"Scholars believe that the earth, the planets, and even the world are composed of some basic particles, and the Magic Element contained in everything is the active state of these basic particles."
Looking down at the little girl in front of him, the man explained in a calm voice.
"Mixing these particles with one's own Life Force and spiritual power forms Magic Power, which can alter the reality through Spellcasting..."
The girl timidly raised her hand.
"Father... what is a planet... and what is a particle? I... I don't understand..."
"...Is it necessary to explain even such basic concepts? Your brother could grasp them through self-study alone." Irritation surfaced on the man's face, his undisguised disappointment causing the girl to hunch her shoulders.
"I... I will listen attentively... so..."
"No need, if you can't understand even the basics, explaining further is just a waste of time." With no hesitation, the man picked up his Magic Wand and turned to leave.
"Son, come with me, it's time to start the next lesson."
Beside him, the boy stood up and looked at the girl who remained still in bewilderment, his lips curving into a cold sneer.
Unable to comprehend the meaning of the word, the girl could only watch blankly as they walked away.
"Mother... look, I've learned one of the magics recorded in the book!"
"Oh, really?" Watching the girl holding a book of "Intermediate Magic" that seemed rather large for her, the woman slightly raised her eyebrows, sounding genuinely intrigued.
After searching through countless books and struggling with the obscure text, she finally found a magic she could perform—
"I can transform into a snake as described in the book—"
Watching her daughter transform into a frail crawling creature and then back to Humanoid, observing her daughter's innocent smile, the mother's gaze turned complex before gradually cooling.
"Innate Sorcerer... huh."
She gently reached out, grabbed the book, and firmly pulled it from her daughter's embrace.
And that innocent smile gradually faded.
"Put on your clothes, no need to waste more time." The woman stood up.
"Also, you no longer need to enter the library, those books are meaningless to you. If you take them randomly, your brother will not be able to find them when he needs them.
"...Just go do whatever you like, anything at all."
The woman gently stroked the girl's hair then turned away.
"—Don't disturb us anymore."
The girl stood blankly, unable to comprehend why her previously somewhat gentle mother suddenly left.
She wanted to reach out, to hold back the figure that was leaving, but the relentless steps had already made the silhouette disappear behind the room door.
Amidst the hazy sadness and loss, the Hero abruptly opened her eyes.
[Special Map: Dreamwalking Wonderland]
[Due to a Nightmare index exceeding 100, remnants of the Nightmare Sage are left behind]
[Upon successfully breaking through the Nightmare, the Hero will reach the world outside the dreamscape and gain knowledge from the remnants]
In the realm of dreams, attributes: Strength, Constitution, Agility will be hidden.
While attributes: Intelligence, Perception, Charm, will determine the ability to stay lucid, discern illusions, and affect (others') dreams.
[Hero's Lucidity (Hollow-30, 30+ relative lucidity, 50+ complete lucidity)]
[Nightmare (Hero level 49, minimum 30, remnants +10)]
[Select related memory (chapter), develop into Nightmare]
The rocking carriage stopped, and the Hero abruptly opened her eyes.
After a long journey, becoming friends with the Little Girl, and receiving the gift of colorful gemstones, the Hero finally reached her grandfather's home in the countryside.
"Let's go! Grandfather is a bit stern, but he's actually a very kind person—"
Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with some confusion, the Hero excitedly looked towards the petite shadow beside her.
But after speaking, she blinked in confusion.
"...but, I haven't seen Grandfather in a long time..."
The confusion didn't last long, as the others who disembarked knocked on the villa's door, awaiting the host's greeting.
[Nightmare (Extreme Failure, reducing impact options)]
1. Grandfather is dead! (Detective) ♛
2. The money was stolen (Survival)
3. Goblins attacked the village (Battle)
4. The Snake Witch (Escape)
5. The Church worships Goblins (?)
6. The village is deserted (Decode)
7. The dark Phoenix perches above the Church (Challenge)
8. Hunting Knowledge interferes (Lucidity +30, re-R)
9. Grandfather brought out a life-sized test paper!
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
The vigorous weeds stretch through the gate's bars to the outside of the enclosure, displaying their tenacity, yet filling the courtyard with a sense of decay.
Under the gloomy sky, the silent courtyard, long unresponded villa, tightly closed gates...
The Hero stood somewhat bewildered outside the door, accompanied by several guards and the Little Girl.
They silently observed everything, showing no impatience despite the long wait.
The Hero felt something was amiss, feeling that this place shouldn't be , but what exactly was wrong, what was discordant, she could not articulate at the moment.
"Grandfather, Grandfather must be asleep."