Meanwhile on Earth, the early morning sun was just beginning to peak through the kitchen blinds.
"Kagen sweetie, are you sure that you don't want to eat your breakfast?... you need something in your system."
Kagen shook his head absentmindedly as he curled his tall frame on the couch, watching the silent TV as the soft, flickering light helped him think deeply. His mind was miles away, trapped in memories of another world.
Mellisa set a plate down on the dining table, looking over at her brother with a thoughtful frown.
"Come to think of it, I came across a novel online today. The coincidence in terms of similarity between the Lucien character and the real one we saw was crazy. The description fitted your boyfriend's appearance—it was exactly the same as I saw him. Add on to the way he talked, behaved, and acted as a knight when he was around. It was truly a crazy coincidence."
Kagen immediately sat up straight, turning to look at his little sister, Mellisa.
His eyes wide open.
"What?... you have found the novel already?, where is it, can you show it to me?"
Mellisa shrieked, taking a step back as Kagen's sudden outburst startled her.
"Calm down! You almost made me drop the plate!"
But Kagen didn't slow down. He hurried over to the dining table to join her, his eyes wide with an intense, desperate light.
"Mellisa, it is good that you finally found the novel, now I have hope that I will be able to leave and follow Lucien to Edrath!"
Mellisa stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"What are you talking about Kagen?, and what does the novel have anything to do with Lucien's leave?, isn't he abroad?"
Kagen looked at her for a moment, the heavy silence hanging between them. He let out a long, weary sigh, settling himself down to eat breakfast as he summarized the whole experience inside the novel.
He told her everything. He spoke about the realm of Edrath, the grand estates, the heavy burden of magic and mana, and the deep promises made between men bound by duty and soul. The more that he talked, the more absurd and unbelievable the story sounded. But as he continued to even mention the names of the characters, their livelihood, and the exact details of the kingdom, Mellisa instantly linked the information with the novel she had been reading.
Every single detail was accurate. The names, the places, the conflict—it matched word for word.
Mellisa's hands trembled slightly as she looked at her brother.
"Kagen, are you sure you have never read this novel before?"
"I am one hundred percent sure."
"How is that possible?, I usually only read about these things. Transmigration, reincarnation, possession and so on."
Kagen leaned across the table, his gaze locking onto hers with absolute seriousness.
"In fifteen months, Mellisa, you will find a key for me to leave in the dark web you always immerse yourself in. And Mellisa, you are my only hope, so please help me and navigate the web sooner, okay?"
Just like that, Kagen's hope to leave Earth was fully restored.
*****