He was in a bed. There was a dim buzzing light overhead and a stale smell. He sat up and stretched; the pain of having holes blown through his body was now a distant memory.

Someone moved, and Nico shifted his gaze. Balancing their chair on the back legs was a delicate-looking man, probably in their twenties. He wore a variation of the government uniform, having more of an overcoat design. The main point of interest was his eyes. They were inhuman, and Nico felt like he was staring into space and seeing the countless stars and a purple nebula. Of course, that was on a screen. The man's eyes seemed closer to the real deal.

The man stopped balancing and sat properly. The slamming of his legs sent a jolt through Nico's body. Then Nico picked up the smell.

'What is that?' He spotted a white cylinder in the man's mouth, burning on one end. His purple pupils drilled into Nico, and he put out the white cylinder.

"Welcome back, Sleeper Nico. Now that you haven't died and become a horrible monster, I can eat."

Nico felt a sudden itching urge in his mind.

"Who are you?" The urge vanished, replaced with a tinge of annoyance.

"Master Shane. I've been watching you for four days.” Shane got up before Nico could ask another question.

Nico got up silently, respecting the master’s wishes. 'Wait, did he say 'Master'?'

"You're an Ascended?!" Nico covered his mouth, realizing he had said that way louder than he wanted to. Shane gave him a sideways glance and a slim smile. "Yep." The man said it like it was completely normal.

"Now, you need a bath and food, then I can fulfill my duties," Shane pointed out, and Nico obliged, still reeling from the idea that he had met a master. Rio was the only one he'd seen. The one in front of him felt different.

Nico felt rejuvenated after a hot bath. Days of sleeping on cold hardwood was a real pain, even if it was in a dream. He also found something else out. His flaw worked better on mundane people than on the master. While Shane's feelings were like small colors, the mundane people were close to full pictures. It was all giving Nico a headache. He forgot a little bit about that while he enjoyed the feeling of clean clothes.

Shane was waiting in a large cafeteria smoking what a worker told him was a cigarette. Nico sat down and waited. Shane puffed out some smoke before joining him at the table.

"Alright. Do you need counseling?" He asked bluntly.

Nico opened his mouth to respond, hesitated, and closed it. A weight pulled down on his shoulders, making it hard to breathe. The events of his nightmare replayed.

"N-no." Nico said. Shane stared at him until Nico shifted uncomfortably and broke eye contact.

"Moving on. So, now that you are a sleeper, you can go lament that fact that you're entering the dream realm and are probably going to die, or you can enroll in the Academy. I advise the latter. I've seen a lot of dumb stuff happen. One sleeper even tried to go early and entered a gate. They died." \

"Um. The Academy sounds good."

"Great. The solstice is around the corner, so you'll learn close to nothing, but you can make some friends." 'This guy has a really gloomy outlook on this.'

"Any questions?"

"Yes. Why is a master handling a sleeper? Don't you have more important things to do?"

"Indeed I do. However, this associate of mine kept nagging me nonstop, so I came to deal with you."

"Was that my brother?" Nico's words were laced with hostility, and he quickly apologized. No matter his feelings, Shane ascended, distinguishing himself from the common awakened.

"It was," Shane said. Nico didn't know how to feel about that. 'Why not come himself?' The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The Academy was a castle beyond Nico's wildest fantasies. It looked impregnable and gave off a domineering vibe, protected by walls, turrets, and a moat. 'four weeks here,' Nico sighed.

"Alright. You have everything you need. My only advice to you is to keep your mouth shut. People don't like a 'know it all', especially when it's personal." Shane flashed a smile and turned around. 'He knows…' Nico wondered. Nico looked away from the bridge and called after the master.

"You're terrible at this, you know that right?"

"Sometimes explaining too much is worse than saying too little," Shane shouted. He disappeared into his PTV, and Nico watched the floating car leave.

'What a strange guy.' Nico stepped onto the bridge. The hall for the induction ceremony was immense and lavish compared to the place Nico was used to. Nico felt a little out of place with just a backpack. He didn't have many things.

He was surprised by how different everybody looked, yet they were all exquisitely beautiful. Then there was the pain. A storm of emotions assaulted his brain, and Nico stumbled at the entrance. 'What is all this?' Nico tried to breathe evenly and managed to sit down normally. He started to think and let his thoughts drown out the foreign feelings.

Nico picked a semi-secluded spot between two clades. One group was obviously legacy kids who knew each other. They were finely dressed, and some even had matched luggage. Keeping to himself, Nico waited.

Hours passed, and it became apparent that this would not be a smooth ride. Nico was vastly unprepared for dealing with teenagers. He was polite and said little, trying to avoid any dangerous ground.

'I'm not doing too bad,' he thought. There was this one kid as pale as him with black hair going around being foul-mouthed and perverted. Eventually, that kid was left alone in a corner with a bloody nose.

Nico scooted closer and felt something different. It wasn't sorrow or malice. It was relief. 'This kid wanted to be alone.' The idea was absurd for a moment, but then Nico thought about flaws. That boy's flaw might have something to do with his situation.

Then, the teenager stood up and walked over to the group of legacy kids. "Ascended, excellent? That's it? What's the big deal?" The boy confronted them and started to boast.

Nico was lost for words. The boy was joyful during the whole exchange, and then there were pricks of pain. Nico felt like someone was using his mind like a pincushion at some point.

The kids shooed the boy off, and there was this sense of triumph from the pale kid. Nico watched the whole thing with an unreadable expression.

'No pride, no jealousy. Could he have really killed a Tyrant?' Nico gawked at the kid, now sitting contently. 'Blessed by a dead god. That is interesting.' Nico watched the legacy kids and couldn't help but shiver. 'Best to stay away.' The feelings he got from the leader, Caster, weren't good.

Instead, Nico moved over and found another kid sitting alone. They had the air of a haughty legacy but weren't gloating with their friends.

"Hello. Can I sit here?" Nico waited for a response, and the boy looked at him without moving his head. "Sure,"

Nico sat down and put out his hand, customary in greetings, he was told. "I'm Nico."

"Gen. Gen Krelm." Nico felt a hint of the pride he got from the other legacies, but soon it was gone. The legacy brushed his dark hair and looked at Nico.

"Can you not stare?" Nico looked away from the hazel eyes and leaned on his hand.

"If you don't mind me asking--"

"I do mind," Gen snapped

"Why are you over here? Aren't you a legacy sleeper?" Gen was quiet for a while, and Nico couldn't decipher the colors in his brain.

"It's complicated," He said. Then, a giant of a man walked in.

"I am Awakened Rock. Sleepers, welcome to the Academy."

"Backstabber," Nico muttered. The induction was over, and Nico found his room in the Academy. The sight induced a melancholy familiarity, but he brushed it off.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

[Backstabber]

Rank: Dormant

Type: Weapon.

[A boy who hid his origins joined the voyagers in riding the waves but was betrayed by his ally. In his last moments before burning, he thought about his life and wondered if he wished to return. In the end he decided to give up his past, opting for his vibrant life at sea.]

Nico silently read the rune. 'The spell really hates me,' he thought. It had every right to do so. 'Jude wasn't a voyager.'

Translucent sparks crackled in Nico's hands, forming a long scythe. It was lighter than Nico expected. He twisted the weapon in his hands and nearly cut a hole in his wall. Hastily dismissing the memory, he sighed in relief at the unblemished wall.

Then there were his attributes. [Mark of Divinity] [something divine touched your soul long ago] 'Eerie and mysterious,' Nico read past it and went to his ability.

[Wild Merger] 'Can I put things together?' He picked up his pillow and blanket and concentrated. He tightened his grip and imagined them going together. Nothing.

'What a crummy ability.' Nico put down the items. After an unpleasant conversation with a woman trying to learn his secrets, Nico could sleep in an actual bed for the first time in a long time.

The cafeteria was bustling with the new sleepers, and Nico sat next to Gen. His reason? He had no idea.

"A true name? As a sleeper?" There was a sudden commotion, and Nico turned around. A bunch of kids were gathered around a screen showing rankings. 'Nephis, Changing Star.' Nico wanted to peer into the girl's emotions, but there were too many people, and if he tried, he might have passed out from the strain.

'True names' Nico felt a little pride in his name. But that was short-lived. He didn't do anything heroic to earn his.

A twinge of guilt poked around in Nico's head, and he turned to Gen, who was also focused on the screen. The emotions became stronger, and Nico got some words before passing out. 'Treacherous Savior.'

Passing out in front of everybody was not something Nico wanted to do. He woke up only a minute later to many pairs of eyes.

"Are you okay?" Gen asked. Nico sat back up and picked up his lost fork. "Fine. Just a headache." Gen gave him a dubious look and didn't press the matter. Nico scarfed down his food and fled the scene before anyone asked him questions.

The first class Nico attended was about nightmare creatures. He was hoping for in-depth information about physiology. However, with how different each one was, the information was surface-level at best. There were occasional informative moments, but Nico didn't get any information regarding humanoid nightmare creatures or imitating human nightmare creatures.

Nico's disappointment was drowned out by the astute students who felt pride whenever they answered a question correctly. Finally free, Nico entered the combat classroom. He knew survival; Rio had drilled that into him, but combat wasn't something he excelled at.

The first task was to punch a plate. Nico frowned at the metal, confused at how that would help. After the first person went, Nico understood. It gaged physical power with people's aspects.

'I wonder what kind of aspect mine will turn out to be?' Nico thought dejectedly. Nothing he has tried so far works with his ability. His vegetables stubbornly refused to merge with his meat.

Elevens and twelves flashed on the screen, and some even got into the teens. The instructor called out his name, and the room's mood shifted.

"Nicollo Tresk." The sudden influx of focused emotions made him stagger, and he struggled to keep himself upright.

"Isn't Tresk the name of the cursed master of Song?" The whispers permeated the training room. Nico sighed and ignored the comments, stepping up and taking a cursory stance. He punched the plate with all his frustration.

'Ten. That's not bad.' Nico inwardly praised himself. Yet, even after he walked away, the whispers continued. His brother's reputation was vast and unflattering, but the sleepers spoke about Nico's brother with reverence. From a fallen family, Rio carved a path back to glory. This was the perfect inspiration for the scions of powerful clans.

Gen walked up to the plate and hit it resulting in a cracking sound. 'Fifteen!' It was the highest number yet. Then it was Changing Star's turn.

'Let's see how another true name does.'

She took a stance and reeled back. Her posture was exquisite, and she punched the plate hard.

'16,' Nico clapped along. The strange thing about Nephis was that his flaw didn't pick up much from her; it was gray. To round off the test was another legacy sleeper who scored a 21!. 'They're monsters.'

One said monster, Nephis, started sparring with every sleeper. No one bested her, and she defeated each one with calculated grace. Nico was nervous and stepped up for his turn. It was obvious he stood no chance, but he did learn a few things about his own abilities. For one, Instructor Rock corrected his stance and gave him a semblance of a form. In the end, Caster finally defeated her by using his aspect.

Nico collapsed onto his bed. It was the only haven he had. Not only was he given a thorough beating due to his flaw, but he was constantly assaulted by the feelings of insecure teenagers. It was painful, and all Nico wanted to do was lay down with ice on his head. But he couldn't allow himself to do that until he figured out his ability.

[Living beings are incomplete and lacking. Only by growth and evolution can they achieve greatness.]

'Dead vegetables don't seem to work,' Nico wondered if it worked on other humans, but that was a hard no for him. It was revolting to even think about.

As he was thinking, his flaw picked up something.

Nico peeked out his door and spotted a boy sneaking down the hall. 'What are you up to?' He was tall with raven black hair and streaks of blue going through it. Nico followed at a distance until the boy stopped. He was at the cafeteria.

'Did I follow someone getting a midnight snack?'

The boy entered the massive hall and sat close to the mundane people, working even through the night. He was hidden in the dark but had a clear view of the busy kitchen. Then he slumped. Nico waited for the boy to get up, but they stayed like that. Curiosity won out, and Nico approached the boy slowly.

"Hello?" he whispered. The boy didn't answer. Nico got up close enough to see that the boy was asleep. 'Odd.' Nico looked at the mundane people and then back at the boy. 'What the hell are you up to?'

Nico decided to stay next to the literal sleeper and ended up not sleeping in his cozy bed back in his room.

Someone tugged on his tracksuit jacket, and Nico opened his eyes. His head was feeling like lead.

"Did you pass out again?" Gen asked. Nico was surprised by the show of concern, but it was quickly extinguished. Several other legacy sleepers were gathered around. 'Oh, I'm at their table.

Nico groggily waved Gen off and stood up, inspecting the sleeper on the bench.

"Who's your friend?" Gen pointed to the teenager. By now, his body had fallen, and he was on his side on the bench.

"No idea." Nico got up and walked around the table. "I followed him last night and he fell asleep ran--" The boy shot up and hit Nico square in the jaw. He fell onto his butt and swore under his breath. The teenager was holding his head.

"Ow." He said. Nico got up and sat back down, rubbing his painful jaw.

"Hue are uo?" Nico mumbled.

"I'm Jane, but I like to be called Jay." The boy sat up like he didn't fall asleep in the cafeteria.

"What were you doing here all night?" Gen asked, looking somewhat interested.

“Uhm…sleeping”

"We know that. Why specifically?" Nico said.

"Well, it's part of my Aspect."

"You have to sleep in cafeterias?" Gen raised an eyebrow.

"It's personal, so I'd like it if you don't pry." 'Something to do with his flaws, maybe?' Nico was only getting small emotions from the sleeper, nothing huge.

"Okay. I'm Nico. This is my friend Gen. Nice to meet you."

"Since when was I your friend?" Gen asked.

"Did you not show concern for me? You asked if I passed out again?" Nico asked, his voice hurt and a smile on his face.

"Y-you were drooling on our table you scoundrel!"

"Big words. Something's up." Jay commented.

"No you too." Gen protested.

The four weeks passed instantly. Nico spent the time training his body and swinging his scythe in private. Gen was a good opponent for Nico since he wasn't a complete monster like Nephis and knew what he was doing.

Jay continued to sneak out of his room, which Nico found sketchy, but he'd just fall asleep in a new place each time. The other focus of Nico's was finding out what to do with his aspect. Nothing he did worked, and his other ideas were not viable in the Academy.

In the end, Nico was left empty-handed regarding his aspect. 'I'll try merging living things in the dream realm.' Nico sat next to the pod that would hold him for the weeks or months he would spend in the dream realm. Then there was a knock. Nico opened the door, and suddenly, someone was hugging him.

"Rio?" Nico's brother let go. "What are you doing here?"

"What else? I'm seeing my brother off," Rio held Nico's shoulders and smiled. I probably won't be seeing you for a while. But once you get back, you'll soon want to see less of me."

"Thanks?" Nico said, bewildered at the course of events. Rio was not usually this warm and forthcoming. It threw Nico for a loop. He also didn't feel any emotions from his brother. Nico pushed that thought away and focused on his brother's company.

"How was your first nightmare?" Rio leaned against the wall.

"It was…" Nico muttered. "Not glorious or anything."

"Good. Sharing information is deadly." Rio stood up and touched Nico's hand. There was a moment before the spell spoke.

[You received a memory]

[Duality Feathers]

Rank: Awakened

Type: Charm

[The young nephew of an inventor grew flawed wings and flew.]

[Featherfall]

Set ability: Locked

'Holy crap. An awakened memory?' Nico immediately summoned the charm. Unlike his scythe, this one appeared in a ball of orange sparks, like fire. 'An crafted memory?' It appeared in his ear, and Nico felt lighter.

"Why are you giving this to me?" Nico blurted. "I mean, thank you."

"No worries. It's a gift from me to you. Now we match." Rio pushed back some of his black hair and summoned a memory. Sure enough, there was a matching earring on his left ear. "A little help for your nightmare." “”

Nico's mind darkened. Trying to hide his annoyance, he dismissed the earring.

Rio smiled gently and gave Nico a brief hug. "See you soon." Nico waved, and as quick as he came, Rio was gone. 'More oddities.' Nico entered his pod and looked at the ceiling. 'Last moment in the real world.'

[Welcome to the dream realm, Nico]