Shadow Slave

A few days later, Sunny was in his living room, watching as Rain performed the same strike over and over again, her eyes full of stubborn determination. The practice sword rose and fell, over and over again, cutting the air with a whistling sound.

…Actually, her form wasn't bad.

Effie was currently traveling between Citadels, so she had not come out of her sleeping pod for a while now. Sunny and Rain were alone, which made the training session much less lively.

'Finally, some peace and quiet…'

Despite thinking that, Sunny couldn't help but feel that his home seemed a little bit empty these days.

He sighed.

There were other things on his mind, too.

Now that his part of the deal with Cassie was complete, the journey into the Nightmare was drawing close. No matter how aloof about the whole thing Sunny wanted to remain, he was aware that there was a real possibility that he would not return from that trial alive. Even if he did, there was no telling how long conquering the Nightmare would take.

Which meant that his remaining time with Rain was limited, and he couldn't waste it.

He had to accelerate her training and teach her some actual battle skills.

Observing the teenage girl, who continued to swing her practice sword while drops of sweat rolled down her face, Sunny was in deep thought.

What style was he going to teach her?

Rain was his sister, so his first instinct was to share his legacy, Shadow Dance, with her. Almost as if they were members of an actual clan...

However, that wasn't a very good idea.

Not only was her mentality poorly suited for his shapeless and insidious battle art, but she was also physically incapable of learning it.

Since everyone received extensive combat training in school, there weren't really a lot of weak people in the waking world. But Shadow Dance was simply not meant to be practiced by mundane humans. It demanded a physical constitution of an Awakened, at least.

because of his unique Aspect, hundreds upon hundreds of shadow fragments he had absorbed on the Forgotten Shore,

What, then?

a perfect foundational style, after all. However, Sunny didn't like the

battle art had been created by the martial genius, Broken Sword himself. He also had an idea of who Broken Sword's killers were. Who could tell what problems

styles in the Dreamscape. However, none of

left. Coincidentally, he felt that it was the

grounded

was also the most precise and methodical technique Sunny knew, and one that provided the best defense. His goal was to ensure that Rain survives for as long as

If she was such a big fan of the graceful demon, perhaps there was a reason for that. In any case, learning the style of her idol would

that he was staring at her with a dark expression, Rain stopped and gave Sunny a questioning

I mess

shook

perfect for

suddenly appeared on the teenage girl's

I practiced every day while you were gone on your trip. All

of Sunny's mouth

people as fools? She was such a polite girl before… uh…

blinked a couple of times,

staring at me with

now?! I don't

Sunny cleared his throat.

think that you're ready to learn more than

Rain beamed.

"Yes! Finally!"

living room,

me some real battle techniques? Effie said that you are decent with the sword.

hesitated, then shrugged and

around a sword. Let me just… actually, this place is too cramped. Follow