She wasn't even done processing what had happened herself.
Rain met Tamar's gaze and shook her head slowly.
"I think you know that I wasn't. If I was, I wouldn't have put myself through all that torment. “
There was hesitation in the younger girl's eyes.
She knew that Rain could not have been an Awakened... and yet, there was no other logical explanation. Reality and reason were clashing in her mind, leaving her in a state of loss and confusion.
After a while, she said stiffly:
"Unless you have some kind of powerful Flaw that limits when and how you can express your power... that is possible... "
Rain wavered for a while, then sighed.
"No. I have no such Flaw. I wasn't hiding my Rank from anyone. ”
Tamar gritted her teeth.
“Then how were you able to wield my sword? How were you able to slay the Tyrant? It doesn't make any sense. It's impossible for a mundane person to do! "
Rain scratched the back of her head, remained silent for a few moments, and then shrugged.
"You are right. A mundane person would not have been able to wield your sword... well, maybe some huge guy... "
Tamar took a deep breath.
"Then how? "
Rain looked at her and smiled easily.
"Isn't it obvious? When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. So... I wasn't Awakened before, but ] am now. “
She raised an arm and flexed her muscles.
"It really feels amazing, by the way! "
The young Legacy stared at her with a stunned expression.
"No... you couldn't have conquered the First Nightmare, there was no time... you couldn't have even challenged it within the Queen's Domain... "
Rain nodded.
"You are right. I did not conquer the First Nightmare. ”
Tamar took a deep breath.
“How could you Awaken, then?"
Now was probably the last chance for Rain to keep her mouth shut.
But really... did she have to?
She had a vague hope that Tamar would not betray her. More than that, she did not think that keeping her achievement secret was the right thing to do.
Since Rain had found a way to Awaken without becoming a carrier of the Nightmare Spell, others would be able to follow her example, as well — perhaps not many, but some.
Which meant that fewer children would have to die while challenging the Nightmare. Like her older brother had.
Many would still choose to accept the Spell, without a doubt, due to all the boons it offered.
But at least they would have a choice.
Conversely...
If she kept her accomplishment hidden, then in the future, the deaths of every unwilling Sleeper would indirectly be her fault.
Rain wasn't sure how or when she wanted to share her knowledge , but she knew that it had to be shared.
So, she gathered her courage and said:
"How did the ancient people of the Dream Realm Awakened? You should know that there was no Nightmare Spell back then. “
Tamar's eyes widened slowly. She reeled back, mumbling softly:
"Before... before the Nightmare Spell... impossible... the knowledge has been lost... "
Rain smiled.
"Yes, the knowledge has been lost. But now, it has been found. I found it. " ‘With a lot of help from my teacher... “