Shadow Slave

It seemed like Caster suddenly ceased to exist.

However, it was only an illusion. The truth was that he was just moving so fast that the human eye wasn’t able to keep up with his movements. If it wasn’t for the special properties of Shadow Sight, Sunny wouldn’t have been able to perceive anything either.

Even then, he only noticed a hazy blur streaking through the air.

In a fraction of a second, Caster covered the distance between him and Nephis and delivered a devastating blow. However, despite his astonishing speed, she somehow managed to react in time, slightly turning her body to deflect the strike.

But it still wasn’t enough. Although Nephis had managed to avoid being hit squarely in her center of gravity, Caster’s fist ended up connecting with her shoulder, sending the girl into a spin.

Not wasting any time, Caster disappeared again. His plan was very simple: while Nephis was still under the impression that the enemy was in front of her, he was going to use his unnatural swiftness to circle around and attack from the back.

The young man appeared behind the oblivious girl, ready to finish the fight with one decisive strike. Just as he planned, she seemed to be preparing to attack in the direction he had been seen just a split second ago. Gratified, Caster shifted his weight, putting it all into his fist.

However, at the last moment, Nephis suddenly changed her stance and threw her elbow back with frightening force.

Caster’s eye widened. It was all a feint!

And now that he had committed to a strike, there was no simple way to stop. No matter how fast he was, he was still subject to the laws of inertia. The elbow was approaching his face with a profound feeling of inevitability.

And yet, Caster still managed to avoid it, even if it was just by a hair’s breadth. His speed advantage was just too big.

He then proceeded to trip and push Nephis, sending her flying to the ground. However, just before she was about to his the mats, the young man carefully grabbed the collar of her dobok and gently pulled, slowing down the fall and allowing Nephis to land on the floor without any impact.

Lying on her back, the girl blinked a couple of times and looked up at him. The whole altercation lasted no more than two seconds.

Back in his room, Sunny opened his eyes in shock.

‘So that’s an Ascended Aspect? That’s… that’s cheating!’

A Sleeper had no business being that fast. The powers bestowed upon them by the Spell were supposed to be in their infancy. But… Caster was a Legacy, after all.

Who knew how many soul shards were fed to him prior to enrolling into the Academy?

Back in the dojo, Instructor Rock grunted and gave Caster a nod. Nephis slowly rose to her feet.

The rest of the Sleepers were gawking at the young man with reverence, whispering among each other in hushed tones. It seemed that his performance left them with a deep impression.

However, Caster himself wasn’t very elated. He glanced at Nephis with an unreadable expression.

That was because, unlike the rest of them, he came to a certain realization. The truth of the matter was known only to him, Nephis, Instructor Rock… and Sunny, who was very observant and quickly picked up on such things.

The thing that Sleepers failed to notice was that Nephis did not use her Aspect Ability when facing Caster. In fact, she had not used it at any point during today’s testing. No one even knew what her Ability was.

And yet, despite his powerful Aspect, Caster barely managed to clutch a victory against her.

a monster,’ Sunny

shadow hiding in the corner of the dojo seemed to agree with

***

the showers. Sunny waited for a bit and then directed his shadow to sneak into

bunch of teenagers changing clothes, but there was a slight possibility that Caster would either comment on his duel with Nephis or answer some questions

by a group of newly converted fans. They were congratulating him on his victory, full of adoration and excitement. However,

grew darker with each praise

“Caster, that was incredible!”

Aspect is overpowered, am I

girl stood no chance at

that?

raised his head and pierced the last boy who had spoken with a cold look. That boy, just like him, was one

“What is it?”

Caster gritted his teeth.

expected such behavior from them, but you should know

Legacy raised

there something special about

Caster’s eyes widened.

really not know

Sunny thought impatiently. ‘So just get to it and say it out

arrogant Sleeper

mouth several times, as though not sure what to say. Finally, he shook his head and

Nephis of the

that, the arrogant Legacy became deathly pale. Not paying him any

about her grandfather. Her parents were Smile of Heaven and Broken

room, Sunny almost fell from the

knew who Immortal Flame and Broken Sword were. The former was the first human to conquer the Second Nightmare and become a Master. The latter — the first

among the most famous heroes of the human race, someone who had managed to change history with their own two hands. If what Caster said was true, then Nephis

Why

that didn’t make

thoughts, the pale-faced Sleeper asked in

why is she

Caster sighed.

dead. The Immortal Flame

moments, the locker room was completely

only

***

asleep, Sunny furtively entered the dojo. Looking around, he made sure that no one was there and then curiously approached the ring where Nephis and others had been tested earlier. He stopped at the center of the ring and stood there

are monsters!” he mumbled, bitter and