Chapter 10

For the first time in my life, I woke up looking forward to the day ahead. It wasn’t just my body that felt well-rested, but my mind as well. A sense of calm and purpose settled within me, something I had never truly experienced before.

I opened my eyes, stretched my limbs, and let out a satisfied yawn. The plush mattress beneath me felt more comfortable than anything I had slept on before.

As I pushed myself up into a sitting position, my gaze landed on the foot of the bed—and my breath hitched.

Two young women lay curled up together, their bare forms partially exposed. They were sleeping soundly, their soft breathing barely audible in the stillness of the room. A warmth crept up my neck, and I quickly pulled the blanket over them, ensuring they remained undisturbed.

I wasn’t sure how or why they had ended up here, but I decided not to dwell on it just yet.

Carefully, I slid out of bed and slipped into a pair of comfortable slippers. My curiosity took over, and I began surveying the grand room around me.

It was huge—a space befitting royalty. Lavish decorations adorned the walls, intricate carvings lined the wooden furniture, and various paintings depicted scenes of what seemed to be past rulers, battles, and celestial figures. A golden chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals shimmering faintly under the soft glow of enchanted lamps.

Then, my eyes were drawn to something even more mesmerizing.

A large window stood directly across from my bed, framed by rich velvet curtains. Without hesitation, I walked toward it and pulled them open.

The sight that greeted me stole my breath away.

The night sky stretched endlessly above, filled with thousands of twinkling stars. But what truly caught my attention were the two moons. One glowed a soft, ethereal white, while the other burned a deep crimson. Together, they cast an otherworldly glow over the kingdom, painting the landscape in hues of silver and red.

For several minutes, I simply stood there, committing the breathtaking view to memory.

A feeling stirred in my chest—a sense of belonging.

After some time, I exhaled deeply and turned away from the window. There was something I needed to do.

“Hopperius.”

I wanted to speak with him.

With a flick of my wrist, I summoned the Dimensional Gate and stepped through.

Dimensional Space (DS)

The moment I emerged on the other side, my senses were flooded with something new.

Instead of the eternal twilight I was used to, the first rays of the sun were piercing through the sky, painting the clouds in shades of gold and orange.

I was mesmerized once again.

Two unforgettable sights in one morning.

“Good morning, son.”

I turned to find Hopperius standing nearby, his presence as calm and unwavering as ever.

“Good morning, Hopperius. I have a question.”

He let out a knowing chuckle. “I know. Sit down, and I will explain.”

We settled onto a nearby rock, the warmth of the rising sun brushing against my skin.

Hopperius wasted no time.

“The simple answer to all your questions is this— I am a creation of Eterna. Because of that, I possess the ability of telepathy. Whenever someone thinks about me, I can hear them.”**

I listened intently, absorbing his words.

“As for the magic you witnessed yesterday...” he continued, “Eterna was guiding you through your first steps. That crown and staff you received? They were meant for you.

“However, when you chose to give them to the King instead of claiming them for yourself, Eterna was pleased. She saw that you understood something most do not—that you are not yet ready to bear the responsibility of ruling a kingdom. And because of that wisdom, she has granted you more favor than you realize.”

A deep silence settled between us as I processed his words.

So much had happened in such a short span of time. Was I really prepared for everything that lay ahead?

As I stared at the rising sun, lost in thought, a small tug on my pants snapped me out of my reverie.

I glanced down and saw a tiny squirrel holding out a nut.

I blinked in surprise. A gift?

Before I could react, more creatures emerged from the forest—each one carrying small offerings. Fruits, nuts, even tiny flowers. They placed them at my feet as if presenting tribute.

I felt a lump rise in my throat.

They accepted me.

I took a piece of fruit and smiled softly. “Thank you.”

After eating the small meal, I rose to my feet and dusted myself off.

“I should get going.”

As I prepared to leave, Hopperius approached me once more, his expression unusually serious.

“One last thing,” he said. “You need to tell the King everything—about your powers, your connection to Eterna, and your true goals. The sooner, the better. It will serve you well in the long run.”

I hesitated but eventually nodded. “I understand.”

With that, I summoned my Dimensional Gate once more and stepped through—returning to the world where my new life awaited.

And this time, I was ready.

Arriving back in my room, I was met with an unexpected sight—both girls from before were frantically searching the space, their eyes darting around in panic. The moment they noticed me standing at the door, watching them in confusion, they froze. Then, as if on cue, they rushed toward me, dropping to the ground and clinging to my legs.

Tears streamed down their faces as one of them sobbed, “Where were you, Master? We were so scared when we couldn’t find you.”

I looked down at them, startled by their reaction. Carefully, I bent down and lifted them up, cradling their trembling forms. “Calm down. I’m here now,” I said gently. Then, after a brief pause, I asked, “What are your names?”