Chapter 20: Back To Reality
It all appeared as a glitching blur to him, with only her smile available for him to see.
Just like the boy, she had a warm and teasing smile on her face.
She quickly put a finger to her lips before the boy could say something.
"Shhhh, hold your excitement." She whispered.
The boy finally realized where he was and nodded, scratching his head in embarrassment.
The girl chuckled, standing up as the boy gave her his hand.
It was only then that Mikhail realized that she seemed to be older than the boy, standing taller than him.
Of course, he could be wrong as he was only judging from the height.
"Let’s go." She whispered, not leaving his hand.
The boy nodded happily, the two quickly running away from the houses in the long grass.
Mikhail saw the two head down the long grass and trees for a few minutes before finally stopping.
There, before him, stretched a large lake, the clean water shining under the sunlight.
"There." The girl whispered, gesturing to a spot under the shade of a tree right by the lake.
Even though they were quite a distance away from the village, the girl was still whispering.
’They are hiding from something.’
That much was confirmed.
As the two sat down under the shade hand-in-hand, Mikhail felt a rising warmth in him.
’This boy...’
From what he could tell from just his emotions, it looked like the girl meant the world to him.
The current moment was his happiest time of the day.
But why...
’Why do I feel so attached to her as well?’
Why did it still feel so familiar?
Nothing. He could remember not a single moment from this dream that had happened in his past.
’It must be since I’m in the boy’s body.’
He was seeing what he was seeing. He was feeling what he was feeling.
That was the only reasonable explanation.
Under the shade of the tree, Mikhail saw the two happily enjoy the breeze of the wind, looking out over the lake.
It was then that he saw the boy take out the story book from his back.
The instant that he did, he saw a blush come up on the girl’s lips.
"You brought it?" She asked, almost saying it out loud from her excitement and happiness.
"Un." The boy nodded cheerfully.
Mikhail saw the girl’s smile turn wider as she pulled the boy into a hug.
Calming the girl down, the boy opened the book, turning to a specific page number.
’This doesn’t seem to be the first time he’s doing this.’
The two happily poked their heads in the book, with the boy tracing his small finger over the words so the girl wouldn’t lose track.
They read silently and blissfully, enjoying each other’s company.
Time stretched for a long time before Mikhail saw the boy take a loud yawn.
"Are you sleepy?" The girl whispered, chuckling.
The boy nodded after a moment from embarrassment, trying to hide his face.
"You didn’t sleep last night?" she asked.
The boy stopped, frozen at her question.
But after a moment, he nodded slowly again, trying to hide the blush that was creeping on his face.
Mikhail saw the girl laugh, the cheerful smile on her face spreading wider.
"It’s okay," she said, adjusting her position before putting his head in her lap.
"You can rest for a while here before we leave." She chuckled, ruffling his hair.
Mikhail saw the boy freeze at the sudden movement, embarrassment welling up in him.
But more than embarrassment was happiness and enjoyment.
It was clear that he was loving it.
"Come on now, don’t waste your time and close your eyes." She pouted.
The boy hurriedly nodded, not wanting to make her sad.
"Un." He closed his eyes, not able to see the smile that returned on her face.
"Good boy." She ran a hand through his hair.
Darkness overtook Mikhail as well when the boy closed his eyes, now only being able to hear the girl’s voice.
"Rest and sleep well."
Her soothing voice hit like a comfortable pillow to the boy’s ears, tiredness overtaking him.
Unfortunately, Mikhail knew that this dream wouldn’t just be a happy one.
There was definitely something up.
And he was right when he heard a sharp cry of pain from the girl in the distance, his eyes opening with a snap.
Mikhail, or rather, the boy woke up to being dragged by a group of people, fully covered in black.
In the distance, he could also see the girl being dealt the same treatment by another group.
The boy’s shocked eyes met the girl, who had tears streaming down her face now.
A sense of struggle and desperation overtook the boy as he tried to force himself to break free.
Unfortunately, he was too weak.
His hand stretched out in a hopeless attempt to grab the girl despite the distance.
And the girl did the same.
Mikhail could feel the pain and hopelessness in the boy as he saw the girl being dragged away from him.
It was as if his world was breaking down into pieces.
Not just the boy...
But Mikhail as well.
He didn’t know the girl.
He didn’t know the boy either.
He didn’t know anything that was going on.
But then...
’Why does it feel so damn familiar!?’ He cried out, his thoughts unable to get out.
Why did the boy’s pain and desperation feel as if it were his own!?
Why did he want to fight those captors for the girl?
As Mikhail saw the girl being taken away from his vision, he cried out loud, despite knowing his voice couldn’t be heard.
Just like the boy.
"NOOOOO!"
At that moment, the world around him disappeared with a snap, his body shooting up from his bed.
The scene around him changed to the infirmary where he saw his squadron around him, worried looks in their eyes.
His clothes were drenched in sweat, with his breath coming out in hurried gasps.
Mikhail was back.
Back to the real world.
And a notification appeared before him.
—————〔Chronicle I〕—————
• Condition: Uncover the assassination and save your academy from getting destroyed.
[Rewards:]
• Character Progression: +15% [Granted]
• Mana Increase: +300 [Granted]
[Status: Completed]
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