Each Dreamer at the Academy had a room assigned to them for the duration of their struggle in the Dream Realm. The best healers worked around the clock to make sure each Dreamer was comfortable here so that their souls would be able to have healthy bodies upon their return.
For they must return.
Noble looked at her list and the room numbers.
"Hectare?" She called into the group. The proud legacy stepped forward. Of all the people before them, he had the determination of someone who had been preparing for this moment his whole life. "Are you ready?"
"I am," he said. Only a small bit of doubt crept into his steady voice.
"Good. Why do you want to return to the waking world?" the professor smiled softly as she awaited his answer.
The young man beat his chest once with his fist. "To make my clan proud and bring honor to my family."
Noble could have guessed his answer before he spoke. It was what all clan members said to her when she asked. 'It is as good a reason as any as long as it keeps you alive.'
"Hold onto that. Repeat it. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Come home and bring honor to your clan." The professor touched the man's shoulder lightly.
He dipped his head at the woman's words and placed his hand on the door. Then he disappeared into the room. Noble tried not to think about how he was about to climb into the pod and leave the world entirely. She had other students in need of her attention.
A few more students she did not recognize were asked her questions and given her encouragement. Noble wished that they had taken her classes so that she could give them more specific instructions, but in the end all she could offer them was her hope.
Then they, too, were dismissed for their long slumber.
"Hamish?" Noble felt her heart clench. The young man had visited her class many times. He always had good questions. Hopefully, her answers would help him now.
"Here!" The redhead pushed his way to the front of the group.
"Yes, here we are. Are you ready?"
"I want to be," Hamish answered with a mix of excitement and fear in his words.
"I want you to be." The professor nodded slowly. "Why do you want to return to the waking world?"
"My main reason for survival is simple. I want to protect what's close to me. I desire the strength to protect people who cannot protect themselves." Hamish balled his fists.
Noble smiled. "That is a very worthy pursuit. Hold onto that. Repeat it. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Come home and protect those who are helpless."
The redheaded Dreamer bowed deeply. "I will."
She waited until the door of the room was fully closed before calling the next name. Her lips unconsciously curled upwards. "Tangerine."
"It's Tan," the young man stepped forward and clicked his tongue. Her mentioning his whole name seemed to dispell any fear in his body.
"Yes, I remember now. My apologies." Noble took on a more serious tone. "Are you ready?"
"Are you kidding? I have been waiting to try monster meat my whole life!" Tan rubbed his hands together.
"You are looking forward to monster meat?" Noble blinked at him a couple of times.
"Well, not just any monster meat of course. Orange monster meat. It sounds delicious, doesn't it?" Tan grinned.
'He isn't kidding!' "I am glad you have something to look forward to," Noble hedged. She returned to her usual script. "Why do you want to return to the real world?"
"It's a bit of a personal question," Tan eyed the professor warily. He lowered his voice. "Once I perfect my Monster Meat a L'orange recipe, I am going to market and sell it here in the real world. But don't tell anyone, I don't want someone to steal the idea."
Once again, Noble was astonished to find that Tan was not joking. "Your secret is safe with me," she managed, a bit of affection forming in her heart for the strange dream. "Hold onto that. Repeat it. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Come home and sell all the monster meat your heart desires." She whispered the last part.
"Will do!" Tan saluted. "I will make sure to send you a sample from my first batch after I return."
"Sounds delicious," Noble winced. 'Who knows, maybe it will be!'
Tan held up his thumb and then entered his door. The number of students was beginning to dwindle. Noble patiently took her time with each one. Their parents weren't there to hear their final words before sleep took them, and she marked down as much of it as she could covertly in case the worst should happen.
Finally Noble was down to the last student. The professor had intentionally saved her for the end, wanting a private word with her before she left.
"Catphine." Noble looked at the tired young lady.
Cat could barely keep her eyes open, but gave a weary smile to her teacher. "I'm here, Professor Noble, but barely."
"Then I shall be quick. Are you sure you don't want back the Portcullis Key?" Noble held out her hand, ready to transfer the bauble from her soul sea.
"Have you discovered how to make it work?" Catphine tilted her head to one side.
"I have my theories, but other than the strange occurrence on the train, I have made no progress on how to practically use the Memory." Noble wished she had devoted more time to the project, but there were not enough hours in the day.
"I cannot accept it then. I will return your armor though…in case…" Cat took a deep breath to push down her emotions.
Noble felt compelled to help her, sending a small amount of calm for her to accept. "I will not let you think like that. You keep that armor and use it however you need. I will see it, and you, again soon."
"I hope so," Catphine answered more calmly.
Noble inhaled through her nose. Tears stung her eyes. Why was this always so hard?! "Are you ready?"
"Ready or not, the Dream Realm is going to take me in a moment." Cat yawned and shook her head vigorously to ward off her slumber.
"You are right," Noble took the girl's hand. "Why do you want to return to the waking world?"
Catphine could no longer contain her emotion. "I...I can't leave my little brother alone in this world. If I come back as an Awakened, I...I can take care of Jac financially and be there for him."
The girl had already confided in her mentor that she had grown up very poor. Cat and her brother had suffered an unhealthy childhood. The siblings were all each other had in the world.
The Dreamer sighed. "If I can do anything to make his situation better, I will."
"Hold onto that dream. Repeat Jac's name. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Come home and give Jac the life you have always wanted for him." Noble took the girl's hand. "I already inquired at my daughter's school, and they have an opening. If it is alright with you, I will help Jac fill out the application while you are gone."
The Dreamer wrapped her arms around the professor's neck and hugged her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, "for everything."
"Rest well. Return soon." Noble hugged the girl.
"I will," Catphine promised, wiping her cheek.
"I will be waiting." Noble laid her hand on her heart.
When the door shut, Noble placed her arms across her stomach and released her stifled sob. Although there were dozens of bodies around her, the Professor was well and truly alone.
She shook her head, recalling the words that each of the Dreamers was hearing whispered by the Spell.
[Welcome to the Dream Realm...]