It seemed like Caster suddenly ceased to exist.
However, it was only an illusion. The truth was that he was just moving so fast that the human eye wasn't able to keep up with his movements. Even Otto, who knew that, couldn't perceive him in any way. He only noticed a hazy blur streaking through the air.
In a fraction of a second, Caster covered the distance between him and Nephis and delivered a devastating blow. However, despite his astonishing speed, she somehow managed to react in time, slightly turning her body to deflect the strike.
But it still wasn't enough. Although Nephis had managed to avoid being hit squarely in her center of gravity, Caster's fist ended up connecting with her shoulder, sending the girl into a spin.
Not wasting any time, Caster disappeared again. His plan was very simple: while Nephis was still under the impression that the enemy was in front of her, he was going to use his unnatural swiftness to circle around and attack from the back.
The young man appeared behind the oblivious girl, ready to finish the fight with one decisive strike. Just as he planned, she seemed to be preparing to attack in the direction he had been seen just a split second ago. Gratified, Caster shifted his weight, putting it all into his fist.
However, at the last moment, Nephis suddenly changed her stance and threw her elbow back with frightening force.
Caster's eyes widened. It was all a feint!
And now that he had committed to a strike, there was no simple way to stop. No matter how fast he was, he was still subject to the laws of inertia. The elbow was approaching his face with a profound feeling of inevitability. And yet, Caster still managed to avoid it, even if it was just by a hair's breadth. His speed advantage was just too big.
He then proceeded to trip and push Nephis, sending her flying to the ground. However, just before she was about to hit the mats, the young man carefully grabbed the collar of her dobok and gently pulled, slowing down the fall and allowing Nephis to land on the floor without any impact.
Lying on her back, the girl blinked a couple of times and looked up at him. The whole altercation lasted no more than two seconds.
In the back, Otto blinked slowly.
'That's it?'
In his mind this fight had been way more interesting than in real life. Sure, seeing in person was cool and all, but he barely managed to see what was happening. It was…disappointing.
Instructor Rock grunted and gave Caster a nod. Nephis slowly rose to her feet.
The rest of the Sleepers were gawking at the young man with reverence, whispering among each other in hushed tones. It seemed that his performance left them with a deep impression.
However, Caster himself wasn't very elated. He glanced at Nephis with an unreadable expression.
That was because, unlike the rest of them, he came to a certain realization. The truth of the matter was known only to him, Nephis, Instructor Rock… and Sunny, who was very observant and quickly picked up on such things.
'Well, me too now. I hope Sunny liked my fight as well…Not that I care.'
The thing that Sleepers failed to notice was that Nephis did not use her Aspect Ability when facing Caster. In fact, she had not used it at any point during today's testing. No one even knew what her Ability was. And yet, despite his powerful Aspect, Caster barely managed to clutch a victory against her.
Otto giggled a little, obvious to the stares of the Sleepers on his back. They wondered; How could Caster only be the third strongest.
***
After that, the introductory combat class was over. Sore from the beating they received, Sleepers headed for the showers. Otto had no business there. Not that he was running away from all the people who kept staring at him like he was a freak, or the ones who came to talk with him out of the blue. No, he would never do that. He genuinely had better things to do.
Back in his room. Otto was laying flat on his bed. His entire body hurt and there was nothing Silk could do to help, as there was nothing to be mend. She herself was chilling in her web that somehow got even bigger while he was away.
'If she keeps doing that, in no time the entire room will be covered by spider-webs.' Just imagining that he would have to pay for it, like it was damaging, sent shivers down his spine.
Laid there, Otto couldn't help but think back on his day.
In short, it had been a mess, Leo fucked him up more than he himself knew.
Otto had no idea of the impact that taking Caster's place as the second strongest would have on Fate. Hopefully it would be minimal to none. Thankfully, the Plot didn't seem to have been affected and things were progressing exactly as written.
'Hopefully, as long as I don't interact with Sunny nothing will change.'
He sighed and then got up. There was no time to think about that. He wasn't kidding about having better things to do.
Scratching his chin, he thought back to his fight with Nephis. Although no doubt he lacked experience, there was also something else that made all the difference. His body, or more specifically his physical prowess.
His body was a disaster, to say the least.
Even after becoming a Sleeper, he still was slow and weak, completely unable to keep up without his ability. Which, as it seems, was directly tied to his agility.
That meant he had no other choice but…to exercise.
'My old enemy…'
Sure, as he ascended, his body would naturally become stronger, but again, using one's Aspect was vital to survive and, since his was almost useless, he would need to train not to die the instant he stepped into the Dream Realm.
But there was still another thing he could do, a shortcut. Sorcery of Names.
Although the novel said very clearly that Shaping was only a temporary solution–except for Rain–a temporary solution was exactly what he needed. Thankfully, there was something he could use.
He didn't know at the time, but now that he could read moderately well, Otto could tell what had been written in First Nightmare Sylas' diary: A grand variety of True Names.
Otto suddenly burst out laughing.
"Seriously, that's too convenient! Life sure is good sometimes."
Silk raised an eyebrow, wondering if he had finally lost it.
Of course, it wasn't all roses. Anyone could learn a True Name, but knowing one didn't mean you could speak it. To truly learn it, one would need not only natural talent, but also practice and endurance. Meaning that Otto would have to learn how to pronounce it by trial and error. Which, obviously, would be dangerous.
Just imagine: one day he would use it to make himself lighter, but by mistake he would mispronounce it and end up saying "decadence," and then he would begin to decompose instantly.
That would be crazy.
However, there was no other way if he wanted to escape exercising.
"I used it before, so it shouldn't be too hard…"
He thought back to the book, through the hundred pages in his mind, he searched for only one word; Stronger. That's what he needed. It took only a second, but eventually he found it.
Now, all he had to do is put that into a verse, using his own True Name as an anchor.
And that is exactly what he did.
Instantly he felt a sudden surge of power going through his muscles. He felt euphoric. But that only lasted for half a second, in the next one, his body withered like a balloon.
"Hm… It wasn't so bad for a first try."
As if in cue, the sorcery backfired. His muscles compressed and twisted, making him fall on the heated floor.
'Fuck. Why did I have to say that?'