And before he realized it, the days had passed like a breath.
Now only a week and a half remained until the winter solstice — the inevitable mark when the Spell would drag Kaelis and the other Dormants into the Dream Realm.
Kaelis lived every moment of that period with an almost obsessive intensity. He pushed body and mind to the limit, absorbing knowledge and skills with the urgency of someone who knew that every detail learned could mean the difference between life and death. Even so, the nearness of the solstice burned into his consciousness the need to push himself even further, as if every wasted minute were an unforgivable sin.
During the day, he attended Professor Julius's classes, learning alongside Sunless how to survive in hostile environments and take care of himself in the absence of any trace of civilization. The lessons ranged from the seemingly trivial — such as the countless methods of producing fire — to the darker and more enigmatic teachings, like celestial navigation.
But why, after all, was celestial navigation so absurdly difficult?
The Dream Realm did not have a fixed stellar geography like the waking world. Each region seemed to dance beneath its own sky: different stars, unique constellations, and even multiple moons. The sun, though similar to the one in reality, behaved erratically, with no predictable logic. Still, Julius explained that with enough study, it was possible to discern hidden patterns in the dream skies — and from them, find one's way.
Much of these lessons were already part of the common school curricula, and Kaelis vaguely remembered studying them in books before abandoning his studies. However, the difference between learning something from cold pages and absorbing it directly from an experienced Awakened was like comparing a poorly drawn sketch to a living painting.
Julius had the peculiar — and exhausting — habit of going far beyond the surface. He didn't limit himself to teaching the "how"; he delved into the "why." Thanks to that, Kaelis not only assimilated techniques but also glimpsed the hidden mechanisms that governed the Dream Realm. This understanding, even if initial, gave him greater confidence: that he would not be thrown blindly into the chaos, but would at least have a compass to guide himself.
And the surprises did not end there. Julius also introduced Kaelis and Sunless to the study of dead languages — something that, to Kaelis's astonishment, turned out to be fascinating. By understanding the structure and grammar of these ancient tongues, he began to perceive nuances once invisible in texts and names.
His own True Name was a perfect example. "Broken Vow" was, in fact, correct, but the common translation did not carry the depth of the original. When he began to understand the runes and grammatical connotations, Kaelis realized that small variations completely changed the meaning. Depending on the rune chosen, the name could mean not only "Broken Vow," but also "Fractured Bond" or "Profaned Pact."
It was fascinating — and frightening — how a simple change of word could carry entire worlds of difference in meaning.
In addition to the theoretical classes, Julius insisted on practical sessions every two days. Some were held in virtual reality simulations, but never in a simplistic way. He made a point of using full-immersion stations equipped with enhanced physical feedback, so that every strike, every fall, every effort could be truly felt. For Julius, pain and exhaustion were teachers just as effective as books.
The result was that Kaelis left each class exhausted, drained to the bone, but also felt that with each passing day he became a little more prepared. A little stronger. A little more worthy of facing the hell that awaited him in the Dream Realm.
After spending the entire day under the rigid discipline of Julius's lessons, which stretched from the early hours of the morning until the beginning of the night, Kaelis would move on to another challenge: the dreaded combat classes.
As Awakened Rock had said during their first meeting, the Dormants would be divided into groups according to their level: novice, advanced, or specialist.
In that very first class, Kaelis surprised everyone. His performance in the strength test was the best in the group, and his victory against Caster in hand-to-hand combat not only impressed the other Dormants but also earned him a rare nod of approval from Rock.
Even so, despite such a promising start, Kaelis harbored no illusions. At best, he expected to be placed in the advanced group. After all, while he possessed a natural talent for unarmed combat, he had almost no experience with swords — a problem that, logically, should have demoted him to novice level.
His registration file sent to the Awakened Academy left no room for doubt: the son of a family that had always fluctuated between poverty and the lower middle class, Kaelis had been forced to abandon his studies early, as soon as his younger siblings reached school age. While other young people at the Academy grew up surrounded by masters, training swords, and specialized classes, he had grown up fighting against far more mundane hardships.
That was why, for him, being placed in the advanced group would already have been a pleasant surprise. But Rock had other plans.
And that was exactly why Kaelis once again found himself lying on the floor.
The rough tatami burned against his scraped skin, while each breath seared his lungs with sharp pain. His dobok, once white, was stained with sweat and dirtied by the friction of his falls. A thin crust of dried blood darkened the fold of his index finger. Gasping for air, he stared at the dojo ceiling, trying to recover his breath.
It took a few seconds before he raised his eyes to face the one responsible for yet another of his defeats.
She was there.
Changing Star.
Nephis watched him with the same cutting coldness as always. The icy intensity in her eyes needed no words; Kaelis could feel the weight of that silent judgment.
Ever since he had been placed — to his surprise and despair — in the specialist group, Kaelis had been locked in constant combat against her. And every time... he had lost.
The white-silver-haired girl seemed like a living extension of the sword she wielded. Fast. Precise. Relentless. Her movements carried the grace of a dance and the cruelty of a sharpened blade.
The only scenario in which Kaelis could imagine himself defeating her was in a bare-handed fight. Outside of that, he did not even believe he could scratch the wall of technique that Nephis represented.
He rose slowly, his body throbbing with every small motion. He had already lost count of how many times she had brought him down since the start of the lessons.
'In this fight alone, she would have killed me in at least ten different ways... if she had been using a real sword.'
The thought tied a knot of frustration in his chest. But along with it came something precious: learning.
"Very well. Form up."
Rock's deep voice cut through his thoughts like a blade striking stone.
Immediately, the four students lined up at the center of the dojo, feet firm and hands behind their backs.
To Kaelis's right stood Nephis. To his left, Maelis and Caster.
Rock paced slowly in front of them, his silence heavier than a roar. His eyes, as hard as stone, evaluated each face with cold precision, as though seeking hidden weaknesses.
Kaelis swallowed hard. He knew that, as always, at the end of the lesson would come the individual evaluation.
"Today's training was exceptionally good for most of you," Rock began, his deep voice echoing across the dojo walls with absolute clarity.
"Caster, you're fighting in a colder manner. Your combat style is finally keeping up with your speed. Your body is more controlled, and your mind... more centered."
Caster gave a slight nod, suppressing the smile that threatened to form. Receiving direct praise from Rock was rare, and that alone was worth more than any training victory.
"Maelis, your swordsmanship is sharp. Your counterattacks are calculated, your eyes attentive. Your reading of movement is becoming more and more precise."
The girl beside Kaelis remained silent, but he noticed the faint tension that ran across her shoulders, as if it were an involuntary reflex of satisfaction. She took pride in what she did, even if she did not show it in words.
"Nephis..." Rock paused.
"You don't make mistakes. Your stance, your blade, your intent — everything is sharp. There is nothing to correct. Your swordsmanship is at the limit of what someone can achieve with training and discipline. Continue like this."
The silver-haired girl merely remained motionless, cold and disciplined as always, letting no emotion escape her expression.
And then... Rock's eyes fixed on Kaelis.
The intensity of that gaze made the young man's stomach tighten. For a moment, it was as if the entire dojo had fallen into silence, waiting only for the verdict. The air seemed heavier, and Kaelis had to fight to keep his posture straight.
"And Kaelis..."
The instructor's voice did not change in tone, but there was a different weight to it now, a pressure that settled on the boy's shoulders.
"You're still terrible with swords."
The words were cutting. Direct. But to Kaelis, they were not an insult — they were necessary.
"Your movements are heavy, the balance of your body is wrong. You freeze. Either from lack of knowledge or from hesitation. In a real fight, that means death."
Kaelis took a deep breath, absorbing every word. Rock wasn't exaggerating. His lack of experience with the sword was a glaring weakness, and he knew he needed to correct it. If he wanted to survive in the Dream Realm, he had to turn that weakness into something at least usable.
He slowly raised his hand, asking to speak.
Rock only nodded with his chin.
"Go ahead, Kaelis."
"Mr. Rock, may I ask a question?"
"You already are."
"What are the most obvious differences between a Sleeper and other Awakened in general? I don't know much about how the ranks work or the extent of the difference between the categories."
The dojo fell silent. Kaelis noticed Caster's quick glance and even the slight change in Nephis's and Maelis's posture. His question wasn't common, but it was essential. If he didn't understand the forces that ruled the world of the Awakened, he would never survive against them.
Rock stared at him in silence for a few seconds, evaluating him. Then, he took a deep breath and crossed his arms.
"That is an excellent question. As simple as it may seem, many underestimate it... and die because of it."
He took a step forward. His voice gained even more gravity, becoming almost a command.
"Pay attention, all of you."
Immediately, the four straightened up. Silence became absolute. Even the distant sound of the wind against the windows seemed to vanish.
Rock's tone was no longer that of an instructor giving criticism. It was that of a veteran warrior about to convey a truth that could very well decide between life and death.
"The main difference among the Awakened revolves around how powerful their Soul Core is, the Memories they possess, and the ability to use their own Aspect properly."
Rock walked slowly across the tatami, his upright posture and deep voice echoing through the dojo as if each word carried the weight of a sentence.
"Each of our Soul Cores is capable of accumulating and storing vast amounts of Soul Essence."
He paused briefly, letting each student breathe in that information.
"Soul Core... that is what strengthens us. It is the fuel that feeds our abilities, that shapes, builds, and expands our souls. Based on it, our hierarchy is divided into four levels: Sleeper, Awakened, Ascended, and... the so-called Saints."
His eyes swept across the group, sharp as blades.
"You, Sleepers, are those who survived the First Nightmare and are now destined to be transported into the Dream Realm. You have already gained the ability to interact with your Soul Cores and received unique Aspects, as well as Flaws that will accompany you for the rest of your lives. But your cores are still raw. The vessel that houses your souls is small... and needs to grow."
He clenched his fists behind his back, his expression stern.
"And the only way to strengthen a Soul Core is by killing beasts in the Dream Realm... or other Awakened."
The dojo plunged into heavy silence. The impact of his words reverberated deeper than any correction in combat.
"When a Sleeper returns from the Dream Realm for the first time, he becomes an Awakened. His Soul Core evolves to the next Rank, and his Aspect evolves with it. The Awakened also gain the ability to enter the Dream Realm every time they sleep, appearing near the Gate to which they are anchored... but that is a matter for another time."
Rock stepped closer, his shadow almost touching the aligned group.
"If an Awakened challenges the Second Nightmare and survives, he will become an Ascended. His body, his soul, and his Aspect evolve to a higher level."
His voice became almost a whisper, yet heavy with weight.
"And if that Ascended challenges the Third Nightmare and survives... he will become a Saint."
Rock drew in a deep breath before concluding:
"And the Saints... those are hardly human anymore. Besides being rare, their powers surpass anything we can imagine. Some say they fused with the nightmare itself. Others, that they became living legends."
A reverent silence took hold of the dojo. Even Caster, always restless, kept his eyes down.
Kaelis furrowed his brow, absorbing every detail. Then he raised his hand and asked firmly:
"And how does one advance between the ranks?"
Rock looked directly at him, then replied:
"By absorbing Soul Essence. The energy that emanates from Nightmare Creatures... and from the Awakened. Sometimes, you absorb it directly. Other times, it crystallizes into a Memory — a weapon, an armor, an ability, or knowledge left behind."
He moved one hand as if trying to trace the process in the air.
"With each fragment of Essence absorbed, the Soul Core grows stronger. You must saturate it to the limit."
Rock's gaze hardened.
"But remember: the most important thing for you, Sleepers, is not merely saturating your cores. It is to learn to use your Aspects. To understand the nature of the Defect each of you carries."
He took a deep breath, as if weighing the gravity of his next words.
"Aspects are... unique. They are the way each soul chooses to manifest. They can be offensive, defensive, or even abstract. Some are blessings, others curses. But mastering them is what separates the strong from the weak. And that... together with how adaptable your fighting style is, and the experience that only the Dream Realm can provide, will determine the fate of each of you."
The words hung heavy in the air. The silence in the dojo was absolute.
Kaelis closed his eyes for a moment. Now he understood. Not only the difference between the Awakened, but also the path to becoming strong.
Saturating the Soul Core was the most direct path, but it would not be enough. He would need experience. He would need to kill Nightmare Creatures. He would need to face human enemies who might one day try to hunt him down.
To survive, he would have to become something more — a predator, a cold killer against the humans who might attempt to slay him... and a tyrant before the Nightmare Creatures.
Recognizing this truth, Kaelis knew exactly the kind of training he would have to endure in the short time until the winter solstice.
"Any more questions?" Rock asked, his deep, commanding voice filling the dojo. He was ready to answer any doubt the four students still held.
For a brief moment, no one said a word. The silence hung like a weight on everyone's shoulders... until it was broken by Kaelis, who raised his hand once again.
Rock turned his gaze to the young Sleeper, observing him with patience, but also with a certain expectation.
"Speak, Kaelis."
Kaelis took a deep breath, and even before speaking, his eyes scanned Rock's colossal figure from head to toe. To meet his gaze, he had to practically lift his face completely, for Rock was, in his eyes, a true giant.
The Awakened stood just over three meters tall. Broad shoulders like fortress walls, muscles carved to perfection, and a physique reminiscent of statues of gods sculpted in antiquity. His face carried an almost divine seriousness, adorned with a neatly kept brown beard, and his gaze—always calm, always stern—exuded unwavering authority.
Every line of Rock's body, every measured gesture, said the same thing: he was a man shaped by decades of experience. Experience in battle, in survival, in victories and in losses.
And it was before this wall of strength and wisdom that Kaelis dared to voice the request he had carried within himself. A painful, risky request... but necessary for his evolution.
He took another deep breath, steadying his voice before speaking:
"Awakened Rock, thank you for explaining the theory of becoming a strong Awakened. Without a doubt, it will be invaluable knowledge for my future."
He lifted his eyes, his expression hardening with determination.
"However..."
There was something different about him now. He was no longer the respectful, almost always smiling Kaelis that Rock knew. There was a fire in the young man's eyes, an unexpected boldness.
"I also need to understand the differences in skill and competence in practice... so that I can adapt as quickly as possible to the merciless Dream Realm."
Rock raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"And where do you want to go with this?"
The Sleeper drew in more air, strengthening both his voice and resolve.
"Awakened Rock... I want a duel against you."
The air seemed to freeze inside the dojo. Caster froze, barely breathing. Maelis turned her face to Kaelis, eyes wide in disbelief—for her, this was madness. Nephis, on the other hand, simply observed in silence, but her eyes revealed something rare: a flicker of respect.
Rock, however, remained silent. He looked at Kaelis as if trying to assess whether this was youthful bravado... or a truth burning within him. After all, of all the students, Kaelis was the least skilled. Rock himself had pointed out just minutes ago his glaring shortcomings with the sword.
And yet... the boy dared.
Kaelis did not flinch. The determination in his eyes burned even brighter.
"Not only that..." his voice echoed firmly, "I want a duel with you in every training session from now on."
He clenched his free fist, his training sword still lying on the ground beside him.
"I don't want you to hold back, nor to go easy on me. I am asking this for the sake of my survival. And I believe there is no one more suited to train me this way... than you."
His words cut through the silence like a blade.
Maelis stared at him, utterly perplexed. Caster's eyes widened in pure disbelief. Nephis remained impassive, yet attentive, as if wanting to memorize every second of the moment.
Rock stayed silent for long seconds. His presence, already immense, now felt overwhelming. Kaelis could feel the weight of standing before something far beyond him… yet he did not look away.
Then, slowly, the corner of Rock's mouth lifted. First, a mere hint of a smile. Then, a full smile. Finally, a deep, powerful laugh that echoed through the dojo like thunder.
When he stopped, Rock looked at Kaelis with something rare in his eyes: respect.
"Courage… it's something you have. That, I recognize."
Turning, Rock walked to one of the dojo walls and took down a training sword. The light wooden blade clinked softly as it left its rack.
Kaelis, in turn, walked to the spot where Nephis had defeated him earlier. His fingers closed around the training sword still lying on the floor. He lifted it with his right hand, the familiar weight bringing memories of his previous defeat… and the promise that he would not accept weakness again.
Both stepped onto the ring. Each took their place on opposite sides of the painted circle on the tatami.
Kaelis closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. The dojo seemed larger, more vast, as if at that moment it was the center of the world. He adjusted his fighting stance, feeling his heart race, yet resolute in his decision.
On the other side, Rock assumed his position as well, the sword resting in hands that had crushed enemies far more dangerous than any Sleeper could imagine.
"Very well, Kaelis," said Rock, his tone almost playful, yet filled with seriousness. "Let's see if you truly learn through pain."
They faced each other. The silence weighed heavy. Kaelis's first duel against an Awakened had begun.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////
After a few days… only six days remained until the winter solstice.
Exhausted, marked by bruises and scrapes, Kaelis sat in the chair of Professor Julius's classroom. His body ached in every muscle, his arms and legs were covered in scratches and shallow cuts, and even his face betrayed the cost of his determination. The dark circles beneath his eyes revealed sleepless nights, and yet, his focus remained fixed on the reports stacked on the desk.
The weight of constant studies and training battles was slowly corroding his mind and body, but not his will. No matter how much fatigue tried to seep into his thoughts, Kaelis refused to yield.
As his tired eyes moved over the notes, a sharp sting shot through his back, forcing him to lose concentration. The memory of the previous day came back like a cold blade.
"Awakened Rock… that man is a monster. He simply destroyed me, and I couldn't do anything."
A shiver ran down his spine at the recollection.
From the moment he asked to duel Rock, Kaelis's world had been shattered and rebuilt countless times. The veteran crushed him without mercy, showing with every strike the abyssal difference between them. Yet within that hell, Kaelis began to evolve. His eyes could already follow some of Changing Star's movements during combat — an unthinkable feat just days before. Even though defeating the white-haired girl was still impossible, his improvement was visible to everyone who observed him.
But against Rock… the word "fight" was an insult. It was massacre.
Kaelis had been broken in ways he had never imagined.
In one of the duels, during the exchange of blows with wooden swords, Rock had knocked him off balance with the sheer brutality of his colossal body. The kick to his stomach made him spit out air and collapse onto the tatami with no chance of reacting. As if that wasn't enough, Rock grabbed him by the leg as if he were a rag doll, lifted him into the air, and slammed him against the ground repeatedly before tossing him out of the ring like garbage.
And that was only one of countless humiliating defeats.
Even so, amidst the pain, Kaelis had achieved exactly what he wanted.
A crooked, silent smile appeared on his weary face.
'So many days have passed… and I've improved a lot! But it's still not enough. I need a new strategy against Rock in the next training.'
As he reflected, Kaelis felt a calm, cold, and dense presence to his right.
Two desks away, Sunless sat, absorbed in the reports on his table. His pale expression, shadowed demeanor, and absolute focus on the paper gave the impression that he belonged to another world.
Kaelis pulled his gaze from his own papers and studied him intently. The black-haired youth seemed completely detached, but Kaelis could not forget what he had witnessed on that fateful night when he had used his Aspect.
He remembered the sensation of touching the presences and souls of people, of understanding emotions that weren't his, of glimpsing that "parallel world" where everything was revealed. And among all those visions, the clearest memory was the shadow.
The shadow that spied on him. The shadow that watched him as if it had always been there. The shadow that belonged to Sunless.
In that instant, Kaelis had felt danger — not only with his eyes, but with his soul.
Since then, something had changed between them. He could sense that their essences repelled each other like water and oil, as if they were natural opposites. And that had created an invisible barrier between the two. They did not exchange glances, nor did they speak beyond what was necessary. Only the occasional questions during Julius's classes.
But Kaelis knew. Sooner or later, this conversation would have to happen. Avoiding it would do neither of them any good.
He took a deep breath, pushed back the chair, and stood up.
Sunless closed his eyes heavily, as if he already knew that the moment had come. Tension radiated from his rigid posture, and Kaelis could feel it, as if it were carved into the air between them. The Choir of the Silent whispered in his ear, bringing words that were not his own:
'Be careful… I have to be careful with how I answer… Or my Flaw might end up exposing me more than usual…'
The ghostly voice echoed, spoken through Sunless, carrying feelings of resentment, fear, and great caution.
Kaelis had already suspected that Sunless's Flaw was tied to the way he spoke, but now the truth seemed almost laid bare.
And, faced with this, Kaelis decided to be fair. He would take care with his own words. He did not want this already uncomfortable situation to turn into inevitable hostility.
He stopped in front of Sunless, who still remained seated, and spoke firmly:
"Sunless… We need to talk."
The black-haired youth slowly lifted his eyes. His gaze was cold, serene, almost cutting.
"Yes. We need to."
Kaelis pulled one of the nearby chairs and dragged it to the front of his desk. He sat, crossed his arms, and stared at him. Sunless, without breaking eye contact, mirrored the gesture.
For a few moments, the silence weighed heavily. The two simply studied each other, as if measuring one another in search of the slightest weakness, a hint of hostility.
Kaelis exhaled deeply, leaning forward.
"On the day we met… did you feel it too? That sensation as if our souls — or our Aspects — denied each other's existence?"
Sunless sighed before responding, his gaze burdened.
"Yes. I felt it. That hostility without apparent reason."
Kaelis remained silent for a few moments, analyzing him carefully.
He did not truly know this pale, short youth. Their interactions had been few, always brief, and most of what he knew came from rumors rather than personal experience. He had only listened and, in rare moments, felt Sunless's emotions.
Even so, Kaelis already had a clear impression: Sunless seemed cynical, disillusioned… even somber. His reputation among the other Awakened was dreadful. It was said that he spoke terrible things to everyone, that he was inconvenient, dangerous — some even called him insane.
But Kaelis did not see madness in him. On the contrary, he saw lucidity. A cold, almost cruel lucidity. As if Sunless deliberately chose isolation, building a wall of repulsion around himself. It was as if he pretended to be insane to keep others away… hiding, perhaps, a power that Kaelis was certain existed. After all, if not for that, his very soul would not have reacted with such caution at their first meeting.
With that in mind, Kaelis decided to steer the conversation in another direction.
"Sunless, you…"
Before he could finish, Sunless raised his eyes. There was something dark in his expression, almost murderous. But the seriousness was broken by Kaelis's unexpected question.
"Are you from the outskirts too?"
Sunless's gaze shifted — first to surprise, then to suspicion.
"Yes. I am. Why do you ask?"
A light, casual smile formed on Kaelis's face.
"That's great. Good to know that another rat like me managed to get out of that place. It might not have seemed like it, since I was wearing clean and decent clothes when I got here, but I came from there too."
He hesitated for a moment before adding with bitter honesty:
"But honestly… I believe I had more luck in life than you. Unfortunately."
Sunless's eyes narrowed, studying him coldly.
"Are you trying to insult me?"
Kaelis blinked, surprised by the reaction.
"No, no! Nothing like that. Actually, I'm just trying to get closer to you."
He adjusted himself in the chair and continued:
"You know, I don't see any reason to be hostile toward you. Even after that strange feeling between our Aspects… and even after I saw your shadow spying on me in my room, which made my Aspect react as if you were an enemy, even then… I don't see any reason to hate you."
For a moment, Sunless did not respond. His expression, usually cold, shifted between surprise and barely contained indignation.
"Are you an idiot? Both you and I know that our Aspects repel each other, that they deny one another. And even so, you don't see me as a potential enemy?"
Kaelis smiled calmly, a smile that carried both sadness and serenity.
He remembered the First Nightmare. The pain he endured in the Inverted Cathedral, especially on the floor where he had to save the boy trapped in the tree of white marble. The words of that boy echoed in his mind, clear as if they had been spoken only seconds ago:
"You will feel the pain of understanding. The pain of existence. Of love. Of suffering. Of sacrifice."
"But you will also gain something the powerful always lose along the way... Empathy."
Empathy.
And that was what Kaelis was showing now. The ability to put himself in someone else's place, even if that someone was a potential enemy.
"It's true. Our Aspects might be hostile to each other. We've both already noticed that… But I don't want to turn you into an enemy, Sunless. Not out of convenience. Not out of fear. Simply because I see no reason to hate you."
The words fell into the air like a silent weight. Sunless was left without an answer.
Inside his mind, an almost involuntary thought slipped out.
'This guy is even more of an idiot than I thought!'
Kaelis chuckled softly, hearing that voice as if it were an unfiltered confession.
"That said, Sunless…" — he extended his hand forward, offering a firm shake.
"Why don't we try getting along from now on?"
Sunless remained still. His eyes were fixed on that extended hand. He was still in shock, unable to comprehend. How could someone cursed by the Spell, someone carrying the same burden as him, be so genuine?
There was no hostility in Kaelis. No falseness, no hidden intentions. That was simply who he was.
Sunless didn't know what to think. The shadows of his past and the burdens he carried had always pushed him toward solitude and coldness. But in front of Kaelis… in front of that disarming purity… even the Sleeper found himself unable to react.
After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Sunless exhaled deeply, as if making a difficult decision. He slowly extended his hand and clasped Kaelis's, though his eyes still carried a cautious wariness.
"Alright… I'll give getting along a chance." — he said in a controlled tone, like someone agreeing to a condition but not lowering his guard entirely.
Kaelis's face lit up instantly. A wide smile spread across his lips, so spontaneous it seemed almost childlike, and his eyes even gleamed for a moment.
Excited, he couldn't contain the question that slipped out almost innocently:
"So does that mean we're friends?"
Sunless's reply, however, was like a bucket of cold water, sharp and merciless.
"No, you idiot. I'm saying we have a truce."
Kaelis froze for a moment, his smile withering in half a second. He cleared his throat, trying to hide the small sting of disappointment, and answered with a resigned half-smile:
"Fair enough… I guess that's the most sensible answer."
Even so, he couldn't hold back. He looked directly at Sunless, crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and with an almost provocative air, decided to say everything on his mind without any filter:
"But seriously, what kind of weirdo are you? Watching me from the shadows in the middle of the night? No wonder almost all the Sleepers have such a bad impression of you. And honestly, your answers are terrible and completely unfiltered… No surprise the girls find you so unpleasant."
The words hit Sunless squarely, and he arched an eyebrow, visibly irritated, immediately snapping back:
"I'm the kind of weirdo who watches potential enemies in the middle of the night to prevent future problems! At least I take precautions. And look who's talking! You've got the nerve to criticize when you showed up in public wearing that ridiculous superhero T-shirt at the cafeteria, right when everyone was gathered to see the rankings?"
Kaelis's eyes widened in disbelief, and his expression turned into outrage.
"Ah! Hey, that shirt was a gift from my little brother! I only wore it because I had just woken up and grabbed the first thing I saw! And what's the problem with superheroes, anyway?"
Sunless narrowed his eyes and let out a mocking smile, dripping with sarcasm:
"No problem. Superheroes can even be cool… but that shirt just made you look like a super-moron."
A vein bulged on Kaelis's forehead, and he leaned forward, just as irritated as Sunless, snapping back in a firm voice:
"You little… At least I don't look like an emo!"
The air in the classroom grew heavier, but instead of escalating into a real fight, the two started trading increasingly childish provocations. The verbal sparring went on for long minutes, each trying to have the last word, until Julius finally entered the classroom.
The professor cast a quick glance at the two and furrowed his brow slightly, but said nothing. The silence that followed made them compose themselves, like two boys caught in the middle of mischief.
Despite the heated argument, there was something almost light in the atmosphere between them. Behind the sharp jabs, both Kaelis and Sunless enjoyed that childish exchange, even if they would never admit it out loud.
Class began soon after, and Julius guided them through a detailed study of the regions of the Dream Realm and the nightmare creatures that inhabited each of them. Dense, vital content for the survival of any Sleeper or Awakened.
When the bell announced the end of class, Kaelis packed his belongings, adjusted the backpack on his shoulder, bid farewell to Professor Julius with a respectful gesture, and cast a quick glance at Sunless, flashing a smile that mixed provocation with complicity.
"See you later, Sunless."
Then he left the room, leaving behind a strange feeling that, even amidst the barbs and provocations they had exchanged, something resembling a bond was beginning to take form between them—not friendship, not yet, but perhaps the start of something that could grow.
He walked through the silent corridors toward his dormitory. Upon arriving, he set his backpack down beside the desk, took off his clothes, and stepped into the bathroom for a shower. Hot water ran down his body, and Kaelis took the time to clean the bruises scattered across his arms, legs, and face, making his skin look more presentable. Today would be a special day: family visits. Kaelis's family was coming to the Awakened Academy, just as many other Sleepers would receive their loved ones.
The event was a special dinner, meant for family reunions—a moment that carried far more weight than it appeared at first glance. For Kaelis and the other Sleepers, this would be the last opportunity to see the ones they loved before being sent into the Dream Realm on the winter solstice. For some, it would be the last time they would ever touch their families or see their faces.
The Dream Realm was unforgiving. Deaths were common, and that reality imposed an atmosphere of solemnity and melancholy on everyone present. Kaelis took a deep breath, turned off the shower, and began to dry himself.
Since his body had manifested wings after the First Nightmare, Kaelis had grown used to using three towels after bathing: one for his body, a large one for his imposing right wing, and a smaller one for the modest left wing. Drying his wings took several minutes, but it was a necessary care. When finished, he wrapped a towel around his waist, brushed his teeth, applied deodorant and cologne, and combed his hair into something between tidy and slightly messy.
Leaving the bathroom, he opened his wardrobe and retrieved the clothes his mother had recently sent to the Academy. He laid them on the bed, wearing only his underwear, and looked at each piece with a nostalgic smile.
'The clothes my mother buys… They're always good!' he thought, feeling a simple, genuine joy.
"Don't you think the clothes my mother buys are nice?" he asked quietly to the bastard sword leaning against the wall beside his bed.
The ruby crystal of the Sword of the White Priest flickered twice, as if silently answering. Kaelis gave an awkward smile and replied:
"You know, demon… You're a pain."
The ruby flashed three times, almost as if mocking him, and Kaelis laughed. In a way, he felt his relationship with the demon inside the sword had grown closer. Perhaps they were something like "friends," in their own peculiar way.
He set the sword aside and got dressed: black dress pants and a high-neck sweater, firm but flexible. To his surprise, the sweater's openings allowed his wings to pass without restriction.
"My mother must have spent good money on these clothes… But so what! Money hasn't been a problem for us in a long time!" he said, laughing to himself for a few moments. He tucked the sweater neatly into his pants, fastened his belt, and put on black socks and dress shoes.
Before leaving, he stepped back into the bathroom, looked at the mirror, and evaluated his appearance. Despite a few bruises, Kaelis felt confident. His athletic build still stood out beneath the sweater, and he couldn't help but smile with pride.
"The Spell really works miracles on appearances…" he murmured, rolling the sweater's sleeves halfway up his forearms.
Leaving the bathroom, he grabbed the Sword of the White Priest, raising the blade to gaze directly at the ruby crystal.
"I look pretty good, don't you think? Maybe even Lady Maelis will see me differently?"
The ruby flickered twice, clearly mocking him.
"Careful, demon. I guarantee that someday you'll compliment me, you'll see!" he said, receiving three flickers from the ruby in response.
With a smile, he dispersed the sword into shining particles, sending it back into his Soul Sea. He picked up his phone from the desk and checked the time.
'6:25 p.m., it's time to go.'
He slipped the device into his pocket and walked to the door, unlocking it with a touch on the electronic panel. As soon as the automatic door slid open, Kaelis took his first step outside the dormitory.
At that very moment, the door across the hall opened, revealing Maelis stepping out of her own dormitory.
And before him, Maelis stood… breathtaking. Her black dress embraced her silhouette in an elegant yet deadly manner, long dark hair cascading like rivers over her shoulders, and her violet eyes—deep as gemstones—reflected a cold intensity that seemed to pierce straight through Kaelis's soul.
He froze, nearly forgetting to breathe. For a brief instant, the entire world seemed to fall silent, as though the Academy itself was holding its breath before such a vision.
Kaelis's heart skipped erratically, blood surging hot through his veins. A single word echoed in his mind, laden with both allure and danger:
'Beautiful…'
Maelis lifted her gaze and met his eyes. Her voice, soft yet firm, cut through the silence like a subtle blade.
"Good evening, Kaelis."
Kaelis opened his mouth to reply, but the words faltered in his throat. A shiver ran down his spine, and he couldn't tell if it was from the fascination or the threat that emanated from that woman.
In that instant, Kaelis felt the strange certainty that the night held far more than just a family dinner.