Rio slowly opened his eyes and found himself standing in the same place where he had disappeared. The room was empty; Lia's father was nowhere to be seen.
He summoned his sword, and it appeared in his hand, confirming that it was not a dream. He heaved a sigh of relief. He was back.
Somewhere far across the world, a desolate battlefield stretched endlessly. The air was thick with smoke and the cries of the dying. A terrible climate and scorched land bore the scars of countless wars. A colossal giant lay dead among the ruins.
On the giant's head stood an individual clad in dark black armor, surrounded by a purple aura. His black sword, brimming with bloodlust, was embedded in the giant's skull. Around him, corpses of elves, orcs, dwarves, and demons littered the field.
The ruined palace walls and the wails of the dying painted a scene of utter despair. A hero had reached a bad ending here, falling to an overwhelming force.
Suddenly, a demon in black armor descended from the sky, folding its wings and kneeling before the armored prince atop the giant.
"Prince, we have successfully taken over the city. The remaining stragglers are being hunted," the demon reported.
The prince did not speak. Instead, he fixed his gaze in a direction, as if expecting something. An arrow shot through the air, but he caught it with ease. A letter was attached.
"Durik, read it. It seems to be a message from my father," he said.
Durik, the kneeling knight, swallowed hard. The voice behind the sinister helmet carried a commanding authority that made him shiver.
"Yes, my liege," he replied, taking the letter. He broke the demonic seal and read:
"I heard you achieved victory in that battle. Good. Now proceed to Tehlem. For further information, consult Bartuk, who is stationed there. Do not disappoint me, my only son."
Durik folded the letter silently, his heart pounding. He wanted nothing more than to slip away unnoticed, fearful of the prince's wrath.
The prince's cold voice cut through the tension. "My father loves giving orders. One day, I will take that throne and wield that power myself."
He turned his gaze to Durik, whose soul felt completely exposed under the prince's scrutiny. "You heard that? Don't tell anyone. If you disobey, your soul will be my dinner. Now go,gather the army. We march to Tehlem."
"Yes, my liege!" Durik stammered.
Back at the academy dorms, Rio stood at the familiar window, tea in hand, watching the sun rise. The beauty of the world never failed to impress him. Gazing at the morning sky while sipping tea had become a quiet ritual since he arrived in this world.
He remembered the chaotic return to the room. Lia had been the first to spot him, bursting through the door, followed by her father and a swarm of maids. A barrage of questions followed, only halted by the maid restraining Lia and dragging her back to her room while she threw a tantrum.
The memory brought a faint smile to Rio's otherwise expressionless face. Lia's father had listened in astonishment as Rio recounted his adventure, omitting details about the treasures he obtained and the betrayal by a tree.
After a dinner shared with Lia and her father, the butler escorted Rio back to the academy, returning him to his small but comfortable room.
The first thing he did was move a small plant away from the windowsill. Who knew when some seemingly harmless plant might explode and ruin a peaceful morning tea? He left it intact, reasoning that oxygen was still important.
With the trivialities handled, he knew the next events would come quickly, especially with the academy reopening tomorrow.
In another corner of the academy, a sneeze echoed.
"Who's back-talking me now? I dare you to show yourself!" Fade shouted.
"Oh! Kira, wait! I'll go with you to that dungeon!" he called, hurrying to catch up.
"Okay, let's go together," Kira replied, and the two set off.