Three months had passed, yet Lucian's mana ring remained shattered, refusing to heal. No matter how many potions he drank or how many artifacts he used, the cracks only deepened.
"Three months... and not even a sign of recovery."
Frustration welled inside him. If his mana ring didn't heal, he would never be able to use magic or aura again.
"What do I do now? If this continues, I..."
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I've already given you the theories. But can you learn them if you remain here?"
Lucian clenched his fists. "Yes, I can! But how? My mana ring is barely holding together!"
The voice continued, calm yet firm.
"There is another world beyond this one. It is called Wimbledon."
Lucian's eyes widened. "Another world?"
"Yes. In that world, two gates exist—one known as the Gate of Night, which leads back to your world, and the other, the Gate of Day, which leads into Wimbledon. It is a land where, aside from humans, various demi-humans reside."
Lucian struggled to process the revelation. "A place like that exists?"
"Indeed."
"Then... why are you telling me this?"
"Because in Wimbledon, powerful creatures exist—not demons, but beings of immense strength. You must hunt them, but do not kill them completely. Instead, extract their mana rings and cultivate them. Only then can you heal your own mana ring. If fortune favors you, your mana ring may even evolve—something most humans could never achieve."
Lucian hesitated. "That sounds... impossible. I'm not strong enough right now. My mana ring is barely intact. How can I do that?"
The voice's next words sent a shiver down his spine.
"When you were teleported here, your friend Xeran was sent to Wimbledon as well."
Lucian's breath caught. "What?! He was teleported? Why didn't you tell me this sooner?! Where is he? I have to save him!"
"Calm yourself."
"Calm down?! How can I calm down when my friend is in the middle of a world filled with bloodthirsty monsters?!"
"Xeran is not an ordinary human. He is more than capable of surviving. I can only tell you this much for now. But enough talk—let us go. I will guide you to the gate."
Lucian took a deep breath, pushing back his rising panic.
"Alright."
Before they left, Valentina approached him. She held out a small, silver ring adorned with faintly glowing runes.
"This is a dimensional ring," she said, slipping it into his palm. "I had it prepared for you. Inside, you'll find rations, a few weapons, and some magic items. They're not artifacts, but they should help you survive in Wimbledon."
Lucian stared at the ring, feeling its weightless presence in his hand. "You... thought this far ahead?"
Valentina smirked. "You're reckless. I figured you'd jump into danger without preparation. Consider this my way of making sure you don't die too quickly."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "Thanks, Valentina."
"Just don't lose it."
With that, he slipped the ring onto his finger and turned toward the voice.
The voice handed him a pair of daggers.
"Take these. They are crafted from the fangs of a Celestial Wolf. They will not break, no matter how powerful the impact."
Lucian examined them closely. The curved black blades gleamed with an eerie crimson glow, intricate patterns running along their edges as if pulsating with latent energy. The hilts were wrapped in dark leather, ending in a vicious hook-like curve, giving them a predatory elegance.
"These are... incredible."
"Use them well."
They arrived at the gate. It stood like an ancient monolith, glowing with a divine radiance. Ethereal symbols danced across its surface, and the light it emitted was almost... heavenly.
Lucian frowned. "This gate looks like it leads to heaven."
The voice gave a low chuckle.
"Do not be deceived, Lucian. Remember this: An angel may make itself appear terrifying to ward off evil, while a demon may veil itself in beauty to ensnare the unsuspecting."
Lucian etched the words into his mind. "I'll remember that."
He turned back to the voice one last time. "Goodbye, Miss Guardian."
"Go, and return in six months. I still have much to teach you."
With a nod, Lucian stepped through the gate, vanishing into the unknown.