Shadow Slave

The first customers arrived, and the avatar got busy in the kitchen. Sunny, however, remained on the porch, enjoying the fresh air with a leisurely smile on his lips. The lively noises of the city filled the air like a bright melody.

At some point, the door opened, and Aiko walked out, dressed in a smart business suit and wearing a leather messenger bag over her shoulder. The petite girl yawned, stretched her arms, and mumbled:

"I'm off to the Castle, boss."

Sunny looked at her with a good-natured smile.

"You're delivering Memories, you know. What's up with the bag?"

Aiko stared at him with indignation.

"What do you even know... one has to look the part to make the right impression! That's business essentials!"

She glanced him over with suspicion.

"And speaking of looking the part... you seem a bit different today, boss, What is that... did you style your hair?"

Sunny blinked.

"I did not!"

Aiko gave him a sarcastic nod.

"Uh-huh... sure."

With that, she grinned and hurried away.

"Have fun with Princess Nephis, boss! Perform well! We're raking in real money here, so don't screw it up for us!"

The petite girl used her Aspect to skate on the cobblestones and disappeared behind a corner in the blink of an eye. Sunny was left standing on the porch, flabbergasted.

"What? What does she mean, perform well? I always perform well! Wait... that did not sound right....”

a familiar presence Illuminate the world. Sunny did not have

the shore of the lake. Her wings had already disappeared, and only a beautiful halo remained, fading slowly as it contoured her figure

was wearing white clothes, her silver hair held down by the Crown of

in black as usual, froze on

I hope she did not

Nephis smiled lightly and walked over with

Are

she was terribly busy preparing for the war. However, she had diligently made time to keep their appointments in the past few weeks, and

crushing responsibilities in the time the two of them spent together - no matter how fleeting it was.

that Nephis simply treated their meetings as part of the war preparations. There was a purpose to them Sunny was a hired sorcerer who had to forge her a superb sword, after all. So, the diligence she treated him with was the same she afforded her other responsibilities, no more and no

though he would never admit it, the latter possibility made him

"Master Sunless?"

for a moment, then offered her

"Yes, I am ready."

offered her his arm, and when she wrapped her own around

food inside himself. He had also bought the pienic basket specifically for the occasion, since nothing in

was pretending to be nonchalant. They made for quite a stunning pair, and passerby stared at them with wide eyes... but he did not

‘There, there. Look more!'

be

there was a wide smile

seems like a pretty good day. Don't you think so,

face for a few moments, then smiled

have to agree. It does

short distance away and reached a newly built martial hall. Bastion was full of Awakened warriors, and not all of them had a Legacy clan sponsoring them - so, they needed a place to practice and hone their skills, as well as experienced instructors to guide

Master, opening a martial school was a good way to earn some coin - most seasoned Ascended were busy protecting

Master was enough to create a sufficient reputation for a martial school. On any day, there would be a dozen or more

their outing had to be public, but what they were about to do had to be kept away from prying

inside, she nodded at Sunny

I'll be with

a sand arena. Sitting down on the spectator bench,

a nice