Evan POV:

I was sitting on the plush red sofa, its velvety fabric caressing my skin as I sought a moment of respite amidst the chaos that was surrounding my thoughts. Aisha was sprawled on her exquisite double bed, exhaled a sigh of agreement, her voice laced with a hint of weariness. And lastly, Walter was still a ghost… hovering who knows where.

"So, just a recap," I started talking, "Aisha, you spawned here, not too far away, about four weeks ago, right?"

Aisha nodded, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she recalled her bewildering arrival. "Yep," she replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and acceptance. "Spawned might not be the right word for it. It was more like waking up on the cold, unforgiving ground, surrounded by unfamiliar surroundings."

Taking in her words, I nodded. "And Walter," I continued, a flicker of curiosity dancing in my eyes, "You spawned in a snow biome around the same time?"

Walter: Yep.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, a mix of frustration and confusion intertwining within me. The weight of the situation bore down upon my shoulders, leaving me grappling with an inexplicable truth. I tried to make sense of it all, my mind racing with unanswered questions. “Then Why am I, in some other guy's body, and I came here like 2 or 3 weeks ago while we were all playing together before we somehow came here!”

“Hmmm…” Aisha pondered for a moment but I knew she wasn’t thinking. “Must be magic!”

I sighed, “Well you can literally answer any question here with ‘Hey, must be magic, am I right?’ and it will still make sense.”

Walter: Oh, then that means that, Ligma, Updog, Bofa, and Sugondese will work on everyone here.

I looked towards Aisha as if my whole mind exploded.

She sat up on her bed just to try and stop me, “Evan, I know what you're thinking but don't-”

I immediately cut her off, “The Atrocity has been committed. This world shall know the sins we bear, ‘camera zooms in on my face’, At socially acceptable levels.”

Walter: You did not unironically say ‘Camera zooms in on my face’.

I couldn't help but let a small smirk creep onto my face, trying to defend my choice of words. "Well, I thought it would add a touch of epicness to the moment. You know, a bit of dramatic flair."

Although Walter was invisible, I could almost feel his piercing gaze of disgust directed towards me. If he had been visible, I was certain his eyes would be fixed upon me with an expression of sheer disapproval. Likewise, Aisha's visible gaze mirrored Walter's invisible one, her eyes narrowing as she regarded me with a mix of disappointment and disbelief.

“COME ON GUYS!!! THAT'S JUST HOW MY HUMOR WORKS!”

“Okay, let’s just forget what happened the past ten seconds.” Aisha came in for the rescue. “What should we do now?”

I nodded and took out the three Heroes Diaries from my inventory, their weight and significance palpable in my hands. With utmost reverence, I set them down on the exquisite table adorned with intricate gold engravings, its surface crafted from the purest white marble. The contrast between the weathered diaries and the opulence of their resting place created a striking visual juxtaposition, symbolizing the convergence of history and luxury.

As I placed each diary down, the soft thud echoed in the room, the sound resonating with a sense of purpose and anticipation. The table seemed to radiate an aura of importance, as if acknowledging the weight of the knowledge contained within those aged pages. It was a sacred space, now graced by the presence of these timeless artifacts.

I then observed as Aisha stood up gracefully, her curiosity piqued by the presence of the three Heroes Diaries that I had retrieved from my inventory. With delicate hands, she picked up one of the weathered volumes, its pages aged with the passage of time. As she gingerly opened it, a glimmer of interest sparkled in her eyes, hinting at the possibility of unraveling the mysteries contained within.

However, her enthusiasm quickly waned, and a look of laziness washed over her features. Oh no. I thought as I knew exactly what she was going to do next. With a dismissive gesture, she tossed the diary back onto the elegant table, its weighty thud echoing in the room. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her response, puzzled by her lack of interest in such invaluable sources of knowledge.

"Wait, we have to read this?" Aisha's question hung in the air, a hint of reluctance seeping into her tone. Her admission of being too lazy to delve into the contents of the diaries left me momentarily taken aback.

I raised an eyebrow, “Yea, What's wrong with that?”

She threw the book back on the table, “I don't know, just too lazy to read right now.”

This Lazy ass Bitch.

Walter: You've read it right? Just give us a gist of it.

“Before that, have you guys found any lead to get out of here?”

“Nope, I was just mainly messing around and things like that.”

Walter: Me too, only I was Dead.

It was now my turn to look at her with disgust, would’ve looked at Walter too, only if I could see him.

"Oh, come on, don’t look at me like that" Aisha retorted before she flopped back onto her comfortable bed. Her lackadaisical demeanour further tested my patience, and I released a heavy sigh, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Fine,” I said, my tone having a hint of resignation, “Here’s the gist of what I found.”

I took a deep breath and began to explain everything, condensing the information into a bite sized version. I shared the mysteries surrounding the existence of magic and the summoner heroes, highlighting the limited evidence I had gathered to support their existence. I described how the memory of the heroes had been erased from the collective consciousness when they departed this world, leaving behind only fragmented stories and vague recollections.

I emphasized the crucial points from their journeys, the challenges they faced, and the potential significance of their actions. I mentioned the missing pieces of the puzzle, the leads I had pursued but had yet to uncover. Each detail I shared carried the weight of our quest for understanding, urging Aisha and Walter to grasp the gravity of the situation.

As I spoke, their expressions shifted from indifference to curiosity, their eyes reflecting a growing realization of the importance of the information I presented. Aisha's earlier laziness dissipated, replaced by a spark of intrigue. Walter, though invisible, seemed to hang onto every word.

I didn't hold back, laying out the known facts, the uncertainties, and the gaps in our knowledge. It was important that we faced the truth head-on, even if it meant confronting the limitations of our understanding.

When I was done, Aisha raised a question, “So, our only lead is this guy who is your pupils Father?”

“Father or Grandfather, I forgot but that's pretty much it Unless we can find the missing pages of the Hero of Skill's Diary.”

Aisha nodded and asked another question, “So what do we do now?

“Well, Let’s get Walter back first.”

Walter: Oh, I like that idea. Aisha, can you lead the way to the nurse?

Aisha nodded and stood up to leave the room when I quickly stopped her, “Wait a second. I forgot to ask this before but we should live together in my mansion. If we work together then we have a better chance of survival.”

Walter: Like you need to ask. I'm in.

“Me too, I just need to talk to the king and queen about my leaving first.”

Walter: On that note, let's have Evan as the leader like always.

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Hold on, where did that come from? It’s not like I’m not always the leader, but still…

“Oh, yep, I agree with you, he’s the only one who’s done the most work out of us when we were dicking around. If anyone has to be the leader, It has to be him.”

“I… Fine. But this means you guys have to do what I ask right?” Aisha just gave me a side eye before she hurriedly tried leaving the room.

“Fine, I guess I’ll go search for my friends and family.”

Aisha stopped mid-way through the door. “Oh you should wait here, I'll call Chara through magic.” Aisha then closed her eyes and started what I presumed was telepathically talking to her maid.

Walter: Chara? Like from Undertale? Don’t call her lest we need more tissue boxes for Evan.

“Haha, very funny.” I said as I was reminded of the bet I lost which made me play the Undertale genocide route while everyone watched as I shed actual tears cause I can’t handle sad things.

Aisha finally opened her eyes, “Alright, she'll come here in few minutes. Best you wait here,” She paused and raised her hand a bit, “Walter! Follow me to the nurse!”

Walter: Aye Aye! Captain!

Now, I found myself with some spare time on my hands, I could bury myself in books… or I could indulge in a bit of sightseeing. I decided to indulge in a bit of sightseeing. I yearned for a change of scenery. The gold embroideries and the shiny white marble had burned my eyes enough. With that in mind, I made my way towards the window of the room and opened it, allowing the fresh air to sweep in.

The view that greeted me was nothing short of breath-taking. The sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm rays upon the land below. The room I stood in was perched at a considerable height, offering me a vantage point from which I could behold the magnificent kingdom sprawled out beneath me. The bustling streets, filled with vibrant colours and life, were like a tapestry woven with the stories of its inhabitants.

As I leaned against the windowsill, a gentle cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it a sense of tranquillity. In the distance, I spotted birds in hues of red and blue, gracefully gliding through the open sky. Their wings outstretched as they danced with the wind, the noises of the streets from below, the vibrant forest far away, Tifa holding onto her dear life on the window's ledge, Some of the buildings even looked like tiny blocks on the horizon made by some dude named Steve. They were all creating a spectacle of natural beauty

…Wait a flippen minute!

I leaned forward on the window's ledge to I looked down. There, to my dismay, was Tifa, precariously clinging onto the edge of the window. Panic surged through my veins, overriding any sense of calm I had just moments ago.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!" I shouted, my voice laced with fear and urgency. Without a second thought, I leaned in further, my hand reaching out to grab Tifa's delicate hands. With a firm grip, I pulled her up, ensuring her safety within the confines of the room.

Tifa, finally finding solid ground, collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in heavy gasps. I stood there, my own heart pounding in my chest, overwhelmed by a mix of relief and anxiety. It was clear that she had been eavesdropping on our conversation. The question now lingered in my mind: how much had she heard?

Fear gripped me as I considered the implications. Had Tifa overheard everything? Did she now know our secret, that we were not of this world? The thought sent shivers down my spine, and I felt a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I had been cautious, but in this moment of vulnerability, it felt as if the walls were closing in on me.

Summoning what little composure I had left, I approached Tifa cautiously. Kneeling down beside her, “How much did you hear?"

“N-No I D-Did'nt heard a-anything.” I could sense Tifa's fear and unease growing as I pressed her for the truth. Her stuttered response, coupled with her trembling demeanor, seemed to indicate that she was indeed withholding something. As much as I wanted to trust her, the stakes were too high to ignore any potential risks. With a surge of determination, I activated my Intimidation skill, tapping into a power that I don’t like using, but felt necessary in this moment.

A sudden change came over me, as if a dormant force within me had been awakened. The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming heavy with an eerie intensity. My eyes bore into Tifa's, and a cold, authoritative tone slipped into my voice.

"It's better for both of us if you speak the truth," I asserted, my words laced with an unmistakable undercurrent of power.

Tifa jumped back with fear before she started talking to save herself, “I-I swear on my mother's life that I just came here a few seconds ago. The only thing I heard was Aisha leaving and you saying take care.”

I kept the Intimidation activated and stared at her for a couple more seconds in case my pressure breaks her and she tells the truth. She started crawling back, away from me but did not let me out of her vision, at this point she looked like she was about to cry, “I swear! I didn’t do anything!”

Then she actually did start crying and I could no longer bear watching her like that so I deactivated the intimidation skill and the atmosphere returned to normal is if nothing ever happened here.

As Tifa's sobs filled the room, I felt a mix of sympathy and frustration. It pained me to see her in such distress, but I couldn't ignore the fact that her actions almost ruined my entire life. I approached her slowly, crouching down to her level.

"What were you trying to do?" I asked, my tone gentle but firm.

Tifa sniffled, wiping away her tears and avoiding direct eye contact. Her voice trembled as she struggled to explain herself. "I... I'm an assassin," she began, her voice filled with vulnerability. "My main job is dealing with information. So when you mentioned being heroes, it was too unbelievable for me. I needed to confirm it for myself."

Well it’s good that she didn’t hear anything important, but… Ugh, I do not like seeing her like this.

As Tifa continued to cry, her face buried in her hands, I could sense the overwhelming guilt and self-blame consuming her. I understood that she hadn't fully grasped the magnitude of her actions and the potential consequences they carried. In that moment, it was clear to me that she believed I now despised her, someone whom she considered a dear friend in this unfamiliar world.

Unable to bear her distress any longer, I let out a heavy sigh and made my way towards her, gently reaching out to pull her into a comforting embrace. I wrapped my arms around her trembling form, holding her close as she seemed surprised by my actions but did not fight back.

"Tifa," I whispered softly, my voice filled with warmth and reassurance. "Sorry about what I just did, us heroes have some really classified information that we can’t let out to anyone in any shape or form. So, forgive for acting so hostile towards you even though you’re my really good friend."

“Y-Yes.” Tifa's sobs began to subside, and she managed to nod in understanding. Her grip around me tightened as she sought solace in my embrace. “C-Can I stay like this for a little while?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.” I did made the poor girl cry in the first place.

Just then, the door opened up and my two little girls bolted inside, the sudden entrance of my two little girls added an unexpected twist to the scene. Their youthful innocence was momentarily halted as they took in the sight of Tifa and me, wrapped in a tight embrace on the ground. Luna was with them, with wide eyes and a mouth agape, clearly struggled to comprehend what she was witnessing.

Breaking away from the hug, I quickly composed myself and rose to my feet, ensuring Tifa had the space and time she needed to collect herself. Luna's surprise was evident, but I think she was more petrified like a statue. I then noticed Chara hiding behind her with a blank stare on her face.

I could see the confusion and concern in the eyes of Faith and Hope as they tried to make sense of the situation but they were too young to fully grasp what was happening. “Papa? What were you doing?” Faith and hope both asked me in unison.

With a gentle smile, I started lying. "Don’t worry my little ones. Aunt Tifa had a little accident, and I was just helping her up."

Tifa had stood up and reassured to the girls that she was fine and they didn’t need to worry about her. Though, the most I was worried about was Luna and she remained frozen, her confusion etched onto her features. I knew that she was having a misunderstanding but I couldn’t explain it right now, it was best to let her process the situation at her own pace. I made a mental note to have a private conversation with her later, ensuring her concerns and questions would be addressed.

Faith and Hope nodded to Tifa, their faces brightening up with relief. Satisfied with whatever it is that Tifa told her, then they quickly shifted their attention to me.

“Papa, did you know that there’s a thing called Coliseum!?” Said Faith as her excitement filled the air, her words reverberated with a sense of discovery and wonder. Her small figure bounced up and down, brimming with youthful energy. The mention of the coliseum brought forth images of grandeur and spectacle, captivating the imagination.

Beside her, Hope's voice held a hint of concern, “There were people fighting in there.” There was a flicker of worry in her eyes. She seemed thoughtful, her young mind grappling with the concept of people engaging in combat within the coliseum's walls. Her innocence collided with the harsh reality of conflict, leaving a trace of unease in her words.

Seeking answers, my gaze shifted towards Luna, hoping to find a source of information. However, she remained frozen from the shock of seeing me and Tifa together, her shock evident in her expression. It was as if the revelation had momentarily halted her ability to process thoughts or respond.

Turning my attention to the maid, Chara. I silently implored her for guidance. With a blank face that betrayed no emotion, she stood as a pillar of stability amidst the whirlwind of emotions in the room. I knew I could rely on her to provide insight or fill in the gaps in our knowledge. “I simply gave them a trip to the coliseum since the tournament was active right now and figured they would enjoy that.”

I nodded at chara’s explanation as I looked back down at the kids, “Can we go there!?” Faith asked but I noticed that Hope wasn’t sharing her enthusiasm.

knelt down to meet Hope at eye level, my voice gentle and filled with genuine concern. Her subdued demeanor caught my attention, prompting me to inquire about her thoughts and feelings.

"What's wrong, Hope?" I asked, my words laced with a tender tone. I wanted to create a safe space for her to express her emotions and share any worries that may have arisen within her.

“Oh, Umm, don’t people get hurt when they’re fighting? Why would they like fighting then?”

“Well… People don’t really like fighting, but there’s a lot of times when you’re forced to fight.”

She looked at me strangely, “Forced to fight?”

I chuckled a bit and started patting her head. “Yes, my little honeybun, no matter who it is, one must know how to fight, even if you will never fight. Which is why people go to coliseum where they can train to fight better, they might get hurt, but there’s people there to help them if they get hurt.”

Hope looked at me curiously, “Really?”

“Yep, really.” I continued to caress her head when I suddenly got a notification from Aisha.

Aisha: Umm Evan. We have a problem.

I knew it, Things never go this smoothly.

Evan: What happened?

Aisha: The nurse can't revive Walter.

Evan: WHAT?!

Aisha: We need his Body!

The body that’s stuck in the middle of an avalanche by now!?

While my thoughts were in disarray, Chara stared talking again, “I should mention this my now, but we met your pupil in the coliseum, Lucy and Oswald. They were asking if you were going to join them for the Magician’s ranking tournament, which will happen soon.”

THE HELL IS A MAGICIAN'S RANKING TOURNAMENT!?