"You know…" In the middle of the night, William started speaking. "…it's annoying when someone keeps staring at you while you're trying to sleep."

From a third-person view, it might have seemed like he was mumbling in his sleep. Yet his voice held no grogginess, and there truly was someone those words were meant for.

A figure only he could see.

Levitating a few feet above the ground, painted in red, was the same creature that had been following William like a dead soul ever since the moment he awakened Aether.

"I'm thinking of giving you a name," William continued. "How about Lost Lamb?"

The figure did not remain silent this time, unlike most occasions. "I would go with any name you feel comfortable with."

William opened his eyes and finally turned to look at the being. "So, Lamb, why are you here again?"

"I believe you have already realized that I am not a separate entity, but a part of you."

William sighed. "Yeah, I know. I'm just wondering why you appear now."

As he sat up and looked at his bloodied body once again, he asked, "The memory I saw… does it belong to you?" Seeing people tearing into his body, begging for more, their faces euphoric as they munched on his flesh, had been a horrifying experience.

Since William had never gone through such horror himself, he believed he had somehow tapped into the consciousness of this anomaly.

"You can say that," Lamb replied, its eyes flickering for a brief moment. William thought he sensed grief in that look.

William tilted his head. "No matter how many times I asked, you never told me about yourself. And then suddenly this memory…" After a short pause, he added, "At least tell me about our connection. Are you the previous user of this skill, that's why our souls somehow got involved? Is there a way to free you or something?"

The fact that William could use Void Domain thanks to those memories meant Lamb had once held skills similar to his.

Though unprecedented, there was a chance that this blessing was what bound them together.

However, Lamb shook his head. "You are off the mark, William. There is something far closer, and far more grim, connecting the two of us. For the sake of your sanity, I suggest you do not think about it for now."

William narrowed his eyes. "Have you not noticed? I am mentally quite strong."

He was not boasting. Someone who could hear the inner voices of others without meaning to had been forced to build his mental strength slowly over time.

While others trained for hours, William never truly rested when it came to fortifying his mind. Every second of his life demanded it.

So yes, he was confident he could face the truth.

Lamb lowered his head and spoke softly, "If that memory shook you, then you are nowhere near ready to face what lies ahead."

William's brows drew together. "You can't be serious. That was possibly the most depraved thing anyone could go through."

Being placed among thousands who tore your body apart was not just physical pain. It was the slaughter of the soul itself.

Lamb looked straight at him. "As you move forward, you will see more things. Do not make the same mistake I did and keep everything locked inside. You have someone to share the burden with."

"You are not alone… anymore."

With those words, the figure vanished.

William remained silent for a long while, staring at the wall as conflicting thoughts churned in his mind.

What kind of suffering did a man have to endure to sound so lonely, so stripped of hope?

….

Early morning silence blanketed the campus where the student dormitories stood.

Everyone was sleeping soundly. This was the time when sleep ran deepest.

No matter how disciplined, no one rose before the sun.

That, however, was about to change.

A disk slid through the narrow gap beneath every door at once.

In the very next instant,

*BRRRRRRKKKK*

A loud, ugly noise tore through the campus, ripping the students from their sleep.

Emma grit her teeth and instantly wrapped the artifact in her barrier, silencing it.

William groaned as he crushed his own device again and again with a telekinetic arm.

Others reacted much the same. No one enjoyed being woken up in such a brutal way.

Still, the damage was done. Every student was now wide awake.

Moments later, an announcement echoed through the dorms.

"If you do not come out within ten minutes, penalties for breaking the rules will be applied."

William rolled his eyes and finally pushed his body off the bed.

He took a few moments to collect his thoughts and get his mind to suppress those buzzing thoughts, mostly curses, revolving around him.

Getting up, he washed his face, brushed his teeth, and changed his clothes as quickly as possible. There was no way he was doing whatever activity they had in mind in his academy uniform.

Once he got out, he found the others from Ardentia were also stepping out of their rooms, except for Kevin who was already standing there with his chest puffed out.

Across from them, stood a familiar figure.

The same black-haired woman who threatened William yesterday.

Her black hair flowed freely down her back, framing a calm, sharp face. The tight training pants clung to her legs and hips, following every curve as if molded for her alone, while a thin-strap top rested lightly against her torso, revealing toned shoulders and a narrow waist shaped by discipline rather than display.

Guinevere held a beauty which would make anyone turn to look at her at least once.

Daven couldn't stop himself from staring at the woman. Even Natalie couldn't help but marvel at the woman before her.

Emma glanced at William, her heart a little thumping in nervousness, wondering if he was also checking her out…but,

"*Yawn*" He wasn't even looking at her.

Emma exhaled a sigh, when suddenly Guinevere said,

"Every minute you spend here should be utilized. So, from now on, you are only allowed to sleep five hours. If you understand what I said, start running now. Go, go, go!"

°°°°°°°°°°°

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