Shadow Slave: Kindness

The next morning, Sunny rose earlier than usual. He had two very specific reasons.

First: to walk with Cassie.

Second: to spy on the combat class and figure out exactly where everyone stood in terms of raw strength.

The early Academy corridors were quiet, touched with soft sunlight. When he reached the small courtyard near the dorms, Cassie was already there, standing with that perfectly straight posture, head slightly tilted as though listening to something distant.

She smiled faintly at the sound of his footsteps. "You're early."

Sunny rubbed the back of his neck. "Trying to set a good example."

Their walks were usually quiet affairs, punctuated by occasional small talk or a shared observation. Today was no different. They moved through the gardens in slow strides, gravel crunching beneath their boots. Cassie ran her fingers along the low stone fence as they walked, using subtle touch to navigate.

"You feel calmer today," she said after a while.

"Do I?" Sunny glanced at her.

She nodded. "Less… agitated."

He didn't reply for a second. Then: "Just tired of feeling like I'm surviving every second. Maybe this place isn't as awful as I thought."

Cassie smiled. "Not awful. Just filled with people trying very hard to look like they belong."

Sunny laughed at that. "So, just like us."

Some time later, Sunny was in his room again, It's still time for Wilderness Survival, so Sunny is going to use the remaining time to Spy on Combat class, which starts very early in the morning.

Some time later, Sunny's shadow was hidden in a corner of a large dojo. Below, Instructor Rock paced in front of a gathered group of Sleepers, his booming voice commanding attention.

"Today, we measure baseline combat capacity," he said. "Strength, skill, reflex. After this, you'll be grouped and assigned instructors based on level."

Sleepers were lined up to take turns punching a large reinforced plate—an analyzer that converted physical impact into numerical data. Most strikes scored between ten and fourteen. A few hit fifteen or sixteen, likely enhanced by combat-oriented Aspects.

I'd probably hit ten, maybe eleven, Sunny mused.

His attention sharpened when Jack stepped forward.

With a wide grin, Jack threw a powerful punch into the machine. The number sixteen popped up. Murmurs of approval spread through the crowd.

"Not bad," Rock commented.

But Sunny wasn't watching the numbers anymore.

He had shifted his gaze to all the sleepers, his eyes came to rest on a figure standing off to the side.

She was tall, with short black hair streaked with snow-white strands in the middle, and piercing obsidian eyes that gave her a calm, but glacial stare. Her expression was unreadable, cold.

Who is that?

Sunny's mind whirred. She hadn't been at the induction ceremony. He'd remember that face. She must have arrived yesterday.

Her aura was intense—controlled, but sharp. She moved without a sound. Even her breathing was hard to detect. Everything about her screamed discipline and calculation.

Then came the match call.

"Next spar: Jack versus Yuuki."

'so her name is Yuuki, the runes for Boldness and Bravery'

However there was another interpretation, and that was.

'A gentle Hope'

Sunny leaned forward, watching closely through his shadow's eyes.

Jack entered the ring with his usual energy. He bowed dramatically. "Be gentle."

Yuuki gave a silent nod and stepped forward, calm as a statue. Her stance was textbook perfect.

Rock gave the signal.

Jack attacked first—fast, powerful, reckless.

His attacks were deflected and dodged.

However, it was obvious he wasn't giving it his all.

Though, Yuuki, as the fight continued, seemed be slowing down.

But, when one of jack's blows connected...

...something strange happened.

He suddenly froze mid-motion. Just for a fraction of a second.

It was barely perceptible. But Sunny noticed.

Then Yuuki moved—just once.

Jack was on the ground.

The match ended before anyone else had realized what happened. Rock frowned slightly but said nothing.

Jack sat up and laughed. "Well, damn. That was awesome!"

He clapped his hands and offered Yuuki a congratulatory nod.

As she turned to leave, Jack leaned toward Jill and whispered something into her ear.

Jill's smile faded slightly.

"Next match: Jill versus Yuuki."

This time, the fight lasted longer.

Jill fought with precision and coordination, matching Yuuki's icy rhythm blow for blow.

Unlike Jack, she didn't hesitate. She forced Yuuki back a few steps and finally managed to unbalance her just long enough to get the win.

Only the way Yuuki had fought just now, her move again appeared sluggish, and her balance seemed to be...unnatural.

However the reason the fight had gone for longer, from Sunny's eyes, Jill seemed to be expecting something.

'Expecting something huh...same as what happened with Jack?'

The machine beeped. Match over.

Jill was declared the victor.

But something didn't feel right.

Yuuki's expression didn't change at all—still that calm, frosty demeanor.

Jill, however, frowned as she stepped back.

It wasn't a triumphant frown. It was… unsettled.

Sunny narrowed his eyes.

'Jack froze during his match. Just for a moment. What happened? Did Yuuki use her Aspect? Did it affect him somehow?'

It didn't happen to Jill—or, at least, not the same way.

No one else noticed… but something definitely happened.

From his hidden perch, Sunny grinned slightly.

Jack's and Jill, seem to have similar Aspects.

'No, it's too early too conclude sunless, don't act like an amateur...however, they can definitely do something related to opponents movements at least. '

'maybe something like poison, or rare mind attack??'

Regardless, he doesn't has enough info to correctly know there Aspects.

The ice princess, Yuuki, was far more than she seemed.