Shadow Slave novel Chapter 2795

“So, where are you off to now, Rani?"

Chief Bethany raised her glass, discovered that it was empty, and reached for a pack of chips instead. One of her subordinates instantly popped a can of synthbeer open and filled her glass to the brim.

Taking a big gulp, she let out a satisfied sigh and leaned back.

“Ah! That awful taste! The indescribable blandness! The subtle scent of industrial recyclers! That is what I've been missing!"

Rain smiled, taking a sip of her own beer. She had come to Bastion wanting to focus on pushing toward Ascension — but before that, she had to quit her current job and say goodbye to her teammates. Luckily, Chief Bethany had just returned from Rivergate to Bastion after dealing with the recent crisis there.

Usually, it would have been hard to gather the entire core team for something unrelated to work, but Rain had loaded the Bag of Withholding with a small feast of drinks and snacks from Earth before passing through the Dream Gate. So, she had been able to lure her colleagues to a modest farewell party with the promise of contraband.

Chief Bethany looked at her with curiosity.

"You helped build the Dark Road, and then worked on the launch of Rivergate Hydro. So, what's next for our industrious Awakened intern? No, don't tell me! Let me guess."

She nursed her glass and smiled.

“Marine architecture? The Citadels in the Stormsea are grossly overpopulated, so expanding the settlements around them into floating cities is now a big priority for the Human Domain. The construction of the port at the estuary of the River of Tears should start soon, too. Or are you off to Ravenheart? Our eastern colleagues are keeping quiet about it, but I know that they have not abandoned their geothermal dreams yet."

Rain just smiled and shook her head slightly.

Chief Bethany raised an eyebrow.

“No? Where the hell are you going, then? No, I must know! Which bastard poached you from my team?"

Master Quentin looked at her curiously, too. “Yeah. I'd like to know as well."

Rain hesitated for a few moments, then pointed up without saying anything.

Chief Bethany frowned.

"Up? What are you..."

Then, her eyes widened.

“The Ivory Island? The bastard who poached you... is Changing Star?!"

Rain chuckled.

“Of course not. I just received a job offer from the Fire Keepers, to be a member of the Ivory Tower custodial staff. Even if that tower had belonged to a deity once, its floors still won't clean themselves, you know."

Chief Bethany raised an eyebrow.

"Custodial staff? Won't that be a waste of your talent?"

Rain laughed.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me. It might be, true... but when else will I get the chance to study the Tower of Hope up close? I am quite interested in what we, people of Earth, are building here in Dream Realm — and how. But I am also interested in the ancient wonders that have withstood the test of time without falling into ruin. Ideally, I want to marry the two."

There were a few moments of silence, and then her colleagues raised their glasses.

"Hear, hear!"

Rain smiled.

She was lying, of course. She was indeed interested in the Tower of Hope, but that was not the reason for her departure for the Ivory Island. In truth, that was simply the best place for her to concentrate on becoming a Master, away from all distractions and as safe as she could be. Plus, her teacher of Shaping was there.

“You should be careful, though."

Rain turned to one of the engineers, frowning in confusion. He lingered for a second or two, then added somberly:

“That Changing Star... she's a bit eerie, isn't she? Who knows what she'll do? Considering the rumors."

Rain's frown deepened. She looked away and said in a neutral tone:

“You should not believe random rumors."

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