators.
Inside the ring, a teenage boy with some muscle was facing a bull. The bull looked ready to trample the boy, and while the boy appeared capable, he was clearly exhausted.
After some time, the match ended with the boy covered in blood and the bull standing triumphantly in the middle of the ring.
"I told you."
"SHIT!"
Ting!
The bell rang, signaling the start of the next battle. Three people emerged from the door inside the ring: a woman holding hands with a girl and a huge, muscular man who looked like a giant.
"It looks like it's a fight between the mother-daughter pair and a giant. I feel sorry for the pair."
"They're not just anyone. The mother-daughter pair is famous for their agility. They've survived this long for a reason, but the giant is also famous for his strength stats."
"But... yeah, I also feel bad for them. That guy is strong."
As people tried to predict who would win, the contenders inside the ring sized each other up.
"I have nothing against you, but you know only one of us can get out of this ring," the giant spoke to the pair in front of him.
The teenage girl looked at the man with cold eyes.
"Yes, and that will be us."
"I know you both have great agility stats, but it's useless if you can't hit me. You'll just deplete your stamina."
This time, the mature woman—who appeared to be in her early thirties and the mother of the teenage girl—spoke.
"You don't have to worry about us. As you said, we don't have a choice."
No more words were changed after that. And then the sound of the bell rang, signaling the start of the battle.
Ting!