chp6

Calisus stood alone in the surreal landscape of the dream domain, the air thick with an otherworldly stillness. Selena had left him a few supplies—nothing extravagant, just the essentials—but even so, he felt like a shipwrecked traveler stranded on a mysterious island. The scenery around him was breathtaking in an eerie, ethereal way—rolling hills that shimmered like mirages, an endless sky where the constellations shifted ever so slightly, as if they were alive.

Yet, something was undeniably off.

He strode toward what seemed like the edge of the domain, curiosity gnawing at him. The scenery stretched far beyond the horizon, promising infinite space, but when he reached out—thud.

An invisible force stopped his hand in midair.

"A barrier?" he muttered, pressing his palm against the unseen wall. The landscape beyond it remained unshaken, stretching endlessly as if inviting him to step forward—an illusion meant to deceive the senses.

So this place isn't as infinite as it looks. Interesting.

Despite everything, he was composed. One moment, he had been locked in a brutal battle, cutting down monstrous creatures that had poured from space itself. He had been winning—his blade cutting through the enemy ranks, the battlefield littered with their bodies. And then…

Darkness. Weightlessness. A sudden pull, as if the universe itself had swallowed him whole.

And now, here he was.

"Great," he exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "One second I'm fighting for my life, the next I'm a guest in some lady's dreamland."

At first, he had doubted Selena. How could he not? Being whisked away into an unknown world by a mysterious woman—one with a veil covering her face and a presence that felt almost too calm—was more than enough to put anyone on edge.

But after talking to her, observing her mannerisms, and listening to her explanations, it became clear—she wasn't lying.

She genuinely had no clue about how he had ended up here.

I've spent enough time around schemers, nobles, and liars to tell the difference between truth and deception, he thought. If she were trying to manipulate me, I would've noticed. She wasn't withholding information, at least not deliberately. She's just as confused as I am.

Which meant one thing—

He was truly stranded in a place outside of his world.

"Fan-freaking-tastic," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Sighing, he turned away from the barrier and wandered toward the oak tree where Selena had been seated before she left. The great tree stood tall and sturdy, its dark, twisting branches stretching toward the sky, leaves glowing faintly under the silver light of the dreamlike stars.

I need a weapon.

The thought struck him suddenly. He didn't know how much danger this world held—if any—but the idea of being unarmed left him uneasy. He had spent years of his life honing his swordsmanship, and now, without his blade, he felt… incomplete.

Scanning the oak tree, he reached up and snapped off a sturdy-looking branch. The sound of wood cracking echoed in the quiet air as he tested its weight in his palm.

"Hope Selena doesn't mind me breaking her tree," he mused with a small smirk. Not like I have any other choice.

He took a few steps away, rolling his shoulders before swinging the makeshift wooden sword. The motion was muscle memory—years of disciplined training guiding him as he sliced through the empty air. Left swing, right swing, downward strike. His body followed through instinctively, yet…

Something was wrong.

The flow of energy that usually coursed through him as he moved—it was missing.

His steps slowed as he frowned, gripping the branch tighter. He reached inward, toward his core, attempting to summon his mana.

Nothing.

His heart sank.

I can't sense any mana.

That realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

Mana had been his lifeline, his very essence. It was the foundation of his swordsmanship, the force behind every battle he had ever fought. To be without it felt like being stripped of a part of himself.

So this world isn't just separate—it's fundamentally different.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, trying to attune himself to his surroundings. If mana didn't exist here, then what did?

A faint hum, almost imperceptible, pulsed beneath the fabric of this world.

It wasn't mana. It wasn't anything he had ever encountered before. Yet, it was there. A strange, foreign energy lingered in the air, woven into the dreamscape itself. He could feel it, but he couldn't control it—his core simply wasn't adapted to it.

He opened his eyes.

I need to learn how to use this power. If I don't… I'm stuck at a severe disadvantage.

As he resumed swinging his makeshift weapon, his thoughts drifted back to Selena.

I wonder where she's gone…

This was her domain, which meant she could likely leave as she pleased. If that was the case, could she take him with her? Was there a way to return to his world? Or was he truly trapped here forever?

Hmph. No use panicking. I'll ask her when she gets back.

For now, he had only one choice—to prepare.

Tightening his grip on the wooden branch, he took his stance once more, swinging with renewed focus. He wasn't going to sit around and wait for answers. He was a warrior. A hero. And if this strange world thought it could hold him prisoner…

Then it had no idea who it was dealing with.

-------

Eleanor—or rather, Selena, as she introduced herself in this form—materialized into the dream domain with an air of silent grace. Her dream-walker body was a stark contrast to her real self: tall and elegant, an hourglass figure wrapped in flowing midnight-blue robes, cascading deep-blue hair that shimmered under the strange dreamlight, and pointy ears peeking out from beneath her veil.

The veil itself concealed most of her face, adding an air of mystery to her ethereal presence.

As her sharp eyes swept over the landscape, she quickly spotted him—Calisus.

The man was handsome, there was no denying that. Silver hair fell slightly messy over his forehead, damp with sweat from exertion, complementing his striking golden eyes. His lean, athletic frame moved with disciplined efficiency as he swung what could only be described as a… stick.

Eleanor blinked.

Really? A stick?

She expected a mighty warrior like him to have something more dignified, but there he was, deeply engrossed in his training, slicing through the air with the intensity of a man facing an invisible army. His swings were precise, his footwork fluid—if one ignored the actual weapon in his hands, it was almost impressive.

Shaking her head in mild amusement, she stepped forward.

Calisus, however, had the reflexes of a seasoned warrior. The instant he sensed movement behind him, he reacted instinctively—twisting on his heel, he swung his almighty stick in a sharp arc, aiming directly at her.

Oh, for the love of—

With effortless agility, Eleanor jumped, executing an elegant mid-air twist, landing a few steps away with the grace of a cat that had just dodged a careless human's foot.

Calisus, realizing what he had done, blinked in horror before immediately blurting out, "Oh! Sorry, Selena!"

Eleanor, still crouched from her landing, took a deep breath.

Alright, should I be mad? No, I should be the bigger person here. Act with poise and dignity…

Instead, she strolled up to him and—WHACK!

She patted his back with deliberate force. Repeatedly.

"You. Should. Be. More. Careful!" she said with each pat, her tone light but her hands not.

Calisus winced under the playful assault, tucking his head in like a guilty puppy. "Ah, don't worry! I would've stopped in time! Probably. Plus, it's just a stick!"

Eleanor crossed her arms, staring at him through her veil. "Oh yes, of course. Because sticks are known to be harmless in the hands of a trained swordsman."

He awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Sorry about that. Also, uh…" He hesitated, gesturing to his weapon. "I might've broken a branch off your tree…"

Eleanor sighed theatrically, shaking her head. "My poor tree. What did it ever do to deserve such betrayal?"

Calisus shrugged. "In my defense, it was either the branch or imaginary sword fighting."

Hmph. Fair enough.

"Well," she said, reaching into the hidden inventory of her system, "since you're clearly so desperate for a real weapon, here."

With a flick of her wrist, a B+ ranked sword materialized in her hand, its polished steel gleaming under the soft glow of the dream domain. She held it out to him casually, as if handing over an apple rather than a finely crafted blade.

Calisus stared at it. Then at her. Then back at the sword.

"...Did you just summon a weapon out of thin air?"

Eleanor tilted her head slightly. "Yes."

A pause.

"Cool!" Without hesitation, he took the sword, turning it over in his hands, testing its weight. He gave a few experimental swings, nodding in approval. "This is way better than the stick. Thanks!"

Satisfied, he then promptly collapsed onto the grass, stretching out with a relieved sigh. "Alright. That's enough training for now."

Eleanor, amused, took a seat beside him, adjusting her robe as she settled on the cool grass. She followed his gaze upward, taking in the sky. It was a mesmerizing sight—dreamlike clouds shifting in patterns that never repeated, stars twinkling with colors that didn't exist in the waking world.

For a while, there was only silence.

Then Calisus muttered, "...So, where do you keep pulling things from? Like, is there a magic pocket somewhere in your robe? Or do you just will stuff into existence?"

Eleanor smirked behind her veil. "Trade secret."

"Tch. Figures," he grumbled, closing his eyes as he rested.

She watched him for a moment before glancing at the broken branch he had discarded earlier.

Maybe I should make him train with it again just for fun…

Calisus lay stretched out on the soft grass, eyes closed, his silver hair catching the dreamlight. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the new sword resting beside him as if forgotten. He spoke in a slow, contemplative tone, as if the words had been lingering in his mind for a long time.

"Did you know?"

Eleanor—or rather, Selena—glanced at him. "Hmm?"

"The whole 'hero' thing… It's just a title. It's actually nothing more than added responsibilities," he muttered. "A fancy word they use to dress up a weapon."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow beneath her veil. "A weapon, huh?"

Calisus gave a soft huff, not bothering to open his eyes. "The Holy Empire… it's just an empire that specializes in magic. That's really all there is to it. They cherish magic, support it, raise it high above everything else. And those who can use both magic and the sword? They're called magic swordsmen—rare and valuable to the empire."

He opened one eye, glancing at her briefly before shutting it again. "Mages are strong at long-range combat but weak at close range. Warriors are strong at close combat but can't use magic. But magic swordsmen? They can do both. They integrate spells into sword techniques, weaving destruction into their strikes. That's why they're rare. That's why the empire needs them. And the strongest among them—the one the people cling to, the one they want—is called the 'hero.'"

Eleanor tilted her head. "Then you must have quite the talent."

Calisus let out a short laugh. "In swordsmanship, maybe. But magic?" He sighed. "I wasn't even able to feel it, let alone use it."

Eleanor sharpened her focus. Something about that statement didn't add up. "But… you're a magic swordsman, aren't you?"

"Let me explain," Calisus said, sitting up and resting his arms on his knees. His golden eyes gleamed with something distant, something from the past. "To understand my situation, you have to understand how my world works. People are born with a certain amount of magic. It's innate. Those who have it can store mana, create magic circles inside their hearts, and wield spells. They are the ones who qualify to be mages. And then…"

He gestured vaguely at the air. "Then there are common people. The ones who are born completely unaware of magic, the ones who never even get the chance."

Eleanor listened carefully, fascinated.

"My world is divided into many kingdoms and empires," he continued. "But the two strongest? The Holy Empire and the Warlock Empire."

"Warlock Empire?" Eleanor repeated, intrigued.

Calisus nodded. "It was founded by people who defied fate. People who refused to accept that they were born without magic. They found another way. Instead of relying on natural-born talent, they stole their power. They hunted magical beasts—creatures that could use mana—and took their cores. Those cores, once implanted in the body, granted magic."

Eleanor's eyes widened slightly. "They created an entirely new race?"

"Exactly." He smirked slightly. "It wasn't as effective as being born with magic, of course. It had limitations. The strength of a warlock depended on the rank and potential of the beast whose core they had taken. But still… it was power. And for some, that was enough."

Eleanor hummed thoughtfully. "So, which empire were you from?"

"The Warlock Empire," Calisus admitted. "Though… not from anywhere important. I grew up in the suburbs, in a small village near a dense forest. My father was an ex-knight, one of the few warriors in our village. He was strict, but he trained me well."

His expression darkened slightly. "But no matter how hard I trained, I knew I would never be more than a mere swordsman. I was born without magic. That was the limit of my existence."

A silence settled between them before he let out a low chuckle. "But then, one day, something changed."

Eleanor leaned in slightly. "What happened?"

Calisus ran a hand through his hair, as if remembering. "I got lost in the forest. I had just finished training with my father, and I wandered too far. I should've been scared, but instead, I found… it."

"It?"

"A plant," he said, his voice quieter now. "A strange, glowing plant. It radiated this… this pull, as if it was calling out to me. And inside it, there was a core."

Eleanor's breath caught.

"A mana core?" she asked.

Calisus smirked. "Something like that. I don't know what came over me, but without thinking—without hesitation—I ran to it. And then…" He shrugged. "I ate it."

Eleanor's brain short-circuited.

"You ate it?" she echoed blankly.

"Hahaha! Reckless, right?" he admitted, grinning. "But I was desperate. I didn't care about the consequences. I just knew that I didn't want to be nothing forever."

Eleanor stared at him, half in disbelief, half in admiration. This guy is insane.

"But," he continued, "that was the day I became a warlock."

Eleanor recovered from her shock, her curiosity deepening. "And? What abilities did you gain?"

Calisus stretched his arms behind his head, looking up at the ever-shifting dream sky. "Compared to other warlocks? Nothing fancy. Some warlocks gained elemental powers. Others got monstrous strength. But mine? My ability was simple."

He turned his gaze toward her, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "I could purify mana and absorb it."

Eleanor's mind immediately started working. Purifying mana? That's not just simple—it's a game-changer.

Calisus chuckled at her reaction. "At first, I thought it was useless. But the more I experimented, the more I realized its potential."

"And then?" Eleanor prompted.

"And then… I left the Warlock Empire," he said. "I traveled to the Holy Empire, disguised myself as a mage, and began my rise. Step by step, I climbed my way up, fooling them all. And before I knew it…" He gave a dramatic sigh, as if the next part was both amusing and exhausting.

"I became the Hero."

Eleanor stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking.

"You do realize that your entire life story sounds like an elaborate con, right?"

Calisus smirked, closing his eyes again. "It was a con. A very successful one."

Eleanor shook her head in disbelief, but a small smile played on her lips.

This guy… is dangerous.

Eleanor—Selena—tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.

"So, eating the core of a magical beast… it allows you to inherit part of its abilities and potentially use magic?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue.

Calisus let out a soft chuckle, stretching his arms behind his head. "Well, it's a little more complicated than that," he said, his golden eyes glinting mischievously.

"Can you elaborate?" she pressed.

Calisus arched an eyebrow. "Hmm? Interested?" His lips curled into a playful smirk.

Eleanor dramatically placed a hand on her chest, feigning distress. "Oh, woe is me! Trapped in this dream domain, abandoned by the world—will no one entertain this lonely lady?" She sighed theatrically.

Calisus rolled his eyes, amused. "Alright, alright. I'll indulge you."

She sat up straighter, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Listen carefully," he began, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Once you swallow a core, your body will react to the new organ. And that reaction? It's different for everyone. Some people feel excruciating pain, as if their body is rejecting it outright. Others get fevers so high they almost burn from the inside out. Some even fall into comas for days, weeks—sometimes months."

Eleanor's brows furrowed slightly. "That sounds horrifying."

"Oh, it gets worse," Calisus assured her with a grin. "If the core is too big to swallow, they have to manually implant it. And by manually, I mean they slice open the stomach and place it inside the body accordingly."

Eleanor made a face. "That sounds… barbaric."

Calisus shrugged. "That's because it is. But warlocks don't have the luxury of being born with magic. We take it by force, and nature doesn't exactly appreciate that. So after the core is implanted—whether through swallowing or surgery—the body doesn't just accept it right away. It treats it like a foreign invader. Which means…"

"You have to force your body to adapt," Eleanor finished, piecing it together.

"Bingo." Calisus nodded. "That's why warlocks have to drink specialized medicine—potions, tonics, elixirs—constantly. The body undergoes immense strain trying to assimilate the core. Some people suffer unbearable pain for months. If the healing process is interrupted? The body rejects the core."

"And what happens if it rejects it?" Eleanor asked, though she had a bad feeling about the answer.

Calisus' expression darkened slightly. "Best-case scenario? You lose the ability to use magic and are left with permanent internal damage. Worst-case scenario?" He tapped his temple. "You die. Horribly."

Eleanor exhaled sharply. "That's… intense."

"And I haven't even mentioned the mental battle yet," Calisus continued. "Inside every core, there's something left behind by the original owner."

Eleanor blinked. "The previous owner?"

"That's right," he confirmed. "Each core carries the intent of the magical beast it belonged to. It's like a remnant of its will, its instincts, its desires. And when you implant the core, you're not just dealing with physical adaptation—you're also fighting for dominance inside your own mind. If you lose the battle?"

He dragged a thumb across his throat in a slashing motion. "You're as good as dead."

A chill ran down Eleanor's spine. "So, you went through that too?"

Calisus smirked, an unmistakable hint of pride in his eyes. "Me? Nope."

Eleanor blinked. "What?"

He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "After I swallowed the core, it just… slid into place. Fit like a glove. I had a slight stomachache for maybe a couple of hours, but nothing serious."

Eleanor stared at him, waiting for the real explanation.

"As for the mental battle?" He shrugged. "The plant I got the core from was too young to have a strong will. Its 'intent' was basically nonexistent. So, there was no struggle."

A long silence stretched between them.

Then Eleanor scoffed, crossing her arms. "Tch. Lucky bastard."

Calisus grinned, his dorky smile somehow making her irritation worse.

"Hey, don't hate me because I'm efficient," he said, smug.

Eleanor resisted the urge to throw something at him. This guy…

-------------

Calisus, still lying on the grass, cracked an eye open and smirked. "So, since I've entertained this beautiful lady, can she, in return, enlighten me about this mysterious world we're in?" His voice was smooth, laced with strategic flattery.

Eleanor—Selena—tilted her head, amused by his approach. "Why, of course," she said, matching his playful tone. "Fair trade, right?"

She shifted slightly, gazing at the vast sky of the dream domain, its colors shifting subtly like a canvas painted by a restless artist. After a brief pause, she began her explanation.

"As I mentioned before, this is the Dream World—a place that exists parallel to the waking world, yet completely detached from it. It's a realm of consciousness, shaped by thoughts, emotions, and memories. But make no mistake, this place isn't just some abstract dreamscape where nothing is real. Everything here is real—just by a different set of rules."

Calisus sat up, listening intently.

"In the Dream World, there exist domains—individual territories that function almost like floating islands in an endless sea. Each domain belongs to someone or something. This—" she gestured around them, "—is my domain."

Calisus frowned slightly. "So, there are other domains out there?"

Selena nodded. "Definitely. Countless, as far as I know. But here's the thing—I've never actually ventured outside my own domain before."

Calisus raised an eyebrow. "Never?"

She gave a small shrug. "I figured I'd explore when I'm strong enough. No point in throwing myself into danger without preparation."

His curiosity deepened. "So, are there other people in this world?"

Selena smirked. "'People' is a broad term. Are there residents in this world? Yes. Are they human? Not always. And are they strong? Absolutely."

Calisus leaned forward, intrigued. "How strong are we talking?"

She met his gaze seriously. "There's a hierarchy in this world, Calisus. And at the top of that hierarchy are the Dream Lords."

"Dream Lords?"

Selena nodded. "They're the rulers of this realm—the strongest beings in the Dream World. Each one controls an immensely powerful Dream domain, and their abilities… let's just say, if you're not careful, you could find yourself trapped in a nightmare you'll never wake up from."

Calisus felt a shiver run down his spine. "Sounds charming."

Selena smirked. "Oh, it gets better. Here's a piece of advice—never enter another domain recklessly. The only reason you're safe right now is because you ended up in my domain. If you had landed in a Dream Lord's domain—especially one that isn't fond of uninvited guests—" she made a slicing motion across her neck, "poof. You either go insane, or you never leave at all."

Calisus swallowed. "Good to know."

"Now," she continued, "as for how this world functions… there's an economy here too. Coins are the currency."

He blinked. "Coins? What, like normal money?"

"More or less," she said. "You earn them by either selling valuables or hunting entities within the Dream World."

"Hunting?"

Selena nodded. "There are creatures here—Nightmares and Dreams—that can be hunted for their essence. Sell that essence, and you get coins. Those coins can be used to purchase weapons, artifacts, knowledge, and even domain upgrades."

Calisus looked down at the sword she had given him earlier. "Wait—so this sword…?"

"Purchased with my hard-earned coins," Selena confirmed. "I didn't just pull it out of thin air."

Calisus processed everything, his mind whirling. This world was far more structured than he had imagined.

"You following so far?" Selena asked, noticing his stunned silence.

Calisus let out a breath. "Wow."

She chuckled. "Overwhelmed?"

"A little," he admitted.

Then he frowned slightly, looking at her with sincerity. "Hey, just so you know—I never thought you were imprisoning me or anything. And if it's alright with you, I'd like to stay here for a while. At least until I'm ready to face whatever's out there."

Selena regarded him for a moment before giving a slight smile. "I don't mind. Stay as long as you need. I'm not that cold-hearted."

She leaned back, glancing at the sky. "Besides," she added with a teasing grin, "I wouldn't mind some company either."