Where, When, How And Why?

When Commander Vidar relayed Arlene's orders to the squad, they complied instantly. But they were wondering what's going on.

"A mortal? How is a mortal living in this god-forsaken planet?"

"Nevermind how he survived. The real question is why did her highness bring him back with her?"

"Does he have a relationship with that stone palace?"

"Guys, you talk too much. Just obey the orders and restrain yourselves!"

"Calm down, Lucien. We're just curious. We will naturally obey the orders without complaints."

If anyone saw the members of the most hated and feared squad in the Empire, chatting and blaming each other like children, they would faint from shock and anger.

As the members of the squad were chit chatting, Commander Vidar was waiting for Arlene in her office room.

A moment later, Arlene instantly appeared in front of him. Beside her, a man was suspended in midair.

Vidar inspected the man carefully. But in the end, he found nothing special. He was really just a mortal. He thought, 'I guess he must have something to do with that stone palace. That's why her highness brought him back.'

"Let him rest for now. Also, isolate all auras coming from the outside. I don't want him to explode from the pressure of a passing Space Beast."

Vidar nodded and immediately left the room with the floating body beside him.

-----

3 days have passed since Arlene came back with the mortal man. The squad members noticed a change in these 3 days.

Arlene, who was always cold and silent, seemed to have changed a bit. She's not as cold nor as serious as before. She seemed more relaxed and easy going.

Even Vidar, who knew her the longest, was puzzled. 'What's going on? She is out of her room a lot these days. Not to mention talking and guiding the squad members, she even smiled once!'

It's not that they were upset. On the contrary, they were overjoyed. After all, who wouldn't want guidance from a Supreme powerhouse?

It's just, if you know someone for many years and they do something out of character, you'll find it very… strange.

-----

In one of the rooms in the spaceship, a man was lying on a bed. His expression was changing every few seconds.

Pain. Confusion. Sadness. And rarely, Joy.

On the opposite of the bed, a young man with green hair was sitting cross-legged on the couch, watching the changing expressions of the 'sleeping' man and thought, 'What a weirdo. Doesn't his face get tired? He's been like this for more than 2 days.'

The green-haired man shook his head and closed his eyes. But immediately after, he opened them again. Because the man on the bed opened his eyes too.

He looked at him with a curious expression. A mortal man living alone on a dead planet. What was special about him?

He got up and smiled, "You're finally awake. How are you feeling?"

The man on the bed got up slowly. He looked around him and then looked at the man, "I am… fine. Where am I? And who are you?"

He was feeling really weird right now. While he was asleep, he saw scenes from memories that's supposed to be his. These memories seemed so familiar yet so unfamiliar. As if they were someone else's memories.

While he was lost in thought, he heard the green-haired man again, "Oh, how rude of me. My name is Lucian. I was ordered to keep an eye on you until you wake up. As for your first question, it's not my place to say. I'll inform her highness that you're awake." After finishing speaking, Lucian immediately went out.

'Mmm, these memories… assuming they are mine, It was pretty miserable.' Although he thought that, he didn't feel bad or anything. It was as if he watched the memories of someone else, but not really. It was a very strange feeling.

'I guess I'll go with the same name. Avren, it is.'

When he was lost in his thoughts, two people entered the room. It was Arlene and Vidar.

Arlene looked at him for a brief moment and said, "It seems you're much better now." Then she sat down on a chair that appeared out of thin air.

Avren's eyes glowed in astonishment. He knew this lady had an extraordinary power since she helped him awaked his memories.

Avren smiled politely and said, "Yes, thanks to you. I guess you already know since you read my memories, but I'd like to introduce myself properly. My name is Avren. Thank you again for your help." He extended his hand for a handshake.

Commander Vidar, who was standing by the side, felt strange seeing Arlene shake this man's hands. Can people really change in such a short period of time? He couldn't help but marvel at that.

"It's nothing. I helped you because I believe you're the key to something I want." She said in a serene voice with a hint of eagerness as she looked straight into his eyes. "So, tell me. Did you remember anything else other than the memories I helped you awaken? Like what was that place and how you got there?"

Avren shook his head and said, "I have no idea. The last thing I remember is walking out of the faculty building... Wait, you don't know where I was? Then how did you get there?"

"We were returning from a mission when our spaceship sensors detected a small planet that wasn't on the map. So I came down to investigate." She said.

It took Avren a while to process what she just said. Another planet? Spaceship?

How did I come to this planet? Was I kidnapped by aliens? When did that happen? And why me? Also, why was I put in a coffin?

Many questions began revolving in his head. Soon, he began to digest the information and calmed his emotion.

Arlene didn't seem to be bothered by his silence as she waited patiently. She knew it was a lot to take in, considering the environment he used to live in.