The conversation ended quickly. The topic was too awkward, too sensitive to drag on in this alley. Within minutes, they were back in the PTV, heading for the academy.
Sunny remained quiet, staring out the window as the cityscape blurred past. He wasn't sure how to continue the earlier discussion. Fortunately, Jet spoke first.
"Look, Sunny," she began, voice low and steady. "I am not sure how to work with this bond. I.....I need some time to think about it. But that's not important right now. Slave or not, you need to survive the winter solstice first. After that, we can figure out what to do."
Sunny turned to listen, his expression unreadable.
"Since both of us are from the outskirts, I'll give you three pieces of advice. Try to listen to them if you want to stay alive."
He nodded, waiting.
"First, once registered in the Academy, they'll offer you psychological counselling again. There will also be a valuable reward for sharing your experiences in the Nightmare and the details of your appraisal. You'll be able to receive a soul shard, maybe even several of them, considering your Aspect rank. Hell, the government might even try to recruit you with personalized training and memories."
She paused, then added with quiet insistence, "Refuse it."
Sunny frowned. "Why?"
"I don't think you can use soul shards like everyone else. You need something called shadow fragments. Find out what that is. Sure, you could tell them everything and get the VIP treatment. I won't stop you. Technically, I could—but I won't."
He gave her a wary look. "Ascended Jet, please don't joke like that."
She smirked faintly. "I was trying to break the ice."
He really didn't like it at all.
"It was a poor attempt."
"I know. I will try better next time." Her expression grew serious again. Anyway, the point is both I and your flaw are something people can use against us. I have already walked that path, as my flaw was really cruel when I was a sleeper. My flaw is no longer a secret, and any person worth their salt can access it."
Sunny motioned her to pause for a bit.
"Do you regret it?"
She thought for a bit.
Jet paused. "Maybe. A little. But look at me—I'm rich, I'm famous. I help people now."
Sunny caught a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
"You're still a bit too naïve to understand," she continued, "but in the Dream Realm, Nightmare Creatures aren't the only threat. Once you get strong enough, humans become just as dangerous. The less they know about you, the safer you are."
"There are many powerful people in the world, Sunny. All of them have different goals and ambitions, and every single one of them will want a piece of the first divine aspect holder of humanity. If they cannot have you, they will make sure no one else gets you. Sadly, the government cannot protect you everywhere."
Sunny raised an eyebrow. "So, I can join a legacy clan or the government if I want?"
Jet gave him a wry look. "Of course. But I have a feeling you won't give up your freedom so easily."
He clicked his tongue. "Tsk."
"I'll do what benefits me the most."
"Good. Just remember—if you're tempted to sell yourself for memories and soul shards, I can give you those too. Not as many, not as fancy, but I'll do what I can to help you survive the Winter Solostice."
"Second, there will be a lot of courses to choose from. All types of combat training, deep dives into Nightmare Creature categories and vulnerabilities, the basics of various types of sorcery, artefact study, and so on."
Sunny gulped a little. Although his entire attention was focused on the situation his flaw and aspect got him into, he was thinking about how to survive the winter soloistic in the back of his mind, and that included mastering a weapon. Four weeks was nowhere near enough to master a weapon, but at least he would have a basic understanding of it.
"But the only course you'll realistically have time for is Wilderness Survival."
"Huh?"
"What was the biggest threat in the Nightmare, Sunny?"
His mind conjured images of the Mountain King, of the Hero—but in the end, it had been the cold that nearly killed him. "The cold."
Jet smiled.
"I understand the appeal of weapon training. But it will help you none if you die of thirst first. Do you know how to make a fire or a shelter? How will you get energy to swing a sword or to draw a bow if you don't know how to make food? Trust me. I've learnt it the hard way.
Sunny understood her reasoning.
"But don't worry; I can give you some basic tips and pointers on how to use common weapons. It will be mostly from my experience compared to the theoretical knowledge of the instructors of the academy. But it will save you time, valuable time."
At that point, Jet stopped the PTV. She opened the door and stepped out of the car. Sunny followed her and was momentarily stunned, staring at the colossal metal gates in front of them.
His amazement wore off after a few moments. He turned to his new master.
"What is the third piece of advice?"
She was looking at the academy. There was something dark in the depths of her icy blue eyes. Sunny suddenly felt a cold feeling spreading through his body.
He had a feeling that Jet's academy days were not good.
Master Jet glanced at him, then sighed.
"I know you are in a bad spot due to your flaw, but please remember it. Divine or not, no one can survive alone in the Dream Realm. That's not an opinion; that's a fact. Try to get along with your peers, even if they don't treat you well. It might just save your life."
Then she smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder.
"You have done well until now. Make sure to stay alive in the future too."
And with that, she walked away, leaving Sunny alone in the cold shadow of the academy gates.
................................
AN - Yo guys, its Died_4_Times. I am finally back. My exams and every other thing which was distracting me is finally gone. I can write almost daily now. But updates still need 1-2 week to get into a schedule since I need some much earned rest and has some places planned to visit.
Also, if you are a follower of my Choices and Routes Shadow Slave Fanfic, I have finally decided what to do with it. Stay tuned and add it to your library for updates.
That's all for today.
Btw add it to your collection, gimme those powerstones and leave some reviews.