Dreams

Luce finally came back to his senses and called for someone. A graceful maid dressed in a crisp black-and-white uniform appeared almost instantly, bowing with practiced elegance.

"What are your orders, Master luce?" Her voice was soft and measured, betraying no emotion.

"Go down and bring in our guests," he said coldly. "A boy with ash-grey hair and crimson eyes, and a girl with black hair and red eyes."

The maid repeated the description under her breath, then lowered her head deeply. "Understood. I will bring them immediately."

She turned and walked away, the faint sway of her lantern casting soft arcs of light against the polished floor.

Outside, Liam exhaled slowly when he saw everything through his domain. Relief washed over him, though he didn't release the ability. Not yet. Who could tell what tricks the elf might attempt once they stepped inside?

He glanced at the girl standing beside him, only to find her staring back with a puzzled expression, as though she wanted to ask something but hesitated.

A faint smile touched his lips. He reached out and gently patted her head. "Don't worry. I was just… talking to our future too-" he corrected himself smoothly, "ahem our helper. He was watching us through a magic item name projection mirror. I reminded him of what we came for, so now he's sending someone to fetch us."

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "There's really something that magical?"

"Of course." His tone was calm, matter-of-fact. "You've barely seen anything yet. There are countless artifacts and mystical items out there. The academy we're heading to? It's an artifact in itself. You'll see wonders every day that would make this seem ordinary."

Her crimson eyes brightened with curiosity, a spark of excitement flickering within. For a moment, she let her thoughts wander, picturing vast halls filled with ancient relics and enchantments she couldn't yet comprehend. It felt like a dream.

But her excitement wasn't selfish. Deep inside, her resolve burned brighter than ever. She always thought of the orphanage that raised her, the frail children in tattered clothes, their hollow eyes, their struggles to eat or learn. One day, she vowed, none of them will ever go hungry. They'll wear clean clothes. They'll have books, teachers, and a better life.

When she looked back at him, her voice was quiet but steady. "What about you?" she asked. "What's your dream? I still… don't know anything about you."

Her gaze lingered on his face, searching for answers. From the day they met, curiosity had gnawed at her. He was strong, mysterious, someone others feared at a glance. Yet to her, he was different. Beneath that intimidating exterior was someone who never once treated her with cruelty. Someone who, despite his coldness toward the world, seemed to carry a gentleness meant only for a few.

Now, more than ever, she wanted to understand the boy whose scarlet eyes could pierce through the worlds, and through hearts.

Hearing her question, he fell silent. For a moment, his mind drifted back to a life that no longer existed, a life where his biggest dream was to become a global star, act in hundreds of movies, each a blockbuster, and bask in the spotlight.

But that was a dream of another world. Here, in Elyndra, even living a quiet, ordinary life was a luxury few could afford. And when the final arc of this world began a decade from now, surviving even a single second would be nearly impossible.

He alone knew the truth. The main protagonists of Elyndra, together with the ultimate sacrifice of The Arbiter, had barely managed to save the world, leaving behind less than ten percent of all races combined. Humanity was almost wiped out.

The memory of that grim knowledge gnawed at him. Ordinary people had no chance. When the end came, only A-rank and above survived, and even among them, many fell. Those below that level lived only if they were tied by blood to someone powerful.

He slowly raised his hand and gently patted her head, his voice low and steady.

"I just want a peaceful, normal life… one without killing, without blood. To have that, I need power, enough to crush every threat before it reaches me. The Aetherreach Grand Academy is the only place that can give me that power."

He had once thought his luck would be enough, that he could cling to the right thigh and survive the purge. But now… things had changed. He had already grasped cheats so absurd they would make protagonists from other worlds weep with envy. With that, his ambitions shifted.

Now, he wanted strength beyond measure. Enough to surpass even The Arbiter. To live on his own terms. To carve out a future where peace was his choice, not a privilege granted by others. And perhaps… recreate a dream. Bring back cinema. Become a legend in Elyndra, not just a survivor.

His lips curved faintly as his gaze turned distant. 'Power first. Then dreams'

And Luce… Luce held something that could shorten his path. Something that had helped the elf climb so high so fast. That was why Liam couldn't let this opportunity slip.

He withdrew his hand and gave her a calm smile.

"You'll know more about me in time. No need to rush."

She nodded softly, choosing not to press further. For now, her only wish was simple, to enroll in the academy, grow stronger beside him, and live the peaceful life they both desired.

He returned her smile briefly, then focused. A subtle fluctuation rippled through the formation. His domain caught it instantly.

A figure emerged from the distortion, a woman in a pristine black-and-white maid uniform, holding a lantern that glowed with faint runes. She stepped out of what appeared to be solid stone, her expression composed, her every movement graceful.

Ravyn gasped and instinctively jumped toward him, clutching his sleeve. Her wide eyes trembled in disbelief. A human had just walked through a wall of stone as if it were air.