---
There was a handsome boy sleeping peacefully, not looking at all like someone who had lived through a terrifying night. After a short while, he opened his eyes with exhaustion, his expression dull from fatigue. He rose slowly and began to study his surroundings… a beautiful room, somewhat similar to his old apartment—except this was clearly a bedroom.
He looked down at himself and noticed that his clothes were still torn, clinging to his skin, while the injured areas were wrapped neatly with bandages. Then he spotted a set of simple clothes arranged on a nearby shelf. He took them and quietly put them on.
He left the room and noticed a clock hanging on the wall—it was almost noon. And suddenly, that annoying voice spoke:
[Well… princess, you really do love sleeping. Are you trying to steal Snow White's title?]
Arthur naturally felt annoyed and muttered in his mind, asking him to shut up.
He continued walking, and for some reason it felt as if he was inside a palace… everything looked unfamiliar. So he called out:
"Is anyone here?"
But no reply came. He walked toward what he assumed was the exit door. Once he opened it, he found a long hallway. Reaching the end, he opened the larger door—and a wave of fresh air and bright sunlight hit him, breathing life back into his body.
He stood there, taking in the view: a wide open meadow, gardens full of flowers, a refreshing breeze… he closed his eyes and breathed calmly.
But the moment didn't last.
"You seem to be awake."
A voice came from behind him. When he turned, he saw a beautiful woman with bluish-black hair, red eyes, and two elegant horns atop her head like a crown.
Even though Arthur's expression didn't change, his breath hitched for a moment. Her beauty was stunning… but the feeling vanished quickly, as if he was used to faces like hers.
He said coolly, "This isn't a hospital."
She replied with matching calm, "No, it isn't…"
Silence settled between them—two people staring at each other blankly, like old enemies accustomed to hiding their emotions.
Celestia eventually broke the silence.
"Come with me. We need to talk."
She didn't wait to see if he followed—she simply walked. And Arthur followed because he knew he was now someone suspicious in their eyes.
They entered the living room, where Roselyn was waiting.
Her beauty—long crimson hair, ruby-like eyes—sent a brief shiver through him before the sensation vanished again.
He sat in front of two captivating beauties, but he wasn't here for that. He had one goal: to make Roselyn train him. Before being known as the "Bloodthirsty Lunatic," she was famous as the Lady of All Weapons, unmatched thanks to her unique spiritual weapon.
Roselyn spoke first:
"First… thank you for saving my siblings. I will do anything to repay this debt, no matter what it is."
Arthur nodded.
"I'll think about it."
Silence fell again, until he decided to break it:
"I'm sure you didn't bring me here just to thank me. You could've taken me to a hospital and thanked me there."
Celestia answered, "You're right. We're here to ask what happened, how you met the two children, and why you risked your life for them. In this era… no one saves strangers for free."
Roselyn was shocked by her bluntness, but didn't interfere because Arthur began talking.
He told the story briefly, avoiding the part about killing a young-ranked Master and replacing it with Renar's illusions. His version matched the children's almost perfectly, so they believed him.
Celestia then asked, "By the way… where's your phone? We searched for it but couldn't find it. We assumed you dropped it or it was destroyed, so we brought you here."
Arthur nodded understandingly. He raised his hand… and suddenly pulled out his phone.
The system yelled:
[No—what are you doing?!]
But it was too late. The phone had appeared in his hand, leaving both Roselyn and Celestia stunned.
Celestia asked, "Spatial ability…?"
Arthur replied, "Something like that."
They exchanged glances with concern—but Arthur suddenly stood up, surprising them.
He said, "I need to continue my journey. I have to get stronger."
Roselyn asked curiously, "Why are you seeking strength?"
Arthur hesitated slightly before answering:
"I'm an orphan… I only have one person in this world—my little sister. She's suffering from mana corruption. I want to become stronger… maybe find a cure. And I don't have money. That's why I travel to collect anything valuable and train so I can enter the academy. If I get in, the government will support me financially and help my sister."
His words shattered Roselyn's heart. She knew the feeling of being alone. His cold eyes and the scars she noticed told her his life had been far worse than he let on. A young boy forced to care for a sick little sister…
Celestia, too, recognized that look. She had seen him smile earlier, looking carefree—but now he seemed like a child who lost his only moment of peace to the cruelty of the world.
Both realized Arthur had stopped being a child a long time ago.
But inside… Arthur was smirking wickedly.
"What's the best way to win the favor of two of the world's strongest people?
Sharing your tragic past.
It will make them feel guilty, sad, grateful. What do you think?"
[....]
He continued his plan and headed for the door.
But a hand caught his shoulder. He turned and found Roselyn holding him.
She raised a brow. "Yes?"
She said, "You don't need to keep searching… you've already reached the right place."
He stayed silent, but inside, he whispered:
"Bingo."
He asked, "How do I know it's really you?"
Roselyn's brow twitched, but she understood. She summoned her spear, Blood Star, letting its overwhelming aura surge.
"Of course you recognize my spear. That should be proof enough."
Arthur smiled inwardly—he had just secured the strongest teacher he could hope for in his pathetic condition.
Then Celestia added, confused, "Did you really not know her? If you searched online, you'd find plenty of pictures. They're old, but she still looks similar."
Arthur answered plainly, "Honestly… I don't know how to use the phone or the internet. I only bought it because of my travels. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bought one."
Half of what he said was true… and that alone made Roselyn glare at Celestia. Celestia lowered her head in embarrassment at her own suspicion.
Of course… what would a boy traveling to earn money for his sister even do with a phone?
---
After reaching an agreement, Arthur returned to his room. He lay on the bed, a faint smile barely visible on his lips.
The system spoke, with a tone mixed with confusion and annoyance:
[Man… even after getting two beautiful mentors, you barely smile. What more do you want?]
Arthur raised an eyebrow, not particularly bothered. He understood what the system meant—he too had sensed the tension between the two women.
To break the silence, he said,
"Show me the latest updates."
Ding—
A notification appeared:
Mission completed.
Reward delivered to the host while unconscious.
---
• Insight Eye — Level 2
Description:
Analyzes abilities, weaknesses, and possible paths.
[Effects:]
• Slight buff to allies, including their strengths and weaknesses
• A brief foresight of a single incoming attack (NEW)
[Cooldown: 1 day]
---
Status
• Magical Power: 26.04%
• Mental Power: 5.02%
• Mana: 26.04%
---
Arthur exhaled quietly at the sight of the stats.
Aside from these three values… nothing had changed.
The only real improvement was Insight Eye.
During his fit of madness in the previous battle, he poured all remaining stat points into mana. He had even considered breaking through mid-fight—pure insanity.
He knew breakthrough reconstruction wasn't a complete healing, but it was still better than nothing.
He got up and stared out the window for a long moment before asking:
"So… how is she?"
The system answered reluctantly:
[She's still asleep. The corruption hasn't spread, and her condition is stable for now… but Arthur—
there are only two weeks left before the government stops the free funding.
And the company you invested in… it's still falling rather than recovering.]
Arthur remained silent… still as stone.
Then he said in a cold, calm voice:
"One week… just one week.
If she doesn't wake up… we'll sell the World Tree Sapling Glue."
---