The gigantic metal gate creaked loudly, opening very slowly. Even then, Dein could already see the insides of the academy from just where he's standing.
It really is a wonder to behold!
Behind the gates and the walls, the academy is just like a city. Even though outside, it looked every much like a fortress. Metal walls rising to the sky as high caliber turrets creates air suppressor dome. But inside all of that, behind the gates and the wide bridge, lay the place where all heroes are born.
Where romance stories and movies took place, where cohorts of awakened gang up together to challenge the trials of the nightmare spell!
An excited smile appeared on Dein's lips. Of course, he knew those stories are far from reality but what's wrong with dreaming a bit? Who knows, he might just meet the woman that will make his heart skip inside this academy.
Not that he hope that happens…
[Is that why you want to attend the academy mister?]
'Wha? Of course not!'
Dein immediately shouted in his mind when he heard that. Embarrassed.
Besides, there's a lot of reason he wanted to go to the academy despite being able to train at home much effectively. One was his flaw, he needs to learn how to live on his own, away from his family that's ready to help him anytime.
Here, he would be relying on himself fully. He cannot eat their food so he had to find a way to procure food on his own. Earning it. Unlike in their house, his father would probably just make him do something as payment for the food. And while it's great, he definitely won't learn anything like that.
By now, he understands well how his flaw works. Even though some of it is still just a hypothesis. Actually, it's really simple to explain. Dein just has to 'earn' everything, it doesn't matter if someone help him long as Dein 'pays' that person one way or another before receiving the help.
That way, he earned that help.
But of course, Dein has no plan of becoming anyone's servant for the off chance that they'll help him after. That's why he has to learn how to live by himself.
And probably make some friends along the way?
[Heh, I knew it, you don't have any friends!]
Serious mocked him in his mind.
"Oh shut your mouth!"
He accidentally said that outloud and heard a shocked gasp beside him. When he turned, he saw a girl with long dark hair wearing a police-issued tracksuit. She doesn't have anything with her unlike Dein, who's holding a big briefcase full of things he might need.
The girl seems to shiver when he looked at her. Then she suddenly said with a disgusted look.
"What a creep…"
Then she turned away and hurriedly walked towards the bridged that had now descended to the ground. Leaving Dein stunned and insulted as he tried to catch up to her.
"W-wait! I'm not a creep!"
But that just made the girl walk even faster. And before Dein knew it, she's gone.
'goddammit, what a way to ruin my first day in school Serious!'
Instead of an answer, he felt just Serious sneered in his mind while Scaredy and the Little girl laugh. It was at times like this that Dein realizes how hateful these bastards living inside his body are!
*****
A few minutes later, Dein found himself inside modern building southern part of the academy. It may look small from the outside but most of it is underground. Just like how every building is NQSC, let alone the academy is.
On the way here, Dein saw a lot of training grounds everywhere, there were parks and even a hospital looking place. But that's just the southern part. There's a lot more buildings in the academy. Especially the biggest one on the center where classes were actually being held along with other businesses awakeneds have.
And now, inside the building prepared exactly for sleepers. Dein found himself standing awkwardly in the corner. A bear like man named Rock, an awakened, is already speaking on the front of the sleepers.
It was his first day at the academy and yet…
'I'm late… how embarrassing!'
Though no one really paid attention to him when he entered except of course for awakened Rock. Who gave him a side eye as he tries to sneak in and blend in with the students.
In the front. Awakened Rock is talking about the difference of Nightmares and the Dream realm. Of course, Dein already knows everything that has to do with that but he still listened as he looked around, studying the faces of the sleepers.
As Awakened Rock said to them:
"…There are four main differences between the Dream Realm and the Nightmares. Firstly, the Dream Realm doesn't have a 'story'. There is no predermined conflict you have to resolve. You can move freely and explore, provided you have the strength to stay alive in the wilderness…"
A lot of the sleepers gulped when they heard that. Especially Scaredy in Dein's mind as the three listened intently. After all, all this information are new to them. Because they seem to have no recollection of what they are, or what this world is, before they become part of Dein. Or maybe they had always been part of him. Who knows?
Nevertheless, the trio proved to be much interested in Awakened Rock's speech.
[So, after we got sent into this Dream Realm place, we'll have to run around trying to find a human settlement with a 'gateway' called citadel? While being chased by unknown horrors? T-t-that doesn't sound safe at all!"
Scaredy voiced in Dein's mind. But he didn't answer him. He's right after all. It's not safe finding a Citadel in the Dream Realm. In fact, nothing in the Dream Realm is safe! Everything will try to kill you. At least that's what Freya said.
Anyways, Awakened Rock continued speaking in a loud voice.
"Secondly, as I have already mentioned. There are no people in the Dream Realm, except for those who came from the real world. Only monsters, some of them can mimic human appearance though so be mindful of that."
As the instructor spoke and the voices in Dein's head chatted. He chose to look around again. After all, he's late. By now, everyone had probably formed groups and circles. It'll be hard for Dein to integrate himself to them now.
Even then, he still turned his attention to the people in the middle of the hall. There were quite a lot of them but Dein immediately separated them into two groups, solely based on how they look and dress.
They're the middle class and the upper class.
Of course, judging their social status based simply on looks is a big no. Morally at least. But based on how each group carries themselves with their looks, it's easy to identify the rich from the middle class.
The former wore something a bit classy and elegant, though still toned down. Coupled with a few accessories, one can easily see how rich they are. Some of them have a smug and arrogant look on they're faces but most were worried and if even a bit scared. Only a few were calm and collected.
Dein watched them for quite some time and then took a look at himself.
He sighed, taking his accessories off.
Something about how spoiled this kids looks made Dein extremely embarrassed.
Meanwhile, the latter wore something simple and formal. But also with taste. The kind of clothes that don't catch eyes but still made the wearer look good despite the lack of adornment.
They're the middle class.
Both have been to schools since young and had learned a lot about the spell. However, the rich ones have access to tutors and personal trainers. Maybe even soul shards so their chances of survival is much higher than normal people.
Dein is just like them. Only he did not get to train much because of his frail body. He's always getting checked up. That said, Dein is a Legacy. He'd been taught in various ways other than fighting.
Awakened Rock is nearing the end of his speech so Dein turn to scan the room again. In some corner, he saw a beautiful girl with short, white hair leaning on the wall. She wore a tracksuit just like the girl Dein met earlier at the bridge.
It still hurts thinking about that. But this girl right now seem different. She's calm and more collected, though she doesn't seem to be paying attention to the speech. Only listening whatever is playing on her headphones.
On the other hand, somewhere far, on a remote corner. Dein saw two people sitting on each end of a bench. They don't seem to be friends but it's clear everyone is avoiding them for some reason.
One of them is a guy with dark hair. He's quite the skinny type, and short too! Just the like the white haired girl, he's wearing police tracksuit. He seems to be listening intently to the speech. While next to him, on the other end of the bench, a young woman is simply looking down
She had a golden hair and pretty delicate face. She's quiet and still as if she's just a statue. Just like the others in the middle class, the woman wore a clothes that's neat and tidy but still a bit classy as if to show her personality.
Dein stared at the young woman for a while.
Until she stared back…