1 The Real World

A tall man fell and lay right in front of Cedric who was reading a book. Upon seeing the man screaming in anguish, and grimacing in pain, Cedric tried to look at the man for a few seconds, then looked back at the thick book he had been reading.

"Look, he doesn't care about your fate, does he? So don't you fuck with me, asshole!" the big man shouted as he stomped on the body of the man lying in front of him who was bleeding profusely from his mouth.

"Forgive me, Steve. I didn't mean to insult you," he said in a voice that sounded weak and stammering, trying to endure the pain all over his body at the moment.

"If you dare to insult me again, I'll kill you without mercy!" he threatened and walked away as he stomped back over the man's prone body, followed closely behind by his gang mates.

Cedric closed his thick book after Steve and his gang left. Steve was one of the guys on campus who often caused trouble. Steve and his friends were a gang of bullies who often misused the high position of their family to cover up their bullying cases on campus.

Cedric himself was used to seeing the bullying that Steve and his friends did. He himself did not want to interfere with their affairs, he just wanted to live quietly during college and not disturb his studies much.

Cedric himself is a 21-year-old student who lives in a small town called Willowbrook. He has a hobby of reading fantasy books that often gets strange looks from his friends who prefer to hang out rather than read.

Cedric is the type of person who is weak and doesn't have many friends. Cedric's life is often forgotten and underestimated by others. People around him often bothered him and made fun of him because he looked thin and weak.

Cedric's days were always spent reading books and avoiding rioters. He always hoped that one day he could experience a life of adventure like in his favorite fantasy books. However, Cedric knew that this dream was just an imagination.

"Ric, did you do the assignment?" asked Gideon, a lanky man like Cedric as they left the classroom and headed for the library.

Gideon was also Cedric's only friend on campus, and always accompanied his nerdy friend so he wouldn't be alone. Both of them were not very prominent and famous on campus. They only knew how to study, eat, and read books. Since hanging out with Cedric, Gideon had become fond of reading books. Even if it's just books about automobiles.

"Why, do you want to cheat?"

Gideon smiled shyly. "I overslept yesterday, so I haven't done the assignment at all."

"You can see it, but only after I tell you something," he said as he took something out of his pants pocket which turned out to be chewing gum.

Cedric opened his pack of gum and ate it then gave one to his friend.

"What do you want to tell me about?"

"About this book," he said, showing a brown book that looked old.

"What is that book?" Gideon looked curious.

"A book about the relics of the fiery red gold stone in the city of Arktos. It's very exciting, I've only read half of it."

Gideon just nodded his head. He knew exactly that his friend was a book enthusiast and loved fantasy genre books.

"Let me see the book," Gideon said, asking for the book.

When Cedric was about to give the brown book to Gideon. Suddenly he felt something strange. He felt like he was being sucked into a mysterious portal. There was a strong wind that came along with the sound of thunder that sounded so loud.

Whereas, previously he saw the sky looking clear. But, suddenly the clouds looked cloudy, the sky became dark. The sound of lightning also sounded very loud and thunderous, so he closed his eyes because the roar of the aingin pierced his eyes.

When Cedric tried to open his eyes, he was already in a city that looked very beautiful and full of lights.

"Deon, we were on campus, right?" asked Cedric as soon as he opened his eyes.

"Where were we, Ric? Weren't we near the library?" Gideon looked confused.

Cedric felt very surprised and confused. He didn't know how he ended up in the city all of a sudden. However, he felt very happy and impressed by the beauty of the foreign city.

The foreign city was located in the middle of a meadow that seemed to always glow. The city looked very beautiful and full of light. In this city, everything looked very clean and bright. The buildings in the city also looked like they were made of shining white stone and were decorated with sparkling crystal chandeliers.

Along the streets, there are many beautiful gardens and flowers. The air in the city was also very fresh and fragrant, feeling like flowers in bloom.

"Where are we exactly, Ric? I'm really confused. But, this city looks strange to me."

"Even though it's strange, I think this city is very beautiful and magical. I love it!" exclaimed Cedric while widening his eyes that looked so amazed by the beauty of the foreign city.

"Welcome to the city of Lumina!" said a person who surprised both Gideon and Cedric.

"Who are you?" asked Gideon and Cedric with both eyes probing and full of suspicion.

"I'm Lyra. Lyra Moonstone," she introduced herself.

Lyra Moonstone was a beautiful woman with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes. She had smooth, snow-white skin, and always looked graceful in her every move.

"Lyra?" repeated Cedric in confusion.

Lyra nodded her head with a wide smile. "I am Lyra, a witch from the city of Lumina. I have been waiting for you to come to Lumina for many years, Cedric."

"You know me?" asked Cedric, pointing at himself.

"Of course I know you. You are Cedric, a detective who will help the city of Lumina to solve cases that have not been solved for decades."

"Me? A detectiv? I can't believe it," he said evasively.

Lyra only smiled slightly. Her smile was so beautiful and dazzling that her rows of white teeth were clearly visible.

"Come, I'll accompany you to take a walk and see the beauty of Lumina city."

Lyra immediately took Cedric and Gideon for a walk around the city of Lumina.

In the city of Lumina, there were many magical creatures that were friendly and seemed friendly. There were little fairies flying around the park, black cats that could talk, and birds that could sing beautiful songs. These magical things amazed Cedric and made Gideon disbelieve what he had just seen with both eyes.

Along the way, there were also many shops selling magical items such as potions, crystals, and books on witchcraft.

In the center of the city, there was a very large and beautiful palace. It was made of shining white stone and decorated with sparkling crystal chandeliers.

Around the city of Lumina too, there are many beautiful tourist attractions. There is an enchanted forest full of huge lush trees, a clear lake with colorful fish, and a tall mountain with a peak that is always covered in snow.

All the tourist attractions in Lumina city looked so beautiful and amazing, just like in a fairy tale.

"So, can you explain something to me, Lyra? Why did you say I was a detectivist?" asked Cedric, causing Lyra to stop in her tracks.

"You are the man of prophecy who can help Lumina City stand tall, Cedric. Lumina City needs you desperately. We have been waiting for your arrival for 99 years," said Lyra as she looked into Cedric's eyes.

"99 years?"