What is your second wish?" Drazien asked, the ember at the end of his cigarette glowing faintly.
Allen didn't hesitate. "I want to know Amy's location in Elarion."
Drazien took a long drag, then exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "No, boy. That wish can't be fulfilled."
Allen's jaw tightened. A bitter taste filled his mouth. He'd given up so much already. This felt like a cruel trick.
"Why?" he asked, his voice low and sharp.
Drazien chuckled, watching the turmoil cross Allen's face. "You've misunderstood the nature of what I am. I can see only the past and the present. The future is out of my reach—always has been."
Allen frowned. "But you told me about her world."
"Because her soul left an impression on yours," Drazien said simply. "That tether allowed me to glimpse fragments—where she once came from, the echoes she left behind. But nothing beyond that. Once she returned to her world five years ago, her future began again... outside my sight. The rules of my existence don't allow me to look forward. Only back and around."
He flicked some ash off his glove. "That's the limit, boy. The gist of it."
Allen took a deep breath and closed his eyes, falling into the familiar rhythm of talking to himself in his mind. I can't directly know Amy's location... wait. I can ask where she was before coming to my world.
Allen opened his eyes. "Then tell me her last known location—before she came to Earth."
Drazien tossed the cigarette aside. "Very well. Let's see."
He closed his eyes. Allen watched him with clenched fists and hope burning in his chest. A minute passed—an eternity in Allen's mind—before Drazien finally opened his eyes and sighed.
A drop of sweat slid down Drazien's temple.
"Can't find it. Seems the Watcher tampered with her return. I can't trace her beyond the veil. The only certainty is... she is in Elarion."
Allen's shoulders sank. The fragile flame of hope dimmed—but he refused to let it die.
I'll find her myself... somehow. But I need something to help me survive in that world. Something long-lasting.
A memory flashed in his mind—two years ago, the orphanage's gaming room.
A young boy sat on a console, excitedly explaining, "Brother Allen, this game's system is amazing! It has synthesis, optimization, scanning—now I don't need to go to the appraiser and waste money!"
Allen had ruffled his hair, smiling warmly.
"Have you decided on your second wish?" Drazien's voice pulled Allen back to the present.
Allen muttered, "Thank you, James..." then said aloud, "I want a system integrated with me—one that has scanning, synthesis, and optimization functions."
Drazien burst into laughter. "Trying to be clever again. But this time... you've nothing left to trade. You only get one function."
Allen thought hard, then said with certainty, "Then I choose synthesis."
Drazien raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"A hundred percent."
"Very well. Your wish shall be granted."
"Now then... your third wish?"
Allen thought, If I'm going to find her, I'll need power. Maybe noble status... that would help.
He opened his mouth to speak—but memories flooded in like a tide.
The laughter of children. Playing baseball with the boys. House-house games with Amy and the girls. Flying kites. And Amy's voice—"Allen, make sure the orphanage stays. It should never be shut down."
Tears welled up and rolled down Allen's cheeks before he realized it.
"Hey... boy, are you alright?" Drazien asked gently.
Allen wiped his face and muttered, "Thanks, Amy... for not letting me forget."
Then he looked Drazien straight in the eyes and said, "My third wish is for the orphanage to receive ten times the donation it gets every month."