The students sat in rapt attention, listening to the speaker at the front of the room. A tall man leaned against his desk, lazily passing the pole of a naginata between his hands like a deadly walking stick.
"Seven demons but only six gods. Does no one else find the numbers to be a little odd?" The man brushed back his dark hair from his face with a tilt of his head.
No one had an answer, so he continued.
"This may seem like ancient history to you. The gods are dead, and the daemons are gone along with them. But for the people who lived through the times leading up to the Doom War, it was very real. If you choose to enter a Nightmare, it will become your reality as well. Knowledge is power, so knowing as much as you can about the circumstances into which you will be plunged is power you can gain right now. But of course you know that. It's why you are here."
A few of the students nodded. While all the classes in the Academy had value, some drew more attention for their subject matter, like combat training. Others drew students for their practicality, such as survival training, since those skills were useful even if the student did not take on a Nightmare.
And some were popular simply for the charismatic instructor who taught it. Such was the case for this history class led by Master Zenkai.
The renowned explorer had recently returned from his second Nightmare and was more interested than ever in the history of the past.
From the front of the class, one student raised his hand.
Zenkai paused his lecture. "Yes, Nail."
The green-eyed student lowered his arm. "Yes, uh, I… wanted to know. Who. Or Rather." Nail paused to gather his thoughts. With a final push, he began again. "Which one is your favorite?"
"Of the daemons and gods?" Zenkai noted his pupil's nod. "Ah, that is easy. The Demon of Destiny and Prince of the Underworld. Humans of the time called him Nether."
"Nether?" Nail furrowed his brow. Clearly, that had not been the answer he anticipated. "Why him?"
"In my last Nightmare, I was dropped among an army of stone warriors. As a human among the followers of Nether, I worked to make myself notable among them. I had hoped to meet the demon myself, though doing so likely would have killed me. But even knowing his name and seeing his dwelling place, the underworld, was enough to make me want to study him the rest of my life."
Zenkai's voice became wistful as he spoke.
Noble could feel his emotions. His hunger for knowledge had only expanded as he traveled the path of ascension.
The man's silver-rimmed eyes blinked as he came back to himself.
"Ah, I seem to have gotten carried away. Did that answer your question?"
Nail nodded. "I-it did. Thank you."
The instructor leaned back against his desk, pausing the movement of the naginata.
"What about you? Who is your favorite?"
"Me? I like Imagination." Nail's comment was met with a few hisses in the room.
Noble was surprised by the sudden change in mood among many of the students. From what Noble could see, it was most palpable among those whose parents or relatives were Legacies.
Zenkai raised one hand to quiet them. "Nail is allowed to have an opinion. Her presence may be less noticeable in the Song Domain than in other places, but that does not make her less interesting!"
The instructor's comment sparked a dozen small conversations, and they became filled with various opinions.
Master Zenkai tapped the naginata, and the class fell silent.
His haunting eyes flicked to the back of the room.
"Not a lot is known about Imagination except by those privileged enough to know the secrets of the Great Clans. And some high-ranking individuals in the government, of course. Isn't that right, Director?"
The students hadn't noticed the woman enter. They rarely did for some reason, making her presence that much more intimidating.
They turned, regarding the headmistress with quiet awe at her sudden appearance.
Noble floated forward. "Indeed, little is known about her. I cannot say who knows what, I am afraid. While I help wherever I can, I am neither a Clan member nor a government agent. I'm just married to one of the latter."
The depreciating comment earned a few chuckles from her listeners.
"Do you know anything about her?" Nail covered his mouth, surprised by his own forwardness.
"That's a tricky question. I can tell you what I think. I think that Imagination was lonely. So many beautiful ideas, and who was there to share her creative vision?"
The room remained silent. The Director knew the answer to her rhetorical question.
Only one was a companion to Imagination until the end—and Noble doubted that Omer had ever truly been a friend.
"That's a different angle," Zenkai tapped the butt of his weapon on the ground. "Humanizing such powerful beings with mundane emotions."
Noble raised an eyebrow at him. "Even the gods had emotions once upon a time. Why else would humans have built temples to appeal to them?"
Zenkai smiled. "Human folly is the obvious answer, but I see your point."
Noble would have loved to continue the philosophical discussion with her colleague, but the students had come for a history lesson. Noble cleared her throat.
"Back to your original question—Nail, was it?—I do have a piece of information that a Saint told me about Imagination. The ancient people called her Mirage, and she spread her relics far and wide before the Doom War. Who knows? Maybe some of them still exist today."
The students' interest was piqued. Another eruption of feverish whispers overtook the room.
"A bunch of Divine Relics just lying around, can you imagine?!"
"I would want one that makes ramen appear whenever I want it."
"Of course, you would want a food-related relic. I don't think divine beings need to eat!"
"You never know. Maybe Imagination liked noodles as much as I do!"
"My cousin's best friend's uncle found a relic!"
"Oh sure, and I'm the son of a talking gorilla."
"Actually, that would explain a lot!"
Looking around at the chattering mob, Zenkai clicked his tongue. "Alright, alright, I can see I have lost your attention for the time being. Let's take a half-hour break while you all fantasize. I will be back to answer any serious inquiries after that."
Zenkai followed Noble into the hall.
"Sorry for the disruption. I did not mean to derail your lecture."
The tall man waved his hand. "Don't be. I found your take on the Demon of Imagination more interesting. Did they really call her Mirage? I could not have come up with a more accurate name myself."
Noble shrugged. "That's what I was told."
"I'll file that away for my own personal knowledge. Thank you! I am very glad you are back, Director. I did my best in your stead." Zenkai shrugged as they neared the end of the hall.
"I am sure you did. I know you would rather be exploring, so I appreciate you doing me this favor." Noble knew what a sacrifice it was to settle down when there were always more things to discover.
Zenkai's smile grew strained. "Don't thank me yet…"
He opened the door to the office.