A Brother, Not a Servant

"Young master… Young master… What happened? Open your eyes!" A voice echoed in Levi's ears.

When he opened his eyes,he was met with the concerned face of a teenager with a rounded face and a wispy hint of baby fat.

His eyes, filled with worry, locked onto Levi's face.

"Anderson.."

"What happened, Anderson?" Levi asked, rubbing his eyes.

He looked around. It was a finely crafted wooden carriage, clearly belonging to a noble family, large enough to comfortably seat four people. Horses pulled the carriage, and a servant in front.

"Oh, I remember now… it all started here, where the man in black first appeared."

"Anderson, what's the date?" Levi asked, looking up at the boy.

The boy, named Anderson, smiled wisely, but it seemed he'd forgotten Levi's question. "Oh, Young Master Levi, you still remember this servant's name?" he said with a grin.

Levi's eyes narrowed, a mix of memories from the dream realm flooding back. "Remember? Why wouldn't I? You're my most loyal servant—no, my little brother in the dream realm."

He pushed aside the sentimental thoughts. "But that's not important now."

"Yes, I remember. Now tell me, what's the date and where are we going?"

Anderson, sensing a change in Levi's demeanor, answered without question. "Year 2812 CE(Common Era), July 21st. We are heading to the Dream Realm for the Trial of Becoming the Honorable Echoes."

Levi let out a deep sigh of relief. "I really made it back to the real world."

Levi's voice carried a hint of worry as he asked, "How long was I unconscious?"

Anderson gave a reassuring smile. "Just a few moments."

Levi's gaze fell on his own body, now lean and pale in comparison to Anderson's youthful energy. "Ah, so it was all a dream… Hundreds of lives in a single instant…" Memories from the Dream Realm surged back, especially thoughts of his wife.

"If I hadn't saved her in my last life… if I had kept manipulating others for my own gain, I would have been trapped there for millions of lifetimes." The very thought sent a shiver down his spine, his expression darkening with regret.

Anderson noticed the sudden change in his young master's mood and grew concerned. "Young Master, what troubles you? Apologies for speaking out of turn, but you don't seem quite yourself."

He lowered his gaze, bracing for the usual outburst. Levi had always been stubborn, quick to anger when questioned. But seconds passed, and nothing came.

When Levi finally looked at him, Anderson was taken aback by the smile on his face. "Since when devil smile?" he thought, his mind racing with surprise.

Levi's gaze snapped back to Anderson, and he saw the genuine concern etched on his face. Something shifted inside Levi; he realized that Anderson was more than just a loyal servant – he was a friend, a brother.

"You don't have to call me 'Young Master' anymore," Levi said, his voice calm yet resolute.

Anderson's heart dropped, fearing the worst. "Young Master, I'm sorry! I was wrong! I stepped out of line! Please forgive me, I was only worried about you!"

Levi's smile widened as he shook his head. "What are you talking about? You don't have to apologize. From now on, just call me 'Brother Levi.'"

"We're brothers, not master and servant."

Anderson's eyes widened, and he looked like he had been punched in the gut. "Y-yes, Young master...Levi. I mean, I'll try."

Anderson blinked in confusion, then sighed in relief. "So, it's confirmed. Something's definitely off with Young Master."

Levi's thoughts turned inward, reflecting on his past lives."Anderson... A brilliant mind, a good seedling with boundless potential. And I, the greatest obstacle to his growth, reduced him into a mere puppet. Even though the Southern Continent is filled with future experts due to its competitive environment, I can't afford to make the same mistakes again in this new life.

The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the forest clearing, where carriages of various designs and sizes were scattered amidst the trees.

The air was filled with the murmurs of students and the occasional neigh of horses. A harsh voice echoed through the area, commanding attention.

"We will rest here. Food will be distributed after half an hour. All students should gather in one place. If anyone comes late, there will be no food," the voice declared, its tone leaving no room for argument.

Levi, hearing the announcement, stepped out of his carriage. Around him, other nobles were also emerging from their vehicles, their fine garments and dignified postures setting them apart from the common students who either rode horses or traveled in public carriages.

The carriages were arranged in lines according to status, with the noble carriages at the front. Levi's carriage was among them, positioned prominently.

As Levi surveyed the scene, his eyes fell on a particularly opulent carriage to his right.

It was adorned with gold and silver threads intricately woven into its surface, a testament to the wealth and status of its owner.

The servant driving the carriage was dressed in clothes of such high quality that they rivaled Levi's own attire.

A young boy, roughly Levi's age, stepped out of the carriage.

He had blonde hair, sky-blue eyes, and a pair of glasses that added to his refined appearance.

His gaze met Levi's, and he gave a slight nod, a gesture of acknowledgment. Levi returned the nod, accepting the goodwill.

"You are all free to attend to your personal needs in the forest. There is no danger within a 50-square-kilometer radius, but do not venture beyond this boundary," a voice called out from the front, where the trainers and teachers stood.

These mentors had traveled from various cities to guide their students through the Dream Realm Trial, a pivotal moment in their journey to becoming Echoes.

The students responded in unison, their voices blending into a single, resounding "Yes!"

Levi noticed Anderson, his loyal companion, disappear momentarily before reappearing. Before he could ponder this, a soft voice called out from behind him.

"Levi."

He turned to see his older brother, a man of about twenty-five, dressed in a merchant's attire, a large rectangular cloak draped over his shoulders and a tunic made of linen or wool, belted at the waist for comfort. His face was etched with concern.

"Big Brother," Levi greeted, noting the worry in his brother's eyes.

"Did something happen to you, Levi? In the carriage, you lost consciousness," his brother asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"No, nothing serious. I just felt a bit suffocated due to the heat," Levi replied, forcing a smile to reassure his brother. He clenched his teeth slightly, masking his discomfort as he looked at Anderson, who stood nearby with an innocent expression.

"Oh, thank goodness. The temperature has been unusually high this mid-July. Make sure to drink more water," his brother advised, his tone softening. "And don't leave the carriage unless it's necessary." With that, he turned and walked toward the trainers' camp, leaving Levi to his thoughts.

Levi, with Anderson trailing behind him like a shadow, began to walk toward a cluster of thick trees.

After some time, they reached a serene valley. Levi stepped into the shallow water at the edge of a lake, its surface so clear that it perfectly reflected his image.

He gazed at his reflection, a young man with pale skin, emerald-green eyes set in an oval face, framed by fine, silky brown hair that fell just over his ears and was tied back.

"Anderson," Levi said, breaking the silence, "Go and find out how many youngsters are participating in the Dream Realm Trial this time.

"Gather their names, along with their family and city of origin."

"Seek my brother's help if needed. As a merchant, he should have no trouble obtaining such information."

"I know all of them, but I can't come to the same conclusions as I did in my previous lives within the Dream Realm."

"Yes, Young.."Anderson replied, hesitating for a moment before adding, "Yes, brother levi."

Levi smiled faintly at the title, then turned his attention back to his reflection in the water.

The stillness of the lake was mesmerizing, but it also stirred something deep within him.

"Who are you?" Levi whispered to his reflection, his voice barely audible. "Are you the one who manipulates others for personal gain, or are you the one who protects someone?"

The reflection offered no answers, only the gentle ripples of the water distorting the image before settling back into clarity.

Levi stood there, lost in thought, as the waves continued to pass over his reflection in silence.

He gazed at his reflection, and for the first time in all his lives, he felt a sense of disconnection.

The face staring back was just a vessel, a fragile container of flesh and blood.

And he himself was something more, something that transcended the material world.

The questions lingered in his mind, unanswered, as he prepared himself for the challenges that lay ahead in the Dream Realm Trial.