Shadow Slave

Sunny smiled and leaned back on his chair, then looked at his friends with curiosity.

There was a question he really wanted to ask, but tried not to up until now.

"...What's your second Ability, anyway?"

His words hung in the air for a few moments. Suddenly, Kai coughed with embarrassment and looked away. After a couple of seconds, he said in a strange tone:

"I, uh… can see really far now, when I want to. Even when there's no light. I am also supposed to be able to see through illusions and all forms of obfuscation, whatever that means. And… uh… I can also see through objects.

Sunny and Effie stared at him and asked almost simultaneously:

"Like, through walls?"

"Like, through clothes?"

Kai hid behind his glass, lingered for a bit, and then answered in a small voice:

"...Yes. But I would never!"

While Sunny tried to imagine why would Kai refuse to look through walls, Effie laughed out loud.

"I see, I see. What a great Ability!"

She shook her head, then turned to Sunny and asked:

"Hey, doofus. I bet you often wanted to stab me with something sharp. Wanna try?"

He frowned in confusion, then raised an eyebrow.

"No. Why would I stab you?"

written on her face, then sighed in disappointment

whole body invulnerable. Well… comparatively, of course.

woman with a bit of awe. Indeed, that was a very powerful Ability. Combined with Effie's previous one, it turned her into an exceedingly formidable presence on

glanced at him

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

go through walls… while you can just plow through them, I

Effie grinned.

Interesting choice of words.

hurriedly changed the

plans, guys? What Citadels are

a strange silence settled among them. All three had contemplative, wistful expressions on

tried to avoid the discussion for as long as possible. Mostly because it was both slightly awkward and slightly sad. Back on the Forgotten Shore, the three of them had forged a bond, and now, depending on

were about to go their separate ways. Perhaps fate

while, Effie

received invitations from both clan Valor and clan Song, but… you know me. I don't do well with authority. Plus, none of them have moved a finger to help me when I really needed it. Only now

at her wheelchair,

be. Maybe I'll have a better chance of becoming a Master soon if I stay independent and don't have

Reaching the rank of a Master would free Effie from her terrible disability, so Sunny understood her

had said that for her, striving to

through no wish of his own, Sunny had ended

for a few moments. Then, he too

be going there soon. I won't have to fight another Nightmare Creature for

being safe and comfortable for the rest of his life, he didn't sound too happy. There was a note of reluctance in his voice. Even…

Sunny frowned.

nothing wrong with living like a person should, not having to worry about being eaten every goddamn day. Don't

young man

ungratefulness. But what about

back of

guys, but as it turns out, scribbling a few words about the things you see in the Dream Realm can actually earn you money. And! I think I can weasel my way into receiving a salary from the Academy as a research assistant, whatever that means. So, uh… actually, I haven't decided on a particular Citadel yet. But I can pick