After using Imaginary potential on the roots, I got myself out of the dungeon and turned my back on the ground erupting noises that the dungeon made. "What was that?" Anna stood up as she asks.
Turning my gaze to Alfen, it looks like he's barely holding on. "I'll explain later. For now, let's hurry and go back." Infusing my body with mana, I made my way over the tree branches. Since Alfen isn't awakened, I carried him on my back which was a lot harder to do, especially because of the crystal in my other hand, because of our difference in sizes.
Anna did the same and we traveled back to the town of Bellos using the same way we traveled here to the dungeon. Once Bellos' port town came to view, I called out to Anna so that we can lay out the final part of my plan.
"Alfen. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to walk from here on out," I said, putting down Alfen. "Was he heavy? I can carry him if you like," Anna interjected with a nonchalant statement. I'm not really a fan of a lady doing something like that, but I guess she doesn't look at herself as one.
Regardless, I declined her offer. "No, it's not that. Listen, the problem is that you don't have a voice in Lester's plan. It's either you don't get trusted or you become an accomplice. However, that would only happen if you came out with them, do get what I'm saying?"
Anna tilted her head, prompting me to continue. "Here's the thing, I don't want to get more attention that is necessary. So Alfen, here's what you need to do..."
...
After leaving Alfen to walk on his own to the gates, Anna and I made our way to the side of the walls. Even if we climbed the trees and jumped from there to go over the wall, we wouldn't make it because it's just that tall.
We also can't break it because it's literally the same foundation of the town which resembles a staircase. If I break the wall, it's either a hollow inside and I would have to break another wall or I would just cause a ruckus inside the town.
If that's the case, then the only way to get back up without entering the gate is to go above the wall. "Hey, are you going to put that Lumoine away or not?" Anna asks, looking at the crystal that I'm still carrying.
"It's not really necessary at this point." I used my foot to dig a small hole on the ground and dropped the crystal on it before covering it up once more. "That was really expensive you know," Anna commented. Earlier I felt like she didn't want me to take it, but I guess that was only because of Lester and his companions.
"It's fine. That crystal is worthless," Anna gave me a curious look, but I thought of how to get over the wall. It would be easy to scale it with a mana-infused body, but doing so would leave a mark and I have an even better Idea. "I got it."
Picking up a fallen leaf, I used Imaginary potential once more. After using it on the roots protruding from the dungeon hall's ceiling, it made it feel as if my blood and head were on fire so I know I'm already close to my limit.
However, this is the only other way I can think of right now so it's not like I have a choice. 'Your purpose is to become a leaf that carries me and my friend over the wall.' After mentally thinking of those words, the leaf began to grow in size, levitating in the air like a magic carpet from a fairy tale.
I got myself over the leaf and turned back my attention to Anna, "Hop on-"
"Wait!" Anna exclaimed. She dug out the crystal from the ground and is currently touching its surface. "Why is that Lumoine so cold? Is that even Lumoine?" She asks curiously. Because her ring identified Velxia's imaginary potential despite the ability having to signature effect, it's no use even if I hide it from her.
However, my Hellfrost is one thing I really can't show to others. I racked my brains to think of an excuse, but all of the results would ultimately end with me still having an attribute. Then again, I think that's better than having her delve deeper.
"Your right. That's an ice crystal I molded earlier while Lester and his companions were fighting. Anyways, get on now. The sun's going to rise soon," I said. Anna eyed me warily, causing me to sigh. "If you're thinking of leaving because you told me your true identity, then I'm not really in a position to stop you."
"However, as much as possible, I would still like to talk with you about some things I'm curious about. I'll also answer you if you have any questions if that is to your liking," I said. Ever since I explained to Alfen what he'll have to do, it seems Anna has been even warier of me.
I can't blame her, though. If I was in her position, I would have gotten myself away as soon as possible. That way, even if my secret is exposed, I wouldn't suffer any consequences. However, I am pretty curious as to why she knows much about things that even Sean, who's a noble heir, doesn't know of.
Anna stood up facing me with a doubtful, but unnecessarily cute expression. "It's not like I can run if I wanted to anyway," Saying so, she hopped on top of the leaf with me. As is the purpose I have given to the leaf, it flew incomprehensively as if it was using gravity to float itself over the wall and on the empty garden of the baron's mansion.
Once its purpose has been fulfilled, it went back to being a normal leaf that slowly swayed towards the ground. "Okay, it's almost sunrise. For now, let's just go back to our rooms. You can pretend to be asleep, I'll just pretend that I'm sick or something."
Anna looked at me with a worried expression, "...yeah, I don't think anyone would doubt that." She probably noticed my declining complexion as well. Compared to when I was overusing my hell frost, using imaginary potential like how Velxia does really takes a toll on my body.
It feels as if I'm running on a really high fever and my body just wants to coil itself. It wasn't this bad before I used it for the fourth time on a leaf, but I guess I don't really have much resistance to this ability either. In the next moment, she carried me over her shoulder as she jumped inside the window and to my room.
However, it seems I forgot something important. "Oh..." Anna's voice weakened as she stared at a figure standing while starring at the ball of hail inside a teacup I previously placed on the table. It was Sophia.
"Sophia? I-I can explain." My voice became hoarse as I tried to explain myself but lucky for me, Sophia handled me gently as she laid me on the bed. "Don't explain for now. Just rest and we'll talk later," Sophia said.
"Does he need medicine or something?" Anna voiced her concern. Despite her earlier knowledge about gods and abilities, I found it funny how medicine can cure something I can't even fully comprehend with science. But I just kept that thought to myself as I removed my raincoat and put it back on the storage bag.
"There's no medicine for this and he can only rest for now. You, too, should take a rest as well. I'll take care of White," Sophia answered Anna's question. Anna still had a look of worry but she can only follow through with my plan right now so she returned to her own room.
Before I slept, I took out the talisman I earlier got from Lester and ripped it, signaling an emergency to other people who also have the same talisman. Since I broke the one I got from Lester, I still had mine.
In the next moment, I heard noises coming from outside. But since I've finished doing what I had to, only time will tell of the results. Thinking so, I let my eyes shut as I fell asleep.
...
..
.
"Where am I?" Everywhere I look, may it be up or down, left or right, it was all color white. I tried to look at myself, but it doesn't even look like I have a body, to begin with. No, not just my body.
Other than my consciousness and slight awareness, my physical, mental and emotional prowess is nowhere to be found. I can't even tell if I was inside a cube or a circle, nor can I tell if I was big or small. It didn't even feel like I was using my eyes to see this endless color of white.
What's more, unlike the time with Velxia or the time when I felt like I was ceasing to exist, I can actually feel a tinge of fear. It was... dull, however, since even my emotions didn't feel like they were present at all.
I don't even know if I exist at all. As I was thinking so, I perceived a message. "You're not supposed to be here." It was directed to me. It felt like I was hearing sounds despite not having the ability to hear which made it really weird.
"Who are you?" I asked back. It also felt like I was speaking without a mouth as even the thoughts I wanted to convey felt like they just stayed as thoughts. For a second, no. I don't even know if time was moving here appropriately. Regardless, I was able to receive an answer.
An answer I wouldn't have expected even if this was a lucid dream.
"Me? I'm simply a fool." As soon as I received that message, it felt like I caught myself ending a dream resulting in a feeling of nostalgia and deja vu clashing each other.
In the next moment, the scent of the sea followed by the sound of gushing waves entered my senses. Opening my eyes, I looked straight at the ceiling of my room, trying to comprehend what just happened. But like before, I haven't a clue.
I closed my eyes and breathe once more, feeling my senses mingle with reality. The scent of the sea, the dry taste of my mouth, the soft bed on my back, and the smooth touch of a hand touching my hand. Wait, what...
I opened my eyes once more and turned my attention to my hand. It was Sophia playing with my hand, locking it then caressing it as if she was massaging it. But I can tell it wasn't a massage because her hands didn't exert any power whatsoever.
"Good morning, Sophia." Sophia turned to me as a tender smile appeared on her face. "Good morning, White."