Jest laughed.
Finally, the kid seemed like a human again.
The moment of levity did not last long, though. Soon, the smile drained from young Anvil's eyes, and he stared at his inscriptions again.
After a few moments of silence, he suddenly asked:
"Uncle Jest... can one defeat their Flaw?"
Jest's own smile froze on his lips.
'Ah. So that is the reason.'
He remained silent for a few moments, then shrugged.
"Well... sort of? But not really. A Flaw is a Flaw, so no one can ever escape it. Doesn't mean we can't live with our Flaws. It all depends on the particular one you get, but usually... most Awakened suffer quite a lot at the beginning, but then gradually learn to work around theirs."
It was not something people usually talked about, but if Anvil couldn't share his worries with Jest, then who else was there?
Jest hesitated for a moment.
"For example. Do you know what my Flaw is?"
The kid gave him a strange look.
"That... I think everyone knows, Uncle Jest."
Jest nodded, a bit disappointed.
"Well, fair. I guess it's pretty obvious — after all, people are bound to make conclusions after knowing me for years. Where else would you find an Awakened who never uses Memories? Not being able to use Memories is a pretty bad Flaw... huh, what's with that expression?"
At some point, Anvil's eyes widened a little. Hearing the question, he hurriedly shook his head.
"No, no... you are right, Uncle Jest. That was... that was definitely my guess, as well."
Jest smiled bitterly.
These days, smiling did not come easy for him, but he was making an effort to help the boy feel calm.
"Figures. So, anyway — not being able to use Memories is a rather severe Flaw, but I've lived my entire life, won countless battles, and conquered the Second Nightmare despite it. I just had to teach myself how to rely on my cunning, skill, and strength instead. You see, kid, it is not that hard to learn how to deal with your Flaw... one way or another. However, you need to be able to do one thing to accomplish that feat."
Anvil looked at him for a while, his eyes growing strangely wistful.
"What thing?"
Jest chuckled.
"Ah, I guess it's... unconventional thinking? You need to be able to flip your perspective, and look at the problem without preconceived notions. You need to change the way you think. That way, you can find a solution even if it seems like there's none to find."
Anvil remained silent for a while, then repeated slowly:
"Change... the way I think."
Then, he did not say anything else.
Jest did not hurry him, either. However, eventually, he said cautiously:
"If you share exactly what your Flaw is... I might be able to give you better advice."
Somewhere far away, Cassie held her breath as she experienced the vivid memory.
She was so close...
Anvil lingered for a while, then smiled.
"Perhaps I will. After I return from the Dream Realm as an Awakened."
Jest laughed.
"You cheeky brat, I told you mine! And you are just going to leave me hanging? Well... good! Don't go around revealing your Flaw. Keep it a secret."
With that, the conversation ended.
After Anvil returned from the Dream Realm as an Awakened, things happened, and more things kept happening, delaying their next private conversation.
And on the day they did find a reason to speak about Flaws again...
Jest wished that they never had.