Leveling up the World

Chapter 254: Felygn's Boon

And promise youll call every day, Dallions mother said. And if you cant text.

I promise, Dallion smiled.

Leaving for college felt more awkward than he imagined. It was bad enough that he felt anxious about the upcoming changes. His mother made things far more complicated, almost crying. His father had turned out the smartest of the lot, avoiding the entire goodbye scene under the pretext that he had to check the car.

Ill be in touch, he said, avoiding looking her in the eyes. I promise.

And if there are any problems with your room, your father and I will

Itll be alright, mom. I checked out the campus online and the reviews are fine. Dallion lied. In truth, he had mostly checked pubs, shops, fast-food joints and everything else reachable from campus. Dont worry so much.

An obligatory hug followed, after which Dallion went to his father's car for the long drive to the airport. Technically, there was no reason for ithe could easily have Ubered to the airportbut he thought that a drive with his father was the least he could do.

The drive was silent for the most part. After providing some basic advice, Dallions father remained quiet, turning on a collection of music songs. On his end, Dallion didnt have much to say either, although he would have preferred a different selection of music. It was only after they had arrived and Dallion was grabbing his bags, when some more advice was offered.

Dont do anything too reckless. Dallions father handed him the last backpack. And careful with the drunks and other things.

Ill try to remember. Dallion smirked.

It costs a lot to go where youre going, so dont mess up. Remember, there are things that can be fixed and others that cant be.

I know. Even now, Dallion felt he was being treated as a child. For the last two years, he had pretty much been on his own: he had his own priorities, friends, a part-time job the only time he was home was to sleep. For his parents though, he appeared to be the same little child that needed help putting on a shirt.

Be nice, but dont trust too many people. And dont expect too much. That way you wont be disappointed.

Right. That was a dark way of viewing the world. Then again, his father was a lawyer.

Now, I dont expect you to call every night, but every now and again it is expected. Also, its better than your mother calling you.

No questions there. Dallion nodded.

Good. If theres anything you need from me, I prefer texts or mails.

Anything with a paper trail. Dallion took his backpack. Thanks dad. Ill be fine.

I know. Take care, son.

This was the first time in quite a while that Dallions father had addressed him in such fashion. However, the moment was barely noticed. Other priorities had taken hold, namely getting to the gate on time, then making his way to campus.

With school season approaching, even small airports were packed with more people than they could handle. Nothing was as fun as standing in line, waiting to get the baggage checked.

Wheres the fast lane? a loud female voice asked above all the chatter. Dallion, along with most of the people in the queue, turned around to see what was going on. Or VIP treatment?

The person in question was roughly Dallions age. Platinum blond and dressed in the latest designer clothes, she screamed trust fund kid. Dallion had no idea who her father was, but it was clear he had impressive amounts of money and clout, judging by the way she behaved. Still, Dallion had the strange feeling that he knew the girl from somewhere.

Come along, a platinum blond young manprobably her brothersaid as he moved to the nearest airport information assistant. Ive got a first-class fast pass. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it. Which way?

The clerk was utterly confused. Knowing that the pair wouldnt take no for an answer, she looked at the printout, then at the blonds.

And youre going to? she asked delicately with the politest smile she could muster.

Nerosal university, the girl said with a twist of her head as she stepped next to her brother. We were just admitted there.

Just great, Dallion thought. Of all the universities in the world, they got to pick this one. Spoilt rich kids were never easy to get along with. His only hope was that they wouldnt be such a pain in the ass once there, or if they were that, they would have nothing to do with him.

It took less than a minute to get the pair sorted. Dallion, along with a lot of others, enviously watched from the queue as the blonds were escorted to a special entrance that bypassed the standing baggage check-in and security checks, probably to the first-class lounge. In Dallions case, it took considerably longer. Close to an hour later, he, too, was at the gate, scrolling through his phone as the airplane was fueled and loaded.

Its going to be a calm flight, someone said. Dallion looked up to see a middle-aged gentleman dressed in a light green suit. It seemed quite expensive, even if it wasnt a brand Dallion recognised. It was much more high class than any of his fathers suits, that was for sure.

Seems so. Dallion glanced at his phone to check the weather forecast. Looks like clear skies all the way.

Indeed. The man smiled. And a full moon.

The comment made Dallion forget his browsing and pay more attention to the man. He was clearly too well dressed for coach. A few decades ago, Dallion would have imagined him being the head of a bank or similar institution. At present, he seemed like someones butler not that Dallion had ever seen one.

Heading to university? the man asked.

Why yes. How did you know?

Your shirt, the pan pointed.

Dallion looked down and saw the Nerosal U emblem all over his T-shirt. That was strange, he didnt remember putting this shirt on.

Right. Must have skipped my mind, Dallion thought.

Learning is the greatest reward, the man in green said. Some say its the greatest treasure. Like everything else, though, the important thing is to keep a steady pace. Burning out helps no one.

You can say that again. You in academia?

You could say that. The man looked at his wristwatch. Normally, I dont get involved, but every now and again they call me to explain a thing or two. For a split second, his eyes glowed green.

Normally, this was the moment when a person would jump back or even scream in astonishment as something supernatural was taking place. Dallion, however, only looked on as if it were nothing much. What was more, he still couldnt kick the feeling that all this seemed terribly familiar.

In this case Im here to help you, Dallion, the man said.

I dont understand

Suddenly, a distant memory appeared in Dallions mind. It was more a realization than a memory. Slowly, he looked around, only to see that the entire room around him was empty. The passengers, the cleaning staff, even airport security, had vanished.

Im in a dream, Dallion said, turning back to the man. His appearance had changed as well. No longer middle-aged, he now looked like someone in his late twenties, bronze skinned and dressed in a loose green travelers outfit.

A dream within a trial within a realm. The other nodded.

Youre the hidden moon.

No. Im just one of the moons that chose to take a step back. Seeing you, I decided to intervene.

Because of the trial?

Because I think you deserve a chance.

The Moon turned to his left. As he did, Dallion noticed that the walls that surrounded them were gone, revealing a field with a view of the night sky. There was a single full moon there, and it was green.

Its no secret that you failed your trial, the Moon continued. Youll have to find the reason on your own, but suffice it to say that you werent ready for that challenge.

And youll tell me what I need to do to overcome it? Dallion said in hope.

No. A failed challenge is a failed challenge. In a day, youll have to try again and continue doing so until you break through your current limitations. Im here for something else. Ive noticed that you have a tendency to prefer draws or surrenders to defeating your enemies.

Dallion had no idea whether that would be considered good or bad, so he nodded.

Thats precisely why Ill offer you a boon. If you agree, youll jump two levels and potentially pass the gate you so much want to. Note, that Im not saying that youll pass, or that itll help you against your real-world battle even if you do. The only thing Im offering is a chance.

Two levels just like that? Suspicion crept into Dallions mind.

In exchange Id make a request. The Moon smiled. Its not the first time youve had such an offer. The well guardian in your village did something similar. He surrendered, allowing you to achieve victory while only asking one thing in return. In my case, the request will be a lot more difficult.

Clearly, there were strings attached, but even so, the deal sounded too good to be true. Of all the things that could have happened, having a moon intervene was unusual, to say the least.

Im not a Star, if thats your concern. Although if I were, Id probably say the exact same thing. Youre free to refuse and return to your rather uneventful dream. The Moon turned around. An airport? Given the wonders youve seen and can imagine, you could do so much better.

If Nil were here, the first thing Dallion would do was ask him for advice. Alas, even echoes had no place in a dream even if Gloria and Veil had somehow managed to find their way here.

Do I get to hear the request before I decide? Dallion asked.

Of course. Provided you survive your upcoming fight, Id like you to find a dragonlet in the wild and bring it to me.

Dragonlet? Dallion blinked.

You just need to take it to an awakening shrine. Ill handle things from there.

I dont even know what that is But Ill have to find out, he said to himself. Whats the time limit?

Theres no time limit, just as there wasnt to the promise you made the well. However, if your commitment falters, I'll know.

And what happens then?

Vines in the form of green chains emerged from the ground and wrapped themselves round Dallion before he could say a word. He could feel the thorns pierce his skin through his clothes.

If your commitment falters, youll lose all you have gained, The Moon said, as one of the vines pierced Dallions chest. The pain was momentary, like a sharp prick in the heart. Remember, I have your heart in my grasp now, and Ill know what your intentions are, just as Ill be able to punish you.

The rest of the chain-vines loosened, letting Dallion drop to the ground. Now he had witnessed first hand exactly what the Moons representedinspiring, powerful, and extremely terrifying. No wonder no one dared break their rulesthe Moons themselves didnt allow it, and punishment was swift.

Dont let that worry you, though. I have faith in you.

You have received a boon from Felygn.

You have broken through your 2 barriers

Your current level has increased to 20.

Choose 2 focuses that will serve you best.

With that, I suppose its time for you to pass through the gate, the Moon said. I can give you the grand tour, but I think both of us would prefer the experience be short and sweet instead.

A stone altar emerged from the ground.

Your thoughts? the deity asked in the fashion that suggested that anything other than agreement would cause issues.

Yes. Dallion cautiously stood up. Short is good.

A large circular window emerged above the altar. As much as Dallion tried to look through it, but all that he could see were clouds.

One simple question, one simple choice, Felygn said. Do you want to remain where you are, or continue on, regardless of the changes youll go through.