At The City 1

"Huuuaaa...." Stretching my arms up, I stood up from my bed and quickly went inside the bathroom.

After I finished taking a shower, I began brushing my teeth while looking at my reflection on the mirror.

Spewing the water out of my mouth, I then got out from the bathroom and put some proper clothes before leaving my room. After making sure that everything else is good, I closed the door to my room and went to ahead to the dining area.

While I was walking around the palace's hallway, I came across Mason along the way. As soon as he noticed me coming, he looked at me as if surprised from seeing me.

"Oh it's just you, sir Athan. I didn't expect you to still be here." Mason said, with no intention of hiding his surprised expression.

"Well, his Majesty, the King, wanted me to stay here for just a couple of years, waiting until I turn 12 to join the academy.... While also training with him."

"I see... There is something I would like to say to you, sir Athan. And It is about my sister, Cossette." Bowing his head slightly, Mason began thanking me by saying, "As her big brother, I thank you for taking care of her for a few months. It was also because of you, she changed back into her usual like in the past.... I say, I still cannot thank you enough. So, if ever you have any problems, I'll--our family will make sure to help you the best way we can."

Seeing this, I stopped, gestured my hands with a wry smile, saying "No... It's fine. There's no need for you to thank me about it." While scratching my cheeks lightly.

"No. It is my duty as her big brother to thank the person who helped my little sister get back on her feet once again. So, is there anything you wanted that needs help by using my family's connection?" Mason firmly inquired. After seeing him this motivated, I sighed.

His motivation really resembles her when she gets excited... "No... There's nothing at the moment. Though, there is a possibility that I might need your help in the upcoming future." I placed my fingers under my chin, trying to think about something.

I guess it won't hurt me if I got more backup plan than just two... After muttering that to myself, I sighed. Casting Mason a side glance, I saw him nodding his head simultaneously as if he was saying "I understand." in his eyes.

When I saw his eyes burning with motivation, I then decided to part ways with him. I went to the right while he went straight.

It didn't take long for me to reach the dining area. After I went inside, I immediately saw many dishes being prepared onto the table, that was twice-larger than back in the mansion.

"I see that your awake.... Why don't you take a sit." King Adam pointed his finger to the chair on the right side. Not long after he said that, I heard Ryan's voice on my right.

"Ugh... Why did you even wake up?"

"Hmm... Let's say that it's because I wanted to see the expression you'll be making after seeing my morning face once again. Also--!!" When I was about to finish my sentence, Ryan raised his fist, punching me towards the head.

But...

Like last time, I dodged them all easily without breaking a sweat.

"Bastard!! Stop dodging!!" He punched me all over with a frustrated expression. When I saw his face become bright red in anger, I grinned, as I raised my hands and slapped his cheeks hard, that he flew over and hit the wall.

"I've always wanted to slap your annoying face, Your Highness." Saying that, I stuck out my tongue, watching him stood up while groaning painfully.

"Bastard...."

....

.....

...

After that, both of us took a sit waiting for William and Persia to come.

While we were waiting, Adam briefly glanced at my general direction, saying, "Are you going to visit the city later? If so, could you also bring the two children for a walk?" with a soft smile.

Well, it's not like I have something to do today anyways, so... I said to myself. Nodding my head, I replied, "Okay, I'll do it."

Just right after I said that, the door finally opened, revealing the two sweet couple wearing their morning pajamas on the other side.

"Morning~"

With his fingertips, William yawned while rubbing his half closed eyes, before taking the sit to my right. Persia also joined in as she took the sit on my left, which now placed me in their middle.

Seeing their actions, I just shrugged it off and said to myself, "Guess that's fine." as we soon began eating.

After all of us finished eating, I immediately went on and asked the two couple-William, Persia, if they wanted to come with me to visit the city. Which the two replied with a "yes" almost immediately just after I asked them.

"Well, just call me if you finished." I turned around to face my back trying to leave the room. Right where I was about to step out of the door, I heard William said something annoying.

"Okay. Persia and I will take a bath together first."

"--?!"

William's innocent girlfriend, Persia, turned bright red the moment he said that, while I only gave him a look of disgusted.

"Dumb couples should just die." I muttered out loud. Adam let out a chuckle when he heard that, as he waved his hands, gesturing for us to go on.

I went back to my room after that, and began preparing some things I would bring with me at the city. Then, waited a couple of minutes until the two to finish bathing so that we can leave.

While I was waiting, I suddenly felt chills on my spine for no reason.... It somehow gave me a bad feeling.

"Come on. Or else, I'll leave both of you behind." I said to them clearly not hiding my annoyance in my words.

"Coming!"

While holding hands gently, they both made their way towards me. Not long after, we soon left the palace, heading towards the city.

Since the city is just below the castle, it didn't take long for us to reach it after crossing a huge bridge that was connecting the castle and the city.

After reaching the city, we three hopped down the carriage, while the driver went back to the castle.

While I was looking around the city, I opened my mouth to speak, reminding them about something.

"We can only stay here for 3 hours or so, after that we'll immediately go back, okay?"

""Yes."" They both nodded in unison. Seeing this, I smiled, while reaching both my hands to hold theirs so that they won't get lost.

While we were walking around and checking every stands we went into, the two decided they wanted to part ways with me.

At first, I'm a bit opposed to his idea but after realizing why William want that, I let them go saying that we will meet up after an hour in the cafe shop I pointed earlier.

After walking for sometime, I went ahead to the crepe stand I saw earlier to buy something to eat.

While I was eating, I suddenly remembered the time Alicia and I ate a crepe back in the town before we got kidnapped....

"Wait, now that I thought about it. I wonder why that Onyx was so scared that day...? Anyways, there's no point in thinking abo--!!?"

I immediately stopped eating and dropped the crepe on the ground as soon as I noticed an intense gaze coming from my behind.

Turning around, I saw a black-haired man, who seemed to be in his twenties, staring directly at mine with his half ruby and half prismarine eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked while taking a stance.

With his wide smile, the man walked towards me slowly, ignoring the pressure I've been excluding at him. When I saw this, I tried backing away, preparing to summon my sword out.

But, then...

For a second, I felt the whole world stopped including me, while except for him. As he got near me, he bend his body to same height as mine, and placed something inside my pockets while my body was still frozen.

Smiling softly, he whispered something to my ear, saying, "What real is fake. The definition of truth doesn't exist in this world. If you wish to know what's the end, find it..... Player."

Right after he said that, an icon appeared on top of his head. The letter on it was written in a language similar to my past life. Though, that's not the main reason what made things complicated... it was what is written.

[Admin]

At the same time, a letter appeared above the sky as a robotic voice suddenly began ringing on to my ear.

[An unknown being has transcended to this world!!]

[Advancing the world's defense protocol.]

Suddenly, chains appeared below him, suddenly holding on to his body tightly, and pulling him to the ground.

Seeing this, the man looked annoyed as he then raised his hands above his head, saying, "This things are really annoying."

[Grand Authority • Eliminate]

-Vuuuuuaaam!!!!

Right after he did that, the ruin that covered his arm light up, covering the whole surroundings in bright light.

"Huh?"

When I opened my eyes, I noticed everything was back moving again. Because of this, I've become even more confused.

Looking around the surroundings for a bit, I suddenly felt something inside my pocket. Placing my hands and taking out what was inside, I saw that it was a black key.

"It's real..."

After carefully examining the key, I noticed that the size of it was similar to the keyhole on the orb that was given by Adam as a reward.

Once I saw this, I raised my head to look up in the sky making sure that the letters appeared in there earlier was gone.

"...It disappeared."

Now that I've finished inspecting everything out, a question suddenly appeared inside my mind.

What in the actual fuck just happened?