Mr. Arakin: Let's begin today's lesson, shall we?

Mr. Arakin: I’ll explain everything you need to know before the first trial.

Mr. Arakin starts drawing a tree with seven layers on the board and a circle right at the bottom.

Anima: What's that thing at the bottom?

Eros: A shape.

Vera: More specifically, it's the shape of your soul.

Anima: The shape of my soul…?

Mr. Arakin: That’s right. This is the shape of your soul, and the thing inside is the power that's dormant within you.

Anima: The power inside me… so to awaken this, I must pass the trial, right?

Mr. Arakin: That’s right. This is what we call the Non-Walker, or the "human stage." Simply put, once you pass the trial, you won't be considered human anymore. Since you're taking the mythological pathway, you'll slowly become less human as you progress.

Eros: That's right. Vera and I may look human, but the system itself no longer considers us as such.

Anima: I see. So you guys aren’t considered human—more like beasts, right? So how do you progress, and how do you achieve other levels?

Mr. Arakin: That's what I'm getting to now. But before that, you have to choose what we call a Dreamer type—what type of path you want. To be more clear, what mythological beast you want to become.

Anima: What kind of beast...?

Eros: That's right. I'm a griffin.

Vera: I’m a dragon.

Mr. Arakin: That’s right. After you finish your first trial, one of seven mythological creature pathways will be chosen for you: Phoenix, Dragon, Griffin, Cerberus, Minotaur, Kraken, or Basilisk. At that point, you’ll also get Level 7 vision.

Anima: I see. So, one of seven… is there a power difference between them? And what is a vision?

Mr. Arakin: Well, to start, no pathway is weak. It all depends on how effectively you play to the pathway’s strengths. For example, a griffin is more of a raw power pathway, while a basilisk is more stealthy—but could still defeat a griffin if it’s more effective.

Anima: I see.

Mr. Arakin: Let me explain vision. Vision is the power manifested from your soul. It embodies your deepest desires and resides in your dream world—a place inside your soul. Your vision slowly levels up as you progress through the tree.

Level 7: Beast - You gain your vision, though at an early stage without abilities. You’ll be able to see other Dream Walkers, interact with your personal dream, gain superhuman strength and speed, and sense malice. You’ll also gain one ability from your pathway once the trial ends, and your eyes will glow when your vision is active.

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Level 6: Monster - At the Monster level, you gain your vision's power, which will build over levels. You’ll gain a more monstrous appearance from your chosen pathway, travel at lightning speed, and have the strength to devastate continents. You’ll naturally understand any ability you observe, but retaining your humanity becomes a struggle.

Level 5: Guardian - Your vision powers evolve into a full weapon, and you begin to take on features of your mythological form. You’ll be able to freely enter and exit your dream world, move faster than light, and shatter entire galaxies if you choose. You can also interact with and enter others' dreams and find artifacts. Struggling with humanity will continue.

Level 4 will be your start to mythology. Remember, each of these levels requires entering a dream for each stage. Once you collect ten dream fragments, you’re eligible to start these trials.

Anima: What about the other levels? You said there were seven, right?

Vera: Mr. Arakin said we aren’t strong enough to understand the “knowledge.”

Eros: It’s forbidden knowledge.

Anima: Forbidden knowledge?

Mr. Arakin: That’s right—your minds aren’t powerful enough to comprehend it.

Anima: Could you elaborate?

Mr. Arakin: Of course. Think of it this way: there are certain gods whose full names you can never know, or the knowledge would destroy your mind. Until you reach mythology, you cannot even perceive this information.

Anima: I see. So, Mr. Arakin, if I may ask, what level are you?

Mr. Arakin: All Dream Walker teachers, including me, are Level 1. I’m Level 1 of the Phoenix pathway.

Vera, Eros, and Anima all look surprised.

Anima: Wow, so you're really, really strong, huh?

Mr. Arakin: You could say that. But trust me, there are far scarier beings outside the cosmos. You’re in good hands, though.

Mr. Arakin laughs.

Mr. Arakin: Shall we begin the trial?

Suddenly, a portal opens beside the classroom wall.

Mr. Arakin: The terms of the trial are simple. You’ll enter this dream world—a reflection of your soul—and face trials with your deepest thoughts. Each trial grows harder, straining your mind, with a slight chance of it shattering, though that’s never happened in the thousand years of this process. If you need help, I’ll pull you out. If you can’t speak, I’ll monitor your heart rate and pull you out if necessary.

Eros: Hey, scaredy-cat, you ready?

Anima: Yeah, you jerk, I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.

Mr. Arakin: Do you agree to all the trial’s terms?

Anima: Yes, I’m ready.

Eros: Don’t be the first to shatter your mind! Even Vera got through just fine.

Vera: Hey!

Mr. Arakin: Take this magical mirror. Use it to call me if you want to leave the trial. It’s a safety measure.

Anima: Thank you.

Mr. Arakin: Remember, this is a projection of your soul, so any faces your soul doesn’t recognize will be blacked out.

Anima: Got it.

Mr. Arakin: The second you enter that portal, your first trial will begin. Stay safe, my dear student.

Eros: Anima, stay safe—I need you to carry me in Valorant! No, but seriously, stay safe.

As Anima is about to enter the portal, Vera rushes over and holds both of Anima’s hands.

Vera: May the one who shines light and grants miracles be with you.

Vera kisses Anima on the cheek, giving a sense of calm and almost magical warmth.

Vera: Stay safe and come back to us, please.

Anima: I will, I promise.

Not knowing what dangers lay beyond the portal, Anima steps through to begin his first trial. Looking around, he recognizes his old house. He enters, unsure of its meaning. He searches the kitchen—nothing. Living room—nothing. Finally, he heads upstairs to his old room—nothing. Lastly, he enters his dad's room. He sees a younger version of his father and, beside him, a baby—his younger self playing with a toy. Then he looks to his right and sees a woman with pink hair, her face blacked out. He doesn’t know this woman, but he can tell who it is.

Anima: Mother…?!

The first trial had begun.

Chapter 3 End