[RW] Chapter IX: Outcast by Choice

Before you start reading, I have to come out with something. I very much admire the story G3 created with his amazing writing skills. However, and this may make some just not read the story anymore, I will be adding elements of romance in this fanfic and maybe R18 scenes for later arcs with the MC and the main cast. Maybe even a 'multi-relationship' (I find the word harem a bit degrading for the females) if I find away not to make it cringe or if it degrades the quality of the fanfic. However, for various reasons, which I will not explain, Nephis isn't included.

Thank you for you for your time, and I'm sorry if I disappointed some of you. I just wanted to make it clear that this is my style of writing fanfics. After all, it is my own take on Shadow Slave universe.

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William stood next to Sunny as they observed the humongous red gates of the Awakened Academy. The novel's description truly didn't do justice to its sheer scale. It was designed and equipped like a war fortress to face of against even the most monstrous of nightmare creatures. Tall walls made of thick alloy armed with several heavy-duty turrets and cannons throughout its length. Around it was an old-fashioned mote probably used as a defensive measure against smaller, land-walking monsters.

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However, the blue-eyed male knew better. Repel hoards of beasts, monsters, or demons? Eh, why not. However, it was when a nightmare creature became a devil and above, do they really start becoming a threat by utilizing the mysterious abilities they get. After all, how do you keep out a devil that lives in your walls?

Along with the two male Sleepers was another person. She was a tall, slender girl with alabaster-colored skin around their age with an apathetic expression on her face that house two grey irises. She had silver-white hair that was cut short and neatly parted to the side.

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Just like the outskirts duo, she was wearing a standard issue police tracksuit and didn't have any personal belongings on her except for a pair of old-fashioned headphones.

Unlike Sunny, who was stealing nervous glances at his future master while debating whether to start up a conversation or not, William already knew who she was. In the end, she is the 'real' protagonist of this world: the Mary Sue herself, Nephis of the Immortal Flame Clan, also known as the Changing Star.

'Wait a minute! If she's a Mary Sue... Then...am I a..... Gary Stu!?' Willaims whole reality began deconstructing around him at the mere possibility.

Fortunately, before his existential crisis took hold permanently, the Academy gates opened.

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Sitting in Master Jet's PTV, both boys sat in silence while taking in the scenery of the Academy city flying past the window. It was the first time for both of them to sit in such a vehicle; albeit for different reasons. 

Master Jet looked at them through the rearview mirror, "Since we all come from the outskirts, I'll give you three pieces of advice. Whether you listen to me or not, it is your business.

Both turned their attention towards the raven-haired female.

"First: one you've registered in the Academy, they will offer you psychological counseling again. There will also be a valuable reward for sharing your experiences in the Nightmare and details of your Appraisal. You'll be able to receive a soul shard, maybe several of them."

Sunless immediately got a frown painted on his features.

"Are you trying to convince us to visit a psychiatrist again?"

Jet merely shook her head in denial, "No, I'm telling you boys to refuse."

"Why?"

"Because," replied William from his seat using the things he learned from the novel, "the more they know about the nature of your Trial and Appraisal, the better they can theorize and analyze your Aspect and even Flaw. It will come to bite you in the ass, one way or another."

Master Jet had a flash of brief surprise before nodding her head, "Exactly, nightmare creatures are not the only monsters the awakened have to deal with. There are also those in human skin."

Sunny nodded his head in understanding. Truly, he had to be careful, especially with an Aspect and Flaw such as his.

"Now that's not me saying that the government will leak your information," she said quickly, but her tone left much for confidence. "However, once two people know a secret, it's no longer a secret. And there's a lot of people who work for the government."

"Thank you Master Jet," said the dark-haired flower boy with heartfelt appreciation.

She nodded before continuing, "Second: -"

Willaim filtered out the rest of the conversation since he knew the gist of what her advice included. He mostly knew what he would need to do once in the next four weeks in regards to courses. The battle course was the one that interested him the most since, unlike Sunny, he had a weapon that is probably going to be his main weapon for the rest of his life: Frostmourne. Despite its disadvantages, he would be a colossal idiot if he didn't utilize the mythic runic sword to its full capabilities.

However, this posed another problem. How can he train with it without gathering the wrong kind of attention? Does he have to make himself an outcast so that no one will bother with him?

While reading through his runes to find a way to initiate his fledgling plan, his eyes landed on his answer.

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[Mantle of Death]

Ability Description: [All creatures see glimpses of their mortality when gazing upon your royal visage.]

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'Jackpot! Who are you going to avoid like a plague? The guy who makes you see your death when you look at him, of course!'

While William was in deep thought, they had already reached their destination. Feeling the PTV stopping, the youth came out of his head and focused on the blue-eyed woman who had turned to look at them from the driver seat.

"This is as far as I go," she said, looking cheerlessly at the walls of the Academy. "I've already notified them. Someone will come and fetch you guys in a while."

Both Sleepers felt an oppressive feeling wash over them as something dark threatened to exit from the Master's icy blue eyes. However, it quickly faded when she smiled and patted them on the shoulder.

"You've done well to survive until now. Make sure to keep yourselves alive in the future, too."

With that said, they both moved away and walked towards the academy gate. However,William felt a hand strongly pull him backwards.

Turning around, he saw Jet whose features were more serious than ever.

"Master Jet? Is there anything I can help you with?" the pale headed boy asked in concern.

Jet continued staring at him for a few moments before sighing and mumbling something unintelligible. Then, she took hold of his neck and brought him closer. So close that he could hear the sound of her breathing.

"Look," she said in full seriousness, "I don't know what aspect or flaw you got from your first nightmare. However, I have a feeling that it is somehow similar to the one I have or that it came from the same source. If so, then you should never disclose your condition to anyone. None at all! Else, you're only going to be made use of by others."

William gulped and his heart rate began to spike. Seeing the fear on his face, Master Jet's features softened, "Sorry, I know it is none of my business. It's just that I don't want you to do the same mistakes I did when I started out. Humans are cruel, particularly to those who are not similar to them. Take the words I told you to heart. Survive the Dream Realm, and when you get back, let's have some coffee and donuts. My treat."

"I...uh... thanks, I keep your warning in mind," replied William. Master Jet gave him an encouraging smile before zooming off in her ride. It took a few moments for him to calm down.

'It seems that Jet has some deep trauma from her time as a Sleeper due to her flaw. Poor woman,' he thought before walking towards where Sunny was standing.

Looking ahead, it seemed that Nephis had already beaten them to the Academy as she was already standing there waiting for the inner gates to open.

Soon enough, the gates opened, and she passed through them nonchalantly, like visiting her grandparents' house.

With a sigh, William started moving, "Come on, let's get this over with."

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The trio of Sleepers was led to the Sleeper Compound that was situated in the southern portion of the Academy. Many would be deceived by the low-height nature of the reinforced building that is supposed to house hundreds if not thousands of Sleepers; however, like the majority of the buildings built in this day and age, most of it was underground with only a few floors on the surface. Surrounding the building were multitudes of training fields and parks, providing a stark contrast between the synthetic building and the natural greenery.

Later, they were led to a great hall filled with hundreds of other unfortunately awakened Sleepers like themselves waiting for the induction ceremony.

For some reason, the moment they entered through the double doors, the entire hall focused their eyes on the trio in matching tracksuits.

'Well, it's now or never,' thought William as he activated [Mantle of Death].

Immediately, an ubrupt change occurred to the faces of those looking. Some had gone deathly pale with a horrified expression painted on their faces while their feet shook uncontrollably like a leaf in the winter wind, others' feet couldn't even support them and they fell down on their asses while crying in fear, a few even lost control of their bladders - or worse, their bowels.

It only took a single second to change a room full of model-like men and women into a pile of horrified, crying babies.

Sunny's eyes went wide at the sudden, inexplicable change. Even the Changing Star had a problem keeping her neutral expression in check.

William, for his part, felt slightly bad for what he did. He honestly didn't know that the effect would be this potent. Thankfully, he deactivated the ability a second later. Just in time since both of his fellow Sleepers in tracksuits looked at each other, then at him with suspicion.

"What?" he asked with feigned innocence, "Maybe they ate something bad?"

None of them were buying his flimsy excuse, so they took a healthy step away from he like he was infected with the Black Plague.

Soon enough everyone was doing the same too, except the ones who went to the bathroon shamefully to change their clothes. Eventually, he found himself standing in a deserted corner in the hall where only a single girl was sitting alone on a bench.

The girl looked delicate and demure with pale blond hair, big blue eyes, and exquisite face; making her look like a beautiful porcelain doll. Her clothes. although not expensive, it still looked very tasteful.

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She was the only person in the hall who had not been affected by his ability. Why? Well, she is blind. That's why she is sitting here all alone, an outcast due to her disability but he knew better.

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Enjoy your day!