Leveling up the World

Chapter 450: Invisible Choices

Extending to five times in size, the whip blade twisted through the air, slashing the threads of air currents that held the glasses in the air. However, it wasnt the endpoints that Dallion was targeting, but rather the source. Razor sharp fragments of indestructible sky silver sliced inches away from the furys body. Losing their connection to her, the glasses poured onto the floor and counter like puppets that had had their strings cut. One of them spilled the orange liquid, creating a small puddle. However, this time Dallion didnt lose any health.

That one, he pointed to the glass.

Just as he expected, all the glasses merged into one.

Good guess. The fury used a thread to put the glass back on the counter. The moment she did, a green rectangle emerged in front of Dallion.

You have broken through your forty-fifth barrier.

Your level has increased to 45.

Choose the trait that will serve you best.

Thats it? Dallion asked in near disbelief.

You thought thered be more? The fury filled the glass, then poured herself one as well. Youve figured out the principle. From here on, itll all be the same. I can fill this entire room with glasses and youll still guess which one has the drink.

Because Im proactive and not reactive, Dallion said, remembering her words.

Like with all trials, it made a whole lot more sense now that he had completed it. This was a test of many things, but most of all, it was a lesson on how to deal with the mage in the real world. Dallion didnt know magic, he didnt even know what was possible and what not. The only thing he knew for certain was that in order for a spell to be cast, a pattern was needed. If he could find a way to disrupt the pattern, hed ruin the spell.

What trait should I value the most? he asked, looking at the five options beneath the green rectangle. Reaction?

Reaction is good for bards and mages, not so much for you. Not now, at least.

Why do you think so?

Because youre thinking it, she smirked. Im an embodiment of your thoughts, remember?

That she was, which meant that her answer was as good as Dallions. After close to a minute hesitation, he decided to go with reaction after all. There was no way he could go wrong with having fast reflexes, especially since that was a trait he had been neglecting lately.

The moment he made his choice, Diroh disappeared, along with the bar and all the shelves. That was a pityDallion could have used a bar in his realm. Maybe at some point hed have Gen make one.

It took you longer than it should have, Nil said with slight disappointment. I would have expected you to figure it out by the third round.

Im glad you have such a high opinion of me. Dallion closed his eyes again. Even after the end of the trial, the pain hadnt gone away completely. Whats next? Do I get to face the rest of the hunter party?

Whats next is you getting some rest. Youre given the option to rest between trials, so take advantage.

As tempting as that sounded, Dallion would have preferred if he didnt. Every moment here made his return to the real world more difficult. That was one of the basic principles of awakeneddont level up during a fight unless you absolutely have to. In more cases than not, it was the slight disorientation after leaving ones personal realm that brought defeat.

Ariel was waiting for Dallion as he left the trial room. The echo didnt seem the least concerned with that had happened, as if hed known the entire time that it would be a success.

The next will be physical, Ariel said with certainty.

You know something I dont? Dallion asked, shielding his eyes from the sun. Bright light didnt help the pain he was feeling.

Because youre weak.

Harsh. One thing about echoes was that they always spoke their mind.

Okay, youre weakened, Ariel corrected. Your greatest fear right now is to face something that would take advantage of that weakness, and so it will.

You make it sound so simple.

Its usually simple when you think about it. Nils right, by the way. You need a bit of rest. Youve already been in the real world long enough to forget the real world, so at least maximize your stay.

There was no point in arguing. Dallion conceded the point and agreed to be taken to the realms bedroom. The building had been built exclusively for him. Echoes, guardians, and familiarswith the exception of Noxdidnt sleep. Awakened, in contrast, usually had to. Originally, Gen had built it so that Dallion could rest while walking through the wilderness. As such, he was still annoyed that Dallion preferred the traditional methods of sleeping in items. There had been a few discussions on the topic, but no matter what was said, Dallion stuck to the old tried-and-true methods, despite having no logical reason behind it.

The bedroom was the top of a three-story towerone large circular room with a single large bed inside. All the walls were made of water that thoughtfully turned opaque when one wanted it to.

Sleep caught up to Dallion the moment he lay down. And with sleep came dreams. This time Dallion found himself in the middle of an ocean on a raft made of clouds. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but water. There was no sun, not even moons, the sky was covered with thousands of stars forming constellations. Looking closely, Dallion could see that part of the stars were green, while all the rest were the usual whitish-yellow.

Not a bad view, a voice said beside Dallion.

Turning around, he saw an old man in a green mages robe. There were a multitude of emblems embroidered on the green fabric: symbols, numbers, even what looked like chemical formulas. Despite that, Dallion immediately recognized who he was talking to.

I must be in trouble, he said.

What makes you think that? the green mage asked.

You only show up when Im in trouble. So, what did I do wrong this time?

Nothing yet. Youve not done anything right, either. The mage summoned a staff, then raised it to point at the stars. Do you know what those are?

Your stars? Dallion asked.

The question made the man smile. It was definitely an amusing take, created by accident. That was one of the things about this type of dream: here, Dallion could do nothing but speak his mind without anything to hide.

Theyre skills you have learned.

And the yellow ones?

Those that you can learn.

Dallion stood up, as if to get a better view. Compared to the skills hed learned, everything else was an ocean. It seemed that he hadnt learned even a percent of what there was. Thinking about it, that was to be expected. Lately he had been focusing on increasing his traits and existing skill groups, rather than exploring new individual skills.

Youre very lucky, the mage continued. Theres almost nothing you cant learn. Most people in this world would have most of the sky in red.

So, everyone has this dream?

The dream is a metaphor, a metaphor of you. At present, youre focusing on making the stars brighter, rather than making more of them green. The man lowered his staff. Im not here to tell you whats right or wrong. Im just here to show you what you are up against.

The mage knows all that? Dallion should have felt terrified, but in his dream, he only felt impressed.

The world knows all that. The mage is just part of the world. Youve already gone beyond the point that you need our protection. Youre just a small spark, but people are starting to notice you. And theres nothing more than most wouldnt like than to snuff you out before you become a threat. The mage is nothing in the grand scheme of things, although she must still get to end you.

Youre dark today.

Thats the price of talking with you through dreams, the mage frowned. If we were in an awakening shrine wed have a normal conversation. Instead, I have to be like this. He pointed at his robe.

I dont know. I think it suits you. Dallion chuckled.

I cant help you on this one.

Why are you here, then? Doesnt that defeat the purpose?

I can still warn you. The mage raised his staff and poked Dallion in the chest. Youre still focusing on the wrong things. Just like you were in your trial.

I passed it, Dallion countered. That means Ive learned what to focus on.

Youre only proving my point. Youre focusing on a puzzle piece, nothing more. At this point, you dont even know the big picture despite all the clues youre already been given. From your perspective, they dont even seem like clues, but random events by no means connected to one another. Thats not how life in this world works.

Are you saying that everything is preordained and things are fated to happen?

Quite the opposite. Im saying that there are forces constantly pulling you in different directions. Im doing it and Im a lot less subtle than most. Youre like the ball in a pinball machine. The only moment youre fully free is when you first awaken. After that, all you could do is choose which stream to follow, whether you recognize it as a stream or not. You still have a choice, you just dont make it. The best you can do is find the choices others offer that coincide with your own.

Maybe it was due to the effect of the dream, but the explanation sounded deep. All this time Dallion had been doing exactly what others wanted him to do. The really mind boggling thing was that he wasnt following one person, or even a group of people with similar interests, but he was following everyone around him. Every single person, item, or area hed seen had had an effect on him. Thats why he had joined the guild, why he had become indented to the general, why he was living with Eury even That also explained why powerful races at the peak of their might followed the Star into banishment and near obscurity.

The first rule when making a deal with a monsterdont, Dallion thought.

Do I ever get to create choices for myself or just for others? he asked.

Its too early for me to give you an answer, the mage replied.

That sounds like a yes.

Then consider it a yes.

There was a small burst of euphoria, yet it quickly faded away. Even with such an answer, Dallion was left with enough doubt to remain unsure.

Will you tell me when I find the dragonlet? he asked.

You seem to have things backwards. Ive already given you a reward for that task. At the end of the day, debts are nothing but rewards for tasks not yet completed.

But when I find it, I can ask for another boon and pay back my debt later? Dallion persisted.

Sneaky. The mage smiled. Though not as sneaky as you think you are. Youre not the first to come up with this idea. My answer is that when you fulfill your promise, then youll learn. Of course, in order to fulfill it, youll have to survive. The man drew a pattern of symbols in the air and levitated upwards. See you next time youre in trouble.

Was there any point in this conversation? Dallion shouted as the mage moved higher up into the sky. Of course, there was, came the reply. What you do with it is up to you. After all, thats the choice youre allowed to make.

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