Sunny found himself in a small office, sitting across from a young administrative worker. Despite his mildly grumpy mood from having his blissful time with Neph interrupted, Sunny was optimistic.
This interview would help determine how his current peers, and the Government would perceive him. The worker politely smiled, and began conducting the interview.
"Would you mind telling me about the type of Aspect Ability you received, as in combat, sorcery, utility?"
"Hmm, I do mind."
The young worker paused, giving Sunny a funny look before writing some notes down.
"Alright, that's fine. Do you mind sharing if your Aspect can cause direct harm?"
"Yes."
The worker scribbled some notes briefly.
"Does it have any elemental affinity, or any unique trait?"
"It does."
Sunny kept this up for the whole interview, answering vaguely. His intention was to clue in the worker that he was capable, but not too strong. And that he wanted to retain his secrets.
Luckily, the worker didn't press for details, and just scribbled notes down.
After the whole performance, Sunny took his leave back to his room. Ah, how nice it would've been to stay with Neph. Sadly, the show must go on. There was much for him and Neph to do in the coming weeks, and Sunny himself had the most to do.
Having a weak body again made his sword play... Diminish to say the least. There was Shadow Dance to master in this body as well. Aside from that, the two of them had to decide on whether to tell Cassie about their regression or not.
On the one hand, telling her would be a boon to have. Her Aspect could help control any unwanted consequences to their actions. But on the other hand, Cassie might not develop into the strong willed Saint like she was in the future.
The more changes they make to their present, the more of a ripple it will have on future events. In a way, it was like what old man Obel had said about the correlation between growing stronger and Gates.
'I wonder how that geezer is doing right now anyways.'
Sunny sat back in his chair, and closed his eyes. His most pressing issue however, was not Shadow Dance or training himself physically. It was his damned Shadow Bond. How could he keep it safe?
In the future, Mordret had learned about it, but because Neph was his master he couldn't control Sunny. However, now that everything had been reset only Neph knew about it. Sunny doubted he could keep it all under control, all it would take is someone asking how he was so strong, and that could lead into asking if he had a True Name.
There were simply too many possibilities to predict and manage.
Sunny sighed before he checked his dreaded Aspect tag-along.
Aspect: [Shadow Slave].
Aspect Rank: Divine.
Aspect Description: [You are a miraculous shadow left behind by a dead god. As a divine shadow, you possess plenty of strange and wondrous powers. However, your existence is empty and lonesome; you mourn the passing of your former master and long to find a new one.]
Innate Ability: [Shadow Bond]
Ability Description: [Find a worthy master and let them know your True Name. Once they recite it out loud, you will be bound to their life. Should your master perish, you will cease to exist. It is improper for a shadow, let alone a divine one, to walk without a master.]
Sunny's eyes shot open, wide with shock.
"Huh? Tha-That's totally different from the past!"
Why did it change? So far, the only change Sunny had noticed was [Bastard of Fate], but now even his [Shadow Bond] had been altered. While this was a massive boon for him, it also still created an issue, one that could be even worse than the previous curse.
If someone claimed to be his master, and died then he would in turn die too. At least that's what was hinted. So in theory, anyone could simply convince someone to claim his name, then kill them. In turn this would kill him.
'Damnation! Why can't things be more simple?'
Sunny rubbed his face wearily, and laid his head on the desk. The already complex problem that is his True Name, had just become vastly more problematic. At least in the past Neph had to be with him to command him, but now he could be killed without knowing what happened at any point!
Too tired, and too overwhelmed to contemplate anymore, Sunny drifted off to sleep at his desk. What a long day it had been. Tackling all these problems could wait a little longer.
Early that next morning, Sunny stretched out of the chair, and washed up. Today he had set a few things to accomplish. He looked forward to one in particular, meeting with his beloved Teacher Julius!
After having gotten cleaned up and dressed, Sunny left for the cafeteria. Another important moment would take place today, the ranks of each Sleeper would be announced.
'Mm, I wonder where I'll place now that I've led them on a bit.'
After filling his plate, he made his way over to Cassie. As Cassie is blind, she was still viewed as an outcast by the other Sleepers, or even as a bad omen. Despite this, Sunny and Neph knew better than anyone else what kind of power dwells within Cassie.
Although Sunny could sit by Cassie, Neph and him agreed that it would be better if she sat away from them. It was much to early to draw that kind of attention to themselves. Especially with that rat, Caster lurking about.
Giving a faint smile to the social worker helping Cassie, Sunny sat down. Honestly, as much as he wanted to talk regularly with Cassie, it was better if that sort of thing happened during the Forgotten Shore. At least this gave Sunny some time to think.
But this quiet peace did not last long, and a sudden commotion spilled from the screen in the cafeteria. Observing the noisy teens, Sunny saw their faces filled with excitement and awe.
On the screen, a list displayed every Sleeper in the batch and their corresponding rank, from weakest to strongest.
'Ahh, that's a little better.'
Sunny grinned, he had found himself situated in the middle of the list. Though, he felt a bit bad seeing Cassie at the bottom. And as expected, Neph had taken first place.
As more Sleepers saw the rankings, more of them grew restless.
"How… how can this be?!"
"I'm not seeing things, right?"
"What kind of a monster is she?!"
They had the right to feel this way, Neph had earned her True Name in the First Nightmare. It was truly a monumental accomplishment. While many of the Sleepers were in awe, Caster of course recognized his target.
'That bastard really did have it out for her from the start.'
Glancing at Neph, who was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria with a cup of coffee, Sunny discerned that she was observing everyone's reaction discreetly. Most likely to see if there was anyone else who was after her like Caster. Her gray eyes as distant as ever to others, were equally as beautiful to Sunny.
"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, then I could have been in the first place instead!"
Sunny smiled, it was refreshing to not be mentioned as a perv.
"Well, why don't we just ask her?"
Suddenly, there was a deafening silence in the cafeteria. Following the suggestion, Sleepers stopped talking and turned around, staring at Nephis. However, no one seemed to have the courage to approach her first.
Nephis took a sip from her coffee, and looked back at the staring Sleepers.
"Mmm. What?"
Even Cassie, who had mostly ignored the previous commotion turned her head in the direction of Neph's voice.
After an awkward moment of inaction, Caster walked over to her and made a small bow.
"Lady Nephis. I am Caster from the Han Li clan. I see that your trial went well?"
'How polite of him.' Sunny chuckled.
Nephis held her emotions in check behind the tight mask of her indifference and answered aptly.
"It went as expected."
With a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Nephis returned her attention to her coffee.
Caster awkwardly returned the smile.
"I see. I am very glad that you returned unharmed. Uh… not that I doubted your abilities."
Nephis nodded.
"Thank you."
Again, ignoring Caster she returned to her coffee. Caster took the hint and made his way back into the crowd of nosy Sleepers. Not long after, the attention of the crowd turned back to their own individual rankings.
Sunny let out a small sigh.
Part of him had wanted to place at the top, to discard the burden of false mediocrity. But arrogance always brought defeat in tow. Now was not the time to disregard the ever watchful eyes of the Great Clans.
Digging into the luxurious breakfast in front of him, Sunny eased his thoughts.
'No harm in enjoying a little food right?'
The Wilderness Survival classroom was spacious, tastefully decorated… And completely empty. If Sunny had not known, he would have thought he was in the wrong place. Much to his delight, he spotted a gloomy instructor sitting behind a wide wooden desk. Noticing him, the instructor perked up.
"Come in, young man!"
'Ah to be called young again.'
Sunny had missed Julius, he was the same as ever. Julius was still a lively old man with messy grey hair, absentminded eyes and a pair of bushy eyebrows that seemed to jump around on their own.
"I'm Awakened Julius. You can call me Teacher Julius. Sit down, sit down! What's your name?
Sunny took a seat, and got comfortable. Smiling, he replied:
"It's Sunless."
Julius raised his eyebrows.
"Ah! What an ominous name. But that is good, very good. After all, we have to deal with a lot of ominous things!"
"My mother had a bit of a poetic soul you see. Anyways, am I the only one here?"
Teacher Julius' expression grew a bit distant.
"Unfortunately yes. No one else is coming. Those brutes are only interested in swinging their fists and swords around. Very few are smart like you and know the true value of knowledge…"
Sighing inwardly, Sunny could not help but agree. This course had saved his life countless times in the Dream Realm. And yet, many ignored it.
"Say, young man… why did you choose Wilderness Survival, of all things?"
Sunny pondered for a moment, before answering simply.
"A Master who watched over my First Nightmare recommended the course to me."
"A very wise advice! That Master truly knows what's important..."
Sunny's lessons with Teacher Julius continued pleasantly and without much tension, but just an hour later, Sunny realized he had grown... Bored? Of course, it was not Julius' fault but Sunny knew essentially everything he needed to know already.
The course stretched the whole day, and after being dismissed, Sunny took the opportunity to retire himself to his room. The next task Sunny had set for himself was to relearn Shadow Dance.
'Hmm, this might be a bit challenging with my current physical form...'
Standing in the middle of his room, Sunny glanced at Gloomy, who was sulking as per usual in a corner.
"Don't worry, you'll have more friends soon enough."
Gloomy looked at him weirdly, before shrugging.
Commanding Gloomy to return to him, Sunny prepared himself to complete the First Mastery of Shadow Dance. These next four weeks would be short.