SHADOW SLAVE: CROWN OF HOLLOW SCORN

A Divine-ranked Aspect.

It was truly a gift and a curse. Perhaps his fate would have fared better without it. Memories of the grand fortress replayed in his mind—the joy he once felt, the pride of being a prince of the Valor Clan. But that life was gone. His power was too strong, too consuming. If he had stayed, he might have suffered the same fate as his brother… or worse.

He caught his reflection—a crown resting on his head, unseen by anyone else. Once a symbol of his pride, now a burden he carried alone. Fate was cruel. With each fragment gathered, the crown's weight grew heavier, its influence stronger. A single fragment had doubled its grip on him.

With a quiet sigh, he turned away from Sunny and stepped inside.

The Sleeper quarters were relatively small, situated in the southern part of the Academy, surrounded by training fields and parks.

A low, modern structure, its reinforced alloy walls gleamed white under the light. Like most Academy buildings, much of it extended underground, leaving only a few floors visible above. It must have looked beautiful in the summer, contrasting against the greenery.

Inside, the halls were spacious and well-lit. They were led to a large auditorium where a hundred or so young men and women waited for the induction ceremony to begin. The air buzzed with tension—nervous excitement, barely concealed dread.

Once inside, Sunny noticed two things.

Firstly, everyone else was well-dressed and carrying luggage—suitcases, duffel bags, or at least backpacks filled with personal belongings. Except him… and Valen. Valen, whose clothes were stained with something suspiciously red—maybe ketchup? At least Sunny had the police-issued uniform. Valen looked like a stray, disheveled and unbothered.

Secondly, Master Jet hadn't exaggerated when she called herself below average by Awakened standards. Even though these Sleepers had just begun their path, their appearances were striking—sharp, refined, exuding potential. Even Valen, despite his ruined state, carried himself like royalty.

As Sunny was glazing Master jet in his mind, Valen came to a conclusion.

He wouldn't speak to any of them.

The others were eager to share their experiences—to talk about their Nightmares, their future in the Dream Realm. It was idiotic. Broadcasting your weaknesses, revealing your fears… why make it easier for someone to kill you? He had no interest in making friends.

Better to stay alone. It was safer that way.

Maybe making connections with others would be good but with his flaw he would just get in trouble. Better to just stay alone and be the sigma lone wolf (those who know💀). 

Sunny, however, had other ideas. He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, determined to make connections. Valen watched him go with mild amusement. Staying with him wouldn't be wise—his presence was unsettling, maddening. He wondered how Sunny planned to survive.

Or how he himself would.

In half an hour, Sunny had successfully made most of the room hate him.

His flaw, Clear Conscience, ensured he could only speak the truth—an unfortunate ability when paired with his sharp tongue. He had been slapped a few times and even punched once.

While Sunny shit talked Caster and his lackeys, Valen stood apart, aura farming, lost in thought.

How much had the crown grown? A single fragment had doubled its influence. The pain gnawed at him, a relentless, insidious force. What was he supposed to do?

At the far end of the hall, two small groups stood apart. Their confidence set them apart from the others—the Legacies, children trained for the Spell since birth, with the highest chances of survival. Caster stood among them, exuding arrogance.

Nearby, another cluster of expensively dressed youth spoke excitedly. Scions of wealthy families, they had received top-tier training and private tutors. Their chances weren't bad.

Then there was the largest group: middle-class kids who had been trained through government programs. They had some preparation, but their survival would require both effort and luck.

And finally… the bottom of the barrel. Sunny, the blind girl, and himself. From the perspective of the others, their chances of survival were close to none.

The only exception was the silver-haired girl leaning against the wall, eyes closed, listening to music. She stood apart from everyone, indifferent to the tension in the air.

Valen moved through the room, effortlessly parting the groups until he reached Sunny's cluster. He turned to the blind girl with a smile—polite, but laced with venom.

"Move your eyes before I rip them out of their sockets. Do you understand?" he sneered. "Though I suppose it wouldn't make a difference, would it… you blind wretch?"

Sunny's eyes widened.

"Hey—"

Before he could finish, a tall man in a dark blue uniform stepped onto the stage.

The man was a giant—broad-shouldered, athletic, his deep brown beard lending him an air of authority. His eyes were calm but sharp. He surveyed them in silence before speaking in a deep, reverberating voice:

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

Silence filled the hall.

"In less than a month, you will be summoned to the Dream Realm. Some of you believe you are prepared. You are not. The Spell is merciless. The moment Awakened think too much of themselves, they die. I have seen countless Sleepers lose their lives. I have seen experienced Masters perish. Even Saints are not assured survival."

He let his words sink in before continuing.

"For the next four weeks, we will do everything in our power to increase your chances. You will receive training from the best instructors in the world. However, do not be deceived—whether you return alive depends on one person. You."

Fear crept into the eyes of the Sleepers—except the Legacies, who remained unmoved.

"You are no longer children. It is unfortunate, but the Spell has decided. You have survived your First Nightmare, so you already know what is at stake. Your parents, your teachers, your friends… they cannot help you anymore."

Rock paused, allowing them a moment to absorb his words before continuing.

"Now, we will discuss the difference between Nightmares and the Dream Realm."

As Rock spoke, Valen felt the crown hum again, its presence twisting inside him. It hissed and whispered, urging him forward.

But it was not a curse. It was not some external force corrupting him.

It was him.

It had always been him.

Just a bit more… extreme.

"That is all for today. Follow the instructions sent to your communicators to find your assigned dormitories. Once settled, you may proceed to the cafeteria for supper. There will be a round of interviews afterward to determine your training schedules. Get a good night's rest. Your training begins tomorrow."

With a final nod, Rock departed.

But Valen had only one question.

What was for dinner?