I dip my pen into the ink with a shaky hand, my fingers trembling as I begin scribbling down everything I can recall from the dream. The images are still fresh in my mind—strange, confusing, and unsettling. My handwriting is messy, but I don't care. I need to get it out, even if the memories terrify me.

It's hard to get my thoughts down, like where should I even start. With the dry and rocky landscape?, the filled, poor town or that I was flying?

And I wonder, does anyone else here in the mansion know anything about it?

Everything felt too real to be just a dream, it has to be something more. I thought I was going to die. The thing I recall is a shrine, somehow draining my sense of sanity.

Did the shrine send me there? Why did it tell me to leave then?

I can't get myself to write anything down if I can't grasp what even happened. For now I will just write everything I saw, and felt nothing more, nothing less.

I will ask around and find out what this is about later, maybe Rina knows something, or Yumiko, though I doubt she knows anything.

She will probably hit me for saying I was scared, or tell me I'm pathetic and then hit me. Even though it's worth a try, she is more familiar with this world than I am.

Thereafter I began writing down everything I remember from the nightmare, starting off with "I found myself in the sky, floating above a dead desert filled with rocky cliffs and dangerous creatures…"

I jot down side notes, tracking my questions. Do I want to find this place? Learn more? Maybe uncover the towns or people connected to it… or the shrine.

Learning more about the shrine would be a great thing as well, even though I would never want to be in the shrine's presence ever again, I might need to know what it is, and why it wanted to kill me.

Are there more shrines like that one?

I want to know, my curiosity of knowledge is shouting at me to learn about this. Even though I really don't want to, I do, somewhere inside me.

But the fear of even thinking of the crimson bright light and three white holes appearing on the stone figure who I recall as a shrine, with the scent of a demon, heavy air covering it in despair.

A shrine that feels cursed.

Thinking about this makes me imagine my eyes itching.

I somehow feel that the shrine has a connection to this world, a strong one.

A part of the world I want to discover someday. If I could get stronger I think it wouldn't be impossible to go out and adventure but right now I am way too weak, both mentally and physically.

Thinking back on the trauma from within the room of the shrine's presence, I recall thinking of something, but what was it? The will of doing something, I wanted to die, but I wanted to be alive as well, but why?

Was it because I wanted to achieve something? Yes, I said something about achieving my desires to live, reaching my goal of success. This new chance can't be wasted on the mindset I have put in lately, I have only been thinking of staying here, living life in luxury, hoping I could do that for as long as possible.

But I need to change this, I need to put in more effort, I just need to change my mindset of how I view all of this, is it really that hard to do? I guess but it shouldn't be. I will start trying, I want to become someone people can respect instead of looking down on.

Right now, I have lessons to mark the time of, so gotta do that.

I don't wanna think about all of this too much because it feels like I am too quickly, I have only been here for 6 days or so now.

Let's take it slow and progress slowly.

I will take this with me though, it will be useful to show Yumiko or Rina what I have written.

"Hi Yumiko"

"Hi"

She actually gets in time everyday that's good.

"Thank you for coming in time miss"

"Well of course"

Okay let's hope she knows something about this.

"Yumiko, I need to ask you something"

I still strongly believe she doesn't know anything about this but hay, worth a try right.

"Yeah, what"

She looks uninterested as always, trying to avoid the conversation.

"I had a nightmare tonight. I was flying in the air above a town, surrounded by a dead land of rocks, like a desert. I couldn't feel the heat but I knew it was there from the sun shining through the cloud free sky."

Hopefully she isn't too uninterested.

Her eyes seem filled with curiosity, but she looks down in her text book, she isn't reading it but probably to avoid me.

"aha, well sounds cool I guess"

She says that but her eyes are sparkling, she wants to know more. She is so bad at lying.

I didn't think she would be this calm, I thought I would get a slap to my face at least. Maybe she has another side to her, not only being violent.

"Anyways, what is a desert?"

She finally looked up, trying to make eye contact.

But really?! She doesn't know what a desert is?

I suppose she has never been to one, and it's hard to find information in this world.

"A desert is a land filled with sand, dead plants, it's hot and there is almost no water at all, but this desert is filled with rocks, it's more of a dead land of danger where merchants and travelers come for money."

Her eyes filled with mystery and joy, she looks over the table, with her hands pressed against the table, raising her body up, looking at me with wide spread eyes and she joyfully smiles.

"Whaat, that sounds amazing! I want to go there! What kinds of animals were there!"

Her body language just screams of excitement, her tone of voice is filled with adventure, her hands pressing against the table tells me that she wants to hear more.

I want to see this world in person, and go on adventures just like she does.

"Tell me more! What was the town like!"

Is this really Yumiko? Has she really softened? Her body language feels too joyful and happy to be her.

"A big town of stone houses tightly built side by side, streets filled with merchants selling goods. Guild members filling up the bars, adventurers traveling to this town. The sand, making dusty clouds after the horse and carriages drive through the town. Kids, running around playing games, laughing together."

"Ahhhhh!"

I never thought she could be this amazed, it's like she has opened up a new personality, but I can maybe earn her trust this way.

"And the desert is filled with dangerous creatures, griffins, eagles, lizards, wolf packs and other creatures that I have yet not seen"

"Ohh Really!"

"Yeah, I would need help researching, would you want to help?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay thank you. Do you think Rina knows anything about it?"

"I don't know but she was an adventurer, and where out around the world, she might know some stuff. Let's go ask her NOW!"

"I see. No, we can't go ask her now, you got studies to do!"

Wait, what happened? Is Yumiko willing to help me? She didn't hit me a single time yet. I actually think the aggressiveness and intensity of hers has changed, she is more friendly and has softened.

So she really does have a soft side.

Let's not get too ahead of ourselves now, she might be back to normal tomorrow, though I hope she stays like this.

She is actually kinda charming like this, I feel safe around her for the first time.

"Study!? Awww boring! Tell me more about that dream instead"

She tilts over the table looking at me.

"I guess I could. So when I was flying, a griffin soared beside me, its eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I was sure it would attack, but luckily I changed directions downwards and the griffin flew away, towards the skull, a big skull belonging to some reptile animal. It was bigger than a village. Inside the eye sockets there were birds living. I think it could be a dragon.

"Ohhhhhhh…"

She looks kinda cute, she looks at me over the table, standing up with sparkling eyes staring me down, smiling.

She stands up, pointing to me.

"If I were you, I would fight that thing, I would be like, ya uh ya"

She stands there in front of me swinging an imaginary sword of hers, attacking the air.

And a giggle slipped out my mouth as I was looking at her.

The time flew by quickly as we kept on talking.

And we both left for sword practice with Rina together.

She walked beside me asking questions about the animals and the crypt.

We didn't get any studies in this lesson, but I have an idea for the future lessons, I think she will like the upcoming lessons.

Part 2

"Rina! Kaito told me a really amazing thing that happened to him! And we wonder if you got any ideas, what it could be about or where the location could be!"

Well I wouldn't really say it was that amazing, I thought I was going to die. All Though I really think it was an interesting dream.

Plus we don't even know if that place exists, it was only a dream but it felt too real to not be a real place.

"Ohh I see, well tell me, I would like to help"

"Thank you!"

After explaining the dream, Rina tells us that it sounds like it is most likely located in the east, dead land region.

And yeah it does make sense, when I read about it, it said that it was a dead and poor region with danger. The whole surface being rocky cliffs and burning hot days, with almost no water.

But she didn't know anything about the skull, crypt or shrine, she only said she had heard of a shrine a long time ago but can't recall anything about it, only knowing that it is possible for it to exist.

And if we want to learn more about this we need to travel, discover it ourselves. She told us it would be too hard to find any information here except for the dead land region.

She also told us she could tell us more about the dead lands some other time when she has more time because right now she wants us to focus on training instead of talking.

She was born in the Dead Lands, so she knew a lot about it. When I asked how it was growing up there, she only said it was harsh and that she could tell us more about the region and her story some other time.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Without wasting any more time, Yumiko and Rina each grabbed a wooden sword and began sparring."

"Get on your feet!"

"Yes!"

Yumiko moves like she's flying, each step a blur. She's quick, agile, and powerful, her reflexes sharp as she leaps effortlessly through the air.

But even Yumiko's speed is no match for Rina's strength and precision. Rina may be slower, but her technique is flawless, every move calculated.

I wonder how long it took for the two to get this strong and skilled, I mean I am nothing compared to the two, they both beat me in an instant.

Watching Yumiko leap around the air, using her battle skills is always interesting, she uses anything that she can to win, that being using her hands for extra weapons or her strong kicks, using stuff she finds on the ground and her quick thinking to predict moves.

If only she could think like this in her classes, I guess everyone is good at different things. For example I can't think at all while fighting but I do when reading or learning things.

Still she amazes me every time, I get to see her new attacks and moves and quick feets just following through the ground. And when she is leaping in the air I can't grasp how, like how do you jump that high with that speed?

"Hay Kaito, your turn"

Damn, guess I am supposed to train as well, I am up against Yumiko as always but hopefully she can go a bit easier on me today.

"Yeah, sure"

After I had picked up my wooden sword, I stood facing Yumiko on the training field.

Please, go easy on me.

If I can maybe be able to block at least one time, that's good for me.

But how am I supposed to do that?

She is too fast, I would never be able to react in time.

Maybe if I…

Shit, where did she go? She was in front of me 1 second ago.

She can appear anywhere, is she to my right or left?

There she is.

She is attacking with a powerful blow from the side, no wait it's a faint.

She will attack from above but what do I do? Do I block it or avoid it?

I have too block!

"Get up! Why did you block it like that idiot"

"Yumiko, you need to go easier on him"

"B-but. Okay I guess I could"

"T-thanks miss"

I lost again, how long will it take until I will progress with the sword!?! I badly wanna learn it…"Ughhh"

Wait, did she say she will go easier on me? She is getting nicer than I thought.

"I am not doing it to be nice, moron, I am doing it because Rina told me to. Mhm!"

Oh… Nevermind, but she will go easier on me, maybe I can get to block a hit from her if she does.

"Kaito, pick up your sword and get ready for round two"

"Okay, will do"

"When you block Yumiko, you can't win with force, especially not if someone attacks from above. If anyone does that you need to use your body and sword, having the attackers sword swiftly moving along yours while you move away from the attacker.

"I see, thank you, I will try to remember that"

Easier said than done. Yumiko's speed makes it impossible for me to react in time.

"I am ready"

If I can focus on avoiding and blocking I should be able to block one hit from her at least.

Okay, there she goes, running towards me with her sword resting in her hand behind her back.

She is slower, so she is going easier.

An attack from the side and this is not a faint.

Wait, a little more, almost there.

An echoing sound goes through the wood leaving shivers going through my whole body. While getting pushed back, my feets slides with the ground.

"Uhh…"

Yes! Did I block it! Yeah I did!

"Ugh…!"

Her foot slams into my stomach, and I'm sent flying backward, my vision blurring for a second as I fight to stay on my feet.

Here it comes. her sword arcs down like a blur, and I barely have time to raise mine in defense. I need to recover quickly, I put my sword above me slightly tilted downwards.

I push myself away with my left leg and take a step with my right leg away from my position.

"Thwack!"

I quickly pull my sword away after hearing the sound.

Yumiko falls to the ground, crouching down, she charges up a momentum and pushes towards me, before being able to think, first I get hit with a swing of her sword at my ribs, finishing it off with a kick to my stomach.

"Kaito, that is much better than before, keep it up and you will improve"

It hurts but hearing Rinas words makes me feel a bit happy, and it felt good blocking two attacks, it was a feeling I want to feel again.

"He's still weak," Yumiko says, brushing it off. "And he'll stay weak."

Of course. Yumiko's taunts, as always. And Rina? She never defends me. Just stays quiet while Yumiko talks.

But…was she holding back this time? It didn't hurt as much as usual.

After finishing up sword practice we went back inside the mansion for dinner. We filled our stomachs and went to our rooms to sleep.

But before going to sleep I spent around an hour trying to learn more about magic. When I found the magic and mana book I spent every evening reading in it, hoping to learn some good advice.

But the time passes by and the room gets dark, only the table light brightening a small amount of the room, so I put down the book and I get myself ready for sleep.

It doesn't take too long until I fall asleep after a day of a lot happening.

But just before sleep claims me, that same unsettling number appears in my mind: 23 days left.

Part 3

The next day arrived, we finished up breakfast as always and went out for sword practice, the usual routine for the morning.

One thing has changed, Yumiko wants to help me with the sword, I don't know why but she seems to be in a different mood, she still can't hold back much in sparring and her short temperature scares me. At one time I blocked her sword the wrong way and she hit me.

I also took some time to practice my magic and I reached to cast 4 water balls this time, and out of excitement I kept on casting for the next hour beside Yumiko and Rina who were sparring together.

It is really fun seeing progress, both in my magic but with the sword as well.

Anyways, now I am sitting beside a complete dumb ass.

"Tell me what it says here!"

Yukikos reading is really bad, she knows the basics but she can't understand the more uncommon words.

"It says, Cliffs"

"Oh… Yeah of course. What is that?"

… It would be easier learning about the dead lands myself. I regret asking her to join me, and I can't get her away.

"It means,"

She asks these stupid questions every 5-10 minutes or so and we almost get no research done at all, the only thing I learnt is that it is a high possibility that it was there I was located.

But to be fair Yumiko learnt some new words, hopefully she won't forget them.

When the time passed by I had lessons with Yumiko, this time I bringed some history books and some research material.

"Hi, miss"

No answer.

She isn't here, where is she?

"Hay Yumiko!"

No answer.

Well she should be here soon, I'll wait for her.

Setting down on the table I start with preparing the books.

I wait but no Yumiko appears.

What is she doing?

She is usually here before me, and especially not late.

What is that, a rumbling sound coming from the corridor.

"Kaito! Father told me that the festival is soon!"

Did she have to come running in to say that?

What festival is she talking about?

"What do you mean, what kind of festival?

"Huh, you don't know!?"

"No, could you tell me?"

"It's a festival to celebrate the luminara kingdom, we do it every year in september"

Ooh that sounds nice, I wonder what it is like.

"Oh nice, could I ask, do you know what month it is now?"

"Uhh, yeah of course I do, it is august"

Ohh so I suppose the festival is soon, but what day is it then?

"And what is the day?"

"Uhh, I don't know"

Maybe it is hard to keep track of the days, I mean they don't have a phone to look the date on.

So I don't blame her for not knowing.

"Ahh okay I see, that's fine"

"It is going to be so fun! I love festivals, the beautiful fireworks filling the sky with colors and all the good food to fill out stomachs with"

"Yeah that sounds amazing"

We have study to do though so we can talk about that some other time.

"Anyways, come and sit now so we can start the lesson, I bringed some new books with me that you may find interesting"

"I don't wanna read again!"

Even though she says so, she still walks up to the table to sit.

She sits down and I show her the books we are going to use.

This would help me and her, we research while teaching that's a win win.

"Okay so we will read in this books about the dead lands, I think they will be interesting"

"Ahhh.. Okay, but you can just read for me"

She is supposed to learn here, is she dumb.

"No, you are suppose to read and learn"

Well, anyways.

I slid her one of the books: Dead land.

The book contains a lot of how dangerous the environment is, so I think Yumiko will like it.

She got into the book quickly, she mostly flips through the pages just looking at the pictures, just reading a little here and there.

"Hay! Look!"

"Huh. oh yeah that's a huh wait what is that?"

"I don't know, I think it says… Uhh…"

"It says its name is Thraxxor"

"I can read this text for you"

"A colossal beast, towering over most creatures, its muscular body ripples with raw power. Jagged, bone-like protrusions rise menacingly along its spine, resembling twisted horns, but growing from its back rather than its head. These spiny bones arch outward like natural armor, giving it an intimidating silhouette. Its massive frame is reminiscent of a bull, yet much more fearsome and robust, with legs like tree trunks and a body designed for pure, unrelenting force. Each step it takes shakes the ground, and its hide is thick and scarred, telling the tale of countless battles. Eyes dark and fierce, ready to charge at any moment, a living nightmare of the Dead Lands."

"Ohhh… That sounds so cool! I wanna fight it!"

"Yeah, it sounds supper interesting that is for sure"

"Yeah!"

"Maybe someday we will fight it, who knows"

"Yeah!"

"You can try to read about some other animals living in the dead lands"

"Ohh.. Okay!"

Yup she looks excited again, Looking at her just actually trying to read makes me smile, it is a rare scene to see.

She rarely even listens to me, so this is a nice setting, no screaming, no punching.

While she is reading, I am too, trying to figure out more about this world more, but it is really hard to find information, most of the books don't contain nearly anything about other regions.

So I wonder when I will be able to go out to travel around the world. I want to find out more, my curiosity fills my stomach with questions I want answers on.

And I wonder if Yumiko can follow, I guess Rina can't because she is working here full time and I suppose she has for some years now.

Yumiko will most probably not be able to follow, she is a nobel, she will not be able to leave this place, that is my guess at least.

She really wants to though, but wouldn't really surprise me if she one day just runs away and joins a guild in some other kingdom or something.

Yeah that sounds like something she would do.

"Ugh… ahhh…"

Yumiko stares down at her book making a face. Most probably looking at the pictures.

"You are reading right?"

"Uh Yeah"

I think I can trust that, maybe.

She is learning by looking at pictures too, so it's not too bad.

The pictures are very well drawn, each picture is drawn by hand, same goes for the text, everything is done in person, that could be why it is so hard to find information.

That would explain it, right.

"Yumiko, after a while, maybe 10 days, we will have a test. I will go through what you have learnt"

"Oh… Okay, I see"

"Okay good"

I think of giving her questions about the dead land, and we will be reading about it every language lesson.

That should be the quickest way for her to learn reading.

Then Writing should come with it, I think.

Well the time moves by and the lesson comes to an end.

"We are done now, do you think you learnt anything?"

"Yes! Finally! Of course I learned something!"

Does she need to shout out everything she says? I get a headache from her loud voice.

She stands up, closes her eyes, arches her back, and stretches her arms high above her head.

"Yawn..."

Now when the lessons are done, Yumiko will go out to spar and I think i will join her again. I need to train more than just in the morning plus I don't really have any plans on what to do other than that.

Yumiko seems in a good mood so I don't think I should be worrying too much about getting yelled at and punched, hopefully.

Part 4

"No…! You need to hold it like this"

"So, like this?"

"No…! Idiot"

So Yumiko has taken a shift in her mood, to train me, she is really strict, if I do anything wrong she yells, if I don't block the right way she hits me.

Rina enjoys watching Yumikos unique ways to teach so she just enjoys the show.

Well I think her unique ways of teaching actually helps although it hurts.

"See, the left one tightly above your right hand"

"You mean the opposite right? You are holding your right one above your left hand"

Her stupidity gives me a headache.

"Of course I mean that I just said it wrong"

"Oh… yeah—sure…"

I hold my sword identical as Yumiko does, but she looks at me with a disappointed look.

"Ahh, that's good Enough"

What do you mean! I am holding it exactly as you do!

"Now get ready to block!"

But, she never told me how I should block.

Here she comes, but how do I block it?

"Oogh!"

Ugh, my stomach hurts—I missed her sword and took the hit directly.

"You still got it wrong, mhm!" Yumiko scolded.

"Why don't you ever listen to my advice?"

What advice? I had no idea what she was talking about!

"Sorry, can you explain how I'm supposed to block it again?"

I asked, hoping for some clarity.

"Yeah, like this"

she said, positioning her sword. She held it upright in front of her, tilting it slightly sideways and down, before shifting her body to the side and stepping forward.

"That's how you block"

she finished, demonstrating smoothly.

"Ohh, okay, I think I understand now."

"Let me show you. Attack me—aim for my stomach," she said, readying herself.

I did as instructed, and she effortlessly repeated the movement she'd just shown me, dodging my attack while blocking perfectly.

"Now your turn, get ready"

"Yeah, sure"

Okay so I am supposed to hold it like this. Now wait for her.

She comes rushing in, I quickly put force into my sword.

Once she gets close I step forwards to the side, blocking her attack and moving out the way.

After that I have a perfect opportunity to counter attack, but I don't really know how I should attack and if I do she will parry it without difficulty.

But I did it, I blocked it, that felt good, my heart raised and the wind force from the swords gave a refreshing feeling, the sound of the wooden swords clashing was satisfying.

"Good job, you did it!"

Yumiko said, her voice filled with surprise and approval.

"Yeah, I did! Thank you, miss"

I replied, grinning with satisfaction.

"Of course"

She stands tall with a soft smile, her cheeks flushed as pride shone through.

"Good job, Kaito, that was pretty well performed"

Rina praised me.

She comes over, ready to take over and spar with Yumiko.

"Yumiko, you good to spar?"

"Yeah of course Rina"

Well I should move.

I walk over to the side and sit down on the ground ready to watch their fight.

Yumiko gets ready and Rina waits for her move.

Yumiko attacks, and Rina blocks her strike with a clash of blades. Using the momentum, Yumiko jumps onto Rina's sword, propelling herself into the air. She flips above Rina, bringing her knees to her chest, poised to unleash a powerful attack as she prepares to kick off the ground with her feet.

I never get bored watching these two fight, it is amazing.

The wind force flowing around them, dust covering the ground and the sound of clashing swords.

I love it. It is like watching a shonen anime in person.

Yumiko and Rina keps up training for about 20 more minutes before it was time for dinner.

They usually eat dinner around 6-8 pm here, and the dinner is really delicious, it often serves some kind of meat with vegetables, bread and some kind of sauce.

I think bread is the most common thing to eat here, I mean we do eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Could be a resource they are rich in.

This dinner is served with cow as the meat, potatoes and vegetables with some sauce that I am not familiar with.

The maids that cook the food do their job very well.

The meat is perfectly cooked and the mashed potatoes are creamy with a good taste. I think they have added some milk in it.

The vegetables are freshly picked from the garden, and while the salad contains the usual ingredients, there are some unfamiliar vegetables mixed in. They taste surprisingly good and complement the cooked beef perfectly. There's also some cheese in the salad, though it's a bit on the bitter side.

At the dinner table, I sit quietly, feeling a little tense in the presence of a noble family. My seat is next to Yumiko, who isn't quiet at all. She animatedly shares stories about her day, occasionally speaking with food in her mouth. Despite that, she's mostly well-mannered at the table.

Besides Yumiko talking about her day, Julian also mentioned the upcoming festival. He said it would begin in ten days and last for five, with each day having its own theme, as I recall. I'm not sure if it's every day, but I heard that there will be several nights here at the mansion where nobles from other families and citizens of the Luminara Kingdom will come to dance and enjoy themselves. It sounds like an incredible event.

After finishing the meal, with my stomach full, I head up to my room and collapse onto my bed. Another day complete. I feel like I've made progress today—Yumiko has warmed up to me, I've come up with a plan to teach her effectively, improved a bit with the sword, and even gathered some minor details about the Dead Lands.

A new day begins tomorrow, another chance to uncover more details and push my training further. The more time I spend here, the more this place pulls me in—its secrets, its challenges, its strange allure.

I can't help but feel like something big is coming, just beyond the horizon.

22 days left