Allen thought for a moment, then asked, "Can you tell me about Elarion in as much detail as possible?"
Drazien gave a small nod. "Very well."
He took another slow puff from his cigarette, exhaled, then began.
"Elarion is a world still caught in a medieval age—similar to your history, with kings, nobles, serfs, civilians, even slaves. But it differs in crucial ways. For one, their economy is based on copper, silver, gold, and platinum coins. There are guilds, mercenary bands, and traveling merchants who risk their lives moving between towns and cities."
He leaned forward, voice lowering as if pulling Allen deeper into the tale.
"Now, let's talk about knights. Not like your chivalric myths—these knights wield prana, the pure elemental energy that flows through Elarion's very atmosphere. It strengthens their bodies, sharpens their senses, and enhances their combat abilities. They train using something called the Knight Breathing Method."
Drazien flicked his ashes aside. "These breathing methods are ranked from Grade E to Grade A. Grade E is the weakest, often used by rural guards or struggling adventurers. Grade A? That's the domain of elites—ancient families, chosen warriors, and those born with monstrous potential."
Allen leaned in, captivated.
"The knights themselves are ranked, too—tiered like a hierarchy of power. They begin as King's Apprentices, then advance to Knight, Knight Master, Knight Grandmaster, and finally... Paladin. Reaching that final rank takes talent, brutal training, and more luck than most are ever granted."
He paused before adding, "Nobles control land, money, and power. They dominate the kingdoms and dictate the fate of those beneath them."
Allen's mind swirled with the imagery—a world wrapped in steel, magic, and ancient hierarchies.
Allen asked another question, "Why did you flip the coin, and what does each side mean?"
Drazien replied, "As I told you, you're not the first one I've approached. Because of the wishes I granted to others, great chaos was unleashed in this world. So, the Administrator of this realm gave me this coin. When I flip it, if the winged side appears face-up, it means granting your wishes won't disrupt this world's balance."
He paused, then added with a smirk, "And before you ask why the Administrator doesn't just stop me—well, the answer is simple. I'm part of the system too. A temptation. Haven't you ever heard the story of Eve and the apple? I'm... something like that."
He took another drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling lazily into the air.
"Now, back to the coin," he continued. "If the side with the horned goat appears, it means you're the next big chaos-bringer. In that case, I'm required to erase all your memories of this conversation, and you go back to your mundane life... none the wiser."
Drazien's tone grew firm but a little tempting underneath it . "Now I've answered both of your free questions. Are you ready for your wishes, or do you want to return to your mundane life without Amy?"
Allen closed his eyes, letting the weight of Drazien's words sink in. The image of the girl he loved flashed through his mind—Amy, the light in his otherwise grey world. With deep resolve, he opened his eyes.
"I want you to grant me three wishes."
Drazien, usually calm and composed, suddenly burst into laughter, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
"Very well, boy! We should always chase our dreams. Now then, what is your first wish?"
Allen hesitated. "Can you give me a minute to think?"
Drazien nodded and casually began playing with a string of strange charms.
Inside, Allen focused, having an inner conversation with himself.
'According to Drazien, Amy was sent back to her world because she was found by the Watcher. If I wish for her to be here, the same thing will probably happen again. What should I do?'
A memory surfaced—Dean's words:
If the water won't come to the crow, the crow must walk to the water.
Allen smiled faintly. 'Thanks, Dean… for that lesson. If Amy can't come here, then I'll go there.'
Then another problem surfaced. 'Even if I go there, my heart core isn't awakened. I won't understand the language either. I need to bundle everything into one wish.'
Allen took a deep breath, then said, "Drazien, I've figured out my first wish."
Drazien's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Very well, boy. Let me use my formal tone… What is it that you desire?"
Allen answered with conviction, "I want you to transport me to the world of Elarion—with the knowledge of its language and an awakened Heart Core."
Drazien smirked, almost playfully. "Ah, clever. Trying to bundle three wishes into one, are we? Unfortunately, the rules don't bend that easily. I can only grant one part of your request as a proper wish. Choose—travel, language, or the Heart Core."
Allen's face tightened. "Isn't there another way?"
"There is," Drazien said, exhaling smoke with a slow grin. "I can merge all three parts into one wish—but that would require an equivalent exchange. Something more... valuable."
Allen narrowed his eyes. "What kind of price?"
"The soul-memories of everyone who's ever known you in this world," Drazien said, calm and cold. "You won't be erased. You'll still exist—but to them, you never did. Friends, colleagues, strangers you helped... even the people you saved—they'll remember nothing. Your name will vanish from their lives like morning mist."
Allen's heart pounded. "What about the business I built? My Assets? The PeopleThat Work for Me? The orphanage?"
Drazien said. "The orphanage will remain. But your business, your assets, the people who work for you—they will forget you. Their memories of working for you, of you existing, will vanish. Are you ready to pay the price?"
Allen looked down. The weight of the choice sank in like a stone. All the good he'd done—gone from memory. Dean's face came to mind, stern but always supportive.
He whispered, almost to himself, "Sorry, Dean. I have to find Amy... She's my light."
Then, with a steady voice, he looked up. "I accept the conditions."
Drazien nodded, no sarcasm this time—only the solemn recognition of a man who had just made a real sacrifice.
"Very well," he said. "The first wish shall be granted. Now then... what is your second wish?"