Inside a modest room of a well-kept house in the peaceful town of Hoshizuki, a young blond boy with unmistakable European features rubbed his eyes.
"Hurry up, Oliver. You don't want to be late again."
Oliver groaned, the sound a mix of frustration and exasperation. "I'm up, I'm up…" His voice lacked any real conviction as he swung his legs off the side of the bed. The cool wooden floor met his feet with an unwelcoming chill, its contrast to the warmth of the bed making him wish for just a few more minutes of sleep.
He pushed himself upright, dragging his fingers through his messy hair, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Can't believe it's already morning," he muttered, surveying the small room. The simple decor—modestly furnished with a bed, a worn desk, and an open window letting in the crisp morning air—seemed almost mocking. It was all too small, too confining. Even the town of Hoshizuki felt distant from the world he'd just woke up from.
That was some real fun, Oliver thought, still vividly recalling his experiences in the dream world. The memories lingered more clearly than he'd expected, as if the dream had imprinted itself into his very being.
His body, almost unconsciously, began to follow a breathing technique from that world. The rhythm felt familiar, as though it had been burned into his muscles through repetition. The technique, once learned in the dreamscape, now flowed through him like muscle memory, each breath deepening his connection to the mysterious realm he had left behind.
Oliver then looked back at his bed, lifted his pillow to reveal a small brown notebook, picked it up, and walked to the door. He pulled open the door with a groan, revealing Yumi's concerned but ever-patient expression. She was already holding his school bag in one hand, an unspoken reminder that time was always slipping away, always racing faster than he could catch up.
"Yumi, could you just give me a minute? I'm still—" Oliver began, but she interrupted him with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk.
"Didn't you say that yesterday? And the day before that? You've only got yourself to blame if you end up walking to school again, you know."
Oliver flashed her a sheepish grin, trying to ignore the guilt gnawing at him. "Alright, alright. I'm coming. Just… give me five minutes to get my head straight."
Yumi's eyes softened, and she gave a small nod before turning her attention to the little boy beside her. "Kaito-chan, say good morning to Onii-chan."
Kaito, his tiny body bundled in an oversized hoodie, blinked up at him sleepily, his mouth opening in a yawn. "Mornin', Onii-chan," he mumbled, a shy but affectionate smile playing on his lips.
Oliver's expression softened, his frustration momentarily forgotten as he reached down and ruffled Kaito's hair. "Good morning, Kaito. You sure you're not gonna be late for kindergarten?"
The little boy giggled, clearly entertained by his half-joking question, and shook his head. "I'm gonna wait for you, Onii-chan," Kaito replied with a seriousness that was entirely too mature for his age.
Oliver smiled at his words.
"Alright, five minutes," Oliver said, his tone a little more resigned as he stepped back into his room. "Then I'm up."
Yumi's smile was both knowing and a little bemused. "Five minutes, Onii-chan. I'll hold you to it."
As she turned to leave, Oliver closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment. The weight of the day still pressed down on him, but there was something about the simplicity of this moment—the small, peaceful interruptions—something that, despite everything, made him feel a little lighter.
With a deep breath, Oliver turned toward his dresser, the usual routine settling over him like a well-worn coat. It was time to face the world again.
Oliver exhaled slowly, shaking off the lingering fatigue as he moved toward his dresser. He pulled open a drawer, grabbing his school uniform—a crisp white shirt, a navy blazer, and matching trousers. The motions were mechanical, a practiced routine.
As he buttoned his shirt, he glanced at the mirror above his desk. His reflection stared back at him—sharp blue eyes, fair skin, and tousled blond hair that still refused to settle no matter how much he ran his fingers through it. He had always stood out in Hoshizuki, a town where he was one of the only foreigners. Even after years of living here, he never quite blended in.
It's been five years already…
A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts.
"Oliver, your five minutes are up!" Yumi's voice carried a teasing edge.
He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I'm almost done!"
"Not almost—you are done. Breakfast is waiting, and if you don't hurry, Kaito's gonna eat your portion," she warned.
A small smile tugged at Oliver's lips. "That little traitor..."
Hurrying to finish dressing, he grabbed his school bag and stepped into the hallway. Instead of heading straight downstairs, he turned into the bathroom, flipping on the light. The white tiles gleamed under the fluorescent glow, the faint scent of mint and citrus filling the air from the neatly arranged toiletries.
He turned on the faucet, splashing cool water onto his face, the shock of it chasing away the last remnants of drowsiness. He reached for his toothbrush, methodically brushing his teeth as he stared at himself in the mirror. The uneasy feeling from earlier lingered, like an itch in the back of his mind. Something felt off, though he couldn't quite place it.
Shaking the thought away, he rinsed his mouth, grabbed a towel to dry his face, and ran his fingers through his still-messy hair in a vain attempt to tame it. Giving up, he clicked off the light and finally made his way downstairs.
The smell of grilled fish and miso soup wafted through the air, the warmth of the kitchen drawing him in.
At the small dining table, Kaito sat happily munching on a piece of tamagoyaki, his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's. Yumi, ever composed, poured herself a cup of tea while casually scrolling through her phone. Their mother, a blond woman with warm, gentle features, sat across from them, sipping her coffee while keeping an eye on the news playing on a small kitchen TV.
Oliver dropped into his seat, grabbing a bowl of rice. "You really were gonna eat my share, huh?"
Kaito blinked innocently. "Mmm!" He swallowed and grinned. "Yumi-nee said I could have your share if you didn't show up on time"
Oliver shot Yumi a look. She merely sipped her tea, unbothered.
"You should be thanking me," she said. "At least this way, you had some motivation to get up."
He shook his head with a sigh but didn't argue. Instead, he focused on eating. But as the minutes passed, a warmth coursed through his body, slowly intensifying. It was subtle, yet distinct—like an ember flickering to life deep within his core. His breathing felt easier, his limbs lighter, as if something within him was stirring.
Oliver paused mid-bite. His fingers twitched slightly, sensing the shift within himself. What the hell…?
For a brief moment, his mind flashed back to the dream world—the countless years of cultivation, the way Qi flowed through his meridians like a second heartbeat. This feeling… it was familiar.
"Oliver?"
Yumi's voice snapped him back to reality.
He blinked, shaking his head before looking up. Yumi was watching him with a raised eyebrow. Kaito, oblivious, continued eating, while their mother glanced at him with mild concern.
"You okay? You spaced out for a second," Yumi said, eyeing him with mild concern.
"Yeah, just… tired," Oliver replied quickly, shoving another bite of rice into his mouth as if that could push away the lingering sensation.
His mother, seated at the head of the table, glanced at the clock before setting down her coffee. "Alright, let's get moving. I'll drive you all today. Kaito, you're coming too."
"Yay! I get to ride in the car with Onii-chan!" Kaito cheered, raising his arms in excitement.
Oliver exhaled, feeling the last remnants of grogginess leave his body as he pushed back from the table. The wooden chair creaked softly against the tiled floor as he stood, grabbing his school bag.
The house was modest, yet cozy—a two-story structure with warm tile floors and soft beige walls that carried a subtle scent of lavender from the diffusers his mother liked to keep around. The hallway leading to the entrance was lined with a few framed pictures—family photos capturing moments of their lives in Japan, some of Oliver as a child, his golden hair always standing out in slight defiances.
He stepped into the genkan, slipping on his shoes as Kaito eagerly pulled on his own tiny sneakers. Yumi, ever efficient, was already ready, adjusting the strap of her bag with a practiced motion. Their mother grabbed her keys from the tray near the door and slid it open, letting in the crisp morning air.
Outside, the small driveway led to a compact yet modern-looking silver minivan. It wasn't flashy, but it was reliable—practical for a family of five. Oliver pulled open the back passenger door, letting Kaito clamber in first before sliding in himself. The seats were plush, though slightly worn from years of use. Yumi took the front seat, adjusting the rearview mirror as their mother settled into the driver's seat.
As the engine hummed to life, Oliver leaned against the cool window, staring out at the streets of Hoshizuki as the car pulled out of the driveway. The town was still waking up, a blend of traditional and modern architecture lining the streets. The cherry blossom trees were bare, their skeletal branches swaying gently in the breeze, waiting for spring to breathe life back into them.
But Oliver's thoughts were elsewhere.
That warmth in his body hadn't faded.
No… if anything, it had settled deeper within him, like a quiet ember nestled in his core.
His otaku spirit stirred.
'There's no way… right?'
A wild thought crossed his mind, one that made him press his lips together to suppress a smirk. He had spent years absorbing every scrap of xianxia, wuxia, and cultivation novels he could get his hands on. If this was real—if somehow, his what he had experienced in that dream world had left something behind—then there was only one way to find out.
Qi circulation.
The thought alone sent a small thrill through him. His fingers twitched slightly as he focused inward, trying to recall the countless techniques he had memorized from those novels and, more importantly, from his own dream experience.
He took in a slow breath, steadying his mind, and focused.
The warmth in his chest pulsed faintly.
He visualized the flow of energy, the way it should move—like a river coursing through meridians, controlled and deliberate. He felt it shift, responding to his intent.
His heartbeat quickened.
Is this really happening?
But just as he tried to guide the warmth downward, an abrupt wave of dizziness hit him. His body jerked slightly, and before he could stop himself—
Thud!
His head knocked lightly against the car window.
Yumi turned around instantly, raising an eyebrow. "Did you just—"
"I—uh, yeah, I just… nodded off," Oliver muttered, rubbing the side of his head with an embarrassed chuckle.
Yumi gave him a skeptical look before turning back around. "You've been acting weird all morning…"
Oliver exhaled, leaning fully against the window as the lingering sensation faded. Maybe it really was just his imagination.
Maybe he wasn't fully awake yet.
The warmth inside him remained, but it felt less… substantial. He let out a small sigh, feeling ridiculous for even thinking it could have been real.
But deep within his body, where neither his mind nor senses could yet reach, something was stirring.
In the depths of his crystalline dantian, untouched and unknown to him, a small pool of green liquid lay still. Its surface was perfectly smooth, reflecting a clear, mirror-like sheen. But then—
Ripple.
A single tremor disturbed the stillness, barely noticeable.
And then, just as quickly, it stilled once more.
—
At Hoshizuki High School, a prestigious yet unassuming institution nestled within the quiet town, a silver Toyoma Epstima smoothly pulled into the designated drop-off area. The school's modern design blended traditional Japanese elements—wooden accents, sloped tiled roofs, and carefully maintained gardens—with sleek, contemporary architecture. A tall black gate framed the entrance, flanked by cherry blossom trees that would soon bloom with the arrival of spring. Students in navy and white uniforms moved in steady streams, some chatting in small groups, others making their way toward the main building with the sluggishness that only early mornings could bring.
The minivan rolled to a gentle stop.
"Alright, Oliver, this is your stop," his mother said, shifting into park as she glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
Oliver exhaled, grabbing his bag as he reached for the door handle. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
Kaito, still strapped in his car seat, waved enthusiastically. "Bye, Onii-chan! See you later!"
Yumi turned slightly in her seat, offering a small nod. "Try not to fall asleep in class."
Oliver rolled his eyes but smirked nonetheless. "No promises."
He swung open the door, stepping out onto the pavement as the crisp morning air greeted him. The soft hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter from students filled the atmosphere.
As he adjusted the strap of his bag, he glanced back at the car. His mother gave him a brief but warm smile before she began pulling away from the drop-off area as she still had to drop of her step daughter at her high school and then her second son at kindergarten.
Left alone amidst the bustling school crowd, Oliver exhaled deeply, shoving his hands into his pockets as he made his way toward the entrance.