Morning light spilled over the city square of Venon as Jimmy stood with hands folded behind his back, silver eyes focused on a massive poster hung over a marble wall.
> [Announcement: The Royal Academy of Magic and Command seeks gifted youth for enrollment.]
[Applicants must hold noble sponsorship or present proof of extraordinary merit. Entrance trials begin in 30 days in the capital, Magadhera.]
Jimmy's smirk grew wider.
"The academy... A perfect hunting ground. Future leaders, naive prodigies, pampered nobles—all under one roof."
Beside him, Lana stood with the quiet discipline of a shadow. Her movements were sharper, her aura calmer. She was more than a tool now. She was his blade.
"We'll need a noble to sponsor me," Jimmy muttered. "But we already planted that seed. Let's make it bloom."
---
That afternoon, Jimmy received an invitation—personally sealed with the sigil of Lord Algren Vardis.
> [Message: To young master Jimmy. You've intrigued me. Let us speak over wine and business.]
The mayor's estate sat on a low hill just past the riverbank, its domed rooftops and enchanted lanterns shimmering like royalty's echo.
Jimmy arrived wearing a noble's grace and a predator's grin. Lana followed behind, dressed in sleek black with veiled blades at her hips.
Lord Algren greeted him with unsteady enthusiasm. His eyes—tired and heavy-lidded—lingered on Jimmy with reverence just barely masked.
"Jimmy," he said, voice oiled with curiosity. "You've been making waves. Rumors say you're a dreamer of... unusual depth."
"I prefer to leave an impression, my lord." Jimmy smiled.
They shared wine and traded pleasantries. Then came the strike.
"My lord," Jimmy said casually, "the Royal Academy... I intend to join. But sadly, I lack noble credentials."
Algren's fingers tapped the goblet. "Such brilliance should not be denied a stage."
> [Dream Parasite – Influence Level: 12% and rising]
Jimmy leaned forward, voice a whisper. "I only need your signature."
A pause. Then the mayor nodded.
"Of course. I shall sponsor you personally."
> [New Objective Complete: Noble Sponsorship Acquired]
> [Mayor Algren Vardis – Corruption: 17%]
---
Later that night, back at the inn, Jimmy reviewed the academy requirements while Lana massaged his shoulders in silence.
"Master, the academy is no common school. They have inquisitors. Diviners."
Jimmy opened his palm, letting strands of dreamstuff swirl between his fingers.
"Then we'll become their nightmare."
---
The following days were spent preparing.
Jimmy's Dream Parasite targets had risen.
> [Dream Parasite Targets: 21 (Latent)]
He visited key taverns, noble gatherings, even healing clinics—always brushing past, always whispering into dreams. His web expanded.
Meanwhile, Lana honed her synchronization.
> [Dream Synchronization: 96%]
> [Shared Reflexes Unlocked – Lana can mirror Jimmy's combat instincts for 15 seconds during battle.]
---
On the eve of their departure, Jimmy stood at the edge of the northern gate, city guards bustling around him.
Venon shimmered in the distance, unaware of the echo it would one day become in history.
He turned to Lana.
"We leave at dawn. To Magadhera. To the academy. To rewrite the world from within."
He paused.
"Let them teach magic. We'll teach them fear."