love in other world

Episode 8

Ena firmly said, “No, we will all go together. How can you go alone? We will go together.” There was determination in her eyes.

Oliver stepped forward, his voice unwavering. “I will never let my prince go alone.”

The magician observed the passion in their eyes and nodded. “I can see that you truly believe in this,” he said. “Perhaps you can accomplish what seems impossible.”

He took a deep breath before revealing an important secret. “There are seven such mirrors scattered across different worlds. Only one mirror can be taken at a time. To use it, you must stand before the mirror, think clearly, and say the name of the world you wish to go to. However, there is no guarantee that it will take you to the exact world you desire.”

His expression turned serious. “These mirrors are not in places that are easy to reach. One of them is with me, while another is hidden in an extremely dangerous place. As for the remaining five… I do not know where they are.”

The air was thick with anticipation as Alex stepped forward, his voice unwavering. “Just tell me how dangerous this place is,” he demanded. Ena and Oliver, just as eager, nodded in agreement. I, too, felt a surge of determination coursing through me.

The magician, sensing our resolve, finally spoke. “Do it as soon as possible. Once this jungle ends, you’ll find yourself in an open expanse of water. Beyond that, an island awaits—a land where the mirror rests. But beware, for a dragon guards it.”

Alex’s eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and disbelief flashing across his face. “Dragons? Do they really exist in this world? And if they do, why has no one ever discovered them?”

The magician’s expression darkened. “No one has ever been able to reach that island. Whenever someone tries, a massive storm rises, or the land itself vanishes into thin air.”

Alex clenched his fists. “Then how do we find it?”

The magician studied him for a moment, his gaze unreadable. “You have no fear, do you?”

A shadow flickered in Alex’s eyes, his voice turning cold. “My mother meant everything to me. And she took away their memories. I will not let them live in peace.”

Ena and Oliver exchanged glances, a spark of rivalry igniting between them. They couldn’t let Alex outshine them. Almost in unison, they declared, “We’ll stand by Alex. No matter what.”

The magician shook his head. “You do not need him. This place itself will show you the way.”

A strange energy hummed in the air, the jungle seeming to shift around us as if it had heard the magician’s words. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—we were about to step into the unknown.

Alex tightened his grip around the locket, his brows furrowing in confusion. "But this locket… it was showing us the way to reach you," he said, his voice filled with curiosity.

The old magician, standing before them, examined the small object with a knowing smile. “Ah,” he mused, “this is a yellow stone. No matter how far it goes, it always finds its way back. It stays till the end.” His sharp gaze lifted to meet Alex’s. “But tell me, how did it come to you?”

Alex glanced at Oliver before responding. “We met a magician lady. She challenged Oliver to a bet, and when he won, she handed this to us.”

The magician's expression shifted as if he were recalling something from a long-forgotten past. A faint smile played on his lips. “She must be strong,” he murmured. “Defeating her is no small feat.”

Alex, sensing an unspoken history, asked, “Do you know her?”

At this, the magician suddenly burst into laughter. “Know her?” he repeated, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Once upon a time, I used to love her a lot.”

There was a moment of silence before Alex, Oliver, and Ana erupted into laughter. The very idea seemed so absurd that they couldn’t contain themselves. The magician, however, did not share their amusement. His face darkened, and his voice turned bitter. “She had the power to keep me alive with her magic. But when I needed time, she left me.”

Before anyone could react, a firm voice echoed from behind them. “Keep quiet.”

The laughter died down as they turned toward the voice. There she stood—the magician lady. Her presence was powerful, her gaze sharp as a blade. “I never told you that I liked you,” she said, her voice steady. “You were the one who kept following me. And when you failed, it was you who left.”

The group turned back to the magician, then to the lady, and before they could help it, they burst into laughter once again. The sheer irony of their conversation, the unexpected drama, it all felt too surreal.

The magician lady let out a sigh, shaking her head. “Now that you are leaving, I just came to wish you all the best.”

Oliver, still catching his breath from laughing, suddenly frowned. “Wait… you knew where the magician lived all along?”

She smiled mischievously. “I just wanted to see whether you would actually make it here or not.”

Then, without warning, she stepped forward. In an instant, she was in front of Oliver. Before he could react, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

The world seemed to freeze. Alex, Ana, and the other magicians stared in shock. Oliver, on the other hand, stood frozen in place. His face turned bright red, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

The magician lady pulled back, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Take care of yourself,” she said softly. “I trust you.”

Oliver blinked, his mind scrambling to form words. Then, flustered and frustrated, he clenched his fists and stammered, “D-Don’t do that again! Do you hear me?!”

The magician lady chuckled, unfazed by his reaction. “Oh? I’ll be sure to ask next time.”

Before Oliver could protest further, she raised her hand. “Now,” she said, “I am taking you all to the Naked Shore. With my magic, I will make sure your boat sails safely.”

A soft glow surrounded her fingertips as the air shimmered. Before them, a boat materialized, waiting to take them across the waters.

“Stay safe,” she said one last time.

And with that, their journey continued.