A few minutes earlier...
Evo pulled a vial from his ring, a small container filled with a bluish liquid. He opened the lid and poured the substance over the body lying on the ground — a body whose condition wasn't even worth describing.
The liquid dripped down and soaked every part of the corpse. The strong smell rising in the air made it clear it was something flammable. Truthfully, no one knew why Evo was carrying something like that.
As he poured the liquid, Evo watched with sorrowful eyes. Not because of the dead man — but because he himself wasn't well. There was a deep sadness in him, and even with the death of his enemies, he didn't feel relieved or satisfied.
He felt empty. He had lost interest in everything; everything had become dull and monotonous.
Another important point was that he hadn't uncovered everything 100%, but he had enough clues. Enough to suspect that everything he was living through might not be real. It felt forced, like something crafted with the sole purpose of hurting him.
He didn't understand how he had ended up in that situation. It was ridiculous and, at the same time, too real to be true. Contradictory and enigmatic — some things didn't connect, had no logic, yet many others made perfect sense. His mind twisted into a maze just thinking about it.
What confirmed the sinister theater he was trapped in were the main weapons his tormentor had used to hurt him:
Freya and Ravina.
After taking a moment to think logically, Evo realized that those two would have noticed intruders the moment they stepped foot anywhere near the Academy. Perhaps even sooner than that.
Detecting students was harder. They were familiar faces from the kingdom itself, with no obscure backgrounds. The overwhelming majority came from important and active families within the empire.
But the enemies who attacked today had never once set foot here.
And since both Freya and Ravina were powerful, they could sense the mana signatures of everyone who entered the Academy. A signature revealed a lot about who you truly were.
That's why people who could read mana signatures were incredibly hard to fool.
Even the Dragon Kingdom sought and hired such rare individuals. That alone showed how valuable they were.
If you were born with that ability, your life was guaranteed.
And another thing echoed relentlessly in Evo's mind: it was absurd to imagine Freya and Ravina being trapped — or killed — the way they had been shown. They would obliterate those fools with ease.
– Arrrr... – Evo sighed, placing the vial back into his ring.
– These events are too strange – he muttered.
– I was stupid to believe such lies. I should've thought properly... but I guess I can't blame myself either. – He ran a hand through his hair, the strands shimmering under the night glow.
Looking toward the forest behind him, he continued:
– When something involves those two, I completely lose my mind. The evidence could be right in front of my eyes and I still wouldn't notice.
– Well! – Evo shrugged and snapped his fingers. A spark of mana popped into existence and fell onto the corpse.
Fire spread instantly, fueled by the flammable liquid. The flames illuminated the clearing, flickering in Evo's tired eyes.
– But none of this changes the fact that... I never want to see that scene again.
– So what I have to do doesn't change.
As if remembering something obvious, Evo spoke in a monotone voice:
– Oh right... this was the first time I killed someone.
............. – I think I went too far.
A single tear traced down one side of his face. Realizing he had taken a life for the first time, he honestly didn't know how to react.
He didn't regret it — he would do it all again and kill the traitor once more. But he did feel he had gone overboard.
Maybe making him feel a bit of pain before killing him would've been enough.
Amid the flames, the young man's face became visible — twisted in agony, frozen in the moment before death. His face was contorted and mangled.
Evo glanced to his right, where several scattered vials lay across the ground.
He took a few steps and stopped in front of them. They were healing potion bottles — the ones he had used on Talier to prolong the torture.
There were at least thirty of them.
Evo crouched and began gathering the vials, placing them into his spatial ring.
– Better clean up this trash instead of leaving the place messy. I'll have to buy more potions... only five left.
– Ahh, I wonder... – Evo looked up at the sky – If the person who put me in this hell will simply take me out of here.
– Whoever they are, they must really hate me... and they're definitely powerful.
– I doubt they'll let me leave peacefully.
He ruffled his hair in frustration.
– Ahh, man... what the hell did I do for someone to hate me this much?
He questioned aloud, exhausted.
He looked around once again, activating his Eyes of Pride.
Everything seemed normal — except for one detail: the air was thick with mana fluctuations, as if someone had released a powerful spell and traces of it lingered everywhere.
But here, the traces were everywhere. That wasn't normal at all.
Another undeniable sign that something was wrong with this world.
– Didn't notice this before... but it's pretty obvious.
[ Notification! ]
– Hm? The system?
Evo had practically forgotten it existed.
– I forgot about it... but why pop up now?
[ New Mission ]
Active Mission: Escape this world created with distorted and malevolent intentions.
Time Limit: None
Reward: Obtain the [Dreams & Nightmares Element] and [Jump directly to the maximum level of your class] + One Title!
Failure: Remain trapped forever in this false, endless nightmare.
Evo examined the information carefully. He didn't know if the mission was easy, difficult, or outright impossible — especially since he had no idea who the aggressor was. But one thing was certain, confirming his suspicions:
– So it was all a lie. I knew it!
– Well, at least the mission rewards are good.
He analyzed them and noticed something curious:
– Weird... never heard of this element before.
– Could it be some kind of hidden element? The name sounds threatening and inviting at the same time. Hahaha... what a utopia.
– Jumping straight to level 70 is also an amazing gain. From the next stage of Existence up to the highest known level, it only gets harder and more time-consuming.
– And the title... honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I know titles grant benefits — mostly passive ones. I hope it's something good, but I don't want to get my hopes up.
– It doesn't even say what the title is or what it does... guess I'll have to wait.
Tsk! – Evo clicked his tongue.
– Stingy system.
– Anyway, I should go. The others are waiting. The body's already reduced to ashes, so it's time to leave.
He looked back at the pile of embers and ash, then spoke one final time:
– Maybe you'll get a chance, just like I did. And if you do... live properly. Don't hurt others for selfish gain.
He was talking to no one. He didn't know if the words would reach anywhere. He knew Talier was alive outside this fake world. But even so, he made his wish — almost silently.
He walked through the dark forest along the narrow trail. The hoots of distant owls echoed through the night.
Far ahead, several hundred meters away, he could see lights from the hall, and even farther, smoke and the sound of breaking things.
– They should finish them off soon – Evo muttered, spotting the direction where Ravina and Freya were destroying the two invaders.
After some walking, he reached the hall. Hands in his pockets, he looked over the sea of people filling the place.
In a calmer area above the main hall, he spotted the Order members waiting for him.
He climbed the stairs, overhearing their conversation.
– He'll be fine! And if he's not, we'll find someone who can help him.
– I hope so becau—
He arrived just as Silentia was speaking.
– Hm? What are you guys talking about?
Evo narrowed his eyes, curious.
– Veyrath! – they all called out in unison.
– Oh? Missed me that much?
The mask that hid his pain and displayed tranquility settled over him once again, accompanied by a playful smile.
– Yeah, Veyrath!
– Yes, Velra, what is it?
He turned toward her. She stood by the railing, her eyes insecure and filled with doubt.
He was acting as if everything were fine. It felt strange — and she was anxious. She didn't know if she should ask, if it was right to pry. If he was insisting on acting calm, maybe she shouldn't force it.
But she decided to ask anyway.
– A-Are you—
She was interrupted by a voice ahead of her, firm and anguished.
– Why are you acting like you're fine, Veyrath?
It was Luneth, her eyes locked onto his.
Evo flinched slightly — surprised by the sudden boldness of the usually serene Luneth. Her trembling eyes demanded an answer.
He stared at her, unsure of what to do. He had been caught off guard — completely exposed. His mind froze, forcing him to dodge the question.
– Hm? How are things in here? Any trouble?
He glanced around, breaking eye contact.
– Don't change the subject! Answer me!
– Why are you pretending like this?
She bit her lip, clearly nervous. She wasn't angry at him, but at the way he was handling everything.
She didn't want him suffering alone in silence. She wanted to help him — it was her duty as his assistant and companion.
Evo froze under her outburst, his eyelids trembling faintly.
Veyrath now faced a strange dilemma — one he had never dealt with before.
This woman… she's sharp. Too perceptive, Evo thought.
He wouldn't admit anything.
He had to find a way out of this embarrassing situation.
Evo Eylam will not show this kind of weakness in front of anyone — he repeated in his mind.
But maybe... just this once... things wouldn't go the way he wanted.
Luneth, at that moment, had become a hound locked onto a bone — and she would not let go.