I am an Alien in another reality.

Inside the Ring World, time flowed differently. Two years had passed since the naming ceremony, and the environment had stabilized into a thriving ecosystem. The first and second generations of elves, fey, mermaids, and dryads had matured, freely walking the lands of Min Heimer.

Arwen and Lily played with the young ones, laughter echoing through the serene landscape. The chieftains of each race watched from a distance, reverently observing To them, Arwen was the Lord's Wife, and Lily, was his angel, a beacon of his divine favor. They could only hope to continue earning his blessings.

Meanwhile, Alex closed the terminal on his wristwatch after issuing a command. His AI instantly breached global information centers, extracting a detailed snapshot of the world's online activity. He noted that government agencies had begun tracking his devices, likely a response to his recent attempt to purchase Castle Ruddervoorde.

Walking through the villa, a place gifted to him by his grandfather, Alex sighed. He had called this home for years, but now, it felt too small for him. He could take anything he wanted by force, yet he preferred the legal route, maintaining his ties to human society.

A sudden ring interrupted his thoughts. His phone vibrated on the table, displaying Uncle Clyde's name.

Alex picked up.

"Alex, what the hell is this? Why did you transfer the ranch's ownership to my family?"

A chuckle escaped Alex's lips. "Surprise! Relax, Uncle. I made the decision after careful thought. We've always been family. Even when my father was alive, he had nothing but praise for you."

"Even so, this is a multimillion-dollar property. How can you just give it away? You're still young, you might need it in the future."

"The future is the future," Alex replied casually. "Besides, even if I never work another day, my investments alone generate more wealth than I can ever spend. I just want my family to prosper too. My only request is that you never sell the ranch. If you ever struggle with running it, just tell me. I'll help."

"Damn kid... Alright, if you put it that way, I won't refuse anymore. We're always grateful. You're welcome here anytime. If you ever run into trouble, let me know. This old man still has some connections from his younger days."

"Got it, Uncle. Give my regards to Aunt," Alex said, ending the call.

Placing the phone down, he stared at the vast ocean view from the villa's balcony.

"Now then… what should I do in the meantime?"

His thoughts drifted to the Ring World, where Arwen and Lily had chosen to remain a little longer, exchanging magical knowledge with the other races. He didn't feel like visiting just yet.

Without hesitation, he changed into a casual bodysuit and boarded the shuttle parked in the yard. The sleek craft hummed as it lifted off, accelerating toward the Pacific Ocean before diving into its depths.

"Computer, activate scanners," Alex commanded.

"Affirmative, Commander. Projecting results."

A holographic display flickered to life, mapping out the seafloor in intricate detail. The shuttle glided through the abyss, scanning vast sections of the terrain. It detected Mineral deposits rich in rare earth elements. Sunken ships, some ancient, others modern. Volcanic vents spewing mineral-rich plumes. Seabed fissures with untold mysteries.

Yet, some discoveries stood out, an endless dune of golden sand, hills of deceased clams filled with pearls, volcanic formations studded with glittering diamonds, and massive coral reefs resembling ancient trees.

Among the abyssal creatures, Alex spotted Volkswagen-sized clams, oil-barrel-thick sea snakes, and squid the size of tanker trucks. He even found whale graveyards, their enormous skeletons resting eerily on the seabed.

Then, something caught his attention.

3328.44 kilometers away, heading 214.06 degrees toward the Guatemalan coast, his scanners picked up anomalous ruins. The structures resembled Mayan architecture, yet they lay deep beneath the ocean, untouched for millennia.

Slowing the shuttle, Alex enveloped himself in a protective energy bubble and stepped out onto the seabed. He walked toward the largest pyramid, its entrance sealed shut.