[All power has a price.]
The dark space around Avner rippled like someone dropped ink into water.
Another line blinked into existence.
[You have received a Flaw.]
Avner groaned. "Please… don't be something stupid. Please don't make me allergic to oxygen or cursed to explode when I sneeze—"
The system beeped.
[Your Flaw is: Echoing Mind]
[Description: Your thoughts echo into reality and spill from your mouth uncontrollably.]
Avner just stared.
"…What."
A beat passed.
"WHAT?! Why this? Why THIS of all things?! I survived a tyrant, a king-level beast, and an awakened psycho, and you give me the talking-to-myself curse?!"
His voice echoed into the void.
A final line appeared.
[Wake up, The Voidborne Sovereign.]
His eyes snapped open.
Cold metal dug into his wrists and ankles—restraints. Medical lights buzzed overhead. His head spun.
And then he saw someone standing over him.
Short black hair. Sharp eyes. Calm expression. An air of "I'll break your bones if you annoy me" mixed with "I haven't slept in 28 hours."
Master Jet.
In the flesh.
Avner blinked, trying to play it cool.
Inside, he was screaming: No way. No way. That's actually her.
She noticed him staring.
"…What are you looking at, kid?"
Avner panicked and snapped his mouth shut. Hard.
If he said even one stray thought, he was dead.
Jet gave him a flat look, then sighed like she dealt with idiots daily.
"Alright. Since you're awake—welcome back to the living. And congrats on surviving your First Nightmare, Sleeper Avner."
Avner nodded quickly. "Thanks, ."
His voice squeaked a little. He pretended it didn't.
Later, after they removed the restraints and left him to change, Avner finally got a good look at himself in a mirror.
"…Okay. Yeah. That's… definitely different."
He was taller. More toned. Not bulky, but naturally athletic. His hair was white now—actual pure white, not dyed. His eyes were black with a gold glow in the center, flickering gently whenever he focused.
He touched his face.
I look like an anime protagonist someone forgot to nerf.
It wasn't vanity.
It was just… weird seeing a stranger who was technically him.
He leaned closer to the mirror.
"I woke up exactly at the start of the main plot… Sunless probably got out like an 15-20 minutes ago. No way that's a coincidence."
A few minutes later, I ended up in a clean, police-issue tracksuit that somehow smelled like disinfectant and artificial lemons. My hair was still damp from the sonic shower as I walked toward the cafeteria.
Master Jet was already there, sitting like a lone war general preparing for battle. Three trays of steaming synthetic meals were lined up in front of her like troops. Sunny sat across from her, poking at his food with the enthusiasm of a man meeting his executioner.
Master Jet gestured without looking up.
"Help yourself."
Sunny glanced at me too — and I swear he shot me this weird look, like he was the one supposed to get three trays. Maybe jealousy, maybe hunger, maybe both. I didn't bother thinking too hard about it.
"I'm good," I said, sliding into the seat. "I'll eat at the Academy. Food there at least pretends to be real."
Jet lifted a brow but didn't comment. She straightened, tapping something into her slate before speaking in her usual calm, too-professional tone.
"As per protocol, I'm obligated to inform you both of certain procedures. Formality, mostly." She sighed. "First of all — about your Nightmares."
Sunny stiffened. I tried not to grin.
"You are both entitled to free psychological counseling," she continued. "No matter what you saw, or what you think you should be able to handle, there is no shame in asking for help. Your mind is as valuable as your body. Keeping it healthy is mandatory. Are you interested?"
Sunny and I shook our heads in perfect synchronized denial.
Jet gave us a flat look. "As you wish. You may also talk to me if needed. Was it very difficult?"
Sunny let out a slow breath. "It was worse than I expected… and exactly as bad as I expected."
Master Jet nodded sympathetically. Then she turned to me. "And you, Awner?"
"It was one hell of a ride," I said. "First time is special, you know? I… kinda kept ranting in there about how much fun I was having."
Both Sunny and Master Jet stared at me like I had announced I collect corpses as a hobby.
Sunny whispered, "Yeah, he needs therapy."
Jet didn't disagree.
I opened my mouth to defend myself — something about enjoying the fight, the shard reward, the thrill — but Jet raised a hand, stopping me before I could dig my own grave further. Probably for the best.
The conversation drifted after that. Mostly Sunny talking, Master Jet answering, and me doing the rarest thing in my skillset — staying quiet. My thoughts kept jumping around, and every time one slipped out accidentally, Jet shot me one of those teacher looks that said: Please stop talking.
Finally, she stood and stretched her back.
"So," she said, "what do you boys say? Want me to take you to the Academy now?"
Sunny and I exchanged a quick look, then answered at the same time:
"Yes."
"Good. Finish up and follow me."