During dinner, the warm glow of the lanterns did little to ease the tension in the air.
"So, Rai, is your Guild Test tomorrow?" Robert asked casually, but the weight in his voice betrayed his concern.
Raizel set his spoon down and met his father's gaze. "Yes, Father. I have to report to their branch by 10 in the morning."
Robert hesitated, his eyes searching his son's face as if memorizing every detail. Then, with a slow breath, he spoke.
"Son, your mother and I know we can't stop you from following your dream. But please, promise us you'll take care of yourself. If anything were to happen to you…" His voice wavered for a moment before he steadied it. "We wouldn't be able to bear it."
His mother reached out, gently taking Raizel's hand in hers. Her touch was warm, trembling slightly. "You are our precious child, Raizel. More valuable than any power or luxury this world could offer. If our lives were to change for the better, but at the cost of your blood, it would be unbearable—not just for us, but for any parents." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Do you understand?"
Raizel felt the weight of their love pressing against his chest, heavy yet comforting. He swallowed, then nodded firmly. "I understand, Mother. Father. I promise I'll stay safe. I won't take unnecessary risks."
Then, he smiled—a bright, reassuring smile meant to push away their fears, even if only by a fraction.
His parents exchanged a glance, their worries still lingering, but softened by his words. The room fell into a fragile silence, broken only by the quiet clinking of utensils as they resumed their meal.
---
After dinner, Raizel returned to his room and opened the System Panel.
He needed just over 6,000 EXP. Could he achieve that before the night ended?
With that thought, he made his decision.
[ Do you wish to enter The Supreme Game? ]
[ Yes ]
Plop!
In an instant, Raizel was pulled from his room—vanishing straight from his bed.
When his vision returned, he found himself back in the Guest Room, right where they had left off.
Time didn't stop here. It flowed differently from Earth.
The golden morning sunlight spilled through the windows, blending with the lingering chill of the previous night. The world outside was already stirring, but one thing was missing—Kierra still hadn't arrived.
That meant he'd have to explore alone for now.
Before stepping out, Raizel summoned his pet—Oscar, the Grabby Monkey cub.
The small creature appeared before him, its tiny paws twitching as it adjusted to being summoned. As Raizel lifted Oscar into his hands, he noticed something.
"You've grown a little, haven't you?" he murmured, inspecting the cub with a faint smile.
Oscar chittered in response, tilting his head curiously.
Raizel sighed. "If I'd gotten my hands on a Blood Moon Flower, you would have already evolved."
His voice carried a trace of regret. Even now, he lamented missing that chance. But he knew the truth—trying to snatch it back then would have been suicide.
Anyway...
Shrugging off the thought, Raizel set out, determined to make the best use of the 8 to 10 hours he had before the Guild Test.
With his Steel Sword in hand, he walked through the village streets—only to notice the villagers casting him surprised looks.
"Hey, look! The Mage has reappeared in our village!"
"It's really him! They both vanished so suddenly. The entire village was stunned when we heard the news!"
"They're incredible mages, aren't they? How enviable… If only I could become one, I'd have set out on an adventure long ago."
"Hah! Old man, one of your feet is already in the grave! Stop dreaming nonsense." A young warrior chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, let's go meet the Mage. The Village Chief wanted to see them, remember?"
A few villagers hesitantly approached Raizel. But he remained calm, observing their expressions as they drew near.
"Honorable Mage, we're pleased to see you among us once again," the young warrior said with a respectful bow. "We were worried when you two vanished last night. May we ask… where is your partner?"
The others bowed slightly as well, waiting for his response.
Raizel raised a brow. "She had some important business to take care of. Why? Is there something urgent?"
"N-no, nothing urgent, sire…" another villager stammered. "But the Village Chief wishes to meet you both. Most likely to express his gratitude."
"I see…" Raizel said thoughtfully.
He nodded, a plan already forming in his mind. "Very well. Lead me to the Village Chief. I'll meet him."
"Well, alright, sire. Please follow us!"
Raizel followed the villagers through the village's winding, zigzagging pathways. The uneven dirt roads and tightly packed houses made navigation confusing, but the villagers moved with ease, accustomed to the layout.
Along the way, a few children ran up to him, eyes wide with excitement.
"Sir Mage, can you show us some magic?" one of them asked eagerly.
"Yeah! Just a little!" another chimed in, bouncing on his feet.
Raizel hesitated before waving them off with an awkward chuckle. "Maybe another time."
He wasn't a mage, after all. No need to embarrass himself.
The children's modd fell, but they didn't het to complain with the adults present.
Eventually, they arrived at a large wooden house with a sprawling green tree standing tall in front of it. Its thick branches stretched wide, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
One of the villagers stepped forward and called out loudly.
"Village Chief! Village Chief!"
"The Honorable Guest is here to meet you!"
"The Mage has been found!"
Their voices carried through the quiet morning air. Moments later, the wooden door creaked open, revealing an old man standing in the doorway.
Despite his age, there were no signs of frailty in his posture. His back was straight, his hair was gray, yet his body looked strong and well-maintained. His piercing gaze swept over the group before settling on Raizel.
"Village Chief…" the villagers muttered with deep respect, bowing slightly.
The old man exhaled sharply. "Enough. I've heard already. You can all leave now."
His voice was firm, carrying the authority of years of leadership.
"Y-Yes, Village Chief! Have a nice day!"
With that, the villagers both young and old hurried away, leaving Raizel alone with the Village Chief.
"Come inside, esteemed Guest. We can talk peacefully there."
Raizel nodded and followed him to the inside of the house.