Chapter 521: Trapped in a Dream

In the unpredictable outskirts of the elf girl’s dreamscape, a new elf figure had materialized.

Heidi’s senses instantly heightened in alertness.

Typically, no other mental constructs should exist within this fringe of the dream realm. This boundary region isn’t just a straightforward part of the dream; it’s a tumultuous realm formed by the intersection of the dreamer’s subconscious and the tangible reality. Within this area, logic and rationality of the dreamer become irrelevant. It’s a place where fragmented and chaotic subconscious thoughts are stirred up by potent universal forces, leading to the creation of eerie or alarmingly bizarre “shadows.” These shadows are so menacing that the dreamer’s own mental defenses are stretched to their limit, ensuring that these disruptive forces from the boundary don’t permeate deeper into their psyche.

Heidi’s memories raced back to her days at the Academy of Truth where her mentor had elaborated on this vision. Every dreamer, he’d said, is essentially navigating their dream blindfolded. If one were to witness the true nature at the fringes of their dreams, the revelation would be enough to plunge anyone into insanity.

This means that if everything is functioning as it should, dreamers would never be aware of the dream’s “outer region” and consequently, this space should remain void of any mental constructs.

With renewed determination, Heidi clasped the golden instrument in her grip, silently chanting Lahem’s name, imbuing the spike with the potency to eradicate any intruders within the dream realm. She was acutely aware that this figure either represented someone like her—a “doctor”—or a potentially dangerous trespasser.

The figure stood with its back to Heidi, seemingly unaware of her presence. It looked up, its attention fixed on the tree canopy that veiled the sky above.

Sunlight dappled through the leaves, illuminating the forest floor below. If not for the unsettling presence of this unknown entity, the scene would have been breathtakingly serene.

Moving stealthily, Heidi approached the figure from behind, swiftly raising her golden spike, poised to strike. But in a split second, she halted.

This isn’t an invader!

In the tangible world, this “golden spike” blessed by Lahem functions as a tool for neurological interventions. However, within the dream realm, it morphs into a “medium of suggestion” endowed with an array of mystical capabilities. It could either vanquish shadows within one’s mind or forge fleeting mental links. As Heidi’s spike made contact, clear and coherent thoughts flooded her consciousness, revealing a deep-rooted connection between the figure and its environment. Leveraging her extensive training, Heidi instantly discerned the truth—she had stumbled upon the dream of another elf, distinct from the initial elf girl’s dream realm.

A tidal wave of bewilderment and shock washed over Heidi. Since the day she received her diploma, never once had she come across such a perplexing scenario in her line of work. Yet here she was, witnessing another dreamer within her “patient’s” dream. What added to the perplexity was the seamless merging of the two dreams, leaving her unable to differentiate one from the other.

An exhilarating realization dawned on Heidi—she had discovered the subject matter for her forthcoming research paper. However, if she dared to pen down this supernatural occurrence, it wouldn’t be a surprise if even the most avant-garde psychologists from the Academy of Truth would embark on an arduous voyage to Pland just to confront and challenge her hypothesis personally.

As these thoughts zipped through her mind at breakneck speed, Heidi promptly withdrew the golden spike, carefully tucking it out of view. Only after this swift movement did the figure before her—sporting a slightly stooped posture and tousled blonde locks—react. He turned his head languidly, revealing a visage that was the embodiment of weariness and puzzlement.

He reminded Heidi of the exceedingly ambitious students she had encountered during her postgraduate days at the academy. These were individuals who, in their desperation to excel, denied themselves food, sleep, or rest. And yet, despite these extreme sacrifices, many still faltered.

In a voice that seemed to wade through the thick fog of exhaustion, the face, which bore the markings of countless sleepless nights, murmured, “Hello. Are you also here to terminate my existence within this dream?”

Jolted from her brooding, Heidi’s once scattered thoughts merged. She responded swiftly, a note of concern evident in her tone, “Also? You’ve been attacked in your dreams before?”

Vanished in these musings, Heidi was interrupted by the middle-aged elf’s voice once more.

As the elf’s eyes settled on the golden spike that Heidi held, a flash of recognition lit up his face, as though pieces of a forgotten puzzle were slowly falling into place.

“Miss Heidi,” he began, choosing his words carefully, “Earlier on, did you use that instrument to prod the back of my neck?”

Heidi was taken aback.

Why would he choose to ask about that at this particular moment?!

...

“Has Master Taran El yet to rouse from his deep slumber?”

A distinct furrow of worry marred Lucretia’s brow as she observed the still form of the elven scholar. Lying on the bed, his eyes sealed shut, Taran El showed no indication of stirring from his unconscious state.

She had hastily returned to the vessel, Bright Star, carrying the enigmatic “manuscript” that Taran El had entrusted her with. However, after initial scrutiny that yielded no clear answers, she felt an urgency to return to Wind Harbor to ascertain the scholar’s state. Much to her dismay, she discovered him ensnared in an inexplicable deep sleep.

In Wind Harbor, a city-state renowned for its distinguished physicians and eminent scholars from the Academy of Truth, wasn’t there someone capable of rousing the entrapped Taran El?

“Indeed... Indeed, Miss Lucretia,” a young attendant in the chamber, who was assigned to look after the master scholar, responded with a hint of trepidation. Confronted with the legendary “Sea Witch” and her myriad of enigmatic tales, the young protege was visibly daunted. “The physicians are adamant that Master El hasn’t been subjected to any physical harm or toxins. Rather, it’s as though he’s ensnared in an intricate nightmare, perhaps a repercussion of the sun’s abrupt disappearance...”

Lucretia’s sharp eyes roved around the chamber, stopping briefly on a face she recognized among the group of scholars.

“Joshua,” she began, her tone demanding an answer, “Your mentor is well-versed in defensive techniques related to psychology and mental health, isn’t he?”

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Joshua, who had previously found himself reprimanded by the “Sea Witch” for a minor infraction, answered, “Yes, Miss Lucretia. Master El frequently interacts with peculiar relics unearthed from the frontier regions. As a precaution, he regularly undertakes training for mental fortification...”

“It implies that Taran El possesses the expertise to maintain clarity during nightmares and shield himself. Ordinarily, he’d possess the strength to extricate himself from such a dream—yet the current predicament has clearly overwhelmed him.”

Before Lucretia could add another thought, Joshua interjected, “A psychiatrist has been summoned! Their arrival is imminent!”

Lucretia’s expression remained skeptical. “A regular psychiatrist might not be equipped to tackle this enigma. This is not just a simple dream,” she declared. “I intend to transport him to the Bright Star. The resources in my laboratory might be instrumental in this situation.”