Nightmare Mythos

Being a fourth-year student is unlike being a third, second, or even first year. Those three years they had been training for were for this moment. Now, all their learning will be put to the test.

They will be released outside to finish up missions. Of course, under the guidance of specialists, they will be forced or grouped up with the same students in their year. It was like a field trip that involved putting learning to the test.

It will be dangerous field trips though.

Another matter he was contemplating was the incoming Facet Selection for the fourth years. Others secured Facets themselves probably because their families were rich or influential enough to collect such important things but Cesar was different.

Half of the academy students are admitted to this academy through connections and money while the other half made their way here through scholarships and recommendations. Cesar was inclined toward the latter. Although there's no prejudice, the students who had been willingly enrolled here have a prior advantage whilst the latter didn't.

It's not a matter of anything. It's just the way it is.

Hence, the academy had given students more opportunities for themselves to grow stronger whether they were blessed of being here or lucky enough to be admitted.

And it is through Facets; a feature the humans discovered after three centuries of researching a way to fight back Nightmares since mundane weapons and artilleries are not on par when dealing with such harrowing creatures. A potion whose main ingredients were the flesh, carcasses, and corpses of the Nightmares the humans had killed.

There are four Facets the academy could provide but each Facets presents different kinds of ability. Like branches of a tree, the facet had twigs that connected to the main trunk. Meaning, that in one Facet, a student will definitely get one of either of its three, four, or five abilities presented.

These abilities will be a big help for those wanting to be strong as they offer great rewards such as receiving one of the said abilities of the Nightmares being offered.

"Looks like I'll have to do some research for this year's batch of Nightmares. It doesn't matter what kind it is as long as it helps me do good,"

With a tired sigh, Cesar removed his uniform and changed into something more casual. There were still a few days left till the normal classes resumed commencement and their year becoming fourth-year students.

Not officially yet, but they became seniors today after the previous seniors were gone, who were probably situated on their stations throughout the world right now.

He left his room to roam around a particular spot in the academy where he could search for the things he wanted to know by simply being there.

…

The academy is vast and might appear endless to some people but being in this city for three whole years was enough for Cesar to explore almost everything available for students to know once they were inside. To put it in a percentage, ninety percent of the entire campus was known to him.

Hence he didn't need any kind of help to navigate most of the place. He easily reached the spot he intended to look for.

"Pass?"

Being stopped by a bouncer in front of an inconspicuous club, Cesar handed over a card meant for this place. Briefly looking at it, the bouncer nodded once before letting him in.

He had come to the northwest district of the academy where malls, recreational activities, and clubs are prominent.

Entering the club, it suddenly became a bit empty. Due to the disappearance of the fourth year, the buzzing hangout became quieter. Looking around a bit more, he noticed nothing much had changed. It was still cozy, calm, and gloomy.

Cesar walked a bit further inside and came to the counter. There were baristas and bartenders serving drinks but they mostly sold beverages that didn't involve too much alcohol. Yes, the school allowed it to give students some leeway to party and stuff at this time and age. There was even free counseling provided by the school to check the student's mental health.

The academy almost had it all.

Sitting down in one of the table seats on the counter, Cesar gestured for a familiar bartender and ordered.

"One black coffee, Nas,"

A short man wearing a white polo and black suit walked towards Cesar's counter before greeting Cesar with a dashing smile.

"Oh, it's been a while Cesar! How are you doing?"

Cesar gave a short smile as he replied, "I'm doing fine. The next semester will start in a few days and I've come here to collect some information regarding this year's Facets,"

"Straightforward as ever. You just don't waste time, huh," Nas chuckled before turning around, "We have what you wanted. Stay still and we'll give it to you,"

Being able to access this kind of information without paying a single contribution point was one of the benefits he received when he reached the top of the exams in his second year.

This particular club and dozens or so establishments worked for the academy to do its one purpose; help its students. This one, however, had its benefits as well such as accessing a piece of sensitive information that usually wouldn't appear, as long as it was within the reasonable order. Of course, these people knew what kind of things to be given or not.

Knowing this year's Facets in advance that will only be given till the time comes gives him an advantage to study and search for what he needs. Something that suited him for combat and didn't put much strain on his well-being.

"Here you go. Four Facets are available as usual and your black coffee," Nas informed, "Knowing that you didn't spend many contribution points, be ready to choose one that fits you,"

Understanding what he meant through his words, Cesar nodded slightly before picking up four documents from the bartender's hands. It was thin but the information given by it was already large. It was also very precise, and any other information one had to know regarding its Facets was also there.

He read important texts to know.

…..

Nightmare: Unknown

Rank: Lesser Nightmare

Description: A humanoid figure with protruding eyes all around its body. It is hard to catch a glimpse of the monster as its tracking abilities are top-notch as well as its hiding abilities.

Facets: [Imprint] [Discard] [Navigation]

Note: Changes might occur. [Probability: High]

Warning: Corruption might occur. [Probability: Low]

…..

Nightmare: Unknown

Rank: Lesser Creature

Description: A monster that resembles a fish. It had three eyes and two mouths. It is the greatest foe on water but fails to fight evenly on land.

Facets: [Blue], [Gush], [Torrent]

Note: Changes might occur. [Probably: Low]

Warning: Corruption might occur. [Probably: Low]

…..

Nightmare: Raven

Title Discovery: Written on a stone slab, the abomination willingly revealed its name. Only found after the excavating of its territory.

Rank: Intermediate Creature

Description: Hideous abomination with three beaks and one singular eye. Covered with thick fur, it hunts in the sky. It lands to harvest and feast. Once it flew, its trail grew.

Facets: [Talon], [Scream], [Keen], [Crystal Eye], [Flock Of Ravens]

Note: Changes might occur. [Probability: Low]

Warning: Corruption might occur. [Probability: High]

…..

Nightmare: Unknown

Rank: Lesser Creature

Description: An agile monster capable of tearing down flesh with its sharp canines that even a strong armor no less was safe from its bite.

Facets: [Swift] [Faint] [Sink]

Note: Changes might occur. [Probably: Low]

Warning: Corruption might occur. [Probably: Low]

…..

After reading the file regarding this year's available Facet, Cesar couldn't help but grimly smile. The lists available didn't suit what he was hoping to have. Well, the third Nightmare might look alluring to have but the warning and the probability to inherit its corruption are high.

It doesn't matter what kind of changes he had physically and mentally but being corrupted due to inheriting one of Nightmare's powers will be something else.

'Man, this sucks. I don't see any Facet similar to what I liked. And even if I do manage to find something that might fit me from one of the Nightmare's Facets, it is still not certain that I'll get that one particular ability.'

For example, the Nightmare, Raven, has five abilities. The probability of getting [Flock Of Ravens] which seemed to be the busted ability for today's Facets, is close to only one-fifth or twenty percent over a hundred. It's just simple math… and a bit of luck to receive the abomination's power.

Additionally, once the potion has been decided, one will have no choice but to drink whatever was concocted. Not only the potency of the potion might waver but the ingredients used to reduce the corruption might lessen hence it's better to drink it swiftly.

There are methods applied once a person is corrupted but with the help of the watchful gaze of instructors, they can give immediate help. As for the result at the end of this is unknown.

Cesar grabbed the cup of coffee that had become cold now and took a sip. Grimacing, he clicked his tongue.

"Bitter as always,"