Mr. Dordo smiled, seeing their surprised, curious gazes. He clasped his hands. "Now let's begin the real conversation."
He continued, "Do you know what Mysterious Science is? Where it originates from?"
Fedric answered, "Mysterious Science is a term referring to the study of the separation between the four continents. Am I right?"
Dordo gave a nod. "It's only half correct, or this is what the world knows. The study of Mysterious Science is, in fact, the exploration of the Nightmare Realms and everything about the Nightmare Realms. The Nightmare Realm is the cause of continental separation."
"It is still covered in mystery why the continents are completely isolated, as Nightmare Realm portals are connected to this world."
"You've already witnessed the truth yourselves. Mysterious Science is the future of this world. So, I am recommending that you all join the Mysterious Science School." He pushed three files forward as he said that.
"Look through the file carefully and sign the agreement if you want to change schools." He smiled.
Zuko was the first to speak. "Si… Sir, I don't wanna change schools," he said in a fearful tone as he remembered his nightmares. A chill ran down his spine.
Dordo squinted his eyes. "Are you sure you don't wanna join? You can do and learn amazing stuff."
Zuko just gave a no sign as he shook his head. Dordo sighed as he said, "Okay." But his tone contained a weird stress.
Drayen took the file and started to read. He noticed that this agreement was not like usual schools or universities. Although he had never joined the military, he had a feeling that this agreement was similar to what was shown in movies. There were a lot of terms in it:
– Non-disclosure to anyone
– Your life is your own responsibility
Drayen's gaze landed on the term portal — You can use portals but loot distribution…
Drayen already knew what the portal referred to. But Fedric, confused, asked, "Sir, what's the portal mentioned here?"
Dordo explained, "You know how you entered the Nightmare Realm. That phenomenon is called a temporary portal — or an awakening. It appears only once in your life, and you can't see it or touch it. It's completely invisible and intangible… yet it can pull your soul into the Nightmare Realm."
"As it only takes your soul, it's also called a Half Portal, or an Awakening Portal, because it's the only one capable of awakening your bloodline."
He continued, "When the connection becomes strong enough — usually in people with stronger bloodlines — that temporary portal can turn into a permanent one, as long as another permanent portal isn't within an 8 km radius."
"Permanent portals are different. They can't awaken your bloodline, but after awakening, you can use them to enter the Nightmare Realm with your physical body."
There was a doubt in Drayen's mind, so he asked it out, "Sir, you said we all had nightmares the same day. How?"
"Resonance. You'll learn more about it in the classes," Dordo briefly explained.
"Can I submit it tomorrow?" Drayen enquired.
Dordo could understand Drayen's concern. He knew that the boy was terrified enough to lose his mind when he came back from the Nightmare Realm — that too waking up alone.
"Sure you can go to classes from today and check out." Dordo recommended.
Fedric and Drayen nodded at Mr. Dordo's recommendation and followed him to a class on the first floor. The first floor had a huge open space with stages, Various equipments and target dolls . Drayen thought- its more like a military training school as he sweeped at the equipments with his curious gaze. The class was on a First floor only which was extremely small room compared to the computer classroom.
There were three students sitting in the classroom. They were triplets — one male and two females — all wearing yellow T-shirts with blue training jackets loosely hanging open in the front, paired with dark flexible training pants.
"Meet Leo, Lia, and Lina. These are your new classmates. You can ask them anything if you have any doubts I couldn't clear. Your class teacher may be late — she was just assigned today and has to arrange for the bloodline checking. The department's been a mess these days, so she's still getting used to things," Dordo said as he left.
Drayen and Fedric sat behind the triplets. The triplets were very energetic as they greeted " Hey newbie's . The class was boring with only three of us. Glad to have more numbers." The Male one said.
"By the way, name is Leo, and these are my nemesis Lia and Lina," he pointed as he introduced. His sisters looked so much alike, and since they wore the same clothing, it was impossible to identify a thing.
Fedric answered, "My name is Fedric, and he is Drayen."
But Fedric's voice paled as Lina began grabbing Leo's hair. "Who are you calling nemesis?"
Lia and Lina both attacked him with a few punches, while Leo dodged some and threw a few back. Drayen and Fedric were taken aback seeing this chaotic triplet. Fedric continued to watch the show. Drayen, meanwhile, immersed himself in his own thoughts as he conversed with Wing.
"Wing, what's Resonance Mr.Dordo mentioned?"
[Resonance is when someone awakening their bloodline triggers other unawakened individuals nearby to experience the same phenomenon, as their bloodlines also start calling the Nightmare Realm. So you awakened first, and it caused your other two friends to awaken at the same time.]
it explained.
[Another thing — permanent portals also trigger Resonance, so that's the most probable reason for your awakening during the classroom.]
The classroom door opened with a soft click, and the chaotic triplet fight stopped instantly.
A woman stepped inside, her footsteps calm but carrying a strange pressure.
She wore a fitted red shirt under a long black coat, the sharp lines of the fabric giving her an air of confidence and authority. A pair of spectacles rested on her nose, and behind the glass, her pinkish-red eyes scanned the room with quiet intensity—bright, sharp, and impossible to ignore. Her long black hair flowed neatly over her shoulders, adding to her composed but striking appearance. She looked no more than four or five years older than Drayen.
Drayen felt his breath tighten for a moment.
This was the new teacher.
Her gaze moved across the triplets, then Fedric—before stopping on Drayen for a second longer than necessary.
The same boy, she realized.
The shadow that chased him… had been her.
Drayen's heart was racing; he blurted out involuntarily, "So pretty," as his cheeks turned red.
"Good," she said as she smiled. Drayen was fully focused on her. "My name is Kira Nightfall, your class teacher—or more like your trainer, if I have to say. Now, shall we begin your bloodline awakening?" She slammed the book on the table as she said that.
Kira adjusted her spectacles and looked at the students with a calm but sharp expression.
"Before we start, you need to know something important," she said. "Bloodlines decide everything in the Nightmare Realm — your strength, your talent, your survival rate."
She raised a finger.
"There are thirty-two types of bloodlines, each with its own specialty. There is Vampire, Werewolf, Lilim and others."
All of them listened attentively as she continued.
"And bloodlines are divided into five grades: King, Super, First, Second, and Third." She said.
Fedric raised his hands, " Maam if our bloodline is third grade is it enough."
She smiled coldly, " It's enough for you to enter the nightmare realm. But explore and be strong, you can forget it."
"Second grade is the minimum and higher it is better. King grade you can forget about that."
Fedric swallowed his saliva as he prayed not to have awakened third grade. Drayen who could access his status window checked again.
[ Status Window ]
| Host Name: Drayen
| Age: 18
| Gender: Male
| Bloodline: All 32 Types
He transmitted the command to open the bloodline section.
[ Bloodline: All 32 Types ]
| Original Bloodline: Moon Butterfly (First Grade)
| Other 31 Bloodlines: Vampire, Werewolf, ..... etc
(Each listed as Third Grade)
A huge sense of disappointment hit Drayen. He didn't know bloodline grades even existed. Wing had never mentioned it. Only now, when he transmitted the command, was it telling him.
"Damn you, Wing. Why didn't you mention this? Didn't you find it important? Fuck you."
[Do not curse Wing. It's the host's fault for not asking.]
She clasped her hands, interrupting the peaceful conversation between Wing and Drayen. "Now, let's begin the bloodline checking… along with a ton of shitty paperwork."
She started calling out names from starting from Triplets.
"Leo."
With messy hair and a few scratches on his face, Leo got up. His face was stiff, his playful and cheerful aura completely gone.
Each step he took felt heavy — almost dragging him forward.
All the students could feel his tension.
Drayen was inwardly happy; at least he didn't have to tense up anymore.
She took out an electronic device and began pressing various buttons, cursing under her breath. 'Cheap device… couldn't they just give us an expensive bloodline crystal? Huw—unbelievable.'
She took out a tube and said, "Hand." Leo forwarded his hand. With her sharp fingernail, she scratched it smoothly. Leo flinched backward.
The cut was neat, but when she squeezed his hand, he started grunting in pain. Once she collected enough blood, she wiped the injured area. Leo felt a warm sensation the moment her hand lifted. He looked down — there was no cut, not even a mark.
As she fitted the tube inside the device which was at the size of old telephone. There was a glow in the machine. As it showed his bloodline details on the screen.
" Oh, an elemental bloodline -- Ember Salamander and second grade. Good." She praised.
He breathed out in relief as he went back to his seat with a satisfied look.
Next was Lia and Lina as expected they had same blood line and same grades.
Next was Fedric. He was shivering as he took each step. He glanced at Drayen one final time as he reached her.
" Hand "
It was the same procedure.
"Beastkin Lion bloodline, and First grade. Not bad — the grade makes up for the bloodline's weakness," she evaluated.
Next was Drayen. He was calm as he forwarded his hand. She was surprised to see his calm face. He didn't even flinch as she scratched his hand. There was no fear, no reaction.
He was different from the last time she saw him.
What's this?
She was surprised.
His eyes… they were different. They were emanating a strong willpower.
She knew he was interesting the moment she saw him. She evaluated his results.
"Moon Butterfly… a strong bloodline. And the grade is First grade."
She said it with a small smile.
If only I had an advanced blood line checking crystal, she thought.