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:

actually. Back when Bastion was first established, it was surrounded by 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 wooden table. The thing

had once been a part of a

by an actual Echo, but luckily, it

of him with wild eyes. There were fried potatoes, baked beans, juicy roasted meat, a salad made out

was the most beautiful sight he had

also his first time seeing some of these things in real life. Suddenly, the position of a

"Uh… please excuse me…"

him and concentrated on her own food. Not wasting any time on manners, Sunny assaulted his breakfast with the same

open, he pushed away empty plates and leaned back

'Ah… this is life!'

Jet glanced at him with a dry

you? This is where they

at the empty plates with regret

except for monster meat, I would have been satisfied even by

at the mention of the most common

out something from the inner pocket of her uniform. It was a small metal

the box on the table,

wondering why

for

honest, I am

then smiled

a very beneficial

did as she had told. The sensor buzzed for half a minute, and then a small green light

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

Sunny, she lingered for a moment,

You are now officially a citizen. Of the seventh rank,