—Arceus!

I opened my eyes suddenly while tears continued falling down my face. Scenes of memories I thought I had forgotten passed through my head at every moment.

Everything was still blurry, but I could feel I was in the bedroom where half of the children slept inside the orphanage.

I felt the rough sheets under my body, while lying on my narrow bed, my breathing choppy and erratic, the remnants of a painful dream still floating in my mind like shreds of fog, while my left hand was grabbing something soft and warm.

—Arceus!

That same familiar and reassuring voice called me.

I turned my head and blinked to contain the tears that were still forming in my eyes. There, sitting on my bed holding my hand, was Cassie.

Her crimson hair fell messily over her shoulders, and her red eyes, normally bright and full of life, were swollen and reddened. Tears had left visible tracks on her cheeks.

—Cassie.

My voice sounded dry and hoarse.

—Why are you crying?

—Silly.

Cassie held back her laughter and smiled while tears fell down her cheeks.

—I could ask you the same thing.

My gaze remained fixed on Cassie. She smiled, even laughed, from relief and embarrassment while wiping away her tears.

It was the first time I had seen her after arguing that day —she had wanted to take all the children but I had wanted to abandon them—, although not much time had passed since the last time we talked.

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—How are you feeling, Arceus?

—Never been better. Why do you ask?

—If you have the will to answer sarcastically, I'm sure you'll be fine.

She chuckled, although her sad eyes weren't smiling, while taking a seat on the bed.

—I don't know if you remember but... Emilia found you unconscious in a cave.

I smiled bitterly. At the same time, I frowned. I didn't miss the difference between what I knew when I was awake and what I had just heard from Cassie.

—Wait, how much time has passed since I lost consciousness?

I couldn't get an idea of how much time had passed, my time in the tower felt like an eternity. Noticing my grim expression, I realized that Cassie wanted to ask more questions, but held back for my sake.

—One day. You've had us all worried.

She continued expressing her concern, shaking her head.

—Don't frown, Cassie. Your face will get ugly.

When the strength in my arm was exhausted, I let it fall back and breathed deeply.

My attempt to lighten the mood worked momentarily, but I could see there was something more in Cassie's gaze, an unusual seriousness that contradicted her forced smile.

—Arceus...

She began, releasing my hand and straightening her back with her hands on the bed.

—I need to tell you something.

The change in her tone made me sit up slowly, ignoring the sharp pain in my temples. I knew that look; it was the same one Cassie had when she was going to say something important.

—I've been thinking about it a lot.

Cassie nervously played with the hem of her dress.

—And I understand why you don't want to participate in the escape plan. I really understand.

Her eyes met mine, unwavering.

—But I'm going to try it anyway.

I showed no surprise at this revelation. Instead, I studied her face carefully, looking for any sign of doubt or fear. I found none.

—Are you sure?

—More than sure.

What was it that gave her such confidence?

I looked at Cassie and activated my unique ability. My Successor's Eyes could see part of other people's information even if they weren't awakened or Tower Ascendants.

The Ascendants who climbed the Tower couldn't see the status of the awakened and vice versa, but the information that appeared in my eyes was far beyond even my wildest imagination.

[Name: Cassie.]

[Existence Level: 1 (F).]

[Class: Priestess.]

[Highest Stat: Luck (100)]

How was this possible? That was insane.

What happened to her? How did she awaken?

Class: Priestess? Luck 100?

From the beginning?

A stat level that escaped common sense. I almost shouted in surprise, but I closed my mouth and barely managed to avoid making a fool of myself.

Cassie's voice pulled me from my thoughts.