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.

hundreds upon hundreds of shadow fragments he had absorbed on the Forgotten Shore, and the fact that this

What, then?

However, Sunny didn't like the idea of teaching it to Rain. Not only because he felt that

this ingeniously adaptable 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

learned a plethora of various battle styles in the Dreamscape. However, none

one choice left. Coincidentally, he felt that it was the most

solid, grounded battle

and methodical technique Sunny knew, and one that provided the best defense. His goal was to ensure that Rain survives for as long as possible, and having a flawless defense went a long way if one wanted to

a connection with Saint. 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 not be the

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

Did I mess

slowly shook his

perfect for the last

bright smile suddenly appeared on the

on your trip. All my classmates think that I lost

corner of Sunny's

when does she refer to people as fools? She was such a polite girl before… uh… before

couple of times, then

was doing it right, why were you staring at me with that "curses and

now?! I don't

Sunny cleared his throat.

ready to learn more

Rain beamed.

"Yes! Finally!"

the living room, and

said that you are decent with the sword. At least I think that was what she

then shrugged and stood

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