Shadow Slave: Regret Name

The entire room fell into silence as the lights of the room focused on the small stage in the hall.

A person, with bulky figure and scars on his face appeared on the stage with a suit indicating he's one of the higher staff in here.

For some reason, someone of the high rankings of the academy decided to greet the new sleepers.

"Hello, new sleepers! We, the staff of this academy, are here to congratulate you on passing the first obstacle and achieving the first step in your path to ascension!

"I am Ascended Boulder, and I will be your principal for this semester. You will all have six months until next winter solstice where you'll venture into the Dream Realm for the first time.

In the meantime, we will help you by providing you with all sorts of educations and lessons of your choice for surviving encounters with nightmare creatures and anything that could help you through your future journey."

***

After the formalities and basic explanations, we were dismissed for the time being and getting assigned designated time for counseling meetings all the while we settle in our dorms and eat lunch.

Before leaving the hall, I managed to steal a glance at the principal approaching the twins of Valors before leading them outside from a different exit. 'It seems like there's more than meets the eye…'

I can only assume the principal greeted the sleepers this semester to improve their families' impressions.

Walking down the hallways, I noticed something quite odd. The girl's Regret Spirit seems to follow me around. Even after trying to command the Spirit to return, it did not seem to listen, such a thing seems odd considering how it did not put any resistance getting closer.

Touching it would be careless at the moment. 'I'd rather keep my distance from them for now until things will calm down with Valor.'

Leaving the Regret Spirit be, I arrive at the dormitories. The halls look more like hotels than an academic campus with delicate decorations and soft carpets across the entire floor.

Unlocking the door for the room I was assigned to, I looked around. The room looked nicer and quite fancier than I'd expect. The room seems to be made for two, assuming I was assigned with a roommate.

Settling down in the room, I shortly went down to the cafeteria for lunch. The place was vast and crowded with the same students who were in the hall and even more who arrived even earlier.

The food looks quite appetizing, with curry, rice and some vegetables you can take yourself. And so, with a plate full of food, I took a seat at an empty table and started digging up.

Eating off my food, someone takes the seat on the other side of the table. Looking up, I see the same girl and the boy with their own plates staring at me as if expecting me to speak first.

After a few moments of trying to ignore them, the girl spoke first. "What is your name?"

A silence filled the atmosphere again, still eating up my food, the boy and the girl seemed eager for an answer. Seeing how they're not planning to move any time soon, I give the girl's Regret Spirit once again.

Using the same method of communication I used with Master Kale, the girl received the answer she was looking for.

"Y-you don't have one?" the girl's voice showed an expression of surprise, leaving the boy in the dark.

I tried commanding his Regret Spirit as well before, but it did not work in the slightest. Probably because he is still wary of me from back then.

"I just wanted to ask, what is it you did right before the ceremony… and now?" The girl asked curiously. At first glance it would seem like a legitimate question to ask, but there seems to be something beyond it.

This kind of reaction did not fit with her attitude or the nonchalant attitude she had with anyone else, including the boy.

Still inexperienced with the language, I decided to rely on the Regret Spirit's communication once again.

"Aspect… has your aspect something to do with memories?"

Shaking my head, the girl seemed to be confused with my answer, something did not add up for her.

Noticing my trivial look, she started to explain further. "The moment you used your aspect; I felt a sense of familiarity. I can't really explain it properly, but it's like a memory I long forgot flooded my mind just to disappear again.

"Sorry, I have talked to much. I'll leave you to your lunch, now."

 She rose up from her seat. Before watching her go I tried to repeat the words she said before. "What is your name?"

Her gaze looked neutral once more. She said "Lyney." before turning away and leaving the room.

'I suppose I gained her approval.' thinking to myself. However, before I was left alone, the boy stayed on the seat at the other side of the table.

His eyes fixed on me before deciding to talk. "It seems we'll see each-other more often than I thought. My name is Lin."

 Despite the friendly words, his demeaner is still wary of me. Nevertheless, he offered his handshake to indicate a new partnership, whether he'd want to or not.

Before he left, I had to stop him and ask the question I had in for a while now.

"Why exactly are you keep following Lynney? Are you siblings?"

The boy held in his answer, thinking carefully before answering. "No, but she reminds me of one."

He turned out and left the cafeteria, leaving me with the answer hanging in the air. His answer was genuine, I could tell from the emotion in his voice, but his Regret Spirit seems to form light features and a bit clearer.

Whatever story he had with his sibling, it was the anchor of his regret…

That's being said, didn't they have identical Regret Spirits?

***

In a fancy office, resembling more of a penthouse, three people sat around a table.

Two of them were teenagers but held a noble demeanor with educated fashion.

One might mistake them for royalties. Sitting on beyond Ascended Boulder, the principal of the humble academy.

The boy had a handsome face, to say the least. While the girl held a strong dominant face.

"It's my honor, to greet the children of Valor into my foundation. Sir Gerard and Miss Elaine of Valor." Said the principal as he slightly bowed to show proper respect.

"I am here to provide you with anything you need. As long as you bring out a good word to the king about the academy, of course."

The twins, satisfied with his attitude, look at each other in agreement. Both have the same plan. "It came to our attention, that a member of a vessel clan of ours got badly injured."

Gerard said in a slow and chilling voice.

"I think the one responsible for such violent behavior would need to be 'properly punished'.

"For starters, what do you say we'll give him a warning?" with a nod coming from Elaine, the principal had no choice but to accept.

With sparks of white appearing in the principle's hand forming a black ink pen, he started writing down a contract.