After leaving Leo's office, Otto headed straight for the cafeteria. His stomach were growling since waking up, desperate for food.
The cafeteria was crowded as ever, with many Sleepers here and there talking and eating, some doing both at the same time. Picking up a tray, he patiently waited in line, a playful smile on his face. His early play had put him in a good mood.
Just remembering the face of that aloof counselor made him giggle. But why had he done that? It was simple. As he was already late and probably wouldn't be included in that list anyway, he decided to play a little prank on that man. Surely nothing bad could come from a harmless prank like that.
When it was his turn, he placed a big piece of meat, some rice, beans and more meat, the perfect meal to start the day. Seating in some random seat, he started his feast.
After taking a few bites of this delicious lunch, he eventually heard the infamous phrase:
"How… how can this be?!"
Otto looked up, the sleepers were gathering around a large screen that hung on the wall of the cafeteria, just like in the novel.
Even from a distance he could almost feel their excitement and awe. On the screen, the list of names were displayed, ranking the new batch of Sleepers from weakest to strongest, deduced from the results of the interview.
Otto didn't even move, already knowing the result, he only kept eating quietly.
"I'm not seeing things, right?"
"What kind of monster is she?!"
The Sleepers were going crazy over two lines.
"Name: Nephis"
"True Name: Changing Star"
The silver headed girl, Nephis, received a True Name in her First Nightmare. An accomplishment that seemed impossible before, history being made in front of their eyes.
That made Otto remember something.
Nephis's First Nightmare had been briefly mentioned in the novel, with her having to sacrifice her own body and family to conquer it. Funny, looking now, his and Sunny's nightmare was probably way harder than hers, so why did the Spell gave her a True Name? Was this even fair? Of course, Otto knew that, just like every Flaw, first nightmares were meant to be hard for the person inside. Not for someone else.
Sure, sacrificing one's own body didn't seem hard for him, neither leaving his fake family, but to Nephis, it was hard.
'She would probably prefer Sunny's Nightmare then mine though…Well, she will get there eventually.'
The memories of that period flowed in his mind. Without him knowing, his eyes turned slightly orange for a moment before going back to normal.
'Who cares? It is what it is. I just hope not to get involved with Star of Ruin.'
She wasn't his favorite character, in fact, if he had to rank it she would probably be lower than Mordret. Her promise of destroying the Nightmare Spell is what he dislikes the most. Who in the right state of mind would want to destroy what kept the Forgotten God at sleep? She was mad. But again, who was in the right state of mind in this world?
"A Sleeper with a True Name? That's impossible!"
"It's technically possible. Smile of Heaven received her True Name in the First Nightmare, I think. But yeah, I'm doubtful…"
"Maybe she lied in the interview?"
"Are you stupid? If it was that easy to deceive the administrators, the crazy pervert from yesterday would have been in the first place instead!"
Otto giggled at that comment.
"Well, why don't we just ask her?"
Then, there was a deafening silence in the cafeteria. Following the suggestion, Sleepers stopped talking and turned around, staring at Nephis. However, no one seemed to have the courage to approach her first.
Finally sensing something, she raised her eyes and looked at them with surprise.
"Mmm… What?"
Even Cassia turned in her direction and Otto did too, he wouldn't miss this show for nothing.
After a couple of moments, Caster, who had a frustrated expression on his face for some weird reason, walked over and made a small bow.
"Lady Nephis. I am Caster from the Han Li clan. I see that your trial went well?"
Nephis seemed to be a little bit perplexed by the question. After thinking for a while, she smiled brightly and shrugged.
"It is what it is."
Caster awkwardly returned the smile.
"I see. I am very glad that you returned unharmed. Uh… not that I doubted your abilities."
Nephis nodded.
"Thank you."
After that, she returned to her coffee, indicating that the conversation was over or simply oblivious to everyone's attention. The silence returned once again. As Otto was about to return to his meal, someone said:
"Who is Otto?"
He almost choked when he heard it.
"Right, I never saw him, why is he the second and not Caster?"
"Look at his hair, completely dry and poorly cared for."
"Why doesn't he have a shirt on?"
Otto couldn't believe it. He got up and stealthy walked over the screen. There, only under Nephis, his name and photo were being displayed. He was in disbelief. His photo showed a shirtless boy with messy long hair completely covering his eyes. He didn't even remember taking that photo, when did that happen?
'How? Why? Who… That motherfucker.' He got angry imagining Leo's smug face.
Taking a deep breath, he looked around. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice him. Sunny was back to eating his food. Nephis were quietly drinking her coffee. Caster seemed frustrated, although he wasn't sure if it was for what just happened or for losing the second place. And Cassia she was…murmuring something.
He couldn't hear what it was, just prayed that it was nothing about him.
'Oh, you fuck it up, buddy.' At that moment, Edric swore his revenge. It would probably take a while, but it was fine.
If there was something he was good at, it was holding a grudge.
'I won't forget about this.' Neither could he.