Before Arceus could even process the notification, a low hum crept into the chamber, subtle at first, like a distant vibration buried beneath the earth. Then it deepened, thickened, until it wrapped around his senses like invisible pressure.
***
The temperature dropped.
***
Not gradually.
Not gently.
***
It plummeted.
***
Cold rushed into the space like a predator, swallowing the fragile warmth that had barely settled in the cave. His breath hitched, his lungs tightening as frost seemed to crawl back into his bones.
***
Then—
A sound.
***
Scrrrrraaaape.
***
Something dragged across stone.
***
Followed by—
***
Grrrrrr…
***
A low, guttural growl rolled through the chamber, not just heard, but felt. It vibrated up through the ground, through his legs, into his chest, making his entire body tremble without permission.
***
Slowly—
Very slowly—
***
Arceus turned.
***
And froze.
***
Behind him stood a creature that did not belong in any reasonable world.
***
An elephant.
***
But not one he knew.
***
This one towered nearly ten meters at the shoulder, its massive body cloaked in thick, shaggy fur that shimmered faintly with frost crystals. Each breath it exhaled came out as a cloud of icy vapor, curling through the air like smoke.
***
Its black eyes—
***
Empty.
***
Emotionless.
***
It stared at him.
***
Then—
***
It roared.
***
GRAAAAAA—!!
***
The cavern shook.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The sound crashed into him like a physical force, slamming into his ears, rattling his skull.
***
"Aaaah!"
***
Arceus didn't think.
Didn't calculate.
Didn't strategize.
***
He ran.
***
He leapt to his feet and bolted, his body moving on pure instinct, boots slipping against stone as he sprinted toward the upward slope, toward the faint promise of escape.
***
Ding!
***
[Penalty imposed. Training duration extended by +15 minutes due to inactivity violation.]
[New remaining time: 18:24]
[18:23]
[18:22]
***
"WHAT?!" Arceus howled mid-sprint, his voice cracking under disbelief. "YOU'RE PUNISHING ME FOR NOT MOVING IN A FROZEN HELL?!"
***
Behind him—
***
BOOM.
***
The elephant moved.
***
Its trunk slammed into the ground with crushing force, the impact sending vibrations up the tunnel walls as it gave chase.
***
"YOU FU— YOU FUCING SYSTEM!" Arceus shouted, skidding slightly as he rounded a bend he hadn't even noticed before, his shoulder brushing harshly against the stone wall. "YOU'RE NOT USER-FRIENDLY! YOU'RE A COMPLETE, COLD-BLOODED ASSHLE!"
***
The system—
***
Said nothing.
***
***
Back in the real world—
***
The apartment sat in quiet contrast, the chaos of the other world completely unseen.
***
Curtains swayed gently in the breeze, brushing softly against the window frame with a faint rustle. Sunlight spilled across the floor in warm patches, yet the atmosphere inside felt heavier, weighed down by something unspoken.
***
Serestia sat on her bed, her hands half-covering her face, fingers parted just enough for her to peek through like a child hiding from embarrassment she couldn't escape.
***
"Ugh…" she groaned softly. "This is so embarrassing."
***
Celia sat nearby at the desk, arms folded, her expression calm but edged with concern.
***
"It's okay if you're not used to him yet, Sera," she said gently, though her tone carried a hint of firmness. "But did you really have to run off like that?"
***
Serestia dropped her hands into her lap with a defeated sigh.
***
"I didn't mean to," she admitted quickly. "I just… saw him standing there, and then I saw myself—messy hair, shirt sticking to me, chips in my hand like some slob—and my brain just… shut down."
***
She gestured vaguely.
***
"I panicked."
***
"Next thing I knew, I was already inside my room."
***
Celia exhaled slowly, her fingers tapping lightly against her arm.
***
"Still…" she said, her gaze softening slightly. "That must've been awkward for him."
***
A pause.
***
"He just moved in."
***
"He already feels out of place."
***
"And you still haven't even thanked him properly for saving your life."
***
Her eyes narrowed just a little.
***
"And now you've made him think you don't like him."
***
"I don't dislike him!" Serestia said quickly, sitting up straighter, her eyes wide with urgency. "He's… actually kind of cool."
***
A beat.
***
"I just… ugh."
***
She dragged her hands down her face again.
***
"Fine. I'll talk to him tomorrow."
***
"Tomorrow?" Celia raised a brow, her tone sharpening slightly. "Do it now."
***
Serestia groaned.
***
"…Alright."
***
"Good."
***
Celia nodded once.
***
"And don't blurt things out again."
***
Serestia blinked.
***
"What things?"
***
Celia hesitated.
***
Then muttered quietly—
***
"You know… that 'date' thing…"
***
For a moment—
Serestia stared.
***
Then—
***
A grin spread slowly across her face.
***
Mischief returned like a spark catching dry leaves.
***
"Oh?" she leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Wait… don't tell me…"
***
Her voice dropped playfully.
***
"Celia…"
***
"Do you like him?"
***
"Eh?!"
***
Celia's reaction was immediate.
***
Her eyes widened.
Her cheeks flushed red.
***
"What? No! God, no!" she shot back, her voice rising as she straightened abruptly. "Why would I like him? We've barely talked!"
***
She gestured sharply.
***
"He moved in three days ago, and you think I just fall for someone like that?"
***
Serestia flopped back dramatically onto the bed, arms spread wide, grin widening.
***
"Oof. Denial."
***
"The first stage."
***
She tilted her head, clearly enjoying herself.
***
"And he's not just 'someone.' He's your old classmate. The popular one, remember?"
***
Her tone turned teasing.
***
"There could be… lingering feelings."
***
"I'm not denying anything!" Celia snapped, her voice sharper now.
***
But Serestia only leaned into it further.
***
"Oh, come on. You volunteered to go with him today."
***
"I went because he's reckless," Celia shot back immediately, crossing her arms tightly. "He wants to become a hunter without mana. If I hadn't gone, who knows what trouble he'd have gotten into?"
***
"Uh-huh…" Serestia nodded slowly, her voice dripping with playful exaggeration. "The noble heroine saving the reckless boy."
***
A beat.
***
"Very romantic."
***
Celia groaned, turning her face away.
***
"You're impossible."
***
Serestia chuckled, but the sound softened quickly as she pushed herself up and moved behind Celia, wrapping her arms around her shoulders in a loose, familiar hug.
***
"Relax," she murmured, resting her chin lightly on Celia's shoulder.
***
"I was just teasing."
***
A pause.
***
"Honestly… I know it's impossible."
***
Celia blinked, caught off guard.
***
"What?"
***
Serestia's tone shifted, quieter now, more thoughtful.
***
"I mean… you two come from completely different worlds."
***
She loosened her grip slightly.
***
"He's a plainfolk. No background. Someone who gets excited over earning a hundred thousand credits."
***
A small pause.
***
"And you…"
***
Her voice softened further.
***
"You grew up with everything."
***
"The best education."
"The wealth."
"The status."
"The influence…"
***
She hesitated.
***
"…You're the heiress of—"
***
Celia raised her hand.
***
Stopping her.
***
"You don't have to remind me," she said quietly.
***
The room fell silent again.
***
And somewhere far away—
***
In a frozen cave—
***
A boy kept running.