My surroundings dissolved, revealing a blank canvas—as if someone had poured white paint over everything. The entire world suddenly turned white. I looked around, scared and confused. An infinite canvas of nothingness, just endless white stretching in every direction. What is going on?
"Mom? Mama!" My voice echoed strangely in the featureless void, struggling through the lingering dizziness, swallowed by the emptiness.
I couldn't understand what was happening. I hadn't even had time to process the memories that had just surged through my mind, and now reality was peeled away from me without warning.
I spun around, searching desperately for anything—someone, something—when a silhouette far in the distance caught my eye. Hope sparked inside me.
I ran toward it, making no sound against the nonexistent ground, driven by fear and a desperate need to escape the overwhelming emptiness. The terror of seeing my mother and my world suddenly snatched from me was... paralyzing. As I drew closer, the shape resolved into a man's back, his long black coat shimmering with constellations as if woven from the night sky itself.
I opened my mouth to call out, but the words died when he turned.
We stood face to face. My steps stopped on their own. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. The person in front of me was me—majestic, godlike even, radiating a calm aura. But that aura felt artificial, superimposed on my own features.
The face was mine. The person in front of me had the same face as me.
Still, his eyes softened and a gentle smile spread across his—my—face.
"Reality is nothing but a dream within dreams," he said, as if reciting a simple truth. His voice resonating with unnatural harmonics
"What?" My hands trembled at my sides.
"Once you accept it, it becomes yours." His lips curved furthe.
I stared, speechless. Then, just as his words ended like the closing line of a poem, a flash of light—brighter than the white void itself—engulfed everything.
My eyes shot open, and a glowing message hovered above me like an impatient friend glaring down.
+
[The Exclusive Skill 'False Awakening' has been activated.]
+
***
Through the familiar slate screen—which I hadn't seen in a while—I spotted another ceiling. This one was different from my original home. It was the ceiling of the room I'd been using as an assistant professor in Trivia.
"Ducas, calm down," a familiar female voice said.
"But—"
"Think clearly."
The voices of Valerie and Ducas reached my ears.
Wait… isn't this my room? What are they doing here? Before I could gather my thoughts, Valerie spoke again, this time with concern.
"Doctor, is there nothing you can do?"
"I'm sorry, miss. His condition is unlike anything I've seen," the doctor replied.
So they brought me back to my room and called a doctor. Good move—getting sick now would be the last thing I need. But then I remembered—I have a skill that keeps my body in peak condition.
"What exactly is abnormal?" Valerie asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
"I'm not entirely sure," the doctor admitted, clearly puzzled. What use are you then, if you can't diagnose a conscious patient? I thought.
"His heart rate fluctuates between rapid and slow, but nothing else is off. And there's no detectable dark matter around him. He's more than fine—it's as if he never had any contact with the matter at all."
"You mean… like before Year Zero?"
Okay, this conversation is heading somewhere it shouldn't. I need to think fast—before they decide I'm a mutant and let the church dissect me.
To be fair, I was curious about the dark matter stuff. But now wasn't the time to advertise that curiosity. I'd wait until I found someone who couldn't hurt me.
Urgh...
I deliberately let out a soft groan. Suddenly I took notice of the entire room. Footsteps neared me.
"Sir Arthur!"
"Doctor, please check him!"
Valerie called for the doctor, who hurried over and pressed his stethoscope against my chest. He flicked his sleeve up to glance at his watch while checking my pulse.
"It looks like his heart rate has stabilized."
+
[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds for the Heartbroken' is relieved.]
[The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds for the Heartbroken' comments: "Thank God."]
[The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars and Candy' comments: "You are a God."]
[The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments: "I'm glad. Here, I'll give you some points."]
+
[500 points donated]
+
[The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments: "See? I told you. He's fine."]
+
Messages from several Nubeculas appeared before me like a cheering audience waiting for a verdict.
Valerie and Ducas looked relieved. Gumiho even gifted me points—nice.
I tried to sit up, leaning against the bed's backrest. I pretended my body was heavy, but honestly, I felt fine. 'Zoe's Heart' must have healed me already.
"You should rest, Sir Arthur. You don't have to move," Ducas said.
"I'm fine."
He didn't seem convinced, but I ignored him. The doctor finished his basic check-up and confirmed I was stable, though he still looked confused.
Sigh...
"How are the citizens and the Plaza?"
That question weighed heavily on me. What had happened after I fainted?
Valerie and Ducas didn't answer immediately. They exchanged glances with unreadable expressions.
"Worry about yourself first."
A third voice—deep, but angelic, and slightly irritated—interrupted. Persephone was sitting beside me on the bed.
+
[Some Nubeculas like your attitude.]
[800 points donated]
[Some Nubeculas are discussing you.]
+
What attitude? And what are they even discussing? I seriously need to do something about all these Nubeculas watching me like it's a show.
Eventually, Ducas spoke up.
"The citizens and Plaza are safe. Miss Valerie disarmed the remaining bombs, and after you collapsed, a few Legion officers arrived and arrested the attackers."
"That's a relief."
I was genuinely glad. If any of the spies had escaped, things would've gotten complicated.
But again, Valerie and Ducas gave me that strange look. I am just glad that none of the spies escaped; it would have been a problem if they did.
"Is there anything else I should know?" I asked, trying to move the conversation forward.
"Professor Yates also visited earlier."
Valerie's words struck like a sudden breeze. Lisa had come to visit me? Had we really grown close enough for that? Did she trust me more now?
"I'll meet with her."
"I'll inform her of your condition. You should rest," Valerie said kindly. I accepted her offer like the feeble patient I was pretending to be.
Ducas insisted on staying to care for me. He looked determined for some reason. I figured I could use the rest and nodded toward Valerie.
"Miss Valerie, could you go with him?"
"I will."
"Thank you."
Just like that, we made a deal—she'd take him out. For some reason, Valerie seemed happy.
But the mention of Lisa reminded me of something the spy had said before I collapsed:
"You should quit the job and return to wherever you came from."
That one line said a lot. Based on what he said I am certain of one thing.
Someone clearly didn't want me working with Lisa. Someone with ties to spies—or worse. Only one name naturally came to mind.
Eddie Sherman.
It had to be that two-faced bastard. I already knew he had some connections in the gangster community, but if I recall correctly, he never went to such lengths. Then again, there had never been someone who became Lisa's assistant before.
He was always too strange for me to understand. Even at the opening ceremony, I couldn't comprehend why he was putting on that false pretense. He already has a well-off family, and everyone loves him. Why the act?
I pity him. His efforts are futile anyway—he's never succeeded in getting close to Lisa.
All his actions are politically motivated. He wants more power, and I can understand that—it's basic human nature. But if you already have more than enough to live peacefully, then why push further?
Regardless, I need to deal with him. I don't know what he might do in the future, but I'm not going to give him any chances. I would prefer if unnecessary problems be dealt with early.
Ducas and Valerie told me about a few more basic events, but I asked them to keep it short.
"You both should return to your dorms. This is a faculty dorm—students aren't allowed here this late."
The incident happened in the afternoon, and I'd only been unconscious for a couple of hours. It was already evening. Ducas had brought dinner, so there was no reason for them to stay.
"Sir Arthur, I could stay in case you need anything."
"No need. I'm fine."
Ducas insisted again, but I asked Valerie to take him with her. She convinced him, and they headed for the door. Ducas left first, and just as Valerie was about to exit, my words stopped her.
"We gave our best, Miss Valerie."
Valerie flinched and paused at the door. She didn't say anything—her face was turned away from me, just beyond the edge of the door. I noticed how tightly she gripped the handle. I remembered how she'd stiffened and gone pale during the fight. She'd frozen when she thought she saw me being impaled with the knife.
I knew she felt responsible, maybe concerned, or blamed herself for my condition. It had shown on her face, and I knew her better than that.
"But—"
"You would have done the same."
I cut her off. Her voice was quiet, but I didn't need to hear the rest. She would have done the same for Ducas. She'd always helped her friends, just like she always did in my dreams. She is competitive by nature, but she has a good heart.
"Goodnight, Sir Arthur."
Click.
After a few seconds, Valerie said goodbye and closed the door behind her.
+
[ Some Nubecula like your sympathetic words. ]
[ 400 points donated. ]
+
Why are they saying I was being sympathetic? I wasn't trying to be. In my dreams, Valerie had to live in hiding—and she suffered greatly for it. But she still had the potential to become one of the strongest.
There were triggering events in her life, if I remember correctly. I've only seen her react like that once before—when her parents died. I don't want to disrupt her growth or alter her path. She needs to become strong, so I won't have to intervene too much.
"Anyway, what about today's riddle? Did anyone guess the answer?"
I spoke into the quiet room. Before meeting Lisa today, I had posed a riddle on my usual nonexistent show.
The riddle was: "You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?"
+
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments: "It's a telephone." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments: "We got it while you fainted." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments: "I was so close." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is dejected. ]
[ Some Nubecula are consoling 'Gumiho'. ]
+
This time, Raziel answered. Seems like they weren't too worried about me. I'm not surprised—that's just how higher existences are.
"Congratulations. Do you want to ask a question?"
+
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments: "No." ]
+
As expected.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments: "Then let me ask one." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments: "Sure." ]
+
Raziel wasn't interested in asking anything. He's a simple guy. I still don't know why he's watching me.
He passed the opportunity to Gumiho, and I didn't mind. I'm okay answering a few harmless questions. I want to become popular—not among the top-tier beings, which would cause trouble—but with enough mid-level Nubecula to build a decent following and gather more points.
Gumiho always asked basic, silly questions. I know she wasn't seriously interested—none of them were. They're godlike entities who already know nearly everything that goes on among people. If they miss something, they prefer the suspense. They hate spoilers.
That's why Raziel didn't ask. And that's also why I wasn't too worried. As long as they don't suspect something truly balance-altering about me, I should be fine.
Yaaawwnnn...
"I'm tired now." I ignored any further conversation as sleepiness was taking over. I guess I still had some lingering fatigue. I covered my mouth with my left hand as I yawned, glancing suspiciously at my right side.
Two rings—one black, one silver—adorned my fingers. The silver one gleamed as I used it to retrieve an item from my storage ring.
+
[ Item: Total Isolation ]
[ You have used Total Isolation. You are now isolated from the outside world. ]
[ Effect duration: One hour per day. ]
[ Time remaining: 41 minutes. ]
+
[ The Nubecula "Guhimo" is mewling. ]
+
[ Nubeclas are baffled by indifference and laughing.]
+
I used Total Isolation every day whenever I took a bath or shower—I had to maintain my privacy. Today, I had already used it for twenty minutes, so forty minutes remained.
I ignored the comments as the black spherical item rested in my palm. I placed the black ball on the desk to the left of the bed. A small cylindrical metal stand sat there, just the right size to hold the Isolation item.
After that, I sank into the mattress. What a day. Too much had happened. I was just planning to make notes for the next class, and I ended up doing everything but that.
Noticing the black edges of the false ceiling, I recalled what had happened inside my mind and felt a headache coming on. I still had to make those notes... Wait—did Lisa visit because of them?. She sometimes takes those things very seriously.
I also remembered the strange dream I had. What was that? Was it even a dream? I did see myself at the end... Was that my own personification?
I let out another sigh and tried to sink deeper into the bed. Nah, I view myself as anything but that. I didn't want to think about any of this anymore. My family would be alright—my absence shouldn't cause too much of a problem. It should feel like I've just returned to college.
I rolled over, trying to find a more comfortable position, but it wasn't easy. I turned my head to the right side of the bed.
There was a companion beside me. Persephone looked at me from the corner of her eye. Then she turned her head toward me, and our eyes met. I didn't say anything at first—I expected her to speak, but she didn't either.
The silence created an awkward tension. Finally, feeling frustrated, I spoke.
"How long are you going to keep holding on to it?"
I tried to move my fingers, attempting to free them from her grip, but I couldn't. She was holding my hand tightly.
She remained impassive, offering no response.
Ever since I woke up, she had been holding my hand. I hadn't moved when the doctor checked my vitals. I didn't ask Ducas and Valerie much about the situation. I even used Total Isolation because Persephone wouldn't let go.
I looked at her through sleepy eyes. The bed was comfortable, and the pillow beneath my head was soft. I wasn't that tired, but it made me feel sleepier.
Persephone kept looking at me. I stared into her eyes for a few seconds, searching for any emotion hidden there. All I found was confusion. Then I turned my head away.
If she wasn't going to say anything, and I couldn't sense anything through the soul contract, what could I do? It's not like I could force her.
My eyes started to close on their own—then I felt her squeeze my hand tightly.
A frustrated frown formed on my face as I ignored the pressure. When I didn't react, she squeezed it again, even tighter. I still ignored it.
Then, suddenly, she squeezed with real force. I felt like groaning but held it in, turning my head back toward her, angry and annoyed.
Persephone's expression remains unchanged. Her eyes revealing nothing. She had a frown, and so did I. It seemed like she was searching for something in my eyes—but what? What the hell did she want?
"What is it?" I asked, unable to contain my frustration.
"…"
"If you don't want to tell me, then don't. But you better not do that again," I warned her.
"What will you do if I do it again?" she challenged, scooting closer to me.
What the hell? Is she trying to pick a fight? But I couldn't say anything back. What could I do? I couldn't do anything to her.
Sigh…
I let out a long breath. I wasn't in the mood for an argument.
"Nothing," I said, breaking eye contact. I closed my eyes and turned my head to the right. "I'll do nothing, just let the hand go."
Since she was holding my right hand, I couldn't turn to my left. I lay back, resigning. It is better to avoid arguments with someone if I actually don't want one—I'd learned that from my mother. Her face faded into my memory for a brief moment.
"Who are you?"
Persephone finally spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts. Maybe it was because I'd snuggled too close, or because my eyes were closed and my other senses were heightened, but it felt like she whispered the words into my ear.
Still, it was a strange question.
"Arthur," I answered in a sleepy voice, releasing a deep breath.
"...I meant, What are you?"
What is this? A weird round of twenty questions? Maybe I should've let her start the fight.
"A normal human existence," I replied, trying to sound somewhat rational.
My eyes were closed, but I could feel her intense gaze. I felt a little embarrassed. I'd answered her questions literally, as I knew those weren't the answers she was looking for.
"What's actually bothering you?"
Before she could ask anything else, I forced myself upright with my arm, but she didn't release her grip.
Persephone looked uneasy and shifted back as I leaned on the bed's headrest behind me. Her free arm folded across her chest and rested on her lap.
"While you fainted... I had this strange feeling," she began, her words came out forced.
Finally—some progress. I should've asked her earlier and gotten done with it.
"What kind of feeling?"
"I felt like your soul was ...thinning." It must have felt really unusual, enough to bother her.
But thinning my soul? Is she referring to what the doctor mentioned—about my body seeming like it had no contact with dark matter?
"No, it was more like... escaping," she corrected. "I felt like your soul was disappearing." yet another word.
"That... is serious, I guess..."
I didn't know how else to respond. At the moment, I feel completely fine, but it's possible she sensed something through our Soul Contract. Still, I couldn't take it seriously when I had no idea what it actually meant.
"Your reaction is so calm," Persephone said, eyeing me from the corner of her eye. "Don't forget we share our souls. When it happened, I felt like I was disappearing." She scolded me with a firm tone.
"I'm fine now."
"Do you know why that happened?"
I didn't. But it must have something to do with what I saw earlier. I was concerned too—more than anything else right now.
"I'm not sure."
"Hm? It seems even you don't know everything." She said, registering to herself that I have limitations as well.
"Anyway, don't take it too seriously. And let go of my hand."
I could tell Persephone wanted to continue the conversation, but I evaded. She frowned angrily as she turned to me, then raised the hand still gripping mine. That angry frown slowly faded, replaced by a mocking gaze.
"What? Are you uncomfortable holding hands with a beautiful woman like me?"
There she is—the Persephone I knew. I couldn't help but laugh a little in my mind. The first thing she does is try to assert her narcissistic dominance. But I am too mentally exhausted to care.
"Yes. It's making me uncomfortable. Please let it go."
I just wanted to lie down. How am I supposed to feel comfortable with someone holding my hand like that?
"You're no fun."
She released my hand with a small push, commenting on my reaction. Without thinking much of it, I lay back down and tried to relax. But I couldn't stop thinking about the dream I had.
"And what's bothering you?" she asked, her voice soft and motherly.
A hollow laugh escaped me. She is now asking me the same question I had asked her earlier—and like her, I didn't want to answer.
I wanted to stay silent. But there was no point in lying. I was too curious. The Soul Contract allowed us to feel each other's emotions, so she already knew something was on my mind.
"I had a dream…" I barely squeezed the words out. "About my home."
"Was it a bad dream?"
"It was about a normal conversation I had with my mother years ago."
Well, for her it was a conversation. For me, they always felt like an argument—which only sometimes I could succeed in trying to avoid them. I never considered anyone else that close to me, but now I couldn't help but wonder how everyone was doing.
"I see."
She didn't ask for anything more. I guessed she sensed I didn't want to continue the conversation. Soon, I relaxed into the sensation and drifted off to sleep.
I wanted to wake up early the next morning so I could finally make those notes for tomorrow's class.
***
-Why didn't you wake me up last night?
"Don't start a couple's fight with me. I didn't know you had work left to do." the voice, sharp but warm with humor at the edges.
-You think I'd be with someone like you? Someone who doesn't care enough to know if I have something important or not?
"Can you even find someone better than me?" she boasted naturally.
I frowned and licked my lips. Damn it. I couldn't say anything against that.
It was five-thirty in the morning. I was sitting on a chair in front of my work desk, the one I had Ducas set up after the opening ceremony.
Sigh...
I let out a sigh. I wanted to say something, but yeah I really don't enjoy arguments—they're exhausting. Refocusing on the papers in front of me, I heard the window slowly opening.
Click. Thud.
The window opened, and a person jumped through, quietly turned to close it.
His back was turned to me, but I recognized the silver hair. After closing the window, Ducas turned around and our eyes met through my glasses. His body stiffened.
He stood by the window, looking everywhere except at me. I sat still, resting in my chair, and spoke in a hoarse morning voice.
"What are you doing?"
"Umm…"
To be honest, I wasn't that interested. I am still sleepy, barely keeping my eyes open, and I had summary notes to finish.
I stared at him, my head resting on the palm of my left hand. My head was low, so I had to raise my eyes to look at him. I'm just not a morning person.
"Say something."
"Sir! I didn't want to wake you, so I came in through the window!"
A frown appeared on my face. What the hell? Why's he speaking like that? He sounds like a soldier reporting to a superior officer.
He even stood at attention like one. Wait—how did he get in through the window? This is the fifth floor. How often does he do that?
"Forget it. What are you doing here so early?"
I wasn't in the mood to question the mechanics of how someone like him pulls off things like climbing in from five stories up.
"Ah. I came to check up on you. I also brought breakfast." Ducas pulled out a huge basket.
Where did that come from? I hadn't seen it earlier. Maybe I am too sleepy to notice.
+
[The Nubecula "Whose Heart Bleeds for Heartbroken" comments: "Breakfast is important."]
+
A message popped up on the usual comment slate screen. She's awake too? What are all these people doing up so early?
Sigh...
I took a glass of water from the desk and drank it. It helped a bit. I spoke while placing the lid back on the empty glass.
"I'm fine. I've got work to do. I'll eat later."
"Then I'll set it on the table and wait." with his usual smile he turned to the table, seemingly satisfied.
Do whatever you want. Who am I to tell an overpowered guy like him what to do? He placed the basket on the table and stood like a guard.
Ten minutes passed since he entered. I tried to work, but I couldn't focus.
"Why is he looking at you like that?"
Right?. Persephone pointed out what I had been thinking all along. I raised my eyes to meet Ducas's gaze.
He had this goofy smile on his face. It was really annoying. I figured there had to be a reason behind it, but I didn't want to know—it would just annoy me more.
"Ducas."
"Yes, yes?"
"Turn around."
"Yes?" His smile faltered into confused innocence.
I ignored the question and made a circular motion in the air with my index finger. Ducas watched my hand, understood, and turned around.
Much better. I felt a little refreshed just getting rid of his distracting gaze. After that, I was finally able to focus.
By now, it was nearly seven-thirty. I had finished the breakfast Ducas brought.
I descended the stairs and soon reached the reception area. As always, Todd was there. He looked at me and bowed slightly, and I did the same.
"You," I pointed at Ducas, "go attend your classes."
He didn't reply, only stared at me with a weird, determined expression. I swear he looked like he wanted to say, 'I will go with you, Sir Arthur!' The thought sent a chill down my spine, but I kept a straight face.
I ignored him and walked away, heading for Lisa's office. As I walked off, I heard a faint sigh from behind me, but I didn't stop.
Soon, I reached Lisa's office. I knocked. A sweet but stern voice called from inside, and I entered.
"Good morning, Miss Lisa. Good morning, Headmaster."
As usual, both Lisa and Hekate were there. Two pairs of eyes turned to look at me.
"You seem to be doing fine," Lisa said.
"Meow." Hekate meowed adorably in her cat form.
"I'm fine," I replied with a small smile. "Miss Valerie told me you visited while I was unconscious. I appreciate it."
Valerie had told me last evening that Lisa came to check on me after I fainted. Naturally, I hadn't forgotten.
Lisa nodded and walked toward the door. I handed her the file I had prepared that morning.
She took it from me smoothly, like it was routine. Then we both left her office. It was almost time for her class.