The hatch of the vehicle lifted higher and higher, the sound of steam being released as pistons and gears moved. A ramp promptly extended forward, inviting the pair inside.
Two wide white leather seats faced the door, seeming more like recliners rather than chairs.
Vale entered first, taking a seat on the left chair closest to the empty cockpit. Ryven follows suit, sitting on the only other chair.
The latch closes behind them as a male butlerish voice begins to play.
"Greetings lady Vale, please state your desired destination."
"Somnium Academy." She responded promptly.
"Location confirmed. Take-off commencing."
The cabin lights softened as the transporter lifted smoothly from the platform, the city shrinking beneath them in a blur of silver and white.
A soft chime echoed through the interior.
"Cruising altitude achieved," the butler's voice announced pleasantly. "May I offer refreshments for the journey?"
Before either of them could respond, a slim compartment unfolded from the wall opposite their seats. Crystal stems rose from recessed holders as a slender mechanical arm extended, retrieving a dark bottle from within the chassis. The label shimmered briefly under the cabin lights.
"Two glasses of red wine," the voice continued smoothly. "Vintage reserve."
The machine tilted the bottle with surgical precision, pouring a deep crimson stream into each glass. The scent of berries and oak filled the cabin almost instantly.
Ryven blinked.
"Wow," he muttered, leaning forward as one of the glasses gently glided toward him along the console rail.
He reached out for the glass. "How are dreamers able to make this much-"
Smack.
Vale's hand struck his wrist lightly but sharply before he could wrap his fingers around the stem.
"Absolutely not."
Ryven recoiled. "What?" He asked as Vale snatched what was supposed to be his cup of wine.
"You are seventeen." She gave him a flat look. "In case you've forgotten, that is under the legal drinking age."
"Tsk." Ryven leaned back, giving the dreamer a vicious glare.
"Correction acknowledged. Passenger two is classified as a minor." The butler interjected.
Ryven slumped back into his seat. "One glass couldn't hurt."
Vale ignored him entirely, lifting one of the glasses and taking a slow, satisfied sip. She hummed approvingly.
"Mm. Good year."
Then, without hesitation, she reached for the second glass, quickly downing it.
Outside the canopy, the skyline shifted. The towering structures of the city gave way to something far grander.
Ahead of them, perched atop a plateau of smooth black stone, stood Somnium Academy.
It stood tall and impressive as one of the grandest buildings in sector seven, second only to the governors palace.
The campus was enormous, spires of pale marble and glass rising into the sky, faint bands of energy coursing between structures like glowing veins. Floating lanterns drifted lazily above the grounds despite the daylight, and the airspace buzzed faintly with controlled traffic.
"Beginning descent," the butler announced.
The transporter angled downward, gliding toward a circular landing platform etched with glowing sigils. The heli-pad-like structure extended from the side of the academy's upper levels, suspended high above the ground below.
The landing was seamless.
There was no jolt, just a gentle hum lowering in pitch as the craft settled.
"Welcome to Somnium Academy."
The hatch lifted, cool air rushing inside.
Ryven stepped down first, his shoes clicking against the smooth metallic surface of the landing pad. The view from this height was dizzying, clouds drifting just beneath the platform's edge.
Behind them, something massive shifted.
Ryven turned just in time to see a towering mechanized crane sliding along a rail system built into the academy's exterior wall. Its articulated arms extended with mechanical precision, locking onto the transporter's chassis.
"Whoa."
With surprising grace, the crane lifted the entire vehicle off the pad and carried it away toward a docking bay carved into the structure.
Vale adjusted her jacket as if this were entirely normal.
"Parking services," she said casually. "They're efficient."
At first, the only people visible were security personnel.
Two guards dressed in a powerful set of heavy metal hyper armor, a gas mask, armed with massive carbine's, and belts of bullets.
One stepped forward slightly as Vale approached.
"Ms. Vale."
She gave a short nod. "He's with me."
The guard's turn to Ryven, seemingly scanning him before nodding approvingly.
They pass by, the second guard raising his hand, turning to face a camera.
The sound of steam filling pipes could be heard as two massive iron doors opened, giving way to a massive dark hallway with a grand staircase at the end.
The pair strided inside.
The iron doors groaned shut behind them with a heavy finality, sealing off the bright sky and replacing it with the cool, echoing atmosphere of the academy's interior.
Their footsteps rang softly against black stone as they approached the grand staircase.
It spiraled downward in a wide arc, its railing forged from dark metal veined with faint blue light. Each landing bore a glowing numeral etched into the wall.
Level 23.
Ryven glanced over the edge.
The drop was steep, not a single staircase, but a stacked descent of platforms that wrapped around a hollow central shaft. Suspended in the center floated a vertical column of slow-turning rings, humming faintly as energy pulsed through them like a heartbeat.
"Try not to fall," Vale said lightly, already beginning her descent.
"I wasn't planning on it."
They moved down together.
Level 22 came quickly.
Two guards stood at the landing, different from the hyper-armored sentries above. These wore fitted tactical uniforms lined with silver circuitry, visors covering their eyes. One of them glanced up as Vale approached.
"Professor Vale."
"Routine testing," she replied without slowing.
The guard's gaze shifted to Ryven, assessing, then stepping aside.
The further down they went, the more populated the stairwell became.
By Level 21, students appeared in small clusters. Some wore fitted academy uniforms trimmed in different colors, likely denoting divisions. Others carried slim metallic cases or projected floating displays from wrist devices, symbols flickering in midair as they debated quietly.
A boy with pale hair was hovering several inches above the steps while reading from a tablet, descending without walking at all.
Ryven raised an eyebrow.
"Show off."
Vale smirked faintly. "Telekinetic minor. First years love overusing their abilities."
Reaching floor 20, they entered inside, passing through a few glass doors into an area labeled "Laboratory."
"This is it."