The Return I [LEON]

Leon woke up to the reality.

Same apartment room and same bed.

“What the hell even happened?” Leon thought in his mind.

“I remember everything clearly, about that world and Noel. Such a refreshment from my normal days, but in the end, it really was a dream though it was such detailed. Similar to the world in fantasy novels and comics but what was that at the last? There was someone, no rather something at the window. Gleam red piercing ruby eyes, then suddenly it jolted towards me and I woke up”

After thinking for some time,

“Well, nothing can be done now that I have woken up, let’s just think of it as a reward for my daily hard work.”

Leon moves on. He continues his morning routine and goes to the office then returns home, finishing his normal day.

That night he made a proper meal rather than a cup of ramen. He probably just had a thought to reward himself as Even after a long day, he couldn’t forget the dream he had.

“I hope, I get to see something similar this time too,” he said as he lay down and slept.

As he opened his eyes, to his surprise it was the same world.

Golden trees under the violet sky and the morning sun rising up.

He was bewildered. He couldn’t believe what was happening. He was much more surprised than before when everything seemed real because this time he returned to the same world once again. This simply couldn’t be a normal dream. To wake up again into the same dream is no less than a supernatural phenomenon.

Then he heard a familiar voice,

“Leon…”

It was Noel. This confirmed that it was the exact same world as his previous dream.

She was right next to the same tree from her previous dream.

It was like she knew it was going to happen and she was waiting for Leon to arrive.

“Noel…How?” Leon was surprised.

“Did you already know that this was going to happen?” He was curious along with being confused at the same time.

“Yes,” she replies.

“But how? Do you also know what’s happening to me?”

Noel as if this is the most natural thing, “I don’t know what you mean by that but you told me about this”

Leon is in disbelief, “What? When?”

“You probably don’t remember but you told me that this was going to happen”

The confusion stacks up, “What are you even talking about? I don’t-”

Noel interrupts, “Enough with that, anyway what’s the plan today?”

A sudden change of topic disrupts Leon’s confusion, “Huh? Uh, I don’t think there’s anything special that comes to the mind.”

“Then, how about checking out the adventurer’s guild.”

A curiosity sparks on, “Hmm…Adventurers guild? But I don’t think I have any knowledge or skills to be an adventurer”

“Haha, don’t worry. I am a proficient mage. I will assist you and build you up to be an excellent adventurer”

Leon awkwardly, “Hehe, I don’t know how I will perform but thank you”

They walked to the adventurer’s guild and arrived after a while.

They enter.

Leon thought to himself, “This is very similar to the guilds they show in novels”

A crowd of people. Armored, discussing respective topics, they have their own parties and groups, there are bounties and quests in the notice board. Like any adventurer guild shown in anime and novels.

The appearance of Noel alarmed everyone probably because she was a noble. Even Leon understood the situation.

They reached the reception desk. There stood a middle-aged woman, small yet composed who had long brown hair. “Welcome, lady of the Redlaw Family, how can I assist you today?”

Pointing towards Leon, “I need you to register this person as an adventurer here”

“Certainly, young lady. Then young man, please let me verify your identity first-”

Noel interrupts, “No need for the hectic procedures, I guarantee you his authenticity and take responsibility for any of his actions, so just register him fast”

“But young lady, this is procedure-”

Noel glares at the receptionist. “Okay but let me please consult it with the guild master”

The receptionist quickly goes to a specific cabin where an old man is doing some documentation. Grey-haired along with a beard and a great physique. He was the guild master.

She tells him about the situation and even the guild master didn’t want to be on bad terms with the nobility so he permitted the request.

The receptionist returns and delivers the decision then registers Leon as an adventurer registered to the guild.

Leon is in an awkward state after such an event so he asks Noel,

“Is it really okay for you to abuse your authority like this? Haha”

Noel replied not to worry as it wasn’t such a big deal.

“Now, what do you want to do as your first job as an adventurer?”

They go to the notice board and see multiple quests, from bounties, herb collection, and monster elimination to an escort mission.

Leon was not sure about any of it.

“How about a simple herb collection for now?” Noel suggested. “You don’t have to worry about monsters too and if there are any possible encounters I shall handle it”

She said with confidence. Leon found it hard to refuse such enthusiasm. They took the herb collection quest and headed toward the forest.

As they walk towards their quest, Leon begins the conversation.

“You know, Noel. I am really grateful to you.”

Noel is a bit taken aback, “Huh? What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“For everything until now, you have helped me unlike any other people would. It is really helping me a lot to adapt to this environment because of you.”

A slight blush Noel’s on face, “It’s not a big deal, you know. Even I’m grateful towards you.”

Leon blinks, “Huh? Me? And why’s that? I don’t even remember doing anything till now”

“That’s not true. Unlike the normal, boring days of only doing noble duties, this is much more fun for me. So, I’m very grateful”

Leon rubs the back of his neck, “Haha, I don’t know how to respond to that now.”

They reached the herb collecting area and started to identify the required one.

They continue their work along with the conversation.

Leon, “But you know what? Anyone could have been fine for you, right? It didn’t have to be me so I’m much more grateful for your help”

Noel was a little dismayed after hearing such words, she tried to answer with a heavy heart “Uh, No mean”

A sudden Rustling of grass interrupts their conversation.

A direwolf appears. Furry black wolf with predator’s eyes.

Both of them are alarmed.

Leon, “A wolf?”

Noel, “Leon, step aside. Let me handle it”

Wolf attacks.

“From frozen depths, a crystal storm arise! Impale my enemies with the spikes of ice!” A magic chant by Noel.

“Icicle Crash”

Before the wolf could reach them, multiple icicle spikes are created and impale the wolf taking its life away.

Leon is amazed by the scene, “Wow, was that ice magic, it was so cool”

Noel is happy with Leon’s reaction.

Noel takes out a magic pouch that absorbs the direwolves entirely. The magic pouch is used for item storage. A small pouch can contain a ridiculous amount of items.

Leon is amazed by it.

They complete collecting herbs and go to the guild, they verify the completion of the task. The day was over and night fell.

Leon stays at Noel’s mansion as she insists on him. Again, in the same bed and previous dream. Leon lays down.

Thinking about how productive his day was in this world rather than this original one.

He again realized how natural he felt around Noel, her face, voice and everything, he couldn’t forget it.

He was slowly being attracted to Noel. Even he feels that as he tries to sleep.

But as he glances at the window, it appears again.

The figure with the ruby shining eyes. The Red-Eyed Shadow.

This time Leon jolts up and tries to reach out.

Only to wake up in reality without succeeding.