Mizuki's Boundless Dream

"Ah, no, it's just that I accidentally offended Kal'tsit again. Speaking of which, my elven maiden, are you confused about your love life and career?"

Miss Doctor stretched her neck as hard as she could to see Muelsyse, but because she was tied up so tightly and her chest was so constricted, she could only see her head.

How did you know?

"Nonsense, you practically have 'Mizuki' written all over your face. A while ago, someone on Rhodes Island's platform was asking about abortion procedures, wasn't that you?"

"No, although I like Mizuki very much, I wouldn't do something so malicious." Muelsyse quickly waved her hand. She admitted that she had had such thoughts, but it was only for a moment. She acknowledged that the competition was fair and that Exusiai indeed won.

"Oh, that must be Kal'tsit." The Doctor swayed gently in the air. "So, you were just about to give up?"

"I... I really didn't beat that Sankta."

Muelsyse had to admit that the Doctor really could always see through people's thoughts at a glance, even more so than mind reading.

"So when they invite you to their wedding, you'll be happy to silently offer your blessings from below, right?"

"Who would want to!"

The Doctor's words successfully ignited all of Muelsyse's pent-up frustration. It was her first time in love, and her boyfriend had been kidnapped by someone else because of amnesia. How could she not be angry?

"Then why don't you just rob someone?"

The night wind was rather cold, but Mizuki had given her a few hand warmers when she passed by earlier, and Miss Doctor exhaled a breath of cold air.

"Actually, I don't really understand you either. You like Mizuki, Exusiai likes Mizuki, and I like Mizuki too. The three of us should be comrades-in-arms!"

"... What kind of crooked and evil method is this?"

"How can this be called crooked or heretical?" The Doctor curled her lip. "It's because you're looking at things from the wrong perspective."

"Angle?"

"Yes, angle. By the way, could you please put me down first? I suspect that old woman Kal'tsit has forgotten that she left me hanging here again."

Being tied up wasn't pleasant. Mizuki had been able to come to his rescue before, but the things the Doctor had done last time had clearly angered him, so he didn't help this time.

"I can't afford to offend Lady Kal'tsit; she's the one who calls the shots on Rhodes Island for 70% of the time."

"Why are you afraid of her? Let me tell you, if you're afraid of Kal'tsit, you can forget about ever being with Mizuki."

The Doctor rolled her eyes, then raised her head with a proud expression.

Do you know why I'm hanging here?

"Have no idea."

"Because I told Amiya that Kal'tsit was pregnant and she overheard, so guess whose child Kal'tsit is carrying?"

Watching Muelsyse's expression shift from blankness to shock, and finally to disbelief and existential doubt, the Doctor's lips gradually curled into a smile. As Mizuki's best partner, she felt it necessary to help Mizuki maintain these relationships, especially among women.

As for the first step, let's start by resolving the conflict between my ex-girlfriend Mizuki and my current fiancée!

Chapter 136 Mizuki's Boundless Dream

"What is that...?"

This was the question Mizuki asked instinctively when she woke up from her dream and saw everything before her.

That was a sky enveloped in crystalline matter. Beneath the dome, countless Originium clusters emerged from the ground, seemingly capturing even the twin Twin Moons in the sky. The Mizuki could not see any green life; only those Originium clusters reflected an eerie and mesmerizing light.

Beneath Mizuki's feet was a high wall, and behind her, a semi-circular pale yellow protective shield enveloped the city. Under the cover of night, the streets were deserted, with not a single person in sight. The entire city seemed to have completely disregarded transportation or public spaces. Apart from the massive facilities at the very center, Mizuki did not see any roads, squares, or supermarkets. Every building was exactly the same, simple yet comprehensive. It seemed that... from the very beginning, this city only thought about how to accommodate and support more people.

But Mizuki clearly remembered sleeping with Exusiai not long ago, pondering how to spend the next day on Rhodes Island. Was this a dream? That was too strange.

That's a forest.

A familiar voice—no, it should be said that his own voice—sounded in his ear, causing Mizuki to unconsciously turn around. Then he saw a mirror—no, it was just that the other person looked so much like himself that he had the illusion of looking in a mirror.

"Sorry to bother you?"

The blue-haired boy Aegir, greeted Mizuki. They were both holding the same umbrellas and wearing the same raincoats. The only difference was that the rag doll on Mizuki's umbrella was newer, while the other boy's was too worn out.

"Who are you..."

"Ah, my name is Izumik, and what's your name?"

Mizuki then realized that she might not look the same as before in the other person's eyes. Then this shouldn't be the world he was in; was it another dream?

My name is Mizuki.

"Mizuki, what a nostalgic name. It reminds me of a great friend. Were you also from Aegir?"

"Um."

Izumik walked to Mizuki's side. They looked like twins, with no flaws, but Izumik was much more mature in demeanor.

"You came to see the sea?"

"Pretty much, but it's completely blocked from view here."

"There's no way around it. The Originium crystals are spreading too fast. They've taken over the entire Terra. If it weren't for the successful development of the Veil System, we would have been assimilated long ago. So now, apart from Kal'tsit and her expedition team, no one is allowed to go out."

Pointing to the distance with his umbrella, Izumik spoke quite a lot, perhaps because he hadn't chatted with anyone in a long time, or perhaps because he felt a connection with Mizuki.

Is that a forest?

"No, forests, like the sea, were originally places that nurtured life. However, people nowadays are almost forgetting about forests, mountains, and seas. I plan to create some picture books so that future generations will at least know what this land was once like."

It seems the world has changed a long time ago, Izumik said, sharing many of his thoughts with Mizuki.

He originally wanted to use some special effects to simulate the appearance of a forest, or create some miniature landscapes to make a forest half a meter in size, but now every resource on the Ark needs to be strictly allocated, and there are not many resources that can be used for this. Izumik cannot let a newborn child starve to death in order to feed such a miniature landscape.

Therefore, he could only choose this method, using picture books as a relatively resource-efficient approach, and his status within the Ark was also relatively high.

"Why did it turn out like this...?"

Mizuki couldn't help but mutter to himself. Only then did he realize that the high wall beneath his feet was also built from deactivated Originium, which was perhaps why the city had been preserved.

"Since she awoke, everything has spiraled out of control, and this is all we can do."

"Who is she?"

"A name that cannot be mentioned will be watched if spoken."

"What about the Doctor from Rhodes Island?"

Having just heard about Kal'tsit, Mizuki guessed that the Doctor should also exist in this dream. However, just hearing that title made Izumik's face show a complicated expression.

"Doctor... The survivors now regard him with gratitude and worship as a savior. The Anti-Originium Generator he developed preserved a piece of land where all of humanity could survive. But in my eyes, he was just an incompetent man, only able to... eke out a living like this."

The third-person pronoun in the common language differs between male and female. Mizuki didn't think she had misheard; it seemed that dreams were indeed interpreted differently by different people. However, Mizuki was quite unhappy with the other person's disdain for the Doctor.

Seemingly noticing Mizuki's displeasure, Izumik sighed softly, assuming he was just another child who admired the Doctor. In his vision, Mizuki was always blurry yet familiar; he couldn't see her face clearly, but that was normal, given his damaged retina and numerous ear noises, allowing him to barely hear her voice.

"In this cramped Ark City, within a century at most, people will forget what the world originally looked like. Gradually, like their ancestors, they will shrink their understanding of the world, from the universe to planets, from planets to the earth, from the earth to cities... The flame of the future will be extinguished."

This didn't sound like something Mizuki would say on his own. He opened his mouth and hesitated for a long time.

"Then... what about that person named Mizuki? You said he was great?"

"Yes, he was great, but not in a way that showed great courage. He was simply unafraid of death and the loss of his own self. Before the Crystal Age arrived, he went to the sea alone, leading billions of Seaborn to hold back the erupting Originium catastrophe and buying enough time for all the survivors to evacuate. But we have lost him forever."

As Izumik spoke, he opened his umbrella, seemingly intending to leave immediately. Mizuki instinctively tried to stop him.

"Oh, don't worry, I can't die yet. I just want to see him."

"Can I come along?"

Mizuki gripped the umbrella tightly. Izumik hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"She probably won't mind if I bring another person along. Come on, kid, don't be afraid of heights."

As Izumik held Mizuki's hand, a sudden feeling of nostalgia welled up inside him. He remembered how the boy, also named Mizuki, had felt the same way when he held his hand, and had even said something along the lines of, "Yes, I will never forget."

As Izumik took a step, a huge cluster of Originium emerged from the ground, its flat top serving as a platform for lifting and lowering the two onto the ground. Mizuki and Izumik then headed towards the sea.

The sea wasn't far; it could be reached by crossing that vast Originium Forest. Mizuki noticed that Izumik was holding her hand very tightly, as if afraid she would disappear.

After walking for about an hour, Mizuki arrived at the sea, if it could still be called the sea.

The boundless Originium covered the entire sea like solid ice. Just a hundred meters from the shore stood a statue, which looked as if it had been meticulously sculpted, with even the eyes being incredibly lifelike.

The man gazed in the direction of the city, his hand outstretched, mouth agape, as if he were saying something before he died. Mizuki seemed to hear him say, "Doctor, take care."

"That's Mizuki ... the Mizuki I know." Izumik sighed softly. "He's the one who should be remembered forever, but right now, only I remember who he is."

"No." Mizuki shook her head. "As long as you remember Mizuki, that's enough, Doctor."

Izumik is the Doctor. Although it's unclear why he looks like Mizuki, it's the only thing Mizuki is certain of right now.

Upon seeing the statue, Mizuki instantly realized this was no simple dream. The surroundings fell silent. Beside her stood the Doctor who called himself Izumik, dark clouds swirled overhead, and Originium crystals surrounded her.

The sea broke free of its surface blockade and surged once more. Mizuki walked up to the statue and reached out to touch his index finger with hers.

Is this what you want me to see? I won't let it happen.

Originium the first time, Mizuki realized just how much of a threat these things he had been eating like candy truly were. The statue before him shattered, revealing an empty shell inside, because this Mizuki had long since become a part of the Sea of Life, and had become a part of the current Mizuki.

Izumik, the Sea of Life, Mizuki suddenly understood the meaning of its existence. From only being able to dream of those scattered fragments at the beginning, to later having a clear dream, and now being deeply immersed in the dream, as Mizuki's connection with the Sea of Life gradually deepened, the information he could read from this ocean also gradually increased.

He suddenly remembered his last dream, in which he was also a possibility—no, perhaps he was the first drop of water in the Sea of Life.

Yes, I'm going to the future.

When Mizuki opened her eyes and looked at Exusiai sleeping soundly in her arms, she suddenly felt a great sense of relief. She lowered her head and kissed her lover's face, then got up to prepare to make her breakfast.

However, Exusiai's hands and feet were entangled with his, indicating that she had already woken up.

"Xiao Le."

"Um?"

"I can't cook if you do that."

"Let's eat at the cafeteria later. Spend more time with me now. We won't see each other for the next two weeks, and I'll get sick from being bored."

Actually Exusiai had already woken up, but she was reluctant to get out of bed, since there was still more than an hour before the assembly.

"The thought of not seeing you for more than half a month makes me feel really uncomfortable."

Will you miss me?

"Definitely."

"I don't believe it." Exusiai rolled her eyes playfully and poked Mizuki's cheek. "Maybe the moment I left, Mostima or Specter would be lying here tonight."

(Actually, it could also be your sister)

Mizuki politely refrained from saying that aloud, otherwise Exusiai would bite again later.

"So, it seems like Sister Fia also has those kinds of feelings for you. What do you think? Do you have any ideas?"

To be honest, Fiametta expressed her feelings earlier than Mostima, but she never had a chance and was left behind. Remian had approached Exusiai, saying that since everyone at Penguin Logistics had already been promoted, could she perhaps accept Fiametta?

Exusiai said it wasn't a problem, because she found that even four against one couldn't withstand Mizuki's offensive. The main reason was that she had already secured the championship position, so she naturally didn't care how fiercely others competed. After all, she had already accepted Texas and the others. It's like the saying "the more debts, the less burdens you have." She was already green enough, so she wasn't afraid of others painting her own picture. Anyway, the highest place in Mizuki's heart would always be herself and the Doctor.

Let nature take its course.

"What about my sister? I feel like she definitely has some feelings for you. The fact that you cured her really makes her like you more. But if we get together, I don't know if my parents will agree. And if we can't get married, I don't know if my sister can accept it."

Exusiai shook her head. She could almost imagine how lively Mizuki's room would be after she left. After all, the Empress was away on a business trip, and who would believe that the rest of the people wouldn't make a fuss? Especially Lemuen, she felt that her older sister's gaze towards Mizuki was more affectionate than her own as her girlfriend.

"Everyone else keeps a close eye on their boyfriends, why are you giving them away?"

Mizuki felt somewhat guilty about Exusiai the matter of Lemuen, and decided she should find an opportunity to tell her the truth later.

"Nonsense, but I'd have to keep an eye on her for a while." Opening her mouth, she bit Mizuki 'Exusiai shoulder, then puffed out Mizuki cheeks and started playfully pinching her face. "You're always attracting attention, so many women are eyeing you— Texas, Specter, Sora, and Mostima. I can't just say I'll never see them again, can I? What else can I do? Kal'tsit's pregnant too. Seriously, can't you carry a few boxes of condoms with you?"

"A few boxes aren't enough."

Mizuki looked completely innocent. With his strength, a few boxes wouldn't be enough. Specter's remaining supplies were all used up by Exusiai alone.

"Don't talk back! You've got all the benefits and you still feel like you're losing out, right?"

Exusiai straddled Mizuki, pinching his face hard. The more she pinched, the better it felt. She glared at him fiercely, gave a soft snort, and then lowered her head to kiss Mizuki's lips. Thinking of the dream she had earlier, she was really worried about her boyfriend.

"But... never mind, even if it's Muelsyse, it doesn't matter. After all, she's your ex-girlfriend."

"Um?"

A few question marks popped into Mizuki's head. He remembered that the two of them had been thinking about how to defeat each other, Exusiai had just relaxed after winning.

"Rua, I won't repeat myself. Fine, I'm not eating breakfast today..."

Exusiai burrowed into the covers. She was getting restless if they didn't see each other for half a month, so she wanted to relieve her boredom beforehand.