Time passed, and cassie grew closer to Sunny.
They spent most of their time together at school—sparring during combat classes, studying side by side in theory lessons. It was an unspoken rule that they had each other's backs.
Him literally knowing her for years from a past life were incredibly useful for getting close to her too.
But there was one thing Sunny had been subtly steering her toward for years, gaslighting her masterfully
One of those conversations went something like this.
"You should try fighting without using your eyes," he suggested, pretending to have learnt it from an Awakened teacher.
Cassie frowned, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Why would I do that? I'm not blind, you know? I can just learn to fight with my eyes open."
Sunny smirked. "It's an ancient technique. Boosts your fencing skills."
"Honestly? Sounds like a disadvantage."
"So you can't do it, huh?"
Cassie narrowed her eyes. "Oh, shut up. I'll show you."
Sunny grinned. Mission accomplished.
Cassie was a great fighter on her own,before she became blind, but she still wasn't quite a match for him. That wasn't what he was looking for. He needed a true equal.
And he knew exactly where to find her, just not how to approach her.
---
When Sunny turned fourteen, Bolt, the renowned Awakened, announced his intent to challenge the Second Nightmare.
Six people answered his call.
Among them were Abel and Jet.
This was a change from the original timeline. Originally, Jet would have attempted the Second Nightmare a year later, with different people.
She would've come back alone too, and without a true name.
Now, with Abel at her side, the outcome was different.
The Nightmare was gruesome. Only three returned.
Bolt, Abel and Jet.
But when they did, they were no longer just survivors.
They were legends.
Abel had earned his True Name: Kingmaker.
Jet had received hers far earlier than before: Soul Reaper. And bolt had become Binding nexus instead of dying to his Nightmare.
Though for the most part of the nightmare, Jet had kind of carried them, Similar to how sunny had carried effie and kai in their past second Nightmare.
And so similarly to kai and effie, Bolt and Abel weren't weak, they had also become legendary, just not as much as Jet had.
This achievement was proof to sunless that the world was changing.
His actions had created a butterfly effect.
And humanity had gained an extra Master, one with the potential to become a Saint.
It was time to take the next step.
---
One day, when Abel was enjoying a rare day off, Sunny approached him.
The man was lounging in a hammock, basking in the sunlight, his eyes closed in relaxation.
Sunny leaned over. "Morning, Dad! How have you been?"
Abel cracked an eye open and grinned. "I'm doing great, my boy. I heard you beat your instructor again in your last lesson?"
Sunny shrugged. "I guess."
Abel chuckled. "He said he has nothing left to teach you. That you're the best student he's ever seen."
"Sounds about right," Sunny said smugly.
Abel sat up, rubbing his beard. "Sunny, my boy… That's the sixty-ninth Awakened teacher who has said that about you."
His tone shifted to a question. "You know what that means?"
Abel grinned. "It means you're truly extraordinary. Look at you—at the rate you're growing, you'll surpass your old man and every Master in the world with flying colors. And that's amazing! You deserve all the praise."
He placed a firm hand on Sunny's shoulder, his tone now mature and loving.
"But. Don't let it get to your head, alright? Stay humble. Stay kind. That's what separates a man from a beast."
Sunny gave a small nod. 'And what makes a beast into a titan, one day.'
Abel leaned back, stretching. "Besides, if you want to learn more, I'll personally train you whenever I get the chance."
"Oh? You will?"
"Of course."
"But you hardly get any free time as a Master…"
"That's alright. You don't need much guidance anymore. Just don't overwork yourself."
Sunny hesitated. Then, taking a deep breath, he said, "Actually… that's what I wanted to talk to you about."
Abel raised a brow. "Oh? You need something?"
"Yes. I want to make a deal with someone."
"A deal?" Abel's expression turned curious. "Using my status as a guarantee?"
Sunny nodded.
"That's… certainly new." Abel tilted his head. "Who are you trying to deal with?"
Sunny met his gaze.
"The Immortal Flame Clan."
Abel blinked. "What?"
"I want to learn their secret fighting style. In exchange, you'll provide their last heir with the necessary memories for the Winter solstice."
Abel fell out of the hammock.
"WHAT!?"
His voice boomed with pure, unfiltered astonishment.
He scrambled to his feet, eyes wide. "What the hell are you talking about!? Are you crazy!?"
Sunny remained calm. "No, Dad. I'm serious. Think about it."
"The government is supposed to protect the people, right? That includes the Immortal Flame Clan. But it is blocked by the Great Clans.
But the great clans can't force us not to make a deal, a mere master who just happens to work for the government can trade with someone who happens to work at the immortal flame clan."
There are still people loyal to the Immortal Flame Clan—enough to negotiate. If we make a deal, their last heir will have a higher chance of surviving the winter solstice, if she is ever infected.
And I'll gain one of the greatest fighting styles known to man."
Sunny crossed his arms. "It's a win-win."
Abel stared at him.
For once, the ever-composed Kingmaker was speechless.
Then, slowly, his expression darkened.
"Sunny… how do you know all this?"
Sunny froze.
Shit.
He had spoken too much.
But he was used to bending the truth. So he adjusted quickly.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" he said smoothly. "The Immortal Flame Clan was the strongest. Then their leaders started dying one by one. Now, no one is helping them."
It was indeed common knowledge, at least for an Awakened's family, that the members of the immortal flame clan had all died, and they had left behind a single daughter.
Someone like the outskirt's sunny wouldn't have known that, and even the legacies wouldn't know how their last daughter looked like, but they would've known that the legendary clan was waning in power.
Abel's frown deepened. "Even so, to claim that the Great Clans are—"
"The great clans belong to the friends of broken sword and smile of heaven, if they wanted to, the immortal flame clan would have become a key vassalnof either great clan, or atleast would have maintained some form of organisation." Sunny interrupted.
"They weren't just three people afterall.
But it doesn't matter if they're actively stopping them or not," He continued, "You taught me to help those in need, didn't you? The Immortal Flame Clan are heroes. If they don't deserve our help… then no one does."
Abel remained silent, his mindset had been used by sunny against himself.
It was clear that he didn't believe Sunny's reasoning entirely.
But one thing was true.
He was indeed supposed to help them.
And in the end, that was enough.