Lucas had a strange dream, again.

  This time, he was a noble from a faraway land.

  The noble had a dream. One day, he would be a hero.

  To fulfill that dream, he devoted himself to the Lady, whom he believed to be fair and just.

  But she betrayed him, sending the noble to a deadly expedition.

  Filled with bitterness and regret, his eyes slowly lost their brightness as he fell into the sleep of death.

  And then he woke up.

  Lucas quietly opened his eyes, leaving behind the mist of dreams as he slowly digested what he had seen.

  Why did it have to hurt so much?

  His body shivered upon remembering the agonizing death of the hero, which he just had the privilege to experience in all its painful glory.

  While lost in thought, an oddly familiar murmur came from his left, interrupting his thoughts.

  “Luke, you’re awake?”

  It came from a young man crouched beside him, who seemed to be around Lucas’ age. He had short blond hair, piercing emerald green eyes, and light skin. His clothes were covered in dust, having been torn in some locations, and everything was painted yellow by a golden flame floating near his shoulder.

  The boy seemed surprised to see him awake—and in a way, Lucas shared the sentiment, but for a different reason. Despite being certain they had never met before, there was something strangely familiar about this person.

  Then it clicked. Suddenly, he understood where that feeling came from, and his eyes shimmered with recognition as the name escaped his lips.

  “Goldwyn?”

  The boy left a breath of relief upon hearing that word. “Thank the Lady you’re okay. I got genuinely worried when the dust settled and you were not with me and Ruby.”

  This was Goldwyn Ritter, a neighboring noble and Luke Dunkelheit’s most trusted companion. He looked familiar to Lucas not because of any shared history, but because he’d just seen him—seconds ago, in that haunting ‘dream’ of the hero’s final moments.

  That was not a normal dream, was it? Could it be the death memory of the original owner of this body?

  He had seen fragments of the hero’s life. Most were too scattered and out of context to make any real sense, but one stood out—the one that showed the chain of events that led to Luke’s death, beginning with the girl’s disappearance.

  If I was reincarnated right after that moment, then Goldwyn being here isn’t a coincidence. He must’ve gone looking for Luke after he disappeared in the explosion.

  Snapping back to reality for a moment, Lucas focused on the emerald eyes staring at him, filled with worry.

  Should I tell him?

  This man in front of him had just lost his best friend, and he didn’t even know it. Worse still, he had been replaced by someone else without him knowing, and now the friend he thought dead had come back to life—except it was not really him.

  To tell him the truth was to brutally smash the hope he had just regained. It was cruel, but that was the truth and even if Lucas lied for now, it would come out eventually.

  Still, it’s not like I can simply blurt out the truth. I have no idea how he’d react, and I doubt it’s a coincidence that I saw that memory right before meeting him.

  Memories of his encounter with the mysterious shadow flashed through his mind. She had told him many things, helped him in ways beyond his comprehension, and he had no doubt that the dream he saw was part of her doing.

  She wouldn’t have shown me that without reason, and I cannot think of any other use for that memory other than lying.

  “Luke?”

  A voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts. By then, Lucas had already been lost in them for quite a while, and Goldwyn’s worry was starting to deepen.

  “Sorry, I was distraught.” He said as he slowly got up, carefully bracing himself to avoid being pierced by another shard.

  Goldwyn looked at him strangely, a mix of worry and doubt in his gaze.

  “Are you sure of that? You know you can tell me if something is wrong, right?”

  Lucas hesitated. He wasn’t sure what to do—follow his heart and tell the truth, or lie and take advantage of the moment.

  Or at least, that’s what he told himself. In the end, he had already made his choice.

  “I’m fine, don’t worry.” He said, offering Goldwyn a reassuring smile.

  As much as it tore at his heart to lie like this, he knew it was his best chance. His acting skills were subpar at best, and the truth was bound to come out eventually—but until he understood more about this world, playing along was the safest bet.

  Goldwyn raised an eyebrow. “If you say so.”

  He stood and offered Lucas a hand, who accepted it and rose to his feet for the first time ever since arriving in this world. Lucas felt a brief wave of vertigo as his vision spun out of focus.

  Noticing he was starting to sway, Goldwyn moved quickly, steadying him with a firm grip.

  “Careful.”

  With Goldwyn’s support, Lucas managed to regain his balance and eventually stand by himself.

  “Thank you.”

  Now that I think about it, it’s kind of crazy how few side effects I’ve experienced, considering I’m in a different body in a completely different world. Whatever that shadow did to fix my senses must’ve been really powerful.

  Seeing Lucas was okay, Goldwyn glanced at the door on the other side of the room.

  “There should be two enemies trailing me, but I believe they cannot hear us right now. Think you’re able to fight? Or should I deal with them by myself?”

  Enemies. Right, we’re on enemy territory.

  Lucas had been so distraught by his own dilemas he had forgotten Luke had died in a hostile territory. Getting involved in combat could be a serious problem, but fortunately, Goldwyn had already handed him a convenient excuse.

  Well, I’m definitely not able to fight.

  “I will leave it to you.”

  Goldwyn nodded and gave Lucas a friendly pat on the back.

  “Also... don’t feel bad for worrying me. I’m glad you’re alive.”

  Lucas was pretty sure he visibly grimaced upon hearing that.

  I swear I will make up for it one day.

  “Prepare yourself.” Goldwyn said, his gaze fixed on the door on the other side of the room.

  Lucas did as he said, positioning himself behind Goldwyn and preparing to move if necessary. Meanwhile, the room grew brighter as the flaming ball near Goldwyn’s shoulder moved forward and started to expand.

  Lucas had no time to pay attention to it earlier, but he was pretty sure he was seeing magic.

  Or just some weird technology, but is there really any difference between that and magic?

  It was quite exciting to see, nonetheless. Sadly, he didn’t have much time to admire it before it was suddenly launched forward, towards the entrance of the room. The flames flew in the air for a few moments, leaving a golden trail behind, before finally colliding with a wall, raising dust as it released the heat and pressure contained within in the form of an explosion.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Without a light source, Lucas and Goldwyn were momentarily cast into darkness, but not for long as Goldwyn quickly extended his arm sidewards, conjuring golden flames in his hand. The fire shifted and sharpened, sculpting a sword out of the searing flames.

  On the other side, a sphere of dark fire expanded from within the dust, clearing it away, extinguishing the remaining golden fire, and forming a thin layer of ice on the floor and the remaining walls.

  Goldwyn adjusted his stance, ready to advance, when a voice came from within the dark flames.

  “We surrender! Don’t attack!”

  Hearing that, Goldwyn immediately backed away but kept himself ready to react to any sudden attack. On the other side, the dark flames slowly subsided to reveal two hooded figures kneeling with their foreheads pressed to the ground.

  “Lift your heads and present yourselves.” Goldwyn ordered the surrendering enemies.

  The two raised their heads, the one on the right doing so with a slight delay. The other one took off his hood, revealing the face of a mature man in his forties. His hair and irises were of an intense brown color and he spoke with reverence.

  “I’m Conrad and this is my apprentice, Azubi, my Lords.”

  Azubi? The name triggered something in Lucas’ memory.

  “Why did you choose to surrender?” Goldwyn continued his interrogation.

  “We are researchers, my Lords. Even together we stand no chance in a direct confrontation. Furthermore, my apprentice is injured and will die from blood loss soon if nothing is done.” Looking more closely at the right figure, Lucas realized the left sleeve of their robe had been torn and bandaged around his arm. “As his master, I would be eternally grateful if my Lords could help me provide some basic treatment to him.”

  Goldwyn spared a look at Lucas, seeking his opinion.

  “I’ve heard these two scavenging for supplies before I passed out. They’re telling the truth.” Lucas confirmed their story.

  He had heard the name of the apprentice when he first woke up, these two were the ones that entered the room searching for ‘life essence’. With his confirmation, Goldwyn went on to propose a deal.

  “We may aid your apprentice, but I cannot risk letting you free to denounce our location. I would have to take both of you as prisoners, and in case of any incursion against my person or my allies, I reserve the right to execute both of you on the spot as a noble from the Ritter family of Avalon.”

  Lucas trembled slightly hearing that declaration.

  Would he have used of this right if I has told him the truth a few moments ago?

  “I understand, my Lord.” Conrad accepted, reluctantly.

  Goldwyn nodded, gesturing for them to approach. “You made the right choice, I will see what I can do for your apprentice.”

  Conrad helped Azubi to get up and removed his hood, revealing the face of a boy in his mid-teens. He had black opaque eyes and hair so dark brown it appeared almost black. A stark contrast to his pale complexion, likely a result of the blood loss.

  They were about to take the first step toward them when a voice called out from behind, causing them to stop.

  “Hold your steps.”

  From the darkness, a mysterious figure emerged. He pulled back his hood, revealing a pale blond hair stained with dried blood. He appeared slightly older than Goldwyn—around nineteen or twenty—with fair skin and eyes of a deep, unsettling black. A disgustingly confident smile was plastered across his face.

  Conrad and Azubi immediately fell to their knees in fear, not even daring to look back at the newcomer’s face.

  “Lord Neid.” They said in reverence.

  “Neid...” Goldwyn murmured apprehensively, immediately returning to a combat position.

  The man stood right behind the master and apprentice duo, ignoring them completely and focusing their attention on the nobles at the other side of the room.

  “Goldwyn, cousin Luke, long time no see.”

  Lucas had to contain himself to not make an ugly expression at the word ‘cousin’.

  Family matters... of course I had to run into them so early.

  “You should not have revealed yourself, Neid.” Goldwyn said as the flames of his sword were intensified.

  “Whoa, calm those flames, golden boy. I’m not here for you two—my orders are to capture the runaways.” He said, casting a glance at Conrad and Azubi before shifting his attention to them.

  “Lucky you. We’re short on numbers thanks to a certain group’s interference during the rift experiment, so I’ll turn a blind eye to your betrayal.” He threw an accusatory look at Lucas and Goldwyn as he spoke.

  The two runaways, however, didn’t seem that much entertained with the idea of returning to Das übel.

  “Don’t tell me you would rather go with my shiny cousin, who trusts you so much he didn’t even offer to treat your apprentice with his healing magic?” Neid questioned them, making everyone else frown at that sentence.

  “Healing magic?” Goldwyn expressed his confusion.

  Meanwhile, Lucas blinked upon realizing he had completely forgotten about this detail due to his reluctance to analyze a particularly painful segment of the memories he had seen.

  That’s right, Luke used his magic to heal himself while trying to avoid his death. But wait, Goldwyn didn’t know that?

  “Wait... you didn’t know?” Neid seemed amused by Goldwyn’s confusion. “Ha, so either I’ve finally surpassed my cousin, or he’s actually learned to keep a secret. I’m not sure which to believe, both seem equally impossible.”

  Goldwyn spared a glance at Lucas, who quickly averted his gaze—unsure of how to manage that reveal.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Goldwyn stated at last. “Just take them away already.”

  “I would say it’s quite an important matter. You know, if I had a best friend, I would be sure to let him know—”

  At that moment, a strong gust of wind swept over them, cutting off Neid’s mocking and forcing Conrad to steady Azubi to keep him from falling.

  “Cut the chatter already.” Goldwyn said as he brandished his sword. “We can skip the taunts if you want a fight all that much.”

  Neid simply smiled and directed himself to Conrad.

  “Say, would rather join me, your superior, and your best chance of saving your apprentice, or the side of lies and mistrust with a stubborn knight that refuses to use normal flames and another that is so low on aura he didn’t even conjure his sword to fight?” He cast his gaze toward Lucas. “Or you thought I hadn’t picked on that detail?”

  Lucas didn’t fully understand Neid’s taunt, but he could make a few guesses.

  Perhaps aura is the ‘fuel’ the people of this world use to conjure magic, he must’ve assumed I have none because of my refusal to fight. Of course that’s not the real reason, but things could work on my favor if people keep on believing that. Although I have more to worry about now.

  Hesitating at first, Conrad clearly did not want to take Neid’s side. However, what he spoke was true. The seeds of doubt had been sown and the choice he had to make was clear for him.

  “Azubi, go to the back.” The master said as he conjured a ball of dark flames over his open palm.

  Meanwhile, strange amalgams of darkness appeared in the air around Neid. They slowly took a circular shape with even indentations on the edge, like a dented saw.

  “Keep yourself behind me.” Goldwyn ordered him, as he prepared to defend. “Don’t try anything risky if you don’t have the aura to guarantee your safety.”

  Lucas, of course, had no intention to disobey.

  A tense silence hung in the air as he wondered how things had escalated so quickly, until both sides finally moved.

  Neid and Conrad released their attacks simultaneously. A ball of black flames surged forward, only to be quickly overtaken by Neid’s strange, spinning disks—buzzing through the air like saw blades.

  In response, Goldwyn swung his sword. The blade detached from its flaming hilt, transforming midair into an arc of golden fire. It soared toward their enemies, striking first against the spinning saws. The disks were obliterated on impact, though they consumed nearly two-thirds of the golden flames in the process.

  The remaining third met Conrad’s black fire. The collision of gold and shadow was like the meeting of hot and cold fronts—violent and chaotic. The two forces twisted into a brief whirlwind, sending out flickers of both elements in all directions before quickly burning out.

  But neither side paused to watch the outcome. Even as the flames died, a new volley of attacks was already underway. Goldwyn charged forward, conjuring a new blade for his sword as he closed the distance.

  “Follow me!” Goldwyn shouted to his dazed friend, who was so stunned by the chaos that he hadn’t even noticed Goldwyn had already taken off.

  “O-okay!” Lucas snapped back to reality a few meters behind and hurried after him.

  As he ran, one of Neid’s spinning disks slipped past Goldwyn’s arc of fire, slicing through the air straight toward Lucas. He instinctively stepped aside, dodging it by a hair’s breadth.

  “I can’t take them all out—get ready to dodge!” Goldwyn shouted, conjuring another arc of flame. It struck the cluster of attacks but failed to destroy two of Neid’s spinning saws—there were just too many.

  With the disks hurtling toward him, Lucas was forced to duck sideways—an unfortunate move that put him directly in the path of one of Conrad’s dark flame orbs. Luckily, Goldwyn came through just in time, intercepting the attack with a well-aimed fireball that saved Lucas. But the effort slowed Goldwyn’s next attack, allowing one of Neid’s projectiles to graze his left arm.

  Realizing they couldn’t withstand the relentless barrage much longer, Goldwyn unleashed a powerful wave of flames at Neid, who had drifted to the edge of the battlefield, then shifted focus to press the attack against Conrad.

  In response, Conrad conjured a makeshift sword of dark fire, using it to block Goldwyn’s strike as the latter lunged forward with his golden blade.

  Aware of the noble’s superior craftsmanship and the fragility of his own blade, Conrad immediately dissolved his sword into a torrent of black flames after the initial clash, leaping backward to prepare a follow-up attack while Goldwyn shielded himself from the disintegrating weapon. To his surprise, however, instead of retreating, Goldwyn quickly cloaked his body in his own fire and lunged through the mass of black flames—successfully shielding himself from the frigid inferno, save for a few now frozen tips of his hair.

  Catching Conrad off guard, Goldwyn thrust his blade forward, piercing the noble’s neck before he could react. The searing sword burned through flesh and blood with ease.

  Only a charred hole remained as Goldwyn dissolved his sword into a trail of flames, which reformed outside his enemy’s body. There was no time to rest, buzzing projectiles from the remaining foes were already heading his way.

  Once again, Goldwyn unleashed a wave of flames, destroying every incoming attack—except for one stubborn saw that followed an unusual trajectory, slipping past his defenses and speeding toward Lucas.

  Goldwyn wasn’t worried, he trusted his friend to dodge a single strike. But reality begged to differ. Lucas stood frozen, his eyes fixed on Conrad’s falling corpse, seemingly unaware of the threat hurtling toward him.

  Seeing his best friend’s life in danger, Goldwyn summoned a powerful gust of wind, yanking Lucas out of the saw’s path just in time, but the move left his own guard momentarily down. It was a brief lapse, yet enough for Neid to strike.

  Only when it was too late did Goldwyn notice—a tiny blade slipping through, almost invisible. It carried little power and would soon dissolve, but it didn’t need strength to kill. And it was far too close for him to react.

  At that moment, Goldwyn knew his life had reached its end.