Real Dream: Infinity

William stared at the plate, his expression unreadable. Finally, a small but genuine smile appeared on his face.

"It's… authentic."

Aurora raised an eyebrow as she took her seat across from him.

"Authentic? Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

William looked at her as he took his first bite.

"Mm, well, it tastes like Etheron."

Aurora seemed pleased, and they both ate in silence for a few moments. Then William broke it.

"Why do you study at the Helion Red Diamond Institute?"

Aurora looked up, surprised by the question, but her expression soon softened.

"Because I want to be like my father. I want to understand how things work, how we can make this world better… although, sometimes I feel like I'm playing a game where the rules keep changing."

William observed her in silence for a moment. Although he said nothing, his eyes seemed full of questions and answers only he could understand.

***

After finishing the meal, Aurora leaned back in her chair, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"That was delicious. Thanks for having me."

William, already clearing the dishes, replied without looking at her. "I didn't cook. It's not a big deal."

Aurora smiled as she watched him. When she stood up to help, William motioned for her to stop.

"Leave it there. Just put them in that section." He pointed toward an elegant corner of the kitchen where a small glowing platform was embedded.

"And… what? They clean themselves?" Aurora asked, equal parts skeptical and intrigued.

"Exactly." William stacked the plates on the designated spot and straightened up, glancing at the ceiling.

A few seconds later, the section disappeared below, and when it reappeared, the plates were gone. A soft voice echoed in the kitchen:

"The dishes are now in the cleaning cycle. Thank you, William."

Aurora took a step back, startled. "W-Who said that?!"

"Oh, that's Xyra, the house's AI. She basically does everything I don't want to do," William said, leaning against the counter as if the matter was trivial.

"This is a mix of magic and sci-fi," Aurora muttered, still trying to process what she had just witnessed.

William shrugged and walked toward the living room. "Rest for a bit if you want. I'm going to read."

Aurora followed him, and they each settled into their respective spaces. While William unfolded a hologram displaying a web novel, Aurora let her gaze wander, admiring the minimalist yet technological design of the place.

Before long, their conversation resumed, this time revolving around the Helion Institute, its courses, and its rigorous evaluation system.

After a while, Aurora stood up and announced, "I'm going to practice piano. But you're not allowed to be there while I do it, understood?"

William raised an eyebrow. "If you break anything, I'll hang you from the Helios Tech tower. But I trust you won't."

Aurora grimaced, unsure if she should take the threat seriously, and left for the music room. William, meanwhile, sank back into the couch, flipping through page after page of the hologram with his usual neutral expression.

An hour later, Aurora reappeared quietly behind him.

"What are you reading?" she asked, peeking over his shoulder.

William immediately closed the projection, his face impassive.

"It's a novel about the origin of the universe."

Aurora eyed him skeptically. "Yeah, sure…"

William didn't respond, and Aurora rolled her eyes before changing the subject.

Finally, Aurora made her way to the entrance but stopped abruptly. She glanced down at the floor and frowned.

"My sneakers! They're gone!"

William, unfazed, looked up at the ceiling.

"Xyra, return Aurora's sneakers."

"At once, William."

Aurora opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, a compartment in the wall opened. Her sneakers emerged, looking brand new, spotless, and perfectly clean.

"What…? This is magic." Aurora grabbed the sneakers, inspecting them before putting them on. "It's like I just bought them."

She glanced at William, who was already slipping on a new pair of sneakers himself. "The life of a rich guy is so simple," she sighed.

***

As they walked through the Luminary district, their conversation flowed lightly. But once they crossed the control point, Aurora fell silent.

She gazed at the horizon, recalling the journey she'd have to make to get back home: walking several streets, taking the aerobús, and then trekking a long way to her building.

The distance felt endless, and the cost… well, that was another matter.

Aurora sighed, realizing how far William lived. "This guy lives way too far. My credits are going to cry…"

William, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, noticed her sigh and expression.

"Are you coming back to practice piano?" he asked curiously.

Startled by the comment, Aurora quickly responded, "Yes, of course. How about we coordinate after classes?"

William nodded, maintaining his usual calm demeanor. "Alright. If anything comes up, I'll let you know."

Without warning, he pulled out his Nexus and approached her.

"Give me your ID."

Aurora looked at him suspiciously. "Why?"

"Just do it."

Reluctantly, Aurora shared her ID. Seconds later, a notification appeared on her Nexus, showing a massive credit transfer.

"W-What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, horrified.

William shrugged. "You live far away. If you don't want to walk the whole way, we can take transport from Noctus next time. This will cover the cost, and now you're officially working for me."

Aurora waved her hands frantically. "No! This is too much! We barely know each other. What if I take the money and disappear?"

William smiled faintly. "Good luck escaping Helios Tech over that. Besides, our Nexus recorded everything. If you run, I'll get the credits back. What happens to you afterward… isn't my problem."

Aurora's eyes widened, and she quickly tried to return the money, but William raised his Nexus, showing a credit balance that left her speechless.

"Is this real? Are you rich or something?" Aurora stammered.

William shrugged again. "Let's just say my account has no limits."

Aurora sighed, reluctantly accepting the situation. "Fine, but in exchange, those instruments will shine so much they'll play themselves! And the garden will be the most stunning in all of Aetheris!"

William nodded, laughing softly.

Aurora stared at him for a moment.

That's the kind of expression you should show more often, William.

An awkward silence stretched between them until Aurora suddenly turned on her heel. "See you tomorrow."

William looked at her, puzzled. "But there's no class tomorrow."

Aurora turned bright red. "Oh, right! Then… Monday. Goodbye."

She ran off in a hurry, and William watched her go, a faint smile forming on his face. Realizing it, he shook his head and quickly returned home, feeling slightly embarrassed, though the smile never completely left

***

The afternoon sun bathed Elysi Palace in warm hues, an imposing complex situated right next to the main Helios Tech towers in Luminia, Aetheris. The facilities combined advanced technology with spaces designed for comfort and training, with large windows allowing natural light to flood in. The cafeteria was one of its central hubs, always buzzing with conversations, jokes, and the occasional tension.

At one of the more secluded tables, Martin was sitting and enjoying a simple meal. He was of average height, his build lean but toned, suggesting a strength that was deliberate but not ostentatious. His black, straight hair fell slightly over his sharp gray eyes, which held a restless gleam, as though he was always evaluating his surroundings.

Beneath his black jacket—designed more for practicality than style—white bandages could be glimpsed, peeking out from his neck and wrists. Sitting beside him was Catherine whose appearance sharply contrasted with his.

Martin cut a piece of his food and slowly brought it to his mouth as Catherine animatedly spoke about strategies for the next competition, when a familiar voice interrupted their peace.

"Hellooo, Zephy!"

The feminine voice, though now less deep, was just as lively and teasing. Martin closed his eyes and let his fork fall onto his plate, trying to maintain his composure.

"Control your anger… control your anger…" he muttered to himself before turning around with a forced smile. Standing there was Sophia Lusoriel, wearing her eternal mischievous expression.

Sophia was petite, with a slim build and dark brown hair that she wore loose and slightly messy. Her brown eyes, framed by thick black glasses, sparkled with a constant air of amusement. Her outfit was as unassuming as her demeanor, consisting of a plain gray t-shirt, dark jeans, and white sneakers that had clearly seen better days.

"I told you not to call me that when we're not in the arena," Martin snapped, trying not to lose his temper.

Sophia waved a hand dismissively, ignoring his irritation. "Oh, come on, Martin, don't get mad. You know I like your Dominion name."

Martin's lips twisted in frustration. "Oh, really? And does that explain why you keep trying to eliminate me every time?"

Sophia dropped into the chair across from him, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands with a teasing smile. "No, no, that's because your outfit is way too cliché. A skull? Really? Are you trying to dress up for Halloween or something?"

Martin blinked, momentarily thrown off by the logic of her comment, while Catherine stifled a laugh behind her hand.

"By the way, who's she?" Sophia pointed at Catherine with curiosity.

The girl, Catherine, radiated a classic kind of beauty. Her long, golden hair fell in waves over her shoulders, framing a delicate face with fair skin and pale blue eyes, almost translucent, that carried an unusual innocence for someone in these facilities. Her feminine attire consisted of a simple white dress adorned with pastel floral embroidery and a pair of short boots that gave her a practical yet charming appearance.

Before Martin could answer, Catherine extended a graceful hand and said, "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Sophia. I'm Catherine Alaric, though in Dominion I'm just known as 'Cathy.' I participated last time, though my run was brief—thanks to that Therion guy."

"Nice to meet you, my name is Sophia Lusoriel, and yes, that Therion guy," Sophia repeated with a disdainful tone as she shook Catherine's hand. "That sleazeball. Attacking from the shadows with explosive arrows, waiting for the right moment. Shouldn't we take him out first next time?"

Martin, who was finishing a sip of water, nearly choked at the comment. "You? Complaining about sneak attacks? Isn't that exactly what you always do?"

Sophia shrugged with an innocent smile. "If it works, it works."

Martin was about to reply when a shadow blocked the warm light streaming onto the table. Looking up, the three of them found a young man standing nearby, radiating an unmistakable presence.

He was tall, with an athletic build that balanced agility and strength. His jet-black hair fell in a deliberately tousled way that accentuated his striking looks. His eyes, a green so pale it was almost impossible to pin down their true color, carried an intensity that captured the attention of anyone nearby. A lopsided smile appeared on his face as he placed a hand on Martin and Sophia's shoulders, leaning slightly toward the table.

"That's right," the young man said in a smooth voice, laced with authority. "We should deal with those rats that attack from behind first. How about we start with Melisfir or Zephirin?"

His gaze shifted between Martin and Sophia, who both straightened instinctively under his touch. Then, his eyes landed on Catherine, who had remained silent until now. He loosened his grip and offered her his hand with a smile that seemed friendly but carried a hard-to-ignore edge.

"Pardon my manners. I'm Aiden Blur."

Catherine, who had observed the earlier interaction with a mix of amazement and caution, hesitated briefly before shaking his hand.

"Catherine Alaric. I participated in the last Dominion."

Aiden tilted his head slightly as he shook her hand.

"Hmm, yes, I remember seeing you from a distance. A shame we didn't cross paths." His words sounded polite, but Catherine couldn't shake a sudden chill. "It must be him," she thought.

"Perhaps we'll have the opportunity next time," she replied with a strained smile.

Sophia, ever impatient, cut the conversation short with an exaggerated wave of her hand.

"Oh, come on, Aiden! We both know we had our fun with Iron Will."

Aiden leaned back in the chair he had taken, letting out a small chuckle.

"Yes, it was entertaining at first, but then…" His expression darkened slightly. "Who would have thought she could throw a punch that big from such a distance?"

Martin nodded with a nervous smile.

"Her control over In has improved a lot. She's no longer just a ridiculously durable punching bag."

Sophia burst into laughter, slapping the table.

"That's why I like you, Zephy."

Catherine cast a complicated look at Martin, who bristled immediately at Sophia's backhanded compliment. She always had a way of throwing everyone off balance with her carefree and slightly provocative attitude.

Turning his attention back to Aiden, Martin leaned in slightly.

"By the way, who is that girl, Xandra?" he asked, gesturing toward a corner with visible curiosity.

To everyone's surprise, Sophia reclined in her chair with a mischievous smile.

"Well, even though I haven't met her directly, I've heard sooo much about her…"