I Got a Fake Job at the Academy
Chapter 522

Zantman resealed the case with Rudger's name on it.

It was Zantman's role to personally deliver the items that Rudger Chelici would use.

Looking at the situation, it seemed Rudger had gone down to the middle layer.

Julia, the youngest who was also caught up in this incident, would probably be down there too.

'This is why taking care of young ones is such a hassle.'

While sighing inwardly, Zantman didn't stop giving instructions.

"Everyone prepare."

Unlike his usual strict voice, this one was rather solemn and filled with charisma.

Though his conduct was playful, he was the Dream Walker with the longest tenure in this Dream School after Clara Cowen.

Following Zantman's instructions, the Dream Walkers opened their cases and took out diving suits.

When one thinks of diving suits, they typically imagine heavy and bulky deep-sea diving suits, but the Dream School's items were different.

They were just gloves that went up to the forearms worn on both arms and gaiters worn on the legs.

The actual wearing parts were so simple it was almost embarrassing to call them diving suits.

-Click. Click.

The Dream Walkers each put on their gloves and gaiters.

Then they began adjusting by turning the watch dials attached to the backs of their gloved hands.

The sound of winding springs echoed along with a clicking noise.

The gauge needle attached to the side went to maximum.

"Siesta equipped."

"Gauge normal."

"Dial is functioning properly."

Dream Land exclusive consciousness distortion protection armor equipment commonly known as Siesta was the Dream School's magical tool that Dream Walkers must wear to descend to the middle layer.

Zantman gave commands.

"Those wearing Siesta come down with the Master and me, the rest focus on protecting the survivors."

"W-wait a moment! You're going like this?"

Hugo hurriedly grabbed Zantman who was about to leave.

"What are you doing? We're in a hurry, so step aside."

"What about the people here!"

"That's why we divided the personnel, isn't it?"

"B-but still..."

Hugo's desperate gaze wouldn't leave Clara Cowen.

He seemed to want the Master of a school to remain more than other inadequate Dream Walkers.

Zantman wasn't stupid enough to not realize this.

While briefly contemplating what to say to this greedy fellow, Clara spoke.

"Zantman. Focus."

Not her usual childlike chiding voice, but one giving a firm order.

At those words, Zantman raised his guard to maximum without asking why.

"Everyone focus!"

At Zantman's shout, the other Dream Walkers also readied their stance.

Only Hugo and the survivors didn't understand why the Dream Walkers were showing such reactions.

However, they too would soon know the reason.

-Rumble.

Dreamland shook again.

Though it was an earthquake that now felt tiresome, something was different from usual.

The magnitude wasn't large, and its cycle was quite short.

Usually, it would end with just a few small sinkholes forming but this time, a completely different result occurred.

-Whoosh.

The ground swelled up hugely as if bubbles were forming.

The bubble that was about to burst looked almost like an egg incubating something.

"What is that?"

Even the Dream Walkers were seeing this strange sight for the first time.

Soon the swollen ground burst like a balloon, and something that had been crouching inside stretched.

"A, a giant statue?"

A huge statue with a fierce appearance looked down at people with golden light flowing from its eyes.

-Rumble.

The giant statue that was over 30m tall clenched its fist and raised its hand, then came a powerful single punch.

The people watching this sight couldn't even think of avoiding it.

Even if they had recognized the danger beforehand, the result would have been the same.

The moment they saw the house-sized fist being thrust, they couldn't move as if their whole body was frozen.

"Something strange has appeared."

That's when Clara Cowen stepped forward.

She jumped from her position with light movements that didn't match her old and small frame.

When she thrust her staff, green currents burst from its tip and drew a double spiral.

The green currents rotating in both directions blocked the giant warrior's fist.

It was Dream Wave magic used by Clara Cowen, the Master of the Dream School.

[Not bad for a human...!!!]

An angry shout burst from the giant warrior's mouth.

It was amazing enough that the giant warrior appeared, but being able to speak human language was astounding.

Clara stared intently at the giant warrior through narrowed eyes.

"You can even speak. Seems you're not an ordinary Dreamland creature."

[Don't casually compare me to such lowly beings. I am a dream subordinate created by Lord Nirva! I am the dream messenger who will make you fall into eternal deep sleep!!!]

The giant warrior clenched its fist again and Clara prepared magic again while watching it.

"Zantman. Move."

Just before using Dream Wave magic, Clara gave instructions to Zantman.

Hearing those words, Zantman shouted.

"Everyone move! Those wearing Siesta go down immediately!"

"B-but the Master...!"

"You fools! We'll just be in the way! The rest take the survivors and get far away! You'll get swept up if you stay here!"

No sooner had those words ended than Clara Cowen and the giant warrior collided again.

The giant warrior, a dream subordinate created by Nirva, shouted at the fleeing people.

[You think you can escape from the dream!]

"What a noisy child. My ears aren't deaf, so won't you be a bit quieter."

Green currents burst from the tip of Clara's staff and hit the giant warrior's face.

Though it didn't even scratch the giant warrior's hard skin, it couldn't prevent that huge body from staggering.

[Ooow it hurts it hurts!!!]

The giant warrior, the apostle symbolizing the dream type Death Dream had no choice but to focus on Clara Cowen.

Meanwhile, the Dream Walkers wearing Siesta jumped down into the sinkhole.

Zantman, who remained until the end, looked back at Clara.

"Master! I won't let you off if you get hurt!"

After shouting that, Zantman followed his comrades and jumped into the sinkhole.

Hearing those words, Clara's face wrinkled as she let out a small laugh.

"Of course."

* * *

"Where is this now?"

Alex whistled while looking at the blue sky and the sky islands spread out below it.

"This is the middle layer of Dreamland. The upper part of it, but it would be good to stay alert as it gets dangerous from here."

At the words of Franz, the man wearing a black hood, Violetta asked a question.

"So, how far do we have to go?"

"There exists an end if you go down below these islands. We need to get there."

"From this height?"

"You can go down using the islands like stepping stones. Don't worry as there's no concept of falling to death. However, it seems we don't have time to take it easy."

Franz answered as roars were heard from far away.

It was the cry of the Island Swallower.

The thunderous noise accompanying it would be the sound of the Island Swallower destroying sky islands.

"If we keep going down like this, can we really meet Leader?"

"If that man kept going down, we can meet him."

"Hmm. Well, knowing Leader's personality, he definitely wouldn't stay still, so going is right."

Alex muttered that and then drew the sword at his waist.

Pantos reacted at the same time.

The two thrust their sword and fist respectively toward empty air, it was a swift strike that couldn't be reacted to even though visible to the eyes.

While Violetta, Bellaruna, and Arpa were surprised by this action.

[Kuhehe. I tried my best to hide, but to think I'd be discovered like this.]

A translucent membrane appeared in the empty air and blocked Alex and Pantos' attacks.

Alex retrieved his sword and twisted his lips at the recoil felt through the handle.

"Hey, Black Hood. Don't tell me the middle layer is crawling with guys like this?"

"...That can't be."

Franz was equally surprised by the sudden appearance of the uninvited guest.

The space seemed to distort briefly, and then a man wearing red armor revealed himself.

His body was very thin, but conversely, both arms were strangely long.

Sharp claws had grown long at the ends of both hands of the armor.

It looked like armor had been put on a beast rather than a human.

A voice flowed out from the black holes in the helmet covering his face.

[You're doing unnecessary things. If you had stayed still, I would have sent you off without pain.]

"Your hiding was too poor for that. It was really hard to ignore."

[Kihihi. How dare a human speak such words about me, a dream subordinate. But well, this too is a kind of entertainment.]

The armored man raised his crouched body and politely greeted.

[One of Lord Nirva's subordinates. I am Syndrome of Pressure Dream.]

Though the action was polite, his uniquely bizarre appearance and voice that scratched metal made people frown.

While everyone was frowning at this bizarre mismatch, Franz glared at Syndrome and asked.

"Nirva's subordinate?"

[Oh. You know Lord Nirva? Come to think of it, I sense the energy of this Dreamland somewhat strongly from you. Hey, have you perhaps been here before?]

Violetta asked Franz.

"You know him?"

"He's a subordinate of the one we're trying to face. They're dream riders consisting of 5 members."

Dream Apostle Nirva had subordinates that other apostles didn't have.

It was a kind of privilege given only to Nirvana.

Lucid Dream.

Death Dream.

Daydream.

Pressure Dream.

Prophetic Dream.

These five dreams were Nirva's force and sword, and endless terror exercising power over Dreamland.

"So basically it's like a demon's henchman?"

At Alex's words, intense killing intent burst from Syndrome.

[That mouth of yours speaks quite well. Shall we see if words still come out if I split it wide?]

"Oh, yeah? Then why don't you try splitting it nice and wide?"

Alex kept moving his mouth without stopping.

It was blatant provocation full of intention to shake the other side's mind.

Seeing this, Syndrome briefly withdrew his killing intent and laughed.

[Right. Take your leisure while you still can, like now. After all, once we subordinates move, all you humans are destined to fall into eternal dream.]

Though it couldn't be seen because he was wearing a helmet, everyone here could tell that Syndrome was grinning behind his helmet.

[The reason I came here is to eliminate the most dangerous elements among you humans. Similar things will be happening simultaneously in other places.]

* * *

Elisa Willow frowned at the little child who suddenly appeared before her eyes.

[It's too sad.]

He was a young boy who looked no more than 10 years old.

A boy wearing pure white clothing with closed eyes, endlessly shedding tears from those closed eyes.

[I can see. Your future. An end where you ultimately can't throw off the great fate despite struggling meaninglessly.]

One of the dream subordinates, Prophetic Dream spoke to Elisa and her subordinate teachers.

[So give up. Don't accept any more pain. This is mercy bestowed by me and Lord Nirva.]

"I really don't understand what you're saying but."

Elisa Willow raised her energy.

"Children who don't listen need to have their bottoms spanked."

* * *

[Nice to meet you.]

Rudger told Hans as he looked at the woman politely greeting him.

"You all step back."

"Brother..."

"Quickly."

After sending Hans, Sedina, and Seridan away, Rudger coldly glared at the enemy before him.

She was a woman with black hair so dark it seemed to absorb light, grown long to her waist.

Her dress-like clothes were also black, and what stood out most was the red eye patch covering one eye.

[One of Lord Nirva's subordinates. I am Lucid of Lucid Dream.]

Lucid spoke politely toward Rudger.

[Won't you give up this futile fight and surrender?]

"You suddenly come and the first thing you say is asking for surrender?"

[I say this because fighting each other would gain nothing. Other subordinates might enjoy that, but I don't want that. Personally, I think it would be good if we could resolve this without fighting.]

"Resolving without fighting. Not bad words."

[Yes. So...]

"Then tell Nirva this. Return all the people to the original world, and never show yourself again. Tell him to just sleep that eternal sleep he loves so much. Then I'll do as you say."

Those words were essentially a declaration of war.

At the same time, it was also a provocation made knowing the other side could never accept it.

Lucid let out a small sigh.

[Can't be helped. I didn't want this.]

"You didn't want this? What novel nonsense."

Rudger showed a sneer toward Lucid.

Though she said she wanted to avoid fighting, well.

"Rather, you seem happy with this answer."

Rudger could tell.

Though he hadn't seen all the other subordinates, this subordinate called Lucid was actually the one who preferred fighting the most.