Shadow Slave

Sunny could not really treat Ananke to the staples of the waking world cuisine, since he lacked the ingredients. He couldn't even cook up the few classic military dishes, which were mostly based on using synthetic rations in inventive ways.

However, he and Nephis still managed to make a delicious meal - they were Awakened, after all, and Awakened were supreme masters of turning monster meat into all kinds of delightful dishes.

In fact, Awakened cuisine was as varied as its basic ingredients were limited. There were some fundamental skills taught to everyone, but each Citadel and region of the Dream Realm added its own flavor to the tradition. So, each Awakened cook was, in a sense, unique.

Take Sunny, for example... his fundamental skills had been taught to him by Teacher Julius. Since Teacher Julius was anchored in Bastion, Sunny's cooking acquired a hint of Bastion's tradition. Later, it was influenced by the flavor passed down to Nephis by the Immortal Flame clan, and then assimilated the improvised habits of the Sleepers of the Dark City.

After that, he absorbed the local tradition of the Chained Isles, as well as learning this and that from the government Awakened in Antarctica. Since there was no other Awakened whose culinary skills were the result of this exact combination of influences, the flavor of Sunny's cooking was unique.

...Soon, the chamber was filled with a delicious smell. The meal they prepared was not the most visually stunning, but its fragrance was tantalizing. The meat had just the right amount of crust on the outside, while the insides were juicy and moist. It had absorbed the spices and the heat of the coals, becoming tender enough to melt on the tongue.

Still, it didn't look too pretty... Awakened did not really care about the presentation, since their meals were usually eaten in a hurry while keeping one eye out for the prowling abominations.

There were some side dishes, at least.

Ananke tasted the dish presented to her with diligently hidden caution, but then, her eyes widened slightly. Throwing a quick glance at Sunny and Nephis, she hesitated for a few moments, and then attacked her food like a hungry wolf.

Sunny smiled.

'That's better...'

It was a far cry from the start of their journey together, when he had to force her to eat even a single small pie. The old woman's appetite was not making him worry anymore.

'That said... why was she so surprised? Huh? Do I not look like a guy who can outcook every damned cook out there?'

Sunny grimaced.

Well... maybe it was because he was going around boasting about how he had eaten nothing but rotten mimic meat for a month. It was only fair for people to doubt his taste after hearing such things. Still...

'I better get Aiko to do the promotions when I open my restaurant. And, uh... maybe write me a guide on what I should and shouldn't say...'

the Memories, then have a meal to celebrate the purchase. And he

on his

they were done with the supper and were preparing to rest. The House of Parting consisted of the main ceremonial hall, several smaller halls, and a scattering of rooms for the departing and their close ones

were going to enjoy sleeping on actual beds tonight, for the first time since

all three of them remained around the table, drinking tea and savoring

was light and uplifting. It was hard

prompted Sunny to ask the question he had been hesitating to ask for a while. Putting down his cup, he glanced at the

I ask what Rank

looked at

have reached Transcendence

slowly. He had initially suspected that Ananke was a being of much greater power, but

as powerful as someone like Saint Tyris... the immortal Chain Lords notwithstanding. The Spell had descended into the waking world only

of the Great Realm had not been cursed with as cruel a teacher as the Nightmare Spell. They

was a priestess of the Spell and bestowed with some of its powers, did not know anything about

the Nightmares... how had

Sunny had been curious about for a long time. In fact, he knew very little about how the ancient Awakened did anything

leaned forward a little and asked, his voice full

does one become

at him

know, my

Sunny shook his head.

Transcend - in the future, where the Nightmare Spell controls

her ears,

smiled, lingered for a

the first step is, of course, to Awaken. To Awaken, one must gain control over their soul essence, and

Sunny blinked.

"...In that order?"

did not seem

control essence? It is like trying to build a building without bricks. There are some powerful creatures who are born with their soul cores already formed, sure, and have to learn to move their essence as they mature. But most are

for a