NOVPUBWarden Selena turned her attention momentarily to the young girl collapsing on the floor of the entrance hall of Herram Prison’s fourth basement level.
Such a situation was unheard of to Selena, a dreamscape that required so much Magic Power to construct, one to depict a dream that was destined to never come true in reality.
Correspondingly, such a grand dream indicated the severity of her mental trauma.
"Whenever I see someone less fortunate than me, it’s an indescribably wonderful pleasure... It seems you are my main dish today."
In Selena’s eyes flickered an unnerving light, a mix of pleasure and obsession. A sinister yet sweet smile hung from the corners of her mouth.
She walked towards the Great Love Poet, her steps full of ceremony, her every move akin to the preparation of a meal.
As Selena crouched beside the young girl, closing her eyes, she gradually immersed herself in a whole new world, the surrounding space rippling with instability.
At that moment, the depths of Selena’s heart were fully revealed. She felt disconnected from her body, engaged in direct dialogue with her mind’s horizon.
When she opened her eyes again, the scenery was entirely different from the entrance hall of the fourth basement level of Herram Prison.
She found herself floating in the sky. The ever-changing celestial landscape revealed an array of shifting hues from dawn’s soft blue blush to dusk’s golden riot, with the night’s starry expanse scattering diamonds on a black silk canvas, and meteors occasionally streaking across the sky, seemingly fulfilling wishes on the spot.
No matter how fast or slow the time flowed, the weather was always pleasantly mild with sunlight seeping through the ethereal clouds and the breeze wafting the scent of blossoms and fresh air.
Having arrived in this place, Selena naturally learned the style of this world through the magic of [Fallen Wonderland]. In this realm, there was little conflict or inequality. Everyone abided by the rules and respected each other. Tragedies rarely occurred, and in most other aspects, it was not very different from the real world.
"What a childish fairy-tale world..."
Selena burst out laughing.
She looked down in disdain, seeing a fusion of futuristic fantasies and classical naturalism in the architecture. It represented both a living space and hyperrealistic art forms.
Around her hung architectural structures and transparent pathways that defied gravitational laws, suspended in mid-air. Standing on their respective terraces, one could practically reach out and touch the stars.
Light refracted through the complex architectural structures, casting splendid, dreamlike colors.
Occasionally, surreal illusions appeared, hinting at the imperfect depiction of this world by the magic of Fallen Wonderland.
"Hehe, watch me send you into emotional distress and leave you broken."
Selena was quite certain that most of those engrossed in these protective dream worlds were feeble-hearted wretches.
Just like those young socialite girls, the more severe the mental trauma, the more mesmerizing their Gentle Town would be.
When observing other’s dreams, one initially takes on a ghost-like observer state, which has no effect on the functioning of the dream.
But if one wishes to interfere and delve deeper, they would be transformed into a reasonable persona within the dream, allowing them to interact with the dreamer.
After breaking the barrier of the dream...
Selena’s figure materialized, appearing in a different location.
She found herself transformed into a maid in a mansion, tray and teacup in hand.
Looking ahead, on the broad terrace of the mansion’s second floor, a young figure was sitting in front of a canvas, paintbrush in hand.
The surrounding world seemed to breathe in sync with his brushstrokes, each stroke reflecting the sky’s ambiance.
The young man seemed to notice her, he merely turned his head and briefly nodded a greeting.
He had black hair and soft green eyes.
Strange.
That’s what Selena thought.
The person lying on the ground was supposed to be a black-haired girl, so why was the physical appearance in this mental landscape a handsome young man?
The existence of the young man was like the core of this world. With ease, his brush strokes sketched the brilliant landscape of this fantastical city, yet exuded aloof tranquility.
His painting didn’t seem to be constrained by the world, instead, it was the other way around. The world conformed to his will, trying to keep up with his painting.
Although the young man’s innermost feelings could not be ascertained at the moment, Selena was in no rush to probe. She excelled at unraveling the dreamscape of an individual.
Selena stepped forward.
"How long do you plan to stay out here painting, young master?"
She placed the teacup on a small round table close to him before resting the tray and folding her hands in front of her. She stood aside and asked with a smile.
"I’m not sure."
The young man answered leisurely, blithely unconcerned with the passage of time.
"...."
Selena kept her smile intact.
The heart inside him is already filled with teasing anticipation.
Indeed, he’s a fool who can never extricate himself from Gentle Town.
Even such ordinary tranquility can satisfy him.
"Sir, is there a lady you wish to see today? The weather is so nice, it seems more suitable for a date?"
Selena stood near the young man, hinting.
In the Fallen Wonderland, as long as he is tempted to call out the important person in his heart, he can definitely find his deepest vulnerability.
This is also the person who can hurt him beyond repair.
"...one should be in retirement, one at a family gathering, one fully devoted to her career."
The young man thought for a while and answered.
"No, if you wish, I can definitely bring the one you most want to see here, and arrange today’s itinerary for you."
Selena hinted.
However.
Why is there one in retirement?
Is it really fun to date an old woman?
"No need."
The young man seemed utterly unconcerned and didn’t look back.
"..."
Selena fell silent for a moment.
Selena felt that this guy indeed had some feelings toward the three women that were somewhat different from normal people, but he didn’t seem to want to possess them, he just hoped they were happy.
"What about men?"
She hesitated for a moment, then asked.
"You probably won’t be able to find him."
The young man answered.
"..."
Selena wanted to swear, but she held back.
Why is he so sure that she won’t be able to find that man even in a dream?
Just how much does he look down on people?
It seems that this guy’s mental trauma really has nothing to do with others.
Then it can only be related to some events and experiences.
"Sir, is there something good you hope will happen today?"
Selena gently continued the conversation.
Talking to this guy is a bit tiring, his answers are always irrelevant and never give you the answer you want.
But probing someone’s dreamscape; the most important thing is patience.
She was well aware of the higher risk this direct type of hint poses of making the other person realize they are dreaming, but in dealing with this difficult case, being straightforward is the best approach.
Selena was very confident that she would find a clue today and then get to see this guy’s completely exposed side.
"I hope for world peace."
"..."
Selena stood quietly by for quite a while.
"Sorry, sir, I’ll step out for a moment."
She left the room and walked to a place where her voice won’t travel inside.
"※! ※! ※ !!"
She shouted three times before she leaned against the wall to catch her breath, readjusted her expression and demeanor, and tried to act like a maid as she returned to the room.
