Chapter 61

Under the crystal blue sky, one could see a figure of a demon flying through the narrow passages of the Ice Cave. The demon's wings spread wide and pushed the air as he maneuvered with ease and precision.

Naturally, the demon was Kiyotaka. It took him quite some time to learn how to fly, as he never had such an ability before. At first, it was just like a baby trying to walk for the first time. He would often crash into icicles because of misjudged speed and strength. Nevertheless, with his keen calculations and adaptation, he managed to fly and repeated the process until the movements became instinctual.

Exiting the cave, he saw his new companion Nastya training with her sword and bow. She didn't look as frail as she was before; her stance seemed stable and her movements filled with precision. There was no more usual shivering as she wore handmade clothes from white-eyed wolf fur.

When she saw Kiyotaka coming out of the cave, she stopped her practice and approached him with a gentle smile.

"Sir Demon, is it time for our conversations?"

Kiyotaka looked at her with the same unassuming face as he nodded.

They both entered the Ice Cave and sat at a bonfire. Nastya looked at Kiyotaka as she spoke.

"What would you like to know? I know that we agreed on an exchange, but please remember that I may not know much."

Kiyotaka fell silent as he contemplated.

There was an agreement between them. As someone who didn't get to learn much about this place, getting information from an inhabitant of the Nightmare was crucial for Kiyotaka. He, on the other hand, would pay for information by training Nastya how to fight Awakened creatures. There were many things he wanted to know about the so-called Frost Capital, including its political situation.

However, today he wanted to ask for something else.

"What exactly are you accomplishing by trying to battle Awakened creatures?"

Nastya was a bit surprised at the question and looked at him with confusion.

"To Awaken, sir."

The answer took him by surprise as he looked at her.

"To Awaken?"

Nastya nodded.

"Yes...you seem to not know...perhaps because you were born this way...or perhaps because you walked another, less vile path."

Kiyotaka's curiosity increased.

"Elaborate."

Nastya nervously fidgeted with her hands as she gripped the sword.

"Sir, I don't know much, but from what I heard...there are many ways to awaken, and it's pretty much unique for everyone. Humans, as well as other noble races, need to first learn how to control soul essence, and then form a soul core within themselves using the soul essence. This is the basics of basics that even a little child knows."

Her words made Kiyotaka fall into silent thinking.

'Controlling soul essence and then using it to form a soul core...effectively Awakening? Is this how people of the past Awakened? Does that mean there weren't Dreamers before?'

Seeing the never-changing expression of indifference on the demon's face, Nastya didn't know what to do, so she decided to continue her words.

"There are some creatures that are born with a soul core; perhaps you are one such case. But these individuals still need to learn how to control an essence to Awaken their cores."

Yet again, Kiyotaka was amazed at this information and nodded to Nastya for her to continue.

"Learning how to control essence is the hardest part. Forming the core takes time and effort, but as long as you have the knowledge, success is all but guaranteed. Well...some still fail, of course, and die after their souls collapse."

After her words, a thought formed in Kiyotaka's mind.

'So...the ancient humans Awakened in the reverse order compared to modern humans, who formed their soul core after the First Nightmare and gained the ability to control essence after surviving the first journey to the Dream Realm. That was how the Spell arranged things...it's quite...'

'Interesting.'

Kiyotaka asked, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity:

"Then how does one learn to control their essence?"

The Awakened of the waking world received the ability to sense their essence from the Spell. The intuitive knowledge of how to control it was gifted to them, too...it just took time and practice to turn that control into a practical skill.

Most received these gifts after Awakening. He himself speculated that he had to ascend and receive benefits from clearing out the Second Nightmare.

Nastya thought for a few moments and looked at Kiyotaka with a determined expression, her hands never leaving the hilt of her sword.

"Before I continue, please vow in the name of the God you serve or follow that you will stand by your promise to teach me to fight Awakened creatures...and also please help me Awaken."

There was a moment of silence between them as the tension seemed to grow. As Nastya looked at the demon before her, she was hit by regret of her speech, thinking that she may have brought her doom over herself. Still, she needed to say those words. Awakening was a matter of survival in this world...

Kiyotaka was amused at her words but still acknowledged the fact that she had information he was curious about.

'She is smart...and by the look of determination in her eyes, she is also quite brave...well, there is no real drawback...I would need someone as a test on the Awakening process after all.'

Complying with her words, Kiyotaka spoke and vowed in the name of the Goddess of War, which surprised Nastya a bit as she expected the demon to be a follower of the Shadow God.

After all was said and done, she spoke.

"There is no single way to gain control over your soul essence. In fact, it is a unique experience for many. Some spend long years meditating and perfecting their souls, eventually entering a state of unity between mind and soul. Some attune themselves to the world and gather insights about the nature of living things, traveling from realm to realm. Some follow the teachings of great warriors and train their bodies, testing themselves through hardship and battle. Some even receive sudden epiphanies in a moment of dire crisis with no preparation whatsoever."

She hesitated for a bit.

"However, there is a path that anyone can walk - both the simplest and the most dangerous, as well as the most vile."

Kiyotaka raised an eyebrow.

"And what is that path?"

Nastya sighed.

"...It is to absorb soul essence that has already Awakened. Through killing those who have already Awakened, and plundering their soul shards."

Her face turned solemn.

"The Awakened essence already knows how to be controlled, so when it is mixed with the essence of Dormant beings, it will change that essence...a little. Absorb enough of it, and your essence will Awaken, too...This is what I learned from speaking to one of the Awakened who happened to be on the outskirts of the Capital."

As she looked at Kiyotaka cautiously, she saw something that amazed her.

There was a change in his usual emotionless eyes.

She could see it , a flicker of something.

Desire.

Desire for power.

Desire to Awaken.