Chapter 17: Survival training
After a good night's sleep, I was ready once again. I first took a hot shower and felt a little hungry, so I went down to the cafeteria to eat something, and the food was not that great. No matter how they claim that this was fresh vegetables and greens, it was not. Many of them had meat, which made me lose my appetite last night.
As I walked down the long hallway, I passed by others who turned back and looked at me. It was honestly a little annoying, but it is what it is. I tried to find myself a seat, and luckily, a seat was left empty in one of the corners. After getting some bread, salad, and a simple vegetable soup, I went and sat down. Just as I was about to start eating, a small commotion broke out around a screen under the cafeteria, listing the names and ranks of the sleepers from the weakest to the strongest.
I realized this, and my little good mood turned sour as I forgot about this tidbit that happened. I knew that things would turn annoying really quick around me because I had shared that something happened in my first nightmare, not fully, but there was a monster wave, protecting a large village, killing a corrupted tyrant, and earning a glorious rating and a true name. Compared to my real achievements, this ranking looked like garbage. I had done so much, but it was more than enough for me to be number one, just after Nep. It was truly unfortunate as this happened.
The big commotion was not on the rankings but that there were two sleepers with a true name. It's a big deal; even saints don't get it easily. To have a true name, you have to be special. I bet they will lose it if they find out there were not 2 but 3 people here with a true name, and it was Sunny. But he has to hide it at all costs, as the person who says it will become his master. I knew his true name and could easily make him my slave. He was a really good asset, but he can't mess with the fate of MC; it was too dangerous.
And now, he has to deal with people looking at him in awe, and he will not escape whatever questions they had. I could see some legacies coming in my direction, as I had done it myself, so I was ready to face it. The first one to come was Caster and his goons.
He was in 3rd place, just after Nep, and also an assassin sent to kill her. Well, he was strong but a fly to me, and he was coming to disturb me for sure. Sigh.
"Sir Asmon, I am Caster from Han Li clan. Can I know what clan you are from, and is it true that you also have a true name?"
I looked at him; this guy is descent but his cover is already blown, so he was not that good. But I will have to answer some things so they won't bug me everywhere.
"Yes, it's true that I have gotten my true name in my first trial. As it was a difficult one, and for your second question, no, I am not from some clan or family. I was homeless recently, so it's a new territory for me. So I would apologize if I come off as rude."
"No, no, Sir Asmon. I am impressed by your achievement, as not even legacies who are given everything can do what you have done. Most don't even make it out of the first nightmare, and about manners, you don't have to worry, as there is another kid from the streets. He can learn a thing or two from you, and thank you for answering my questions."
"No, it's alright. As it might be unusual for a case like me to show up, I get the curiosity to ask questions. That's just human nature. But I would like to finish my breakfast. If you would like, you can join me."
"No, Sir Asmon. I would not take too much of your time, and I would have to decline your offer as I have other things planned. And I will now go and ask how the princess from the immortal clan is. I know you must be a busy person. Farewell for now."
And just like that, he was out of my hair. He will now go bug Nephis, and probably she will somehow make it awkward. That girl is more anti-social than me to some extent. Poor girl.
After this was over, I was asked a bunch of more questions by other people as well, but I gave non-answers or even asked them questions instead. I was now on my way to survival class. Finally, I can chill out.
The wilderness survival class was spacious, tastefully decorated, and completely empty, other than an old man. I knew him as he was MC's first teacher, a wacky man with probably some screws loose. And let's see who else was in the corner like a shadow; he was also here, our MC Sunny. So, I went in first, and noticing them, the instructor perked up.
"Come in, young men!"
"I am Awakened Julius, or you can call me Teacher Julius. Come, sit down, sit down. What are your names?"
Me and Sunny looked at each other, and he was the first one to answer as it was his flaw. He said it's Sunless, and I also introduced myself as just Asmon.
"Oh! What an ominous name your friend has. Don't worry; we study a lot of ominous things and deal with them."
"Yes, I think we do have to deal with a lot of mysterious things, which are mostly ominous. I don't think a name like Sunless is truly that ominous, but I would like to learn about nightmare creatures and mysterious things."
Sunny looked at me like a rat would look at a cat. I gave him a slight smile, which made him squint his eyes even more. Who knows what stupid shit is going on in his head? But he turned to our teacher and asked why the class was so empty; are they too early?
"No, no, you are just on time."
"So, other students are late?"
"No, Sunless, no one else is coming. It's just you two. Those other brutes are only interested in swords and fists, as very few know the value of knowledge."
Well, it was their loss, mostly civilians and middle-class persons, as they have knowledge of combat somewhat and knowledge of spells. But survival was the most important thing, after all. Most of the time, brute strength is not going to save them, but instead, knowledge is the most powerful tool for the weak, which most of them are right now. So they are stupid, but I can't do anything, as they all will die. Sigh.
"Say, young men, why did you join wilderness survival of all things?"
I first gave the answer, "Well, my first nightmare was in a village that had to go to war, and being from the streets, I had no knowledge of how to survive in the wild. It was a rough week for me there, and I want to learn mostly about the mysteries and dangers that I can avoid only with knowledge, so I won't get tricked by some ancient horror."
Sunny gave the answer that Master Jet was the one who recommended him, and that started the old man's rant about how Soul Reaper Jet was a murderer and a crazy person. He shared that she directly attacks the soul, so armor won't work. Well, I knew all this, but for Sunny, it was all the info he needed. The old man apologized for his rant.
"Let's get back to our curriculum. What other courses are you two taking?"
"Well, I already have some knowledge about surviving in the wilderness. But, as you know, Teacher Julius, I am from the streets and have no real teaching and knowledge of how to fight with a sword. So, I also have to learn some battle tactics, so I have two courses."
Sunny only chose this course for the next four weeks; he did not choose anything else. At that moment, I could see the old man was smiling.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! You two are excellent young men. I will make sure you are harder to kill than a cockroach. I will make you immortal."
********
Well, me and Sunny were both given a bunch of things to read and learn about. Many were weird, so we were just going through some cultish material. Even that, if I were in my last life, I would have called crazy people's things. But here, I learned all of it. I could see Sunny was struggling as he had never gone to school. I was not so bright myself when I was in school. He is a bright and smart kid, though; he is learning fast, but not as fast as me. I had slowly put points into intelligence to learn magic; it was already 20 points, so I had no problem. Even learning a new language was a breeze. I helped Sunny a lot. If the teacher was going too fast, we were both in the same boat. In the end, we had no knowledge of this world. I was not from here, and Sunny was a homeless kid just trying not to die.
But I had learned a lot of things in just one class. I left for my combat class, leaving Sunny alone with the old man. He will suffer alone.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone