Shadow slave: A Shadows Friend

Nephis...

I really like that name, it suits her.

Anyway the girl had a true name, that she received in her first nightmare

For rin to receive her own she needed to kill giant spiders and murderous brother

Shout out to shadow god he a real one

Anyway...

What kinda stuff did she do to receive hers

I suspect Sunless also has a true name but im not gonna pressure him on that

The cafeteria's occupants fell silent in awe as they witnessed this remarkable accomplishment on the screen, their gazes filled with astonishment, trepidation, and admiration, while they huddled together, caught up in their animated murmurs.

'I wonder what kind of reaction i would get if I spoke about my true name'

She grounded herself, shook her head and dismissed the thought staying quiet

Both sunless and rin noticed casters gaze it was stuck on the screen but the very strange thing about it was the it wasn't on the bit containing true name it was the name itself that made casters face cold

Like the name itself held more to caster than the true name

'somethings wrong, casters being weird'

Nephis, a girl that came to the Academy in a police-issued tracksuit was known by a legacy...nephis whats with this girl also, where the hell is she

Rin didn't want to use her eyes so she looked around normally rin finally noticed the silver haired girl, who was sitting quietly in a corner with a cup of coffee in her hands.

She appeared somewhat detached from the commotion, seemingly lost in contemplation, her solemn gray eyes gazing into the distance.

"A Sleeper with a True Name? That's impossible!"

"It's technically possible. Smile of Heaven received her True Name in the First Nightmare, I think. But yeah, I'm doubtful…"

"Maybe she lied in the interview?"

"Are you stupid? If it was that easy to deceive the administrators, the crazy pervert from yesterday would have been in the first place instead!"

Rin looked over at sunless a very subtle grin on her face and mouthed out to him

"Pervert"

"Red shut up"

Sunny's face twitched as he stared at rin and at the people talking about him

"Well, why don't we just ask her?"

All at once, the cafeteria fell into a profound hush. In response to the proposal, the Sleepers ceased their conversations and pivoted, fixating their gaze on Nephis. Yet, none among them mustered the bravery to be the first to approach her.

She lifted her gaze, finally sensing something, and regarded them with a surprised expression.

"Mmm. What?"

Even the blind girl, Cassia, turned in the direction of her voice.

After a couple of moments, Caster suddenly walked over and made a small bow.

"Lady Nephis. I am Caster from the Han Li clan. I see that your trial went well?"

Either this guy wants to get into her pants

'i wont hesitate to kill you to take that chance'

Or something else is at play here. Why is he introducing himself like this? Do they know each other?

Nephis appeared slightly puzzled by the question, but after contemplating for a moment, she broke into a cheerful smile and nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.

"It is what it is."

What a response. I have no words

Caster awkwardly returned the smile. Rin smiled to herself

'what a idiot'

"I see. I am very glad that you returned unharmed. Uh… not that I doubted your abilities."

Nephis nodded.

"Thank you."

Following that, she went back to her coffee, either signaling the end of the conversation or seemingly unaware of the attention from others.

Rin let out a sigh and whispered to sunless

"That was funny"

"Agreed"

Many thoughts occupied her mind, yet none could divert her attention from the paramount matter at hand: breakfast. Within moments, both sunless and rin had blissfully set aside any awkwardness that lingered between Caster and Nephis, wholly engrossed in devouring their meal.

"So what part of the slums are you from"

"Me..im from the house with the hole in it up in the very edges of the slums"

"Wait youre from that house that got hit with a.hmmm let me think..what was it again?"

"It was a...a..meteorite...Yeah definitely."

"Ahh i see. I'm from the crowded area close to the wall"

"Hey are you going to the wilderness survival lessons"

Rin sighed and looked over at him

"Yeah might as well theres nothing else to do"

***

The Wilderness Survival classroom, although roomy and adorned with tasteful decor, stood void of occupants. Both rin and sunless even thought they were mistaken

They changed their stances when they saw a

The somber teacher was seated behind a broad wooden desk, but upon seeing both of them, the instructor suddenly became more alert.

"Come in, young sleepers!"

He was an energetic elderly gentleman, sporting disheveled silver locks, dreamy gaze, and a set of unruly eyebrows that appeared to have a mind of their own.

"I'm Awakened Julius. You two can call me Teacher Julius. Sit down, sit down! What are your names?

Sunless obediently sat down and rin followed suit

"It's Sunless."

"Red"

Julius arched his brow in surprise.

"Ah! What ominous names. But that is good, very good. After all, we have to deal with a lot of ominous things!"

Sunless spoke for both of them to understand the emptyness

"Uh… I'm sorry, Teacher. Did I come too early?"

"No, no… you're right on time."

"Are other students late?"

The teacher expressed strong disapproval with a disapproving grunt.

"No one else is coming. Those brutes are only interested in swinging their fists and swords around. Very few are smart like you two and know the true value of knowledge…"

Oh, it seems this wasn't a well-received choice. Rin and Sunless exchanged silent sighsa, secretly concerned about swapping combat training for this course and the potential for future regrets.

"Say, young  sleepers… why did you two choose Wilderness Survival, of all things?"

Should i speak or should i let sunless spea- "The Awakened that monitored us during the First Nightmare, Master Jet, had advised us to study it above all things."

Nevermind its almost like he cant keep his mouth shut

"A very wise advice! That Master truly knows what's important… wait. Did you say Jet?"

His eyes widened.

"Soul Reaper Jet? That murderous savage?! Hm. Who would have thought that a barbarian like her would know the value of intricate knowledge."

He knows something about her also. soul reaper is a really cool nickname

Rin finally spoke

"Excuse me, teacher, are you acquainted with Master Jet?"

Julius cautiously glanced over his shoulder before responding:

"Who doesn't know the Soul Reaper? She might not be the most powerful Awakened out there, but she is certainly one of the most feared. That's because her Aspect Abilities disregard flesh and target soul cores directly. Which means that no amount of armor, damage resistance and physical protection can stop them."

He leaned forward.

"The only good thing is that she's young and not likely to become a Saint anytime soon, or even ever. Yes, luckily, there's a very low probability that she'll ever advance."

Sunless blinked and was about to speak but Rin took his chance

"Why?"

Julius gazed at her, seemingly puzzled by her profound ignorance.

"Because of her problematic personality, of course! Who would want to help a psychopathic killer become a Saint? You need a team of outstanding companions and a lot of support to attempt conquering the Third Nightmare. Soul Reaper Jet isn't… wait!"

Suddenly, Julius frowned and leaned back.

"Why am I gossiping with you two? You're too young to know such things! More than that, it's not in my character to badmouth others behind their backs!"

What an absolute lie

Both of them had already extracted a wealth of valuable information from Teacher Julius.

'Opting for Wilderness Survival might have been the correct decision after all.'

Sunless sighed.

"None. For the next four weeks, I'll be fully concentrated on Wilderness Survival."

Rin looked over

"I'm probably gonna do the same thing"

Julius gazed at the pair for a full minute, his face displaying sheer amazement. Gradually, a spark of excitement lit up his eyes, culminating in a wide grin.

"Wonderful! This is wonderful! You two are such astute sleepers! Don't you worry. In four whole weeks, I will make you two immortal…

***

The lessons under Teacher Julius began on a tranquil note, free from tension. However, within an hour, her mind seemed on the brink of chaos. The abundance of unfamiliar, counterintuitive information overwhelmed her, especially since she had never ventured beyond the city's protective walls before.

The school she use to attended helped her a bit to understand the masses of information

Sunless was having a harder time i think he left school early on...i dont blame him the schools in the slums are...shit

Occasionally, Julius found himself astonished by Sunless's absence of expertise and experience. Nevertheless, Julius admired his positive attitude and unwavering passion for teaching. Whenever Sunless struggled, he patiently adjusted his pace, giving his student the opportunity to keep up.

Julius meticulously designed a densely packed curriculum, brimming with a vast array of theoretical concepts to grasp, practical exercises spanning virtual reality and the physical world, an array of diverse subjects, and even dedicated sessions focused solely on unraveling the fundamentals of various extinct languages from the Dream Realm.

Sunless tried to go the easier way and use the spell as a auto translator but Julius was uncompromising.

"The Spell is not a translator! Do you think it has the time to express the intricacies of human speech? Let's say you're seeking shelter in a ruin and find an inscription that reads "certain death ahead". There are thirty words for death in the rune language! Just by knowing the runes, you'll be able to deduce what kind of danger there is!"

On the first day sunless and julius studied until the sun set. Rin was already set free because she learnt it faster. He missed lunch and dinner

Rin reclined on her bed, indulging in a moment of relaxation. As she rested, she suddenly sensed an object in her pocket and withdrew her bracelet, gazing at it with a touch of melancholy.

Before she could reflect any longer a message from the spell shifted her Focus

[A shadow user is currently using his shadow. Send a request to spectate.....

Yes/No]

"Yes"

***

The request was accepted and she was once again sensing his body and his spirit she felt almost like a sixth sense that sunless was moving his shadow.

She concentrated and tried to speak with him she felt like it was almost natural

*sunless, hello you there*

*Red how!?!*

*i felt a natural pull Between the two of us... And only the two of us, also the spell told me to do it. Call me Rin*

*Sunny*

*What?*

*Call me sunny idiot*

*Oi you cheeky shit... fine....Hi Sunny*

*Hi Rin*

After a while rin wanted to ask something

*Hey sunny try using your shadow to see yourself*

Sunny carefully gave it a new command. Without pause, the shadow separated itself from the soles of his shoes, walked to the other end of the room and turned around, staring at him in slightly mocking silence.

*Wow you are ugly im glad you get to see it too now*

*Rin...shut up*

Sunny was left without a shadow.

Science was never truly relevant when it came to anything related to the Spell, after all.

*Hey is your perception split like mine? i can see myself laying down on the bed but i can see your shadows vision in my head*

*Wait let me check*

"Whoa!"

The shadow and rin were sent watching from another side while sunny opened his from the other end of the room.

"Yeah i can see both ways simultaneously*

It was very simple to describe. It was like two pictures in her mind one was rin on her bed the other was sunnys shadow looking at himself

*That's me.*

*No shit*

*Rin i will kick you off*

*Alright fine*

the pale young man raised and waved his hand

*I can perceive the world through my shadow?*

*Thats really helpful*

*How far do you think this communication works..wait do you think this can work from inside the nightmare*

*I dont know..but you'd make a really good spy these shadows are extremely sneaky*

*Shall we test it?*

*If you get caught its not on me*

She felt the shadow bend down and nimbly slide under the door.

Instantly, both Rin and sunny could see both the room and the hallway outside. Rin closed her eyes to focus on the picture projected from the shadow.

Silently navigating from shadow to shadow, it smoothly traversed the corridor, its movements timed and deliberate, rendering the scout nearly imperceptible. As Sunny ventured past a pair of sleepers, they eavesdropped on their exchange, but finding it rather unremarkable, sunny pressed on.

Finally, the shadow stopped at a corner. To its left were the elevators, to its right — the way to the girls' dormitory

'this guy...'

*Don't you fucking dare*

*So… I probably shouldn't. Right?*

*Do you want to die?*

*Of course you're right! Didn't even think about it!*

Rin chucked in her room. Then sunny directed his scout to hide in the shadow of a passing Sleeper and followed him to the elevators.

*This is quite fun*

*I know right*

***

After a while, Sunny's shadow found refuge in a secluded corner within the spacious dojo. There, he quietly watched his fellow Sleepers as they followed Instructor Rock's lead, participating in the initial combat class.

Today's primary focus was assessing their overall skills and capabilities. Following this, the Sleepers would be categorized into different groups according to their proficiency levels, which could range from novice to expert, and also based on their preferred weapons. Some individuals might receive personal tutoring, while others would be paired up.

Currently, Sleepers are alternating in administering their most powerful blows to a broad plate affixed to a specialized measuring apparatus. Following each impact, the machine will showcase a numerical representation of the Sleeper's physical prowess.

In principle, constructing such a machine seemed straightforward. Yet, given that numerous Sleepers possessed combat-focused Aspects that amplified their strength in diverse ways, it turned out to be a remarkable feat of engineering and resilience.

Their skill and training exerted a notable influence on the eventual outcome.

The majority of individuals achieved scores between ten and fourteen. This was regarded as a commendable achievement, attainable only by the most physically fit individuals. Nonetheless, many Sleepers, particularly those endowed with enhancing Aspects, managed to attain scores of fifteen or even sixteen.

*I would probably get ten or eleven,*

*Nah i say a five is more likely. you got noodle arms*

*Rin...please–*

*Sunny shut up its nephis's turn to punch it*

The slender young woman confidently approached the machine, and with minimal hesitation, unleashed a swift, powerful strike. Rin observed her with the discerning eye of a seasoned genin, recognizing the result of years of dedicated martial arts training. She couldn't help but be impressed by the flawless efficiency and speed of her technique.

*She had a lot of training.*

*Agreed*

*What do you think her background is?*

*Sunny i have no clue*

The machine displayed the result: sixteen.

*Not that impressive. I was expecting more*

*Sunny she could most definitely kick your ass into a pile of dust I don't wanna hear it*

*Shes a True Name bearer she should have shown something more*

*wait sunny its casters turn now*

Both of them were unable to perceive the lightning-fast punch; it moved too swiftly. The machine quivered and required additional time for computation. Ultimately, two digits materialized:

twenty-one.

The display left everyone in awe, their faces filled with astonishment. Several appreciative glances were directed towards Caster, who gracefully acknowledged them with a bow before stepping back. A smile graced Instructor Rock's face.

"Not bad. Now, we will move to sparring and evaluate your general level of training. I need two volunteers to begin."

Nephis took the initial stride, advancing to the center of the ring. Moments later, a towering, heavily built Sleeper emerged and confronted her.

"The rules are simple. Make your opponent's back touch the floor or throw them out of the ring. Use whatever abilities and techniques you find appropriate."

*Shes gonna kick his ass*

*Yeah hes not winning this*

Back in her room she laid down properly her head on the pillow and looking at the  ceiling

*This is entertaining*

*Could not have worded it better*

*All these idiots displaying all of their powers to everyone*

*Kick his ass nephis!*

The towering man wasted no time launching his assault. His powerful physique strained against the delicate white dobok fabric as he surged forward like an indomitable force, delivering a ferocious kick.

... In the blink of an eye, he found himself sprawled on the floor, wearing a dumbfounded expression. Nephis remained in her stance, unwavering.

Instructor Rock beamed at her, radiating cheerfulness.

"Next."

The following could only be described as a beatdown or massacre every sleeper that entered the ring, Nephis defeated every fight with Nephis ended with someone beaten up or thrown to the ground

Both observed the proceedings with an increasing sense of entertainment. Nevertheless, eventually, Sunny voiced his thoughts with a hint of apprehension.

*Shes really good*

*Yeah it's almost scary*

Nephis glided with the composed precision of a combat automaton. Her approach exuded a seamless, elegant, and unrelenting efficiency. Regardless of the nature of the assault hurled her way, she possessed the ability to anticipate or promptly respond, subsequently diverting it and redirecting it against the assailant with remarkable ease.

Regardless of her rival's financial status or lineage, she dispatched them within mere seconds.

She never even changed her expression it was always composed

*Is… is she even human?*

*.....*

*She would be a pain in the ass as an enemy...what would we even do against her*

*Run and preferably don't piss her off*

At last, Caster stood as the sole survivor, unfazed by the preceding failures of his fellow Sleepers. He wore a gentle smile as he entered the arena.

Caster and Nephis confronted one another, their gazes locking briefly before Caster offered a respectful bow.

"Lady Nephis. Please excuse me in advance."

*What is he going to...*

*What the fu-*

***

Caster appeared to vanish abruptly, but it was merely a mirage. The reality was that he moved with such incredible speed that the human eye struggled to track him. Without their unique Shadow Sight abilities, neither Sunny nor Rin could discern his actions.

Even with this advantage, they only glimpsed a vague streak in the air.

In an instant, Caster closed the gap between himself and Nephis, delivering a devastating strike. Astonishingly, despite his lightning-fast speed, she somehow reacted in time, pivoting her body to deflect the attack.

However, it proved insufficient. Despite Nephis managing to evade a direct blow to her center of gravity, Caster's punch found its mark on her shoulder, causing her to spin uncontrollably.

Without hesitation, Caster vanished once more. His strategy was simple: while Nephis still believed her adversary was in front of her, he intended to exploit his unnatural speed to circle around and launch a surprise attack from behind.

The young man materialized behind the unsuspecting girl, poised to conclude the skirmish with a single decisive blow. Just as he anticipated, she began to position herself to strike where he had been only a moment before. Satisfied with the deception, Caster shifted his weight, channeling it into his clenched fist.

However, in a last-second twist, Nephis abruptly altered her stance and executed a forceful backward elbow strike.

*A faint!*

Caster's eyes widened.

Despite committing to his attack, he found no easy way to halt his momentum. No matter how swift he was, the laws of inertia bound him. The elbow inched perilously close to his face with an air of inevitability.

Yet, by the slimmest of margins, Caster managed to evade the blow, thanks to his significant speed advantage.

He then proceeded to trip and gently pushed Nephis, sending her tumbling toward the ground. However, just before she was about to impact the mats, he deftly seized the collar of her dobok and slowed her descent, allowing Nephis to land without any jarring impact.

Lying on her back, she blinked a few times, gazing up at him. The entire altercation had transpired in a mere two seconds.

*So that's an Ascended Aspect?*

*That's… that's cheating!*

*Sunny you have a spy shadow*

*Fair point*

A Sleeper's incredible speed was entirely unexpected. The Spell's abilities were believed to be in their early stages. However, Caster was undeniably a Legacy, and one couldn't help but wonder how many soul shards had nourished him before his enrollment at the Academy.

In the dojo, Instructor Rock grunted and gave Caster a nod. Nephis slowly rose to her feet.

The remaining Sleepers observed the young man with awe, exchanging quiet whispers among themselves, clearly deeply moved by his performance.

Yet, Caster didn't share the same sense of elation. He cast an inscrutable look in Nephis's direction.

This was because, unlike the others, he had arrived at a profound realization. The truth of the matter was a secret shared only among him, Nephis, and Instructor Rock...

*She didn't use her aspect ability did she?*

*Nope she didn't*

The thing that Sleepers failed to notice was that Nephis did not use her Aspect Ability when facing Caster. In fact, she had not used it at any point during today's testing. No one even knew what her Ability was.

And yet, despite his powerful Aspect, Caster barely managed to clutch a victory against her.

The sleepers whispering had overlooked a crucial detail: Nephis never employed her Aspect Ability in her encounter with Caster, nor had she utilized it throughout today's tests.

Her Ability remained a mystery to all. Surprisingly, despite Caster's formidable Aspect, he barely secured a win against her.

*What a monster* Sunny spoke with unease.

*That was hot*

*Rin what the FUC-*

****

After that, the introductory combat class was over. Sore from the beating they received, Sleepers headed for the showers. Sunny shadow waited for a bit and then it started to sneak into the boy's locker room.

*SUNNY WAIT DON'T. I DON'T WANNA SEE!*

*Rin we both know you can leave at any point*

*Fair enough. You caught me...are you trying to see what Caster says about the dual*

*Yeah*

*Cool I'll listen in*

As they had anticipated, the young man found himself encircled by a cluster of newfound admirers. They showered him with congratulations for his triumph, brimming with admiration and enthusiasm. Nevertheless, Caster appeared to be in a sour disposition. His countenance carried a somber tone, and his eyes bore a heavy solemnity.

Indeed, with every accolade bestowed upon him, his visage grew increasingly dark.

"Caster, that was incredible!"

"You're Aspect is overpowered, am I right?"

"That Nephis girl stood no chance at all!"

"True Name? Who needs that? She's just a wanna-be!"

In the end, Caster lifted his gaze and fixed a frigid stare upon the last boy who had uttered words. Similar to himself, this boy belonged to the scarce number of Legacies in their group of Sleepers. A frown creased his face as he found himself taken aback by Caster's response.

"What is it?"

Caster gritted his teeth.

"I might have expected such behavior from them, but you should know better."

The other Legacy raised an eyebrow.

"Why? Is there something special about that peasant girl?"

Caster's eyes widened.

"Peasant… peasant girl? Do you really not know who she is?"

*Just say it already*

Fortunately, the conceited Sleeper shared a similar viewpoint.

Caster repeatedly attempted to speak, appearing uncertain about his words. Eventually, he sighed and responded.

"She is Nephis of the Immortal Flame clan."

As soon as he said that, the arrogant Legacy became deathly pale. Not paying him any attention, Caster continued.

"I trust that I don't need to tell you about her grandfather. Her parents were Smile of Heaven and Broken Sword."

*.....*

*...*

She was well aware of the identities of Immortal Flame and Broken Sword. The former had achieved the remarkable feat of conquering the Second Nightmare and attaining the title of Master, while the latter was the pioneer in conquering the Third Nightmare and achieving the status of a Saint.

They, along with their comrades, stood as some of humanity's most celebrated heroes, individuals who had reshaped history through their own actions. If Caster's words held truth, Nephis wasn't merely an aristocrat; she held a royal lineage!

*No wonder he addressed her as "lady"*

*Why didn't he just call her "princess" instead?*

*But that didn't make any sense!*

*Sunny it does make sense that clan is-*

the pale-faced Sleeper asked in trembling voice:

"Then why… why is she so…"

*Dead*

Caster sighed.

"Because they're all dead. The Immortal Flame clan is long gone."

'so she shares a similar story like me'

For a few moments, the locker room was completely silent. Caster looked down.

"She's the only one left."

*We meeting in the dojo at night*

*Yeah*

***

Late at night, when everyone was already asleep, Sunny and rin furtively entered the dojo. Looking around, they made sure that no one was there and then curiously approached the ring where Nephis and others had been tested earlier.

She stopped at the center of the ring and stood there for a while, remembering how Nephis had dealt with dozens of Sleepers of their batch before being defeated by Caster.

"Monsters… both of them are monsters!"

She heard sunny speak

Shaking her head, rin left the ring

Sunny looked at his shadow.

"Do you agree?"

"Are you talking to your shadow?"

"I...um...yea-.... no?"

"You know what nevermind"

Immortal Flame and Broken Sword, Nephis's paternal predecessors, wielded immense power, yet they couldn't shield their family from devastation. This highlights that power ultimately held little significance. Even the highest ranks of royalty were not immune to the world's cruelty.

Sunny sighed and proceeded to the measuring machine. Making a fist, he swung it and delivered his best punch. The machine hummed for a few seconds and then displayed a single number.

Nine.

"Oh, come on! I deserve a ten, at least!"

"PPPFFFHAAHAHAHAHA"

"RIN PISS OFF IF YOU'RE SO GOOD WHY DONT YOU PUNCH IT"

She moved him aside and took a breath she then concentrated her energy and used [essence pathway] she felt the essence soak her mucles in strength when she slammed into the plate with her fist

the result was displayed.

Twenty

"Damn it!"

She giggled as she felt a bit light headed from the essence usage

"You need to step up your game sunny"

Sunny paced for a bit, trying to control his anger.

Probably filled with resentment, he punched the plate again, putting all of his frustration into this one strike.

She felt something different with this strike like the shadows wrapped around his hand and made a black glove

The impact caused the machine to shake violently. Sunny let out a pained yelp and retreated, nursing his injured hand. Eventually, the outcome was revealed. Yet, it wasn't a nine any longer.

In fact, it wasn't even a ten.

It turned out to be eighteen.

"You've got to be shitting me"

He looked at the displayed number for a long time, expressionless.

Then, a wide grin slowly appeared on Sunny's face as he looked at rin

"I see. So that why. Of course!"

"Dont act like you knew this was gonna happen"

He clenched his fist again, looking down at the black, shadowy glove.

"Rin let me have my moment...Now we're talking!"

"You're a dumbass"

***

Time passed swiftly.

Sunny and Rin faced a tight four-week deadline to prepare for their journey into the Dream Realm, leaving them with no idle moments. They pursued their goal tirelessly, pushing their physical and mental capacities to the utmost, striving to acquire as much knowledge and skills as possible within this brief period.

During the daylight hours, they dedicated themselves to studying under the guidance of Teacher Julius. Their lessons encompassed a wide spectrum, beginning with basic survival techniques in the wilderness, such as fire-making, and delving into more complex and mysterious subjects, like the art of celestial navigation.

What made celestial navigation particularly challenging?

As you can imagine a different world will have different star geography different planet will have different constilations

'Very surprising i know'

It even has diffent amounts of...

Moons

The sun was the same but it could be very unpredictable

Still, with sufficient knowledge, one could find ways to study the skies and subsequently navigate themselves.

Many of these teachings were believed to be already integrated into various school curricula and familiar to most Sleepers. However, acquiring knowledge from a textbook differed significantly from learning the same material from an awakened individual.

Teacher Julius had a penchant for delving much deeper when expounding on his subjects. Thanks to this meticulous approach, Rin not only absorbed the "what" but often glimpsed the "why." This burgeoning comprehension of the fundamental principles of Dream Realm environments bestowed upon her a level of preparedness for any situation.

Even the lessons in ancient languages, initially dismissed as pointless by Sunny, proved far more captivating than she had ever imagined. This was primarily because they pertained to the Spell itself; after all, the Spell communicated with humans using one of those archaic languages.

By grasping the language, he gained a better understanding of its various statements and descriptions.

"Hey have you noticed that nephis's true name 'changing star' could have two meanings"

" 'Ruinous Star' or 'Star of Misfortune' yeah ive noticed"

Rin had studied a little in the slum school. But again the schools were underpaid understaffed and teachers didn't care..the food was also horrible

(That sounds awfully similar to today's schools)

She enjoyed this academy a lot more. For starters the food was god-like unlike the slum schools Julius was an amazing teacher

She now had improved knowledge only the privileged had access to. Funnily enough this authority over knowledge kept them in the position of power, creating a vicious circle of inequality.

The poor had no or bad opportunities to study, and without the advantage of good education, they had no way to stop being poor.

What made this situation truly unusual was that Rin had now become one of the fortunate individuals. Moreover, she had reached the highest echelons of the social order. Not only did she have unrestricted access to vast knowledge, but the government also ensured her fundamental necessities, such as food and shelter, were provided for, enabling her to wholeheartedly dedicate herself to the sole objective of advancing as an Awakened being.

Teacher Julius was adamant about conducting hands-on classes every other day. Even when resorting to virtual reality simulations, he insisted on utilizing immersive stations with heightened physical feedback. Consequently, both Sunny and Rin found themselves completely fatigued and utterly drained.

This training had improved her strength, stamina and agility improving by leaps and bounds.

And as though this wasn't enough, Sunny and rin secretly collected information about other Sleepers and sunny could  practice his shadow control every night.

His shadow possessed autonomy, allowing it to embark on reconnaissance missions independently, free from his immediate guidance. It stealthily ventured into various locations, eavesdropping on conversations and silently observing different classes where Sleepers were required to showcase their Aspect Abilities. Rin always tagged along to spectate

Rin could always tell sunny anything that the shadow learnt but if sunny was to get the information from the shadow itself. It would be bad.

The problem was that It didn't quite understand how the human world worked, and as such, often failed to distinguish between useful information and meaningless chatter.

So, most of the time, Sunny himself would receive nothing of value or juicy gossip instead of important secrets.

In the Sleeper Center, they discovered that romance thrived. With a hundred captivating individuals confined underground, the looming threat of mortality added a unique spark. In this brief life, many believed it was their moment to embrace the present. Passion blossomed amidst impending peril, and Rin always loved to observe it.

Rin like sunny was excluded from this whole side of course she was friends with the unlikable lunatic also her lessons were more important than a useless fling

Both gathered information and slowly learnt about the scope and details of various Aspect Abilities, and, to a lesser extent, Flaws, she was also very keen to watch sunny experimenting with his Shadow Control.

And i have got to saw his power with shadows is extremely impressive he can wrap various objects in it lets say a weapon is wrapped in this shadow it will strike harder if wrapped around armour , the armor would become sturdier and harder to break.

She predicted that the enchantment the shadow made was predicted as roughly twice as much

With rins [essence pathway] and sunnys [shadow control] they were a lethal duo  that was not to be messed with

Just like that, day after day passed, slowly turning into weeks.

Before the duo even knew it, the winter solstice was already here.

***

Rin woke up on the dat of the winter solstice feeling drowsy and tired...she couldn't get rid of the feeling she groaned into her pillow and turned on the air conditioning. She stayed like this till she couldn't bare it anymore

She had already encountered this unending, suffocating drowsiness before. It resembled the sensations leading up to her initial nightmare and bore a striking resemblance to her slow descent into unconsciousness amidst the deathly cold of the death forest while bleeding profusely from the wounds her 'brother' gave her. The memories of that icy embrace of impending death sent a shiver down Rin's spine.

This marked her final day on Earth, or at least for the foreseeable future. By nightfall, the Enchantment would transport her once more, this time to confront the expansive and deteriorated magical world of the Dream Realm. What challenges awaited her there? Would fortune favor her, or would adversity strike again?

Speculation proved futile. She had already exhausted every effort to brace herself for the unavoidable. She had dedicated herself to rigorous study and intense training while safeguarding her hidden abilities. Her Aspect surpassed most, and her determination to endure had been forged through the unforgiving trials of the outskirts and the relentless horrors of the First Nightmare.

She hated to admit it but she was ready for her second nightmare, she stood prepared.

She let out a sigh of resignation as she reluctantly emerged from her warm cocoon of blankets and proceeded with her usual morning regimen. If this marked the end of her access to invigorating hot showers for an extended period, she intended to relish every moment of it. The same sentiment applied to her breakfast, which she savored as if it might be her last indulgent morning meal for a while...

In reality, she found herself devoid of any hunger pangs.

The cafeteria bustled with individuals lost in their own thoughts, a silence prevailing that was uncharacteristic of the usual lively chatter. No laughter or lively discussions filled the air; even the Legacies, typically composed, chose solitude over socializing.

Rin waited for sunless to join her when he finally decided to arrive both approached the coffee machine in total silent. After they poured out their coffees they prepared to add the multitude of things you add to a coffee

She saw sunny staring off as if drifting

"Sunny youre putting to much sugar in your coffee"

"Oh..oh..thanks..i guess..."

"You alright?"

"Yes..ri-.. red im fine"

"I'll ask again because the first time you ask is for greetings the second time is to actually know if someone is okay so I'll ask again..

Are you okay?"

"No...im scared of dying"

"Good"

"What do you mean good"

"Be afraid...that fears gonna keep you alive you've survived this far with the bullshit the world has thrown at you for the first nightmare... you'll be fine as long as you use that tiny brain of yours"

Both sleepers spoke with one another about there first nightmare. They equally agreed they got the short end of the stick

"Thanks red"

"No problem"

A short while later, the duo found themselves in their customary spots, situated close to Cassia, the girl deprived of sight. Even though they were compelled to be in close proximity, they had never engaged in conversation with Cassia, resembling two unfamiliar individuals compelled to coexist due to circumstances beyond their influence. Rin discerned no motive for altering this pattern today.

Rin was mixing her coffee with a spoon and sunny was about to take a sip of his coffee when Cassia suddenly turned her head and stared at the two of them with her beautiful blind blue eyes

Rin stopped paying attention after a couple of seconds but sunny was looking around and checking if someone had caught her attention sunny finally spoke

"W—what?"

Cassia was silent, as though hesitating if she should reply, and then suddenly said:

"Happy Birthday."

'well then if thats not creepy i don't know what is'

'How does she know when his birthday is and why didn't the dumbass tell me'

Sunny and rin looked at each other then gave the blind girl a strange look sunny opened his mouth and spoke

"Uh… thanks."

With a nod, Cassia turned away and seemingly lost interest in having a conversation once again.

Which was for the better.

Both rin and sunny returned to their coffees, she always liked coffee it gave her good memories

"Seventeen, huh? Its a shame you didn't tell me"

"I forgot sorry"

"Eh its fine we're both probably gonna die tomorrow or today anyway"

"Thanks for the words of motivation rin"

"Always"

Rin had always harbored doubts about whether she would reach this stage of life, still breathing and alive. Nevertheless, against all odds, she persevered. Life, she mused, had an uncanny way of defying expectations.

If someone had approached her just two years ago and foretold that she would find herself on Earth, enduring her second nightmare ordeal, she likely would have reacted with a mixture of tears and laughter. Yet, here she stood, defying those expectations.

Reluctantly, Rin's mind drifted back to the days when her family would reside with her, joyously commemorating her birthdays. It was a period that felt not too distant in the past. Yet, before her emotions could sour or worsen, she resolutely banished these reminiscences and compelled herself to wear a smile. fully aware that they were no longer present, and no force in the world could return them to her side.

'I'll make you all of you proud i promise'

Her mood improved

Today, there weren't any scheduled classes, yet both she and Sunny decided to pay a visit to the Wilderness Survival classroom to bid farewell to Teacher Julius. The elderly instructor became quite sentimental as they prepared to part ways. He earnestly shared "one last tip" with them repeatedly, even going as far as pledging to apply for a research assistant role set to open once the young students had fully awakened from their slumber.

Both left thanking him for his time and patience.

After that, there wasn't much to do.

When the sun was close to setting, Instructor Rock gathered them in the foyer of the Sleeper Center and led them outside.

In the snowy parks that surrounded the white building, other Awakened were leading their own batches of Sleepers to the same destination. It was the Academy's medical center.

The facility resembled a sacred sanctuary rather than a conventional medical institution. Inside its walls, cutting-edge technology seamlessly coexisted with a cadre of exceptional Healers hailing from the ranks of the Awakened. During the initial sojourn into the Dream Realm, the slumbering bodies of those embarking on this mystical voyage would be cocooned within purpose-built pods. These pods ensured their safety while the mystical abilities of the Healers stood ready to intervene should any unfortunate mishap befall the dreamers on the other side of the enchantment.

Yet, the ultimate outcome, whether they would return to wakefulness, hinged entirely upon the will of the slumbering individuals themselves.

Both rin and sunny looked at each other with confused expressions. Instructor Rock did not take them directly to the wing containing Sleeper pods. Instead, he led them to a comparatively deserted floor and then opened the doors to a spacious gallery that was brightly illuminated by the beautiful crimson rays of the setting sun.

As they entered the room, an unsettling sight greeted them. Arranged neatly in rows were numerous wheelchairs, each occupied by an individual wearing an eerie, vacant expression on their face. These individuals remained utterly silent, immobile, and unresponsive to the presence of the newcomers.

There was a palpable sense of emptiness that hung in the air, causing Rin to feel a shiver run down her spine and an unsettling fear settle deep within her heart.

Instructor Rock regarded these vacant figures with a grave and solemn expression.

"There is a reason I brought you all here. Look well and remember. Some of you may know who these people are… for those of you who don't, they are called Hollow."

She looked down

"Each one of them was once either a Sleeper or an Awakened. Some of them were weak, some of them were strong. Some were even incredibly powerful. All of them have perished in the Dream Realm."

'what a shit way to go I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone'

"If you're lucky, once your spirit is destroyed, your body dies with it. But if not, you'll become just like them. Hollow."

Instructor Rock glanced in the direction where Caster and Nephis stood, and then added:

"So don't die out there."

***

Half an hour later, Sleepers had been led to their personal rooms and were preparing to enter the pods.

Before rin entered her room she looked over at sunny and called out to him as he was going into his room

"Sunny....dont die on me...please"

"You too red"

In one of the chambers, Cassia, a blind girl, found herself in a disorienting, unfamiliar space, her delicate hands exploring the walls and peculiar machinery. Her porcelain-like face was marred by streaming tears.

In another room, the proud Legacy Caster, his gaze vacant, fixated on the floor. His lips moved incessantly, uttering a peculiar phrase on an endless loop. Tremors coursed through him.

Elsewhere, Changing Star Nephis, the last scion of the Immortal Flame clan, peered down at her own hands. Beneath her skin, a soft, luminous radiance gradually intensified. Her visage twisted in a grimace of excruciating torment..

And finally, there was a room where rin lunar, ghost of the red clan, turned away from the sleeping pod and glanced down at the mirror

"Are you prepared?"

"Yes, I am."

Having said that, she advanced and entered the pod.

"I'm quite weird aren't i?"

***

In the vast echoing darkness, she heard:

[Welcome to the Dream Realm, rin!]