Waking up to the shifting sunlight caused by the lake and the transparent ceiling overhead, Damon slowly sat up. Although he knew it was just wishful thinking, his eyes showed disappointment after he examined his surroundings.

  Washing up once more, since he knew it might be his last time here, Damon stepped out of the room and headed towards the living room. Slightly squinting from the lighting, he arrived. As expected, the young man from last night was there waiting. None of them spoke as Damon received a large backpack filled with traveling supplies and numerous maps that could be combined to form the map of the world. It was only when he walked up to the starfish that the other person finally spoke.

  "It doesn't have a name, and it's currently in the process of evolution. It barged into here one day and went to sleep. But when it is awake occasionally, it does not show aggression and is very intelligent. We were able to teach it the common language of the human race within a few days."

  The person paused before raising his hand and showing a thumbs up. "Since I made sure you won't have any problems, feel free to leave at any time. I would really appreciate it if you would scram right now. Oh, also. Never come back."

  Looking at the contrast between his actions and expressionless face, Damon twitched his lips before dragging the starfish out the door.

  As soon as they were out, the entrance disappeared. He walked towards a flat boulder that was conveniently lying near him and took out the maps, lying them on the surface.

  He stared intensely at the maps for a long time before figuring out that he had landed in a forest that just happened to sit on the border between the territories of humans and demons. He faltered momentarily before he picked up an erasable writing tool and planned a route to return home.

  Taking a glance at the route once more, he calculated that not only would he have to transverse around 70292 miles, but he would also have to deal with all the problems that arise due to his many years of disappearance after he return.

  Sighing, Damon packed everything up and started his peregrination while carrying the starfish only to see a familiar ripple across the air. A parchment slipped out, and the words written were -

  · · ─────────────────── ·??· ─────────────────── · ·

  [Read this letter before stepping through. It will disintegrate after you teleport back.]

  'Teacher' here.

  Although I never interfered until the end, how did you like your little trip?

  Isn't it fun to be able to skip school for one day? Haha...

  Although he almost killed you, he wasn't lying when he said things will start to turmoil. All I can tell you is that there are stupid people out there. If nothing goes wrong... enjoy 32 more years of life.

  I dropped you off at their place since they had been pestering me, intending to repay my favor.

  [You can stop reading here. Judging from what you displayed yesterday, I won't ask anything from you.]

  I assume you would disregard the warning.

  As you should've noticed by now, there is no power system other than 'God's blessing'. Many factors come to play here, but I will only list three.

  1. Limiting variables.

  2. Focusing on development other than combat power.

  3. No breakthrough.

  The third one, I believe you would be able to understand. After all, it has only been 5557 years.

  Well, that is all the information you will receive from me. I won't say anything further.

  Just know, Damon. The moment you step through... always be careful.

  PS - Drop that creature on your back. It will only be a burden and you will be in more trouble than you already are.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  · · ─────────────────── ·??· ─────────────────── · ·

  Damon stared at the letter blankly before looking at the space in front of him with hesitation. What sight would greet him if his 'teacher' told him to be careful? What trouble would he be in?

  Shaking his head, he went through the portal, knowing that even if he think all day, he won't have the ability to solve it anyways. So why not see for himself before thinking?

  The familiar surroundings greeted him as he came back to the school grounds. He was about to get confused until he felt the cold shafts of spears locking his body in place. Without looking, he knew the owners of the spears were from the church. Twitching his lips, he asked, "To whom may I pleasure this visit to?"

  None of the paladins spoke which was within his expectations. Judging from how he was instantly captured, they knew he was going to appear here. But then, it also rose many questions that he has no answers to yet. Why was he the target? How did they know? Does 'teacher' play a part in this?

  Looking around, he reckoned that it would take a while for the authoritative personnel from the church to arrive, so he closed his eyes to organize his thoughts, which was the only thing he could do.

  Recollecting everything that had happened yesterday and today, he shifted through them. The person said that the teacher was Albie Istain. Lie. That scientist is already dead.

  He said he received a blessing from the gods, allowing him to fold space and achieve teleportation. Could be a lie. 'Teacher' could do the same thing and the same blessing never appeared in the same time period.

  Speaking of "God's blessing", the teacher did say that there are no power systems created by humans other than that and normal physical combat. The first factor is to limit variables but who is limiting the variables? Other races are out of the question. They have been dormant, and the current human race as a whole is still way too weak. So it has to be humans themselves.

  Damon revealed an exasperated expression, to which the paladins paid no heed, as he thought, "If that is true, the teacher is right. There really are stupid people out there and even worse, it is the scary kind of idiots."

  Clearing those thoughts away, he focused on the second factor, "Focusing on development other than combat power." He furrowed his eyebrows. Indeed, the human kingdom has been improving its technologies in numerous branches of things such as agriculture, medicine, architecture, etc. But there is no news on military power. To make things even more depressing, the funding for training the soldiers has dwindled and sometimes when he saw soldiers, they were walking around with a lazy posture that resembles a hooligan instead of a soldier. In normal times, he would ignore things like this because he is too busy studying and trying to become successful in life, allowing his family to live more comfortably.

  Checking his internal clock, 15 minutes has passed and his body was sore from being restricted like this. Realizing that his free thinking time is almost up, he quickly shifted his attention to another part of the letter.

  'If nothing goes wrong... enjoy 32 more years of life.'

  Whether when it was his first time reading it or now, it still drew a lot of his attention to it. What does the teacher mean? Perhaps... it is related to the first two factors.

  He groaned internally as he mocked his own stupidity. 'Why am I thinking so much when the hints are so obvious in front of me.'

  To know where he would appear and restrict him physically out of nowhere, the idiots that the teacher has been talking about in the letter must be the church. After reaching that conclusion, some of the mist shrouding his mind was cleared. Although it wasn't obvious, he could tell from clues gathered from bits of gossip that the church's influence had already extended to the king. So if the church has some sort of grand plan for who knows what, wouldn't the idea of limiting variables by making us focus on developing everything except combat power be a must? After all, it is easier to kill a flock of sheep than a tiger.

  Damon suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Opening his eyes, his face became dull as he recognized that among them, there was an archbishop. He has been thinking up a lot of theories but there was one that he couldn't seem to find an answer to, and that is 'Why are they going to this extent for him'. Bracing himself, he stared at them as the knights lined up neatly in two lines, allowing the passage of the archbishop and a few priests that were following behind.

  The archbishop wore white robes decorated with gold. Red markings can be seen on the sleeves, and he also wore a miter that complemented his attire. Loud tapping sounds can be heard as he walked up to Damon with a staff.

  The priests from behind respectfully unfolded a scroll and held it in front of the archbishop, allowing him to read it. He then smiled and said, "I assume you are named Damon, am I correct?"

  Damon didn't answer, and the paladins tightened their spears, causing him to grunt in pain. The person signaled to them, and the paladins released their hold on Damon. He then continued, "After researching many children's blood, we found out that you have a special ability. Much like the demons, you can form a contract with others. So I came here today to form a contract with you."

  He paused and raised his palms before saying, "You can refuse, but you might not like what happens next."

  Damon stared at him in confusion and shock before a word slipped from his mouth, "...What?"