Shadow Slave

Sunny stared at Nephis with a complicated expression. After a while, he asked:

"Why did you entrust me with something so precious?"

She glanced at him, lingered for a few moments, then shrugged.

"We had a deal, remember? My knowledge in exchange for your share of the spoils we earn."

There had indeed existed such a deal. However, he had not exactly acted in good faith when proposing it. After all, he had no use for those spoils, in the first place.

Sunny scowled. If Changing Star had really revealed a family secret to him because of a lie, she had a valid reason to be resentful of him.

Just like he was of her.

With a dark smile, he looked away and said:

"You must have realized by now that I have cheated you in that deal."

Nephis turned to him and said, her voice calm and even:

"You mean the fact that you don't need to absorb soul shard to grow stronger?"

Sunny froze for a moment, then gave her a nod.

"You don't seem very surprised."

Figures. When Sunny first learned about this ability of his, he was stunned. But Neph seemed to know a lot more than a normal person did.

She didn't even try to pretend otherwise.

"It's a very rare Aspect trait, but not unheard of among the upper echelons of the Awakened. In fact, I am capable of something like that myself. Although your case does seem to be especially unique."

Sunny glanced at her.

"How so?"

Changing Star remained silent for a few moments and then said, her voice hinted with a bit of wonder:

"Usually, when an Awakened absorbs the soul essence directly, the process leaves the remnants of the soul core empty. But when you do it, the shards are left brimming with it. This is very… unusual."

uncomfortably,

well… you have your share of secrets, too, Neph.

a heavy gaze. When Sunny fell silent and looked at her with a

again, Sunny. I am serious. Just knowing them

stared at her for a long time, and

into my secrets, I won't pry into yours. I don't really want to know, anyway. The mysterious "upper echelons" you mentioned can play their dirty little games all they want, as long as

Sunny frowned and

I have to ask you, because it involves me

She raised an eyebrow.

"Sure. Ask away."

He grimaced.

are you hiding the true core

looked at him for a bit,

too. Yes… I've been using a different style when

at her

"Why?"

She shrugged.

you incorporate elements of the Stone Saint's technique into your

He shook his head.

I won't fall for your tricks. I'm the one who taught them to you,

at the silhouette of the Crimson Spire that loomed in

when we return to the Dark City. It won't change anything until then, anyway.

is that supposed

turned to leave. Before that, however, she lingered for

your sword, Sunny. I

that, she walked away,

does she mean by

***

the fact that he had figured out the essence and foundation of the elusive

be able to create

that damn mystery inside the Aspect if I can't do anything with

not strong enough to turn the key and unlock it. It just stood there and

It was pure torture.

the

And he worked so hard to gain insight into its secrets. Was it all

would Spell do

the damn Spell we're talking about! Why wouldn't