"D… Dominic?"
Jake's voice cracked as if he were seeing a ghost. He took a step back, eyes wide. "How the hell are you still alive?"
Dominic didn't reply immediately.
He stood at the entrance of his sleek, obsidian-black villa—an architectural anomaly in this medieval world—arms crossed, the morning sun casting a sharp silhouette behind him. The automated gates had opened with a soft mechanical hiss, revealing the mansion's polished steel frames and solar glass. Interlocked stone roads, metal fences, and even surveillance totems marked the entrance like something carved from a sci-fi movie.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Welcome to my empire."
Before Jake or the captain could react, Annabel rushed forward, eyes glistening, and threw her arms around Dominic.
"I thought… I thought you were dead," she whispered.
Dominic didn't immediately return the hug. He simply stood still, allowing her emotions to pour out. When she finally pulled away, his lips curled ever so slightly.
"Hmm. That's new. Class prez—I didn't know you had this side of you."
"I—shut up." She looked away, cheeks burning.
The knight captain stepped forward, still processing the surreal sight. "By Dominic… do you mean the third summon?" he asked, glancing at the guards who had escorted them in.
Dominic offered a sly wave to them.
"Remember me?" he said. "C'mon, everyone. You've been standing long enough. Let's sit."
They followed him past the smooth stone path, through towering metal gates adorned with glowing runes. The interior courtyard had flower beds arranged geometrically, a solar fountain running with purified water, and a circular driveway with a… self-moving carriage parked at the side.
Marcellus, the head knight, was visibly unsettled. "What in the name of the gods… is this place?"
As they entered the villa's living room—where glass walls met polished floors and artificial lights lined the ceiling—no one spoke for a moment.
"I'm the head knight of the Royal Guard," Marcellus finally muttered. "I've been around for two decades… but this…"
He turned to Dominic, now seated confidently on a leather recliner, legs crossed.
"Wait. What happened to you? The priests and the tower mages said you were useless. No affinity. No blessing. But now… I can feel mana radiating off you—dense, and dark… and aura, too. It exceeds even the tower master."
He narrowed his eyes. "Did you deceive us from the beginning?"
Dominic's eyes sharpened at the question.
"Careful, Captain. I didn't call you here to be accused."
A beat passed.
He stood, walking over slowly, then extended a hand casually into the air. With a shimmer of light, a large crate materialized from his inventory.
The soldiers gasped.
"Let me offer you something to drink. It's not from this world, but I assure you—you'll love it."
He popped open the lid. Inside were rows of energy drinks, chilled and perfectly stacked.
He handed one to the captain, who hesitated.
"Let me help you, Captain," Dominic said with a smirk, opening the can for him.
As the knight took a sip, his eyes widened.
"By the stars…" he whispered. "This… I feel refreshed instantly. What magic is this?"
"It's called Red Bull," Jake said, stunned. "That's from Earth. How do you have it? What kind of summoning spell lets you do that?!"
He stepped forward, demanding answers—but stopped cold as Dominic flicked him a side-eye.
The pressure was immediate.
Jake gulped and sat back down.
Dominic pulled out another crate and passed it around. "I call it a taste of home. A gift… for honored guests."
Annabel stood, quietly scanning the walls, the ceilings, the automated blinds—things that shouldn't exist. "Can I look around?" she asked softly.
Dominic nodded. "Go ahead."
As she disappeared around the hallway, Marcellus lowered his drink and leaned in.
"Listen, I know we treated you poorly. But the king… he was trying to protect the kingdom. He believed the prophecy mattered more than one summon. It wasn't personal."
Dominic's jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm.
"Please, Captain. Don't rub salt into a scar I haven't healed yet."
Silence followed.
Annabel returned shortly, awe still written on her face. She sat beside Dominic this time—closer than before.
"Hey," she said. "I know I didn't say anything when they dragged you away. I should've. I just… I was scared. And I don't know what you've been through to become like this. But… I'm glad you're okay."
Dominic looked at her, expression unreadable.
"Thanks, Anny."
She blinked. "Anny?"
He turned away, but she blushed.
"Hey," Jake spoke up nervously. "I'm not a psycho or anything. I'm not here for revenge. Let's just… work together, alright? We're from the same world. Homies, yeah?"
Dominic gave him a slow, neutral look.
"We'll see."
As the sun began to set, the air around the group softened. They shared drinks, exchanged stares, and slowly came to grips with the new Dominic. The power, the environment, the confidence—it was all alien.
Marcellus stood. "I must ask," he said, more respectfully this time. "These dungeons that have gone quiet across the forest… was it you who cleared them?"
Dominic smiled.
"That's for the king to find out."
The captain narrowed his eyes—but didn't press further.
"We'll return to the palace now," he said. "We'll report everything."
Dominic walked them out, pausing near the gates. His voice dropped low.
"Tell the king I appreciate his 'gift.' The forest is in good hands now."
He turned his back as the automatic gate began to close.
Behind him, Annabel glanced back one last time. Jake remained silent, but his eyes held more questions than ever.
And inside, Dominic stood tall—one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cold can—watching the stars flicker above his domain.