Konrad stood before a master of house of Night, he felt an unshakable pressure. The master's gaze bore into him, dissecting his very essence. His name is Arthur.
Master Arthur was a tall, imposing man with an air of quiet intensity. His long, jet-black hair was tied in a loose ponytail, and his piercing indigo eyes carried the weight of countless visions.
His sharp, angular features were partially hidden by the dark hood of his long, deep-blue robes adorned with silver embroidery depicting the constellations. His hands, adorned with intricate rings, bore the faint scars of past battles. Though his presence was commanding, there was a strange calmness in the way he moved, as if he existed both in the present and in visions of the future.
House of Night carried the bloodline of the Storm God, a deity of the night, darkness, depths, travel, disaster, and guidance. Because of this, its members possessed a natural affinity for divination. Among the three great legacy clans—Valor, Song, and Night—it was the House of Night that had the highest number of diviners and they are the best in the world.
Their powers allowed them to glimpse into the uncertain tides of fate, foreseeing potential futures. Many of their awakened wielded abilities connected to the sea, water, and voyage. They were both feared and respected, their wisdom often sought after in times of uncertainty.
"You have a gift, Konrad," Arthur finally said, his voice measured and thoughtful. "A dangerous one, but a gift nonetheless. Clairvoyance is not a power to be wielded carelessly."
Konrad nodded, his young face set in determination. "I understand, Master."
Arthur studied him for a moment longer before gesturing to the large chamber behind him. The room was dimly lit, lined with black marble pillars that stretched high into the ceiling. Strange symbols glowed faintly on the floor, pulsating in rhythmic patterns.
They entered the chamber.
"Your training begins now."
Under Master Arthur's guidance, Konrad would learn how to wield his clairvoyance in battle. The master first tested Konrad's ability, pushing him to his limits.
...
"Seeing the future means nothing if you cannot act upon it," Master Arthur said.
"Visions are fluid, ever-changing. You must learn to anticipate, not just react."
Through grueling drills, Konrad was forced to dodge attacks he saw coming only moments before impact. At first, it was overwhelming. His mind struggled to process multiple glimpses of the near future, but over time, he adapted. His body grew more responsive, his reflexes sharper. He learned to filter the most immediate threats from the flood of information his ability provided.
For months, Arthur pushed Konrad beyond his limits. He forced him to perceive the future in combat, predicting attacks and countering them with precision. He subjected him to rigorous mental trials, placing Konrad in near-impossible scenarios where he had to use his ability not just to see, but to act accordingly.
Konrad learned to wield his clairvoyance like a weapon, seeing split-second glimpses into the future to dodge strikes, anticipate movements, and counter with lethal efficiency.
One day, during a particularly grueling session, Konrad unveiled his Stygian Talons.
Obsidian claws erupted from his hands, sleek and sharp, reflecting the dim candlelight ominously.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Your attribute manifests physically. A deadly advantage."
Master Arthur observed them with mild surprise before summoning another expert to instruct him.
Master Gareth, a veteran warrior of House of Night, specialized in claw-based combat. A towering figure with dark bronze skin and eyes like deep ocean trenches, he wielded his own set of claws with deadly precision. Once or twice a month, he guided Konrad through brutal sparring sessions, forcing him to hone his instincts, balance, and control.
"The key to fighting with claws," Gareth explained, circling Konrad, "is not brute force but control. You are not a blade wielding knight; you are a dangerous beast. You have to get close and personal to your enemy. But be careful of them."
Konrad mirrored Gareth's movements, his talons slicing through the air in graceful arcs. Day after day, he refined his skills, mastering both foresight and deadly precision.
Weeks turned into months. Konrad's talons became an extension of himself. His movements grew fluid, his strikes sharper. He learned how to weave between opponents, striking from blind spots and predicting counters before they happened. He was no longer a mere student—he was a warrior in the making.
As winter approached, Konrad made a decision. He wished to leave his home and enroll in the Awakened Academy as he had already learnt everything he could from his teachers. When he approached Master Olaf with his request.
Konrad said his request to Master Olaf.
"I want to attend the Awakened Academy."
Master Olaf was silent for a moment, studying the boy who had grown so much in just a few months.
"Are you certain?" he asked finally.
Konrad nodded.
"I want to experience the Awakened academy as a sleeper. I might also meet some interesting people, either friend or enemies."
Master Olaf agreed.
Before his departure, Master Olaf took him to a private chamber. A proud but sad smile tugged at the elder's lips. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small pouch, handing it to Konrad.
"This belonged to your parents. Their legacy is yours now." Master Olaf said, placing his hand on Konrad's palm. "And this… is my gift and the clan's investment in you. "
He also handed pouch filled with soul shards to Konrad.
Konrad felt eight memories transfering to his soul sea.
Three of them belonged to his parents, a final inheritance from the family he barely remembered. The remaining two were from Master Olaf himself. And last three from the clan.
Alongside the memories were nearly two hundred and forty soul shards, a significant amount for someone at his stage. It was a wealth of power, enough to solidify his foundation as an awakened.
"Use them wisely," Master Olaf said. "And remember, power alone is not strength. In the dream realm no one survives alone."
Master Olaf placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Make them proud. Make us proud. Bring glory to our clan."
Konrad bowed deeply, gratitude welling within him. He would not waste this gift.
A few days later, he found himself inside a PTV, a personal transport vehicle, speeding toward the Academy. Beside him sat two other legacy sleepers of House of Night—Ada and Jacob.
The journey to the Academy was uneventful, yet tension brewed within Konrad. He sat in the personal transport vehicle, flanked by two other legacy Sleepers of House Night.
To his right was Ada, an eighteen-year-old with short silver hair and sharp blue eyes. She carried herself with an air of confidence, her voice always laced with amusement.
To his left sat Jacob, a tall, lean young man with dark brown hair and a perpetual smirk.
Both were eighteen, seasoned compared to Konrad's thirteen years.
They conversed freely, sharing stories of their past training, experience and aspirations. Konrad, however, remained mostly silent, responding only when necessary. He could feel their sympathy—the way they looked at him, the softness in their words.
They pitied him for being forced into his first nightmare at such a young age. He was infamous among the younger generation of House of Night, a prodigy forged by tragedy.
But Konrad didn't want their pity. It irked him, but he kept his emotions in check.
"So, little Konrad," Ada teased, nudging him lightly, "ready to take on the Academy?"
Konrad barely looked at her. "I suppose."
Jacob chuckled. "Don't mind him, Ada. The kid's got a reputation to uphold."
"Reputation?" Ada raised an eyebrow.
Jacob grinned. "Come on, he's the youngest Sleeper in House of Night to undergo his first Nightmare. He even received a true name in his first nightmare. Not even every saint has one. He's basically a monster among prodigies."
Ada crossed her arms, eyeing Konrad curiously. "Impressive. But I hope you're not letting it get to your head."
"I'm just another Sleeper," he said flatly.
Ada smiled knowingly but didn't press further. Konrad's jaw tightened. He could feel the subtle pity in their voices. They saw him as the poor orphan prodigy, a child thrown into the cruel world too soon. It irked him, but he held his tongue.
Soon, the vehicle came to a halt. As the doors opened, they stepped out onto a massive platform. Before them loomed the Academy gates—towering structures of steel.
Konrad stepped out, his eyes scanning the massive structure before him.
"Welcome to the Academy," Jacob said with a smirk.
Konrad took a deep breath and stepped forward. His academy arc is about to begin.