Chapter 17: Survival

As Kane and Sunless entered the classroom, they were greeted by the sight of a rather gloomy old man seated behind a large, imposing wooden desk. The old man, his eyes observing them as they entered, gestured with a frail hand and said, "Come in, young men. Welcome to my humble abode of knowledge."

Kane and Sunless stepped further into the room, their gazes sweeping over the interior. It was a spacious chamber, well-decorated with an air of quiet antiquity, but noticeably empty. Aside from the teacher, they were the only occupants. The old man, sensing their unspoken question, addressed them. "I am Awakened Julius," he announced, his voice carrying a hint of weariness, "You may address me as Teacher Julius. Please, sit down, sit down. What are your names, young men?"

Kane replied first, stating simply, "It's Kane." Sunless followed suit, mentioning his name. Teacher Julius, upon hearing Sunless's name, paused for a moment, a slight frown creasing his brow, and commented, "Sunless... quite an ominous name, wouldn't you say?"

Kane, ever curious, seized the opportunity to inquire about the unusual emptiness of the classroom. "Is this the full strength of the class, Teacher Julius? We were expecting a few more students, perhaps."

Julius sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "This is indeed the full strength, or rather, the full weakness, of this particular class. It seems only you two possess the wisdom to recognize the true value of knowledge, the importance of intellectual pursuits, rather than simply relying on the brute force of swinging swords and fists."

Kane, though polite, was not particularly concerned about the class's lack of popularity. He thought to himself, 'Unpopular course, huh? Well, that's fine by me. As long as I can learn what I need, I don't care about the company or the lack thereof.'

Then, Julius turned his attention to the two newcomers, his gaze sharp and inquisitive. "Tell me, young men... Why did you choose Wilderness Survival? What prompted you to select this particular course of study?"

Sunless, ever direct and to the point, replied instantly, "The Awakened who monitored us during our First Nightmare trial, Master Jet, strongly advised us to take on this course. She emphasized its importance for survival in the Dream Realm."

The teacher's facial expression shifted, a flicker of surprise and something akin to... relief? passing across his features. However, this expression was quickly replaced by a look of shock, his eyes widening slightly. Kane, listening intently to the ensuing conversation, began to piece together a clearer picture of the woman known as Master Jet.

Kane thought, 'She seems to hold quite a reputation among her peers. And she's apparently earned the rather ominous moniker of "Soul Reaper," a title that speaks volumes about her personality, or rather, her murderous tendencies, and the nature of her Aspect. Her Aspect seems to target soul cores, the very essence of an Awakened's being. That is way too dangerous, too potent, for any Awakened to face. That makes her attack potency incredibly scary, a force to be reckoned with. And by the way, teacher,' he added mentally, a hint of amusement in his thoughts, 'you are quite adept at badmouthing, aren't you? Your words paint a vivid picture, though I suspect you are not entirely wrong.'

After this somewhat enlightening conversation about Master Jet, the class proceeded, and Julius outlined the other courses that were available to them at the Academy, the various subjects they could choose to study. To Kane's surprise, and perhaps a little dismay, it became clear that both he and Sunless had, for the moment, enrolled only in the Wilderness Survival class. This fact seemed to greatly please Teacher Julius, who launched into his lecture with renewed vigor.

The initial hour of the class went smoothly enough, with Julius providing a solid foundation in the basics of wilderness survival. However, as the lecture progressed, Kane began to feel his head swimming, his mind struggling to keep up with the sheer volume of information being presented. Even with the basic knowledge he had gleaned from his mother's diary, he found the curriculum to be incredibly demanding. Kane thought, 'Crap! I thought this class would be about simple things, like starting a fire and finding food. But it is this broad of a subject, encompassing so much more than I anticipated.'

The class, it turned out, was a complex blend of virtual simulations and practical exercises, covering a vast range of topics. The curriculum was so broad and comprehensive that Kane began to question whether he was venturing into territory that was far beyond the scope of a simple survival course, whether he was being forced to study an overwhelming amount of, at least for now, unwanted syllabus.

As he struggled to keep pace, he encountered a particularly daunting section that required him to learn about seven dead languages and their intricate basics, including their grammar, vocabulary, and cultural significance. Eventually, Sunless, equally bewildered by the sheer volume of the material, voiced the question that was on both their minds. Teacher Julius explained that the understanding of these dead languages was not merely an academic exercise. He clarified that the Spell, the very fabric of reality in the Dream Realm, was not a universal translator. Knowledge of these languages, he explained, was crucial to deciphering the ancient signs and symbols that permeated the Dream Realm, to understanding their hidden meanings and unlocking their potential power.

The classes continued throughout the day, stretching on until the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the Academy grounds. Kane, absorbed in the demanding curriculum, was forced to miss both lunch and dinner, his stomach growling in protest. Kane thought, 'Seriously, I am very much hungry. I need to remind him about the importance of regular mealtimes next time. But will he even listen to me, or will he simply dismiss my hunger as a trivial concern compared to the pursuit of knowledge?'

With this thought, his mind preoccupied with both the complexities of the class and the gnawing hunger in his stomach, Kane finally made his way back to his room. He immediately collapsed onto his bed, his body aching with exhaustion and his mind still reeling from the day's intellectual onslaught. However, even in his weariness, he knew he could not simply rest. There were too many urgent matters that demanded his attention, too many mysteries that needed to be unraveled.

Kane thought, 'There are three crucial things I need to do after this grueling class. First, I need to gain a much better understanding of my Aspect and its full potential, to truly comprehend the powers that lie within me. Second, I need to train with a weapon, to hone my combat skills and become proficient in wielding a blade, a skill that is essential for survival in the Dream Realm. And third, and perhaps most importantly, I need to learn how to control my flaw, to find a way to manage the constant ravings and prevent them from driving me to madness. Meditation is a temporary solution, but I need a more permanent and effective strategy.'

Driven by this sense of urgency, Kane roused himself from the bed and activated his Aspect ability, [Realmheart]. He transformed into his divine form, his skin shifting to a light blue hue, adorned with intricate golden runes, his hair turning from its natural auburn to a shimmering silver. In this form, his perception expanded, allowing him to perceive the very fabric of his being, the intricate workings of his soul and mind. He could see his soul core, pulsing with vibrant energy, and the electrical-like firings of his thoughts, the complex dance of his consciousness. He tentatively reached out with his hands, attempting to touch his Mind, to interact with the very source of his thoughts and memories.

As his fingers made contact with his Mind, a wave of disorienting sensations washed over him. His thoughts became jumbled, his memories fragmented, and his hand-eye coordination faltered, his movements becoming erratic and uncoordinated. Kane, realizing the potential danger of tampering with his own consciousness, immediately stopped the experiment and retracted his hand.

After a few seconds, his mind began to settle, the chaos subsiding, his thoughts returning to a semblance of order. Kane, his heart still pounding from the experience, thought, 'This is what "comprehend" means, huh? I can directly affect the Mind, both my own and, presumably, that of others. But the consequences of such direct manipulation are… significant, to say the least. Can I attack with a weapon, using the same principle?'

Driven by this new line of inquiry, Kane immediately summoned [The Ultimate Defiance], the sword he had acquired during his trial. He carefully directed the blade towards his mind, attempting to thread it through his thoughts, to make contact with the very core of his consciousness. As he expected, the sword, or rather, the energy that comprised it, seemed to touch his mind, and he could feel its presence there, a strange and unsettling sensation. Kane thought, 'Weapons can affect the mind, then. That means the same rules likely apply to the soul as well. But now, the crucial question: is it possible to wield this power, to comprehend and affect the soul and mind, without having to assume this… flamboyant, divine form?'

Kane pondered this question, his mind racing, searching for a solution. He focused his will, attempting to perceive his soul and mind without the aid of his transformed body. To his surprise and delight, he found that he could still see them, albeit with a slightly diminished clarity. Kane thought, 'So, I can comprehend soul and mind even without the divine form. Then what is the exact difference between the two states? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?'

As Kane continued to experiment, pushing the boundaries of his newfound abilities, he gradually came to a more complete understanding of how his Aspect ability, [Realmheart], functioned. He realized that the ability, at its core, allowed him to comprehend and interact with the Soul, Mind, and Body, both his own and those of others. He could perceive their intricate workings, their subtle energies, and their fundamental nature. However, he also discovered a crucial limitation. When he attempted to affect all three simultaneously, the effect was diluted, the power split equally between Soul, Mind, and Body, resulting in a weaker impact on each.

Kane found that he could manipulate the ratio of this split, focusing his power on one or two of the three aspects, enhancing the effect on those specific areas while diminishing the impact on the others. For example, he could concentrate his energy to primarily affect the Mind, dealing significant mental damage while leaving the Soul and Body relatively unscathed. The only way to bypass this splitting, to unleash the full potential of his ability and affect all three aspects with maximum force, was to activate his divine form. The divine form acted as a powerful booster, amplifying his power and ensuring a balanced and potent effect on the Soul, Mind, and Body simultaneously.

Kane, piecing together the puzzle of his Aspect, concluded, 'Nice. I can attack and enhance my Soul, Mind, and Body, both individually and collectively. The divine form provides a balanced boost to everything, making me a force to be reckoned with. But that also means I can focus my power to attack or enhance the Mind, Soul, or Body individually, allowing for precise and targeted enhancement or damage to specific parts of my being or that of others.'

Satisfied with his newfound understanding of his Aspect, Kane turned his attention back to his flaw. He continued to experiment with different strategies, alternating between intense meditation when the ravings became particularly unbearable and attempting to find some semblance of sleep when the voices were more subdued. The following morning, however, he would be confronted with a shattering truth, a revelation that would further complicate his already precarious situation.