I-Realm

When did it start?

It’s been bothering me ever since it happened.

At first, everything seemed so natural, like a scene from a childhood dream. But was it real all this time? I had no idea.

I jolted awake, breathing heavily. Here we go again—the same dream that’s been haunting me day and night.

“Daemon! Wake up! You’re going to be late for school!” Matthew’s voice rang out from the living room.

I grumbled, sitting up. “You’re too loud. Shut up.”

Trying to shake away the sleepiness that was overwhelming me, my ears heard Matthew’s hurried footsteps and felt a bomb going off in my head.

“Wait, what time is it?” I asked, still groggy.

“6 AM!”

“What the f-?!”

We sprinted to class, barely making it in time, and collapsed into our seats.

“Fuh... That was close,” Matthew sighed in relief. We both exhaled deeply, catching our breath.

‘You’re having fun.’

I snapped out of my thoughts, hearing a whisper that sent a chill down my spine. I turned to Matthew and whispered. “Did you say something?”

“What are you talking about? The teacher’s coming—be quiet,” he whispered back, looking at me like I was crazy.

I glanced around, confused. Everyone else seemed engrossed in what they were doing, oblivious to what I had just heard. Shaking it off, I tried to focus and listen to the teacher in front of the class.

Later, back at the dorm, I collapsed onto my bed, tired out, staring at the ceiling. It was 5 PM, and the sun’s rays streamed through the window, casting warm, nostalgic light across the room. It felt... familiar, like a distant memory I couldn’t quite grasp.

I didn’t even realize when I drifted off to sleep.

I found myself stepping on dry leaves as I descended the mountain. The ground was littered with dead foliage, and as I looked back at the mountain, it felt like I was saying goodbye.

The sound of water echoed in my ears, accompanied by birds chirping... and then, an owl hooted.

When I glanced at the sun, it was already setting, casting the forest in an eerie, dim light.

I woke up from the dream with a start, sitting up and sighing as I ruffled my hair in frustration.

“What is it this time?” I muttered to myself, the unease gnawing at me.

“Ugh!” I stomped my foot on the floor in frustration.

At the same time, Matthew burst into the room and was startled by my silhouette in the dark.

“AHH!!” Matthew yelped, flipping on the light on the wall beside the door.

“Are you trying to prank me now?”

“Why didn’t you turn on the light? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” he grumbled on and on as he breathed in relief.

He walked towards his bed and sat down, leaning on the headboard.

“I’d be glad. One less nuisance in the world,” I quipped, smirking.

“You little—come here!” Matthew grabbed his pillow and hurled the pillow at me, but I dodged it, laughing.

Grumbling, he stood up and grabbed his towel that he hung up on the wall where a small hook was planted on it. He headed to the bathroom, yelling over his shoulder, “Make dinner! I’m starving!”

“I’m not your mom!” I shot back, rolling my eyes.

He popped his head out of the bathroom, tossing random items in my direction. “I know you’re a grown man, you idiot! Just cook for me, or I’ll do it myself, and we’ll both end up dead!”

“I refuse to die because of your cooking,” I finally relented.

Matthew flipped me the bird before retreating into the bathroom again. “And make it delicious,” he demanded.

“You’ve got so many demands,” I grumbled.

The dorm we shared was a bit different from the typical setup, more like a cozy apartment than a standard dorm room.

It was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate both Matthew and me, with two beds tucked neatly into opposite corners. Each of us had our own desk, a personal workspace where we could dive into our studies—or pretend to, anyway.

The room itself was generously sized, with a large closet that easily held our clothes, books, and the random things we couldn’t quite part with.

The added bonus of a private bathroom and a small kitchen made it feel more like home than just a place to sleep. And then there was the balcony, a little haven where we could catch a breath of fresh air or watch the world go by after a long day.

Despite a few dorm rules that kept us in check, the space was perfect for Matthew and me as we geared up for school.

We sat down to eat, and Matthew spoke up after swallowing a mouthful. “You slept again, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, chewing on a piece of meat.

“I told you not to sleep in the evening. People say it brings bad luck. Are you even listening?”

I paused, looking at him. “Oh, so that’s why you were late? You went to visit that grandma again, didn’t you?”

Matthew avoided my gaze, laughing awkwardly. “I mean, once in a while.”

“I’ve told you before, that grandma’s a fake shaman. Why do you believe her nonsense?”

Matthew blinked at me, genuinely puzzled. “Shaman? She said she’s a tarot reader.”

“You—” I sighed, exasperated, and continued eating.

“Don’t change the subject, Daemon. You had a dream again, didn’t you?” he asked, chewing away. I responded by stuffing a load of vegetables into his mouth.

“Mmph! What the—” he mumbled through the food.

“Don’t worry about me. Just stop meeting with that fake shaman already. Nothing’s going to happen,” I insisted.

Matthew didn’t say anything, but I noticed him looking at me with a worried expression before he lowered his head and continued eating.

The next day, there was an event at school that invited big figures from around the world. I couldn’t understand why they chose our school, of all places, when there are far better ones they could attend. This was a private school, barely even making it into the news.

Why would these people waste their time here? Even our principal wasn’t wealthy or influential enough to attract such attention.

We were told to attend the event, supposedly for ‘motivation'.

“Hey! Daemon!” Matthew called out, catching my attention.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “What now?”

“I got a message from the grandma. She says she really needs me right now. If the teacher asks where I am, cover for me, okay?”

“Wait, what? Matthew! Hey, Matthew!” I called after him, but he had already slipped out of the hall.

“My name is Hu Gume. I am the current Chairman of the Pantheon Assembly, and today I have come here to give these lovely students motivation to become a better version of themselves."

"The Pantheon Assembly’s goal is to unite us all in one place and hold onto that unity until the end of time. I hope the students will unlock their true potential after this, as we are here to help you find your true selves."

"That is all from me.” Hu Gume’s speech echoed through the hall.

The students clapped as he finished, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in the strangeness of it all.

The man named Hu Gume was tall, easily standing at around 184 cm, with a handsome face that radiated a soft-spoken demeanour. His silver hair was slicked back, adding a touch of sophistication to his innocent, almost angelic appearance.

Maybe he’s around 25, or perhaps exactly 25 years old.

“I’m curious, Mr. Hu. What made you choose Evanescent School this year?”

The interviewer’s question hung in the air, and Hu Gume offered her a gentle smile before addressing the students.

“Most people would opt for a well-known, prestigious school,” he began, his voice carrying the warmth of sincerity.

“But as I was searching for the right school to visit, the name ‘Evanescent’ caught my eye. It’s such a beautiful name, so evocative. I wanted to meet the person behind it."

"But, of course, that’s not the only reason I’m here. Despite its private nature, this school has a high reputation, and it came highly recommended by other Pantheon members."

"I believe there’s something special here. Don’t you agree, students?”

The room erupted in applause and affirmations, the students clearly enchanted by his words.

The interviewer chuckled, clearly pleased with the response, before moving on. “Evanescent School has students from all grades. Why did you specifically choose the 12th grade?”

Hu Gume hummed thoughtfully, glancing at the students before answering. “This is their final year before university. The pressure of upcoming exams, the endless studying—it’s overwhelming."

"Some of them might have already started losing hope. I felt the 12th graders needed the most support, a comforting presence to help them push through this crucial time.”

The students nodded in agreement, a ripple of understanding passing through the crowd.

“Since the Pantheon Assembly is here to motivate our students, could you share some words of encouragement?” the interviewer asked.

Hu Gume’s smile widened as he stood, beginning to pace the stage, his presence commanding yet comforting.

“Students,” he began, his voice filled with empathy, “It’s been tough, hasn’t it?”

A murmur of agreement spread through the hall.

“I know some of you might feel like giving up. But let me tell you this: The world won’t hand us peace on a silver platter."

"Everywhere we go, obstacles will stand in our way. Some of you might not have a place to lean on, and that’s why I have an offer for you. Are you ready to hear it?”

As if on cue, the other dignitaries in attendance stood up and took their places on a separate stage, adding to the sense of anticipation.

“I have my members over there,” Hu Gume gestured to them, “And they will offer you the best motivation you’ve ever received. It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?”

The students laughed, their spirits lifted by his playful tone.

“But you won’t believe me until you experience it for yourself,” he continued, his eyes sparkling with a challenge.

The students began to move, taking their seats in front of the Pantheon Assembly members, each encounter resembling a one-on-one counselling session. The Assembly boasted over a hundred members, while the 12th grade alone had more than 500 students.

“Daemon.”

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to see a tall man with glasses, dressed in a tracksuit, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“Where’s Matthew?”

I froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

“Did you hear me?”

It was the school’s P.E. teacher, his tone sharp with impatience.

“Is there a student by that name?” I replied, my voice pitched higher than usual as I tried to mask my anxiety. “Does that person even exist?”

“You... You’re always covering for Matthew,” he pressed, leaning in closer.

His accent sounded like something out of a historical drama, but it did little to ease the tension. “You two are inseparable—in the classroom, in the cafeteria, even in the bathroom! You think I’m blind?”

I stayed silent, hoping the situation would dissolve on its own.

“Did you hear me?!” he barked, his voice rising in frustration.

“I’m deaf,” I shot back, my expression darkening. I wasn’t ashamed; I just wanted him to back off. But instead, he grabbed me and dragged me out of the hall.

“This is an important event, and he dares to disobey me?!” he muttered under his breath. “Go find Matthew and bring him here!”

He threw me out of the school gates, leaving me with no choice but to search for Matthew. It was already 4 p.m., but it had been a frustrating and fruitless search.

Matthew was nowhere to be found—neither at the Grandma’s place, his parent’s house, nor our dorm room. Even the CCTV footage offered no clues.

I decided to wait for him at the school gate.

When Matthew finally appeared, we headed back to school together, though something felt off. He wouldn’t meet my eyes, wouldn’t let me touch him or even stand close.

Since we had missed the initial counselling, we were directed to the hall to receive it alongside other students who had returned from sports activities. Around thirty students were there, not including Matthew and me.

I sat down, facing a fierce-looking guy with a tattoo on his hand and a muscular build. His voice growled slightly when he spoke, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was human.

I glanced at Matthew, who was sitting four chairs away from me, his head down as the counsellor began asking questions.

“What’s the problem, kid?” the fierce-looking guy asked in a low, menacing tone. Was he a gangster?

“Jegu, you’re going to scare him if you ask like that. Why don’t you be polite, like I’ve been teaching you?” A blonde guy approached us, trying to soften the mood.

“How can I help you, Mr…?” Jegu asked, trying to correct himself.

I gulped, feeling the weight of their attention.

“He has a name. Look at the name tag,” the blonde guy reminded him.

“Mr... Damon. Do you have any concerns?” Jegu tried again, stumbling over my name.

“Daemon, Jegu. Daemon,” the blonde guy corrected.

“Err, Mr. Daemon,” Jegu said, finally getting it right.

“I don’t need motivation,” I replied, forcing a smile. Despite his intimidating appearance, there was something oddly endearing about his awkwardness.

Both of them blinked at me, surprised by my response.

“You don’t have any worries? No doubts, no stress from school or life outside of it?” Jegu persisted.

I shook my head, trying to appear nonchalant. I do have doubts.

“You’re not even worried about anything? Like having dreams that wake you up all night?”

I hesitated, the question hitting closer to home than I expected.

“I don’t have any worries,” I insisted.

“You’re a liar,” Matthew’s voice cut through the air like a knife.

I turned to see him standing nearby, not too far away.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Matthew finally looked at me, but it wasn’t the look I was used to. His eyes were empty, his expression terrified.

“You’re a liar. Why don’t you just admit it now? I’m sick of your damn dreams, waking me up every night and driving me crazy,” he spat, his voice shaking with emotion.

“Matthew...” I started, stepping toward him, but he recoiled.

“Don’t come any closer!” he shouted, the distance between us growing wider, not just physically, but emotionally.

For the first time, I felt truly rejected by him. It was the worst feeling I’d ever experienced.