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Javier rushes in to help Lloyd.

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-Scene 3: T̵h̵e̴ ̶D̴r̵a̴g̷o̵n̵s̸-

-Part 2-

Javier burst onto the scene, visibly tense, his eyes darting between the group surrounding his master. He scanned each figure, trying to piece together what he was seeing. Where had all these new faces come from? Lloyd had vanished only moments ago, and now he was surrounded by a strange group of elves and a… dragon?

Lloyd’s eyes widened briefly at Javier’s unexpected arrival—especially since he was coming from the direction of the forest entrance, not the tree they’d been at together. Then Lloyd remembered the sudden appearance of the doubles just moments before. Had Javier been displaced somehow too?

Javier immediately moved closer to Lloyd, eyes narrowed. “How did you do that?” he barked.

“Ha?” Lloyd blinked, caught off guard.

“That disappearing act you just pulled?” Javier clarified, his tone a mix of accusation and confusion.

“That I, as in me, pulled?” Lloyd shot back, eyebrows raised. The two looked at each other, each trying to decode the other's reaction, completely baffled.

“A human?” Solitas’s voice cut through the tension, and they both turned to see the dragon staring at them, his brow furrowed in a look of pure confusion.

“Yes?” Lloyd answered, cautiously, hoping to prompt a more specific question.

“How did a human get into an elven forest?” Solitas pressed, glancing warily between them.

Lloyd hesitated, glancing towards the duplicates standing just beyond them. He returned his gaze to Solitas. “Did you… not notice?”

The question seemed to puzzle Solitas even more, his tail flicking with a hint of nervous energy as he tried to make sense of everything. He was clearly in over his head, and even Javier’s usual steady confidence seemed to be fraying.

Javier’s gaze flitted between Lloyd and Solitas, silently trying to decode whatever strange story was unfolding. Lloyd stepped forward with a calm smile, positioning himself just in front of Javier, as if presenting him.

“This is Javier,” Lloyd began, motioning towards his loyal, if somewhat perplexed, retainer. “He’s, well... my attendant. Comes from a loyal human clan that has lived with me for a while now.” He made the statement with a nonchalant wave, as if this were the most natural arrangement in the world.

Solitas blinked, glancing between the two of them. His brow furrowed as he took in Javier’s distinctly human appearance, (brown hair and eyes, and plain compared to the blue dragons humanoid form) his stance at Lloyd’s side, and his air of skepticism. “A human? Your attendant? So… he’s some kind of... pet?”

Javier’s eyes widened slightly at the word, but Lloyd was quick to jump in, patting Javier’s shoulder in what could almost be taken as a reassuring gesture—if you ignored Javier’s subtly questioning look.

“Yes,” Lloyd replied smoothly, “a loyal one, at that. He’s been with me through thick and thin, quite devoted.”

Javier's eyebrow twitched, but he opted for holding his tongue as Lloyd continued. He wasn’t entirely sure where Lloyd was going with this, but he knew better than to interrupt him, especially with a dragon watching.

Solitas’s tail flicked in a curious arc as he mulled this over. “So, this clan… they live with dragons?” He glanced at the “doubles,” still stationed a short distance away, noting how their forms glowed faintly, pulsing with an energy he was more accustomed to sensing in dragons. “They even look a bit like him,” he added, still skeptical.

Lloyd feigned a casual shrug, as if he hadn’t noticed this. “It’s said that their bond with us has granted them… certain traits,” he said, sounding almost proud. “Perhaps a form of magic they’ve picked up over the years.”

Solitas nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to Javier, studying him with a mix of awe and puzzlement. In his mind, the pieces began to align with rumors he’d heard. Is this like the Dragon King’s situation? His bride was a human, right? So this ‘bond’ must be… something closer to family?

“And… you…” Solitas hesitated, shifting his weight as he addressed Javier directly, his tone a bit more uncertain. “You’re alright with… me being here?”

Javier did not get the implication, but he felt the need to maintain Lloyd’s story. He offered a carefully neutral smile but before he could speak Lloyd jumped in with a smooth response, keeping his tone light and assuring. “Oh, he’s fine with it.” Lloyd gave Javier an encouraging glance. “As you might guess, he’s used to… unusual encounters. Right, Javier?”

Javier’s jaw tightened as he nodded slowly, the barely contained skepticism in his gaze tempered by a cooperative smile. “Absolutely,” he replied, his voice carefully even. “If you’re here as a guest of my lord’s, then I’m… more than alright with it.”

Solitas let out a nervous chuckle, clearly relieved but still too nervous to fully process what Lloyd meant by “used to unusual encounters.” He finally took a small step forward, his wings folding in slightly as if to make himself less imposing. “Good,” he said, casting a shy smile in Lloyd’s direction. 

Lloyd gave him a reassuring grin. “That’s the spirit,” he said, glancing toward Javier with a knowing look, as if daring him to object. But Javier simply kept his stance, still clearly digesting the strange “bond” story Lloyd had spun for him.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

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Current session data may be incomplete or corrupted. Attempting to restore previous events. Please stand by...

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S̶o̵l̸i̵t̸a̶s̸ Is excited at the chance to help Is wary of the strange person

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-Scene 3: T̵h̵e̴ ̶D̴r̵a̴g̷o̵n̵s̸-

-Part 1-

Lloyd blinked.

Once. Twice.

Something felt... off. The air around him shimmered briefly, like heat rising from cobblestone streets on a summer’s day. For a second, everything had flickered—the trees, the ground beneath his feet, even Solitas—like a broken reel of film stuttering through a projector.

"What the...?" Lloyd muttered under his breath, turning in place. His eyes darted from the baffled elves to Solitas, who all seemed momentarily frozen. 

Then, just as quickly, everything snapped back into place.

The leaves resumed their rustling, Solitas' agreement to help spilled out in a rush, and the elves blinked in unison, looking equally disoriented as Lloyd.

‘Was that just me... or did reality hiccup?’

The blue text box blinked into view, particles discolored.

S̷Y̶S̴T̷E̸M̸ ̷E̵R̵R̴O̷R̴:̷ ̴U̵n̸e̴x̸p̴e̶c̷t̴e̸d̴ ̴I̸n̵t̸e̶r̵r̶u̴p̴t̷i̵o̵n̵.̵ ̴P̷l̸e̸a̷s̷e̵ ̶S̵t̶a̸n̵d̷ ̵B̸y̴.̶

A pause. Then, after a moment, the text faded, replaced with a new message:

SYSTEM RESTORED: Continue from last save.

Lloyd wiped a hand over his face. ‘Now the universe has a reset button. Just what I needed. … well~ actually …’

Solitas puffed out his chest, standing a little taller as he spoke. “So... yeah, I’ll help! I mean, if you’ll have me, that is!” He quickly shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Despite his eagerness, there was a flicker of hesitation.

Lloyd raised an eyebrow, taking in Solitas’ mix of bravado and uncertainty. “You sure you’re up for that, kind sir? I wouldn’t want to impose if—”

“Oh, absolutely!” Solitas cut him off, his enthusiasm bubbling over.

Lloyd let out a small chuckle, “I thank you for your assistance.”

As he turned toward the elves, Lloyd noted that with their numbers, they had probably split off to chase him earlier. His doubles hadn’t been as useful as he’d hoped.

Suddenly, shimmering particles appeared in front of him, and in an instant, the doubles materialized. Lloyd starred as they blinked in confusion, adjusting to the abrupt change in scenery.

“How did you—?”

Before he could finish, the doubles pointed their “weapons”—a mixture of swords and shovels—at Solitas and the elves.

Solitas reacted instinctively, slamming his arms onto the ground and flaring his wings. His posturing lasted only a moment before he hesitated, realizing that some of these figures looked very similar to his new... friend? Siblings, maybe? He folded his wings awkwardly back at his sides, lowering his head slightly before shooting a glance at Lloyd.

“Ahem.” Solitas cleared his throat, raising his head cautiously. “Are these... yours?”

“They are, in fact,” Lloyd nodded apologetically, raising his hand to signal the doubles to stand down. Confused, they lowered their weapons.

“I apologize for the interruption,” Lloyd added with a smile. 

As the doubles lowered their weapons, Solitas’ wings twitched, his posture stiff. His wide eyes flickered between Lloyd and the copies now standing beside him. More of them...? The thought sinking his earlier excitement. He had been expecting to help someone special, perhaps even a potential companion, but not this.

Dragons. Multiple. In one place.

He felt it—their presence, their strength—and now, with these figures suddenly appearing, his suspicions were confirmed. His tail flicked nervously. Am I surrounded by a whole group of them? This wasn’t what he expected at all. Were they here for him? For Lloyd? His heart raced at the thought of so many powerful beings converging in one spot.

“How many of you are there?” Solitas asked, trying to keep his voice steady. He could feel his heart pounding against his ribs.

Lloyd’s calm, ever-so-slight smile didn’t help ease his nerves. “Just enough.”

Solitas blinked. “Just enough for... what?”

Before he could process Lloyd’s none response, his gaze darted to the doubles, then to the elves standing nearby. Were they working for him too? Or worse... were they also dragons?

The idea made his wings tighten closer to his body. He was in deeper than he had realized, and suddenly, the whole situation felt overwhelming. It seemed like he was now part of something much larger, and far more dangerous.

“They’re ALL with you?” Solitas asked, his voice quieter now, less confident than before.

“Not exactly,” Lloyd said, shaking his head slightly. “The elves aren’t part of my group. They’re here for their own reasons. But you and I— we’re on the same side now, right? I could really use your help.”

Solitas forced a smile, but his mind raced. He hadn’t expected this—a whole group of dragons, a possible army, and here he was, trying to figure out how he fit into all of it. His excitement was slowly being replaced by doubt. What did I just agree to?

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P̵r̶o̵c̷e̸s̵s̵i̷n̶g̵.̶.̷.̶.̸̷̵

A̸n̵ ̷e̴r̵r̵o̷r̶ ̵h̵a̴s̶ ̴o̵c̶c̷u̴r̷r̸e̸d̶ ̴̷̸

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R̶e̷s̵t̷a̴r̴t̷i̸n̶g̸ ̵i̵n̸s̷t̸a̴n̸c̴e̶.̴ ̶̶

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-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 7-

Lloyd’s mind scrambled to assess the situation. Lloyd felt his heart race even if his face was completely blank—dragons weren’t exactly a common sight, yet here was yet another one. He would have cried if it weren’t for his instincts warning him not to move. 

The dragon was clearly powerful, though there was something about his arrival that didn’t have Lloyd in such a panic. Instead, it felt… distracted. Hesitant. Curious?

Still, that didn’t stop Lloyd from instinctively shifting his weight, ready to move if the dragon made any sudden attack.

But rather than acting on the chaotic scene around him, the dragon’s gaze landed on Lloyd. Solitas’s eyes gleamed, focused solely on him, narrowing in what seemed to be recognition.

For a long, uncomfortable moment, the creature didn’t move. His massive body was still, wings folded close, but his gaze lingered on Lloyd as though searching for confirmation of something he already suspected.

It wasn’t the clearest of thoughts, but the residual mana around Lloyd, combined with his striking resemblance to the Dragon King’s human form, clouded it’s’ judgment.

There was something—the faint trace of dragon mana, lingering from Lloyd’s earlier brush with the creature. To the dragon, it all made sense.

A flash of excitement sparked in its eyes. This one had to be a dragon. The powerful aura, the resemblance to royalty… it all aligned too perfectly in his mind. And if this was true, then he had just found exactly what he’d been searching for.

The dragon shifted his weight, his wings twitching awkwardly as he glanced at Lloyd. His gaze flickered between confidence and doubt, as if he was trying to recall how this whole thing was supposed to go.

“I, uh... couldn’t help but notice... something about you,” the dragon mumbled, stumbling over his words. He cleared his throat, trying to gather himself. “You’ve... got this presence about you. Like you belong somewhere important.” His voice was deep but wavered slightly, betraying his nerves.

Lloyd blinked, his expression remaining blank, but internally, his mind raced to make sense of the situation.

The dragon suddenly straightened up. "Ah, where are my manners?" He dipped his massive head slightly, wings twitching as he spoke. "I am Solitas. Perhaps you've heard of me? I’ve been... well, looking for someone.”

Solitas hesitated, his eyes darting to the rough gemstone tucked awkwardly under his wing. “And, um... I’ve been trying to make something—something to, you know, impress. I-it’s not done yet, but I was thinking maybe...”

He pulled out the unfinished gem, holding it up with a mix of hope and embarrassment. The stone gleamed unevenly, rough around the edges, as though it had seen better days.

Lloyd blinked, speechless. What is happening?

“I-I know it’s not perfect,” Solitas added quickly, misinterpreting Lloyd’s silence as consideration. “But, uh, I’m working on it! You can’t rush perfection, right?” He let out a nervous chuckle, his eyes darting nervously between Lloyd and the gem.

Lloyd paused for a long while. The gears in his mind slowly creaking back to life.  After a short while he pulled out a resigned sigh. 

"Ah... if only I  had the luxury of pondering such matters," he began. “But alas, I find myself in great distress due to the calamity that has befallen my home.”

Solitas blinked, taken aback by Lloyd’s sudden shift in tone.

"You wouldn't believe," Lloyd continued, his voice growing even more exaggerated. “The world has been thrown into disarray! Up is down, chaos reigns, and just the other day, a... rather off-looking dragon—a most fearsome fellow—flew over my home!”

Lloyd paused for effect, glancing toward the elves, who nodded without realizing it. They exchanged nervous looks, clearly unsure whether they should say anything at all or just flee.

“I came here,” Lloyd added, “seeking something—anything—that might help me shoo him away, or at least bring some semblance of peace to my estate.” He pressed a hand dramatically to his forehead, as if overwhelmed by the thought.

Solitas frowned, his claws tapping the ground thoughtfully. “A dangerous dragon, you say?”

“Oh yes,” Lloyd nodded solemnly, struggling to keep a straight face. “Quite dangerous. I shudder to think of what might happen should he return.”

Solitas’ expression sharpened as he tilted his head, eyes narrowing in thought. “Troubling indeed... ” His voice rumbled like distant thunder, and he puffed out his chest, wings flexing slightly as though preparing for a challenge. “Such threats to territory cannot be ignored.”

“Well, it’s nothing I cannot figure out myself,” Lloyd said, waving a hand dismissively, “but I am dealing with some... important matters.” He shot a quick glance at the elves, who were now wide-eyed, utterly bewildered by the conversation.

“If only the chaos weren’t so... overwhelming,” Lloyd mused, his voice taking on a wistful, almost distant tone. “One could imagine how much easier it would be if someone of true power happened to step in. Not that I’m expecting it, of course. That would be too much to ask...”

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They both get a blue pop up.

[System Notification]

-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 6-

With a crackle and a small flash, what appeared to Javier as a shattered piece of glass materialized before him. From what he could see, one also appeared in front of Lloyd.

“Ah!” Lloyd stared at it, then noticed the one in front of Javier. “Ah?”

“… one of your ‘abilities’?” Javier asked.

“Well, sorta? Something’s not … quite right,” Lloyd answered, tentatively poking at the glass. It shattered into tiny glowing tiles, making both of them jump.

Javier moved to block Lloyd, but the glass in front of him stopped him in his tracks. Runes began appearing across its surface.

The shattered glass in front of Lloyd merged into a cracked mass as more runes appeared.

“Why is it in Korean now?—Wait, what do you mean?” Lloyd mumbled, noticing the changes.

Lloyd’s eyes darted back and forth before he let out a huff. “Is that even Korean? Did you run that through Google Translate like five times?”

The glass shifted, almost agitated, changing runes again. Lloyd smiled. “I mostly understand. No access to info for now.” he noted.

‘… Can he read those runes?’ Javier thought. 

“… Can you read those runes?” Javier finally asked aloud.

Lloyd looked at him blankly for a second. “Have you never seen foreign writing before?”

…

“Do you even know how to read?”

‘I’ll punch him.’ Javier thought to himself.

“How can you read a ‘foreign’ language?” Javier asked, trying to keep his patience.

“I told you, University of Korea,” Lloyd replied blankly.

He had said that earlier, Javier recalled. 

Why IS it in Korean? But why would Lloyd attend a foreign school? Was it even possible to study at a foreign school from here in the Magentano Empire? Javier had to admit that his knowledge of schools outside of what Julian had shared with him was lacking.

While Javier pondered this, he didn’t notice the glass runes next to him changing or Lloyd walking up to him. “Javier!” Lloyd’s voice snapped him back to the moment. “Try sensing if you can use any magic or something.”

“Magic?…” Javier recalled the distortions had given Lloyd abilities outside of Javier’s normal skill set. 

Concentrating, Javier focused on his mana heart at first, then on the mana rings, and finally on the foreign sensation of Lloyd’s mana. It felt strange.

“G-get away from that thing!” A voice shouted nearby causing them both to whip around.

The faint sound like a pig’s squeal and orders being barked.

The two exchanged a glance. Javier gestured that he was going to help, while Lloyd grimaced and motioned toward the tree where they needed to dig up the root. Javier sighed in resignation, then nodded toward the sound of the fighting. Lloyd pouted, pulling out Javier’s sword before heading toward the scene.

When Lloyd arrived, it was a sight to behold. The creature before him was not one he had ever seen.

It had a lean body covered in short, bristly fur, with powerful back legs built for jumping. Its long ears are upright. Its head is broad and flat with a wide snout, and two small tusks jut from its lower jaw. It stood on thick, split hooves that seemed disproportionate to its body. Oh yeah, and it was freaking huge! Twice as tall as any of the elves nearby.

‘It’s like a deer drawn by an alien.’ Lloyd thought to himself, tilting his head. Or is it like a pig’s limbs on a rabbit’s body? A pig-bit… a rig?

He had agreed to come check things out, but he wasn’t in any hurry to face that thing.

He noticed one of the elves notice him, but before they could react, a giant gust of wind swept them all off their feet, followed by an ear-piercing screech. Lloyd turned around just in time to see the rig pinned to the ground by an enormous, scaled claw.

Red scales… Lloyd’s eyes slowly traveled upward, only to find an entire dragon standing before them.

“You seem to be struggling with a … unique creature,” the dragon’s voice rumbled.

Lloyd’s fight-or-flight instincts were battling each other, recalling the horror he had felt from the other dragon. This one wasn’t nearly as intimidating… but it was still a dragon.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

[System Notification]

Your choice has been registered:

Grab Javier and rush past the elves toward the Elensia tree. - 33.3%

Intimidated elves? Try negotiating for sap again. - 33.3%

Use magic to create a distraction, slipping past the elves. - 33.3%

[System Notification]

-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 5-

Lloyd’s mind raced as the situation escalated. He knew brute strength wasn’t going to get them out of this, and relying solely on Javier’s swordsmanship wouldn’t be enough either.

As the elves regrouped, he felt the magic inside him pulse. Without fully thinking it through, Lloyd let it flow. 

With a flick of his wrist, several shimmering, translucent copies of himself and Javier appeared. The doubles stood tall and confident, marching towards the elves with purpose.

"Let’s try this again," one of Lloyd’s doubles said, the voice ringing with an therial echo, "We need the sap from the Elencia tree, and we don’t want any more unnecessary fighting." The copies moved forward, posturing as if they intended to negotiate. “Unless you would all like to meet the dragon nearby empty handed.”

The elves, already unnerved by Lloyd’s earlier mana burst, hesitated. They went pale. “Dragon? Nearby? We would know …” Their eyes darted nervously between the doubles and the real pair who had just been fighting them.

The real Lloyd grabbed Javier by the arm. "Now’s our chance," he whispered, a mischievous grin flashing across his face. Javier, still catching his breath from the earlier chaos, looked baffled at first, then nodded. Together, they quietly slipped through the trees. 

The doubles continued to “negotiate” with the elves, their presence buying the duo precious time as they approached the tree unnoticed.

——

The air around the Elensia tree felt dense, shifting like a haze as the distortions deepened. Places and beings rich in mana were most affected, and it made sense that a world tree would amplify these effects. Lloyd, crouched near its massive roots, furrowed his brow in concentration, searching for the ideal spot to dig.

Javier, standing a few paces behind, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "But you said we needed the sap," he said, his tone suspicious, as though he had caught Lloyd in some kind of trick. “Why are you looking at the ground?”

Lloyd shot him an indignant look, scowling as he continued to sweep away the leaves from the forest floor, searching for a good place to start digging. “Are you aware of the collection process for sap?” he shot back. “First of all, trees need to be tapped in the exact right conditions—conditions I doubt are possible in this distorted forest.” He paused to wipe dirt from his hands, clearly annoyed. “Sap flow is triggered by freezing nights and warm days. Temperatures need to swing between below freezing at night, around 20°F (-6°C), and above freezing during the day, around 40°F (4°C).”

Javier watched as Lloyd continued, now more animated as he explained. 

"And we’re definitely not seeing any of that here. Plus, it’s a long process. You don’t just stab a tree and get sap right away. We’d need weeks to get a decent amount, and we definitely don’t have that kind of time. INSTEAD - The root," Lloyd replied, eyes scanning the earth beneath the twisted tree. 

"The sap in the roots is technically more watery and less sugar, -less potent. But,” he added, pointing at the ground near the roots, “the roots themselves are full of starch! Starch is not a form of sugar, but rather a complex carbohydrate made up of long chains of glucose molecules. It can be broken down into sugar (glucose) during digestion or other processes, which is why it’s considered a source of energy. So technically, starch stores sugar.”

Javier shook his head, watching as Lloyd continued his work. He didn’t understand half of what Lloyd was saying, but it seemed logical enough.

Suddenly he noticed that Lloyd had froze, staring blankly at the spot where he’d been digging.

"Sir?" Javier asked, taking a step forward. No response. 

"Master Lloyd?" he called again, this time grabbing Lloyd by the arm.

Lloyd jolted, eyes wide as though waking from a dream. "I… think I just fell asleep," he mumbled, dumbfounded.

There was a long, awkward pause.

Javier’s face twisted into an expression of disbelief. Was Lloyd serious? A moment later, Javier couldn’t stop the snicker that escaped his lips, though it was layered with frustration. "You used your Lullaby on yourself?" he muttered under his breath, stepping aside to give Lloyd room to get back on his feet.

Lloyd stood up, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "ANYWAY," he said, loud and quick. He resumed sweeping the leaves from the spot he’d been inspecting earlier, determined to avoid further embarrassment.

But then he froze again, staring at the ground, his face twisting with concern. "Um."

Javier was instantly on alert. "What is it now?"

Lloyd glanced up at him, hesitation in his eyes. "Do… do you know how to use my abilities?"

"Abilities?" Javier repeated, tilting his head.

"Yeah," Lloyd nodded. "I mean… I still have access to yours. But do YOU have access to MINe?"

A long pause stretched between them, the distorted forest eerily quiet around them.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

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Attention, Overseer.

- Story Update -

Now that the core of The Greatest Choice Developer has been established, the chapter releases will be slowing down to once per week. More time will be spent to fine-tune the details and make sure the story continues to evolve.

Thank you so much for your participation as the journey continues!

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-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 4-

Lloyd and Javier stood at the edge of the forest, the eerie silence pressing down on them. Ahead lay the Everglow Forest, a place twisted by distortions. The trees stretched high, their leaves glowing faintly under the dim light.

“Let’s just get what we need and get out of here. The elves will understand,” Lloyd muttered, tightening the straps on his gear. His unsettling confidence felt misplaced given the task ahead.

Javier glanced at him, unimpressed. “The elves don’t ‘understand’ anything involving humans touching their sacred tree or entering their territory. This isn’t going to be simple.”

Lloyd shrugged. “I’ll talk to them.” He left no room for further questions.

Javier sighed, keeping his thoughts to himself. They’d just have to face whatever came their way.

Back at the estate, the Fronteras and Sir Bayern were already fortifying their defenses. If things went wrong here, their problems would only multiply.

As they ventured deeper into the Everglow Forest, the distortions grew stronger, warping the very fabric of the environment. The trees shifted, their bark rippling as though alive, and strange, unidentifiable sounds echoed from every direction.

The ground was littered with white flowers—once delicate and serene—now warped by the distortions. Their petals shimmered in unnatural colors, occasionally phasing between solid and translucent, almost as if they were fading in and out of existence. Some flowers pulsed faintly, releasing strange, sweet fragrances that clouded the air.

Suddenly, Javier sneezed, breaking the silence and scrunching his face in discomfort.

Lloyd chuckled, glancing at him. “You can sneeze? Guess you're really not Mr. Perfect anymore.”

Javier glared at him, still rubbing his nose. “I don’t know what kind of nightmare these flowers are, but they’re—” He sneezed again. “—not natural.”

Lloyd looked horrified. "You know... you’re uglier than I thought when you do that."

Javier shot him a hard look, jaw clenched. "That’s YOUR face."

Lloyd surveyed the warped flowers. “Weird as they are, though, you’re still the ugliest thing in this forest.”

‘Just once. Let me punch you just once,’ Javier thought.

Lloyd blinked, then grinned, unfazed. "I guess you should have taken the chance to get a shot in when no one would know we switched."

Javier sat puzzled. How did this man always know what he was thinking?

Without warning, elves materialized from the trees, bows drawn and aimed at the two intruders. The leader stepped forward, eyes flashing with irritation.

"You two have been making so much noise we could hear you from a mile away!" the elf spat.

Lloyd held up his hands, adopting a polite smile.. “Look, we’re not here to cause trouble. We’re trying to help—”

The elf’s glare softened at the sight of Javier. “Help? You think humans come into our forest and help?”

“The distortions—” Lloyd began, but the elf cut him off.

“We know about the distortions. We’re dealing with them. What we don’t need is humans disturbing our land further.”

Javier’s shoulders tensed. This wasn’t going well.

Lloyd stepped forward, undeterred. “We just need some of the Elensia tree’s sap. It’s for a—”

The elves’ expressions darkened instantly, their bows tightening.

“You dare ask for sap from the Elensia tree?” the elf leader growled. “You would harm what we protect?”

Lloyd frowned. “It’s just sap. We won’t leave a lasting effect. Plus, it—”

The elves attacked swiftly, interrupting him.

Instinctively, Javier moved to shield Lloyd, forgetting their roles were reversed. Lloyd adjusted quickly, pushing Javier back as he fended off the arrows with surprising finesse. His strikes were sharp and instinctive, showcasing the muscle memory Javier had built over time.

But while Lloyd had the form, he struggled with mental speed—his reflexes too slow to block every attack. Behind him, Javier could see the trajectory of every arrow, instincts screaming to act. In Lloyd’s weaker body, he couldn’t react fast enough. He knew how to fight, but his body’s sluggishness made it impossible to keep up.

The elves were relentless, using the trees and leaves as jumping-off points, darting in and out, overwhelming the two.

Suddenly, a blast of mana erupted from Javier, knocking every arrow out of the sky. Lloyd blinked in shock, breath heavy. "Oh yeah, that’s a thing I can do," he muttered, a sinister grin spreading across his face—an expression that felt out of place on Javier.

Stressed by the onslaught, Lloyd felt something stirring inside him. He had been avoiding it, fearing what could happen, but the pressure was too much. His raw, unstable magic, affected by the distortion, reacted to his instincts.

Before the elves could catch their breath, a loud crack echoed through the forest. Reality bent and twisted around them as the distortions intensified. The trees themselves seemed to shudder as Lloyd’s uncontrolled magic flared wildly.

The elves froze, panic flashing in their eyes as their attack faltered.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

The-Greatest-Choice-Developer

A community style 'chose your own adventure' featuring "The Greatest Estate Developer.

START HERE

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[the-greatest-choice-developer]

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Make a strategic withdrawal to plan their next steps

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-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 3-

Sir Galren glanced back at the group, his expression grim. “We need to fall back,” he announced, urgency lacing his voice, leaving no room for debate. The others nodded, the weight of his words pressing down as they began to move.

Lloyd felt the dragon’s presence fading, but not far enough for comfort. He caught himself glancing back, half-expecting the creature to leap from the shadows. He thought he was getting used to strange beings—his summons, the giant ants, even the orcs to a degree. Perhaps a dragon was just another beast. With a nervous chuckle, he tried to lighten the mood. “You know, it’d be easier with horses... but I guess we’re all ‘hoofing it’ now.”

Javier shot him a quick look, then returned to scanning their surroundings. The crunch of gravel and the snap of twigs echoed around them, amplifying the heavy silence.

Each step felt precarious, the ground littered with stones that threatened to trip them. Lloyd stumbled slightly but caught himself just in time, exchanging a glance with Javier, who had been too far away to help.

As they continued their retreat, the looming threat of the dragon weighed heavily on their minds. They needed to regroup and plan their next move, each understanding that the fight would need to be faced eventually, if not today.

—-

As the group reached the estate Lloyd’s parents, Marabelle and Arcos, were waiting, their faces pale with anxiety. The news of a dragon broke their already frayed nerves.

Marabelle’s voice trembled as she exclaimed, “A dragon... you can’t go back out there. Not after this!” 

Arcos nodded grimly, his jaw clenched. “This has gone too far. We won’t allow it!” Their focus was unwavering; 

Sir Galren stepped forward. “Rushing back out there without a solid plan could get us all killed. We need to think carefully.” His voice was steady, though the tension was evident.

Lloyd remained quiet, absorbing the gravity of the situation. After listening to the frantic chatter of the room and thinking, he found his voice. “How far out is considered under quarantine right now?”

Everyone turned to him. Javier realized he was already formulating a plan.

Lloyd pressed on, “For all we know, the dragon could be long gone. But we can’t leave it to chance. We need to be prepared for anything.”

Yet Marabelle and Arcos were resolute in their refusal. “You can’t go back out there! We won’t let you!”

Lloyd winced, guilt gnawing at him for ignoring the Fronteras' distress after seeing the fear in their eyes. He knew how much they were struggling, but they couldn’t afford to wait any longer. The aftermath of the explosion was still unknown, and the dragon’s presence wasn’t something they could ignore. 

Time was running out, and they needed to act.

He glanced toward Sir Galren and Javier. “We need to figure out our next steps. Waiting around isn’t an option.”

Sir Galren crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in thought. “We could try to gather more information first. Scout the area, we know sending for help from the capital might still be fruitless, but there’s no harm in trying. In the meantime, we can figure out exactly what we’re dealing with before charging in blindly.”

Lloyd nodded, though he was not thrilled with the idea. “True. But every moment we delay gives the dragon more time to make itself at home, or worse, disappear. If it moves, we might lose our chance to face it on our terms.” 

“On our terms?” Javier asked incredulously. “You want us to face a dragon? Why not the option to prepare here. Fortify the estate, make sure we’re not caught off-guard. If it comes to us, we’ll be better defended.”

Even Marabelle and Arcos, though overwhelmed, listened closely to the options being laid out.

Lloyd spoke again. “I’m not asking you to come with me this time,” he admitted, glancing between Sir Galren and Javier. “But if we don’t act soon, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to leave this place… and I may have an idea”

They exchanged glances.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

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Your choice has been registered:

The Fronteras don’t want them to go but feel they must.

[System Notification]

-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 2-

The morning sun had barely risen, casting a soft, golden light across the courtyard as the Frontera family stood together, preparing to say their farewells. Arcos and Marbella’s expressions were strained, each of them struggling to keep their worry from showing too openly. Arcos placed a firm hand on Lloyd’s shoulder, gripping it tightly as if anchoring his son to this moment, even though he knew they had to let go.

“You’ve come far, son,” Arcos said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his concern. “Don’t forget everything you’ve learned—and take care of those around you.” Marbella stood close, giving Lloyd a stern, yet caring look. “And stay focused. This isn’t the time to be reckless,” she added, her tone carrying the weight of a mother’s worry hidden behind firm words.

Then Marbella pulled Javier into a lingering hug, her fingers brushing lightly against his hair, a gesture more protective than formal.

“Make sure you stay safe too,” her voice was soft, laced with worry.

Javier’s stance stiffened slightly at the attention, but he nodded, accepting the affection with a quiet grace. He wasn’t used to such overt concern directed toward him, but he understood what it meant. Arcos’ hand shifted from Lloyd to Javier’s shoulder, his grip firm yet not as commanding as it had been with his son. The look exchanged between them said more than words could—Javier was more than just a knight to the Frontera family.

Arcos cleared his throat. “Remember everything you’ve learned, Lloyd. You’ve come far. Don’t forget that.”

Lloyd met his father’s eyes, offering a small, encouraging smile. “We’ll be fine, really.”

Marbella’s lips pressed into a thin line as she nodded.

“I’ll make sure of it,” Javier added quietly, his voice steady.

As Lloyd and Javier turned to leave, Lloyd glanced back over his shoulder. Arcos and Marbella stood there, watching with the kind of worry only parents could. Javier, on the other hand, didn’t look back—his guilt of taking his master into danger weighed too heavily on him.

---

The sun climbed higher as the trio set off from the Frontera estate, the early morning chill giving way to a pleasant warmth. The knight from the capital rode ahead with precise formality, while Lloyd and Javier, each in the other's body, shared a more relaxed demeanor.

Lloyd, mimicking Javier’s usual stoic expression, a playful glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement. “As your humble knight, I must remind you, Milord, that maintaining a proper demeanor is crucial,” he said, adjusting his posture with exaggerated seriousness.

Javier, tilted his head. “I shall strive to renounce my abhorrent posture and lack of decorum,” he replied, looking repentant. “Ouch,” Lloyd said, looking hurt.

“I will also make sure my ‘knights’ are thoroughly educated in the art of horseback for the future.” Javier added. 

'I lost.' Lloyd thought with an embarrassed look.

The knight glanced back, his brow slightly furrowed but otherwise unfazed by their antics. “It’s rare to see a lord and his knight interact so… informally,” he commented.

Instantly, Lloyd straightened up and adopted a more formal demeanor. “Oh, certainly not, sir. We maintain the highest standards of professionalism,” he said, slipping into his slimy salesman mode.

Javier, in Lloyd’s body, followed suit with a serious nod. “Indeed. When a knight and his lord from a country barony grow up together, they develop a repertoire comparable to their 'mutual respect'.”

Lloyd ignored the quotation marks.

The knight raised an eyebrow, accepting their explanation with a nod and a hint of skepticism remained.

—

As the journey continued, the terrain shifted from the familiar, rolling fields of the Frontera barony to the more rugged landscape leading toward what had been the wetlands. The path narrowed, flanked by dense trees and the occasional abandoned farmhouse. The air felt thick with an unnatural tension, and the sky above churned and warped, dark clouds swirling erratically.

Lloyd broke the silence with a grin. “This place is starting to look like a scene from one of those old uh- legends.”

Sir Galren, who was seeing this for the first time, mutters “Let’s hope the legends stay where they belong—books.”

As they continued their journey, the landscape around them began to shift in even more unsettling ways. The trees, once firm and upright, now twisted and warped as if caught in a distorting haze. The vibrant colors of the forest dulled, and shadows seemed to writhe unnaturally. The ground beneath them felt uneven, shifting subtly with each step.

The environment was growing increasingly unstable. The usual sounds of wildlife had faded, replaced by a heavy silence that seemed to press down on them, amplifying their discomfort. The air felt dense, making it harder to breathe and focus. A strange sensation began to creep over the trio, an unsettling unease that seemed to seep into their very bones. The horses became restless. 

Lloyd, Javier, and Sir Galren exchanged uneasy glances. The ground beneath them felt as though it had taken on a subtle, disconcerting vibration.

Javier scanned their surroundings, his usual calm disrupted by the mounting tension. “Something isn’t right,” he said, voice low and controlled.

Lloyd, tried to steady his own mounting anxiety. He glanced around, searching for any sign of danger, but all he saw were the warped and shifting trees. “You think...?”

Before they could react further, the air seemed to vibrate with a deep, resonant hum. The ground quaked more violently, and a low, rumbling sound grew louder, reverberating through the earth. The horses' fear reached a peak as they reared frantically, trying to get away.

An overwhelming sense of dread that seemed to claw at their insides. The feeling was drawing their gazes upwards as if instinctively searching for the source of their growing terror.

The only sound was a low, distant rumble that began to grow in volume, reverberating through the air and the ground. It was a sound that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

Finally, they caught sight of it—a massive dragon emerging from the thickening clouds. The creature's powerful wings sliced through the air with a force that sent shockwaves rippling across the ground. As the dragon flew directly over them, the sheer impact of its wingbeats knocked them off their horses, threatening to crush them.

The dragon's colossal form cast a massive shadow that swallowed the landscape in darkness. The boys lay on the ground, their hearts threatening to stop as they stared up in awe and fear.

The horses, already on edge from the warping surroundings, erupted into chaos. Sir Galren’s horse reared violently, its hooves flailing in a desperate bid to escape, its screams of terror piercing the eerie stillness. Meanwhile, Lloyd and Javier’s horse collapsed, overwhelmed by fear and unable to withstand the intense strain.

The dragon's enormous presence passed, the rumbling sound of its departure lingered, a deep, resonant echo that seemed to vibrate through the ground. The sensation of dread magnified by the sight of the dragon and the chaos it left in its wake.

The dragon's shadow receded, the trio scrambled to their feet, their breath coming in ragged gasps. They looked around at the chaotic scene. The reality of the situation sank in as they tried to regain their composure, the enormity of their encounter with the dragon leaving them shaken and alert.

As the echo of Sir Galren’s terrified exclamation, "A goddamn dragon," faded into the chaos, the trio faced their daunting choice.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

[System Notification]

Your choice has been registered:

Tell Arcos and Marbella Frontera

[System Notification]

-Scene 2: The Aftermath-

-Part 1-

The heavy doors of the Frontera estate creaked open, admitting a gust of wind and a royal knight in indigo armor. With his helmet under one arm, he bowed deeply, his face serious and weary.

"I am Sir Galren," he announced, his voice grave. "I bring urgent orders from Her Majesty, the Queen. For now, I am the only aid you will receive from the capital."

The room fell silent. Lloyd, Javier, and his parents, Arcos and Marbella, exchanged worried looks. Arcos stepped forward.

"Why only you?" he asked. "Surely the Queen wouldn’t leave us to face this alone?"

Galren’s jaw tightened. "The Queen is deeply concerned. She wants to send more help, but is wary of the unknown effects of the corruption. The explosion near your estate has warped reality—plants twisting unnaturally, gravity fluctuating, and animals behaving strangely. The cause remains unknown, and the Queen fears that sending more people could lead to permanent harm."

Marbella’s eyes widened with fear. "But can’t she send mages or soldiers?"

Galren shook his head. "Even the most skilled mages are unsure about the long-term impact of the corruption. The Queen is cautious, not wanting to risk more lives until we understand the situation better."

He turned to Lloyd and Javier. "Only those with high mana reserves can safely approach the explosion's center. That’s why the three of us have been chosen. Your mana is strong enough to withstand the effects, at least for now. We are the only ones who can investigate."

Lloyd glanced at Javier, who looked equally tense. "And if we go, what then?"

Galren exhaled. "The Queen hopes for answers but acknowledges the risks. She did not make this decision lightly."

Marbella’s hands clenched. "You mean to send our son and a knight into this danger, with so much still unknown?"

"Yes," Galren replied. "But the Queen is not abandoning you. She is trying to protect as many lives as possible. If we can determine the cause and contain the corruption, it might stop spreading."

He placed his helmet under his arm again. "I won’t be returning to the capital. Now that I’ve entered this area, I’ll be quarantined here as well. I will assist directly and ensure the people within the quarantine are protected. Our task is to uncover the truth behind this disaster."

He looked toward the door, resolute. "I will support you in the most affected areas, but the investigation rests on our shoulders. With our combined mana, we may be the only ones who can get close enough to the center."

—---------------------------------------

The heavy doors closed behind Sir Galren, leaving Lloyd, Javier, Arcos, and Marbella alone. The room was thick with tension as Arcos and Marbella’s worry was palpable. Lloyd and Javier faced them, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Arcos broke the silence, his voice strained with concern. “Sending you boys on this mission is dangerous. You … we can deliberate on this more.”

Marbella struggled. “We’ve seen the devastation. To send you into that… it’s too much.”

Lloyd, now in Javier’s body, realized that now was not the ideal situation to tell them what was happening with the body swap but, if they were going to send them into danger … ‘I hope this doesn't end up a death flag’  Lloyd thought to himself before taking a deep breath, his voice unsteady. “There’s something we need to tell you. It’s important.”

Marbella looked at ‘Lloyd’ with a mix of confusion and worry. “What’s going on?”

Javier, in Lloyd’s body, glanced at ‘Lloyd’ with a nod. “I… I need to explain. I’m actually Lloyd, and this is Javier. After the explosion, something happened—we’re not entirely sure how—but next thing we knew, it’s like our minds, or maybe our souls, switched. I have all of Lloyd’s memories, but for some reason, I look like Javier.” He paused, unsure how to continue.

Arcos’s brow furrowed, disbelief etched on his face.

Javier, in Lloyd’s body, nodded.

Lloyd, struggling to gather his thoughts, mused on the irony of wondering how he would tell them that he wasn’t LLOYD, now here he was. Telling them he wasn't JAVIER. An awkward smile crossed his face, one that didn’t quite fit Javier’s usual demeanor.

“It’s true,” Lloyd said, his voice trembling. “I’m really Lloyd. The explosion caused the swap, and we’ve been trying to manage it since then. I’m sorry to spring this on you now, of all times, but—”

Seeing the Fronteras beginning to process the revelation, Javier decided to step in. “We need to find the cause of the explosion, and it’s dangerous. We believe we’ll be okay, but there could be more side effects. We thought it was important to tell you.”

Marbella’s eyes widened in shock. “This is… hard to believe. Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

Javier, looking down, answered softly. “We didn’t want to add to your stress—or the villagers’. Everything’s been chaotic, and we hoped we could manage it ourselves.”

Arcos glanced between the two, his expression slowly shifting from confusion to realization. “But why didn’t we notice something was off?” A look of guilt clouded his face. 

Lloyd, in Javier’s body, instinctively reached out, his voice gentle. “We’ve been trying to keep things normal. We didn’t want to burden you more than we had to.”

Marbella’s hand trembled as she reached out to him. “You’ve both been through so much, and we didn’t even realize. I’m so sorry we couldn’t be there for you.”

Arcos stood there, wanting nothing more than to pull his sons into a tight embrace. But he hesitated, the weight of guilt pressing down on him. He felt as though he didn’t deserve that moment, not after all the mistakes he had made. Once again, his son had been left to handle impossible burdens on his own.

Lloyd, in Javier’s body, looked at his parents with a soft, encouraging smile. “We just wanted to fix everything without adding to your worries if we could,” he said gently.

That struck right at the heart of Arcos’s shame. His son had been trying to protect them, even while he was dealing with something so overwhelming. The realization made Arcos feel like the foolish father he once swore he would no longer be. 

—--

Later, as Arcos and Marbella reflected in private, their voices were tinged with regret. Arcos spoke quietly with his head in his hands. “Have we truly been the support they needed? Did we do enough?” His voice cracked as the weight of his shortcomings settled in.

Marbella, her gaze distant, sighed softly. “We tried, Arcos. We really did, but maybe it wasn’t enough.” She paused, her eyes heavy with worry. “Now they’re heading into something dangerous, something we can’t protect them from. And here we are, just realizing how much they’ve been carrying.”

Arcos lifted his head, his face lined with sorrow. “We’ve watched them grow into capable men, but… I feel like we’ve failed them, especially Lloyd. He has been trying to prove himself, and now he’s literally risking his life.”

Marbella nodded, her hand gently resting on his. “We need to be better for them both. No more letting them face these battles alone.”

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

[System Notification]

Your choice has been registered:

Evacuate elderly, children, and injured using carts or horses.

[System Notification]

As you approach your 10th choice, the upcoming scenes will be slightly longer to accommodate the increased complexity of your decisions.

[System Notification]

-Scene 1: The Explosion-

-Part 9-

The road toward the city center was filled with confusion, people rushing in every direction to avoid the fires and collapsing buildings. Javier, still inhabiting Lloyd’s body, directed his horse to the forefront, waving down a cart to assist with evacuating a group of elderly villagers who were struggling to walk. Lloyd, now in Javier’s form, was keeping up, helping lift a wounded child into a makeshift stretcher.

“Do you know what’s happening, Young Lord Lloyd?” a villager asked breathlessly, fear and exhaustion etched into their face. Others began to murmur around them, looking to the young lord for answers.

Javier, inwardly cursing his predicament, forced a calm smile. “We’re still assessing the situation. Please head to the town square; we’ll ensure everyone’s safety and get things under control.”

His voice rang with more confidence than he felt, his tone measured and authoritative, and his gaze was sharp, reflecting his natural self-discipline. The villagers seemed to calm, nodding in agreement as they hurried to follow his orders. He kept Lloyd glanced over, surprised no one questioned the sudden “knight aura” emanating from him. He raised an eyebrow, amused by how seamlessly Javier's habits were blending into his new role.

They reached the square as the day was slowly dipping into the late afternoon. It was chaos, but organized chaos. Arcos and Marabelle Frontera stood at the center of it all, directing knights and farmers alike, overseeing the placement of food, medical supplies, and shelter for the displaced.

When Marabelle saw "Lloyd," her face lit up. She dropped what she was holding and rushed forward, arms wide open. “Lloyd!” she called, voice thick with relief. Arcos wasn’t far behind.

Javier braced himself as Marabelle wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tight. “I’m so glad you’re safe!” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes as she frantically kissed his face—Lloyd’s face—repeatedly. Arcos reached them, pulling them both into a warm embrace.

“Thank the gods,” Arcos murmured, his voice unsteady.

Javier, unsure how to navigate this, glanced over at the real Lloyd, who was standing there, awkwardly watching his parents hug his body.

“About that—” Javier started, but before he could explain, a knight rushed over.

“Sir! What should we do about the fires spreading through the northern district? And the farmers near the edge of the city are reporting mana surges causing crops to wilt!”

Arcos floundered, torn between his son and the urgent needs of the town. “Get the buckets ready. Send a team to the northern district and make sure they’re directing the fire away from any homes. As for the mana surges... we need someone to keep watch over the affected area. We’ll work on a solution later.”

As Arcos directed his knights, Marabelle pulled away from Javier, wiping a tear from her eye. “We’ll talk more later, alright? For now, let’s keep things moving.”

Javier and Lloyd exchanged a glance. Later was going to be a complicated conversation. For now, they agreed silently to just get to work.

—

The next few days were exhausting. Javier handled most of the town’s recovery efforts without hesitation, directing the workers, coordinating the knights, and ensuring that supplies reached the villagers who needed them most. His commanding voice and calm demeanor made him fit well into the role of the young lord. He ordered the knights to form patrols, organized food distribution, and oversaw the clearing of debris. However, when decisions about the future of the barony or sensitive matters arose, Javier would discreetly pull Lloyd aside to consult him, ensuring that the decisions carried the authority of the young lord without arousing suspicion.

During a discussion about the town’s damaged gates, one of the knights asked, “Lord Frontera, should we reinforce the gates or continue helping the farmers rebuild?”

Javier nodded thoughtfully and responded with authority, “Give me a moment to assess the situation further.” He turned and motioned for ‘Javier’ to follow him.

Away from prying eyes, Javier spoke in a low voice, “The gates or the farmers? What’s the priority here?”

“The gates can wait. If we don’t help the farmers now, they’ll hold it against us later. Focus on the people.”

Javier nodded, returning to the knights with confidence. “Continue assisting the farmers for now. If we don’t fix their land we will not have food in the coming months. We’ll deal with the gates afterward.” The knights accepted the decision without question. This pattern repeated throughout the day. 

At one point, while discussing food rations with a group of farmers, a knight asked, “My lord, should we limit the distribution to only those directly affected by the fires?”

Javier paused, glancing briefly at Lloyd. In a casual tone, he said, “Javier, what do you think about the needs of the outlying farms?” It was a clever way to involve Lloyd in the decision, framing it as if seeking advice from a trusted bodyguard.

Lloyd replied, “We need to think about the broader picture. If the farmers in the outskirts aren’t supported, they’ll struggle later, and it could hurt the barony.”

With a nod, Javier gave his answer, “Ensure everyone gets enough supplies, even those in the outskirts. We can’t afford to neglect any part of the barony.”

The villagers, impressed by how the once reckless young lord had grown and was now stepping up to fulfill his role, accepted his leadership without question.

—

The recovery efforts revealed that the burns and injuries were related to mana levels. Those with lower natural mana reserves suffered more severe burns, while those with higher mana levels fared better. The town lacked formal magical training, so they relied on traditional medicine and swift organization.

Amid the recovery efforts, it became evident that not only did they need to report but they also needed additional resources from the capitol. The capitol was likely to be concerned about containing the effects to prevent further impact.

In the town hall, the Frontera family gathered to strategize. Arcos led the drafting of a formal request for aid, while Javier assisted in ensuring the letter covered all necessary details. Lloyd, acting as Javier’s personal assistant, provided input on the specifics of the situation.

The request included:

A detailed account of the explosion and its aftermath.

The nature of the injuries related to mana levels.

Immediate needs for supplies, medical aid, and expert assistance.

A request for support while acknowledging the potential for magical contamination.

Once the letter was finalized, it was sent to the capitol with urgency. The Frontera family informed the townsfolk that support was being sought, and containment measures might be implemented to prevent further spread.

At the capitol, Queen Alicia Magentano and her advisors reviewed the request. Recognizing the risk of magical contamination, they classified the affected area as a quarantine zone to prevent spreading to neighboring regions. Queen Alicia issued a response assuring that aid would be provided and dispatched a team of experts skilled in mana manipulation and logistical support.

The Frontera family, including Javier and Lloyd, received the response. They communicated the news to the townsfolk, explaining the strict containment measures to ensure safety. While the quarantine caused some apprehension, the promise of aid was a relief.

—-

After days of constant work, Lloyd and Javier finally found a moment to rest in their shared room. Javier, still in Lloyd’s body, slumped onto a nearby chair out of habit while Lloyd—now in Javier’s body—sat on the edge of the bed.

“We need to talk about this,” Javier said, running a hand through his—Lloyd’s—hair.

Lloyd nodded. “The body swap?”

“Yes. The longer we stay like this, the harder it’s going to be to explain it.”

Lloyd sighed, leaning back against the bedframe. “I don’t know if we can tell anyone yet. Look at everything that’s happening. My parents are already under so much pressure trying to hold the town together.”

Javier frowned. “I get that, but it’s not just about telling them. We need to figure out how to reverse this.”

Lloyd’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. “Do you think it’s related to the explosion?”

“Most likely,” Javier said, his voice serious. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. The timing, the chaos—it’s all connected.”

“But how do we fix it?” Lloyd asked, the frustration evident in his tone.

Javier shook his head. “I don’t know. But we can’t afford to stay like this forever.”

Lloyd looked down, his brow furrowing in thought. “Maybe… maybe we need to learn more about the explosion itself. If it caused this, there has to be a way to reverse it.”

They sat in silence for a moment. Neither had any immediate solutions, but one thing was clear: they couldn’t stay in each other’s bodies forever.

“We’ll figure this out,” Javier said, more to reassure himself than anything. “One problem at a time … should we inform the baron and baroness?”

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

[System Notification]

Your choice has been registered:

Lloyd - Stabilize your emotions and use your connection to the mana.

[System Notification]

-Scene 1: The Explosion-

-Part 8-

The village lay in disarray. Broken beams jutted out from half-collapsed buildings, dust filled the air, and faint cracks marred the cobblestone streets. Villagers milled about, some dazed and stumbling, others hunched over in pain. The aftermath of Lloyd’s magical outburst left a scene of surreal devastation. The ground around him was scarred and upheaved, with plants having grown wildly and fruits ripened into shimmering golden dust. The earth was a chaotic mix of tangled roots and torn-up soil, the once orderly village now resembling a fantastical battleground. Lloyd surveyed the scene with a growing sense of dread. 

This is my fault, he thought, gritting his teeth. He could feel it deep in his bones—an unsettling, electric hum of magic lingering from the blast. I need to fix this.

Lloyd clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy coursing through Javier's body. It was strange—everything felt different. His senses were sharper, attuned to something beyond the physical. He could sense the currents of mana weaving through the air.

He couldn’t afford to analyze the situation now. While the people here seemed relatively unharmed, there were likely others still in danger, and the buildings were on the verge of collapse. Without pausing to think it through, Lloyd inhaled sharply and reached out to the swirling magic around him.

The sensation was immediate. Mana surged under his skin, a prickling heat that built rapidly. Lloyd's hands trembled as he struggled to rein in the wild energy. For a split second, it felt like the power was slipping through his fingers, ready to cause even more damage.

His vision blurred and he winced as a spark flew, striking a nearby pile of debris, sending it tumbling.

Focus, damn it!

Lloyd forced himself to concentrate. He had never experienced power like this before, and yet he felt an instinctual pull toward it. Slowly, he gathered the mana, drawing it in closer. It resisted and surged unpredictably, but he held firm.

He set his sights on the nearest crumbling structure—a house whose roof was sagging dangerously. He thrust his hand toward it, willing the magic to stabilize the damage. The stones of the building wobbled, threatening to collapse further, but then slowly—painfully slowly—they began to realign.

Brick by brick, the walls started to mend, each piece finding its place like a puzzle. The air around him crackled with the pressure of the magic, but Lloyd’s focus remained locked.

A moment of triumph welled up inside him as the building steadied, no longer teetering on the brink of ruin. He glanced around quickly—other villagers were staring, a mix of awe and confusion on their faces as they watched the once-unstable house repair itself under his command.

But just as Lloyd allowed himself a breath of relief, a sudden surge of energy flared from within him. Without warning, the chaotic magic lashed out. A nearby window exploded outward, glass shattering with a deafening pop. The sharp pieces scattered through the air.

Before Lloyd could fully register what was happening, Javier sprang into action. Despite still being in Lloyd’s body, his mind’s reflexes—honed by years of training—kicked in immediately. With a speed that surprised even Lloyd, Javier rushed forward, his hand outstretched. A sharp gust of wind whipped through the air.

The gust caught the shards mid-flight, halting them just inches away from the nearest villagers. With a flick of his wrist, the shards dropped harmlessly to the ground, far from the startled crowd.

Lloyd's heart was still racing from the surge of energy, and he blinked in surprise. "That was… fast," he muttered under his breath, his tension easing as the immediate danger passed.

Javier turned toward him, a hint of irritation flashing in his eyes. "You need to keep a tighter grip on yourself. If you lose control again, people could get hurt."

Lloyd bit back a retort, knowing Javier was right. Even in his borrowed body, Javier’s instincts were as sharp as ever. It was a sobering reminder that while Lloyd had the power, Javier had the skills.

The village was still. The immediate danger had passed, but the lingering tension in the air was thick. The magic had obeyed him, but only barely. He exhaled deeply, his chest heaving from the exertion.

His hand fell to his side, but his pulse continued to race. The village was no longer on the brink of collapse, but the wild power within him simmered.

He could see the villagers begin to gather—some were approaching cautiously, eyes wide with shock and gratitude. Others seemed too rattled to speak, but their relief was palpable. Still, Lloyd felt far from confident.

I did it. I helped. But what if I hadn’t?

He glanced down at Javier’s hands—at his hands now, for the time being. The magic he’d unleashed was powerful, too powerful. He knew instinctively that he hadn’t mastered it yet, that if something tipped the scales even slightly, everything could unravel. The body-swap had complicated everything too.

The villagers’ murmurs grew louder as they started asking questions, seeking guidance. Lloyd cleared his throat and raised his voice, trying to sound authoritative despite his inner turmoil.

"Everyone, please listen," Lloyd began, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We need to get to safety first. I assure you, we'll get you to a safe location. We will find the baron and baroness and we will assess the situation together."

As he spoke, Lloyd noticed a shift in the crowd. The villagers’ expressions flickered with concern as they looked toward the young lord who was standing to the side. There was an undercurrent of unease as they worried that he might take offense to the knight speaking in his stead.

Seeing their apprehension, Javier, in Lloyd’s body, gave them a reassuring smile and a gentle nod. He raised a hand in a calming gesture, hoping to convey that there was no ill will or confusion between them.

The villagers seemed to relax slightly at the gesture, their concern easing. They began to move, guided by the guards who had appeared to help manage the situation.

Lloyd watched them go, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. Once the villagers were on their way to safety, he turned to Javier, who had taken up a position nearby, ready to assist.

"We need to meet with the baron and baroness as soon as possible," Lloyd said, his voice firm. "We have to assess the damage, make sure everyone is accounted for, and figure out how to get control of this power."

Javier nodded, "Agreed. Let’s get to work."

With that, Lloyd and Javier set off, determined to tackle the crisis and set things right. The village was still reeling from the magical upheaval, but they had a plan. The real work was just beginning.

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

[System Notification]

Your choice has been registered:

Javier moves closer, offering steady, quiet words to guide Lloyd.

[System Notification]

-Scene 1: The Explosion-

-Part 7-

Javier moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate, his voice quiet but firm. “Lloyd,” he repeated, this time more gently. “Listen to me. You need to calm down and breathe. ”

Lloyd’s chest tightened, his breath shallow and uneven. The magic around them continued to swirl, but Javier’s words cut through, grounding him. He felt the weight of the damage caused by his anger, and it crashed over him like a wave of shame.

“I’m sorry,” Lloyd whispered, his voice trembling. “I’m... pathetic, aren’t I?”

Javier shook his head. “No, Lloyd. You haven’t seemed yourself—not since the explosion.” he said, trying to emphasize that last part.

“This is me,” Lloyd murmured, his eyes filled with guilt.

Javier frowned, but then something clicked in his mind. He had to try something—anything—to stop the volatile magic from spiraling out of control. He stepped closer, gathering his resolve, and reached out, attempting to use the Asrahan Core Technique to siphon some of the chaotic mana surging through Lloyd’s body.

As he initiated the technique, Javier felt a brief flicker of hope—the familiar sensation of gathering energy—but it was fleeting. The moment he tried to channel it through Lloyd’s body, it slipped away, wild and uncontrollable. The mana bucked against his command. Javier gritted his teeth, but he could feel it—Lloyd’s body wasn’t suited for this. The young lord's body simply didn’t have the control or the training necessary to harness such power.

The backlash hit Javier like a physical force, and he staggered, gasping. The attempt had failed. He couldn’t siphon the mana. Not like this. He had to rely on something else.

"Lloyd," Javier panted, regaining his balance. "I can’t—your body’s not equipped for this kind of control. You need to calm down, or it’s going to get worse."

Lloyd's face twisted in fear, his breath hitching. He struggled to make sense of everything, his mind racing. "I'm... sorry," he whispered again.

Javier shook his head, trying to steady both himself and Lloyd. “No, THIS. Isn’t. You."

“This IS me,” Lloyd murmured, his voice heavy. “I’ve always been scared.” He paused, a pained expression crossing his face. “It was fine when I was...”

Javier watched as Lloyd wrestled with his thoughts.

“Over time, my confusion got worse. I didn’t notice it because so many things were happening in the Frontera territory... event after event. But I realized I had started to change. The world started to feel... like I belonged. Like I could do anything. But the truth is, this is what I’m like. I’m nobody. I have nothing.”

Javier was almost too stunned to process what Lloyd had just said. The man standing in front of him—the reckless, often careless Lloyd Frontera— …

For a moment, Javier found himself struggling to connect this vulnerable person with the brash, self centered young lord he had known for so long.

Lloyd had always seemed to be running from something, whether through late-night escapades or reckless decisions that made no sense to anyone but him. Javier had believed it to be arrogance or neglect, but now... was it fear? A quiet, gnawing fear that had been eating away at him all this time?

A new thought began to form. Was this why he drank? Was this why Lloyd acted out so impulsively? Could it all have been an attempt to drown out the fear he was too scared to face?

“Did you... hate how you were?” Javier asked, a hesitation in his voice.

Lloyd looked at him with a resigned expression. Javier felt a new pang of sympathy. “So, you blamed the world you were scared of... and did nothing?” The words were sharp, but they needed to be. Lloyd flinched but didn’t turn away.

"...But you chose to change. You decided not to stay that way," Javier said, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. He was starting to grasp the concept, though it was not something he fully believed—not yet. The idea of Lloyd being more than just the reckless noble he had known was difficult to accept, but there was something undeniably genuine in the man’s words, something that made Javier pause.

“I wanted to,” Lloyd admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “But I couldn’t. After my parents struggled with their debts, after people questioned their responsibility... people criticized them, not knowing how much pain they were in. My parents ... were incredible people. I wanted to show the world that, to prove it to them. So I had to move. I worked hard. I needed to live properly. I needed to be proof that my parents lived the right way. If I didn’t ... I really would be nothing.”

Javier’s mind was reeling. This couldn’t be coming from Lloyd Frontera. He had never seen the young lord like this before, never thought there was something so deep hidden beneath the surface. But the man standing in front of him now was unmistakably honest. Javier could see it in his eyes. And more than anything else, that mattered. Especially now.

“You’re right,” Javier said quietly. “You’ve always been the same person, in my eyes. But now you can make a mess AND you can cry with a scared expression. You have the determination to confront it all. That... that’s what matters. I want to believe you’ve become the man who sees his responsibilities through.”

Lloyd bowed his head, wiping his eyes. He took a moment, breathing deeply, centering himself. When he looked up again, his face was resolute, determined.

"I can prove it too.”

[the-greatest-choice-developer]

[System Notification]

Your choice has been registered:

Javier - speak directly to snap Lloyd out of rage before things worsen.

[System Notification]

-Scene 1: The Explosion-

-Part 6-

Javier’s heart pounded in his chest as the air around them thickened, twisted by the chaotic magic surging from Lloyd. The colors, the strange pulsing plants, even the eerie golden dust—it all felt like a nightmare come to life. For just a moment, a strange thought crossed his mind: he never imagined he would one day find himself genuinely trying to talk Lloyd Frontera down from one of his rages. And yet, here he was, desperate to do so, feeling an unfamiliar sense of guilt for pushing the young lord into this state.

“Lloyd, listen to me,” Javier called out. He could see the frustration written across the young man's face, but there was something more, something deeper brewing under the surface. “This isn’t you. You’ve got to stop!”

Lloyd, his chest heaving, tried to make sense of everything. His anger had reached a peak, but it was the atmosphere—the oppressive, suffocating energy around them—that had him worried. He was so caught up in his frustration that he hadn’t noticed at first, but now... the world around them was warping, shifting in unnatural ways. And worst of all, there were people here—villagers, the ones hurt earlier. How could he be so focused on Javier instead of helping them if everything was spiraling out of control?

His hands shook, and he stumbled, the ground beneath him cracking and trembling as if it, too, was reacting to his volatile emotions. He didn't know why this was happening—couldn’t even begin to understand it—but the worsening chaos terrified him. He didn’t want to cause more harm.

“Javier,” Lloyd muttered, his chest tightening as his breath came in short, ragged gasps. He struggled to find his footing both physically and emotionally, his legs shaky beneath him. His mind raced, his thoughts a frantic jumble. “What’s... what’s happening?”

Javier braced himself, his instincts screaming at him to do something, anything. He could feel the magic clawing at him, distorting reality itself. But losing sight of reality was not an option. Not now. 

“You’re making this happen, Lloyd!” Javier shouted, his voice barely cutting through the thick air. He was still unsure how, but it was clear that the chaotic energy was somehow tied to the young lord’s outburst. “The magic—it’s reacting to your emotions! You have to calm down!”

Lloyd’s eyes widened as realization hit him like a tidal wave. His frustration, his anger—it wasn’t just affecting him. It was tearing the world apart. The ground trembled beneath them, vines twisted unnaturally, and the villagers who had been healing moments ago now seemed more frightened than relieved. They watched in horror as the ‘knight Javier’ who had always protected them seemed to spiral out of control. How had he let it get this bad?

“No...” Lloyd whispered. He hadn’t meant for this to happen. He was just�� scared of being discovered, but now—now it felt like he was losing control of everything.