Leon got his nose patched up, then he headed back to the cafeteria as he felt hungry after the duel.
Cassie was still there. He drew a slow breath and walked toward her.
He took a seat across from her.
"Hey Cassie."
Cassie nodded.
"Leon."
She looked up and hesitated for a second. "Did you win?"
Leon scoffed. "No. Came close though."
Cassie gave way to a small smile on her face.
But the smile quickly disappeared.
Leon noticed.
"So," he said calmly. "You've decided."
Cassie nodded slowly.
"We might not even end up in the same place in the Dream Realm,"
she said, voice trembling. "I'll just slow you down."
Tears slid down her cheeks.
"Hey."
Leon interrupted gently.
"That's not how this works."
"If you're walking beside me," he said simply, "I won't let you slow me down."
Cassie smiled.
"Thanks."
Leon cracked his knuckles.
"So you're ready for your first training session then?"
Her smile faltered. "Training?"
Leon chuckled.
"You think I'm letting you walk into the Dream Realm unprepared?"
Cassie fell silent.
And for the first time since meeting him, she wondered—
'What did I just agree to?'
During the week of isolation, Leon had thought a great deal about Cassie. In the end, his conclusion was simple: if she was going to become stronger in the future, why not accelerate that growth?
Though they were not enemies, he didn't yet consider her a proper friend. It is often best to shape the blade before it sharpens itself.
'Better she grows with me than against me.'
***
Leon then entered the wilderness survival class where Teacher Julius was already busy teaching Sunny.
Sunny noticed Leon.
Teacher Julius sensed Sunny's distraction and glanced at Leon entering.
"Hello Teacher...I apologize for not coming to class an entire week."
He looked at Teacher Julius sheepishly.
Teacher Julius looked at him and smiled.
"I can see why." He said pointing at Leon's nose.
Leon nodded and crossed his arms.
"You see, there's this troublesome white-haired demon. She even calls herself a star. I had to teach her a lesson."
Sunny chuckled as Teacher Julius smiled.
"Well my dear student! I assume you taught that star a lesson?"
Leon nodded. "Of course! I am your student after all."
Teacher Julius gestured to an empty seat.
"Then do sit down young man. We have more stars to learn about."
Leon's eyes twitched as he sat beside Sunny.
'Here we go again...'
***
The next day, Leon, Sunny and Cassie were eating together at their usual table.
"Sunny, I need your help with something." Leon said while showing a bright smile.
Sunny shuddered before answering.
"What?"
"You see," he pointed toward Cassie, "we are going to be training her."
Sunny blinked. "Train...her?"
Cassie lowered her gaze, visibly embarrassed.
"Yup, and I need one more person so,"
he looked back at Sunny.
"You'll help, right?"
Sunny scoffed. "And why should I?"
Leon smiled darkly. Leaning closer, voice barely audible, he whispered into Sunny's ears.
"Because I know things you really don't want me explaining out loud."
He pointed at Sunny's shadow.
Sunny stiffened, his eyes widening. "H-how?"
'Courtesy of Noah of course.'
"My eyes are really good Sunless."
Leaning back, he returned to his food.
"So you'll help me, no?"
Sunny grimaced, staring at Leon.
"Don't worry, we'll spar too. That should help us improve our combat. Plus you should already know enough about my skills."
Sunny's expression didn't soften completely, but something in it had shifted.
"Fine."
He turned towards Cassie.
"Ready Cas?"
Cassie smiled crookedly. She could feel cold sweat pouring down her face.
Leon's lips curled upward.
'Early investment. Maximum yield.'
***
The three stood in an empty dojo.
Cassie stood in the very middle as Leon circled her. Sunny hesitated, but then followed suit.
Leon stopped, and so did Sunny.
"Cassie."
His voice echoed through the empty dojo.
"Where am I?"
Cassie hesitated.
"I don't... know"
"Just guess."
Cassie pointed at a direction, but she was slightly off from where Leon stood.
Sunny scoffed. "This is pointless."
Leon ignored him and began moving again.
"Just listen to my voice, Cassie. Clear your mind of all thoughts and focus."
He stopped again.
"Now?"
She pointed again.
Leon smiled and clapped slowly. "You're getting closer, good job."
Cassie had a faint smile creep up her face.
Leon and Sunny repeated it for a while. Eventually, after nearly an hour of them circling her, forcing her to guess, Cassie grew tired and decided to head out.
Leon then turned toward Sunny.
"Ready?"
Sunny nodded.
They clashed, the wooden blades striking with a dull crack.
Leon was dominating due to his skill, but Sunny seemed to adapt, as they continued to clash.
***
Days went by as Leon continued Cassie's training alongside Wilderness Survival. He felt it was pointless to attend joint combat. Partially because he did not want to see the white-haired demon's face again, and also because he already knew what to train.
Sunny eventually stopped complaining every time Leon dragged him into the dojo. Soon enough, the three of them even talked comfortably in the cafeteria.
Cassie stood in the dojo, still and focused — silence everywhere.
She hesitated, then lifted her hand and pointed in a direction.
Leon clapped his hands. "Nicely done."
She blinked.
"But I didn't hear your voice."
Leon tilted his head.
'Wait, then how did she...'
Noah chimed in, while he shrugged.
"Your breathing perhaps?"
Leon repeated, as he did not have any better guesses.
"You heard me breathe."
Cassie froze. "I did?"
"You're starting to."
'She can hear me breathe...'
For a moment, Leon was amazed at how fast Cassie was improving. He had not expected her to hear so much, so soon.
Sunny sighed. "So what? We're just gonna keep doing this?"
"Yes."
Leon sighed.
"Until she stops apologizing."
Cassie lowered her hand slowly. "I'm...sorry"
Leon let out a quiet chuckle. "That was a good one."
Cassie blinked.
"…What?"
Leon turned and started walking away.
"You didn't apologize because you were scared this time."
He paused to pick up two swords, and tossed one to Sunny.
"You apologized because you thought you were wrong. That's progress."
Cassie stood there in silence.
Then, very quietly, she smiled.
***
Cassie left the dojo as usual. By now she knew the other two kept training after she was gone. She didn't mind, knowing she couldn't really help them in any way. If anything, she felt guilty about having Leon and Sunny help her for free.
Leon smiled as their blades continued to strike.
"You're growing fast Sunny."
Sunny exhaled slowly.
"Not fast enough apparently."
No matter how fast Sunny tried adapting to Leon, Leon simply felt like a monster. Even in his poor physical state, he seemed to be a genius at combat. Sunny of course, was no amateur by now.
Sunny paused as he lowered his blade.
"Actually...I want to try something."
Leon grew confused when he saw Sunny close his eyes. Sunny then lunged at Leon with his eyes closed as they began exchanging blows again. Leon was shocked to see Sunny perform so well without sight.
"How?" he asked out of curiosity.
Sunny grinned, but it soon disappeared as he groaned in pain.
"I can sense your shadow."
Leon realized his mistake as he had forced Sunny to answer.
The way Sunny's voice twisted against his will made Leon's stomach tighten. It reminded him of the orphanage, where he was forced to listen and answer to the elders there.
"Full of surprises huh Sunny."
Leon then closed his eyes and activated his Innate Ability. He grimaced in pain, but he could now feel it. He felt the shadows around him. It was a weird sensation to describe.
'It works.'
Sunny was oblivious to this as he had his own eyes closed. But he could clearly feel Leon's skill drop by a wide margin.
They continued to fight.
***
Leon sat in his room, fully exhausted.
He groaned as he shifted in bed, trying to fall asleep. But the new sense he developed wouldn't let him sleep. He wanted to explore more and yet the exhaustion didn't let him.
"Cassie...you think she trusts us?"
Noah asked as he sat by the window looking bored. Apparently, ghosts couldn't sleep, so poor Noah was stuck there every night, with nothing to do.
Leon stared at the ceiling, resting his arm over his head.
"She's still unpredictable... I don't know what her true thoughts are."
"Yet you trust her."
Leon scoffed.
"Please. I trust no one. I am simply observing her, I don't trust her completely yet. Sunny though, he can't..."
He paused before getting up to scan his entire room. Closing his eyes, he used his new Shadow Sense.
After confirming Sunny was not spying on him with his shadow, he continued: "He can't lie, so he can be trusted."
Noah exhaled sharply as he glanced at Leon.
"Good job today."
Leon smiled, a quiet hum escaping him as he drifted off to sleep.
Noah lingered for a few minutes as he noticed Leon's breathing steady.
"This is... annoying."
He muttered as he walked toward the door, and simply passed through it.
***
The three were in the dojo again.
Cassie stood in her usual spot, hands relaxed at her sides.
Sunny sighed and stepped forward with his arm raised. He moved closer to Cassie and just before his hand touched her shoulder...
"Now."
Sunny froze.
"Tch. This is annoying," he grumbled.
Leon sighed, scratching his head.
"That's it, Cassie, you're as ready as you can be for the solstice."
Cassie's shoulders relaxed. She turned toward Leon's voice and smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Leon."
Then she turned toward where she assumed Sunny stood.
"You too, Sunny."
Sunny's eyes twitched, but he soon had a small smile on his face.
"Sure."
After a while of being cold and indifferent, Sunny had gradually softened up to Leon and Cassie.
She silently left the dojo.
Leon exhaled and turned toward Sunny.
"Ready?"
Sunny stepped forward while gripping his training sword,
"Let's do this."
Sunny closed his eyes, sensing the entire place with shadow sense.
Leon smiled and activated [Echo of Spell].
Closing his eyes, he began sensing the entire dojo through his own shadow sense.
Sunny stepped forward as he raised his sword. Leon did the same, and the two swords clashed.
They exchanged a few blows before Leon's mind started aching.
Leon grunted as blinding pain shot throughout his head. This allowed Sunny to land a blow on Leon causing him to stagger. He opened his eyes and continued fighting.
Minutes later, the two were sprawled on the ground, exhausted.
Leon took deep breaths, and spoke in between them.
"That...makes it...1 win, 12 draws."
Sunny grumbled.
"13 draws...you liar."
Leon slowly sat up.
"Clearly I won the first time."
Sunny stood up lazily.
"Keep dreaming."
Sunny helped Leon up, as the two headed to their rooms.
***
A few days were left till the winter solstice. Leon stood outside a square white building, its walls made out of smooth, pristine alloy. Staring back, Leon crossed his arms and sighed.
"Are you sure there is something different from the original? I can't keep risking going back in there. They don't allow Sleepers to simply enter a library unauthorized."
Noah held his head and exhaled slowly.
"The only evidence I have is that they're now calling it Fourth Special Directive instead of Third."
Even after searching through the books he could get his hands on, Noah couldn't really find any major differences. There was also information not mentioned in the novel itself, so he couldn't know if it had changed or not.
"We don't even have a communicator, so the terminals are off limits."
Leon said as he began heading back to the dorms. "It's a miracle I even found this place."
Noah frowned. "This is... bad."
Leon shrugged. "Relax. I'm sure it will be fine."
Noah scratched his head. "Moron. Uncertainty means danger, and danger in Shadow Slave means death!"
Leon glanced at Noah, observing his sudden outburst. "I'm sure we can figure it out."
But he had noticed Noah acting differently over the past few days. At first, Noah would only grow frustrated more often, grow silent. He would linger a little longer than usual, watching without blinking. Over time, his movements grew more erratic.
Leon understood Noah's state. Even though Noah didn't need to eat, drink or even sleep — he still felt emotions. So naturally, with the lack of stimulus, he grew more unstable.
Unable to change the situation, Leon hoped he would find some sort of Memory to help Noah in the future. But his mind remembered the runes of his Aspect Ghost.
[Though bound to your soul, it is not loyal to it.]
***
On the day of the winter solstice, Leon woke up, tired and drowsy.
"Rise and shine, Leo." Noah said in an unamused tone.
"Morning Noah."
Leon yawned as he stood up to take a shower.
He walked out of his room, as he dragged himself across the hallway to the cafeteria. Filling his tray as usual, he sat down to eat. He felt more tired than usual.
Soon, Sunny and Cassie joined him. Cassie didn't need a social worker's help as she had familiarized herself with the cafeteria by now.
"Morning, guys." Leon said in a cheery tone.
Cassie and Sunny looked at him with an annoyed face.
"Bastard, how are you even able to stay like this even today?"
Sunny sat down, annoyed by Leon's cheery attitude.
Cassie exhaled slowly, shaking her head.
"I told you Sunny, he's a nightmare creature in disguise."
Sunny grumbled.
"Might as well kill him right now Cas. At least we can harvest his soul shards that way."
Cassie chuckled as she continued eating.
Leon raised an eyebrow as he lowered his spoon.
"Oh right, you guys don't know."
The two looked at him in confusion.
"It's my flaw, I don't feel fear."
Both Sunny and Cassie froze.
Sunny dropped his spoon. "Bastard... How is that a flaw? It's practically a blessing!"
Cassie simply blinked, as though Leon had done something unthinkable.
"Leon, are you sure you want to tell us your flaw so easily?"
Leon's smile froze for a quick second, but soon turned natural again.
"Of course Cas, you're both my friends after all."
The word tasted unfamiliar to him. And yet... not entirely unpleasant.
Cassie dropped her head in embarrassment and nodded slightly.
Sunny froze for a while, hearing Leon's words. He clicked his tongue as he began eating again.
"Lucky bastard."
Cassie coughed.
"I think it could be considered a flaw Sunny. Imagine he sees an awakened beast and just jumps at it because he doesn't feel fear. He could die."
Sunny narrowed his eyes.
"Except this guy is smart enough to..."
He froze and looked back at Leon.
"Nevermind. I can see why it's his flaw."
Leon continued eating, indifferent to their comments.
As they continued eating, Noah spoke up.
"Oh right, by the way—
His voice was cut off by Cassie's own.
"Sunny, Happy Birthday!"
Sunny froze.
Leon choked on his food.
Sunny looked at her with a mix of confusion and skepticism.
"Thanks, but... How'd you know?"
Leon coughed again, clutching a glass of water.
"Sunny, happy birthday dude! Why didn't you tell me?"
Sunny continued eating. "I don't usually go around announcing my birthday."
Leon nodded in agreement.
"Fair."
Cassie hesitated for a while and then spoke up.
"That's my Ability. I receive visions. They can be about the future or the past. I mean, that's what I think… it only happened a couple of times."
Leon looked at Noah, who was nodding.
He turned back and spoke.
"That's amazing Cas, my aspect is a bit weirder. It lets me read people's movements."
Sunny hesitated for a while.
"Mine gives me an affinity for shadows."
"Shadows and visions, huh?"
Leon said. "How come you guys get the cool abilities?"
Leon smirked as he turned toward Sunny.
"Careful, Sunny. Keep this up and people will think your Aspect is divine."
Sunny kicked his foot under the table.
Cassie giggled, indifferent to their expressions.
"Sure Leon."
Leon managed to lighten up the mood.
With that, they continued with their meals before the inevitable arrived.
***
There were no Wilderness Survival Classes today but Leon and Sunny still visited Instructor Julius.
The old man nearly cried, sending them off. He promised them a research assistant position once they became full Awakened.
Leon frowned at the old man's words.
"But teacher, I'd rather go out there and explore you know. All those ancient ruins to explore, countless secrets to uncover!"
Teacher Julius smiled.
"That's my boy! Only my students would be different from those battle driven maniacs!"
"Wait what am I talking about? You are my students!"
Teacher Julius proceeded to laugh and give both of them "one last tip" countless times.
When the sun was close to setting, Instructor Rock gathered all the Sleepers and led them outside.
Rock led them to the Academy's medical center.
Its interior housed some of the most advanced medical technology available. Leon observed the countless pods lined up in separate rooms, one next to another.
Rock didn't stop here and kept walking as they reached a deserted floor.
There, they saw rows and rows of wheelchairs. In each wheelchair, there was a person with a blank, strangely peaceful expression on their face.
Rock turned back and addressed them.
"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."
Leon narrowed his eyes, looking at the Hollows.
"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."
"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—
Leon couldn't hear him anymore, because as soon as he saw the Hollows, his ears had started ringing.
His vision felt blurry, as he began feeling nauseous.
He continued to stare at the hollows as though he felt a subtle connection to them.
They didn't look dead. They just looked empty — as though something had been removed from them with precision.
"Leonar."
He heard a soft voice say. It was the same voice he had dreamt of before his first nightmare.
The ringing got louder before it completely disappeared when Sunny nudged Leon's shoulder.
Leon snapped out and looked at Sunny.
"What's wrong?"
Sunny asked in an indifferent tone.
Leon shook his head before turning his attention back to the hollows.
'Am I... forgetting something?'
***
Around half an hour later, everyone was led to their own private rooms.
In Leon's room, he turned to Noah,
"Ready?" Noah asked.
Leon smirked.
"Unfaltering Will, remember?" He said as he positioned himself to enter the sleeping pod.
"But was it necessary to reveal the flaw to them?" Noah asked.
Leon paused, before getting comfortable in the pod.
"They already know my behavior isn't normal. If I can confirm their doubts by revealing my flaw, they'll think I trust them a lot."
He felt his chest grow heavier. As if he had done something wrong.
"Of course, once I know I can trust them, I won't have to hide so much. Technically I didn't lie to them so far, did I?"
Noah nodded.
In another room, Sunny looked at his shadow and asked
"Well, are you ready?"
The shadow shrugged.
Somewhere else, the blind girl, Cassia seemed nervous. She clenched her fists till they turned pale. She looked ahead and exhaled sharply.
Elsewhere, Changing Star — Nephis was looking down at her hands. Underneath her skin, soft white radiance was slowly growing brighter and brighter.
Her face was contorted in a grimace of harrowing agony.
***
"Say, Noah. Where will the others end up?"
Noah sighed.
"Forgotten Shore."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Death zone?"
Noah nodded. Leon's gaze grew distant.
He felt no worry for his friends. He cared — he just didn't feel it the way others did.
Most human emotions are rooted in fear, and without it, Leon lost more than just his body shuddering.
He took a deep breath, and hoped he would end up in the same place. Forgotten Shore wasn't documented anywhere. The thought made him grin.
'Would be fun to explore that place.'
With that, Leon closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion take over him.
Everything turned dark.
In the vast echoing darkness, he heard:
[Welcome to the Dream Realm, Leonar!]