"Darkness."
"A deep and profound darkness."
"In this darkness, the boy's consciousness gradually returned."
"Where?"
"What is this place?"
"Where am I?"
As the boy's consciousness became clearer, he began to ask.
Endless darkness enveloped him, silent, without any response.
The boy's hopes grew increasingly faint as he examined himself but could see nothing.
The confusion in his heart grew stronger.
"So, who am I?"
"Who am I?"
"Why am I trapped here?"
Awakened, the boy grew impatient. Though darkness was safe, it was unchanging, like a prison that held him captive.
Naturally, he began to wish to break free, to leave this place.
"I want to leave!"
"But where should I go?"
"Is there a way for me to follow?"
"Is there a way out?"
As if responding to his confusion, a faint light appeared in the darkness.
The light was orange.
Very faint.
It seemed to appear and disappear.
Yet in this total darkness, even the faintest orange light was glaringly obvious.
It captured all of the boy's attention.
The boy struggled to move closer to the faint light.
He didn't know how long it took, but he seemed to get closer to the orange light, which also appeared slightly larger.
"What is that place?"
"Can it lead me out?"
Longing to escape the darkness, the boy moved urgently toward the orange light.
At that moment,
"Roar!!!"
A deafening beastly roar suddenly shook the entire dark space.
The orange light, like a frightened creature, instantly extinguished, startling the boy awake.
As he opened his eyes, he saw a giant wolf descending from the sky, jaws open to devour him!
The boy was still lying on the ground.
His mind was blank, filled with terror, but his body reacted instinctively.
Turned over and kicked!
At that moment, his whole body was like a ballista, his leg like a launched arrow.
Bang!
The boy's foot struck the giant wolf's belly, sending it flying.
The boy propped himself up with his hands, pushing hard to stand up.
"Someone?" As he rose, he caught a glimpse of a girl, Zi Di.
Though he only caught a glimpse, there was no time to think.
The giant wolf posed a strong threat, shaking him to the core.
Panic spread rapidly in his heart.
"This is a Silver Level magic beast!"
The crisis was still present!
The boy's eyes gleamed, locking onto the giant wolf.
Splash.
Waves sprayed.
The giant wolf, kicked by the boy, flailed in the air, drawing an arc before falling into the river.
This wasn't surprising, as Zi Di was close to the river.
The ferocious giant wolf, upon falling into the river, let out a horrified roar. It struggled desperately, trying to reach the shore quickly.
Suddenly, several huge green shadows emerged from the river.
These shadows were thick as pythons, suddenly causing turbulence and huge splashes.
The aura of the green shadows exposed them, clearly at the Golden Level!
The green shadows instantly wrapped around the Silver Level evil wolf, dragging it into the water.
Swoosh!
The river surface became turbulent, muddy waves continuously surging. Soon, patches of crimson appeared like blooming flowers – it was Wolf Blood!
The wolf blood spread rapidly with the churning river.
In just a few breaths, the wolf's cries disappeared entirely, and the river surface started to calm down.
The blood mixed with the river water quickly lost its color with the flow.
Quiet quickly returned.
It was as if nothing had happened. The evil wolf disappeared, and the terrifying green shadows vanished; the life-and-death struggle seemed non-existent.
The boy was even more shaken witnessing all this.
"Silver Level evil wolf, Golden Level River Vine, what is this hellish place?!"
Filled with horror, he began to observe his surroundings, finally turning to face the girl, Zi Di.
"Where is this place?"
Zi Di was shocked, standing still like a statue.
Hearing the boy's question, the girl finally reacted.
"Sir!" She was overwhelmed with excitement, like a frightened kitten, throwing herself into the boy's arms.
The boy looked at the girl in his arms, momentarily confused and lost.
"Thank God, Sir, you are finally awake!" The girl hugged him tightly with excitement, "Sir, you are awake!"
The boy patted her shoulder, gently pushing her away.
Zi Di looked up at him, her face filled with joy and excitement.
The boy examined the girl in his arms, his heart skipped a beat.
Her delicate face looked fragile, her eyes red, tear-filled, her violet eyes like beautiful gemstones, shining with a hint of allure.
"That evil wolf must have frightened her greatly," the boy felt a tenderness in his heart, then asked, "May I ask… who are you?"
The girl was stunned, her eyes widening, gazing at him, unblinking.
Their gaze locked for a few seconds.
Seeing the boy's sincere and puzzled look, her face revealed surprise and worry. She quickly introduced herself, "I am Zi Di, Sir, I am your fiancée!"
"Fiancée?" The boy frowned deeply.
He understood the concept of a fiancée but didn't expect such a close relationship with the girl before him.
"Zi Di…" The boy repeated the name.
But to the boy, it was a completely unfamiliar name.
Delving deeper into thought, his frown grew worse, "Wait a moment, I… who am I?"
He realized he had forgotten his own identity!
When he tried to recall relevant memories, his mind was blank, as if it had always been so.
"You are Zhenjin, you're Baron Zhenjin. Oh my God, have you forgotten your own identity too?" Zi Di's face showed urgency, her unease growing rapidly.
"Zhenjin, I am Zhenjin? Why can't I remember anything?" The boy frowned, deeply puzzled and troubled.
"Oh God, why is it like this!?" Zi Di was equally bewildered.
However, soon, her violet eyes showed a pondering light. Shaking her head, she said, "Perhaps… Sir, you've suffered a severe head injury, causing temporary amnesia. There have been similar cases."
"Sir, a few days ago, we encountered a shipwreck. The storm raged, the ship broke, and survivors washed up on this island… Many are still missing, including you. Following clues, I found you deep in the rainforest; you were unconscious, and many attempts to wake you had failed."
"Wait, perhaps my rescue attempt was disrupted. If that's the case, I'm really sorry, Sir. At that time, I had no other choice."
Zi Di pointed to his chest, where several crystal shards were attached.
Zhenjin lowered his head, seeing the crystal fragments on his chest, "So, you saved me?"
The girl described the recent events and explained the risky use of the white crystal, detailing everything.
Listening, the boy looked at the girl differently, praising, "So, it was that dangerous before. It's all thanks to you. Hmm… Zi Di."
The boy softly called the girl's name.
"But Sir, this might be the reason for your memory loss." Zi Di whispered, worrying and feeling guilty.
"What is this?" Zhenjin curiously asked, holding a crystal fragment.
"Angel's Tear," Zi Di explained, describing it as a high-level magic tool.
"This island is strange; magic and fighting energy can't be used. I used it to awaken you, gambling on its effect."
"A Magic Ban domain?" Zhenjin realized he still had common knowledge, shaking his head, "There's no absolute Magic Ban. It's about the power's comparison."
"Yes, Sir." Zi Di looked at the fragments, "High-level tools like Angel's Tear can still barely be used here. But my magic is only Black Iron Rank, suppressed by this environment, and unusable."
"Could the light I saw in darkness be from this crystal?" The boy recalled his unconscious state, guessing inwardly.
"Sir, may I check your physical condition?" Zi Di introduced, "I'm a low-level mage. Though I can't use magic now, my knowledge remains."
Zhenjin nodded.
Mages were typically scholars, even young ones.
The girl carefully examined Zhenjin's chest, back, and ears.
Feeling the young girl's hands on his body stirred his heart.
Finally, she closely examined his pupils.
So close were they, they could feel each other's breath.
Her breath seemed sweet, and Zhenjin, feeling ticklish, turned slightly away.
As Zi Di examined him, he observed himself too. Zi Di had tanned skin, whereas he was fair-skinned.
Zhenjin sensed his slender frame hid a resilient strength.
Trying to stretch his fingers and clench his fists, he recalled kicking the giant wolf, feeling the latent power.
The strength was undoubtedly extraordinary.
"Alright." The girl finished, stepping back, seemingly relieved, "Sir, your body shows only remnants of previous bruises. Outwardly, there's nothing wrong. Given the rudimentary conditions here, a detailed check must wait for the future."
Zhenjin nodded, continuing to ask, "Am I also a mage? What level?"
Zi Di shook her head, "You practice fighting energy and are a Holy Temple Knight!"
"Holy Temple Knight?" The boy became lost in thought, a sudden memory coming to mind.
In a grand, bright white hall, sunlight streamed through tall, stained glass windows.
A group of boys gathered; Zhenjin found himself among them.
The atmosphere was solemn, with a fervent undertone.
Zhenjin, with other boys, took an oath—
I swear to revere the living gods, the great ruler of the Empire, the Holy Emperor!
I swear to follow my commanding officers, advancing bravely!
I swear to protect my loved ones, unafraid of hardships!
I swear to treat my friends sincerely, rejecting falsehoods!
I swear to love faithfully, never abandoning my beloved!
I swear to fight tyranny bravely and treat the weak kindly!
I swear to uphold justice, fighting against all wrongs!
From this day forth, I am a Holy Temple Knight!
The memory fleetingly appeared.
"Sir, did you remember something?" Zi Di asked, seeing his reaction, filled with hope.
Zhenjin nodded, "Yes, I recall the solemn vow when I became a Holy Temple Knight."
Zi Di's eyes lit up, "Sir, you might try using fighting energy?"
Zhenjin clenched his fist, then shook his head, frowning with a grimace, "No, I have no memory of practicing it, can't sense it in me, or know how to use it."
Zi Di's eyes dimmed briefly before she comforted, "Perhaps the time hasn't come yet. But it's alright, Sir, it proves your memory can return! It just… needs some time."
Zhenjin nodded, thinking the seemingly fragile girl was indeed optimistic and resilient. Since waking, she had continually comforted him.
However, her face still had tear streaks.
Her fingernails were damaged, slightly bleeding, and she stood barefoot on the grass, lacking boots.
Though Zi Di's descriptions were brief, Zhenjin knew the peril of their previous circumstances, teetering between life and death.
The most precious part was that no matter how dire the situation, the girl never abandoned his comatose self, maintaining loyalty and risking her life!
The Holy Knight's oath echoed in his ears.
"So, I am a knight, a noble Holy Temple Knight!" Pride filled him as he lifted his head, feeling honored.
Looking at Zi Di, a warmth spread in his heart.
"Then, let me protect you. Strong violet-eyed girl, my… fiancée."