---
Somewhere below the house of Sunny, harsh and heavy blows were exchanged.
"GAH!"
Sunny was launched again into the wall of his underground training room, a bit of debris falling onto his hair after the impact. The wall, now white as snow, had cracked yet again.
He let out an inward sigh as he looked up at the tenacious knight in front of him.
A black marble statue with a heavy spear that she had just stuck into the ground stood in front of him. Saint looked at Sunny with her dusty ruby eyes, which showed no emotion, waiting for Sunny's next command.
"Not even a hint of remorse... mgh..." Sunny grumbled.
He used the black spear in his hand to lean on as he got up, examining it briefly. Slowly, its form began to change, disassembling and reforming as the head of a snake. It coiled back up Sunny's body, which was bare but tattooed with the snake, its body winding from his arm toward his chest.
"You can go back... it's time for the first session with my disciple."
Saint stepped toward Sunny, and at the same time, he made his way to the elevator. She was soon absorbed back into his shadow.
Sunny tried to contain his excitement. For the first time, he would get to teach his experiences from the Forgotten Shore and the Dark City to his pupil. What was more, he'd finally get time to spend with his sister.
Sunny's face stiffened, the smile fading to a sad one.
"Even if she doesn't know it... I'll protect her."
It was a promise Sunny had made to himself the day he saw Rain happy… on that hellish, rainy day.
But it wasn't time for depression—it was time to teach.
---
Creak
Rain entered through the door with a suspicious look. She remembered when her new "teacher" had proposed to be her master, telling her she should start learning more practically rather than theoretically in case of a Gate. And because he wanted to repay her for the noodle recommendation.
'Who even repays someone with training sessions?'
Rain thought as a shiver ran down her spine.
'Should I leave?... But he's literally living two houses away from me, so that would be hard...'
"NO, YOU CAN'T SEE HER!"
Rain startled for a moment at the shout—a male voice.
'It's his voice.'
Rain's eyes narrowed as she took a step back… it was too late.
From behind the corner, a woman in a wheelchair appeared with an excited face.
"Hello, pupil!"
Rain's eyes widened as she dropped the cake her mother had made her bring as a thank-you gift.
"Ah-..."
"AHH, the cake!"
"Eff—agh!... Shit, you're already here..." Sunny rushed to grab Effie's wheelchair, but his eyes widened, and then he frowned, sighing as he saw Rain.
"R... R... Rai..."
Rain muttered, looking at the woman in front of her.
"Ray?" Effie tilted her head, trying to guess the girl's words.
"R... Rais...d..."
"?"
"R... Raised... by wolves?!"
Rain shouted, her face turning red.
Effie was one of her favorite Awakened because of her story and strong physical powers.
Rain had this reaction because she wanted to be as strong as Effie, to protect her family and slaughter nightmare creatures. And now, to see one of her favorites... with her teacher?
Rain frowned as she looked at Sunny.
Sunny gulped, knowing he was in for a long tease.
"Pff... haha."
Effie confirmed his fears with a laugh.
"Yes, I'm raised by wolves. Nice to meet ya."
"Why... are you at... teacher's..."
"Oh? Why am I staying at Sunny's? I'm just crashing here; he has money and food."
Sunny glared at Effie with a raised eyebrow.
'Money and food, eh...'
Effie froze for a moment at her own words.
'Crap, he won't cook if I say this!'
"B-but! Of course, I'm a very good friend of your powerful teacher! Alright?!"
Rain narrowed her eyes at Effie, still suspicious.
"So you're not... a thing?"
"HUH?!"
Effie's eyes widened as she put her hands on her chest and faked a gag.
"Me?! With him?! This emo brat?!"
Sunny just glared at her, almost forgetting Rain's words. Almost.
Sunny sighed as he looked at Rain.
"Eff... Raised by Wolves is just staying here for personal reasons. I'm not together with her."
"That so..."
'Phew... It'd be weird if my teacher was with the second woman I respect the most.'
"Ah, but he's together with Cassie."
"What?!"
"Huh... who?"
Sunny and Rain spoke simultaneously. Sunny's face turned red as he tightened his grip on the wheelchair.
'How dare she say I'm dating that woman?! I don't like her! I hate her, in fact! Why does she think I more or less avoided her for the past two weeks?!'
Sunny's face was red, but he told himself he was angry. How dare she say that? His heart was racing, but it was anger. His hands started to sweat, and he felt his dark soul core react—tainted by that cursed red. Anger! It had to be anger!
"Who's Cassie?"
"Oh? Hehe..."
Effie chuckled, her eyes wide with amusement.
"Ah! Cassie, come here."
Just in time, Cassie returned from her visit to the academy, having collected her remaining things. She tapped her cane, raising an eyebrow as she sensed the souls present.
"Yes?... Hello."
Cassie smiled as she greeted them, looking at the soul closest to the door. She guessed it was the person she didn't know.
Rain turned at Effie's words and froze—
Blue eyes like the sky, though the pupils had lost their light. A simple dress, a hooded cape that concealed her face and form, and a pleasant smile, like that of a saint.
Rain's pupils dilated, her legs giving way. The woman before her—the one who had been on the front page of monthly and weekly news as the latest sensation.
"Song... of the... faaaaaa..."
Rain raised her hand, pointing at Cassie as her legs gave out.
Plop
Rain fell unconscious, not finishing her sentence.
The trio stayed still for a moment before Effie burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! No way, doofus. You've got yourself a pupil who likes us a lot. I wanna see her reaction when she sees Kai."
Cassie frowned, tapping her cane on the stone floor as she entered.
Sunny squatted beside Rain, helping her up. Cassie dismissed her cane and reached out instinctively.
"That's... my hand—"
"Oh—I'm... I'm sorry."
Cassie retracted her hand, holding it close as she looked away a bit awkwardly.
It was kind of the first time they'd talked in two weeks. Sunny hadn't left the basement much—or that's what Effie said. Cassie knew Sunny could teleport now, thanks to her ability to see the future.
Sunny carried Rain to the living room, with Cassie and Effie following behind.
"Who... is she?" Cassie asked, wondering about the young girl.
"She's... a neighbor. And... let's just say my pupil."
"Oh."
"Not surprised?"
"..."
Sunny looked back at the quiet blonde. His heart was still racing, but he shook his head.
'I'm angry... I'm angry.'
He brought Rain to the sofa and placed her gently, biting his lip and feeling the much-needed breath leave his body.