The supervisor let his words settle, his gaze scanning the students. Their expressions ranged from fascination to unease.
Good. They were paying attention.
Nodding to himself, he continued.
"Many of you have asked the same question over and over again—how do we materialize in the Ashlands? How does the Veil take us? What happens to our bodies?"
He folded his arms, his tone calm yet heavy with meaning.
"These questions are not just academic. Understanding this process is crucial if you want to survive."
The classroom remained silent, waiting.
"First, let's start with what we know. When the Veil marks a contestant, it doesn't pull them into the Ashlands immediately."
He raised a hand, fingers spread.
"**It takes time. Sometimes two days. Sometimes three. In rare cases, an entire week. But one thing is certain—when the moment arrives, there is no escape."
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
"Your soul will be taken."
A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Hope, however, remained still.
This part, he had already begun to suspect. But he listened carefully anyway.
The supervisor continued.
"Now, this is where things get... interesting."
His lips curled into something close to a smirk, though it held no humor.
"Many of you assume that your physical body is being transported into the Ashlands. That your flesh and blood steps into that cursed realm."
He let the silence stretch before shaking his head.
"Wrong."
Some students looked confused. Others shocked.
The supervisor's gaze darkened.
"The Veil does not take your body."
He tapped a finger against his temple.
"It takes your soul."
The weight of his words settled over the room like a thick fog.
"Your physical body remains in the Waking World, untouched. But the moment the Veil claims you, it constructs an identical body for you in the Ashlands."
He let them process that before moving on.
"Why?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"The theory is simple."
He took a step forward, voice lowering as if sharing a dark secret.
"The human body… is filthy."
A ripple of unease passed through the room.
"Impure. Imperfect. Weak. The Veil does not allow such flawed vessels to step into its domain."
His gaze swept over them.
"So instead, it creates a body—one that mirrors your own, but made entirely from your essence. A vessel forged in the rules of the Ashlands, one that can interact with its environment, fight, bleed… and die."
Hope's mind sharpened.
An identical body, formed by the Veil itself...
That explained a lot.
"And make no mistake."
The supervisor's voice turned cold.
"If that body is destroyed in the Ashlands, your soul will shatter with it. You will die, in every sense of the word."
Another chill ran through the room.
This was not some game.
There was no waking up from death.
The Difference Between Memories and Artifacts – What Can Be Taken Into the Ashlands
The supervisor let them sit with that reality for a moment before shifting topics.
"Now, that brings us to another important subject—what you can take with you into the Ashlands."
He raised a single finger.
"Memories."
A few students nodded in recognition.
"As you already know, Memories are weapons, armor, charms, and attire manifested through your connection to the Veil."
He glanced at the students.
"And why can they be carried into the Ashlands?"
One student hesitated before answering, "Because… they are anchored in the soul?"
The supervisor nodded.
"Exactly."
His voice grew firm.
"Memories are bound to your soul. They do not exist in the material world. They are part of you, which is why they follow you into the Ashlands."
He let the words sink in before raising a second finger.
"Artifacts, however…"
His gaze darkened.
"They are a different matter entirely."
Hope listened closely.
"Artifacts are physical objects. They exist in the real world, crafted through science, technology, or Veil-infused methods. They are not bound to your soul."
He let his hand drop.
"Which means… they cannot be taken into the Ashlands."
A few students murmured amongst themselves.
"You may carry an artifact on your person in the Waking World. But the moment the Veil claims you, that object stays behind."
He crossed his arms.
"There are exceptions, of course. Some artifacts are designed specifically to be soul-bound. But those are rare. And expensive."
His expression grew serious.
"The lesson here is simple. If you want to survive in the Ashlands, do not rely on artifacts. Rely on Memories."
Hope silently agreed.
A weapon that couldn't be taken into the Ashlands was useless when it mattered most.
Letting the Words Sink In
The supervisor let out a slow breath, scanning the room again.
The students were silent, absorbing everything.
Good.
This was knowledge they would need if they ever hoped to survive.
And yet… this was only the beginning.
After a moment, he nodded.
Then, with a voice like a blade, he said—
"Now. Let's continue."