"Anyway, that's my ability. As for memories, I have three. One is an armor, one is a sword, and the last one is a really loud bell."
Since Reinhard had mentally decided they were going clockwise, it was Nephis's turn next, because if not, it would have been his.
After a short pause, Nephis spoke:
"My attributes give me an affinity to light and fire, as well as a strong affiliation to divinity. I have two Memories: an armor …"
Reinhard looked at Cassie.
So she is hiding something, even when she knows Cassie can look at attributes.
That meant that attribute wasn't worth mentioning just yet; even if it provided minor buffs, it could still be mentioned, but Nephis hadn't.
Reinhard didn't spend much time looking at Cassie, though; he instead turned his eyes towards Sunless a moment after.
Smart enough to observe Cassie's expression, huh?
"...and a sword. The sword is very sharp and can protect its wielder against soul attacks to a certain extent. My ability… can be used to heal."
Sunny didn't miss the wording of the last part. "Can be used to heal"... Does this mean that its main purpose was something else? He was pretty sure that Nephis would not reveal all of her cards, just like him. However, healing abilities were extremely rare. Having one that could heal but was not limited to healing—that would be simply unheard of.
I wonder what her aspect rank is.
And most importantly, his.
Outwardly, he pretended to be excited.
"You're a Healer? That's great! Having a Healer among us is incredible luck!"
After a short pause, Cassie spoke.
"It's my turn? Uh… my attributes are nothing special. I guess I have an affinity for revelations and fate. My ability is like I told you before. It's not very useful. About my memories, I have three: the bottle, the wooden staff, and this armor. You already know about the bottle. The staff can create wind. The armor is actually of the Awakened rank… uh, Reinhard gave it to me."
So he is not only carrying her but also giving away an awakened-rank armor.
Is his own armor even better than her armor? If yes, and he received it in his first nightmare, then judging by his abilities too, does he have a divine-ranked aspect?
Sunny wasn't sure, but his intuition was telling him he was.
The blind girl turned away and added after a while:
"I used to be a pretty decent fencer… before. Now I can't really fight."
Sucks to be you.
But wait, doesn't she have my sword right now?
If she's able to unsheathe it, her flaw will disappear and she will be able to see again.
That led Reinhard to another question.
Can the sword be unsheathed against me, though?
He wasn't able to ponder on that question for long.
The moment he glanced up, Cassie's face was turned towards his direction.
Both Sunless and Nephis were looking at him with concealed interest, as if dying to know his abilities.
Those reactions almost makes me reluctant to share it
He sighed internally.
"My attributes give me a strong affiliation to Fate and also make me proficient in combat. I have four memories: this armor, a cloak, a sword, and a rope."
Then he paused for a moment.
Let's see, how do I go about this?
After coming up with a quick plan, he continued.
"As for my aspect ability... it provides me a lot of utility, like being able to survive on very little sleep, seeing in the dark, detecting life in a large area around me, knowing the rank and class of any nightmare creature, being able to see very far, and other things."
This was the best way he could think of going about it. Additionally, the uses he had mentioned only included things Nephis or Sunless already knew or would come to know in the future, and he had specifically mentioned 'other things' since that would allow him to reveal something new in the future and not be seen like a liar by them.
What kind of dormant aspect ability allows all of that and then 'other things'!?
Plus, considering his past, there is no way he is that strong physically without something related to his aspect!
Did his aspect provide him with buffs similar to Sunny's shadow? Or something else? Sunny didn't know, but Reinhard had told enough that he couldn't be asked.
And yet it was clear to Sunny that he was still hiding just as much if not more.
After a while, he said:
"Good. That's good. I think we have enough tools to survive, provided we use them right. I guess it's time to sleep?"
***
It was a few hours past midnight.
Reinhard had suggested someone take first watch, at least until he was able to complete his sleep in like two hours; then he would take the rest.
Nephis took the two-hour slot.
But now he was sitting alone, somewhere near the edge of the coral pillar, doing his usual time-passing activity.
Creating new kinds of attributes.
[New attribute acquired.]
[Attribute name: Soul Essence Control.]
Holy shit.
That was something only awakened and higher-ranked humans could do.
When Reinhard tried to get an attribute that allowed him to control soul essence, it actually worked.
If this attribute is only temporary, what happens when I adapt to it? Would I just get the ability to use soul essence as a sleeper?
That would be cool.
So Reinhard tried to use it. Awakened humans could use soul essence like a torrent; however, when one became a master, they could control very small parts of it to enhance any single muscle or nerve.
With his attribute, however, Reinhard had gained control similar to a master.
When he directed his soul essence to his muscles, they felt stronger, as if filled with the fuel of power ready to be unleashed for destruction.
To ensure no one woke up, he couldn't really test his strength, but he felt even stronger than when he had [Titan's Corpus]. There was a downside, though.
In his excitement he failed to notice his soul essence depleting fast; Reinhard was just dormant after all, with only 12 fragments in his core.
Fuck, I feel tired already.
He stopped enhancing his muscles and then sighed.
Now I have to wait for this soul essence to replenish.
Then after a pause.
Can I create an attribute to do it faster?
[New attribute acquired.]
[Attribute Name: Spirit essence absorption.]