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?'

shut. He understood that Caster was just trying to defuse the situation. Actually,

of thugs… but what would happen next? He doubted that other

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

the appearance of being in control,

manners, Caster. Next time we won't

at anyone who dared to stare at them. Soon, the grand

his eyes and then turned to Sunny, his smile becoming a

smart

Sunny scoffed.

well… who says that I'm

that didn't come out

stared at him for a few

is very nice

down, as though

talk to people with whom you

didn't like

quick glance at Cassie, he

very shocked to see

Caster hesitated.

good that

his way of admitting that yes, he was surprised, but in a pleasant

the Academy. Just like Nephis and Caster occupied the top two positions in the rankings, they were dead last. Because of that, the two of

when it came to Sunny, he not only welcomed the cold treatment of his peers,

no one had wanted to be around them, as though afraid of becoming infected by the invisible aura of death that followed them wherever they went. Sunny

must have been very strange to see the two of them alive and well after months spent among the horrors of the

Cassie smiled.

"Thank you."

smile and asked, his tone

are Cassia, right? And you are… uh…

gave him a