When I woke up, the morning was peaceful. My body felt light—no tiredness, no pain. As I stretched, my thoughts drifted back to my eyes. Why did they glow for me but not for others? The question lingered, heavy and unanswered. With a sigh, I pushed it aside and got up.
At the dining table, my father and mother were already waiting. My father gave me a knowing smile.
"You seem like you slept well yesterday," he said.
I only nodded as I dug into the eggs my mother had prepared. The warmth of the food and their presence grounded me, if only for a little while.
After breakfast, I mentioned what I'd heard. "The king, the majesty, and their children… they're coming to the city today."
My father's eyes softened, and he patted my head. "That's right. If you want to see them, go ahead. Just don't run off too far, kiddo."
I grinned and giggled. "Don't worry, I won't."
I quickly changed into cleaner clothes, then hurried out. The carriage ride into the city was quiet, broken only by the calls of birds in the distance. After some time, I reached the entrance.
There, I froze. A strange black barrier loomed over the gates, covering the city like a veil. Fear crept in, but before I could panic, a boy nearby noticed.
"Don't worry," he said. "It's always like this when the king arrives."
Hesitantly, I placed my hand against the barrier. Nothing. I pulled it back, then leaned forward, pressing my face through. Colors flared—bright, vibrant, like stepping into a dream. Taking a deep breath, I stepped through.
Inside, the streets glowed with magic. Mages performed tricks in the sky—making lights fly, shapes spin in circles, patterns shimmer. My heart pounded in awe.
Before I'd left, my father had given me a few coins. Remembering, I wandered toward a stall selling candied apples.
"Hello there," the shopkeeper greeted warmly. "What can I get you?"
"Two red apples, please," I said.
"That'll be two silver coins."
I handed over the money—four silvers and five bronze left—and left with the apples in hand.
Suddenly, the crowd thickened. People gathered, pressing close, murmuring with excitement. Being small, I slipped between legs and shoulders until I stood at the very front.
And then I saw them.
A grand carriage rolled forward, carrying the king and majesty. Behind them were their children—two of them radiant, glowing like gods descended. My breath caught.
One of the royal mages spotted me and gestured toward me, whispering to another. She turned her gaze on me, and for a split second, shock flashed across her face. I didn't understand it—people sometimes stared, but this was different.
The carriages stopped before a massive building. The royals began stepping out one by one. Just as they did, one of the king's children glanced directly at me, then leaned close to his father, whispering something.
The king's voice thundered. "Stop."
The entire procession froze. The air grew heavy. Slowly, the king himself strode toward me, his eyes sharp and deadly, each step echoing like a blade against stone. My legs trembled.
"Are you a noble?" His voice was like steel.
I swallowed hard. "M-my lord, I am not a noble. I am… a commoner."
"Are you certain?" His piercing gaze dug into me, as though peeling away every layer of my soul.
"Yes, I swear it, my king," I said, forcing the words out.
For a long moment, he stared. Then, with a dismissive tone, he turned away. "Hmph. Very well. I have more important matters than wasting time on commoners."
Relief flooded me as he left, the weight of his presence finally lifting. My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, breath ragged. The ceremony soon ended, the royals disappearing into the building.
Hungry, I wandered the streets until I found another stall—this one selling meat soup. Pricey at two silver coins, but my stomach growled.
"Just one, please," I said.
The soup was hot and rich, though I barely tasted it as my mind raced from what had just happened. After paying, I hurried to catch a carriage back toward my village.
Only when I finally stepped inside my home did my heart stop racing.
The next day, I woke with nothing but the Duke's words in my head. I threw on my clothes, ate quickly, and told my parents I might not return early. Before they could ask why, I was already gone.
In the forest, I found him. Duke Theron was training with his blade, every swing sharp enough to cut the air itself. When his eyes fell on me, he stopped.
"Come closer," he said.
I froze for a moment, unsure. His voice softened. "Don't worry."
Slowly, I stepped forward. Somehow, talking with him felt natural, like we'd known each other longer than a single meeting.
Then his expression shifted. "Ah… I remember something."
I tilted my head. "What is it?"
"You asked before how I became a noble," he said. His gaze went distant, heavy with memories. "I told you I awakened my world. That much is true… but there's more."
He paused, and for a moment, even the forest seemed to be quiet.
"On the battlefield against the 2nd Dimension Army, I had nothing left. I gave everything—every drop of strength, every breath. When it ended, half their forces were gone." His eyes narrowed, not in pride but in remembrance. "Since that day, the king himself has treated me differently."
I stood there, speechless. The weight of his words pressed on me harder than the trees around us.
"Will I ever awaken my world, too?" I finally asked.
He gave me a small smile. "Perhaps. But first, we need to know what you are meant to be. Mage… or knight."
The way he said it made my chest tighten. He wasn't just sharing stories—he was preparing me for something bigger...
.....