CHAPTER 35: CH 35: THE END OF THE TEST

A system notification chimmed at the same time Isolde vanished in the distant horizon.

I looked for few seconds at the empty void that her presence had left behind. I had so many questions to ask at that moment but I knew each of them shall go unanswered.

"I really need to get stronger." Rolling my shoulders to loosen my stiff muscles, I glanced at the system screen.

[System has detected multiple celestial energies. In order to keep up with the changes, the System shall be proceeding with an update. In this timeframe, the System shall be unavailable. Stay Safe, Host!]

[Update duration: 2 days]

’Celestial Energies huh?’ The first thought that came to me was of Isolde. A being so strong that she was literally one step away from stopping time itself...such an entity can only be classified as a cosmic force.

Suddenly my brows frowned as I thought back to the system notification when Henry had used One with Shadows.

What was that....uhh yeah! The System had said about another deity near us.

Could that also be a part of wherever celestial energies the System talked about?

At that moment, a distant dot alpeared on the horizon. At first it wasn’t visible to me but as it started getting closer, I realised it was none other than Principal Nightshade!

In rapid bursts of motion, he appeared before me as he levitated in the air.

As he scrutinized my condition, he asked. "Did something appear here? Or someone approached you?"

For a brief moment, I thought to say him no. But then I realised how suspicious that would sound given the empty landscape around me.

This was his own dimension and he would surely notice the empty vegetation which was once teeming with an oasis like environment.

So I answered with, "Demons...several of them. But then something appeared and smoked the entire area. I couldn’t see a single thing for that and by the time the smoke was gone, this was all that remained." I gestured to my surroundings as I said the last sentence.

"Smoke you say? That’s weird because Reinhard said that all he saw was that for few seconds, ice had covered up everything he could. Including him as well."

I feigned a deep frown on my forehead as I offered, "Maybe he saw something else. His injury was no joke afterall."

"Says the one who injured him." He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes and I could swear I saw the ghost of a smile forming on his lips.

But that’s impossible right? Nightshade is as gloomy as a shady night...name checks out as well.

With a sigh he opened a portal and gestured me to enter it.

"Go through this. I shall follow you later; This dimension has somehow been breached by some unknown power.

But according to you, even demons had come here. Now that causes a dilemma since they can’t enter private dimensions of people like me."

"Oh by the way which rank were they?"

"First rank."

Cormac’s frown deepened at that.

"This is the first time I am hearing about young demons visiting a dimension..."

After that I walked towards the portal but before I crossed it, Principal Cormac said in an appreciating manner.

"That was an impressive performance right there. For a second, you almost convinced me that you were Henry...you copied his abilities really well. That is certainly something that deserves recognition."

What the heck? Even this guy as well...

But I didn’t dare look back. Just listened him speak.

And walked out of the portal.

The field was just how it was before we left but there were now more armored soldiers roaming and guarding the four strange devices.

Four of them were tying down few bamboos together and were making something that looked like a stretcher. A healer in light green robes was crouching nearby, treating Reinhard.

Looking at him, I touched my own forehead and stomach.

’Huh? The cuts are still there? Weren’t they supposed to heal after we came out of the dimension?’. That was what had happened when we came out of Mr.Arlott’s dimension as well.

"Wondering why you and Reinhard still have the injuries?"

Oh, speak of the devil. Literally!

"The dimension had been breached while you two were in there. And a dimension is a place where someone holds absolute power over it. In case a dimension ever gets hijacked like in this, then the absolute power gets disrupted. And as a result unless the dimension is cleaned of the ones who had entered there forcefully, the Holder’s rules cannot be implemented."

I glanced towards the old man and in a seriously tone asked, "So we both could have died?"

"Both? From what I saw only Reinhard was going to die. Though you did get your share of beating as well..."

Silence descended upon us after that. A little while later, a healer approached me as well and took me to a raised pedestal to check on me.

Light scratches and weak muscles. Nothing much that wouldn’t go away with a proper rest.

The principal hadn’t come out yet and naturally there was quite a hocus pocus around here. I found a quiet corner to rest for a bit.

And then I thought for a while.

Besides the fact that I and Henry shared am obvious power difference, what was the primary concern that people left and right were able to call me a fraud?

First with the investors and Reinhard claiming I had lost my memories. And ironically, while they were the most irritating obstacle for me, their accusation was also of the lowest degree compared to the other two.

First came Principal Cormac Nightshade, who probably thinks I was a dark magic practitioner and had killed Henry to replace him. Oh, also I was some great copycat.

Full marks for creative imagination!

Lastly...

Mr. Arlott who thinks Henry has been replaced by me done by someone...he was correct there. However he went wrong the moment he thought I was from this planet itself.

That was probably the biggest surprise element -- another world.

I was from another world. Probably why Isolde called me the Traveller of Worlds.

A warm feeling...not of happiness or joy....but one filled with beating excitement filled by chest.

’I wonder what the future holds for me.’