《A Heart of Nightmare》


 Prologue

    The deafening cacophony of the countless sounds of the vast surrounding jungle echoed in the cool, humid air, mingling with her own footsteps.


    She turned her gaze from the huge, snow-white armored bear that served as her companion to admire the diversity of species around her. There were monkeys over ten feet tall, swinging between the immense branches. They had three tails to better propel themselves. Looking down, she saw a plant that seemed completely normal, but when a huge two-headed wolf passed over it, it transformed into a carnivorous plant that swallowed it whole, returning to normal as if nothing had happened.


    Unfazed, Merry Darkwood continued on her way through the hostile environment, walking side by side with the bear.


    Her companion snorted and quickened his pace, passing her.


    "Ah, wait for me, Leod!" she cried as she caught up with the bear.


    Leod took a few more steps before stopping abruptly, looking at the ground with what seemed to be disdain.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked, not expecting an answer, before looking at the spot Leod was pointing at.


    She blinked as something bright reflected in her eyes, thin rays of sunlight piercing through the jungle canopy. The atmosphere of the forest was dark and heavy, with a terrifying beast potentially hiding in every shadow. To survive, one had to be constantly on guard, paying attention to the smallest details of the environment. Accidents were not uncommon, and a deep knowledge of the place was required. She still clearly remembered the stories of hunters who had mysteriously disappeared that she had been told during her training. They were only heard of in tales told to children to scare them from venturing into the forest.


    Legends said that during the full moon, one could see the silhouette of these hunters deep in the jungle...


    A fairy passed before her eyes, its wings shining with a soft radiance. Pulled out of her thoughts, Merry squinted and brought her hand closer to her find, but did not touch it directly.


    "I almost forgot," she murmured before taking out gloves made of strange leather. She put them on before picking up the object carefully.


    It was a small piece of mirror as blue as the night. On it, she could see faint traces of dried blood. It reflected a cascade of silver hair and hypnotic pale eyes. The mirrored girl''s lips curved into a sinister smile as she exclaimed,


    "Finally an interesting mystery! I was starting to get bored."

 Chapter 1 : Trip to Istria

    It was pitch black.


    Then everything turned purple.


    He thought he heard a voice calling him...


    Shin woke up with a start, cold sweat dripping down his back, a throbbing pain in his heart. He slowly opened his eyes, the sunlight blinding him. Gradually, he made out his surroundings, his body stiff from the constant jolting of the carriage he was riding in. His back ached from the uncomfortable sitting position.


    "Everything okay, kid?" asked a hoarse voice beside him.


    The young man turned his gaze towards the speaker, loosening his grip on the sheath of his sword, his knuckles white.


    "...Yeah. Just had a nightmare," Shin replied with a yawn.


    "A nightmare, huh?" His companion''s face was hidden by the black hood of his cloak, but a pronounced beard and deep wrinkles were still visible. His hands were covered in recent battle scars, but Shin also noticed older marks. He knew them well; they were the telltale signs of failed axe blows.


    "Me too..." the man continued nostalgically, "I often have nightmares these days... like pretty much everyone here, I guess."


    With that, the two of them looked at the other passengers in the carriage: old men fighting against their final hour, desperate mothers trying to calm their children who had just lost their fathers... teenagers like him, too. Despite the crowd, everyone tried to make as little noise as possible, even the youngest children. Making noise could very well be a death sentence.


    Shin resumed the conversation:


    "You''re heading to Istrienne to take refuge, right?"


    "Yes... After my village was attacked by those damn beasts, we did everything we could to defend it, but it was hopeless. During that attack, my wife and our only daughter..." His voice broke, and the hand holding his worn sword trembled slightly.


    A man standing next to them patted his shoulder sympathetically.


    "I''m sorry, my friend¡­ You''re not the only one going through this."


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he replied in a weak voice. He paused for a moment before resuming, ¡°By the way, I''m Ryan, nice to meet you.¡±


    Ryan extended his hand to Shin, who took it and shook it. The man''s hand was cold too, but unlike the young man''s, it was rough and worn from years of hard work.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Nice to meet you, I''m Shin."


    Ryan asked curiously, "So Shin, why are you going to Istrienne?"


    Shin hesitated for a moment, then looked out at the vast forest stretching as far as the eye could see. It was so vast that no one knew if it had an end.


    Within it lived an extremely complex ecosystem, dangerous creatures lurking everywhere. Humans, being weak creatures, had managed to survive thanks to their ingenuity, but mainly due to what was called magic. There were several types of magic, and anyone could use it, although most people lacked the knowledge to wield it. Moreover, power always comes at a price, and some were not willing to pay it¡­


    Without taking his eyes off the jungle, he replied in a hushed tone, "I''m looking for my sister... And I heard rumors that someone at Melna University might know something that could help me find her, so I applied, and I got accepted."


    An awkward silence settled between them until Ryan spoke again, "So you''re not going to find a new home, but you''re heading to the greatest magical university in the Kingdom of Osram... that''s really impres¡ª"


    Before he could finish his sentence, a child''s scream pierced the air, like a siren signaling their doom. Shin finally turned his gaze and saw the child. The boy had injured his leg on one of the carriage''s poorly placed nails and was screaming at the top of his lungs, blood flowing from his wound like a foreshadowing of the tears and sweat they would soon shed.


    His mother was frantically trying to calm him, covering his mouth, her movements panicked.


    The atmosphere grew tense as everyone feared the next moment, watching every movement in the forest. The guards readied their weapons, while those inside the carriage who knew how to fight struggled to their feet and prepared for battle. Among them were Ryan, the man who had comforted him, Shin, and many others.


    Seconds passed, seeming like an eternity. The tension in the air was palpable, as if it could snap at any moment¡­ but it didn''t. After a while, although everything seemed calm¡­a beast leapt from the side of the path, attacking them.


    The creature resembled a lion, with a mane and tail tip of white, while the rest of its body was a mix of dark shades. Its presence was imposing, and it seemed as impulsive as a flame.


    The guards immediately engaged the beast, and a furious melee ensued. Most only knew how to fight with swords, but a few¡ªthe most powerful¡ªmastered the basics of magic.


    The carriage wasn''t designed for high-ranking individuals, so its protection was only ensured by a few guards. Their mages had limited knowledge of magic. An accident could happen at any moment.


    Several other beasts, some similar to the first, others different but equally grotesque, darted from other parts of the forest, forcing the defenders to divide.


    That''s when the fighters inside the carriage intervened. Letting out a powerful war cry, they joined the fray in a deafening clash.


    Shin was among them. Carefully observing his surroundings, he spotted a terrifying gorilla, its dark blue eyes seemed to judge the world from its ten feet height. With a blood-curdling scream, the beast with a red mane charged into the battlefield.


    Shin reached for his sheath and drew his sword. A blade as black as a starless night emerged, with purple veins flowing from the hilt to the tip and crossing like the arms of a river. In the pale, moon-like reflection of the weapon, one could see a young boy with dark brown hair and azure eyes running towards the immense gorilla.


    His gaze was determined, but deep within it hid a corrupted, bizarre, and threatening purple glow.

 Chapter 2 : Hunter

    Under the canopy of the endless forest, mixing the scents of flowers, sweet perfumes, and wild beasts...


    The immense gorilla swung its arm at Shin, so fast that the air whooshed. The young man dodged to the side, avoiding a blow that crashed into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. He gripped his weapon tightly and aimed to cut the flesh of the abomination.


    However, it was too tough, and his blade only left a scratch. The gorilla turned and countered with a swift kick, trying to crush its opponent. Shin quickly retreated, putting a few meters between them.


    He glanced to the side to check on the rest of the fighters.


    Ryan was battling an enormous worm that had emerged from the ground, drawn by the noise. The creature was grotesque and nauseating, writhing with a slimy noise to dodge every blow aimed at it. But Ryan was no amateur; his technique, though rudimentary, was ruthless and deadly. He seemed unfazed by the disgusting sight, his strikes carrying the force of years of woodcutting.


    Further away, the guards fought against lions, having already taken down several. Nevertheless, more kept coming from the forest. The few mages cast the weak spells they knew. Arrows flew through the air, and metal spikes formed magically, while vines sprang from the ground to ensnare the beasts, immobilizing them. It was the most powerful spell available here.


    Returning to his fight with the gorilla, Shin balanced on one leg and channeled all his power into a single thrust, using magic to propel himself forward.


    If he was allowed to fight this monster unaided, it was because he was a seasoned hunter. Hunters were adventurers who hunted the forest beasts, selling them for a high price. Monsters were the only readily available source of meat, as breeding livestock didn''t yield enough food for the space it took. Large, walled spaces were needed for breeding¡ªotherwise, the beasts would be attacked by wild monsters from the forest¡ªand this space also had to house people. The past decade had seen significant population growth, coupled with a recent increase in monster attacks, making hunters more prolific. But most of them did it out of necessity, not choice, as it was a very dangerous profession.


    Shin positioned himself behind the monster, turned, and infused his sword with magic. The veins on it glowed with a sinister purple light, reflecting the terrible abomination as it sliced into the monster''s side, which desperately tried to turn around.


    Blood sprayed, and the gorilla let out a bloodcurdling scream. The wound wasn''t fatal since it wasn''t deep, but¡­


    Shin smiled and wiped his blade to remove the crimson traces of his carnage. His attention still partly on the beast, he was already scouting for his next target.


    Shin had made a living hunting monsters, earning a small reputation. The carriage manager and guards knew this, which is why they left the strongest monsters to him. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Turning, Shin lunged at a beast resembling a snake that spat deadly venom. It was the strongest creature in the area after the gorilla. Behind him, the gorilla let out a mournful cry, scratching at its body as if trying to tear it apart, its eyes unfocused¡­


    Finally, after a few moments, the poison took full effect, and the ferocious beast collapsed to the ground, out of breath, like a fish out of water.


    ***


    After what felt like an hour, everything grew quiet as dusk approached.


    The air was tinged with the smell of blood, and thin rays of sunlight pierced the canopy, illuminating the lifeless bodies of the beasts along the path¡­ as well as those of the humans who had perished in battle.


    By the end of the fight, Shin''s hands were injured, blisters forming. He had used a lot of magic and felt a bit tired. He also felt a little sick at heart.


    Usually, there would be more monsters arriving to fight them, but the transport routes were relatively safe, with a low number of beasts. Moreover, throughout the battle, they had kept moving. Checkpoints were set up roughly every two hours along the route.


    They had managed to reach the next checkpoint without too much trouble, using its fighting strength and walls to deter their pursuers.


    Shin looked at Ryan, who was beside him, and asked in a tired tone:


    "When are we going to sleep?"


    "Already?" Ryan exclaimed, "but you just woke up from your nap!"


    "Yeah, I know... but I don''t sleep well when I have nightmares."


    "Ahh... if you say so," Ryan sighed before explaining, "We need to shower first to get rid of our scents¡ªit''ll make it harder for the monsters to find and chase us. Then we need to eat, and finally, we have to hold funerals for those who¡ª"


    "Yeah, yeah, I get it," Shin interrupted, pausing, "Let''s go then."


    With that, he walked towards the area marked as the communal showers, Ryan following. Their steps went unnoticed amid the deafening noise of the checkpoint''s activity.


    The sound of running water greeted them as they entered the showers, towels wrapped around their bodies.


    It was stiflingly hot, and steam clouded their vision. Shin chose a shower at random, and Ryan did the same. The showers were separated by water-resistant wooden boards.


    Before stepping inside, Ryan called out to Shin and asked,


    "Where does the water come from and what feeds it? Facilities like these were rare where I lived."


    "It''s the route to a big city, precautions are necessary, and they have the budget for it," Shin replied with a smirk, closing his eyes for a moment. "There''s a gigantic plant below us that pumps water from the ground and stores it in pockets for later use. Here, most of it is collected by devices that send it upwards. The plant is left with just enough to survive, and it''s fed artificially if it''s in bad shape."


    "Wow, that''s crazy!" Ryan remarked before asking, "And what about the heat?"


    Shin didn''t respond for a few seconds, then reopened his eyes, walked toward the shower, and said with a stony expression:


    "They use fire fairies."


    Before closing the shower door, he saw Ryan''s expression freeze as he entered his own.


    Reflecting the world, the hot water continued to flow onto the floor in a soft, unfeeling symphony.

 Chapter 3 : A strange encouter

    The warm water flowed over Shin''s body, vapor rising from the ground. All his tiredness disappeared, and he felt refreshed, as if the water was carrying away his pain and torment. His thoughts wandered as he enjoyed the drops rolling down his weary body.


    He clutched his heart where a faint pain made itself known. Sighing in exasperation and exhaustion, he whistled a song he used to sing with his sister before falling asleep at night when they were children.


    After finishing his shower, Shin dried himself with his towel, wrapped it around himself, and stepped out of the small stall. There was almost no one left in the showers, the sound of the water having drastically decreased. The showers seemed strangely empty, the sound of conversations now nothing more than a distant murmur.


    The young boy walked toward the exit without hurrying. Once outside, he headed toward his room, wandering through the wooden and monotonous corridors of the outpost. He finally arrived in front of his room.


    He could already hear snippets of conversation through the door as he pushed it open to enter the room.


    "Shin was really amazing during the fight!" the man from the carriage exclaimed to Ryan.


    Ryan turned his head toward the door to see who the newcomer was. Noticing it was Shin, he smiled and greeted him:


    "So, did that shower feel good?"


    "Yes, thanks for worrying about me, Ryan," he turned his head toward the other man, "And thanks for the compliment, I guess, uh..."


    "Oh yeah, that''s right, I didn''t introduce myself!" the man exclaimed. "My name is Edward. Nice to meet you, Shin."


    Edward held out his hand. Shin shook it and returned the greeting, "Nice to meet you too."


    The man looked older than Ryan, but also happier. His dark blond hair and green eyes were bright, though they seemed to hide a tragic story.


    His hands were in pretty good shape, which meant Edward must have only been a fighter for a short time.


    Shin smiled and said, "I hope we get along¡ª"


    "Besides, Shin," Ryan cut him off, "you need to hurry up, change clothes and then come to the funeral, because you look a little silly in your towel right now."


    Shin''s smile trembled as he mumbled, "Of course¡­"


    ***


    The square was silent, dozens of people huddled together but not making a sound. It was pitch black, the faint light of the stars and moon barely reaching them.


    It was in the tradition, when the bodies of the deceased could not be burned, to write their name on a parchment before igniting it with a magical flame.


    What started as a simple need to get rid of the bodies by optimizing the space they took up ¨C burying them underground took up too much space ¨C while minimizing the risk ¨C leaving the walls was too dangerous ¨C had become a tradition.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    That is why burning parchments with the names of the deceased had become fashionable when the bodies could not be recovered.


    The cool air caressed Shin''s skin, his damp hair dancing in the faint breeze.


    He watched distractedly as the head of the outpost took the parchment, concentrated on his magic, then inflamed the piece of paper with a bright green flame.


    Minutes passed in silence before the mage, perched on a pedestal to be seen by everyone, declared:


    "All these people... fought valiantly to ensure not only their survival, but that of all. They did not back down in the face of danger, and that is commendable. May their names remain engraved in our memories, and may their bravery be a source of inspiration for each of us!"


    His words echoed in the air, having the effect of a gentle wave. Some began to mourn the loss of a loved one, while others simply grieved for a friend they had just met, but with whom they had spent a good time.


    Little by little, everyone began to return to their rooms, taking more or less time to assimilate all these losses. Shin, for his part, decided to explore the place a bit before going to bed, a strange feeling pushing him to investigate the area¡­


    He went around the ramparts. Apart from the guards, there was no one at this late hour.


    As he studied a large building that was obviously of higher quality and more beautiful construction than the others ¨C probably the operations center and the superiors¡¯ lodgings ¨C he felt a pinching sensation in his heart. Like an instinct.


    He turned around quickly, and there¡­


    In the dim light of the night, he saw a silhouette with wings¡­


    He squinted to see better.


    He could discern that the figure seemed to be a young man his age and to be in every way similar to a human. The only differences being that his eyes shone with a dazzling golden light, that he had wings made of unreal white light behind his back, and that he was absurdly handsome!


    Despite all this, he was strangely unnoticed, as if it was difficult to focus on him. If it wasn''t for that feeling in his heart, he could very well have missed him.


    Shin asked warily, "Who are you?"


    The strange young man in front of him seemed surprised for a moment before exclaiming softly, "Ooohh! So you can see me? It''s very rare, you know. Besides, I think you''re the first person from below to have noticed me. You must be someone very special..."


    As his interlocutor spoke, Shin studied him more deeply. He noticed that one of his wings seemed injured, as if it had received a blow that had burned it. He was of average height, and had hair the same color as his eyes.


    Shin asked skeptically, "From below?"


    The young man with golden eyes looked at him curiously for a moment before snickering, "Ahh... That''s right, I forgot. The people here hardly know about us."


    He paused, "Only the higher-ups in your homeland know about us, so long story short, let''s just say I come from above the canopy of the trees of the forest."


    "Really?" Shin didn''t seem to be bothered much by his words as he asked for confirmation. Although he had never heard of people living above the forest and was extremely interested in it, he seemed unaffected.


    "Yes, yes. Just like there are¡­ things living under the forest, in the Mirror Forest, we live above the jungle, in what we call the Emerald Sea."


    The white-winged figure made of light took on a pained expression and continued:


    "I would like to chat a little more, but I have to go, I have things to do. So¡­ before I leave, can we introduce ourselves? I''ll start. I''m Felix from the Thady clan, and you?"


    "Shin," he replied in a flat voice, ready at any moment to retaliate against a possible attack.


    "Well, Shin, it was a pleasure talking with you, but I''m leaving now!"


    Felix smiled, then opened his wings and swung them, creating a weak draft. The young man rose into the air at a terrifying speed, although his flight seemed unbalanced due to his burnt wing. There was still this feeling of invisibility around him. The figure moved away and quickly became a point of faint light that Shin lost sight of.


    Walking towards the male dormitories, Shin murmured curiously, "How could it have been a pleasure? You were the only one talking!"


    Pushing the thought out of his mind, he thought about what this strange person had just told him.


    "So, there would be not only a space under the forest, the Mirror Forest, but also one above the jungle, the Emerald Sea¡­ And only the higher-ups would know its existence?"


    Leaving these complicated reflections for later, Shin went to bed, however¡­


    He had a nightmare, once again.

 Chapter 4 : Nightmare

    The sounds echoed strangely all around him. Light reflected as if underwater, making space feel meaningless.


    His body seemed to float in a viscous liquid, his senses numb. Moving his arms was an insurmountable ordeal. He blinked, and the world became clear. He heard a soft, childish voice urgently call out to him:


    "Shin! Where should we go?"


    He regained his senses and examined his surroundings. They were in the forest, running until their legs could no longer carry them. They had no destination, having left the orphanage in a hurry.


    Holding his little sister''s hand, Shin gasped,


    "I don''t know! Anywhere, but we have to get away from the monsters!"


    He gripped Lynia''s hand tighter, looking around frantically for somewhere to go.


    His heart pounded in his chest, his hot breath creating water vapor in the cold jungle air. He was still in his night clothes, having been woken by the horn that alerted of an attack by the forest creatures. Usually, this wouldn''t have been a problem; the guards could easily take care of it. But today was different. The wave of beasts was simply monstrous, like a tsunami crashing fiercely against the dams of the small town.


    Such a number of beasts besieging them all at once was extremely rare. They must be very unlucky... or this was deliberately orchestrated by someone... or something. In any case, knowing the cause wouldn''t help them survive. They had to find a safe place to hide, and fast.


    A loud explosion sounded behind them. Shin turned and saw a terrifying monster attacking the stragglers. The beast swung its six long, furry arms at the humans. The poor souls were mown down like berries in a field, crimson blood raining down from the sky like tears.


    "Hurry up!" Shin shouted at his sister.


    "Wha¡ªWhat''s going on?"


    "Nothing... Don''t look back and keep going!"


    Giving one last glance back, he saw the creature with furry arms and a head covered in what looked like bark, quickly making a path towards those in front. He quickened his pace, an intense urge to vomit churning in his stomach. But he had to hold back... he couldn''t afford to waste even a single second.


    Shin and Lynia ran with all their might, the trees passing by them at a terrifying speed. Their feet ached, their leg muscles burned with pain. They felt like their bones were going to break under the pressure. Blood began to rush to Shin''s head. His vision blurred, he felt like he was seeing the world through a veil that slowed his reactions. His throat was dry and burning with cold. Every sound grew more and more muffled in his ears, tinnitus starting to pierce his eardrums.


    Nevertheless, he heard a complaint by his side, a voice hoarse from having run too much and exhausted from the inhuman effort required to survive:


    "Shin... I... I''m sick of it... I want to go home... My bones hurt... My head hurts... Everything hurts... I''m... I''m scared..."


    His sister''s usually soft voice seemed lifeless. She panted heavily, her breath irregular and rapid. Her beautiful auburn hair fluttered, the wind pushing it as fate thrust them both towards their deaths. Her green eyes filled with tears as her small hands still clutched her comforter¡ªa pink bunny the size of a branch, with small white legs and a white belly. It was sewn up over and over again. Lynia didn''t know how to sew, and the orphanage workers would never do something so time-consuming, so Shin had taught himself to sew so his little sister could still play with their only stuffed animal.


    Shin''s eyes darkened as he told his sister in the calmest, gentlest, and most confident voice he could muster,


    "Hold on a little longer¡­ I''ll figure it out soon. Don''t worry and try not to talk. It''ll save your strength."


    The two continued to run through the jungle as the other residents who had fled with them were killed one after the other by monstrous beasts. A particularly dangerous beast was chasing them, but luckily Shin had noticed a cave hidden in the depths of the forest. Guiding his sister to the spot, they ran with all their might in a final sprint. The sting of a huge wasp was about to strike them as they barely entered the cave, the entrance too small for a creature of that size to enter. Breathing in short bursts, Shin looked around, studying the cavern. It was narrow and damp, gray moss growing everywhere. The air was even cooler than outside. They had managed to survive for now¡­ but it wouldn¡¯t last. They still needed food to avoid starving, and water to stay hydrated. However, going out the way they had come seemed futile and stupid, as the beasts were still coming toward them, and some were probably camping outside the cave to kill them as soon as they emerged. Not to mention, a small enough beast could very well enter their hiding place.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    In short, staying here was not an option. They had to find another exit, and fast.


    Squinting to see better in the little light that came through the entrance, Shin observed the depths of the cavern, trying to see if they were dangerous. Unfortunately, the corridors turned right in front of him, so he couldn¡¯t see more than a few meters ahead. Squeezing his sister''s hand, he explained the situation:


    "Lynia... We need to go deeper inside to find a way out, don''t let go of my hand."


    "Y-Yes," she replied in a weak voice.


    With a dark apprehension nestling in their hearts, the siblings advanced cautiously towards the depths of the cave, like two frightened lambs walking towards the mouth of a terrible beast. They walked for a long, long time. So long that Shin lost track of time. He didn''t know how long they had been pacing the cave''s horrible, winding corridors. The air grew colder and colder, shivers running through their limbs. The silence was deafening, no sound, no noise, except their own footsteps echoed. It was so dark they had trouble walking, their only light coming from a small fluorescent mushroom Shin had thought to bring before they fled. He hadn''t expected their salvation to be a cave, but he had thought that having a source of light that didn''t rely on fire would be useful if they were out in the wilderness with no walls to protect them.


    As the two began to doze off from the intense fatigue, they saw a faint glow in the distance. It wasn''t strong enough to be an exit, but at least it was different from the usual long, winding corridors. They quickened their pace, glad for this sudden change. They finally saw the source of light more clearly¡ªit was a mushroom that cast a golden light all around it, sitting on a small stone pedestal.


    The siblings entered the small, brightly lit room, and the first thing they noticed was¡­


    "Oh my god¡­ Why is the floor like this?" Lynia let out a scream as she stepped on the floor with a strange sound of glass.


    Shin had also noticed the strangeness of the floor. It was made of dark glass. You couldn''t see through it¡­ at least not where the light didn''t reach. Through the illuminated pieces of glass, they could see a jungle.


    It looked strangely like the one on the surface, but with the sinister feeling that nothing was in its place. As if the forest had been replicated in a twisted and unnatural way. It was dark in this other place, only lit by a few small, multicolored lights.


    It was strange, disturbing, and profane, sending shivers down the spines of the two young children.


    A deep fear began to creep into their hearts, goosebumps making them tremble all over.


    "It''s... It''s the Mirror Forest!" Shin panicked.


    "What is it?" his sister asked, her voice trembling.


    "I''m not sure, but... apparently, it''s a replica of the forest, but underground. And it''s also very dangerous!" Shin quickly replied.


    "What do we do then?"


    "We... we have to get out of here, hurry!"


    He grabbed his sister''s hand and dragged her out of the strange space they were in¡­


    ¡­But just as they were about to leave, they noticed they were no longer in the same place as before.


    They were still in a cave, but this one seemed to be a reflection of the old one.


    "What?!" Shin exclaimed in shock. He tried to understand what had happened to them, but he heard the sound of water flowing quickly. Looking around, he saw it coming¡ªan enormous wave of liquid as black as the darkest darkness.


    He took his sister''s hand, who cried out in surprise, and ran as fast as he could away from the approaching liquid.


    But they weren''t fast enough.


    In a last desperate effort, Shin held his sister as tightly as he could, but to no avail.


    The liquid came at them with terrifying speed, separating Shin from his crying sister.


    "Lynia! No!"


    "Ouch! Shin! Help me!"


    They were both swept away by the current in opposite directions, and Shin could only watch as his sister was carried away, her only comforter thrown from her. He could only watch as his sister''s tears mixed with the strange liquid, feeling utterly helpless.


    Eventually, the two were so far apart that neither could see the other anymore.


    Shin was being pulled away to who knows where.


    The liquid seemed terrifying.


    As if he could hear laughter mocking him.


    The world no longer made sense.


    The laughter continued, louder and louder, clearer and clearer, crazier and crazier, until...


    Shin woke up with a start, cold sweat running down his spine.


    The nightmare had seemed so¡­ real.

 Chapter 5 : Istria

    Shin had tried to fall back asleep, but it was no use.


    He spent the rest of the night lying awake, haunted by memories of the past.


    When the sun finally rose above the jungle, it lifted him from his torment.


    Like everyone else, he got up and went to have breakfast. No one noticed how much paler he seemed than usual. Breakfast options were scarce, as the place was just an outpost. The managers had set up a canteen where all the food was centralized, but the prices were rather high due to the scarcity of food in the area.


    The poorest among them had to make do with a piece of bread and a glass of water. The wealthier ones could afford better-quality bread and even a small piece of meat, accompanied by some alcohol.


    As for Shin, he was neither very rich nor very poor. He settled for a medium-quality bread with a glass of water and even managed to get some salad.


    After breakfast, everyone heading to Istria gathered in front of the carriage, which was about to set off again.


    A few deaths had occurred, freeing up some seats, and new arrivals climbed into the vehicle. Additionally, new guards had been hired, though their numbers were still not very large at the outpost.


    Around noon, the caravan resumed its journey.


    The road to Istria wasn''t very long anymore, with no more outposts separating them from the city.


    They would arrive in about two hours. In the meantime, Shin had nothing to do, so he chatted with Ryan and Edward.


    He learned that Ryan, as Shin had guessed, used to be a lumberjack. Edward, on the other hand, was once a small merchant who went bankrupt and had to retrain as a hunter. He was heading to Istria in search of job opportunities. His family¡­ had been horrifically massacred by beasts just as he was starting his business.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Shin had a pleasant time talking to them, a faint smile playing on his lips despite the haunting images still imprinted on his mind.


    After a while, the forest thinned out, and the road widened. The driver called out loudly:


    "We''ll be arriving in the city soon, get ready!"


    Shin and his two new friends stopped their conversation and got up from the ground. They checked their belongings before the carriage came to a halt.


    They exited through the back and saw the city''s wall, towering about thirty meters high. However, when they turned around¡­


    They beheld a vast city, at least forty times larger than the outpost they had just left. There were hundreds of homes and multiple neighborhoods. To the west was a gigantic market where various products were sold. Shin could imagine the mix of aromas reaching his nostrils even from a distance¡ªspices, meat, furniture wood, and many more.


    He turned his gaze towards the city center, where an enormous castle rose towards the canopy. It was the castle of the royalty of the kingdom of Osram, its black stone walls both sublime and a bit terrifying.


    To the east of the castle, standing in stark contrast with its pristine white walls, was a no less grandiose building: the Melna Academy of Magic, his destination.


    Though he couldn''t see it from where he stood, further north behind the castle was the organization that managed the hunters.


    The commercial district was where they currently were. The trade between the North and South districts was managed by the West district, hence the market.


    The remaining space in each district was dedicated to housing.


    Looking at his two new friends, Shin announced with a heavy heart:


    "It''s time to go our separate ways."


    "You said it," Ryan replied, equally disappointed.


    "Let''s try to stay in touch," Edward added.


    The two nodded in agreement, though it would be difficult with so many people in the city.


    They stood there for a few moments in silence before Ryan finally said, "Well, I''ll be off then."


    "Me too," Shin replied before turning away.


    He glanced at Melna University for a split second, motionless.


    But finally, gathering his courage, he walked towards it without looking back, the wind playing with his clothes.


    The cool air hitting his face, Shin managed a small, pained smile as his eyes took on a serious look.


    He murmured to himself, as if making a promise:


    "Lynia, I will find you. I promise."

 Chapter 6 : Melna

    Shin arrived at Melna University shortly after parting ways with Ryan and Edward. He studied the large building in more detail, admiring its subtle beauty.


    The university was made of immaculate white stone, stretching for miles in length. The stone was decorated with sublime patterns, forming a vast network. Some were most certainly imbued with magic, helping to protect and maintain the complex.


    Several large towers rose high into the sky, reaching towards the distant canopy. There were seven in total.


    The person he sought lived in one of these towers¡­ or so he had learned from rumors.


    Shin continued on his way to the entrance of the university, observing his surroundings.


    The students lived at the academy, separated from their parents most of the time. They usually had to manage their expenses themselves, so there were all sorts of shops around the building. Food shops, libraries, magic shops¡­


    Shin had already been managing his money since his orphanage was attacked.


    Smelling a tempting scent, he turned his gaze to a nearby shop that sold monster meat skewers.


    He walked towards it, taking out his money.


    "Two skewers, please," he asked the vendor.


    "Of course," the vendor replied before preparing them for him.


    Taking his food, Shin swallowed his first skewer. The juice filled his mouth with a wave of flavor. He felt the somewhat tough texture of the meat tear under his teeth.


    He stared at the second skewer with a nostalgic expression. When they were little, Shin''s mother used to buy two skewers for him and his sister. But now, he was all alone eating it¡­


    Clenching his fists, he finally decided to swallow the second piece of meat as a particularly intriguing conversation reached his ears.


    "Did you hear the latest news?" a student asked his friend with interest.


    "No, did something important happen?" she replied nonchalantly.


    "Nothing happened but¡­," he lingered.


    "What?" she pressed him.


    "I heard from a reliable source that the royal detective is coming to Melna."


    "You''re talking about Merry Darkwood, right ? The famous detective who works for the royalty¡­ Why would she come here?" she asked.


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    "I don''t know, but you have to admit it''s super intriguing!"


    "Hmmm¡­ it mostly means that something serious has or will happen. I wouldn''t be happy if I were you."


    Shin had heard of this detective before, but he didn''t know much about her other than that she had gotten her job at a young age.


    Nevertheless, a faint feeling of unease settled in his heart as he arrived in front of the large entrance gate to the university.


    He let out a sigh before taking a step towards the registration desk.


    School was starting in three days, so he wasn''t early, but he wasn''t late either.


    Behind the desk was a middle-aged man with a stern look. As Shin arrived to register, the man asked,


    "Your name and ID?"


    "Uh¡­ Shin, sir." He answered quickly, showing his card.


    The man grabbed it and searched through his list for a few seconds before confirming: "Just Shin, right?"


    "Indeed."


    "Everything is in order, you can go. Here are your room keys. Room 352."


    The man handed him his card and room key, which was quite simple: a single key with the number 352 written on it.


    Shin thanked him before entering the building and looking for a map.


    Once he had located where he was, he headed towards his room, crossing the colorful and cheerful corridors, passing through the open gardens connecting the various buildings. The flowers, the scents, the fountains, the cobblestones that seemed natural¡ªall of it was illuminated by the light of the setting sun. It was of an unreal beauty, marveling Shin.


    He stood there in the gardens, gazing at their beauty until the shadows began to lengthen.


    Returning to reality, Shin continued his way to his room.


    Eventually, he reached a door with the number 352 written on it. He knocked softly, unsure if anyone was there.


    "I''m coming."


    A teenage voice could be heard, muffled through the door.


    A minute later, the door opened to reveal a young man with messy brown hair and slightly square glasses over emerald green eyes. He had a rather athletic build and seemed confident.


    He looked at Shin nonchalantly, as if he didn''t care much.


    Shin explained,


    "Hello! I''ll be staying in this room too this year. Nice to meet you."


    "Okay. I''m Wein," he said as Shin entered the room, "The black-haired kid is Tam, and the idiot with almost white hair is Reynard¡ª"


    "Ehhh! I won''t let you, I''m not an idiot!" protested a voice from the side.


    Shin turned his head and saw a boy with almost white hair and red eyes lying on one of the beds, reading a book on fire magic.


    "Of course !" Wein waved his words away,


    "Anyway. What''s your name?"


    "Shin," he replied with a half-laugh.


    "Glad to have you here, Shin." said a voice that came from someone Shin hadn''t noticed.


    Situated in another room with an open door, Tam was busy at a workshop doing what seemed to be chemistry.


    "So, I''m the last one to arrive," Shin muttered to himself.


    The rooms were for four people, each with four workstations and four desks in a separate room. There was only one bathroom and one kitchen.


    Shin settled into the bed that wasn''t already taken, then prepared his everyday things.


    There were still three days left before school started, so Shin decided to go to the library to review his lessons and learn more about the person he was looking for...


    Outside, the birds were singing a soft mournful melody...