The room was quiet.
Morning sunlight slipped through the thin curtains, spreading gently across the wooden floor. Dust floated lazily in the golden light, drifting up and down like tiny stars.
On the soft bed, Mingzhe slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he did not move.
The memories from last night were still fresh in his mind. The conversation with Yize, the truth about the system, and the promise of the journey ahead. He blinked slowly and stared at the ceiling.
"So… today is the day."
A small ball of white fluff suddenly floated up from beside the pillow.
[Good morning, Host!]
Mingzhe turned his head slightly and looked at the fluffy creature. Even though he had already learned the truth about Yize, seeing the once carefree young man turned into a floating ball of fur still felt… strange.
The fluffy ball bounced happily in the air.
[Host slept very well last night. Physical condition: excellent! Mental condition: stable!]
Mingzhe let out a small chuckle and sat up on the bed.
"You sound like a health report."
[That is also part of my function!] Yize replied proudly.
Mingzhe pushed aside the blanket and walked toward the window. Outside, the city was already waking up. Cars moved along the streets and distant voices echoed faintly between the buildings.
For the last year, this had been his peaceful life.
Running the café. Meeting customers. Listening to Yize complain about work. Watching the sunset every evening.
But today… things would change.
Mingzhe placed one hand lightly against the cool window glass and looked up at the pale blue sky.
Somewhere in the countless universes beyond this sky… the man he loved was waiting. Or perhaps… lost.
"Yize," Mingzhe called softly.
The fluffy ball floated closer.
[Yes, Host?]
"Are you ready?"
Yize paused for a moment before bouncing twice in the air.
[System energy stable. Transmission channel prepared.]
A small golden glow slowly appeared around the fluffy body.
[Host can begin the first world journey at any time.]
Mingzhe remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he smiled gently.
"Let's go find him."
The golden light suddenly expanded, filling the entire room like a rising tide.
Wind began to swirl around Mingzhe's body. The space around him twisted slightly, as if reality itself had been folded like a thin sheet of paper.
Yize's voice echoed clearly in the glowing space.
[First world transmission starting.]
[Destination: World One.]
[Identity preparation… complete.]
The light flashed brightly. And in the next second, Mingzhe disappeared from the room.
....................
The world returned quietly.
There was no thunder, no blinding light this time. Only a soft sensation, like drifting through warm water.
Then Mingzhe felt grass beneath his fingers.
The scent of earth and leaves filled the air.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Above him stretched a wide sky, pale blue and dotted with thin clouds drifting lazily in the morning wind. Sunlight filtered through the branches of a large tree overhead, scattering trembling patches of gold across the ground.
For a moment, Mingzhe simply lay there.
The breeze brushed gently across his cheek, carrying with it faint sounds of voices and footsteps somewhere nearby.
Then a familiar fluffy figure floated into his field of vision.
[Host!]
The small white ball bobbed anxiously in the air.
[Transmission completed successfully!]
Mingzhe blinked once before sitting up slowly. Grass slid softly beneath his palm as he pushed himself upright.
"…Good morning, Yize."
The fluffy ball puffed up proudly.
[Good morning, Host! Welcome to the first world!]
Mingzhe glanced around.
A long paved path curved through a spacious campus lawn not far away. Groups of young people walked along it, some carrying books while others chatted lazily with friends.
Tall academic buildings rose in the distance, their windows reflecting the bright morning sun.
"Human university," Mingzhe murmured.
Yize spun in the air like a tiny excited comet.
[Correct! This world is categorized as a modern technological civilization. Host's current location is Qingyuan University.]
Mingzhe dusted a few blades of grass from his sleeve before standing up.
"So this is where we start."
The fluffy ball floated beside his shoulder and a faint golden panel flickered into existence in front of them.
[System briefing will begin.]
Lines of glowing information appeared one after another.
Identity: Mingzhe
Age: 21
Occupation: Third-year university student
Department: Literature
Primary Task: Graduate with outstanding academic results.
Mingzhe read the panel quietly.
"…That sounds very simple."
[Correct.]
Yize bobbed twice.
[Master designed this world to be low difficulty for Host's first experience.]
Mingzhe's fingers brushed lightly across the floating panel before it faded away.
"And the secondary tasks?"
The fluffy ball rotated slowly.
[Host may encounter individuals with strong wishes. If Host helps them resolve their difficulties, rewards will be granted.]
Mingzhe nodded thoughtfully.
"So the goal is simply to live well."
[Yes!]
Yize sounded extremely pleased.
[Host will attend classes, experience campus life, and gradually search for Master's presence in this world.]
Mingzhe tilted his head slightly.
"Have you detected him yet?"
The fluffy ball became very still. A faint scanning light pulsed around it. After several seconds, Yize answered carefully.
[…No confirmed detection of Master's soul fragment.]
Mingzhe did not look disappointed. Instead, a faint smile curved his lips.
"He always liked hiding."
Yize bounced lightly.
[However, Master personally arranged Host's identity in this world.]
The fluffy ball's voice softened.
[That means Master must have been here before and is 100% still here.]
Mingzhe's gaze drifted across the campus again.
Students walked beneath rows of green trees. Laughter rose occasionally from groups gathered along the paths.
An ordinary human world.
"…Then we'll find him eventually."
Yize brightened immediately. [Yes, Host!]
Mingzhe brushed the last bit of grass from his sleeve and stepped onto the paved path leading toward the campus buildings.
Morning had fully arrived at Qingyuan University.
The sprinklers near the lawn clicked softly as they watered the grass. Sparrows hopped along the red-brick paths searching for crumbs, their tiny chirps blending with the low murmur of student conversations.
Sunlight spilled across the pale stone buildings, turning their walls into warm shades of honey.
Students moved everywhere.
Some hurried toward lectures with messy hair and unfinished breakfasts in hand. Others strolled lazily while sipping iced coffee or scrolling through their phones.
Mingzhe walked quietly among them.
His calm presence seemed oddly out of place among the bustling crowd.
A girl jogging past suddenly slowed down.
"Did you see him?"
Her friend turned around immediately.
"…Oh."
Mingzhe remained completely unaware. His hazel eyes wandered across the campus slowly, absorbing every detail.
"Human universities are lively."
The fluffy ball floating beside him bobbed enthusiastically.
[According to the database, university campuses are one of the most socially active environments among young adults.]
Mingzhe hummed softly.
"I can see that."
A group of boys rushed past them laughing loudly. One nearly collided with Mingzhe before stumbling to a stop.
"Ah—sorry!"
"It's alright," Mingzhe replied gently.
The boy froze.
"…Uh."
His friend immediately dragged him away.
"Dude stop staring!"
"I wasn't staring!"
"You totally were!"
Their voices faded down the path.
Yize floated closer to Mingzhe.
[Host has already attracted attention.]
Mingzhe tilted his head slightly. "Have I?"
[Yes.] The fluffy ball spun proudly.
[Host's appearance rating in this world would be classified as extremely high, probably 3S!]
Mingzhe chuckled softly.
"That sounds troublesome isn't it?"
They continued walking until a wide campus square appeared ahead.
At its center stood a large stone fountain where water cascaded down several marble tiers. Students gathered around its edge, chatting while reviewing notes between classes.
The sunlight glittered across the falling water. Mingzhe slowed his steps. For a moment, he simply watched.
Then a memory surfaced quietly.
"Mingzhe, have you ever seen a human university?"
The deep voice had carried a teasing warmth. Mingzhe had been lying comfortably against a broad chest at the time, lazily flipping through a book he barely intended to read.
"No," he replied honestly. Why asking this now, though?
The man's arms tightened around him slightly. "Then one day I'll take you to see one."
Mingzhe lifted his head."Why?"
A chuckle vibrated beneath his cheek.
"Because young humans are interesting creatures." The man tapped the page of Mingzhe's book. "They complain about exams like the world is ending, yet they laugh with their friends five minutes later."
Mingzhe blinked."That sounds contradictory."
"Exactly." The man kissed his temple lightly. "Humans live short lives, but they experience everything intensely."
His green eyes softened. "I thought you might enjoy watching them."
The memory faded slowly.
The fountain water splashed gently in the present.
Mingzhe smiled faintly.
"…You really did take me to see one."
Yize tilted curiously. [Host?]
Mingzhe shook his head lightly. "Nothing."
He turned toward the tree-lined path leading deeper into the campus.
"Well then."
He adjusted the strap of his bag.
"If I'm going to graduate with flying colors…"
His eyes drifted once more across the lively campus.
"I should probably attend my lectures."
The fluffy ball spun excitedly. [Yes, Host!]
And far across the campus, beyond the academic buildings, the glass roof of a large botanical greenhouse gleamed quietly beneath the morning sun.
Inside it, rows of green plants grew silently toward the light.