Shadow Slave

Nephis walked forward with her usual impassive confidence. It was as though the magnificence of the towering hall, the rows of armor-clad honor guards, and the distinguished guests surrounding them did not deserve her attention, let alone apprehension. Her face was still and inscrutable, and her eyes were cold and focused.

As the rest of the cohort followed behind her, Sunny couldn't help but feel uneasy. Right now, he was especially frustrated at his lacking ability to read her moods. He just hoped that Changing Star was not going to try and assassinate the members of the Valor clan as soon as she saw them.

'No, no way… she wouldn't. Right?'

Their arrival caused a bit of a stir. Many eyes were suddenly directed at the four members of the cohort, but it was nothing compared to how many people were staring at Nephis, either openly or in secret.

She did not pay them any attention, so Sunny looked straight ahead and pretended to not care, either. Of course, he was tensely studying everything and everyone around them through his shadow.

Somehow, he felt as if he had returned to the Red Colosseum. Sunny almost expected the people surrounding them to start chanting "glory!" at any second.

Of course, that did not happen.

The cohort walked up the stairs and entered the grand hall, where they were led to massive doors that were carved of familiar wood.

As the doors opened into a vast chamber full of exquisitely dressed people, a loud voice announced:

"Lady Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan! Ascended Song of the Fallen! Ascended Raised by Wolves! Ascended Nightingale! Ascended Sunless!"

For a moment, every conversation in the hall paused. Everyone turned to look at the new arrivals.

Sunny frowned.

The amount of pressure that crashed into him was enough to make a mundane person kneel. It was not that the guests were consciously exerting it, just the side effect of so many powerful people being gathered in one place.

latter basically glowing like a beacon of power in the sea of people, surrounded by a small island of empty

pressured, then Nephis must have felt as if a mountain

of whispers rose, barely audible in

"It's her."

Changing Star is

the heiress

immense enough to create a commotion. The other four members got a lot of attention, too, as the brightest stars of the younger generation of Awakened. Both their SS designations and the rapid speed of their Ascension made

curtly and walked toward the tables that offered drinks and refreshments. As she did, the arrival of another guest was announced, causing the excitement of the crowd to

Sunny… felt incredibly awkward.

uh… what do

Kai simply smiled.

have to do anything, really, before the host arrives and commences the ball. Usually we would use this time to walk around and socialize, but in this case, there is no need. Everyone will come to us. So, just

Sunny shifted his shoulders.

'That is terrible advice!'

was he supposed to enjoy himself and smile, knowing what was at stake? As for being polite… politeness often required a person

Very soon, a stream of people started to approach them, somehow making it seem as if they all just happened to walk by. However, all their attention was concentrated on Nephis. Barely anyone spared a moment to chat with the other members of the

Which suited him fine.

Changing Star, it is an honor to meet

us all proud, young lady. I was actually friends

by side with your parents. The memory of their valiance was forever etched

seemed to be rising from the

the flames burning in her

with

would be,