[Whoa, that coin trick just now blew my mind.]
[Is that a stand-in? Those moves were too cool.]
[OMG, I'm totally shipping Caelus x Aventurine! Dancing together, and that face-to-face moment was so charming!]
[Yes, yes, yes, let me take it, let me bear Aventurine's sins!]
—
"Your room?" Aventurine paused for a moment, then turned to Caelus, "Impressive, friend. You've barely arrived in Penacony, and you're already inviting people to join you. No misunderstanding here—I was just reminding you, this place is a mixed bag. Plenty of folks with bad intentions, so keep your wits about you. Like… remember to lock the door. I'll head out first, sir. Have a pleasant stay."
Aventurine gave Acheron a careful look before leaving the room.
Caelus nodded, pondering if he was dreaming—maybe this wasn't a room but a bus?
Meanwhile, the room's atmosphere grew painfully awkward.
Acheron stood in front of Caelus, arms crossed over her chest, eyeing him with a strange look.
"Uh…" Caelus broke the silence first, "Have we met somewhere before…"
Acheron was quiet for a few seconds before dropping a bombshell, "Why haven't you left yet?"
[Hahaha, I'm dying.]
[A directionally challenged one, huh?]
[She wandered into Caelus's room? On purpose or by accident?]
[Is this planting some foreshadowing?]
[Foreshadowing? Are we seeing clues in everything now? I get it—just empty your brain.]
—
At this point, the story branched into choices, with Acheron giving different responses based on the answer.
Caelus scratched his head, "This is my room."
"This is my room."
Depending on the choice, Acheron would provide one of three different responses.
Caelus tapped his nose lightly with his finger, "It feels… kind of strange…"
"Anyway, as long as you're safe, that's what matters. I should head back to my own room." Acheron started to step away but couldn't resist her curiosity, "But before I go, can I ask you one more question? It might sound odd, even rude, but I want to know… Have we met somewhere before?"
"Such familiar dialogue?"
At this moment, Acheron would again give one of three different responses.
She shook her head, "Caelus—that's your name, right? Nice to meet you."
"I'm that famous now?"
Acheron chuckled softly, "You forgot—it's what that gentleman said before leaving. My memory's not great, but I can still recall what happened a few minutes ago. Galaxy Ranger, Acheron… that's what they call me. Feel free to use it. We'll probably meet again. One last piece of advice… There's a type of person with unwavering will and conviction, but they don't always use it for good. I saw a familiar look on that gentleman's face. If you carry a blade, you're bound to cut something with it. And a gambler, before losing everything, will always go all-in, betting everything on one throw… That's all I'll say. You should know this before making your choice. Farewell."
Caelus watched Acheron's retreating figure, a sigh rising in his heart, "Acheron's gone… Strange, I kept feeling something subtle just now… Oh well. After all these twists and turns, I can finally enter the dream, right?"
"Hm?"
Acheron returned to the room, "…"
Caelus gave a wry smile, "That was a quick reunion."
"Um… sorry, could you tell me how to get back to the lobby? The corridors around here look too similar…"
Caelus: "…"
Afterward, Caelus personally gave Acheron directions and even drew her a map.
Acheron finally left.
[Hahaha, adorable Acheron.]
[Do all sword-wielders come with a directionally challenged trait?]
[She's got a bit of deadpan humor too.]
[I feel like she's a multi-cycle player, like she's been through reincarnations.]
[Prophet alert! Come back and roast him later, everyone!]
—
With everything finally settled, Caelus approached the "Dreamweaving Pool." A sweet female voice echoed from all around the room, a fragrant mist enveloping him, both drawing him into an embrace.
The scent was rich, deep, and luxurious. It reminded him of ripened fruit or a distant sea under twilight glow.
Perhaps it was time to enter the dream.
Caelus leaned forward, lying in the Dreamweaving Pool, the cold liquid rising past his waist.
The female voice continued whispering in his ear, accompanied by the toll of evening bells, the rustling of wild winds across a plain, and the recitatives of Robin, sandpipers, swans, and ravens…
The pendulum swung. He wondered which dream he would enter, drifting into a drowsy haze…
Broadcaster: "Please relax, feel your body rise and fall… Focus on your breathing, imagine a paradise… Imagine… a Land of Dreams."
Caelus slowly closed his eyes, but faint static flickered through his mind.
"Mikhail… come back…"
"Mikhail…!"
The scene abruptly shifted, a flash of a blue-haired boy passing by.
When he opened his eyes again, Caelus was soaring through the air… Or rather, he was falling into the dreamscape…
—
Meanwhile, elsewhere… Aventurine found Dr. Ratio…
Aventurine approached Dr. Ratio slowly, his mouth never idle, "What's wrong, Ratio? Don't look so glum… Hey, I just noticed—where's that dashing plaster head of yours?"