Chapter 5: True Name
Amon dragged Sunless away from the group."What are you doing? Did you not listen to the third piece of advice Master Jet told us? Instructor Rock even repeated it," Amon said sharply.
"I do remember it," answered Sunless.
"Then why don't you follow it?" Amon pressed, annoyance flickering across his face. "Sunless, you and I are from the outskirts. We don't know the first thing about the Dream Realm, and the winter solstice is in a month. Even if we pour our hearts into learning wilderness survival, our chances of survival are very low. So try to make friends who will be willing to help you."
Although Amon was reminding Sunny of Master Jet's advice, he didn't really care about him. To Amon, Sunless was just a fictional work—someone unreal. But that thought stirred up negative feelings he didn't want to deal with. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
Sunny, unable to keep quiet because of his flaw, shot back, "Why should I entertain those entitled bastards who think they're better than me?"
Amon gave him a confused look. "Because they are, Sunny. They've been trained almost their entire lives. Yes, we might have cleared our first nightmare without much training, but that doesn't change the fact that they're better equipped, better resourced from birth, and more skilled—both in fighting and surviving."
Amon wanted Sunny to realise that clearing his first nightmare didn't automatically put him on equal footing.
Sunny scowled, tempted to boast about his true name and divine rank aspect. But if he revealed that and Amon asked the wrong questions… he could end up becoming his slave. Sunny knew what Amon said was true, but it didn't make it any less irritating. Unable to retort, Sunny said nothing and walked off in a random direction.
Over on Caster's side, someone in the group asked, "Who was that girl, Caster? Do you know her?"
Before Caster could reply, another corrected, "I think that was a guy."
"Yes, Amon is a guy," Caster confirmed. "We've only met once by chance, so don't worry."He wanted to keep what had happened between him and Amon months ago a secret.
Amon watched Sunny leave, looking at him like an idiot who refused to take advice."Either way," Amon thought, "I don't care what happens to him. If he listens, good. If not, that's his problem."
Later, Amon stood in a corner, talking to a group.
"Wow, your earrings are beautiful," one girl said. "And your hair matches your eyes—you look just like a doll."
It wasn't the first time Amon had heard something like this since arriving at the academy, but even with all his social skills, he couldn't add much to that kind of conversation. All he could do was wear an awkward smile.
After some time, Amon was called for evaluation.He remembered Jet's advice: Do not share unnecessary information, even if they offer you benefits.
But after thinking it over, he formed a plan—he would reveal his true name. To him, it didn't seem all that significant. In exchange, he would ask for a weapon memory. He'd never used weapons before, but he figured it was better than having nothing.
With that thought in mind, Amon opened the door.
Inside, a beautiful woman sat behind a desk. Another chair sat empty in front of her. Amon walked over and took a seat, keeping a confident expression despite his nerves.
"Hello, my name is Olivia, and I'll be interviewing you," she said with a pleasant smile.
Amon nodded, showing he meant business.
"Can you tell me your name, where you're from, and if you require therapy? The first nightmare can be traumatic," she asked.
"My name is Amon, I'm from the outskirts, and no, I don't require therapy."
Olivia's smile didn't fade, but Amon noticed a subtle shift when he mentioned the outskirts—something most wouldn't see. His Celestial Concept attribute made him catch it instantly.
"What's your aspect rank, and what does it do?" she continued.
Amon wasn't about to reveal he had a divine rank aspect. He just said, "My aspect rank isn't very high, but it allows me to store objects inside my soul sea," he said.
It was a calculated choice. Storage aspects were rare but not particularly combative, which suited his goal of appearing unthreatening. His innate ability was something he had no intention of revealing. He'd concluded that Jet had exposed too much about herself, which had made her a government dog. If her ability had been useless, the government wouldn't have cared.
Olivia wrote something on her notepad. "Is that all?"
Amon shook his head.
Her interest sharpened.
"Miss Olivia," Amon said, "I've heard the government gives benefits for revealing personal information."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you," she replied, still smiling, "but that's only if the information interests the government."
Amon almost smiled—aura farming.This is so cool… No, I can't laugh now. Goat Yuan, lend me your monolithic face.
Keeping a serious expression, he asked, "What about a true name?"
Olivia's expression changed instantly. Amon felt a grin threatening to break through, but he kept his composure.
"Sir, do you have a true name?" she asked, almost losing her cool.
"That depends on what you'll offer as compensation," Amon replied evenly.
Olivia leaned forward. "What would you like as compensation?"
"I'd like a weapon memory," he said without hesitation.
"A weapon memory of awakened rank will be given to you," she agreed.
Amon was pleased—but decided to push it. "Only awakened rank?" he asked in the same serious tone.
But unexpectedly, Olivia burst into laughter, tears forming in her eyes as she banged the table.
Amon stayed silent, expression stoic, waiting for her to stop.
"If it were anyone else, they might have believed your act, kid," she said when she caught her breath.
"Miss, I truly have a true name," Amon insisted.
"I believe you," Olivia said. "I was laughing at your ridiculous attempt to look cool. In front of me, you'll have to do better. My ability lets me read people's true expressions. Your act was good, but not good enough."
Heat rushed through Amon's body. He looked down, hiding his face, but Olivia still caught the red tint in his ears and found it cute.
After a pause, he muttered, "Miss… could you please keep this between us?"
She smirked. "You're lucky you're cute, or I'd spread it like wildfire."
Relief washed over him—and he gained an understanding of his flaw.
[A/N: His flaw is really diabolical, not just this, but he doesn't know that yet]
"What type of memory am I getting?" Amon asked, still embarrassed.
"I don't know. Come to the registration office tomorrow," Olivia replied.
He nodded, too ashamed to speak.
"Don't worry," she reassured him. "I won't tell anyone."
"What is your true name, then?" she asked.
"My true name is Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings, miss," he said.
"Quite a long true name you've got," Olivia remarked, writing it down on her tablet. She handed him a communicator.
"Please go to your assigned room."
Amon took it, avoiding her gaze, and left without another word. Amon walked out defeated, with all his aura lost and gaining an additional generational aura depth.
[A/N: holy shit, this week has been the worst. I did not find any time to write new chapters, so sorry for uploading late. If I complete my work, I might upload new chapters tomorrow; if not, then sorry]