[Awakening Aspect Ability…]
'This is it. The moment of truth,' Konrad thought.
Divine Aspect or not, his immediate future still depended on the first Aspect Ability he would receive. His role in the Dream Realm would be based on its characteristics.
If it was a combat ability, he would be most useful on the frontlines of the bloody battles against the Nightmare Creatures. If it was tied to sorcery, he would likely become a powerful, but fragile ranged fighter.
If it was something having to do with utility, he would be a vitally important part of the behind-the-scenes workings of the Dream Realm. He will have to get creative. He could even become a healer. Healers were very rare.
[Aspect Ability acquired.]
[Aspect Ability Name: Clairvoyance.]
Konrad summoned the runes. He wanted to go to the description of his new ability right away, but then decided to give his overall information a look first.
Name: Konrad.
True Name: Night Haunter.
Rank: Dreamer.
Soul Core: Dormant.
Soul Fragments: [56/1000].
Memories: ---
Echoes: ---
Attributes: [Nightwalker], [Outerspawn], [Flame of Divinity], [Clairguard], [Thunderheart], [Stygian Talons].
Aspect: [Night Haunter].
Aspect Rank: Divine.
Aspect Abilities: [Clairvoyance].
Aspect Ability Description: [You can see past, present and future.]
"What is that supposed to mean? Well... It pretty self explanatory."
Konrad began to read the description again, but at that moment, a new set of runes appeared just below it.
Simultaneously, the Spell's voice resounded in the black void.
[All power has a price.]
[You have received a Flaw.]
[Your Flaw is: …]
Konrad read the runes depicting his flaw.
Flaw: [Mandate].
Flaw Description: [You are favoured by destiny. To repay this great favour you shall fulfill your own destiny.]
"I know my destiny. I know my death. I even know my own purpose! So, what? I will live. I will live a fulfilling life until... I become what I am meant to be! I shall complete my destiny! Ha..a.." Konrad suppressed his laugh.
"Wait! What is my destiny? I have forgotten it. Well, it doesn't matter. In time I shall remember."
"It's not a flaw. I am no lost from light. I don't have any great aspiration or obsession for freedom. Because I am Night Haunter, the one haunted by his own visions." Konrad declared.
The spell decided to speak at this moment.
[Wake up, Night Haunter!]
The black void spun and disappeared.
***
Konrad slowly opened his eyes. The cold steel ceiling above reflected the dim glow of the room's lighting. He inhaled deeply, his breath steady, his heart surprisingly calm despite everything he had just endured. He sat up, his body aching, and surveyed the room.
Suddenly, his vision blurred. A cascade of images surged through his mind—fleeting moments, glimpses of events yet to unfold. He saw Master Olaf shift in his chair, opening his eyes. He saw himself sitting in silence, the older man watching him closely before moving forward to embrace him. Then, as quickly as they came, the visions ceased.
He exhaled sharply. Clairvoyance? It had to be. It was the only explanation for what he was experiencing. He focused on the ability, attempting to control it, but the more he tried to grasp it, the more elusive it became. His mind was fragmented, exhausted, but somewhere deep inside, he understood that he had changed. He wasn't the same person who had just entered his first nightmare trial.
Master Olaf stirred. His tired, wise eyes opened as he sensed Konrad's movement. He had been sitting beside Konrad's bed since the trial began, keeping watch, hoping, waiting. As he observed the boy, he let out an inaudible sigh of relief. The weight of responsibility he bore as Konrad's guardian was heavy, but the child had survived. That was all that mattered.
He passed his first trial.
But at what cost?
Master Olaf could see it in his eyes. The depth of exhaustion, the subtle tremor in his fingers, the way his gaze held something beyond mere fatigue—age. A child should not have eyes like that. They were old, burdened, and tired.
"Konrad?" he asked gently, his voice calm yet firm.
Konrad remained silent. His vision wavered again, another ripple of clairvoyance threatening to overtake him, but he forced it down. He met the elder's gaze, searching for words but finding none.
Master Olaf did not press him. Instead, he pulled Konrad into an embrace, wrapping his arms around the boy. Konrad stiffened slightly at first, unaccustomed to such gestures. Then, slowly, he closed his eyes. The torrent of visions ceased, his breathing steadied. He remained still for a few minutes, grounding himself in the present.
Finally, he spoke. "Thank you, Elder. I think I am fine now."
Master Olaf pulled back slightly, studying him. "Konrad, if you want to say something, I will lend you an ear."
Konrad hesitated but then shook his head. "I just want to sleep."
Master Olaf smiled. "Then rest." He stood and gave Konrad one last glance before walking out of the room, leaving him alone. Konrad lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling once more before his exhaustion overtook him, and he fell into a deep sleep.
The night was not over for Konrad.
Summoned to the Elders' Hall of the House of Night, he stood before a gathering of powerful figures. The chamber was grand, dimly lit by pale blue lanterns. The air was thick with authority and quiet judgment. These were not ordinary masters—they were the keepers of the house's future, the ones who decided the path of their scions. Master Olaf was also here.
Seated in a semicircle before him, the elders observed him in silence. The House of Night was unique among the three great legacy clans—Valor, Song, and Night. Unlike the other two, it had not been established by a single legacy clan but by a coalition of several legacy clans, united under the first-generation awakened hero, Nightwalker. Though Saints existed within their ranks, they rarely involved themselves in the mundane affairs of the house, leaving matters such as this to the elders.
Konrad bowed slightly in respect before taking his seat. The first elder, a man with silver-streaked black hair and piercing eyes, leaned forward. "Tell us, Konrad. How was your first Nightmare?"
Konrad chose his words carefully.He recounted what he could, omitting only the parts he knew would raise too many questions—Neither's presence, the visions of the Misbegotten Horrors, the sheer weight of what he had learned. He spoke of the trials, the battle within himself, and the moment he emerged victorious.
"First I climbed out of a pit. I was on a very tall mountain and there was mansion at the peak. I quickly ran up towards the mansion as some of kind of fog chased me. That fog filled me with dread and there was something inside it. Thankfully I reached the mansion, before the fog shallowed. The manor had some kind of ward which fend off the fog and creatures within it.
I entered the mansion and went to the main hall. There was a statue of Storm God. In a trance I knelt before it. And when I woke up, I heard the voice of the Spell saying I have received Storm God's blessing. I also meet the lord of the manor, but I don't want to recount my experience with him. Then my nightmare ended."
A hush fell over the hall as the elders were stunned. They quickly composed themselves. Then they praised him.
"Well done, Konrad."
They also didn't push Konrad to say anything more as there was untold rule not to dig out every secrets of their clan scions.
"Did you receive a true name?" an elder asked, her voice sharp with curiosity.
Konrad exhaled. "Yes. I'm Night Haunter."
The elders looked at each other, then looked at Konrad with approval. Master Olaf was smug.
"And what about your aspect?" Another elder asked.
"It is also called Night Haunter, but the runes are a bit different." Konrad answered.
"Will you share the rank of your aspect?" The same elder asked.
"It's higher than Transcendent. I won't say more." Konrad said.
Murmurs spread across the room. Some nodded in understanding; others exchanged glances of intrigue. A aspect higher than transcendent was rare, powerful, and unpredictable.
One elder narrowed his eyes. "And your dormant ability?"
"Clairvoyance. I can see the future."
Konrad answered what he was willing to share, ensuring he remained truthful without revealing too much. Lying would be detected instantly, and deception would serve no purpose here.
When the questioning finally ended, the elders exchanged quiet words among themselves before the first elder spoke once more. "Your training will continue for the next eight months before the winter solstice. You will be given special guidance, resources, and tasks to refine your abilities."
Konrad nodded, accepting their judgment.
As the meeting adjourned, he knew one thing for certain.
His path had already begun, and there was no turning back.