Looking out the window, the rain was an intriguing and beautiful sight. Before learning how weather worked, Giovanni used to believe the world was sad and therefore cried.
That night was a special occasion for everyone present, especially for the dark-haired boy.
When Omar heard the suggestion to go out and celebrate Giovanni's victory over the spell, he did not hesitate to arrange a time and make a reservation for the trio.
Everyone came wearing their finest clothes, and while the two boys displayed their luxurious memories, stealing glances from some of the guests, Margaret arrived in a greenish dress that was still in moderately good condition.
The purpose of the dinner was not simply recreational; it was also the perfect moment to put their next steps down on paper.
In any other situation, Giovanni's life would already be set. Bearer of a true name, with a sacred aspect and a transcendent-level memory, the boy should have crossed the realm of dreams without breaking a sweat.
But he was, unfortunately, in the worst possible situation. Somehow, Giovanni would have to reach a citadel without injuring a single opponent, human or otherwise.
It would not be impossible if he were dropped into a known region, with a human-populated area nearby.
However...
If he had the misfortune of landing in an area without conquered citadels and needed to defeat a boss to unlock a gate,
He would already be condemned to death.
Having other people nearby would not be any kind of miracle solution either.
No one in their right mind would want to carry dead weight around.
Giovanni would mean splitting more valuable resources like food, water, and soul fragments, just so he could stay hidden while his companions fought on his behalf.
Omar had been quite confident when he said they would find a solution to the problem, but it was hard to prove that in practice.
Twisting his fork into a portion of pasta, the officer savored the meal before beginning the meeting.
"We were brief earlier, so now it would be good if you described your aspect in more detail. Its qualities, weaknesses, we need to see how it will be used."
Margaret listened attentively, choosing not to interfere. With much effort from the two young men, the woman had been convinced to indulge herself with a delicious seafood delicacy.
Giovanni summarized the most important details of his own aspect and attributes in his mind, wanting to keep a clear line of reasoning.
"Okay, first, my aspect has something called an innate ability. It revolves around strengthening people who swear loyalty to me... sharing my equipment and blessings. It seems to be the way the spell found to compensate for my flaw, but right now it's completely useless."
Omar continued watching him, signaling for him to keep going.
"My first ability is general terrain control. Before, I could only move light things like sand, but I tested it earlier with Michel, and now I can lift stones as well. It comes with a sensory sub-effect similar to seismic sense, which lets me feel the surroundings."
The man's gaze grew more intense as he began to think of ways the ability could be used in the future.
"Finally, the ability I basically haven't tested yet is transmutation. I have little to say about it."
Margaret looked at Omar, trying to judge from his expression whether that was good or bad. The officer sighed and asked again.
"And your attributes? I heard some of them activated at the last moment when you told me about the nightmare at the station."
A slight grimace of discomfort appeared on Giovanni's face. He had been saved by his attributes, but he could not depend on them, especially when their functioning was so arbitrary.
"The first one is the simplest and most straightforward. [Acolyte] greatly strengthens any positive effect. Once again, it's completely useless for me, but in theory it would allow any aspect, attribute, or equipment related to healing and self-enhancement to become much more powerful."
Even Margaret seemed impressed. A completely passive ability that strengthened any kind of boost, defensive, offensive, or otherwise, was simply absurd. She cleared her throat and commented.
"Assuming your companions who swear loyalty share your attributes... wouldn't that already be a reason for them to want him in the group?"
She glanced nervously around, seeking a more positive perspective. Omar, however, gave a sad smile.
"The trap lies precisely in the condition. What does swearing loyalty mean? A mere verbal agreement? Or a permanent connection forged by the spell? It's certainly tempting because of the effect, but no one would become a slave willingly. What are the others?"
Giovanni's face twisted at the word, disgusted by the thought.
"My second attribute is the one I can use constantly. It's called [Guided by the Light], and it lets me see a light in the darkness when I close my eyes. I can't say for sure, but it always seems to point to where I 'wish' to go. I wanted to escape the nightmare, so it pointed to the amulet that would end the trial, and when I came back here, the light pointed to the orphanage."
A gentle smile appeared on Margaret's face. Perhaps it reminded her of the conversation she had had with Giovanni before he left. Omar also seemed quite pleased with what he heard.
"Perfect. That's one less problem for you to deal with. As long as you wish to return to us, the path will be there. What's the last one?"
The worst of them, but also by far the most powerful.
"It's called [Miracle Bearer]. It says it can grant miracles, but its activation is... a mystery to me. I thought that maybe when I was at risk of death, it would save me, but when I fought that scorpion in the desert or collapsed already on the brink of death on the wall, it remained inactive."
It was no secret to anyone that waiting for miracles was foolish, but in his case, discovering the activation trigger was essential.
"I honestly can't describe the effect. For a few moments I just felt... that I was much more, and then, in the next, I was the same as before."
The three of them fell silent, eating and thinking about how they could turn that miserable combination of powers and weaknesses into something functional.
Omar broke the silence, finally having reached a conclusion.
"To be blunt, I would hate to be in your shoes, but it's not impossible to get out of this situation. You also obtained a true name, didn't you?"
Giovanni nodded eagerly, anxious to hear the way out of that hole.
"Great. I want you, during the interview at the academy, to tell everything good and best about your abilities, your true name, and your attributes. Recount your feats in the first nightmare, proudly describe the final grade... You understand?"
Was he serious?! This... this was madness! Would putting the spotlight on him not make everything worse? Everyone would be watching and waiting for him to fail, show his weakness!
"Mr. Omar... I don't want to doubt your judgment... b-but why?"
He adjusted himself in the chair, sighing uncomfortably.
"Because monsters won't be your only enemies. Other people, the same ones you'll live with at that academy and interact in the city, are also potential opponents there. Isolated from civilization, where survival is all that matters, people do anything to save their own skin."
He played with the knife in his hands, gesturing toward the frightened boy.
"You could even hide everything and blend in with the rest of the sleepers, just another boy with utility abilities. But that's a deadly trap, Giovanni. Those disgusting people will target whoever they believe to be an easy, mundane mark, and objectively, you are one. Even the most ordinary of sleepers could kill you if they have a combat aspect."
Giovanni, who had been anxious before, began to grasp the idea Omar was trying to convey. Margaret intervened, a little worried about the bold plan.
"But he won't be able to hide it in practice! People will certainly notice something wrong when a fight happens in the dream realm."
Every farce has short legs, and Giovanni's would be no different.
"I know, but that's a problem that can't be solved. The core of my idea is this: make them fear you, respect you, make fame your weapon. It doesn't matter how harmless something is; if opponents doubt and avoid fighting, the battle is won all the same."
Omar firmly gripped the boy's shoulders, looking him in the eyes.
"I know sustaining this performance won't be easy, but it's necessary. Your other focus must be finding trustworthy people, people who will fight to protect you. It's impossible to survive there alone, and that's especially true for you. Do you think you can handle it?"
It was all a bit too much to process. Imagining eyes on him at all times, watching every action, every word spoken. Being popular should mean something good, but in this case, his reputation would define his life.
Finding allies willing to stand by his side and surviving the solstice were his only priorities.
Anything after that was merely extra.
He only needed to play a character for what? Six months straight? Nothing beyond expectations. Taking a few brief moments to make his decision, he lifted his head and smiled.
"I can handle it! Pinky promise."
Omar responded with a confident smile. That was a good start.
"Great. You're going to be the strongest weakling that ever existed, kid."
***
It was already the next morning when Giovanni began packing his things.
In addition to bringing most of his new clothes, he took some accessories from the attic as keepsakes and essential hygiene items.
Michel himself left him a box of colored pencils as a farewell gift.
He intended to go to the academy in his usual clothes, but the plan would already be in motion from the start. For Giovanni to stand out, first impressions were equally important.
Besides wearing the grafter's tunic, he had given special care to his hair and face, borrowing some beauty products from Omar.
From his footwear to his academic materials, the officer made a point of paying for quality items, bordering on luxury. The cost had been steep, but it was necessary.
It was far too risky to pretend to be the child of a Legacy clan, so they preferred a different ruse.
Instead of Giovanni, a mere boy raised in a humble orphanage, he would be the mysterious heir of some high-society family.
'It feels like my heart is going to jump out from so much nervousness...'
His hand trembled as he realized the time was coming. He had never imagined he would be in that position, but complaining would bear no fruit.
Because he had utility aspects, he would hardly be at the top of the list, but as long as he stayed close, it should be enough.
People's imagination would do most of the work to inflate their perception of him. All Giovanni needed to do was not mess up and make friends... that shouldn't be the hardest thing in the world.
Right?
"Giovanni! It's time, Omar is waiting out front."
Margaret's voice echoed from downstairs, reaching the bedroom.
"I'm coming!"
And without looking back, he left, heading toward a new phase of life.
Downstairs, Giovanni was received into a PTV, and after putting his things in the trunk, he took the seat beside the driver while Margaret stayed behind, watching him with a smile.
Knowing that they would start seeing each other very rarely from now on, he pulled the woman into a tight hug.
"I love you! Take care, okay?"
His voice came out full of concern, thinking about how she would live alone from now on.
"I'm the one who should say that. Try not to get yourself into too much trouble; so many young people in one place is a recipe for headaches."
She kissed his forehead and watched him disappear down the end of the street, carried away by his longtime acquaintance. After a few minutes watching the traffic outside, he turned to Omar and asked.
"How was it for you? When you went to the academy, I mean."
Omar recalled when it had been his turn, a little more than fifteen years ago. Terrible days, to say the least.
"I was so scared my legs were shaking."
He glanced at the boy, noticing his restless hands.
"At the time, I saw all of it as an opportunity. I thought becoming an awakened would be easy, that money would pour into my account once I became famous. A few days before my first nightmare, my uncle died in the dream realm, but his body remained."
There was a word for that kind of situation, where something's soul was destroyed, but its physical form was preserved. They are called Hollows.
"When I saw his empty eyes in the hospital room, that's when I realized it wasn't a game. The thought of dying and becoming a hollow shell... it was terrifying."
Omar flicked Giovanni on the head with one hand, keeping his attention on the traffic ahead.
"So, Giovanni, don't die."