After receiving the system's message, Alex was astonished. His eyes, initially incredulous, opened wide in awe as he observed the hologram floating before him. Instead of feeling a surge of pain or sadness, Alex was immersed in a sense of wonder and curiosity. The information presented, though brief, seemed to open a door to something entirely new.
At that moment, an idea began to form in his mind: he was in a lucid dream. The sensation of being conscious within a dream, where everything felt so real yet so surreal, overwhelmed him. He realized he could move freely, explore, and experiment at will.
He decided to experiment by focusing on activating the "Eye of Truth." He directed his gaze toward the grass-covered ground, and suddenly, the distance and detail expanded before him. He could see with astonishing precision a small group of hardworking ants carrying forest fruit seeds. Every movement and detail was visible so clearly that it felt like observing a miniature world.
Alex watched as the ants disappeared from his field of vision, and as he tried to follow their movement with his head, he was suddenly overwhelmed by an intense wave of dizziness and discomfort. As the world around him spun and his vision became blurry, Alex tried to regain control. He focused on deactivating the "Eye of Truth," and as his vision adjusted back to normal, the discomfort subsided. He collapsed onto the ground, groaning aloud, his body trembling and sweat beading on his forehead.
Suddenly, a holographic system message appeared before him, highlighting in a metallic and cold tone:
//////////////////////////////
Warning: Prolonged use while moving may cause dizziness and nausea. Body stabilization is recommended before activating the ability.
//////////////////////////////
Alex looked at the message with a mix of disbelief and exasperation. His frustration at not having received this warning beforehand was palpable. With a sigh of resignation, he muttered aloud, still annoyed:
— "Next time, warn me before I use it!"
Alex, after quickly deactivating his enhanced vision, stood up with agility. The dizzy sensation that had overwhelmed him before disappeared almost immediately. With a mixture of curiosity and determination, he set out to explore his new ability further.
For what seemed like an hour, Alex dedicated himself to experimenting with his power, focusing his sight on nearby and distant details. First, he observed a cluster of nearby flowers, noticing the minute details: the delicate veins in the petals and the tiny pollen particles resting on them. It was as if he were using a microscope, allowing him to see the world with surprising clarity.
Then, he extended his field of vision toward the horizon, managing to see miles away with the precision of a telescope. Among the various details he could now observe, he noticed a group of people gathering at a distance. Among them, he distinguished a person dressed in armor that seemed taken from a medieval era, surrounded by people in regular attire. Intrigued, Alex decided to approach to find out more about these strange characters.
Cautiously, he headed towards them, entering the group. The first impression was one of shared amazement and curiosity. The knight in the shining armor, noticing Alex's arrival, began to speak with a calm authority:
— "Great, another newcomer. Well novice, as I was saying, welcome to Somnia, the realm of dreams. Don't worry, King Cedric will take good care of you."
A young man in the group, with an expression of amazement and excitement, said:
— "This is incredible! It's like being inside an isekai anime!"
The knight, maintaining his composure, responded with a mix of calmness and experience:
— "Yes, but no. This has been going on for quite some time, and no one yet knows of anyone who has taken their abilities into the real world."
The knight, who introduced himself as Sir Gareth, was a tall and robust man, with gleaming armor and an expression of determination on his face. His imposing presence and firm voice inspired confidence and respect in the newcomers. Alex observed how the diverse mix of people, of different ages and backgrounds, shared the amazement and confusion in the face of this new reality.
As the group of newcomers, including people of various ages and backgrounds, gathered, all equally puzzled and fascinated by this new reality.
As the group congregated, Sir Gareth began to guide them. They headed in a direction that seemed familiar to him. As they walked, Sir Gareth explained the vast world of Somnia. Beyond the forest where they found themselves, the kingdom stretched out like a vast and ancient feudal territory. The capital, where King Cedric's castle was located, was the heart of this world. Cedric, the first awakened and the strongest, ruled with a firm hand. In the capital, there was also the central market, a bustling place where merchants from all over the kingdom offered everything from exotic foods to handcrafted weapons.
On the outskirts of the city, almost on the capital's boundaries, lay the knights' district. This area was dedicated to the kingdom's defenders and housed barracks, stables, and extensive training grounds, essential for the preparation and training of Somnia's warriors.
In addition to the capital, Sir Gareth mentioned various villages scattered throughout the kingdom. Some were under King Cedric's direct control, while others operated independently. The group was heading toward a village called Lunaria, located on the outskirts of the Dawn Forest, the same forest they were in.
Sir Gareth also warned about the more dangerous areas of Somnia, such as the Umbras Mountains and the Penumbras Swamp, known for their darkness and the dangers they harbored.