After waking up, Roland lingered in bed as usual before reluctantly climbing out of the warm covers.
Anna was clearly already up and working, with a breakfast she had brought up left on the table. He lazily put on his coat, planning to wash up at the outside water room first, then come back and fill his stomach.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened the door, he saw a group of witches standing guard outside.
“Your Majesty!”
Roland couldn't help but be stunned. The scene seemed somewhat familiar—undoubtedly, something big had happened in the Witch Union for so many witches who hadn't participated in the war to gather here. But because he was still in the Dream World, everyone was waiting for him at the door. Considering it was currently the Evil Moon Winter and Nightingale and the others had excited expressions, he subconsciously asked, "Did someone evolve on the Day of Adulthood?"
“It’s Scroll! She has advanced to Extraordinary Above!” Nightingale replied excitedly.
……
Following a group of chattering witches into the office, Roland saw the "Extraordinary Above" everyone was talking about. Phyllis and Anna were also present, and the three of them were gathered around a stack of documents, as if discussing something. Looking at Scroll's peaceful expression, he almost thought one of the cheerful witches in front of him had advanced, rather than the usually quiet and composed teacher of the Witch Union.
“So… what exactly is the situation?” he asked curiously, “Could it be that Scroll really…”
The three of them also noticed his arrival. Phyllis spoke first, “Your Majesty, I have repeatedly confirmed this with the Balancing Magic Stone. Lady Scroll is likely the first non-combat Extraordinary Advancer in history—all her magic characteristics have changed significantly compared to before. Although such improvements mostly vary from person to person, and there are no specific examples to compare with, according to the Union Association's convention, she is indeed qualified to be called Extraordinary Above."
“You can dispense with the 'Lady' and such…” Scroll said with a smile, shaking her head.
“That won’t do,” Phyllis said seriously, “During the Union Association era, you were a possible candidate for the Three Seats. I’m already being very disrespectful—"
“You also said that was the Union Association era,” Scroll interrupted, “In the Witch Union, everyone is sisters. Besides, I prefer this more relaxed way of addressing.”
“Okay, these things can be put aside for now,” Anna interjected, “Now that Roland is here, let's talk about Scroll's ability first.”
“I thought you had already gone to the North Slope Laboratory,” Roland said with a smile to her.
The latter winked slyly, "That was the original plan, but Scroll's ability is quite special, so I temporarily changed my itinerary."
“Special?”
“Yes,” Anna said, one word at a time, “She saw the Dream World.”
……
After listening to Scroll's account, Roland widened his eyes in surprise.
“Then how did you come back in the end?”
“After seeing those magnificent city buildings, I suddenly thought of the Dream World you described, and then I unconsciously felt a lot more at ease,” Scroll said slowly, “After that, I returned to the small house where I first appeared and tried to concentrate on imagining myself leaving this secret room. When I opened my eyes again, I found that I had indeed returned to the castle office.”
“Ah… I’m so envious!”
“Is that really the Dream World?”
“I want to see it too!”
The girls listening in had already couldn't restrain their excitement. As soon as Scroll finished speaking, they clamored.
“Well… I don’t think it’s possible for me to create such a magnificent world on my own,” Scroll said with a smile, “As for whether it’s the same Dream World, perhaps we’ll know when Your Majesty enters the dream next time.”
“No… I’m afraid this has nothing to do with ability,” Roland said thoughtfully.
“Nothing to do with ability?” Phyllis said in surprise, “But Lady Scroll’s magic has indeed condensed…”
“Advancement is just a prerequisite.” In his mind echoed the words of Nightmare Lord Vakiris, "When the understanding of magic reaches a certain level, it will leave traces in the realm of consciousness, and even open up a unique domain." This also coincided with what Lan had said. "Scroll, can you enter that sealed room again now?"
“But you haven’t fallen asleep…” Scroll was stunned.
“It doesn’t matter, just do as I say.” Roland thought for a moment, “If it works, try opening that iron door again, but no matter what you see, don’t step out of the room, and don’t touch anything, understand?”
“……I understand.” Scroll took a deep breath, sat back at her desk, and closed her eyes.
“Do you think she is—” Phyllis had obviously also noticed his purpose. She was also present during the meeting with Vakiris.
“Very likely.” Roland nodded almost imperceptibly.
About a quarter of an hour later, Scroll reopened her eyes and showed a look of surprise, “Your Majesty, behind the door has become a void of red emptiness!”
Indeed! He had a basic understanding of the whole thing in his mind. "That is the Realm of Consciousness, the true appearance of the source of magic. And the small room you saw at first glance belongs to you personally, a unique domain of consciousness."
“Eh?” Mystery Moon said in confusion, "But didn't you say that the Realm of Consciousness is the red moon in the sky?"
“They are just different expressions of the same thing. In fact, the Realm of Consciousness is in the Bottomless Land in the north of the continent.” Roland briefly recounted his experience of the Devil Lord breaking into the Dream World but being imprisoned and discovered by him, only concealing Lan's message, "This domain does not need to rely on the Dream World to exist, but it just happens to be within the range of the Key's Pillar of Light, so it is connected to the Dream World."
“Wow…” A burst of exclamations rippled through the group of witches.
“I want to open up a domain too!” Mystery Moon clenched her fist.
“Give it a rest, didn’t you hear what His Majesty said? Besides personal knowledge, it has a lot to do with ability.” Lily glanced at her, “In other words, even if you read all the books His Majesty wrote, whether you can succeed depends on your face. I think… it’s difficult.”
“Traitor!”
Roland looked at Scroll and instructed, "Although you can communicate with the Realm of Consciousness, try to open it within the Key's Pillar of Light as much as possible in the future and connect it to the Dream World. That place… is full of all kinds of dangers. If it’s in the Dream World, at least I and the God's Punishment Witches can protect you."
For example, hostile gods and envoys who bring erosion—even if Scroll advances to Extraordinary Above, her combat ability is still approximately zero. Once she encounters an enemy, the danger is self-evident.
“Yes…” Scroll was slightly dazed, then showed a gentle expression and bowed her head to him, “I understand.”
“Then it’s time to test this unique new ability properly,” Roland said with a smile.