Chaper 13: Academy

During the journey to the Academy, Sunless and Kane observed the passing scenery from within Jet's Personal Transport Vehicle (PTV). A heavy silence settled within the vehicle, broken only after a considerable time by Jet's voice. "Since we all share the common origin of being from the outskirts," she began, her tone thoughtful, "I feel compelled to offer you three pieces of advice. Whether you choose to heed them or not, of course, remains your own prerogative."

Kane's attention was immediately drawn to Jet, his curiosity piqued by her words. Sunless, for his part, had already begun to listen intently, recognizing the potential value in her experience. Jet continued, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, "First: Upon your registration at the Academy, you will once again be offered psychological counseling. This is a standard procedure, a measure of care that the Academy provides to all those who have undergone the harrowing experience of the Nightmare trial. In addition to this, you will also be eligible to receive valuable rewards in exchange for sharing the details of your experiences within the Nightmare, particularly the specifics of your final appraisal. You might even receive a Soul Shard, or perhaps even multiple Soul Shards, depending on the significance of your account."

Kane's mind raced, considering the implications of this offer. 'They are offering tangible benefits for reliving the trauma,' he thought, a hint of cynicism in his appraisal. Sunless, ever direct, voiced the question that was on both their minds. "Are you, in essence, trying to convince us to subject ourselves to another session with a psychiatrist?"

Jet's response was immediate and unequivocal. "No, quite the contrary. I am strongly advising you to decline the offer."

Kane, puzzled by this apparent contradiction, inquired, "Why not? It seems like a reasonable offer, given what we've been through."

Jet sighed, her expression turning serious. "You are both still too inexperienced, too 'green,' as they say, to fully grasp the complexities of the world that awaits you. Out there, beyond the relative safety of the Academy, in the treacherous expanse of the Dream Realm, Nightmare creatures are not the only threat you will face. As you grow in power, as your abilities develop and mature, you will find that humans, other Awakened individuals, can become an equally, if not more, dangerous threat. The less they know about the precise nature of your Aspect, the specific details of your powers, the better. Knowledge, in this context, is a weapon, and information about your Aspect is a particularly potent one. Sharing the intimate details of your abilities, even with those who claim to be benevolent, can leave you vulnerable."

Kane absorbed this information, the implications of Jet's words sinking in. 'That's how it is, huh? This world is far more complex and dangerous than I initially imagined.' Jet proceeded to elaborate, explaining the ways in which unscrupulous individuals might exploit the flaws of an Awakened's Aspect, how they might devise strategies and tactics to gain an advantage in combat, and how they might even manipulate and encourage younger, more naive Awakened to reveal their secrets, often under the guise of mentorship or camaraderie.

"Thanks, Master Jet," Kane said, his voice filled with a newfound understanding of the dangers that lurked beneath the surface of this world.

Jet gave him a curt nod, acknowledging his gratitude, and continued, "Second: Once you are settled in, you will be presented with a vast array of courses to choose from. These courses will cover a wide range of subjects, from various forms of combat training and detailed studies of Nightmare creature categories and vulnerabilities, to the intricacies of sorcery and the analysis of powerful artifacts." She paused, her gaze sweeping over both of them, and then added, "However, for both of you, given your background and circumstances, the only course you will realistically have the time to attend, and the only one I would strongly recommend, is Wilderness Survival."

Both Kane and Sunless blinked in surprise, their expressions mirroring their shared confusion. "What?" they asked in unison, the word hanging in the air.

Jet glanced at them, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. "It's different for city-raised kids. They have the advantage of structured education, learning essential skills from tutors and formal schooling. But we, those of us who grew up in the outskirts, did not have that privilege, did we? What was your biggest challenge during your First Nightmare trial?"

Kane paused for a moment, reflecting on the trials he had faced. 'The Nightmare creatures were undoubtedly a significant threat, and the War Followers were a constant source of pain and conflict. But what truly troubled him, what pushed him to his limits, was...'

Sunless, ever concise, answered first. "The cold."

Kane, after a moment of contemplation, added, "The treacherous terrain."

Jet nodded, her expression confirming their insights. "Smart choices, both of you. In a city environment, we can rely on established infrastructure, on readily available resources, to survive. But the Dream Realm is predominantly composed of vast, untamed wilderness. Do either of you know how to reliably start a fire? How to procure sustenance, to find and purify food and water? How to construct a basic shelter, to protect yourselves from the elements? Fighting monsters is undoubtedly important, a crucial skill for survival in this world. But it will be utterly useless if you succumb to starvation, dehydration, or exposure. Trust me," she added, her voice tinged with a hint of personal experience, "I have learned this lesson the hard way, through bitter experience and harsh realities."

Kane's mind raced, realizing the gravity of Jet's words. 'Crap! How did I not think of this before? I suppose I was too shortsighted, too focused on the immediate threats to consider the long-term necessities.'

The journey continued, and soon, they reached the outskirts of the Academy. Jet brought her PTV to a halt, the imposing walls of the institution looming before them. "This is as far as I go," she announced, her voice carrying a hint of finality. She turned her gaze towards the towering walls of the Academy, her expression thoughtful. "I have already notified the authorities of your arrival. Someone will come to fetch you shortly, to guide you the rest of the way."

"Thanks," Kane said, his gratitude genuine. "And what was the third piece of advice you wanted to share?"

Jet looked at them, her gaze sharp and direct. "Remember this: In the Dream Realm, nobody survives alone. That's not merely an opinion; it's an undeniable fact, a fundamental truth of this world. Cultivate alliances. Forge bonds with your peers. They might very well be the ones who save your life, who stand between you and oblivion when the darkness closes in." She paused, her expression softening slightly, a hint of warmth entering her eyes. Then, she suddenly smiled, a genuine and reassuring smile, and patted both of them on the shoulder. "Both of you have managed to survive until now, against all odds. Make sure to keep yourselves alive in the future as well. The world beyond these walls will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine."

Kane nodded, his resolve hardening with each of her words. Jet then turned, gracefully entered her PTV, and with a soft hum of the engine, departed, leaving them standing before the gates of the Academy.

Sunless and Kane approached the massive gates of the Academy, their eyes widening at the sheer scale and grandeur of the institution. The Academy was a place of legend, a setting for countless entertainment movies, thrilling series, and epic books, a symbol of hope and knowledge in a world beset by darkness. As they stood before the imposing entrance, a figure caught their attention. A silver-haired girl, roughly Kane's height, leaned against the gate, casually dressed in a police tracksuit and wearing headphones, seemingly lost in her own world, oblivious to their arrival. Kane observed her, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. 'Okay, she looks... interesting. I wonder what her Aspect is, what powers lie dormant within her?'

As Kane, Sunless, and the silver-haired girl waited for the gates to open, the massive doors finally swung inward, revealing the path that lay ahead. The three of them stepped forward, crossing the threshold of the bridge, and thus, they entered the hallowed grounds of the Academy, their journey into a new and uncertain future beginning.