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....”

familiar presence Illuminate the world. Sunny did not have to look

Her wings had already disappeared, and

hair held down by the Crown

dressed in black as usual, froze

hope she did not

and walked over with easy

Sunless. Are

time to keep their appointments in the past few weeks, and never seemed distracted by other

had a timid hope that Nephis actually enjoyed their outings, and found shelter from the burden of her crushing responsibilities in the time the two of

to them Sunny was a hired sorcerer who had to forge her a superb sword, after all. So, the

though he would never admit it,

"Master Sunless?"

for a moment, then offered her

"Yes, I am ready."

arm, and when she wrapped her own around it, picked

prepared the food inside himself. He had also bought the pienic basket specifically

walked together. Nephis was calm, while Sunny was pretending to be nonchalant. They made for quite a stunning pair, and passerby stared at them with wide eyes... but

‘There, there. Look more!'

seem to be in a

was a wide smile on his lips. He lowered

good day. Don't you think so,

face for a few moments,

have to agree. It does seem

them had a Legacy clan sponsoring them - so, they needed a place to practice and hone their skills, as well as

a martial school was a good way to earn some coin - most seasoned Ascended were busy protecting the human enclaves and subjugating the wilderness of the Dream Realm, so there

school. On any day, there would be a

empty. Nephis had reserved the whole building, displacing even the founder... their outing had to be public, but what they were about to do had to be kept away from prying eyes at the

inside, she nodded at Sunny and

Master Sunless. I'll be

to the courtyard of the martial hall, which was fashioned into a sand arena. Sitting down on the spectator bench, he put the picnic basket down

a nice