They were embracing each other for some time before the academy gates opened.
Sunny took a breath and whispered into her ear, trying to sound calm, but failed.
"Neph... we have to go in the academy now. I-I... will explain what happened to me later. For now we have to go."
But she didn't release him. He also didn't push her away. Not wanting to let her go again.
After a few seconds, she reluctantly retreated her hands from his back.
He also hesitantly released her from his grip and let her go.
She didn't say anything, still trying to process everything. There were no thoughts in her mind. She nodded to him one last time before stepping onto the bridge, making her way toward the academy.
Sunny also didn't say anything and went in with her. But this time he didn't follow her from behind. He stepped into the academy with her, side by side, maintaining the same pace as her.
Arriving inside, Nephis instantly wore her indifferent and calm mask. If it had been somebody else, they would have thought she was calm and had no tension in her mind.
But Sunny was not somebody. He knew that she was anything but calm. This time he didn't talk to anyone. He just went and sat in a corner, where a delicate blond girl was sitting.
Cassie.
Just like the last time, Sleepers avoided her like the plague. Nephis went to a corner and leaned on a wall, looking at Sunny.
Sunny also looked at her. Both of them stared into each other's eyes and didn't move from it. Their gazes locked. They both knew what the two of them wanted.
Other people who tried to approach them felt a chill down their spine. So, they didn't approach them in the end. Yet female Sleepers glanced toward Sunny from time to time.
That made Nephis's gaze a little bit fiercer. He didn't understand why her eyes became a little bit more piercing. Because he didn't notice that the other girls were glancing toward him from time to time.
There also were Caster's fanboys, fanboying over him. Caster tried to approach Nephis, but felt the aura around her and backed off.
Awakened Rock came in and started giving his speech, which both of them ignored. After that, they were assigned their dormitory.
Sunny nodded toward Nephis and went to his room. After entering his room, he changed his clothes and wore the academy uniform. He sat down for ten minutes before a knock came from the outside.
He opened the door. Outside, of course, was Nephis. She was also wearing her uniform, with her white hair, grey eyes, and flawless white skin making her look stunning. He let her in and closed the door.
After closing the door, he turned around and hugged her.
She hugged him back, pressing her soft body against his. They stood like this for some time, in awkward silence.
Both of them didn't know what to say. Both of them opened their mouths and said:
"...Are you okay?"
"Are you okay?"
Both of them pulled away from the hug a little bit, just enough to see each other's face.
They looked into each other's eyes with surprise. Then suddenly they both started laughing. Nephis even gave a rare smile. Finally, the atmosphere between the two lightened a little bit.
They fully pulled away from the hug and made their way to the bed. Sunny sat down on the bed and patted the area next to him, indicating for Nephis to sit down.
Nephis moved and sat down close to him. Their shoulders brushed against each other. After a few seconds of silence, Nephis spoke up, with curiosity and concern in her voice.
"You had told me that you will explain what happened. So, now please explain what happened, if you want."
Sunny felt something warm in his chest after hearing it.
"This is a long story. Do you want to hear the short version or the long?"
"Long version," Nephis said instantly, knowing very well that she wouldn't be able to understand anything in the short version.
Her eyes were burning with determination. As if she didn't want to waste a single second and wanted to hear the story right now.
Sunny sighed. 'Seemed like I won't be able to eat my supper today.'
"Okay. But first we have to go to the administrative office for the interview."
Nephis hesitated for a bit, then nodded.
They left the room carefully, so that nobody noticed them together.
After that, pretty much everything was the same. Sunny downplayed his ability again. Because if he didn't, he would be the center of attention, and he didn't like that. Plus, because of his looks, he already got too much attention.
He went to his room after that. Nephis's interview didn't end yet, it seemed. He felt uncomfortable in his uniform. He decided to change it and wore his nightwear. He wore a black shirt and black pajamas.
Of course, he just wore it because the uniform felt uncomfortable. He didn't have any hidden intention at all.
Then a knock came from the door. He walked toward the door and opened it. There was Nephis, standing and wearing her white nightwear, the same design as his. He let her in and closed the door.
Sunny turned around and smirked.
"Why did you come here wearing your nightwear?"
Nephis looked into his eyes, and instead of answering, she asked him instead.
"Why are you wearing your nightwear?"
"Well, it's because the uniform felt uncomfortable."
"Are there any other reasons?"
Sunny froze. He tried to think of a deceitful answer, but he couldn't do it. Not with Nephis. He didn't want to deceive her about anything. So, he answered:
"Yes."
Nephis's mouth curled up a little. She didn't press further. Well, because she already knew why. She also had the same intention after all.
She sat on his bed and opened her mouth.
"Now, can you finally explain to me what happened in our third nightmare? Because as far as Cassie told me, you got rid of Shadow Bond."
'So, Cassie didn't tell her the full truth, huh.'
Sunny opened his mouth and started speaking.
He told her everything. How he met the vile thieving bird. How he lost his fate and was forgotten by the world. How he traveled the Hollow Mountains. How he reached Forgotten Shore. After that, everything else.
Of course, she also had her reactions to it.
When she heard about the bird, she whispered:
"That's why you hate birds."
When she heard about the forgotten part, and how she had said to him who are you, her indifferent face changed, and tears began to fall from her eyes. Sunny comforted her.
And Hollow Mountain part—"Are you insane!? How can you call me crazy after doing stuff like this?"
After he explained everything, there was silence. After a few seconds, Nephis spoke up.
"So, Cassie knew everything, huh?"
Sunny looked at her and said:
"Yes. But don't hold anything against her. I already forgave her for everything she did against me."
She didn't say anything and remained silent.
Sunny sighed and suddenly remembered something. He quickly got Nephis's attention and began to speak.
"Oh, and my innate ability changed. It's now [Unknown Bond]. It doesn't make me anybody's slave. If I and somebody else recite each other's true names, we'll become connected and able to see and teleport to each other's location."
Nephis's face brightened up.
"So, are we gonna do this now?"
Sunny nodded. They got ready. Sunny started counting.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1."
Then they recited each other's true name together.
"Lost from light."
"Changing star."
Then Sunny felt something. It wasn't like he just felt complete. He felt complete, but also felt like he was not alone anymore. It was difficult to explain. He felt like... he would never be alone anymore. Like a second soul had appeared in his, making his entire being feel warm and comfortable.
He looked at Nephis, and seeing her reaction, he guessed she also felt the same. Then both of them opened up their runes.
Name: Sunless.
True Name: Lost from light
Rank: Dreamer [Sealed rank: Supreme]
Shadow Core: Dormant.
Shadow fragments: [12/1000]
Memories: [Puppeteer's Shroud]
Echoes:
Shadows:
Attributes: [Unseen from Fate], [Mark of Divinity], [Child of Shadows].
Aspect: [Dance of Light and Shadow].
Aspect rank: Divine
Innate ability:[Unknown Bond]
Aspect ability : [Shadow control]
Flaw : [Clear Conscience]
Light: Changing star
Name: Nephis
True name: Changing star
Rank: Dreamer [Sealed rank: Supreme]
Soul Core: Dormant.
Soul fragments: [0/1000]
Memories: [Dream sword], [Armour of falsehood]
Echoes:
Attributes: [Unseen from Fate], [Flame of divinity], [Dreamspawn], [Nephilim],[The fire], [Blessing]
Aspect: [Light Bringer].
Aspect rank: Divine
Innate ability:[Halfbreed]
Aspect ability : [Soul flame]
Flaw : [Pristine Soul]