Magi were individuals who possessed exceptionally high levels of spiritual energy.
Although they only cultivated mana, their spiritual energy passively increased every time they advanced through the arcane ranks.
Spiritual energy was a mystical force that granted them heightened awareness, resistance to mental intrusions, and a sharpened control over their consciousness.
Their spiritual energy stabilized their mind and soul, creating a natural mental barrier that prevented uncontrolled mental drifts… such as dreams.
Mortals slipped into dreams as their consciousness loosened during sleep, however, Magi retained a subtle subconscious grip on their awareness, maintaining a tranquil but empty rest state even during their sleep.
That is why it was very rare for a Magus to dream.
In the world of Magi, dreams were seen as manifestations of an untamed spirit sea and chaotic impressions of unresolved emotions.
For those whose spirits had been honed through years of training, such chaotic expressions were largely suppressed.
Because of this, when a Magus does dream, it is not taken lightly.
In the arcane traditions of Magi, dreams were more than just the idle wanderings of the mind.
They were considered spiritual echoes, so to speak.
A Magus dreaming was, more often than not, understood to be their spiritual energy sounding an alarm.
It was a deep, instinctive warning from the soul itself.
Just as one might feel a chill before a danger or a gut feeling when something was wrong, a Magus's dream was a manifestation of their spiritual energy detecting an unseen disturbance.
It may be an omen of calamity, the presence of a powerful entity, or a shift in the world's flow.
It could be all three of them.
Or… it could just be someone trying to communicate.
Adam opened his groggy eyes, feeling quite sluggish and disoriented. It took a while for his vision to clear, yet everything around him remained hazy.
He looked around and found that he was standing in a vast expanse of a grassy plain. Everything was still hazy, but it was enough to make out his surroundings.
He felt utterly confused.
Suddenly, something deep within him pulsed with a mystical energy, instantly clearing the fog of doubt covering his mind.
In an instant, he found clarity. He looked around the hazy plain in utter shock. A chill crept down his spine when he realized what this place was.
The next moment, he forced himself to calm down, masking his awareness with feigned confusion.
Whoever, or whatever, had pulled him into this dream didn't need to know he had gained lucidity.
No, revealing that would mean giving up his only advantage.
He acted slow and dazed on the surface, but inside… a tumultuous storm was brewing.
What is this? Dream magic?!
But that is an extremely esoteric form of magic!
Even in the Greater Universe, almost no one used it. It was immensely profound, and knowledge about it was extremely scarce… So then how did…
His train of thought gradually came to a halt. However, externally, he didn't stop moving around in confusion.
Adam recalled the events surrounding the past few hours. It was hazy, but he was slowly recalling them.
That's right… I came to Constantine…
Then, I sat near the ash tree and spoke to Hudson…
Then, I went to sleep…
Right at that moment, someone grabbed his hand.
Adam's heart skipped a beat. He slowly turned his head and looked down. But it wasn't who he was expecting.
It was a small figure… like that of a child. There were no discernible features. Its form was composed entirely of swirling, white energy.
Normally, having an unknown entity suddenly grab his hand would have filled him with terror.
But… he felt a strange calmness wash over him instead.
His heartbeat gradually calmed down, and his mind felt at ease.
Adam looked at the childlike figure of white energy, which gazed back at him with a sense of curiosity, and perhaps, even joy.
"Who… are you?" Adam asked, his voice surprisingly calm and steady.
The child tilted his head in an endearing manner, then turned to gaze into the distance. A moment later, he gently tugged Adam's hand and began leading him forward.
"Come, come," said the child. "I wish to show you something."
Adam simply followed suit. He didn't know where this person was taking him, but he didn't feel any immediate danger.
If anything, he felt warmth and a sense of belonging.
After what felt like both an eternity and an instant, the child led Adam to a small plant growing from the ground.
He stood right before it, his expression radiating immense joy. He deeply looked at the plant and then at the raven-haired youth.
"Thank you, Adam!" said the child enthusiastically. "Thank you for helping me."
"For… helping you?" Adam was perplexed. "What did I do?"
The child pointed at the tiny plant radiating boundless vitality. "You planted it!"
Adam's pupils constricted, and he blurted out, "Is that the ash tree?!"
The child nodded eagerly. "You planted this tree. You helped me grow. You helped me become strong. You helped me find words."
Adam was once again left confused.
Helped you grow? Become strong? Find words?
In the deep recesses of his mind, a sudden light illuminated distant memories, fragments of wisdom from the experts of the Greater Universe.
As they surfaced, Adam's eyes trembled.
The child turned to face the manifestation of the ash tree within this dream and spoke warmly, "I will protect this tree, until it grows, until it matures. I will let no one harm it."
The more Adam listened to the child speak, the clearer it became. He was certain now of its identity.
The child turned back to the raven-haired youth, gently taking his hands and beaming, "Thank you, Adam! You helped me, so in return… I will help you!"
"You…" Adam couldn't even believe what he was witnessing.
He was shocked out of his mind. He loudly gulped and couldn't help but ask, "Who are you? What is your name?"
The child tilted his head, pondering for a moment. "My name?"
After a brief pause, he beamed again, replying cheerfully, "I wasn't born with a name, but the people here… they call me…