A Bug In Fate

The next morning, Alden woke up early and finished his usual routine before leaving his room.

As he walked downstairs, he spotted Mary busy with her work behind the counter.

"Good morning."

He greeted her with a smile before heading straight toward the entrance.

Mary looked up from her work and watched him for a moment.

"You seem to be in a hurry."

"Are you going to meet someone?"

A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face.

"Oh my..."

"Did you finally get yourself a girlfriend?"

She asked dramatically before letting out a soft laugh.

Alden immediately waved both hands.

"Think whatever you want."

"I’m just going to meet someone important."

He replied helplessly before waving goodbye and leaving the inn.

Since his saber had been broken during yesterday’s duel against Liam and Mina, he walked through the streets empty-handed.

The city of Ravenhold was already bustling with life. Shops had opened for the day, vendors loudly advertised their goods, and groups of people chatted as they walked through the streets.

As Alden strolled through the crowd, a nearby conversation caught his attention.

"I heard it’s true this time. Five cities will be participating in the tournament."

"Yeah, I heard the other cities have even sent people to gather information on our representatives."

"If I catch one of those spies, I’ll beat them up on behalf of Ravenhold."

"Hahaha!"

Alden couldn’t help smiling as he listened to the conversation.

His thoughts drifted toward the upcoming tournament and, more specifically, the representatives chosen by the other four noble families.

I wonder how strong the representatives from the other cities really are.

Alden thought to himself as he continued toward his destination.

A few minutes later, he arrived in front of the Adventurers’ Guild. His footsteps slowed, and he took a deep breath before stepping inside.

The guild was just as lively as always. A few adventurers glanced in his direction, but Alden ignored them and walked straight toward Boren.

"You can head upstairs."

Boren spoke without wasting any time. He already knew Alden wasn’t here for a mission today.

Alden nodded in thanks before making his way toward the stairs.

*Hehe... I wonder what she’s going to teach me.*

His thoughts immediately wandered as he climbed upward.

Countless cool techniques and powerful abilities flashed through his mind, making him look forward to the training even more.

Unfortunately, history had already proven one thing.

Whenever Alden let his expectations rise too high, the world seemed determined to humble him.

A few moments later, he arrived on the fourth floor, where yesterday’s discussion had taken place.

Walking toward the familiar door, he raised his hand to knock.

After all, knocking before entering was basic manners.

"Come in."

Before his knuckles could touch the door, a calm voice came from inside.

It seemed the person within had already sensed his arrival.

Alden smiled wryly, lowered his hand, and pushed the door open.

Inside, a beautiful woman sat behind the desk, calmly going through a stack of documents. Every movement was neat and efficient, making it clear she was well accustomed to this kind of work.

Hearing the door open, Ravenna looked up and smiled.

"So, you’re here."

"Yes."

"Teacher."

"...What?"

Alden blinked.

Realization quickly dawned on him as he looked at the woman, whose gentle smile hadn’t changed.

"Yes, Teacher."

He immediately corrected himself.

Ravenna’s smile widened a little before she gave a satisfied nod.

"That’s better."

What the hell...

She seems much gentler than yesterday.

Alden studied her carefully.

...And why does she look excited?

Don’t tell me I’m actually her first student.

"You’ve been staring."

Alden was pulled back to reality by Ravenna’s calm voice.

Although it sounded gentle, there was an unmistakable warning beneath it.

"Ah... sorry about that."

He apologized before walking closer to the desk.

"Wait until I finish."

She lowered her gaze back to the documents and continued working.

Alden nodded and quietly stood to one side.

The room soon fell silent, broken only by the occasional sound of pages being turned.

A few minutes passed in silence before Ravenna finally set her pen aside. She stood up from her chair and stretched her limbs leisurely.

"Let’s see what you’ve got."

"Let’s go."

Alden nodded and began walking toward the door with calm steps.

"Hehe... not that way."

Ravenna’s amused voice stopped him.

"Huh?"

Alden turned around in confusion.

Instead of answering, Ravenna simply raised a finger.

The mana in the room stirred.

At first, it was barely noticeable, but within a heartbeat the surrounding mana began flowing toward a single point before her. Space itself rippled like the surface of a calm lake after a pebble had been dropped into it.

The ripples spread outward in perfect circles.

Then....

Crack.

A faint sound echoed through the room.

A thin, glowing line appeared in midair, as though the fabric of space had been gently cut open.

The crack widened on its own.

More and more mana gathered around it, stabilizing the opening as its edges shimmered with silver light.

Within only a few breaths, the narrow slit had expanded into a circular portal large enough for several people to walk through side by side.

Not a single strand of mana leaked from it.

The portal remained perfectly stable, quietly floating in the middle of the room as if it had always existed there.

"Whoa..."

Alden couldn’t help but exclaim.

His eyes remained fixed on the portal, unable to hide the amazement on his face.

"Let’s go."

Ravenna smiled before calmly stepping into the portal.

Alden hurried after her, his heart filled with excitement, curiosity, and a hint of nervousness.

The two entered together.

His eyes widened.

Contrary to what he had expected, the inside of the portal wasn’t darkness at all. Instead, something completely different unfolded before him.

Before Alden stretched an endless void.

His surroundings shifted constantly as the portal carried them forward through a tunnel carved into space itself.

It felt less like traveling and more like the world was moving around them.

Outside the transparent passage, countless scenes flashed by in rapid succession.

For a brief moment, he saw the streets of Ravenhold.

Vendors called out to passing customers while children ran through the crowded roads.

The next instant, the city walls replaced the scene, only to vanish again.

Then came unfamiliar faces...

A group of cultivators battling fierce monsters.

A dense forest stretching as far as the eye could see.

Towering mountains hidden beneath clouds.

Rivers, valleys, villages...

The scenes changed so quickly that his eyes couldn’t keep up.

It was as though he were watching countless places across the world at the same time.

An overwhelming flood of information rushed into his mind.

Even with his strengthened physique, his brain wasn’t prepared to process so much at once.

A sharp pain spread through his head.

His vision blurred, and his thoughts slowly became a chaotic mess.

"Close your eyes."

Ravenna’s calm voice echoed beside him.

At the same time, a gentle stream of mana wrapped around his body, soothing the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm him.

Without hesitation, Alden closed his eyes.

A moment later...

"You can open them now."

He slowly opened his eyes.

The endless void had disappeared.

Before him lay a crystal-clear lake, its calm surface reflecting the blue sky above. Lush greenery stretched in every direction, while colorful flowers swayed gently beneath the breeze, making the entire place feel peaceful enough to forget they had just traveled through space itself.

The aftereffects, however, didn’t give Alden any chance to admire the scenery.

A sharp pain continued to throb inside his head.

He dropped to one knee, clutching his head with both hands as he struggled to steady his breathing.

"Fuck..."

The curse escaped his mouth before he even realized it.

Instead of fading, the pain only seemed to grow stronger.

He took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, but it did little to ease the pounding inside his mind.

Nearby, Ravenna watched him with a helpless smile.

She had expected some degree of mental pain after a person’s first experience traveling through a portal, but Alden’s reaction was far more intense than it should have been, making even Ravenna slightly surprised.

Shaking her head lightly, she walked over and gently tapped his forehead with a finger.

"Close your eyes and sit down."

Her voice remained as calm and gentle as ever.

Alden looked up at her and was about to follow her instructions.

Before he could even sit, however, he suddenly felt the pain inside his head begin to fade.

His eyes widened in surprise.

Within only a few moments, the throbbing completely disappeared, leaving behind nothing more than a faint tingling sensation.

"...I’m fine?"

Alden muttered in confusion.

He couldn’t understand what had just happened, but after thinking for a moment, he subconsciously credited the recovery to his powerful physique, completely overlooking the finger Ravenna had just placed against his forehead.

Ravenna stepped back, giving Alden some room before looking at him with an amused smile.

"You really are something..."

She paused for a brief moment before asking,

"You have a Space Affinity... don’t you?"

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