Shadow Slave: Kindness

The stylish PTV rolled along the dark pavement and between tall buildings, drawing rows of glances from passersby who paused just to take in the sight of the military-turned-civilian giant. The day carried a soft sunlight that added warmth to the crisp cold air, casting a golden sheen over the city.

The academy's temperature was always regulated — you wouldn't know if it was summer or winter unless you checked the calendar or looked up at the outside sky.

Sunny was sitting in the front passenger seat beside Juliet, while Cassie and Nephis took the window sides in the back. Avi had, unsurprisingly, snuggled herself comfortably between the two of them.

It seemed like she had warmed up to Nephis quickly — absurdly fast, in fact — considering it had only been a week since Nephis arrived. Really troublesome for Sunny.

Though, truthfully, what was bothering him more right now was something… different.

Why didn't he have a single guy friend?

He wasn't exactly antisocial at the academy. Even in a place like this, you'd expect to interact with others, especially those of the same gender, right? It shouldn't have been that hard to make a male friend.

But apparently, it was.

Apparently, to talk casually with the average awakened male, you had to know things. Important things.

Like what's trending in the Dreamscape.

Like who's the new rising star in post-awakening entertainment — actor, actress, streamer, whatever.

Like what the newest simulation game is, or which viral content was circling on the Net.

Sunny, of course, didn't know a single damn thing about any of it.

And, more importantly, didn't care to.

Still…

"I wish I had at least one male friend… Is that too much to ask?" Sunny sighed in his mind, slumping a little in his seat.

Then he frowned.

"No. Not just anyone will do…"

A checklist began to form in his head.

Not too good-looking. Can't be taller than me. Can't be too intelligent or clever.

Reasonable, he thought.

A fair compromise.

Sunny nodded subtly to himself, making such promises in his heart —

Not knowing that fate was going to screw him over in the most humiliating way possible.

Just for clarification — it wasn't like Sunny was particularly short.

All Awakened — whether Sleepers, Ascended, or Saints — had their genetic potential amplified by the Spell. Most male Awakened ended up tall by mundane human standards.

Sunny, unfortunately, just happened to be… well, the same height as the average Awakened girl. Currently at least, though he didn't have much hope for the future.

It was his curse.

Cassie was a bit shorter than him. Nephis was exactly the same height. Juliet, marginally taller — though that gap was probably going to shrink soon enough thanks to Sunny finally getting proper nutrition.

Still…

"No giants either," he noted bitterly to himself. "Taller is one thing — but Awakened with physical enhancement Aspects? Yeah, no thanks. They'll just tease me more for being a so-called flower boy. Gotta stay far away from those walking mountain types."

He sighed again.

Today was going to be long.

And very, very weird.

He was watching out the window, absentmindedly tracking the rows of passersby as they went about their lives. The usual thoughts drifted across his mind again — how far he'd come.

From the lowest of the low… to something almost respectable. Not the highest of the high, sure, but close enough to feel the difference.

Now, all he had to do was survive the Dream Realm.

That was the only thing standing between him and the perks of a proper life.

After all, Teacher Julius had made it pretty clear: survive your first dive and you'll be rewarded. Fail, and you'll vanish like the countless others before you.

Sunny thought about that, then let his head fall back against the seat.

Maybe when I'm back, I'll open up a café.

Yeah. A café. Somewhere quiet and sunny with a view. Maybe a lounge with pillows and music that made your body melt. Drinks with too much foam. Pastries too expensive for their size. And him — just lounging around all day, enjoying entertainment, eating as much as he wanted.

Ha. Such a life.

Shaking off the daydream before it got too vivid, Sunny turned toward Juliet, who was busy tapping something into her communicator.

"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.

It wasn't Juliet who answered.

It was Avi — from behind him, loud and very, very smug.

"Such an idiot. Obviously, we're going to an amusement park. Is your memory that bad? How are you even planning to survive the Dream Realm?"

Sunny felt an eyebrow twitch. Hard.

The fact that Cassie, Nephis, and Juliet all let out soft chuckles at his expense didn't help.

He growled under his breath.

"Shut up, brat. No one asked you. My memory is not bad, and I will survive — unlike a certain gremlin who keeps sticking her nose in everyone's business."

Avi, undeterred, leaned in dramatically and let out a fake sob.

"Ahhh! Big sis! Sunny is bullying me!"

She promptly latched onto both Cassie and Nephis' arms like a clingy octopus, wearing a perfect pout.

Cassie raised an eyebrow and then looked at Sunny, lightly admonishing him. "You shouldn't bully Avi. Look how cute she is."

"Yeah. You shouldn't," Nephis echoed in her usual flat tone.

Sunny stared.

What. The. Hell.

"Wait. What did I even do—?"

Too late. Avi was already grinning at him from between her two protectors, smug as a fox.

"Yeah. Take that."

Sunny groaned, tempted to throw himself out of the moving PTV. He looked up to Juliet, the one person he thought might help him, only to find her smirking to herself like she was enjoying a personal drama unfolding live.

Thankfully, Juliet decided to finally rescue him — or at least change the subject.

She turned to him with a knowing smile and gestured out the window.

"We're just here," she said. "Look out."

Sunny turned.

His eyes widened.

There, laid out before them beyond the low glass barrier and automated entrance gate, was a city of light and sound.

The amusement park sprawled out like a neon-drenched dream across dozens of acres. Towering rides cast shadows across wide stone walkways and bustling food stalls. Colorful banners flapped in the wind, bearing names like "Nebula Coaster", "Twister Drop", and "Inferno Loop."

A giant Ferris wheel turned slowly in the distance, each glass pod trimmed with pulsing LED lights. To its right, a vertical launch ride — the "Skybreaker" — rocketed a dozen screaming riders into the sky, holding them for three heart-stopping seconds before plunging them straight back down.

Beyond it, the "Black Hole" rollercoaster wound like a snake made of steel, twisting in loops and spirals that defied physics. It screamed every time a car sped across the rails, its roar echoing across the park like thunder.

A mirror maze called "Reflections of Madness" stood near the entrance, the glass shimmering with shifting illusions. Kids ran through a foam play zone labeled "Cloud Bounce", where massive, slow-falling bubbles drifted through the air. There was a "Haunted Cathedral" built like a gothic ruin, with faint screams trailing from the entrance.

A massive arcade center buzzed at the far end, its facade lit up with flashing retro signage and looping digital animations. Rows of claw machines, dance mats, virtual dueling rings, and VR capsule pods could be seen inside.

There was even a lazy river running in a loop around the whole park, its slow stream carrying round boats with couples snuggling under umbrellas. Just beside it was a zipline course crisscrossing overhead, and a skyglider monorail shaped like mini airships.

To the left, food stalls were arranged in a circular plaza — a "Taste Hub" — decorated in cherry blossom holograms. The smells of caramel popcorn, grilled skewers, frozen lemonade, and strange glowing fruit candies wafted through the air.

Sunny blinked.

Then blinked again.

"...Is this a normal amusement park?" he muttered.

Juliet shrugged, feigning innocence. "Well, it's not military-grade, if that's what you're asking."

Avi cackled and started loudly cheering and pointing at things here and there.

Cassie tilted her head toward the window, hearing and feeling the low thrum of energy all around. Though she couldn't see, she could at least sense the excitement in the air, coming from the park.

Nephis, meanwhile, looked silently at the blinking rides and chaotic structures. Her expression unreadable. Though one could see a sense of wonder in her eyes.

Sunny slowly leaned back in his seat.

Seems like he might just enjoy this trip, just a little bit.

Yeah, just a little bit.