Chapter 133: I’m Back
Arthur gradually regained consciousness in the familiar sterile environment of the tether chambers. The white walls surrounding him served as a stark reminder that he was truly back on Earth, back in the world he had feared he might never see again.
After taking a few moments to fully orient himself and ensure his body was functioning properly, Arthur quickly made his way through the school’s corridors toward the administration offices. The hallways felt both familiar and strange at the same time, as if he was seeing them through new eyes after everything he had experienced.
When he arrived at the designated administrative area, he was relieved to see Aziel already waiting there, looking just as disoriented and overwhelmed as Arthur felt. The two young men exchanged glances that conveyed their mutual relief at having both made it back safely, though neither seemed quite ready to process everything that had happened to them.
They both approached the reception desk and explained to the administrative staff that they had just returned from their first expedition into the realms. The professional woman behind the desk, clearly accustomed to handling returning travelers, swiftly showed them to separate interview rooms where their individual debriefings would take place according to standard protocol.
Arthur found himself in a small, windowless room furnished with nothing more than a simple table and two chairs. The environment felt almost oppressive after the grand, mysterious spaces of the castle and the Second Realm. He waited in nervous anticipation, his mind still trying to process the reality of being back on Earth while simultaneously replaying memories of their incredible journey.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably only twenty minutes, a professional-looking woman entered the room. She wore a crisp button-down shirt that was neatly tucked into well-tailored business pants, projecting an air of competent authority. Her brown hair hung straight to her shoulders in a practical style, and she wore a pair of wire-rimmed glasses that gave her an intellectual appearance. In her hands, she carried a clipboard loaded with numerous official-looking papers and forms.
She settled herself into the chair across from Arthur, arranging her materials on the table between them before looking up to meet his eyes with a smile.
"Hello, my name is Ms. Augustine, and I’ll be conducting this interview today," she began in a clear, authoritative voice. She glanced down at her paperwork briefly before continuing. "You would be Mr... ah, Arthur Kendrick, correct?"
Arthur nodded in confirmation, feeling a mixture of nervousness and curiosity about what kinds of questions she would be asking him during this debriefing process.