Volume 1. Chapter 48

At the foot of a tall mountain, cloaked in darkness and the whispers of the night wind, a campfire crackled. Its flames lit up the faces of Ken and Lily, casting warm reflections in her eyes as she sat comfortably on a rock, listening intently to Ken recounting stories from his world. The night was quiet and clear, and every sound seemed amplified, more significant, as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the next word.

“Actors, comedies, movies…” Ken smiled thoughtfully, speaking aloud as he reflected. “It’s like… illusions. But ones where the audience almost feels like part of the experience. Powerful heroes, silly jokes, laughter until you cry, and sadness… Each actor lives multiple lives, pretending to be someone else. The point is to carry us, the viewers, into another reality.”

“We have something similar,” Lily said, raising her gaze to Ken and squinting slightly as if recalling a memory. “Once, when I was very little, my parents took me to the city for the harvest festival. There were performers there. They told old stories, sang songs…”

Ken nodded as he listened, imagining the scene in his mind.

“A harvest festival?” he repeated with a slight smile. “Do you think I could act in such a performance? Maybe… as a powerful wizard who came from the other side of the world?”

Lily squinted at him, smirking.

“You? A wizard?” She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “I do respect your abilities, Ken… but I’m afraid you won’t convince me.”

“Wanna bet?” Ken leaned closer, a mischievous gleam in his eyes that Lily didn’t miss.

“And what will you do? Show me how to ‘magically’ light the fire?” she teased, raising a brow.

Ken grinned, accepting the challenge with enthusiasm.

“Oh no,” he stood up, spreading his arms wide and putting on a serious face. “You haven’t seen the full extent of my skills yet! Lily, prepare to be amazed.”

He suddenly struck a strange pose, extending one hand forward like he was about to perform something incredible. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he spoke in a deep, rumbling voice:

“People of my world know nothing… of true power! And I — the chosen one, the last remaining mage in this realm — hold the secrets that can change destinies!”

He delivered the line with such theatrical flair that Lily froze for a moment, caught off guard, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Ken, what are you doing?” she asked, barely holding back laughter, clearly not expecting such a performance.

But Ken was already fully immersed in the role, as if he truly were a mighty sorcerer from a distant dimension. He made a few grand gestures, as if drawing a magic circle in the air, then raised his arms toward the starry sky and proclaimed:

“World in darkness! Forces of light and fire! Obey me, great archmage!” He took a deep breath and paused dramatically, milking the moment for all it was worth.

Lily watched him, seemingly spellbound, and for a brief moment, she really did believe she was seeing someone else — not Ken, but a wizard from some ancient legend.

“You actually believe this, don’t you?” she finally said, barely suppressing her laughter.

“What? Believe in my power?” Ken put on a stern face, folding his arms. “Of course. But since you doubt me, I won’t reveal my full might. It’s not meant for mere mortals.”

“Mere mortals, you say?” Lily giggled, her cheeks reddening. “Ken, do you realize how ridiculous you look right now?”

“Ridiculous?” he said with an exaggeratedly hurt expression, sighing dramatically. “You simply don’t understand true power, Lily! You haven’t seen me at full potential yet!”

Lily giggled, trying to hide her embarrassment, but Ken, encouraged by her reaction, decided to up the drama. He climbed onto a rock by the fire, formed an intricate gesture with his fingers, and spoke again:

“O gods of light and darkness, fire and ice! Tremble at my presence!” He looked at Lily with a determined expression and waved his arms as if slicing through the air.

Lily could barely contain her laughter. She covered her mouth, stifling her giggles, but Ken pressed on.

“And you, Lily!” he suddenly pointed at her, holding her gaze. “Will you become my loyal companion on this great journey? You must decide — are you ready to follow the archmage to the very end and fear not the unknown?”

Lily made a serious face, but her eyes sparkled with laughter.

“Well then, archmage,” she said, placing a hand over her heart in mock solemnity, mimicking his tone, “I swear to follow you to the end… if only you make me laugh this hard one more time.”

Ken grinned, jumped down from the rock, and stepped closer to her.

“Lily,” he leaned in, his voice a teasing whisper, eyes gleaming, “that was only a demonstration… Aren’t you already feeling a little excited?”

“You’re impossible!” Lily giggled, feeling her cheeks flush again.

“And this is only the beginning,” he replied, smiling more gently now as he looked at her laughing face.