Shadow Slave

Without a doubt, it was Caster — the only person Sunny had ever seen defeat Nephis in a fight, even if it was just during training.

Back at the Academy, Caster had been a star of their batch of Sleepers. Handsome and friendly, he was not only popular, but also respected. And although it pained Sunny to admit it, that wasn't only because of his lofty status of a Legacy.

Even other Legacies looked up to him. Many even considered him to be the true king of the rankings, speculating that Changing Star had gotten her first place by mistake.

Caster was powerful, skilled, and charming. He was also humble and had an amiable personality that made it hard for anyone not to like him. His background was impeccable, and his future was unquestionably bright.

Basically, he was the polar opposite of Sunny.

'Damn! I knew that voice sounded familiar!'

Sunny turned his head and stared at the handsome young man in utter bewilderment.

What was that guy doing here?

The two Sleepers who didn't even know how close they had come to tasting the sharp edge of the Midnight Shard were doing the same. There was no more excitement on their faces.

"Oh. It's you."

'That was my line!'

Caster looked at them with a silent smile. There was no apparent hostility in his eyes, but for some reason, Gunlaug's men seemed to lose their desire to stir trouble. After glancing at each other, one of them said in a hesitant tone:

"You know this guy, Caster?"

He gave them a nod.

"Yeah. We were in the Academy together. Don't mind his rude behavior, guys — that's just how he is. Rough around the edges, but really nice once you get to know him well."

'Since when do we know each other?'

himself to keep his mouth shut. He understood that

was sure of his ability to dispatch a couple of thugs… but what would happen next? He doubted

with the masters of the castle on his first day here would have been less

appearance of

manners, Caster. Next time we won't be so

retreated back to their seats, throwing menacing looks at anyone who dared to stare at them. Soon, the grand hall was once again filled with the hum of

and then turned to Sunny,

smart thing to do, my

Sunny scoffed.

says that I'm

that didn't come

at him

any case, it is very nice

as though somebody

some connection between them. Wishing to talk to people with whom you had attended Academy was sort of

Sunny didn't

glance at Cassie,

shocked to see

Caster hesitated.

that you

his way of admitting that yes,

Sunny and Cassie had been seen as two walking corpses by all the other Sleepers in the Academy. Just like Nephis

the cold treatment

of death that followed them wherever they went. Sunny

them alive and well after months spent among the horrors of

Cassie smiled.

"Thank you."

her smile and asked, his tone strangely

right? And you are… uh…

gave him a