When morning came, Dein cleaned, ate his fill, and redied himself. He remembered everything that happened yesterday, the training, the fight with Changing Star, her true origins, and then the unexpected encounter with the blind girl Cassie.
However, today, Dein put all of that behind his mind. The fact that Nephis was the reason why his clan is on the verge of falling from being a Legacy is still on his mind but Dein put that all behind for now.
Instead, he closed his eyes.
[Four weeks. That's the only time we have to prepare.]
[T-this is unfair! There's no way we can get strong enough in four weeks! It's impossible!]
When Scaredy spoke, The little girl chimed in, offering her opinion in a curious manner.
[Wouldn't it be better if we just learn how to survive in the Dream Realm as much as possible instead?]
[Yeah! That's what we should do! I mean, Dein don't even know how to cook yet! Much less, process food. It doesn't matter if we get strong if in the end we'll die of starvation!]
[Sigh, they have a point Dein. So stop being stupid and drop that down already.]
The wooden sword in Dein's hand whistled as it cut through the air. Listening to their advice and complains, Dein simply smiled. Of course he already knows all about that. He may be lacking knowledge despite being a Legacy but he is, by no means, stupid.
He already knew getting strong alone won't be enough to allow him to survive the Winter Solstice. And yet, Dein continued swinging the training sword in his hand.
"Can you guys stop complaining. I have a plan"
To others, Dein probably look like a crazy person right now talking to himself. So he caught himself and lowered his voice.
"Ahem, what I meant to say is; it's time for the three of you to pay rent!"
The three couldn't believe what they heard. They even complained to him, calling him an idiot for not listening to them. However, they soon understand Dein's plan and the silhouette of the little girl slowly materializes only in Dein's eyes.
The figure of the Little girl sighed and Dein felt three different people looking back at him when he stared at their eyes. The three spoke as if simultaneously but it appears that Serious is the one taking charge.
"Hey, you know we can't touch anything right? So how are we supposed read a book to learn something?"
Dein finally stopped in swinging his sword, wiped the sweat of his face and looked behind the little girl before speaking.
"You don't need to read anything. I don't know what courses there are in this academy but I'm going to focused all this four weeks in learning how to fight. As for the three of you… just go to those courses."
Passing through the little girl as he walked, Dein continued.
"Find the course that will teach us how to survive in the Dream Realm, maybe one that will help us learn how to cook, identify poisonous to edible. Or one that will teach us to read unknown language..."
Upon hearing that, the three sighed. They accepted the task without complain, after all, it's for their survival as well. And so with that, the three disappeared. Going around the Academy like a ghost.
Searching room by room to find the most suitable course.
In a few moments, they will find a course that fits all the criteria. One that only has a single interesting student. The name of the course was:
Wilderness Survival. Led by teacher Julius.
****
Meanwhile, left all alone in his own mind. Dein opened his eyes. Without the three, he felt almost… lonely.
And yet, he's calmer than he's ever been. He doesn't know when it started, maybe since he got out of his first Nightmare. But ever since then, the used to be hot headed Dein seem to be able to control his emotions better now.
'Is is because I share my emotions with the other three now?'
He doesn't know—he doesn't need to know. Instead, Dein continued walking forward until he's face to face again with the woman who broke his nose yesterday. He gave her a smile.
The seed of Envy in his heart in full bloom. The slight resentment he felt against her because of the rumor that erupted against his clan gnawing at him as well. And yet, Dein smiled.
"Hey, wanna spar?"
He lightly said and to his surprise, Changing Star simply nodded and easily accepted his request.
This time, they used a wooden sword instead of hand to hand. They stood against each other but unlike yesterday, Dein didn't move. Instead, he watched Changing Star carefully. Studying even the smallest of her movements. After all, any slight move can lead to his defeat.
And at the same time, Dein knew. No matter how envious or resentful he feels towards Changing Star, even if challenging her today may be because of those emotions, if he actually wants to get stronger, the only way is to learn from the strongest, a.k.a Nephis.
And Dein would do that by fighting her.
****
The battle against Changing Star ended in less than two minutes. She entered his ranged first and Dein went on the defensive, he blocked her first blow aimed at his shoulder before spinning and colliding his body on Changing Star to push her away.
But Nephis isn't a push over, she sidestepped and dodge him before delivering another slash that Dein barely dodge. It was at that moment that he learn another thing about Changing Star fighting style.
He couldn't quite put his finger into it yesterday because he's hell-bent on trying to win but now, Dein simply wanted to learn—and win if possible, of course. But now, he could see it, Nephis wasn't predicting his attacks like Dein is doing to her. Instead, she simply watch for it and adapt accordingly.
He couldn't believe it. It's absurd. How can one even adapt to someone mid fight? Dein could barely even predict what she'll do next even with the help of his attribute [Dreadful Trepidation] and yet, in their exchange of violence, Nephis isn't just using her brawn but her mind as well.
It's like… yes, it's like 'Like we're playing chess!'
Adapting to the movement of your opponent in a calculating manner. It is to the point that if Dein attacked with a slash, Nephis would retaliate with a parry before going for a thrust. However, if she noticed that the slash was just a feint, she would adapt and go to dodge it instead before going for the slight opening.
It this regard. Dein is like playing hope-chess. Just moving his pieces, attacking and just responding to his opponent while hoping they won't find his blunder and finish the fight.
The realization dawned on Dein as if a blessing from the sky. That said however, even if he knows what's happening, he still cannot change anything. He won't suddenly become proficient in calculating and adapting to his opponent. And Changing Star won't just suddenly become weaker.
And so, soon enough, Dein was force to be met with a barrage of fluid, connecting attacks once again. Her slashes, thrusts, stab, swings, all connected and flowed until Dein could no longer keep up. Changing Star's sword finally connected with his side along with a blinding pain and Dein fell to the ground groaning.
"Arg!"
Dein held his sides on the ground, grimacing in pain. The other sleepers gasping and whispering to themselves as they watch. They're all probably mocking Dein right now for being stupid. After all, after what happened yesterday, who in their right mind would want to challenge Changing Star again?
Yeah who?
'Goddammit, how the hell is her attacks so strong? She's not heavier than me is she?'
Any woman would get angry being called heavy, only maybe except for Changing Star. She'll probably be happy having more mass as her attacks would be even heavier.
Anyway, back to reality and our of the confines of his mind. Nephis awkwardly move to try and help Dein. Of course, his flaw won't allow that and Dein don't want to freeze so he said.
"S-stop it. I don't need your help."
That must've come out as arrogant because the sleeper's mockery of him grew more bold. But Dein ignored all that. He even saw Arthe, Grob, along with Nervig's worried look but he ignored them as well. Instead, he stood up on his own before breathing heavily.
"Again. Let's go again."
He declared to the strongest, Nephis. Hearing this, for some reason, the always unreadable expression on Changing Star's face changed. She smiled genuinely albeit slightly and nodded.
"Okay."
And so, just like that. They fought again. And again after that. And another. And one more. Until Dein's hard work got rewarded by the wonderful nickname; Changing Star's Punching Bag.