With the nurse's help, his body regenerated quickly. She could speed up someone's recovery with her Aspect, which was a very intriguing Ability. Though, when she healed him, he still had to wait, just not as long as he usually would.
Despite it being fast, Lunar still had to fill out paperwork. He had to fill out his name, when he was healed, and the type of injury he had — which he lied about, of course. Stumbling off a mattress and passing out would be… humiliating to write.
Eventually, the nurse offered him a short nod, allowing him to leave. And after returning the nod, he made his way to the Wilderness Survival classroom.
Lunar had many expectations for this class. He wasn't expecting it to be god sent, but this was the Awakened Academy — a place proud of their ability to help Sleepers survive. If their Wilderness Survival class, where you learn how to survive, wasn't incredible, then he would be very disappointed.
After a few minutes, Lunar showed up in front of an alloy door. He shot his eyes to the right, reading the name of the classroom. It said, "Wilderness Survival", so he knew it was the right place.
So… why was it tiny?
Wasn't he supposed to learn how to start fires? How to swim better? How to cook Nightmare Creatures? How was he supposed to complete those tasks in a room no larger than his own!?
"Ha…"
He rested his hand on the doorknob and twisted it open, revealing himself to the people within… which, strangely, was only two people.
Lunar had many questions regarding the class, but he would only waste time by ruminating on them. So, he walked in. After all, the answers would eventually reveal themselves.
"Hoh? You're late."
A short man chuckled, a little shocked by the presence of a newcomer. Clearly, from the lack of people in this room, Wilderness Survival was not a popular pick…
"I was injured, so I stopped by the nurse's office. Sorry about that."
Lunar's gaze ran past the professor and landed on his classmate. She had black hair, onyx eyes, and pale skin — it was Shade.
Not only had they entered the Academy together… Not only did they share the same reaction during the opening speech… but now they shared the same class? Only two people took this class, for the gods' sake, and he was one of them!
This couldn't have been a coincidence! Either fate was cooking something up or she was stalking him.
…
Well, even if fate had plans, he was too weak to change them. And if she had been stalking him? Did that really matter? Unless she directly confronted him, he didn't really mind.
Snapping him out of his daze, the instructor shouted, introducing himself.
"It's quite alright, Little Sleeper! Today is a glorious day, after all! Two students — two! This is a new record!"
This man was… slightly eccentric.
"I'm Awakened Halvorsen… but that's a mouthful, so just call me Hal. So long as you're in this class, I'll be your instructor. As you can see, I'm not some old and experienced gentleman — I'm only a few years older than you!"
'If you're barely older than me, then why'd you call me "Little" Sleeper, bastard!?'
"Ah. Alright. Let me begin. Since this is a Wilderness Survival class, you might be wondering why our classroom is tiny. Well… that's because it's rare for somebody to sign up for it — hence why I was surprised when another student walked in."
"...are you not gonna teach me how to swim?"
Shade asked, a nervous droplet of sweat trickling down her face. She seemed visibly shaken by the thought.
"Hold your hooves, Little Sleeper. I'm getting there. Back to what I was saying, the reason I chose this job is because I've studied survival for my entire life. I've done experiments with it in the Dream Realm, and I've personally survived many things that I shouldn't have."
He clapped.
"Which is why you have nothing to worry about! While those Legacies are stumbling with metal swords, you lot — or little — will be learning much more that will help even after the Dream Realm!"
With the flick of his fingers… nothing happened. He was simply gesturing to his students.
"Now you! Introduce yourselves to each other!"
…
They both turned, now facing each other, but neither of them spoke.
…
After noticing her slight discomfort, Lunar reluctantly parted his glossy lips, trying to figure out what to say.
"I'm Lunar, but uh, you already know that."
…
"And?" Hal provoked.
"Ah. Well. I have a True Name. I'm good at fighting, but I'm not physically strong and I'm ignorant when it comes to survival."
…
"And?"
"Uh… I'm taking this course because, knowing my luck, the Spell will place me in the epicenter of some frozen blizzard."
…
"And?"
"What else is there to say?"
"What's your preference in women?"
"What?"
"What's your preference in women?"
"I know what you said… I just don't see how that's relevant."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't take your situation into account. I'll readjust the question for you. What's your preference in men—"
"I don't like men! Ugh… Fine."
Lunar cleared his throat and crossed his arms.
"I uh…"
He thought for a moment.
"I'm into women who'd stop at nothing to survive. Or a girl who'd do anything for their goals. Overall, just a strong, person with a strong will."
…
Shade raised a brow, amused by his response. But her smile quickly faded as she realized that it was her turn next.
"Good answer, Little Sleeper. Now..."
Awakened Hal turned to his other student.
"...it's your turn. Describe yourself and describe your type."
"Uh. May I ask why?"
"Because it makes you vulnerable."
"Vulnerable?"
"After hearing Lunar's type, are you intimidated by the thought of talking to him?"
"Uh… no?"
"Exactly."
"I wasn't intimidated by him be—"
She was quickly interrupted.
"Go on."
"But—"
"Go on."
Shade rolled her eyes, resting her back against the wall. Then, after a moment of deep thought, she opened her mouth to speak. At least there was only one other student, if there were more, she would have refused.
"My name is Shade. I hate questions, I hate Legacies, I hate the government, and I hate idiots. I'm not physically strong, but I guess I can be under circumstances. I'm here because I'll probably be dropped in a pool of water and drown the moment I enter the Dream Realm."
She took a deep breath, then continued.
"I'm into a specific kind of man who will achieve a specific kind of thing. That thing, however, I cannot say."
—
—
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Author's Note:
– Did you enjoy the chapter?
– Feel free to point out things you don't like.
– Since the setting for this fanfiction will be unique, what kind of location do you think Lunar will be sent to?
– Would you like any official illustrations for the characters? I can draw digital art for them, I'm not terrible. I've already, for the fun of it, made a sketch and lineart for a character I'm introducing later on. The person I've already drawn may or may not be the black-haired girl.
– Please… please read the disclaimer. From here onward, it's incredibly important. If you don't read it, you'll probably have a lot of questions about lore, timeline, and characters.
– Word Count: [1232]