Chapter 575 Slow Pace
"I want to see my wives." Aldred stood up, and began to walk.
As Aldred walked down the winding stone steps, he marveled at the stunning sight that greeted him. Spread out before him was a rolling landscape of emerald green hills, dotted with wildflowers of every color. In the distance, he could see a majestic hill rising up towards the sky, its sides covered in a dense forest of ancient trees.
As he approached the hill, Aldred noticed that the plants and animals here were unlike anything he had ever seen before. The trees were tall and gnarled, with twisting branches that seemed to reach out towards him as he passed. Moss and vines clung to their trunks, creating a lush carpet of greenery that seemed to glow in the sunlight.
"They must have evolved from the divine dimension's energy." All the creatures and plants here were brought by him, but they did not look like this before.
The animals were even more fantastical, with bright feathers and scales that shimmered in the light. A pair of glittering hummingbirds darted past him, their wings beating so fast that they were almost invisible. A family of graceful deer grazed in a nearby meadow, their antlers adorned with delicate blooms and trailing vines.
Aldred smiled. This was what he had in mind when he brought all those plants and animals to this place. He wanted to create a heaven. Looking at the majestic animals, he was quite satisfied.
But it was the plants that truly took Aldred's breath away. Everywhere he looked, there were flowers of every hue and shape, each more beautiful than the last. Some glowed with an otherworldly light, while others seemed to change color before his very eyes.
As he climbed up the hill, Aldred could feel the magic of the place seeping into his bones. He felt lighter and more alive than he had in years, and he knew that he would never forget this wondrous place. At the top of the hill, he paused to take in the view, marveling at the beauty of the world and all the wonderful things it held.
"Look at what I have created." Aldred took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. As he enjoyed the wonderful fresh breath of air, he felt a pair of warm hands wrapped around his waist.
Opening his eyes, he tilted his head and saw Mary was hugging him from behind. A second later, another pair of hands wrapped around his shoulders. Turning his head, he saw Mareona looked at him with a pair of beautiful eyes and a sweet smile.
Mary was a vision of beauty that seemed to have stepped out of a fairytale. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in waves, glimmering like spun gold in the sunlight. Her skin was flawless and radiant, with a soft pink flush on her cheeks that made her look as if she had just stepped in from a brisk autumn day.
As Mary seemed to be the epitome of sunlight, Mareona looked more like an incredibly clear ocean with colorful reefs that spread joy to those who put their sight on her.
Her hair was a shade of blue that shimmered like sapphires in the light, cascading down her back in long, flowing waves. Her eyes were the same shade of blue, deep and mysterious, with a glimmer of intelligence and playfulness in them.
Without saying a word, the both of the kissed him on the cheeks.
Aldred let out a breath, smiled, before pulling them into a hug. "I miss you too."
"It's been a while," Mary said. "How long was it since you meditated?"
"More than a year."
"It's not very long," Mareona replied. "But it feels like forever."
"Where is everyone else?" Aldred asked.
"They are meditating. It seems like they are going through a breakthrough."
Aldred analyzed both of them. "You two have reached mid Diamond Rank."
"We are very close to a high Diamond Rank as well." Mary giggled. "This way, we can help you in your journey. Although our power means nothing compared to you."
"What are you talking about? I will really need your help. I wouldn't be here without you all."
"Really?" Mareona asked.
"Of course. When was the last time I lied to you?"
Mareona pinched his waist. "You always lie to me."
"Ouch. That hurt."
Mareona smiled and hugged him which also created a smile on Aldred's face.
"Want to dance?" Aldred asked.
"Sure," both of them replied.
Aldred flicked his fingers and the wind breezed through the leaves, flowers, and other plants, magically creating a beautiful melody. The three of them danced together atop the hill, with glowing musical notes appearing all around them before popping away like twinkling stars.
...
Tom was on his bed. Eyes closed as he entered a deep state of slumber. Diamond Rank did not actually need sleep. They were always in the state of meditation when resting. Meditation wasn't clearing one's mind, instead it was focusing on comprehension of knowledge. Warriors and magicians alike would meditate to increase their competence and skills. Their mind was powerful enough that even without physically practicing the skill, their capability of using the skill could increase.
In fact, on Earth there were athletes who used their mind to train their techniques before practicing them. The result was significant.
Opening his eyes, he slowly woke up from bed, still sitting on the bed, feet dangling 2 inches away from the wooden floor. A mechanical motion sensor detected his movement, and then a coffee machine began to crush the beans inside the container before pouring boiling hot liquid over them. The liquid moved into a tube, went through a filter, and dripped over a cup.
Tom had heard that there was a magical cup of coffee that was said to have been brewed by the elven sorcerers themselves. The coffee was made from beans that were grown in the enchanted forests of the east, where the trees were said to sing when the wind blew through their branches.
The process of brewing this magical coffee was shrouded in mystery, and only a few trusted elves knew the recipe. The beans were first roasted over a fire made from the wood of the ancient trees of the forest, and then ground by hand using a mortar and pestle made from the finest crystal. The grounds were then carefully placed in a silver urn and infused with water from the mountain streams of the north, which had been blessed by the gods themselves. The urn was left to sit for three full moons, during which time the coffee was said to absorb the magic of the forest and the blessing of the gods.
Finally, the coffee was poured into a golden cup that had been enchanted to keep the brew warm for years.
Atleast, that was what Tom received from the Mechanicum's database. Even though they had absorbed a lot of information about this world, there were still mysteries out there that had lasted for millions of years. Questions unanswered for eternity.
Tom hopped off the bed and gently took the cup of coffee as it was already filled. He pushed the sliding door to the side before his feet stepped onto the soft grass, wet with morning dew. The morning sun arise and he enjoyed it from the wooden chair within the courtyard.
The courtyard was surrounded by tall, marble pillars that were adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and unicorns, and there were fragrant flowers and lush greenery everywhere. At the center of the courtyard was a serene, crystal-clear lake that was fed by a small, magical stream. The water was so pure that one could see all the way to the bottom, where schools of shimmering fish swam gracefully.
These were not ordinary fish, however. They were magical fish that would glow with a soft, otherworldly light when the sun began to set. The fish were said to be able to grant wishes to those who caught them. But that was in fact a myth. Only mortals still believe in it.
Along the edge of the lake were rows of weeping willows, their branches trailing gracefully in the water. In the evenings, fairy lights would dance around the trees, casting a gentle glow over the entire courtyard.
"What a wonderful morning." Tom tilted the cup over his reddish lips and enjoyed the fantastical flavor of the coffee that was made with the best magical beans and science accuracy.
He did not plan to do anything much over the next 10 years. He simply wanted to live his life as a student, avoid trouble and try not to get too much attention.
"I have been living like a crazed maniac since I came into this world. For now, I should change and enjoy peace."
And so, for the next 10 years. Tom went to campus, studied, hung out with his friends, and enjoyed his life at a slow and yet wonderful pace.
