The morning sunlight filtered through the small window of the modest house where Xavier lay. The sound of unfamiliar birds echoed faintly, but instead of offering peace, it only heightened his anxiety. The cold morning air pierced his skin, pulling him from a restless sleep.
Xavier sat up and greeted softly, "Thank you, Lady Lisa."
Lisa, sitting beside the table, glanced at Xavier for a moment before replying, "You look better than you did last night. Did you sleep well?"
Xavier nodded slowly. "Yes, though nightmares still haunt me. I'm not used to all of this yet."
"Well, let's have breakfast first," Lisa suggested.
Xavier took a piece of bread and chewed it slowly, his thoughts swirling around this new world. He recalled how Lisa had mentioned the night before that age was everything in this place, only making him more curious.
After finishing their meal, Lisa, Xavier, and Elvie worked together to clean the table.
"Xavier, aren't you going to step outside?" Lisa asked, noticing the hesitation on Xavier's face.
"What, Lady?" Xavier responded uncertainly, his mind flashing back to the previous night—the burning red sky, the ghouls, and the terrifying sounds that seemed to drag him to hell.
"Heh, I suppose not," Xavier answered, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Lisa smiled gently, stifling a small laugh. "Go on, it's safe now."
Xavier paused for a moment before reluctantly saying, "Alright, Lady, if you say so."
Standing at the doorway, Xavier hesitated. The terrifying events of the previous night were still fresh in his mind, but as he opened the door, the world outside appeared entirely different.
After a brief hesitation, Xavier gathered his courage and stepped outside. As his feet touched the ground, the sight before him left him speechless. The sky was a brilliant blue, with soft white clouds drifting peacefully. Birds chirped harmoniously, filling the air with natural beauty. Towering green trees swayed gently, and the morning sunlight bathed everything in a warm, calming glow.
"Is this really the same world as last night? This… feels like heaven," Xavier whispered, his eyes misting with emotion.
Lisa, who stood behind him, smiled softly. "Yes, Xavier. It's still the same world. This place is strange—it changes depending on the time. In the morning, heaven's energy flows, bringing life and peace. But at night, the energy from hell takes over."
Xavier remained silent, trying to absorb Lisa's words. "Heaven and hell's energy? So that's why this world can shift so drastically?"
Lisa nodded. "Exactly. Night and day are like two sides of the same world."
"Lady Lisa, are we still in the Hollow Grim region?" Xavier asked curiously, recalling the dangers that lurked the night before.
"Of course, this is still Hollow Grim. But the ghouls are much weaker during the day. They rarely stir when the sun is shining," Lisa replied with a smile.
Xavier nodded quietly, still finding it hard to believe how quickly the place could change. "Oh, I see..."
Suddenly, Lisa turned to him with a serious expression. "Xavier, I need to ask you something."
Xavier looked up, sensing the weight in Lisa's tone. "What is it, Lady Lisa?"
Lisa stared at him intently before speaking,
"You seem to know nothing about this world, not even about the dangers of Hollow Grim at night."
"Are you not from this world?"
Xavier's mind raced. Should he be honest? If he revealed where he came from, would it put him in danger? He lowered his head, unsure of what to say. But, as if reading his thoughts, Lisa continued, "You don't need to be afraid. No matter who asks, never tell them where you're from. It would be very dangerous for you if they knew you weren't from this world."
Xavier's eyes widened, shocked by Lisa's warning. "So… you know I'm not from here?"
Lisa smiled gently. "Yes, I know. And you can trust me."
Instead of answering, Lisa asked another question, "Have you been blessed with a God Skill or God Technique yet?"
Xavier furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean? I don't understand."
Lisa, who had been serious moments before, suddenly let out a small laugh. "It seems a certain god forgot something."
Xavier looked even more bewildered. "What do you mean, Lady Lisa?"
With a mysterious smile, Lisa simply said, "I'll explain in time. But you also need to discover for yourself why you're in this world."
Xavier's curiosity only grew stronger, but before he could ask any more questions, Lisa invited him for a walk.
"Now, come on. Let's take a walk. I'll show you more about this place," Lisa said, stepping forward with Xavier following, still puzzled.
"Can you stay home, Elvie? I'll take Xavier around."
"Sure, Mom," Elvie replied with a sweet smile.
"Have a nice walk, brother. Be careful though, Mom may seem gentle, but she's actually quite scary, hehe," Elvie teased with a giggle.
"Huh? What do you mean, Elvie?" Xavier asked, confused.
"Elvie, I'm not like that anymore, you mischievous child," Lisa said with a sigh.
Lisa and Xavier left Elvie behind as they strolled along a path that wound through ancient ruins. Xavier marveled at the remnants of past glory scattered everywhere, though he had yet to learn the stories behind them.
"There's much you need to learn, Xavier. Artevia is a world full of mysteries, and it's also incredibly dangerous. This world awaits those brave enough to explore it," Lisa said as they continued walking.