Том 9 Глава 1934

Turrets mounted on the massive wall were still being calibrated by an army of technicians, but the Academy had already opened its doors to the first group of young Dreamers. There were quite a few of them – nearly five hundred, and each was a shining embodiment of a new era.Some of them came from the United Systems of Free Colonies, others from the cities of the Northern Quadrant. Many were transported across oceans on heavily armored sea convoys from various corners of the world: Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and even America. This was clear proof of how seriously the government took the creation of the Academy.Among the honored guests was Orum. He stood aside, silently observing the ceremony. Fortunately, Jest did not appear, but there were many familiar faces among the attendees.The Guardian of Valor gave a speech, and, as Jest had warned, it was quite boring. Orum, abstracting from the man's stern voice, shifted his attention to the young Dreamers.They had already proven their strength by surviving the First Nightmare. This year, the number of survivors was greater than ever before. This was likely because these children were born after the Spell had descended and grew up in its merciless grip. They were completely different, with a different spirit.Frankly, Orum sometimes even feared the new generation.Now, a new trial awaited them. There was not much time left until the winter solstice, and soon they would be sent to the Dream Realm. How many of them would survive? He hoped all of them, but he knew it was impossible.At least, the impressive list of Academy instructors should prepare them for this journey. Although these instructors were not top-level Awakened, they were trustworthy.Orum also noticed several Sleepers.A tall young man with a cold expression, Anvil, the son of the Guardian of Valor, stood out with his impeccable self-control and composure. His dark hair was neatly trimmed, and his gaze was sharp, as if he was born to bear the burden of the Nightmare Spell. However, he was not the center of attention, but a beautiful girl standing next to him. A slight smile played on her lips, like a ray of sunshine in the gloomy underground hall. This was Heaven's Smile, the daughter of the Immortal Flame, already a pioneer like her father. She was the first to receive a True Name in the First Nightmare, and her future shone like a star.Orum vaguely remembered seeing these two a few years ago when they were still children. Now they were sixteen and had already experienced the cruelty of the Nightmare Spell.But something else caught his attention.A young man he had never met before drew his attention. He did not look like the offspring of a noble family. His clothes were cheap and almost in rags. His black hair and piercing gray eyes seemed to glow with a strange fire. His gaze held the sharpness of someone who had experienced much, but at the same time, there was a softness that seemed both pleasant and out of place.Orum felt that this young man was special, but he could not understand why.“Ah, so that’s how it is,” he finally realized. Everyone else was trying to hide their gaze, but this young man was openly looking at Heaven's Smile.“What a brave guy,” Orum thought, shaking his head. He turned away and scanned the sea of young faces.And then he froze.In the crowd, far from the center of attention, he noticed a familiar face. He knew it much better than Valor's son or Immortal Flame's daughter.“Little Qi…” he whispered, and a sharp pain pierced his heart.She was a couple of years older than the others, on the verge of an age when the risk of contracting the Nightmare Spell became minimal. It could be said that she was almost safe.The childish awkwardness had disappeared, replaced by a calm confidence. However, a shadow of gloom still lurked in her eyes.Orum gritted his teeth and looked away.“…Of course,” he thought.Her mother was an outstanding Awakened. If even his nephews and nieces were in danger, then Little Qi was in even greater danger.He sighed heavily.“It’s okay,” he repeated to himself.She was the daughter of Ravenheart, and as they say, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Her mother had probably prepared her well for the future.Little Qi had already survived her First Nightmare, proving she was strong enough to withstand the cruelty of the Spell. Her future, like that of all Awakened, would involve bloodshed and danger… but Orum was already living such a life, and he was fine.Surely, she would be fine too.Her mother ruled the Citadel in the Dream Realm. Although the Song family was not widely known, it still belonged to the noble families of the new era. Little Qi had many advantages that would help her survive in both the waking world and the Dream Realm.He, however, had his own concerns. There were too many of them to waste time on the child of an old acquaintance…

Церемония подошла к концу, и спящих проводили в их покои, тогда как дорогих гостей — в банкетный зал. Орум снова оказался в центре внимания, но решил держаться в стороне, угрюмо стоя в углу.

Наконец, он пробрался в центр зала, где собралась небольшая толпа вокруг величественной фигуры.

— …Поздравляю, сэр!

— Ваш сын, несомненно, унаследовал доблесть отца.

— Как продвигаются дела в борьбе с Тёмным Лесом? Давно не навещал Бастион…

Орум терпеливо протиснулся сквозь толпу льстецов и слегка поклонился.

— Вознесённый Страж Доблести.

Мужчина, Страж Доблести, на мгновение замер, а затем его лицо осветила лёгкая улыбка.

— Пробуждённый Орум, рад снова тебя видеть. Как поживает твоя Цитадель? Если тот Падший Демон всё ещё доставляет неприятности на твоей земле, я могу отправить своих рыцарей на помощь.

Вежливо улыбаясь, Орум ответил:

— Благодарю вас, но я уже справился с этой проблемой. Скорее, я хотел поговорить с вами о другом…

Улыбка Стража Доблести стала теплее, и он похлопал Орума по плечу.

— Ты одолел Падшего Демона, Орум? Как и ожидалось… восхитительно! К этому должен стремиться каждый Пробуждённый.

Он бросил насмешливый взгляд на окружающих, а затем снова обратился к Оруму:

— О чём ты хотел поговорить?

Орум на мгновение замешкался, а затем произнёс нейтральным тоном:

— Ваша речь меня очень тронула. Всё, что вы сказали, — правда. Эти дети — наше будущее. Поэтому я хотел бы узнать, не осталось ли в Академии свободных вакансий инструктора. Я понимаю, что сейчас я очень занят делами своей территории и Цитадели, но думаю, что смогу остаться в Академии на несколько месяцев. Обучение под руководством такого опытного ветерана, как я, должно принести пользу детям, вы не находите?