Enchanted University of Magemenos

chapter 68:Thanataverse

"Why? Is it a big deal?" I ask, trying to shrug off the stare-down.

"Big deal?!" Keith's face is all wide-eyed disbelief. "It's like saying you've never heard of... breathing. Deathly Grace is a masterpiece."

"What? Even Nathan knows about this movie?" I blink in disbelief, suddenly questioning my entire cinema knowledge. "How am I this out of the loop? I watch movies every weekend like clockwork! Well... I did, until I came here."

I trail off, thinking about the so-called "Doom's Dew" that people here use instead of regular TVs. I still don't get why they call it that, though I did overhear it has to do with the constant battles. Apparently, every time someone turns it on, it shows some ongoing war somewhere, as if it's the grim news channel that never sleeps.

Doom's Dew isn't even a typical TV. Instead, it's this glass door with a button. Press the button, and the door suddenly displays programs right in front of you, without any need for a plug, wires, or even a signal. What's weirder is you can see the shows and what's behind the glass all at once—sort of like watching TV and looking out a window simultaneously. And to move it? You just carry the door around. Portable television, Peculous style.

As a regular human, let's just say I don't even try to make sense of it.

Every time I turn on the TV here, it's either in Italian, or if it's in English, the actors are total strangers! I don't know a single one. Now that I think about it, maybe the movies here are completely different from those back in the human world.

I turn to Nathan with a sudden thought. "Wait—have either of you seen Titanic?" I raise an eyebrow, waiting for someone to confirm at least a small shred of normalcy.

Nathan shrugs. "I'm not much into movies."

"Ugh, you again with your nonsense?" Keith rolls his eyes dramatically. "I work in the film industry, and I don't—or have I ever heard of such a movie!"

I cross my arms, trying to suppress a smile. "Well, clearly your industry is missing out on some cinematic gold!"

Keith puffs up, pretending to be offended. "Cinematic gold? Honey, I deal with Oscar-worthy talent! Titanic? That sounds like a low-budget disaster film."

I chuckle, realizing just how far removed this place is from the world I know. "Guess I'll just have to educate you both when we get out of here."

"You seriously don't know 'Deathly Grace'? Okay, fine, leave aside its popularity, but isn't it just common sense that before coming to Magemenos, you should know about it? Now that I think about it, I'm actually curious about how you got into Magemenos without knowing anything about it! And how do you even know Caporasso?"Keith questions.

Before He could finish his thought, Nathan cuts in. "It's Lord Thanata's first heroic lead that made him the god of acting in Peculous."

Keith rolls his eyes, dramatically clutching his chest as if he's been mortally wounded. "Wow, big words from god Nathan, just what I needed—a history lesson on the acting gods. What's next, a TED Talk on the art of hair flipping?"

Do you know that there is also a fan club for lord Thanata? says Keith

"Wait, there's a fan club for Lord Thanata?" I ask, a mix of disbelief and curiosity dancing in my voice.

Keith's eyes light up. "Oh, you have no idea! They meet every Friday night to worship his greatness—complete with chanting and dramatic reenactments of his most famous scenes. I once attended just to see what all the fuss was about."

 I raise an eyebrow. "And how was that?"

"Let's just say, I ended up dodging a flying sword during their 'battle scene'! You haven't truly lived until you've been chased by an overzealous fan dressed as Lord Thanata himself," Keith says with a dramatic flair, gesturing wildly as if reliving the moment.

I chuckle, picturing the scene. "So, are you a fan "

"Definitely a admirer but not a fan. They even wanted me to join their 'Thanataverse' club. But trust me, you don't want to end up in a group where they take their roles way too seriously," he replies, rolling his eyes.

How can Keith relate anything and everything to Magamenos? If I ask about it, I'm pretty sure I'll get bombarded with questions again about everything, and CAPARASSO told me not to tell anyone where I'm from," I think, shaking my head slightly in frustration.