Shadow Slave: From the Ashes of the World

They encountered the first problem, immediately after starting the lesson. Although Nephis didn't reveal the full scope of her knowledge, the gap between her and Sunny was still tremendous. It was even hard to believe that somebody so uneducated could survive the first Nightmare. For example, he didn't have an idea how to distinguish common features of poisonous vegetation or how to acquire potable water.

But when the teacher tried to explain to him some basic knowledge, he found that Sunny lacked some other, even more basic knowledge. And that is how it went time and time again.

"…and that is why is important to always check the population of a small mammals and insects in the area before creating a campfire." Julius just finished an intricate explanation about how to find an overnight place as safe as possible in the Dream Realm.

Then he looked apologetically at Nephis "I'm very sorry, Nephis, it seems I am a bit neglecting you. I hadn't expected that your mastery level would be so different. But I can promise you that I will come up with a curriculum which will help both of you to expand your horizons. Now, let's give you some lessons to assure that you won't die from boredom."

"It's alright. There is never harm in going over in basics and besides, Sunless needs that knowledge much more than I do," if teacher started to overlook Sunny's studium in her benefit, it would contradict the whole purpose of why she wanted to be there in the first place.

"No, you don't have to do it. You're not at fault about my lack of knowledge. I don't want to waste your time," for some reason, Sunny didn't seem to like her idea.

Since when is he so selfless?

But then, it made sense. He was always the type who hated being dependent on others and Nephis was now willingly giving up part of her lessons for his sake. Of course he would think she wants him in her debt.

"Don't worry, you won't owe me anything. It would leave a horrible taste in my mouth if you died somewhere because of my greed. After all, I'm far better prepared to face the Dream Realm than you are in all regards. You don't have to worry about me."

Sunny opened his mouth to retort but Teacher Julius, who got finally fed up with their strange dispute, interrupted them. "Could you two please stop arguing over such triviality? I have already said that I will manage to think of curriculum that will fit all your needs. Let's just make the first day a bit unique. I will depict a situation in which both of you will find yourself and then you are going to think about how to handle it. There is no boundary in your imagination. That way, you can learn much more than if I just showered you with dull information."

Nobody had an argument against his suggestion, so they went along with it.

Teacher Jullius had amazing talent for description. Until noon, they had lot of fun thinking about various narratives and how to resolve them in the best way possible. They had explored various locations, such as a thick jungle with numerous lifeforms or a vast tundra where food and water were more sacred than in the dark ages on the earth.

Nephis also discreetly brought up a situation in a water zone, which Julius immediately seized.

He was truly a good teacher unlike some others Awakened. They maybe were seasoned fighters and explorers but if they were unable to pass their message, they failed as a mentors.

Sunny also seemed to enjoy himself, although he tried his best not to let it show, but she saw right through the act.

Since Nephis was the silent type and he couldn't dodge any questions, the work was usually up to him. He came up with numerous ideas. Some of them weren't really practical, but the teacher had always patiently explained why it wouldn't work. Nephis had only occasionally brought up some point or thought.

When lunch time came, Nephis had tactfully reminded Julius that her time here had already ended, and Sunny should go to eat something as well. The teacher had unwillingly let them go, but only after he reminded them to definitely not forget to come back.

I wonder if some of his students actually ran away. They would only be hurting themselves though. Julius is an amazing teacher.

In the canteen they sat together in their usual place. Cassie wasn't there yet, since they had arrived quite early, so for now they were alone.

Although they were still eating in silence, the atmosphere wasn't so awkward as at breakfast.

Several students stared at the weird duo though. But it wasn't something to be surprised about. After all, Nephis was supposed to be the strongest Sleeper with the seemingly impossible aspect. Sunny meanwhile was an infamous pervert who ended up the second weakest, surpassing only a blind girl. Of course they would stare.

Idiots, what do they even know?

Sunny meanwhile was thoroughly ignoring the intrusive gazes, fully focusing his attention on the food, which he was gulping down at speed of light.

He often talked about, how he tasted the real food only after becoming Sleeper.

I wonder how he feels now. It must be quite a shock.

Setting aside her own pair of chopsticks, she smiled. "You seem to really like the meal. Do you have a bibimbap for the first time?"

Caught off a guard by an unanticipated question he choked on his food. "Binbamp? Y-yes, I have never eaten anything so good before."

"You didn't have many opportunities to eat a decent food, right?"

 With his mouth full again, Sunny just shook his head.

"Don't worry. I'm sure after you'll become Awakened, you are going to have so much money that you could buy the whole restaurant."

He gave her a doubtful look. He was an outskirt rat after all. The probability of him going back is even lesser than that some of his outrageous lies would turn out to be truth.

"Thank you," he mumbled and averted his gaze.

For a while, they had immersed themselves in the food. The silence broke only after the third member of their party arrived.

Cassie, with a little help from the social worker sat down.

Sunny rather uneasily stared at her, and it looked like as if he was carefully considering something.

"Hello," he greeted her and then quickly started eating again.

Cassie seemed to be cached by surprise that someone had voluntarily talked to her.

"Hi," she murmured.

What kind of absurd situation is this?

Nephis was dumbfounded by the turn of events. She had always thought of herself as the most antisocial person in their group, but it turned out to be quite a miscalculation. Although she was usually the worst at dealing with people, in the current circumstances her friends had enough problems to not to be eager about talking with others. After all, the last time they overcame those barriers was only after the Spell forced them to collaborate for survival.

It gave her a mixed feeling.

"Hello," she greeted Cassie too, to not to be left out. "How was your day?"

She had long realized that if she wanted to get closer with Sunny and Cassie before the winter solstice, she would have to be more proactive and initiate the interactions by herself. It was still something that was against the core of her nature though.

But for her goal she would have to make many great sacrifices.

Cassie meanwhile looked flustered by the abrupt rush of attention. "Oh, my day? It was alright, I guess. For the whole morning, I tried to walk without assistance in an empty classroom to get used on my flaw. It was a lot harder than expected. I had fallen countless times. If I was still a mundane human, I would be full of bruises. Actually, when I'm thinking about it, it was a terrible day."

"You still have a half of the day before you. I'm sure it can get better." Nephis clumsily tried to lift her mood.

Cassie gave her a faint smile. "Yes, it is still to early to give up."

It didn't seem like she had managed to cheer her up, but least, while talking, Cassie seemed to lose a little bit of her insecurity.

Good. One step at the time.

Nephis knew that it was impossible to restore their relationship all at once. Sunny and Cassie were still too immature, and they didn't have any shared memories.

But little by little, she could prevent the worst mistakes from happening and change the future.

For the rest of the lunch, they were chatting together about their lives, academy lessons, and other at first glance irrelevant stuff. They weren't talking about anything too personal, but for Nephis it was enough. She wasn't greedy and knew it was a good start.

With such foundation it should be a piece of cake to defeat the fate, right?