The Dream Doesn't End
I wake up, and for a moment I don't recognise that wooden ceiling above me. And then I do, and disbelief fills my being. I went to sleep last night, this dream should be over. No dream has ever continued after I slept in it.
I cover my eyes, could this really be…?
I leap to my feet—no way, no way!
But what if it is?
The whisper in my ear almost feels insidious. If I give into the hope that this is real, if I start believing this, and then I suddenly wake up to reality again, the blow will be all the more crushing.
I shouldn't hope.
But some part of me does anyway.
I groan as I cover my eyes. For now… I don't see a way out of this. In that case, would it really be so bad to go along with this? I feel like a child asking permission to do something wrong from his parents.
I shake my head and take a seat at the desk. It's fine. It's just for now. I've reincarnated as Thomas Filmore. I'll accept that as a fact for now.
Now, that brings up a new problem: Thomas Filmore is fated to die in the middle of the game. His Abyssflame skill gets stolen, and he gets killed by one of the final boss' generals. I need to make a timeline, I need to see what I remember and see what I can reasonably change.
I take a notebook and a pencil and start writing down the general events as I remember them.
- Thomas and Rex duel.
- Thomas loses.
- Thomas starts going crazy in wanting power.
- Thomas allies with the forces of the Dark God who want to resurrect him.
- A general of the Dark God steals Thomas' Abyssflame and kills him.
- The general tries to resurrect the Dark God.
- Rex and his party go on an adventure to defeat the forces of the Dark God.
- Rex awakens the power of the Brightflame.
- Rex defeats the general who killed Thomas.
- Rex acquires the Abyssflame skill.
- Rex fights the resurrected Dark God.
- Rex defeats the resurrected Dark God with the combined power of the Abyssflame and the Brightflame.
Looking at this… shouldn't I just not antagonise Rex Cranz? I can let him deal with everything, and I'll stay out of the spotlight. Yeah, that's perfect, right?
Only, this idiot already challenged Rex to a duel. I pinch the bridge of my nose to stave off the incoming headache until an idea hits me.
I guess I could just lose?
…The thought of that annoys me for some reason. I've played this game a thousand times, as if I'd lose so easily. But if I want the surest path to survival, then…
I consider it, but before I can come to a decision, the blue screen pops to life on its own.
-
Quest: Attend Class in Two Hours
Reward: 100 EXP
Accept/Deny
-
I don't hesitate to click accept. Whether I'm going to win or lose, EXP is always something I should take. I open up the map and see that the classroom I have to go to is marked with a glowing orange exclamation mark.
Well, since I have two hours, I swipe through the system given to me. It's time to experiment.
*
By the time I have to attend class, I've learned a few things. Just saying words like, "Map," or, "Quest," isn't enough. I have to say them like I did yesterday, with intent. Otherwise, the system won't open. Another thing is that I have no inventory. Rising Hero had an inventory system, but it seems I haven't been granted that. It's a bit of a bummer, I would have liked the ability to store whatever I want in some sort of pocket dimension.
I put on the fancy blazer and head out, following the map to my destination, but before I'm there I run into Thomas' nemesis. Rex Cranz is leaning against the wall. It seems he's been waiting for me, because as soon as he sees me he walks up to me.
I remember that Thomas has another skill besides the Abyssflame ones, and I try whispering with intent, "Analyse."
The blue screen appears in front of me.
-
Rex Cranz (Hero)
LVL 15
Con – 15
Str – 18
Dex – 15
Sta – 19
Mag – 13
Fai – 15
Skills:
?
-
Crap. This guy's stats are way higher than mine, and I can't even see his skills. I guess since I don't see any modifiers, at least he hasn't awakened the Brightflame yet? He shouldn't have at this point in the story anyway. Still, only my magic is higher than his, and not by much.
Could Thomas see this as well? Could he see the title, 'Hero,' next to his name? He does call Rex hero mockingly many times in the story, maybe this is why. And to see yourself outclassed by your rival in pretty much all stats as well… ouch, that must have chafed.
Beating him will be tough, but—
"We don't have to do this," Rex says to me. He doesn't begin by greeting me, but then again, these two hate each other. I'm confused by his statement and I don't hide it, so he elaborates, "We can call off this duel right now. We don't have to do this."
I frown, I don't remember this scene in the game. Maybe it was too insignificant to include. Rex misinterprets my frown, "I know you don't like the idea of calling off our duel, but we don't need to be enemies. Duelling in public like this, it's stupid."
In the story of Rising Hero, Rex still shows compassion and pity for Thomas, no matter how much they hate each other. Maybe this is an extension of that. I think he's trying to be kind by trying to avoid either of us suffering from public humiliation.
…Man, seeing the main character in real life is really something else. I'm trembling with excitement on the inside right now. Shouldn't I just take his offer? It's a godsend. It's the perfect way to avoid the problems of the future, and to make sure my relationship with Rex doesn't get any worse.
Win-win!
The blue screen in front of me suddenly transforms.
-
Quest: Accept Rex's Request
Reward: Lose the Abyssflame
Accept/Deny
-
That stops me in my tracks. Right… win-win…