Uriel was sitting in his elegant and exquisite black chair, observing the training Sunny was giving to Rain with a bored face.
A few days ago, his proposal for the webtoon was approved with great anticipation, publishing the first two chapters that immediately captured the interest of both mundane and Awakened audiences due to the theme of a ninja world mixed with Awakened.
Of course, he kept the same name: Naruto.
Meanwhile, Uriel was online, having another intense chat with "The Mongrel's Flame," causing even more hate. He was even called the "Internet Cockroach" because no matter how many accounts got banned, he always came back with the same username.
Uriel glanced beside him, seeing Shade floating cross-legged, observing the training.
"Focus, you're distracted," he heard Sunny say to his disciple.
Uriel yawned.
"This is boring," murmured Shade. "Don't you think?"
"Yeah, it's a bit boring. Should we try hunting a Cursed Titan?"
"Hmm, I think there aren't any left, and if there are, they'd be very, very far away."
"How about the Tomb, then?" offered Uriel.
"Not yet."
"Master, why is he talking to himself?" asked Rain, pointing at Uriel who was talking to thin air.
"He's talking to his Flaw."
Rain raised an eyebrow.
"His Flaw?"
"Hello, girl."
Rain, hearing a voice behind her, jumped, immediately scared.
She quickly looked at Uriel, which confused her because there was another one sitting bored in an exquisite black chair, and the other was where he had been a moment before.
"What the hell?" she asked.
"Language, Rain," said Sunny.
"S-sorry," said the girl, embarrassed.
"Well, I'm Shade," he introduced himself.
Rain looked at Uriel and Shade. The only difference was their eyes; one had black eyes like two pieces of darkness, and the other had red eyes that seemed to pierce her soul.
"I am Uriel's Flaw."
"Is that even possible?"
"There are many strange Flaws, so it's possible," he explained with boredom. "I'm a cooler and stronger version of Uriel. I'd say Uriel is 95% of what I am, and I am that 5% stronger and cooler."
Rain blinked, bewildered.
"I think I'm lost."
"You're not the only one," said Sunny before frowning. "Do you mind? I'm on teacher duty right now."
"Oh, right, but it's a bit boring just watching you, no offense."
Sunny sighed.
"I guess we'll take a break for now," said Sunny.
"Oh, curious," said Shade, looking at Rain.
"What's curious?" asked Sunny.
However, he didn't get an immediate answer.
"Sunny, can we talk in private for a few moments?"
Sunny nodded.
Using Shadow Step, Sunny appeared in his living room, and Shade emerged from the floor, passing through it like a ghost.
"What did you want to talk about?"
"Well, I have two pieces of good news for you."
"And what would that news be?"
"Your pupil won't be infected by the Nightmare Spell."
Sunny's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Have I ever been wrong?"
"No, though you mostly say incomplete things and other ridiculous stuff."
"Yeah, anyway, I mentioned that we Awakened naturally without anchoring to a gate."
"Yes."
"Well, I can make Rain become an Awakened without being a carrier of the Nightmare Spell. That way, she'll be safe from its influence or from being sent to the Dream Realm while sleeping," he explained.
Sunny frowned.
"Awakening naturally without the Spell? How does that work?"
"In my Nightmare, I met a group of Awakened. They explained to me how to become Awakened. Of course, it's not easy and has its mild risks," said Shade without going into details.
Sunny, upon hearing that, thought for a few moments before asking.
"How is natural Awakening achieved?"
"That's simple. First, you must form a Soul Core, and then learn to sense essence. One cannot happen without the other," revealed Shade.
Sunny blinked. It was similar to the Spell's method, except the Spell reversed it. The core was formed, and then they had to reach a gate to be able to use essence.
"How is Ascension achieved, then?"
"It's the union of mind and soul. To become a natural Ascended, you need to access your sea of souls and discover your Aspect and Flaw, which is related to the third step."
"And Transcendence? Better yet, how is Supremacy achieved?"
Shade didn't respond.
"I'm not omniscient. So, no idea. I only know how to Awaken and Ascend since I did both abnormally. So, what do you think?"
Shade observed Sunny, who was thinking deeply for a few minutes.
"Let's ask Rain first."
"Alright."
When both returned, they noticed that Uriel was showing Runes to Rain.
"So, if you join these three runes in a phrase, this happens," explained Uriel, placing a bit of essence. Rain watched, surprised, as the paper wrinkled, formed into a sphere, and then lit up.
"Wow."
"That's runic sorcery, and with it, you can create cool enchantments and spells."
"Are you trying to steal my student?" asked Sunny, looking at Uriel.
"Oh, of course I am. I'll turn her into the strongest witch in the world," he said with a smile.
"Did you tell him, Shade?"
"Yes," expressed Shade.
Rain was confused.
"Tell him what?"
Sunny sighed, looking at Rain.
"Rain, do you want to become an Awakened naturally?" asked Sunny seriously.
Rain blinked.
"What? Natural Awakening?" she asked, confused.
"I thought all Awakened did so by surviving their first Nightmare?"
"Yes, but that's the Spell's method for those chosen by it," explained Uriel.
"There's another method, which is much less risky than the Spell's," he explained.
"How?"
"It's a somewhat complex process, and you'll first need to train your body to endure it," explained Uriel.
"If I become an Awakened without the Nightmare Spell, will I be sent to the Dream Realm when I sleep?"
"No, since you won't be under its influence, you can stay in the waking world, unlike other Awakened."
Rain blinked before smiling.
"But will I be able to use Memories?"
"Of course. What's more, I'm so cool that if you become an Awakened, I'll give you an Ascended Echo. How about that?"
The girl's eyes shone.
"Deal," she said with fire in her eyes, then looked at Sunny.
"Master, we have no time to waste. Train me with more diligence."
Sunny nodded, a bit disconcerted by Rain's newfound excitement upon hearing she could become Awakened.
Giving Uriel a slightly annoyed look, Sunny continued training his pupil with a bit more intensity than before.
Uriel left Shade sitting in his chair and then headed to the main living room to finish the last 7 chapters of Naruto to send to the publisher. Since one chapter would be published each week, this week they would release chapter 5.
Preparing instant ramen, Uriel returned to the dojo, leaning against the wall, observing the training.
After an hour, the class had ended.
"Alright, we'll stop here for today."
"Okay," said Rain, tired.
"Hey, Rain, catch," said Uriel, tossing her an Awakened beast soul shard.
"Break it," he ordered.
Rain tried to break it with her fingers but found it incredibly difficult. In the end, she used a simple sword, and after several hits, she managed it.
She felt something enter her body, a strange and vague energy.
"What was that?"
"That was essence. Try to remember that sensation," said Uriel.
"Okay."
After saying that, the girl returned home.
'Well, that went better than expected,' thought Uriel to himself. Finishing his ramen, he stored it in his dark storage.
"Oh, right, Sunny, I'll be away for a few Time. I think Gunlaug just found some clue about that island."
Sunny nodded distractedly.
"Alright, see you," saying that, Uriel returned to the Dream Realm. The black chair also disappeared a moment later.
Sunny looked around before summoning the Greedy Chest and taking out a transcendent soul shard.
"I guess I'll continue weaving now," and saying that, he disappeared into the shadows.