001

I thought the most effective way to keep my eyes from getting drowsy was to keep them open. However, it's also important to remember that humans need to blink to keep their eyeballs moist. With that reasoning in mind, I would blink every time I turned a page. So, once I finished reading the last word on page one, I blinked. No, more precisely, I closed my eyes for a few seconds because they stung. Then, as soon as I opened my eyes, I was already in a dream world.

Usually, I wake up as soon as I realize I'm dreaming, or I can even twist the logic of dreams if I want to. However, I didn't wake up or float when my heart desired.

I was just lying down with a blanket covering me. Reaching out my hand to try to touch the canopy ceiling of the bed where I lay. However, it was too high for these slender, pale-skinned hands to reach.

Who am I dreaming of being?

I got up from the bed, heading to the vanity table placed diagonally in the corner of the room. When looking at my reflection in the mirror, unconsciously both my hands touched my face.

I really didn't recognize this face.

A person's dreams can be greatly influenced by their mood. Let's say I'm currently obsessed with the comic "Whispers of the Enchantress", then it would be natural if I dreamed of being Gloria, or any character that left an impression on me from that comic. However, this is clearly not the face of Gloria the main character, not the face of Vladilena the Prince's fiancée, nor the face of Gloria's teacher or best friends—Lady Milica and Astesia. This face is completely unfamiliar.

Maybe I'm dreaming of a character from another comic.

However, I barely remember which comic this face of mine is from. Judging from the architecture and furniture style of this room, most likely I've become a character in a comic with a noble and kingdom theme. "Whispers of the Enchantress" uses a magic academy theme with an aristocratic social environment. However, this isn't the only comic with that theme. I have several other titles with this theme.

I'll try to remember while looking around to find out.

I went to the door to leave the room. However, the door was opened from the other side just before my hand reached the doorknob. A middle-aged woman appeared whose head was covered with a hood, wearing a long-sleeved black dress with an apron hanging down to her ankles. In her hands hung a towel and a glass thermos.

"Miss Martha, thank goodness you're awake. Come, let's clean Miss's body and get dressed immediately. In one hour Miss will depart."

Martha? I truly don't recognize this character in any comic I've ever read.

"Depart where?" I asked.

"What are you talking about? Wasn't it Miss herself who begged to quickly go to school in Soverus?"

Soverus. That's the name of the empire that serves as the setting in "Whispers of the Enchantress". If my guess is correct, it seems this Martha will become a student in the same year as Gloria and her friends.

"Eeeh.... Must it be now?"

"The train from here to the capital of Soverus can take up to two weeks. If you don't leave now, Miss won't have time to rest after the long journey."

Good grief! Two weeks by train? How far is this place from the Soverus Empire? The sacrifice is too great for just a background character.

"What about my luggage?"

"We've already put it in the suitcase. Miss only needs to bathe and dress comfortably for the journey." She lifted the thermos in her hand. "Would you like to soak or just wipe down?"

"Soaking in cold water seems refreshing," I said.

"Alright. I'll prepare your clothes... just in case Miss screams from the cold."

***

Soaking in a luxurious bathtub might never be something I experience again when I wake from this dream. The bath soap has a very strong rose aroma, but it doesn't hurt the nose once the bath is finished. Everything feels so real that I'm lulled and momentarily forget that this is in a dream world. For instance, I forgot and ended up relieving myself just now. If this really is a dream, when I wake up my pants will definitely be wet.

The servant woman chose clothes for me. Three sets, all beautiful. After considering their function as well, my choice fell on clothing that wasn't too complicated and looked easy to move in.

After my grooming was finished, I was escorted to the front yard. The servant woman had been rushing me since earlier, it turned out because Martha's parents had been waiting since she came to get me. I felt guilty.

"Martha."

A neatly dressed man called my name. Beside him was a woman who might be the same age as the servant earlier. The woman's skin was truly white even though covered by long clothing. As soon as I approached her, this woman immediately hugged me, followed by the man also hugging me. Without a doubt these are Martha's parents.

"If you're not comfortable, you can come home anytime!" said mother.

"I'll try to be comfortable."

"Don't be fussy about food, okay! There won't be replacement dishes there if you don't eat your food."

"Haha... since when have I been picky about food?"

"In that case, when you come home, we'll have a big onion feast, okay?"

"Ugh, anything but onions...."

Everyone there laughed.

It seems Martha doesn't like onions. Not that I avoid them either, but if the main dish is onions, I too could feel nauseous.

"Martha, don't forget to send letters, okay," said father.

"As long as my allowance doesn't get cut off, I'll send letters, as many as possible."

He flicked my head. "You ...!" he replied. Then rubbed my head where he had just flicked.

After a few seconds of silence, they loosened their embrace. I looked around, at everyone. Then turned my body to see what my house looked like from the outside, which might be more appropriately called an estate.

"Your siblings are still sleeping."

Father thought I was looking for Martha's siblings. Whereas I myself didn't know I apparently had siblings.

"Just let them rest. Just give them my regards."

Besides, it's still early morning around seven o'clock.

"Well then, I'm leaving."

"Yes, be careful on the road," father replied. While mother just covered her mouth with teary eyes.

I boarded the horse carriage after saying my farewells. The suitcases were tucked under the seat where I sat. Then, a man whose hair and beard were starting to turn white climbed aboard. It seems he would be my traveling companion.

"We'll pass through six countries. We'll rest twice, in the Alemane Empire and the Kingdom of Polidina. We'll rest a full day there."

"Soverus is quite far, isn't it."

"Indeed it's far. However, the good side is we can see what other countries are like. Consider it a vacation, and surely Miss will be able to enjoy this journey more."

Once the horse carriage started moving, I stuck my head out looking back, and my right hand kept waving until my eyes could no longer capture their shadows.