Chapter Eleven: Deep Slumber.

Caster suddenly disappeared on the stage. However, it was only an illusion. The truth was that he was just moving so fast that the human eye wasn't able to keep up with his movements. 

In a fraction of a second, Caster covered the distance between him and Jack and delivered a devastating blow. Although it couldn't be seen by most watchers, the whistling sounds attested to its outstanding strength.

'That's an impressive speed boost.' Jack thought, already mid-evasion.

Even to Jack's enhanced senses, only a hazy blur was visible, streaking through the air. However, despite Caster's astonishing speed, he managed to react in time, slightly turning his body to deflect the strike.

With subtle rotation sideways and a touch to the wrist, Caster's fist passed harmlessly to his side, much to the surprise of the young man. 

Not wasting any time, Caster disappeared again. 'Good fighter. Didn't take long to recover from his astonishment.' 

The young man appeared behind Jack. Not confident enough to make a straight attack on the opponent that had just evaded him, Caster executed a low kick, trying to take him off balance with the unexpected attack.

And then, for the first time since the beginning of the spars, Jack moved. He threw himself to the side, supporting himself with his left hand. With his now free legs, he rotated his torso, putting all that force in a roundhouse kick towards his back.

Caster's eyes widened at the display of acrobatics of the previously stationary target.

Now that he had committed to a strike, there was no simple way to stop. No matter how fast he was, he was still subject to the laws of inertia. The kick was approaching his face with a profound feeling of inevitability.

With gritted teeth, Caster put a foot forward, trying to stop his movement with the counterforce. He stopped and reversed his direction just moments before the kick found its way to his face. Such was the power behind it, that he felt his hair being blown back by the wind alone.

Caster took a deep breath, calming himself. Looking at Jack's loose stance, and that his feet were on the same spot they had been before the spar started, the young man came to a terrible realization: this was a fearsome foe. Although he had the speed advantage, any wrong step would spell his crushing defeat.

Caster started slowly circling Jack, looking for gaps in his defense. 

'If you are too scared to make a move, then I'll take the lead.'

From his apparently relaxed position, Jack was suddenly in a dash. After a second, he had already closed in on Caster's position, a palmstrike aimed at his core.

Caster's eyes shone. With a quick motion to the right, he was out of harm's way and inside Jack's guard. Gratified, the young man shifted his weight, putting it all into his fist.

However, at the last moment, Jack suddenly changed his stance and threw his elbow back with frightening force.

Caster's eyes widened. It was all a feint!

Before he could properly understand what was happening, he felt the hardness of bone against his cheekbone, and soon after, the sweet embrace of slumber.

Caster fell to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut - the whiplash was strong enough to knock him unconscious.

"...Oops," Jack said, though no repentance could be seen in his eyes. 

In a moment, Awakened Rock was by Caster's side taking his vitals and assuring nothing was wrong with the Legacy Sleeper.

He eyed Jack with a dark look. "That was excessive use of force, Sleeper Jack."

The party under scrutiny shrugged. "Accidents happen in spars. And it's not my fault Caster is so speedy. If anything, he threw himself at my elbow! It kind of hurts right now, too."

Through the serious mood in the dojo, a soft snort was heard. People turned to look, incredulous they were witnessing such a thing. But it was true: Changing Star had just laughed.

Jack almost laughed and fist-pumped simultaneously. 'Target acquired!'

"See! At least someone here sees it my way." He said while pointing at Nephis.

Rock sighed. "Class dismissed. We'll continue tomorrow. I'll take Sleeper Caster to the infirmary."

As the people left amid soft whispers, Jack prepared to go with them, only to be stopped by Rock.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" 

Jack nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course, teacher."

Rock sat on his chair, leaned back for a moment, and resumed.

"Look, Jack. I know accidents happen. And I know you're a good kid. You could've done a lot worse to him."

Jack nodded and signaled for him to continue.

 "But I also know you're from the Outskirts - And as such, might not know how these things work. So I called you to give you a heads-up." Rock looked deep into his eyes. "Legacy clans are dangerous. And not the "might give you a stern warning" dangerous. This might spell trouble for you in the future. Please take care, Jack."

To say Jack was surprised by Rock's candidness would be a grave understatement. Although the man always seemed to be uncompromising and stoic, it was now obvious he had a deep care for his students, taking the time to counsel them individually, when needed.

'This was a perilous talk for him. If such a thing came to the knowledge of the great Clans, he might find himself falling from a high window or hanged on a door knob.'

After thoroughly thanking him, Jack left with a newfound respect and appreciation for the veteran Awakened. 

At the door of the combat class, to his astonishment, was none other than Changing Star. 

"We need to talk." 

Jack smiled.

'Jackpot.'

He gestured forward with an open palm and replied with his best Caster impression. "Lady Nephis. Please lead the way."

-x-

With brisk steps, Nephis led him through the Sleeper Compound towards their dormitories. More specifically, her room.

'Is it worth it to make a joke about her being too forward, taking a boy to her room on the first date?' Jack looked at her solemn countenance and straight posture, looking more like a general going to war than a teenage girl going to her room. 'Nah. I'll probably get ignored.'

After a few more moments of them quietly walking, Jack broke the silence.

"So, rather forward of you to take a boy to your room on the first date, isn't it, Nephis?" He asked with an expectant smile on his face.

Other than their steps, crickets were the only sounds that responded to Jack. Nephis couldn't be bothered to even look his way.

He sighed. "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

Following a painfully awkward stroll, they finally got to Changing Star's room. 

In it, Jack found mostly things he had expected. A spartan room, with the standard white walls of the Academy, a simple bed, and no furnishing other than the bedside table. But on the corner of the chamber...

"Is that a pink bunny plushie?" He asked incredulously.

'Maybe my Flaw is making me have visual hallucinations?'

Nephis nodded and responded openly. "Yes. That's Mr. Sparkles. He has accompanied me from a very young age and has helped me through many hard times."

'Maybe auditory hallucinations too?'

"...I see." He decided to ignore it altogether and focus on the reason for the meeting. 

"So, Nephis, what did you want to discuss with me?"

Changing Star took a deep breath and answered. 

"How much do you know?"