Leveling up the World

Chapter 29: Promise in a Dream

Huh? The village chief blinked as Dallion let go of his hand.

That wasnt the only change. The stone well had become completely transformed. Nearly double in size, it now had two separate sections as well as a fountain head pouring water directly without the need of a bucket.

This wasnt supposed to happen. The well challenge should have been the end of Dallion. Even with his second skilla feat that Aspion had no idea how the boy had accomplishedimproving the well had to be impossible. The chief had personally spent an entire day checking the state of structures in the village to find one suitable for the task. The well had been the perfect choiceon the surface it seemed in mostly okay condition, though it was on the brink of collapse. If it hadnt been for Dallion, the chief would have mended part of it himself in another month or so. Dallion succeeding in the challenge had ruined all that.

Ive improved the well, Dallion said loudly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go through with this and help the inhabitants of this village. The boy said, rubbing his success in the old mans face. The well should be good for decades to come.

The boy expected cheers, clapping, or even some sort of excitement, if not for him, for the fact that the well had been improved. Instead, all he saw were tense smiles. What was more, the crowd wasnt looking at him, but at the village chief.

Good. The chiefs smile didnt drop, although Dallion could clearly see it was fake. I expected nothing less from the grandson of Seene. Youve done magnificently, bringing the well to its current state. It must have been quite a battle?

It was.

In fact, that wasnt exactly the truth. There had been intense interaction between Dallion and the well guardian, but it wasnt what the chief, or even the boy for that matter, expected. Ultimately, the only thing that mattered was the result, although Dallion now had a debt to pay.

The boys stomach growled.

Err, sorry about that. Dallion swallowed. Days of hunger had accumulated despite only a second passing in the real world.

Youre hungry. To be expected after such a task. Come, this is a day of celebration! There will be a feast in your honor! Ill make sure that

I wouldnt want to inconvenience the village chief, Dallion interrupted, doing the exact opposite. Youve already shown me so much kindness. I just want to spend some time with my family and get some rest.

Aspions smile thinned. Anywhere else Dallion would have been severely punished, but the presence of the crowd protected him. The old man had gone through too much trouble to make this a public event as a warning what would happen to anyone, awakened or not, who stood up to him. However, that relied on Dallion failing. Now that the boy succeeded despite being set up, the chief couldnt just deny his victory. Doing so would only make him appear weak.

How do you like them apples, old man? Dallion smiled.

As you wish, Aspion said. You are the hero of the day, after all. You have earned your rest. Go spend it with your family. He then briskly turned around, heading to his mansion, hurriedly followed by the rest of his entourage.

About half a minute later, once the entire Luor family had left, the square erupted in cheers. Everyone wanted to be close to Dallion, wishing him the best, thanking him, and complimenting him on his success. It was as if the boy had become a superstar overnight. If only people knew what he had gone through to achieve this.

Among the thanks and shoulder pats, Dallion felt an arm grab him by the shoulders.

I have you, his grandfather whispered. Just stay up for a while longer, Ill take you home.

Thanks, Dallion managed to say.

The next few minutes were a bit blurry. It was as if the end of the trial had removed a huge weight off his shoulders, signaling his whole body it could calmly pass out. Dallion watched as he was walked out of the square into a room with a bed. As the boy collapsed in it, he saw images of his old room: the desk, the posters, the shelves of books and comics, even the potato PC that was so old it had troubles running most games in the last three years.

Wow. Dallion blinked. That was some trip. But it seemed so real

The awakening, the fights, even some of the villagers. Hed had long conversations with people, cracked jokes, even almost punched a few in the face. A pity that none of them were real. Some of them werent bad. His family had been nice, his younger brother was the epitome of joy and mischief. Even Gloria wasnt that bad in her own unique way.

I better cut down on the parties, Dallion sat up. He didnt want to get kicked out of college on his first day. Besides

Dallion suddenly stopped. He wasnt supposed to be in his old room he was supposed to be in his college dorm. What was he doing here, then?

Uncertain, the boy went to the door and opened it. He could hear a faint sizzling sound along with the smell of grilled cheese. Someone was cooking in the kitchen.

Mom? Dallion went forward. Mom? He entered the kitchen. There was someone at the stove, but it definitely wasnt his mother.

Dont forget about your promise, okay? A water-stone golem said, then flipped a cheese pancake. One must always keep a promise.

Okay. Dallion nodded.

Have you fully awakened?

Im not sure. Had he? It was difficult to say. He felt that he had, but he also felt there was something missing.

Better hurry up, then. I dont want to be stuck in the kitchen all day.

Sure. No problem. Can I have one of those? He pointed at the pile of cheese pancakes on the kitchen table.

No. Theyre for after you awaken.

Okay, then Ill

Awaken! The golem shouted.

Dallion jumped to his feet. His body was drenched in sweat. Breathing heavily, he looked around. He was in a simple room, one he hadnt seen before. Through the window, he could see the sun set over the village chiefs mansion.

So, it was a dream. He was still in the village. Strange that he would think of his life on Earth. Or rather, strange that he was only thinking about it now.

Glad youre up, a voice said behind him. It was his grandfather. Its time I told you a few things.