Chapter 29: Chapter 29
A volunteer? Dane sat up a little straighter.
A student raised his hand. ["I volunteer." - Unknown]
Dane knew who it was. Han Li Caster stood up when the professor nodded. ["What is your name?" - Professor Noble]
The boy with brown hair and humorous green eyes smiled. Dane saw the eyes of everyone in the room focus on him. Even the kids sleeping at his side stirred. He bowed shortly, ["Caster, ma'am." - Unknown. Would you like to save this voice under the introduced name 'Caster'?
{Yes} {No}]
Dane clicked 'Yes' as the professor beckoned him to the front.
["It is nice to meet you, Caster. Could you please summon a Memory for me?" - Professor Noble]
Caster brought his hand forth, palm facing upward. In a shower of sparks, a milky white flute manifested into it.
["What do its runes say?"]
The legacy seemed to be reading something in the air. He read out.
["Its name is Bone Flute. Its Rank is Awakened, and its Type is Tool. Its description states: "Only with death will you achieve peace and quiet." - Caster] he chuckled.
The Professor nodded with gratitude. ["Very good. You will always be able to see the name, rank, type, and description of a Memory. All of these are instrumental in figuring out the puzzle of its enchantments. Do you know what your Memory does?" - Professor Noble]
The scion of the Han Li clan nodded.
["It creates a space from which sound cannot escape. To people outside of its area of effect, they won't hear a thing that's said or done inside." - Caster]
[Perfect for hiding in the Dream Realm!" - Unknown]
["I need one of those for tonight haha" - Unknown]
["That would be nice to have…hey babe!" - Unknown]
["Can I borrow it? Just for a night or two…" - Unknown]
Dane could see the disgust tugging at Caster's lips, though he hid it well. Professor Noble regarded the Sleepers responsible for the indecent cries with terrifyingly indifferent eyes, ending the vulgar ruckus. She turned back to Caster. ["The three of you. To the front, please." - Professor Noble]
The students looked at each other with wry smiles and walked to the front. One of them offered his fist to Caster, ready to fist-bump. The proud scion looked at it and took a step back.
["Now, Caster, please use your Memory around them." - Professor Noble]
Dane smiled. Caster blew his flute. No sound came, and something changed imperceptibly. The professor, who was outside the Memory's range of influence, spoke. The class guffawed. Caster handed the flute to one of them and walked away from them.
Dane looked down at his spell tech device and waited for it to write the words down. ["You three will stand here until class is over. You can speak as much as you want!" - Professor Noble. Her tone suggests she is slightly disappointed.]
They said something, and Dane felt happy. He wasn't alone in being unable to understand what was said now. The whole class was suffering, or in this case enjoying, with him. Not a single sound escaped from around the three troublemakers.
["Professor, when can I take my Memory back?" - Caster]
She smiled apologetically. ["Give me 20 minutes." - Professor Noble]
She turned to the class.
Over the next twenty minutes, she called various students who had Memories they didn't know how to use over to read their runes for the class. Then, she would systematically break down the Memory's name, rank, type, and description. On top of that, she took the shapes, physical characteristics, and colors of the memories into account and made educated guesses on a Memory's enchantment.
Eight out of fourteen guesses were spot on, while the others were incredibly close. It was an extremely absorbing class. Her eyes fell on Dane next.
[Dane, do you have any Memories you do not know how to use?]
He shook his head. "No, Professor Noble."
She proceeded to the next student. Soon, it was the students' turn to start guessing, using the formula orchestrated by the teacher. With a bit of guidance from her, every single student in the class made decent guesses, even if slightly inaccurate. Even the standing jokers got a chance. After every guess, the Sleeper with the Memory would activate the enchantment if it wasn't passive.
Many times, Professor Noble stepped in herself to throw an explosive or area of effect Memory into the small polymer cubicle that extended from floor to ceiling in the corner of the class. She probably saved a few Sleepers from early death, which was a sobering experience for everyone. But, the teacher missed no opportunity to crack silly jokes to lighten the mood or throw packs of advice to students each time. Dane truly wished he had longer to attend her classes.
He had always wished to go to a real school and make friends. This was it. Though the only friend he had made so far was Sunless, he was sure he could make more if he tried. He had always wished to go to a real school and make friends. This was it. Though the only real friend he had made so far was Sunless, he was sure he could make more if he tried. 'Maybe I can attend another course,' he thought.
A part of him resisted. Flashes of last night's nightmare flared, melding flesh and armor, and the Gray Gust's coat of arms was up in flame. Did he have time to waste? The Dream Realm was a terrible place, and it was easy for Sleepers to die anywhere, even inside humanity's most powerful spheres of influence.
…no. He had a terrific ability that could save his skin at any moment. There was not much that could attack evasive ghosts, which he was. A flying spirit, untouchable. If there was something that could kill him, it was practically impossible for him to fight back.
Training was one thing. Training until everything you looked forward to was sucked out of you was another. If he couldn't enjoy anything, why was he even living? He had enough stress to deal with, and forcing himself to give up every last ounce of joy would do nothing but ebb away his sanity.
Dane felt a bit better, so he wondered. 'What course should I take next?'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone