This was going to be the most crucial information so she was paying full attention
She had a foundational grasp of how the Spell functioned internally. Nevertheless, the initial Nightmare had already shown her that reality differed from the portrayals in popular media in many subtle yet incredibly meaningful ways.
It was crucial for her to separate truth from fiction, and naturally, it was highly valuable to heed the words of someone who had genuinely encountered the Dream Realm. Rin was completely focused on this.
Awakened Rock began to speak:
"Most people are aware of what Nightmares are - because they have an impact on the real world and their lives. All of you have been warned before entering the First Nightmare that, should you perish there, a Nightmare Creature would be allowed to cross the threshold and enter reality."
Yep the cop made it VERY clear in his emotional blackmail. Its a good thing master Jet was waiting for them. She was going to murder me if i changed into a monster.
'but hey, she was Very nice....
And pretty"
"First Nightmares are unique, because each of them is individual. That's why only a single Creature can appear. However, starting from the Second Nightmare, things become much more dangerous. These Nightmares are not tied to an infected person. Instead, they are born in the Dream Realm. While the Seed of the Nightmare is growing, any number of Awakened can attempt to conquer it."
"Should they all die or fail to find the Seed before it matures, a Gate will open in the real world, letting through countless monsters. You all know the consequences. Other Awakened will be forced to withstand the onslaught on this side, but then there can be massive destruction or losses among the civilian population."
Gates that opened were, terrifying and everyone on the planet. And moon feared them.
Im saying 'the moon' like the people there are still alive...
They're not
Trust me
I know
it was the second disaster that brought upon the spell
The main difference with the initial wave was that there was only dormant beasts however gates now had ranks of their own and any abomination could step through into the real world now
Not long before Rin was born, a Rank 5 Gate opening left a whole continent uninhabitable. Luckily, high-rank Gates were very rare.... on this planet at least.
Awakened Rock's spoke again
"So it is not wrong to say that the purpose of the Awakened is to enter the Dream Realm, seek out maturing Nightmares and close them before any harm could befall the real world. From this, you can see that the Dream Realm and the Nightmares are connected, but are not one and the same. If Nightmares are the destination, then the Dream Realm is the road. But it is also so much more."
"Simply put, the Dream Realm is a world. It is vast, mysterious and mostly unexplored. It is also dead. There is no life out there except for the Nightmare Creatures, corrupted ecosystems... and now us. But it wasn't always dead. We can tell that once, a long time ago, the Dream Realm was home to several primitive civilizations. There are a lot of ruins buried in its soil."
Rin understood that these ancient civilizations weren't inherently primitive; rather, their progress revolved around the enigmatic realms of soul cores and mysticism instead of technology. Essentially, they thrived on miracles and magic. But what were these civilizations called, and what led to their decline? These questions remained shrouded in mystery.
"We don't know if the Dream Realm exists inside the Spell as one of its illusions, just on an unimaginably larger scale, or if it's real, with the Spell only serving as a pathway between two realities. However, we do suspect that the illusions conjured up inside the Nightmares are based on its history. They are replicas of past events, somehow reconstructed from the depths of time."
So, there might have been an assassin group in that death forest once, a long time ago. Rin remembered how time seemed to move in reverse at the beginning of her Nightmare. She thought about how things would have ended up without her involvement. Did the woman assassin die in death spider's maw or to her older murderous older brother?
Somehow, she felt that the woman assassin was not that simple. Otherwise, why would the Spell remember her? And what about greg? Was he able to survive?
'No he's definitely dead.'
"There are four main differences between the Dream Realm and the Nightmares. Firstly, it doesn't have a "story". There is no predetermined conflict you are forced to resolve. You can move freely and explore, provided that you have the strength to stay alive in the wilderness. Most people tend to stay close to one of the human Citadels."
'Well i have some hope' rin said sarcastically'
Sure, there were no predetermined conflicts in the Dream Realm. But with the weird feeling Sunless gave off, she was pretty certain to end up in some kind of trouble. Awakened Rock had mentioned was relative in her case.
the instructor continued:
"Secondly, as I have already mentioned, there are no people in the Dream Realm except for those who came from the real world. There are only monsters. Some of them can mimic human appearance, though, so be mindful of that."
'If they have eyes I can probably use Kotoamatsukami and use them against other monsters'
Lots of the kids showed signs of shock and terror from this knowledge they just heard she took a look at the legacies reactions and just as she predicted, they did not show any sign of surprise. So, they knew.
"Thirdly, unlike the First Nightmare, no Nightmare Creatures will appear in the real world if you die in the Dream Realm. It may sound cruel, but that's a good thing. Awakened forces are already spread thin. If we had to monitor every Sleeper, we wouldn't have resources to handle more important matters."
Okay that was a pretty sadistic take, hes not wrong but wow this man doesn't hold back on his punches, sleepers normally took weeks or months in the dream realm.
"And lastly, and most importantly. Unlike Nightmares, which are bound by the rules of fairness, there is no limit to what kind of Creature you can meet in the Dream Realm. During its trials, the Spell won't pit a dormant human against an opponent many ranks above them..."
'Oh just a blatant lie?'
rin sneered as she looked over at Sunless who had a similar expression looking at her
'ah I see so you had a similar experience as I did sunless'
"... But in the Dream Realm, no such restrictions exist. Theoretically, you can stumble upon an Unholy Titan and die before even realizing what happened. So be careful and stick to the regions with enemies on par with your own rank. It's not an ironclad guarantee, but at least there will be less of a chance of you biting off more than you can chew."
Hunting nightmare creatures below her rank would be great
That was going to be her whole plan. but if that didn't work she could always use her divine ability and force the creature to fall on her blade
'if the creature doesn't have eyes I'm very much screwed'
Bear man at the front stoped for a second and watched everyone in the crowd then he spoke again
"When the solstice comes, you will be drawn into the Dream Realm. The exact location of where you will appear can't be predicted in advance, but there is a high chance that many of you will find yourselves in close proximity to each other. Band together and proceed to the nearest human Citadel. Each Citadel is built around a Gateway. Once you reach it, you will be able to return."
Gateways functioned as unique portals, acting as exit points from the Dream Realm. When Sleepers reached these portals, they gained the means to return to reality and awaken. Their essence would undergo a transformation, granting them an additional Aspect Ability. Subsequently, they would reenter the Dream Realm upon each subsequent slumber.
"If you can't locate or are unable to reach the nearest human Citadel, search for an unclaimed Gateway. It will usually be inside or near the most prominent landmark of the region. Work together to defeat its guardians and come back alive."
He gave them a heavy look.
"That is all for today. Next, follow the instructions sent to your communicators to find your assigned dormitory. Once settled, you may proceed to the cafeteria for some late supper. There will be a round of interviews after that, to prepare your suggested curriculums. Get a good night's rest. Your training starts tomorrow."
With that, he gave them a short nod and left.
Sunless sighed.
"Hey you alright?"
"I guess. knowing my fate ill probably end up in some region so remote and deadly no-one has ever heard about it or returned from it alive"
Rin smacked his shoulder
"don't jinx yourself. Also who believes in fate? Come on we will both end up near a citadel how bad do you think your luck is"
"my fate will kill me and my luck is jack shit"
"Don't worry about things you can't control, how about this. I know just what will brighten your day. Supper'
She blinked and he was gone. A faint wind left in his place the sound of running accompanied it
"COME ON FOOD!!"
Rin shook her head and giggled following where he ran off to
"yeah, yeah I'm coming"
***
Both sunless and rin followed the instructions sent to their communicators it was quite easy to follow as everything to do with sleepers was situated in the same building.
She was currently standing in a room for herself and nobody else
Inside the room, there was a comfortable bed with a plush mattress, a table, a dresser, and a private bathroom. Everything was made from new, visually appealing materials, and the air had a clean, sterile quality. The temperature inside was cozy, and the outer wall concealed a screen that convincingly simulated a beautiful snowy lake view.
Inside there were already multiple sets of clothing with the Academy emblem provided to her for free.
'I love free shit,' rin thought, a little giddy.
She knew that this wasn't luxury at all it was very basic for living arrangements but having spent multiple years in the outskirts she enjoyed this
She gently took out a bracelet
This bracelet once held a delicate silver chain, now broken and snapped, as if it couldn't bear the weight of something that had grown too large around it. At its center, there's a beautifully crafted moon charm, worn and weathered, with intricate craters and contours etched into its surface. The moon's once-shiny surface has dulled over time, giving it a mysterious, antique aura. Despite its broken state, the moon charm still exudes a sense of celestial elegance.
Rin watched it as if replaying millions of memories in a fraction of a second, then smiled.
'I survived'
'i couldn't keep your promise Mom... Dad, but I..I wont let you down'
Rin changed into the new clothes which fit well on herself she remembered something and finally summoned the runes for widow bane
She finally had time to study the widows bane
Memory: [widows bane].
Memory Rank: Awakened.
Memory Type: weapon
Memory Description: [Long ago, a tormented woman found herself ensnared in a web of despair, her life tainted by tragedy and suffering. Unable to bear the weight of her sorrow, she sought solace in the enigmatic allure of the Widow's Bane that she crafted with meticulous precision, the katana was said to possess a sinister, almost sentient aura.
The woman's descent into darkness culminated one fateful night when, consumed by her inner demons, she grasped the Widow's Bane and plunged it into her own heart. The blade, as if imbued with her anguish, drank her life force, leaving her a tragic and bloodied figure sprawled upon the cold, stone floor...Until the sword changed her]
'what kinda dark story is that?'
Im gonna guess that the woman in the description was the spider tyrant in my first nightmare....wow
I'm gonna stop thinking about that...
She summoned the widows bane
The Widow's Bane was a hauntingly beautiful katana, its dark allure immediately captivating any who gaze upon it. Its blade, forged from a mysterious and ancient metal, shimmers with an eerie, iridescent sheen that seems to shift between shades of midnight blue and deepest black. The edge of the blade carries a whisper-thin, razor-sharp edge, seemingly honed by the very shadows themselves.
The hilt of the katana is adorned with a nightmarish depiction of a spider, its intricate details wrought from ebony and onyx. The arachnid's legs wrap sinuously around the hilt, their delicate, yet menacing forms curling around the grip. Its eight eyes seem to peer malevolently at anyone who dares to touch the blade, and its fangs are poised as if ready to strike.
Etched along the length of the blade are cryptic runes and symbols, their meaning known only to the one that made it. These inscriptions seem to shimmer and writhe, as if infused with a malevolent life of their own.
Despite its undeniable beauty, the Widow's Bane exudes an aura of dread and despair, a palpable sense of the tragedy and darkness that has become intertwined with its very essence. It is a weapon that beckons with a sinister charm, promising power and release from suffering, yet delivering only a wretched eternity of anguish to those who dare to wield it.
The sword was incredibly light, rin smiled darkly, this sword was going to help her alot
She dismissed her memory and met up with sunless to visit the cafeteria and guess what everything was free
From mouth watering rice to actual bread and various side dishes, sauces, fresh vegetables, fruits, and all kinds of delicious beverages.
Both sunless and rin enjoying themselves to this uncommon phenomenon of endless food
Rin looked at sunless as he stayed clear of the coffee.
"Sunless are you okay? youre..kinda looking at the coffee in a weird way"
"Sooo bitter"
Both sat down on an empty bench and had plates full to the brim with food
"This meat is sooo good"
"Wait really? Let me have a bite"
"What?! No get your own"
"Come on just a bite"
Sunless looked on in horror as rin loomed closer to his food
"Red i will fight you if you try it"
"I would kick your ass pale boy"
What a life she could have been living if she started at the beginning of the year
Both had very similar thoughts
'Damn Spell... why didn't you infect me a few months ago?'
Shes silent for a few seconds before she speaks
"What are you gonna tell the government people?"
"Everything that they need to know and at the same time nothing"
She chuckled
"Same, do you think master jett is right about the government using our flaws against us?"
"Probably. Hey red why do you use a fake nam-"
She covered his name before he could speak more
"Sunless..dont...not...here..i will tell you in a more secure location..."
She lets go after he nods
"Okay, okay"
***
She was soon in a office sitting across from an administrative worker.
Okay this lady really wasn't hiding it she wanted information
"Would you mind telling me about the type of Aspect Ability you received, as in combat, sorcery, utility?"
She followed master jetts instructions and lied with a unmoving face and neutral tone.
"I don't know"
She said nothing and gave basically no information
With the lady angry at her and telling her to go back to her room. she followed her advice and went back to her own room...
She flopped on the bed and fell asleep instantly
***
She woke up ehen she heard constantly banging on her door and a familiar voice
"Red wake up!"
"Red!"
"Red if you're silent that means im better than you"
She didn't think before she spoke
"Sunless....piss off"
"Red, food in the cafeteria"
"..."
"Fine let me get ready ill be out in a second"
She took a very comfortable hot shower and got dressed and opened the door to sunless
"You're still here?"
He turned around and walked with her to the cafeteria, both got breakfast with happy moods
And yet again they both sat on the same table with the blind girl from yesterday sleepers were constantly moving around like busy ants the blind girls table consisted of...you guessed it absolutely nobody, but them
She didn't need to be an outcast with sunless and the blind girl but, sunless was the only one who came from the same background as her, and they both had attributes that wouldn't let them hurt each other in forms of betrayal. Four remaining weeks with these lot before im thrown into the second nightmare
Both sunless and rin lost their faces were glum, the blind girl had a social worker helping her get around
'at least they are helping her till she..'
She ignored everyone and focused on her food. She didn't need to stop feeling pity she had to survive herself and she was the only one capable of keeping herself alive...
'What's that noise'
She was pulled away from this thinking when a commotion started
She glanced upwards and observed a sizable group of Sleepers congregating around the expansive display adorning the cafeteria wall. Their expressions radiated enthusiasm and wonderment. The screen showcased a roster of names, arranged in order of strength, presumably calculated based on interview outcomes for the fresh cohort of Sleepers.
Indifferent to the situation, she promptly located her assumed identity towards the list's lower section, right beside sunless. Among the Sleepers, the Academy considered only one person less likely to succeed than the both of them-the sightless girl, identified as Cassia.
However, the noise appeared excessive for it to be solely attributed to the ranking. Intrigued, she lifted her eyes upward.
"How... how can this be?!"
"I'm not seeing things, right?"
"What kind of a monster is she?!"
Caster a right asshole to sunless was in second place and right above him the profile of the pretty silver haired girl was clearly seen
To the right of it, two simple lines of text were displayed:
"Name: Nephis"
"True Name: Changing Star"
'well shit'