The Sorcerer and the Knight's Dream

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Dream of the Sorcerer and the Knight

"You brat, still sleeping!"

"Slap—"

The pain on his backside forced Linton to open his eyes.

A simple fluorescent light hung from the white ceiling, and the wall by the bed was covered with various posters, some about games, others about sports.

"What time is it and you're still in bed? Look at the sun outside!"

The owner of the nagging voice yanked open the thick blackout curtains, and brilliant sunlight immediately slanted in through the glass window, a bit too dazzling.

"Get up quickly, don't think you don't have to eat just because it's the weekend!"

"Got it, Mom."

Linton slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes as he subconsciously replied.

Wait a minute. Mom?

Linton practically leaped out of bed.

The woman was startled and cursed, "What are you doing, you scared me!"

She pushed Linton aside and tidied the messy quilt on the bed. "Eating and sleeping all day, don't you know to read more books and study hard? You just play games all day during the holidays. What will you do when we're gone?"

"I know, I know, don't worry, you'll definitely live to be a hundred."

Linton's mother smacked his butt and laughed, scolding, "You brat, you want to rely on us forever, huh?"

"Let me tell you, people have to rely on themselves. Your dad and I don't have relatives like others do, and we can't take care of you your whole life. You need to get into a good university, find a good job, and support yourself. When you get married later, focus on your own family. We have pensions, so you don't need to worry about us."

Linton listened to the woman's nagging, but his face didn't show much impatience. Instead, the corners of his lips curved slightly, forming an arc of joy.

Perhaps in the past, he would have gotten annoyed and thrown a tantrum, or remained silent with a dark expression, but not anymore.

His memories told him that the current Linton was only sixteen years old, his parents were alive and well, and their jobs were stable.

"Kingdom of Heavenly Principles" hadn't been released yet, with only a few rumors circulating. The Necromancer, Iris, and the Truth Society from his memories all felt like a virtual dream—perhaps because he had been too immersed in them.

Only one thing was real.

He had been reborn!

After eating with his parents, Linton sat at his desk, closed his eyes, and pondered.

He remembered in that long dream about the game world, the Puppet Knight Iris, whom he had created, often proudly declared herself a genius, but she didn't know that Linton was also one.

It was just that Iris's talent was like the brightest star in the sky, accepted, loved, and cherished by everyone, while Linton was not recognized.

—At least not by his parents.

Games had been the nemesis of parents for many years. Even though esports had matured, most parents were unwilling to let their children fight their way through countless others for a slim chance of playing.

The past Linton had been unwilling to follow his parents' arrangements, trying to rely on his own strength to achieve what he wanted. But unfortunately, under the pressure of economics, shadow contracts, and unfair competition, he didn't receive the honors that belonged to him, nor did he leave his name on the arena. Instead, he retired in dejection amidst countless sighs.

And when he returned home, his parents, who looked much more haggard than before, still opened their arms to welcome him back.

It was then that Linton realized that they had encountered the same fate in their jobs.

Looking around, the home that should have been filled with happiness was now in ruins.

With his thoughts in turmoil, Linton sat at his desk until the aroma of dinner wafted into the room. Only when someone called out "Dinner!" from outside did he slowly get up.

"Since I've been given a second chance at life, I'll listen to Mom and Dad properly."

He would never touch games again.

Time was a very mysterious concept. It had a distinct characteristic: it flowed away through our fingers unnoticed, taking youth and dreams with it.

Iris walked along a country path, carrying vegetables she had bought with almost no money, humming a tune she had learned from other children, her mood cheerful.

Three years had passed since they moved to Frazer.

In those three years, Linton had left his mark in every corner of the small town with his wisdom and kindness.

Compared to her father and mother, Linton was a successful person who had truly earned his reputation and wealth through his own efforts. Although he didn't have a noble title, everyone in the town respected him from the bottom of their hearts. As a result, Iris had also benefited greatly and was quite popular locally.

During this time, Iris felt that every day was more fulfilling than the past dozen years combined, without worries or troubles.

Well, there were still some troubles.

"That old man Dulu keeps trying to set up Linton with someone. It's so annoying, so annoying! Does a mere Viscount deserve to be my master's wife?"

"With that scumbag's taste, to be his wife, she'd have to be at least as good-looking as me, have a better temper than me, be stronger than me, and have more knowledge than Vera. Hmm, the last one can be slightly relaxed. There's probably no one in this world who knows more than Vera."

"Hoo, speaking of which, I haven't seen Vera in a long time. I wonder if she's forgotten me. I should tell her later. I want to go find her in Falasong."

During her days in the Knights Order, Iris rarely interacted with others. The only exception was Miss Vera, whom she had met in the library of the Falasong Magic Academy.

Miss Vera was kind and gentle. In the dark and hostile environment of the Knights Order, she was the only person Iris felt like confiding in. She was like the Puppet Miss's only light, maintaining her perpetually tense and fragile nerves.

Unfortunately, due to family changes, Iris had lost contact with her. When she first followed Linton, she still thought of her often, but as time passed, she could only occasionally reminisce about her past life.

However, when Iris mentioned wanting to go to Falasong to Linton, the man shook his head and refused her.

"No."

"Why?"

Iris was very confused.

"Have you forgotten?" Linton chuckled. "Although I haven't practiced magic in a long time, my traits are still there. Once I walk openly on the street, I'm bound to attract attention. And Falasong, being the most important city in the Kingdom of Blossoms, would have serious consequences if suspicious individuals appeared on its streets."

"So that's how it is," Iris said, still a little unwilling. "Can I go by myself then?"

"That's not allowed either, but..."

Just as Iris's spirits sank to their lowest, Linton changed the subject. "A few days ago, someone sent a letter saying they wanted to visit Miss Lizer. The sender's name seemed to be Vera."

"Really?!"

The puppet girl's beautiful eyes immediately lit up again, filled with joy. "Vera's here to see me?"

"That's right," Linton chuckled. "If I'm not mistaken, she should be arriving soon."

"Woof woof—"

As Linton finished speaking, a few barks suddenly came from the doorway. It seemed the little guard dog had encountered a stranger and refused to let her in.

Iris, filled with joy, ran out and found her close friend standing in the yard.

"Vera!"

"Long time no see, Iris."

The girl in the yard seemed to be smiling, but even though she was in the sunlight, her entire figure was shrouded in shadow, making her face impossible to see.

Even so, Iris didn't feel like she had mistaken her.

The shadow first surveyed the surroundings, then said softly, "I don't know why I'm meeting you in a dream, but seeing that you're alright makes this world seem less bleak."

"Dream? What dream? Bleak? Isn't the weather quite good?"

Little question marks popped up above Iris's head.

Vera didn't answer her question but looked towards the house. "Iris, it seems you really like it here?"

"Yes."

The corners of Iris's lips curled up unconsciously.

"This period of time has been a happiness I've never experienced before."

"Happiness?" The shadowy figure gradually approached Iris, her voice gentle. "Then do you want to stay here forever?"

"I—"

Iris opened her mouth. The word "want" had only one syllable, but she couldn't utter it, as if someone were desperately holding her back.

Don't say it! Don't say it!!

Another part of the girl's soul was frantically warning her.

The consequences of saying that word would be unimaginable.

Vera's shadow grew dimmer, and her voice became more ethereal. "Leave this place."

"But..." Iris looked back towards the house.

"You have attachments? Then... let me help you with that. Huh?" The shadow's form trembled, and its voice became somewhat troubled. "Although I've long understood your stubbornness, now is not the time for you to be willful. Forget it, it's just a dream anyway, you probably won't remember it later..."

"Then I'm sorry, Iris."

The shadow seemed to raise its hand.

"What are you talking about? Why are you saying—"

The next second, the puppet girl's words were abruptly cut off. The smile on her face instantly froze, then shattered into a million pieces.

Before her eyes, her long-awaited friend was embracing tightly the person who had brought her back into this world. Their gazes were filled with affection, their soft lips pressed together, and two heartbeats of different frequencies trembled and resonated through their thin clothes.

—The world collapsed with a roar.