As Kane, Sunless, and the silver-haired girl entered the Academy building, Kane was immediately struck by the sheer size and intricate allocation of the space. They found themselves in a vast hall, where numerous Sleepers, individuals like himself who had recently survived the Nightmare trial, were gathered, carrying their belongings and awaiting the commencement of the induction ceremony. It was a stark contrast to their own arrival; Kane, Sunless, and the silver-haired girl were the only ones who had arrived empty-handed, their journey having been more... unconventional.
As the Sleepers waited, the three newcomers gradually separated, each choosing to roam the expansive corridor. The other Sleepers were engaged in idle chatter, animatedly discussing their harrowing experiences in their first Nightmare trials, the various tools and weapons they had acquired, and other related topics. Kane attempted to engage in conversation with some of them, but he found it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level, his personality perhaps being perceived as too harsh or aloof. However, he observed that he was significantly more sociable and approachable compared to Sunless. Kane thought to himself, 'I thought I was harsh, but this guy truly takes the cake. He seems to have a pathological need to be brutally frank and direct, with little regard for social niceties.'
Sunless, with his unfiltered and often abrasive communication style, quickly garnered a reputation for being difficult and unpleasant. He managed to alienate a significant portion of the gathered Sleepers, effectively pushing himself to the fringes of the group, an outcast whom most preferred to avoid. As Kane continued to observe the social dynamics of the group, his attention was drawn to a cluster of individuals engaged in a particularly animated conversation. He overheard snippets of their discussion, phrases like "Ascended? You received an Ascended Aspect? What… what was your Appraisal?" and a young man's reply, delivered with a hint of pride, "Oh! It was 'Excellent'."
Sunless, who happened to be passing by the group, overheard this exchange and, unable to restrain himself, interjected with a disdainful tone, "Ascended, 'Excellent'? That's it? What's the big deal?"
Kane, witnessing this interaction, couldn't help but sigh inwardly. 'Here goes Mr. Frank again, antagonizing people at every turn. Has he already forgotten Jet's third piece of advice, or has he simply chosen to disregard it entirely?' But as the conversation unfolded between Sunless and the others, Kane found himself increasingly intrigued, and eventually, he was drawn into a state of considerable shock.
Kane thought, 'What Sunless is saying might actually be true. That would mean Sunless possesses a Divine Rank Aspect, has received a Blessing from a God, and hails from the harsh environment of the outskirts. The Legacies, with their sheltered upbringing and privileged backgrounds, seem unwilling to believe him, but I do. Having experienced a similar ordeal myself, I find a lot of striking similarities between our First Nightmare trials, the challenges we faced.'
As soon as Sunless finished speaking with the incredulous group, he noticed Kane observing the exchange. Sunless, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable, asked him, "What? Are you not believing me either?"
Kane, his voice steady and sincere, replied, "Actually, I do believe you." It was Sunless's turn to be shocked, his surprise evident on his face. Kane thought, 'Why is he this shocked? Did he genuinely expect me to be as dismissive and skeptical as the others?'
Kane, sensing Sunless's discomfiture and recognizing a kindred spirit in the other Sleeper, added, "I don't know why you're so surprised, but given our… lackluster social skills, perhaps we should consider pairing up, at least for the time being. It might be beneficial to have someone who understands the challenges we face. So, why don't we find a quiet corner with fewer people, where we can avoid further social entanglements for now?"
Sunless, after a moment of consideration, nodded in agreement. As soon as the brief conversation concluded, the two of them retreated to the least populated corner of the hall, seeking refuge from the social maelstrom. In that secluded corner, they observed a young woman, strikingly delicate in appearance. She had flowing blond hair and was dressed in tidy and neat clothes, giving her the appearance of a beautiful porcelain doll. Kane, observing her, couldn't help but speculate about the nature of her Flaw. 'Her Flaw is almost certainly the loss of her sight,' he thought, his heart filled with a pang of sympathy. 'Otherwise, it's highly unlikely she would have survived her trial. What a cruel Flaw to be burdened with. She is utterly helpless, dependent on the kindness and assistance of others, unless someone is willing to carry her burden, to be her eyes.'
Kane surveyed the rest of the hall, his gaze lingering on the other Sleepers. He noticed a palpable sense of unease and reluctance among them. Nobody seemed willing to align themselves with the blind girl, or even offer her their company, the perceived burden of her Flaw seemingly outweighing any potential benefits of their association.
Suddenly, a series of announcements echoed through the hall, signaling the commencement of the induction ceremony. A stern-faced instructor, who introduced himself as Rock, took to the stage and began to address the gathered Sleepers. He provided a comprehensive introduction to the Dream Realm, explaining the significance of the upcoming Winter Solstice, the nature and function of the Gateways, the mechanics of the Nightmare Spell, and the basic principles of how to harness and control their newfound powers.
The Sleepers listened with rapt attention, their expressions gradually shifting from initial curiosity to growing apprehension as they realized the magnitude of the challenges that lay ahead. The instructor painted a vivid picture of the battles to come, the dangers they would face, and the sacrifices that would be required. The weight of this knowledge settled heavily on the young Sleepers, their initial excitement tempered by a sobering awareness of the harsh realities of their new existence.
As the ceremony concluded, the instructor announced that their training would commence the following day. Kane, feeling a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, left the hall, his mind already racing with questions and concerns. He made his way to his assigned room, seeking solitude and a moment of quiet contemplation before the trials that awaited him.