Skyscrapers pierced the sky. Cars streamed past. A sea of people bustled under the clear sun.

Roland stood right in the heart of the crowded street. Not a single person blinked at his sudden appearance.

His clothes had shifted into that era’s trendy style. His face looked younger, fresher—as if years had melted away.

“Is this… *that* day?”

Roland exhaled slowly, voice trembling just a little.

That was the day a massive truck ended his life—and flung him into another world.

Someone precious to him had been caught in the crash too. He never knew if she crossed over like he did. But after years wandering this realm, he’d concluded: she hadn’t survived.

His chest ached. Every memory brought the sting back. In the dozen years before this world, she was his anchor—the one he could never forget.

Her smile. Her charm. Every tiny gesture was etched deep inside him.

He’d tried to forget. The effort was painful. And he never had the heart to truly let go.

Years passed. Memories faded at the edges. Yet he still dreamed of seeing her once more—to ease the quiet regret.

Just as Roland sank into the past, a gentle voice spoke behind him:

“You’re early.”

Roland shuddered. Buried memories surged like a broken dam. He knew it was a dream—but that voice? He couldn’t hold back the tide.

“Well… I wanted to surprise you,” he said, turning with a smile—just as he had that day.

Before him stood a girl with black-rimmed glasses, long straight black hair, elegant and scholarly. A true lady. His childhood friend.

“What’s so surprising?” the girl with glasses smiled. “If you really want to wow me, score top of the class next exam.”

“First place? Tough. But last place? I can try.”

Roland forced a grin. His hands trembled. Emotions swirled violently inside.

*Finally… I see you again…*

All these years—I just wanted one more look, one more sound of your voice. And now… it’s real.

He drew a deep breath. The heavy sorrow in his chest lifted. A quiet calm settled over him. His soul felt lighter.

No wild cheers. No tearful shouts. No desperate hugs. He’d cried, screamed, and ached long ago. Now? Only peace.

He looked at her and offered a soft, genuine smile.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, cheeks flushing faintly.

“Just wrapped up something weighing on my heart. Feeling… happy. A little excited,” Roland chuckled lightly.

“What was it?”

“Something buried deep… accidentally unearthed.” He smiled. “So now—the dream ends.”

The words left his lips. The world twisted.

They stood at a crossroads.

The traffic light glowed thick, blood-red. The zebra crossing lay pale as rows of bleached bones.

“What choice will you make?”

The girl with glasses spoke softly beside him.

“This time… you can save me. Stop the tragedy.”

Roland stayed silent. A faint smile lingered. After a long pause:

“We move forward.”

Silence crashed down. Pedestrians, cars—vanished. Only emptiness remained.

In the distance, a massive truck rolled closer.

“Won’t you rethink it? We could marry. Live happily.” She stepped into the road. The truck bore down.

“I’m happy where I am now,” Roland said calmly.

“I’m glad for you.” She smiled. “Goodbye, Roland. Live well.”

The truck struck her—and passed through like mist.

Then—shatter. Sky, city, streets… everything fractured like broken glass. Darkness swallowed all.

The smiling girl dissolved into twinkling motes—the only light in the void.

They drifted ahead, guiding him.

Roland followed. Walked. Until a soft glow appeared.

The lights faded after showing the way.

He smiled at the empty space, then faced the orb.

“Is this Silva and Yenoa’s dream?”

He murmured. His fingers brushed the light—and he vanished.

…

“Aaaaaaaaaah!!!”

Wind screamed in his ears. Gray chaos filled the sky.

Roland glanced down—plummeting from thousands of meters. Below: a city ablaze. A massive black castle stood at its heart.

Smoke coiled into storm clouds. Flames devoured streets.

Over a thousand red-robed mages swarmed the castle.

Guards and mages fought back—but fell in seconds. Blood flooded the roads. A true hellscape. No one spared.

Roland fell like a meteor, witnessing it all.

“This isn’t the dream I saw outside!”

Outside showed Silva and Yenoa’s childhood. How did it become *this*?

What a hardcore childhood!

He checked his magic—still worked. Activated Wings of Wind. Stabilized his fall.

Landed. Moved cautiously through rubble. Corpses everywhere. Grisly.

“This isn’t Oliverlam. What *is* this place?”

He ducked behind a half-collapsed wall, muttering curses.

“The High Priest summons us! To Augustine Stronghold—their defenses are too strong!”

Voices approached. Roland froze.

A squad of red-robed mages rushed past. Unseen.

*Augustine?* He knew that name. An ancient clan—wiped out over a decade ago. Only in history books now.

Why here? Why in Silva and Yenoa’s dream? Who *are* these red mages?

Head spinning, Roland trailed them silently. Mid-level mages. No chance of spotting him.

He drew closer to the black castle.

…

“Wh-what’s happening?!” an Imperial Archmage gasped.

The moment Roland entered the dream, the mirror shifted.

Silva now stood beside ruins. Yenoa appeared in a crowded room.

“Wait—this place…!”

Onid stared at Silva’s mirror, eyes wide with shock.

Beside him, Blanch locked onto Yenoa’s mirror. A familiar face left her frozen.

…

Roland didn’t follow the red mages into battle. Charging in? Suicide.

This wasn’t a normal dream. Death here was *real*.

He didn’t even know if Silva or Yenoa were truly here—only that Augustine’s ghost haunted this place.

Rushing in would be madness.

He slipped through ruins. No survivors. Only silence and blood.

Then—

Amid smoke and flame, a little girl stood untouched.

Spotless white dress. Not a speck of dust. Wide, innocent eyes scanning the chaos in confusion.

Roland froze.

“Holy—cow—”

*That’s… young Silva!*

“Hey there, little one,” Roland said gently, crouching with a playful grin. “Wanna come with big brother? I’ve got lollipops.”

Unable to resist her tiny charm, he couldn’t help but tease.