Witnessing Andrew with an annoyed expression sitting on a chair across the bed did no good to Ray's mental condition he already had enough mental conflict going on that he hadn't even considered about the essence flow he saw earlier so how was he supposed to deal with a angry ascended now.
'Did he break my bed because he got angry assuming that I ran away' Ray thought to himself
Resting his head on his fist Andrew asked nonchalantly
" so who's the girl"
Widening his eyes ray gasped and a single thought came to him ' no he wouldn't have '
Seeing his exaggerated expression Andrew chuckled and said
" so my guess was right"
Hearing this a wave of relief washed through Rays heart
' Atleast I wasn't followed 'thinking this he got up without uttering a word and started examining his bed
Stroking his brown beard seemingly amused by the boy sitting down infront of him checking the damaged bed, Andrew asked again
"So what's her name or it's a guy although you don't like that sorts but who can tell,
to each man his own I guess "
Without looking back Ray retorted in a frim tone
" Its a girl "
"Her name?" asked Andrew seemingly intersted
"It's none of your business " said Ray in an angry tone looking back at Andrew but he was met with a glaring glaze which left him frozen for a moment , Andrew with his long hair and trimmed beard seemed majestic before but now he seemed like a lion contemplating whether to end Ray's life or not.
Before Ray could utter a word Andrew said
"My bad kid , I was trying to be the cool uncle but I guess I'm not the one for the task"
Seeing a bit of grief and sorrow in Andrew's eyes Ray said
" Leave that, Uncle Andrew tell me why did you break my bed..?"
Hearing this Andrew eyes widened slightly for a bit and coming back to normal in a second
"It wasn't me , I had assumed you broke it yourself in anger" said Andrew while keeping one leg over the other
Getting up Ray who was a bit astonished started to say "but how would I " and stopped mid sentence as he realised the bed was broken from the place he had hit with his legs while being embarrassed after coming back from nightmare and where he had hit while enraged because he was disturbed when sleeping.
Interrupting his inner monologue Andrew said
" Well you tore off the bed sheet while climbing and still managed to climb in while you held onto the window frame only by your fingers not even with your whole hand , all of that with your broken bed leads me to one thing strengthening aspect "
After hearing this Ray looked back to see the knot still entact on the window frame and realised how he was able to reach the bazaar quickly
While getting up and leaving Andrew said
" let's leave this conversation for later now get your stuff ready to move out"
Even though Ray had enough belongings that he didn't want to part ways with he only took what was necessary like his clothes and ofcourse his communicator
Coming down to his living room with a bag full of clothes and necessary toiletries Ray saw his parents whose eyes had gone red from crying but now has put a brave front infront of him.
Seeing their moist eyes Ray hugged them and said
"Don't worry I'll come back alive"
His parents opened their mouth to say something but were unable to utter a single word so instead they just hugged him more tightly until Andrew had to interrupt and take Ray with him.
While sitting in a black PTV which reeked of alcohol Ray waited for Andrew and wondered
'what the hell does he do in this vehicle which the government gave him'
From the window Ray saw Andrew one last time ensuring his parents about Ray's safety.
Coming back in the PTV wearing black glasses Andrew started the engine and told Ray
"As per protocol, I am obligated to inform you of a few things. It is mostly a procedure First of all, concerning your Nightmare…"
Without sparing Ray a glance Andrew started to drive and continued saying
"You are entitled to receive free psychological counseling. No matter what traumatic experience you have encountered, there is no problem in asking for help. Your mind is as important as your body — it's only right to heal it . Do you wanna talk?"
After considering for a while and deciding to not share his things about his 1st trial Ray politely declined
Without any reaction to Ray's rejection Andrew asked
" Any questions.?"
"Why are you wearing glasses while driving"
asked Ray
Realising what kind of question it was Andrew spared him a glance and push a button beside the driving wheel and took off his glasses and said
"Well now that formalities are done we can have a real conversation"
'Did he just put on those glasses to look professional well he did look professional
Professional mafia that is' Ray laughed inwardly
"So kid here's the thing I've done your paperwork and let me tell you one thing whatever your aspect rank be tell it to be transcendent" said Andrew
Before Ray could ask why Andrew continued
" You will be important enough to be included in the team and useless enough to not be primary target of someone's hate "
Looking at Ray's face to see his dumbfounded expression he continued
"Let's assume someone wants to kill you if they know that your are transcendent than they'll prepare accordingly hence underestiming your actual aspect rank which is a level higher i suppose am I right"
Answering his question with another question Ray said
" Why would someone else would want to kill me in dream realm aren't all awakened allies in some sense after all we have a common enemy nightmare creatures isn't that right "
With a grim expression Andrew replied
" If it was that simple it would be a fairy tale but it isn't, sometimes humans are more dangerous than nightmare creatures in the dream realm"
Hearing this sent Ray into a deep thought and what he would have to do someday
Seeing this Andrew patted Ray's head and said
" Don't worry it's doesn't happen that often I just told you this to make you ready mentally"
Responding to this Ray asked in a grim tone " Any advice for me uncle "
"Well let me think you have a powerful aspect , good looks a bit of presence of mind what you lack yeah what about memories did you get any by killing the nightmare creatures " asked Andrew while focused on his driving
"Well you see I completed my Nightmare without killing anyone so I did not recieve any memories" said Ray hesitantly
Hearing this Andrew suddenly stopped the PTV , astonished by what he just heard he looked at Ray revaluating him untill Andrew was interrupted by honking of a PTV behind them Andrew continued driving and said
" Don't worry you'll be able to exchange memories for credit and at with your current strength you can tear monsters of your level by hand I also heard from your father you practiced boxing and meditation from a young age is that right.?"
"Yes I used to " Ray replied
"I don't know why you started and why you stopped but continue them again they'll help you a lot" said Andrew seriously
"Anything else" asked Ray
"Let me see Rick surely must have taught you camping skills heck sometimes he even made me look like a rookie but still don't think you know it all , geography of dream realm is vast so I'd say study that if you know where you are ,what kind of creature are present there , where is the nearest citadel your chances of survival will skyrocket and for fighting now focus on the two areas in which you are most proficient at they teach you fighting in school right" said Andrew while driving
While Ray was in deep thought regarding his statement Andrew nonchalantly asked
"Oh yeah I forgot to ask what's your flaw I can advise you for overcoming it"
Hearing this Ray was about to say something but at last moment stopped and said
" Thank you uncle but I believe I'll have to deal with it myself"
"That's good don't go telling everyone about your flaw, even if the government tempts you don't tell them it'll be fatal for you in long run" said Andrew while laughing
After a while they could see the academy in the horizon breaking the silence Andrew said in a friendly tone
" listen kid you've got looks make sure to use it make good impression and friends so you'll survive in dream realm because no one can survive the dream realm alone"
Stopping the PTV infront the academy gate Andrew continued
" and yeah step up your poker face i can literally tell how you feel in a glance , it's not bad to express oneself but you have to be smart about it, what now why do you have a smug face right now"
Getting down from PTV Ray said
" Nothing uncle I just remembered something "
Watching the young man go Andrew said
"As a parting gift I'll let you use my name whenever you'll be in trouble just tell them you know me or you're part of the lion's pride"
Hearing this weirded out Ray but he thanked Andrew nonetheless and made his way to the academy which would be his new home for next 4 months