Cedric returned to his game with renewed determination, his eyes fixed on the puzzle before him. He carefully examined each part, studying the symbols with a sharper focus now that he'd eaten and had a brief break. His fingers worked skillfully, adjusting the rotating pillars, each movement closer to unlocking the secrets of the shrine.
As the final piece clicked into place, a rumble echoed through the shrine, and a cinematic scene unfolded on the screen. Cedric's character took a step back as the walls shimmered with ancient magic, revealing a hidden doorway that slowly opened to reveal a treasure chamber. The game's soundtrack swelled, enhancing the moment with a sense of awe and wonder.
"Whoa…" Cedric breathed, eyes wide as he watched his character step into the chamber. In the game, an ancient voice filled the space, reverberating with authority, "Brave soul, you have conquered the trials. Accept this gift as proof of your wisdom and strength."
The screen showed his character lifting an ornate chest, unveiling a rare, gleaming artifact. Cedric couldn't help but marvel at the graphics, the level of immersion capturing him completely. It felt real, as if he'd actually achieved this triumph.
As the cinematic ended, he continued exploring the game world, hunting for new quests and challenges, until a notification appeared: "Game session ending soon. Remaining time: 2 minutes."
Cedric sighed, a bit disappointed. He hadn't realized how much time had flown by, but he knew he'd have to return to reality soon. Tomorrow held classes, and he couldn't afford to stay up too late.
After saving his game, he walked over to Gelian, who was organizing some items behind the counter. "Thanks, Gelian. That was… an amazing experience. I didn't think a game could feel so real," Cedric said, still buzzing from the adventure.
Gelian nodded with a smile, pleased by Cedric's enthusiasm. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. There's a lot more waiting for you in the game and many more to try. You'll see even greater challenges as you continue."
Cedric nodded, then hesitated before asking, "By the way, where exactly is this place? It doesn't feel like anywhere I've been before."
"It's not," Gelian replied, a mysterious smile crossing his face. "This cafe exists in another dimension, or space. It's not part of your world, and the only way to reach it is through the portal."
Cedric's eyes widened. The idea of this cafe residing in another dimension was staggering, but somehow it made sense. "So… who runs this place? How are you able to connect to different worlds?"
Gelian chuckled softly, giving a thoughtful look. "That's a mystery for you to uncover over time. Just think of it as… a unique service. And we're the only ones who provide it."
Cedric's mind raced as he thought about what kind of powerful entity could run such a place. He remembered old tales of legendary Grand Masters or demigods who could wield unmatched powers. Could Gelian be one of those mythical beings? "You must be some kind of Grand Master or something, right? To be able to set this up…"
"Maybe," Gelian replied with a sly smile. "Or maybe I'm just someone who wanted to build a unique space. Let's leave it at that for now."
They both shared a laugh, and then Cedric's thoughts turned back to something else. "And those cup noodles and Koke… where can I get them outside of here? They're incredible!"
Gelian shook his head with a bit of pride. "That's a specialty here. I'm afraid you won't find them anywhere else; this is the only place that serves them."
"Of course," Cedric said with a nod. "Another mystery from this strange cafe."
The conversation flowed easily, with Gelian asking Cedric about his homeland. "So, where do you come from?"
"The Kingdom of Castlenova," Cedric replied, glancing at the portal with a smile. "It's a naval kingdom, part of the Empire. We're surrounded by the sea, and most of our people work in trades tied to the ocean."
They talked a bit more, discussing everything from Cedric's studies to the diverse people that might intersect at this cafe. Eventually, Cedric straightened, knowing he had to leave. "Alright, I'll be back soon. There's no way I'm done with that game yet."
Gelian grinned. "I'll be here waiting. And who knows? Maybe I'll have something new for you to try by then."
With a last wave, Cedric stepped through the portal, his mind full of excitement and questions, already looking forward to his next visit.
Back in the quiet cafe, Gelian watched the portal shimmer and close. A part of him felt hopeful, wondering if more customers might stumble upon this place. But for now, the room was silent.
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