The Dream Code: Yume no Kodo [Light Novel] Vol. 1 – Page 1

Page 1

^{Mitsuru Shinadin – (Age 15) – Year 2047 [The Dream Code]}

The air purifier whirred, a constant, low sound in Mitsu’s small room. It was 2047. The world had been nearly destroyed in 2044-2045 by two massive apocalyptic events that had reshaped humanity’s future. Yet, here, in this surviving city, life had found a fragile peace. The scars of destruction were still visible in the distance, stark silhouettes against the horizon, but within these walls, a semblance of normalcy had taken root. Mitsu, at fifteen, was growing up in this new reality.

He often had the same dream. He’d be in a forest, the trees tall and green. Girls, about his age, would be there, whispering his name. “Mitsu, come,” they’d say, “Save us.” In the distance, he could see a small village, like something from old stories. The people there looked poor, but they watched him with a glimmer of hope, as if he could somehow fix things for them too. Then, he’d look back at the girls. One of them would be holding a piece of paper. On it, written clearly, was the year: “2025.” Mitsu always woke up after that. The dream felt so real, and it came back night after night, always with the same message.

This morning, however, the dream felt more insistent, the whispers of the girls echoing even after his eyes snapped open. The date, “2025,” pulsed behind his eyelids. He couldn’t shake the feeling that these weren’t just random figments of his sleeping mind. They felt like a summons, a plea from a time he barely understood. Living in the City of the Good, nestled in the east, had been a blessing. After the chaos of 2044 and 2045, the survivors had coalesced here, building a sanctuary where fear and hardship were unknown. It was a testament to resilience, a carefully constructed haven where the past’s horrors were a distant, albeit haunting, memory.

He knew there was someone who might understand these persistent visions, someone who held the collective wisdom of their city. That person was the Grandmaster, a respected elder known for his profound insight and his role in guiding their community. His name, passed down through generations and adopted by their current leader, was Master Genryu.

With a newfound resolve, Mitsu dressed quickly in the simple, practical clothing. It is snowing outside today. He grabbed a small pouch of nutrient paste – their standard meal – and left his room. The city buzzed with a quiet energy. People moved with a calm purpose, tending to hydroponic gardens that lined the streets, maintaining the shimmering energy shields that protected them, or engaging in lessons in the communal halls. It was a stark contrast to the fragmented images of the past he saw in his dreams – the hopeful, yet desperate, eyes of the villagers, the ethereal figures of the girls in the forest.

He navigated the clean, efficient pathways, the architecture a blend of functionalism and subtle, enduring beauty. His heart thumped a little faster with each step towards the Grand Hall, a central structure that radiated an aura of quiet authority. He wasn’t sure what he would say, how he could possibly articulate the urgency of his dreams to someone so deeply rooted in their present reality. But the recurring date, “2025,” was a siren call he could no longer ignore. He had to try. He had to speak to Master Genryu.

He arrived at the Grand Hall, a place of serene stone and polished wood, and found an attendant who, with respectful deference, guided him to the chambers of the city’s leader. Master Genryu was an elderly man, his face a map of gentle wrinkles, his eyes holding a depth that spoke of immense experience and understanding. He sat at a low table, a cup of steaming tea before him.

“Mitsuru-kun,” Master Genryu greeted, his voice calm and steady, like a deep river. “You are not often one to seek me out. What brings you here today?”

Mitsu took a deep breath, the scent of the tea filling the air. “Master Genryu,” he began, his voice trembling slightly, “I… I’ve been having dreams. Very vivid dreams. And they’ve been happening more and more often. In these dreams, I see girls, they call my name, they ask me to save them. And I see a year… written on a piece of paper. It says ‘2025’.”