Days were flying by.
Everything was going fine. The classes proceeded well, I was working hard to learn.
Our lessons ranged from comparatively simple, like various ways to produce fire, to much more obscure and esoteric, like celestial navigation.
The Dream Realm was not consistent in terms of star geography. Different regions had different stars and constellations, as well as a different number of moons. While the sun seemed to be the same, its behavior was highly unpredictable.
Still, with sufficient knowledge, one could find ways to study the skies and subsequently navigate themselves.
Most of these lessons were, supposedly, already included in the various school curriculums and known to the majority of Sleepers.
I was aware of this knowledge too, but learning from a textbook and learning the same thing from an actual Awakened were two completely different matters.
Teacher Julius even taught us dead languages. At first I doubted the usefulness of this subject, but as teacher explained that one word may have different meanings in runic languages, I could understand why he was teaching us this.
By using my newly gained knowledge, I found out that my true name could be translated into "Beside the Sun." But the spell had done a good job in translating it, as Teacher Julius said that Parhelion is the best translation for my true name.
Teacher Julius also insisted on holding practical lessons every other day. Even if some of them had to be done in virtual reality simulations, he insisted on using the full immersion stations with enhanced physical feedback.
Even without combat training, I was feeling like I was exercising.
After I had my supper, I was walking down the hall with Lee.
We sat together on every meal time. At first I had thought that he was a cold guy that did not like to talk. But it turned out to be that he was just not adept in communication and was really shy!
As we were about the reach dormitory corridors, holding out an arm, Lee gestured for me to stop.
He was sneaking his head to look at the other corridor.
"What's up?"
He did not reply verbally, instead gestured for me to look.
Well, since he was being sneaky I decided to be sneaky too. I leaned on his back to be able to sneak my head to the other corridor. But the moment I did, with a yelp Lee staggered forward.
At that moment my attention was diverted to two sleepers at the end of the corridor. A boy and a girl, they were about to enter a room together!
Fortunately they had not seen or heard Lee as they proceeded to walk away.
A grin appeared on my face. Then I turned to Lee just to see he was striding away into the boy's dormitory section. I did not see his face, but his ears seemed to be red.
'No goodbyes? How improper.'
I thought if I had done something, but no. Nothing really came to mind.
Shaking the thoughts out of my mind, I headed to my dorm.
***
Just like that, day after day passed, slowly turning into weeks.
Before we even knew it, the winter solstice was already here.
On the day of the winter solstice, I woke up feeling tired and drowsy.
It was not a good feeling. It was just like the time when I was going to enter my first nightmare.
Remembering those days, I felt myself shiver.
By nightfall, the Spell was going to take me away once again, this time to challenge the vast expanse of the Dream Realm.
Where was I going to end up? I just hoped the spell dropped me near some citadel so I became an awakened as soon as possible.
I had done everything in my power to prepare. I was one of the best fighters in the academy and I had a divine aspect. My survival chances were better than most of people, so there no point in being worried.
I sighed and got up from my bed. Going on with my morning routine, I took my shower and got ready for my breakfast.
The cafeteria was full of Sleepers, but no one was talking. Everybody was in low spirits and seemed to be uncharacteristically introspective. There was no usual laughter or boisterous conversations — only the Legacies remained calm and collected. However, even they kept to themselves.
I approached the coffee machine and poured myself some. Then took about seven omelets and a lot of chocolate syrup with me. It very well be my last breakfast, even if I did not feel hunger I still wanted to fill my stomach regardless.
After a few minutes I took my seat near the blondie.
"Good morning."
Lee nodded in response and greeted me back. He gaze stayed on my plate for a few seconds, then he gazed at his.
He was only eating a sandwich and some coffee.
'What kind of stomach does she have..?'
Next to our table was Sunny and the blind girl. And surprisingly, I heard the girl speak for the first time. She was wishing happy birthday to Sunny.
I grinned slightly. Since when they were on talking terms? I called out to Sunny quietly, luckily he heard it and turned our way.
"Happy birthday."
Sunny muttered a thanks and turned to his breakfast.
"You know him?" Lee asked.
"Yes. We are in the wilderness survival class."
"Wilderness.. what?"
I rolled my eyes at his confusion.
"While you are busy wiping the floor with other sleepers, I was learning about wilderness survival."
Lee avoided my gaze and turned to eat his breakfast.
I did too.
***
After finishing out breakfast, Sunny and I went to the wilderness class. There were no classes today, but we still dropped by Teacher Julius to say him our goodbyes.
The old man got pretty emotional when sending us off.
When the sun was close to setting, Instructor Rock gathered them in the foyer of the Sleeper Center and led them outside.
In the snowy parks that surrounded the white building, other Awakened were leading their own batches of Sleepers to the same destination. It was the Academy's medical center.
The center looked more like a shrine than a hospital. Its interior contained both highly advanced technology as well as some of the best Healers among the Awakened. For the duration of their first journey into the Dream Realm, the bodies of Sleepers would be kept safe in specially designed pods and sustained by the magical powers of those Healers if anything unfortunate were to happen on the other side of the Spell.
Of course, whether or not they would wake up in the end wholly depended on the Sleepers themselves.
After entering the medical center, Instructor Rock did not take them directly to the wing containing Sleeper pods. Instead, he led them to a comparatively deserted floor and then opened the doors to a spacious gallery that was brightly illuminated by the beautiful crimson rays of the setting sun.
There, they saw rows and rows of wheelchairs. In each wheelchair, there was a person with a blank, strangely peaceful expression on their face. All these people were completely silent, motionless, and still. They did not show any reaction to the appearance of guests.
They all seemed to be… empty. He was showing us the hollows
I did not approve the way he chose to send us off, but it is what it is.
***
Everyone was being led to their personal rooms.
I bid my farewell with Sunny. Then on my way, I saw Lee waiting for me. He seemed calm even though he was going to enter the dream realm in several minutes.
Well, I was calm too. Although that was just on the outside.
"Good luck. Don't die out there."
I gave him a smile as he spoke first. Reaching out, I pat him on the shoulder.
"You too blondie."
With that we parted ways.
I entered my personal room and got ready. The pod was right in front of me.
With a deep breath, I climbed into the pod and closed my eyes.
***
In the vast echoing darkness, I heard a familiar voice.
[Welcome to the dream realm, Parhelion!]