Stepping through the Academy gates Kaelen marveled at the amazingly built structures.
It looked strong, like really strong.
'Probably in case a sleeper fight breaks out...'
He moved towards the inner gates and was stopped by two guards that were standing there, not Awakened but they seemed well trained.
"Are you the Sleeper that awoke yesterday...Kaelen?" One asked
"Hmm that's me."
The looks that they had given him filled him with confusion.
'Is that pity...?'
"Come." One of them said turning and opening the door and walking in
'What's this about...?'
It was odd to say the least.
'Well whatever, I'll find out soon anyway.'
And he did
Kaelen had expected to be led to the hall where sleepers that completed their nightmare this close to the solstice would be gathered and an explanation would be given to them about what was to happen.
The thing was that, that had never happened.
There was no hall he was led to, because they were no other sleeper that had a nightmare a single week before their eventual trip to the dream realm.
So instead he was led to a room.
There was a man in this room that sat at a neatly organized desk, he had short brown hair and black eyes, his appearance was good and Kaelen could tell that he was an awakened.
"Ah, Sleeper Kaelen... Come sit."
Kaelen smiled politely
"Pleasure to meet you sir...?" He probed while taking a seat
"Leon."
The man replied
'He definitely looks like a Leon.' Kaelen snickered internally
"Well, Kaelen. I'm going to be as blunt as possible."
He sighed deeply
"You have six days here before your trip to the dream realm. During these six days you will be taught by the best the waking world has to offer but I'm sure you're aware as someone who completed the first nightmare - this isn't something that guarantees your survival."
"...I am aware that my survival isn't guaranteed and that the dream realm isn't forgiving."
The man nodded solemnly
"Good. I'll try to wrap up the information you need as short as possible"
"I heard you helped kill an Awakened Devil that came from the death of a sleeper so you know how that works, from the Second Nightmare forwards the gates will appear in the world and if not subjugated they will release the horrors within into the real world - so you can say that the purpose of awakened, like what you will become is to face these nightmares or the horrors that come through"
"Hmm I see." Kaelen was unaware of what to say since he already knew this
In fact he probably knew more nightmares more than this man did, and even more than Sunny knew at this moment in time.
'Wait... did he say like I will become?'
Kaelen had heard right. It seemed the man was trying to comfort him and above that, give him hope.
"But where you are going is not a nightmare but directly to the dream realm. Truthfully we aren't aware if this is some other illusion but when you enter the dream realm try to seek a Citadel, its essentially a human hub in the dream realm. Finding it and creating an anchor will allow you to awaken and return to the world."
Seeing as how Kaelen was listening he continued to speak
"That's essentially it, I don't think i need to emphasize the dangers of the creatures there or the importance of being careful so lets get to the next part of this."
"I've heard you told the officers you don't need counseling. If you change your mind - you can request it."
"I don't like sharing things about myself." Kaelen said
He said it while lacking the smile that he had previously making his intention clear, the Awakened had dealt with people so he was aware of the intent behind that tiny gesture and tone.
Leon would have needed to ask about his trial and his appraisal and even a little about his aspect and flaw, if he wished to answer
Kaelen had already decided not to reveal that but when he thought about what his trial really was - it really cemented that he was not going to reveal it.
"I see... Well, with that out of the way here is your designated communicator. Your dorm room is listed on it."
Kaelen smiled taking the strange device in his hand
Thankfully despite the design being significantly thicker it functioned like a cellphone.
"I will take my leave now." He said waking up from the chair ad moving to the door
The Awakened offered a small smile as Kaelen turned to leave
To him Kaelen's chances were... low
Now if he had known what Kaelen's aspect ability was, and if he knew the knowledge that he possessed that would flip his evaluation on its head.
When he reached the door however he stopped suddenly and turned around, gazing at Leon who was looking at his paper work
There was a question that he had and really wanted an answer to, the question he had had been filling him with unsure feelings.
"Awakened Leon." He called out to the man
"Yes?"
"Awakened Rock... is he teaching the combat class now?" Kaelen started
"Ah you know Awakened Rock ? " Leon interrupted him happily
Perhaps if this boy knew Rock, he had trained under him - perhaps a relative. His chances of surviving would be higher
Kaelen let out a sigh of relief
"No, I've heard of him though."
'At least that's out of the way.' Kaelen sighed, glad that someone he had heard of was here
A good sign
Right?
But then, Awakened Leon continued to speak.
'Ah...' Leon sighed internally, hopes deflating as the outskirts rat in front of him had mere week to learn
"Well, I suggest you go learn from him, he had led several people through the dream realm towards awakening, all of us Academy Awakened were glad to know he chose to work here."
Kaelen felt the hair on his hands as if a bad premonition was coming.
"Though, for someone who Awakened only a year ago. He should have enjoyed himself a bit more..."
'Awakened...only a...year ago...?'
A bead of sweat appeared on his forehead despite his body feeling cold.
'Wait... that means that...'
It meant that Sunny was not here in the Academy, neither was Nephis or Cassie
All of them were children, younger children.
'Fuck...'