Shadow Slave

In the evening, Sunny continued to practice with the sword under Neph's watchful eye. With his new insight, every movement felt different from before. After the thousand strikes were finished, he sat down to rest and studied the Azure Blade, tempted to continue obsessing over the abundant mysteries of the Forgotten Shore.

After a while, Sunny asked:

"Do you think I'm well-suited to use a sword? Should I consider switching weapons in the future?"

Nephis shrugged.

"That depends on your goals. However, the sword is considered to be the king of weapons for a reason."

Sunny smiled.

"And why is that?"

She tilted her head and deliberated for a few seconds. Then, she asked:

"Do you know how natural selection works?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Survival of the fittest? The strongest species survives?"

Changing Star glanced at him.

"Somewhat correct. But actually, it's not the strongest species that survive, it's the most adaptable. Otherwise, lions and tigers and bears would have been the ones ruling the world instead of humans."

Sunny knew about lions and bears from archival footage, but he had no idea what a tiger was.

'Probably another extinct predator?'

not at all like her usual taciturn self. She seemed

be applied to combat. A sword is not the most effective tool in every situation. A spear is more useful against enemies with long reach. A war

cast a gaze at the

used effectively at a variety of ranges. It is swift and maneuverable. Every part of the sword, from tip to pommel, can be used to attack. While wielding a sword, you won't be the best

Nephis turned to him.

"Do you understand?"

thought for a

"I think I do."

him a nod

doesn't matter that much what's in your

Changing

'You are the weapon.'

in his mind, feeling as though

As the night approached, the sea was coming back, flooding the crimson labyrinth like a rush of darkness. Far below them, scavengers were scurrying to find a hiding place. A

keeping an eye on

soon," he said, disheartened at the thought

Nephis sighed.

the higher ground advantage,

raised its ugly head, plunging his mind into the gloomy embrace of

we'll be able to reach

him with no particular expression

"Yes."

to her and forced a

are you so