Shadow Slave

At first glance, the interior of the Instructors Lounge seemed simple and cozy. Most of the furniture was made out of wood, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Bright sunlight streamed through the tall windows, which were open slightly to let in the chilly winter air.

However, his eyes widened slightly when Sunny realized that all the wood around him was natural, not synthetic.

'Extravagant! Wasteful!'

Noticing his expression, Master Jet smiled slightly.

"Let me guess, you have never seen that much real wood in one place?"

Sunny hesitated, then gave her a nod.

"Only in the Dream Realm…"

The young woman grinned, moved a chair back with her foot, and sat down at one of the tables.

"Where do you think all this came from?"

He looked around, seeing the Instructors Lounge of the Academy from a completely new perspective, then silently sat down, lost for words.

Master Jet summoned the menu, made a selection, then leaned back and tiredly rubbed her face.

"Believe it or not, the chair you're sitting on is made out of a dead titan."

Sunny stared at her, shocked. Suddenly, he had a strong impulse to jump out of the chair.

"...What?"

She chuckled and gestured around:

a vast — and very hungry — forest. The whole thing was one giant Nightmare Creature. Clan Valor spent decades at war with it, losing many knights. In the end, the forest was destroyed, leaving behind a lot of

his head, then cautiously knocked on the wooden table. The thing seemed dead, but he decided to remain alert,

a part of a

food arrived. Sunny half-expected for it to be delivered by an actual Echo, but luckily, it was brought by a

his plates off the motorized tray, Sunny stared at the feast in front of him with wild eyes. There were fried potatoes, baked beans, juicy roasted meat, a salad made out of real

the most beautiful sight he

some of these things in real life. Suddenly, the position of a research assistant once promised to him

"Uh… please excuse me…"

him and concentrated on her own food. Not wasting any time on manners, Sunny assaulted his breakfast with the same level of ferocity as when battling

with his belly on the verge to bursting open, he pushed away

'Ah… this is life!'

at him with

did I tell you? This is where they hide the good

at the empty

for

dimmed at the mention of the most common food in

Master Jet sighed, then took out something

table, she looked at

why

box for a

be honest,

then smiled

a formality, and a very beneficial one, at that. Put

had told. The sensor buzzed for half a minute, and then a small green light ignited on the metal box. With a quiet

communicator made out of flexible glass, a memory chip with the government seal etched on its surface, and a small iron badge with two stars

a

officially a citizen. Of the