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, and then

your share of secrets, too, Neph. Don't think that

Sunny fell silent and looked at her with

words aloud again, Sunny. I am serious. Just knowing them

a long time, and

showed me the courtesy of not prying 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 they leave me out of

Sunny frowned and

one question I have to ask you,

She raised an eyebrow.

"Sure. Ask away."

He grimaced.

are you hiding the true

for a bit, and then

Yes… I've been using a

her

"Why?"

She shrugged.

the Stone Saint's technique into your

He shook his head.

become stronger. Also, nice try at misdirection, but I won't fall for your tricks. I'm the one

the Crimson Spire that loomed in

you when we return to the Dark City. It won't change anything

is that supposed to

glared at her, Changing Star stood up and turned to leave. Before that, however,

Sunny. I expect

she walked away, leaving

does she mean

***

out the essence and foundation of the elusive battle art that hid inside it, he had no idea how to go about creating an

not have enough experience and mastery to be able to create something out of nothing. It was a

damn mystery inside the Aspect if I can't do

strong enough to turn the key

It was pure torture.

the existence of the hidden style so

he did! And he worked so hard to gain insight into its secrets. Was it all for nothing? All the

do

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