Amos turned to Cloack, stunned by his own conclusion.
"Nike… is she a Void user?"
Cloack, for once, looked genuinely surprised.
"Kid… now you're starting to scare me. How the hell did you figure that out?"
Seeing Cloack for once looking surprised, Amos turned to him."Because her aura alone was strong enough to freeze the entire academy," he said.Cloack sighed."Then it's definitely Nike."
Yoan, curious, raised his hand to ask Naltron, the Sovereign of War, a question."Is the principal of Glory Academy on Earth the same as the one on Artasel?"Naltron answered calmly and authoritatively."Yes, she is."Without hesitation, Yoan fired off another question."How is that possible?"Naltron turned back toward his throne as he replied,"I'm sure she'd be happy to explain it to you herself. You can visit her office once you're at the academy."Yoan, analyzing the answer and connecting the dots, asked another question, this time with a calm and thoughtful air."So... we'll be studying at Glory Academy on Artasel from now on?"Sitting down on his throne, a satisfied look appeared on Naltron's face. He turned to Allay."He is worthy of the War powers, don't you think?"Allay nodded with a straight posture."Indeed. You've made an excellent choice."Naltron looked back at Yoan."To answer your question: you will stay here for five years to perfect your mastery of psychic energy, train with the Guardians of your respective element, and fully adapt your bodies to the psychic environment."Yoan frowned, Anna looked confused, and Lucas, thinking about being stuck here for five years, raised his voice."And what about our parents, how—"But Lucas cut himself off, lowering his head. Naltron shot him a dark look, clearly displeased with his tone.The youngest Sovereign, Stain, Sovereign of Strength, stood from his throne and approached Naltron, his tone casual."Relax, man, he's just a kid."Naltron growled but went back to his throne."You sound exactly like him. Reckless."Stain took over the briefing."Hey, chin up, kid. My heir shouldn't look so pathetic."Lucas slowly lifted his head, avoiding Naltron's gaze."Anyway, about your parents: we'll take care of it. We'll send someone to reassure them and explain everything.For the next five years, your job is simple: train, sharpen your senses, learn to control your stress in battle, and get along with the people of Artasel. You'll also have regular training sessions with the Guardian of your psychic energy type.As for housing: you'll be staying in the academy dorms. If, for some reason, the dorms aren't available, the royal palace has plenty of rooms for you.One last thing: we're not certain whether the traitors will attack before five years are up. It could be tomorrow... or ten years from now. Be ready for anything. That's the gist of it."Stain's explanation was a lot smoother and easier to understand than Naltron's.The heirs quickly grasped everything he said.As Stain walked back to his throne, he winked at Naltron."Don't forget that they're 14 year olds, not battle hardened generals."Naltron sighed."You're impossible."
Erza, the Sovereign of Grace, finally spoke."Enough, you two. Heirs, you may leave."Everyone bowed to the Sovereigns — everyone except Amos, too busy talking to Cloack."So Madam Vanessa and Madam Nike are both Void users?"Cloack nodded."That's right."Amos placed his hand on his chin."I can't wait to ask Madam Nike how she managed to run two academies on two different worlds."Caught up in the conversation, Amos didn't notice the others leaving the room until he realized he and Cloack were the last ones heading for the door.Just before they could leave, Allay's voice stopped them."You still have a long way to go, Vessel. I underestimated you and let my guard down during our duel."Cloack agreed."He's right. You wouldn't have won if he'd gone all out."Amos nodded, raising his hand casually in farewell."No hard feelings, Allay. Also, sorry if I came off as rude toward the Sovereigns.One last thing, stop calling us Vessels. Stick to calling us Heirs."Then Amos walked out.
Naltron sighed."That boy is truly insolent."Mily, the Sovereign of Life, giggled, amused by Amos's attitude."He reminds me a lot of Vyran."The other Sovereigns all nodded in agreement.
Leah's parents — the King and Queen — escorted the Heirs to the portal leading back to the royal palace. They entered one by one.When they arrived, night had already fallen.The King ordered several guards to escort each Heir to their assigned rooms.Leah left with her parents, smiling brightly, finally able to catch up on lost time.A guard approached Amos, but he hesitated, intimidated by Cloack standing next to him.The guard spoke, his voice trembling."D-Do you also wish for a room, Guardian?"Cloack replied friendly"No need, thanks."He then turned to Amos."I'll leave you here, kid. We'll meet again when the time comes. Stay sharp until then."With that, Cloack vanished into the shadows.Amos, intrigued by how he manipulated the Void, followed the guard toward his room, lost in thought.The way Cloack uses the Void is so strange... And how the hell did he stop time when we first met?They soon reached his room."Have a good night, young man. Your dinner has already been served inside," the guard said before quickly leaving.Amos opened the door and stepped inside.He was amazed."I've never been in such an elegant room... Feels like I'm some kind of celebrity."He sat on the bed."This bed is insanely soft."Then a delicious smell caught his attention.He turned and saw a plate with some kind of meat he didn't recognize.He took a bite."This is so good... I have no idea where this meat even comes from, though!"He devoured his meal happily."Leah will live like this from now on..."He lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.Now that she's a princess... she'll probably have to marry some handsome prince and forget about me.Realizing where his thoughts were heading, Amos covered his face with his hands, embarrassed."Ugh... Why am I even thinking about this? She probably doesn't feel anything for me... Damn teenage hormones."Before he could spiral further, a knock at the door interrupted him.He quickly sat up."Come in, it's open!"The door swung open, revealing a familiar silhouette.Amos blinked in surprise."Leah? What are you doing here?"Leah, a little embarrassed and cheeks red, replied,"I wanted to introduce you to my parents..."One of Amos's eyebrows raised."Why?"Leah pouted, not appreciating his reaction."Because you're my very first friend, you idiot."Amos let out a small teasing laugh."My apologies, Lady Leah. I would be honored to meet the royal couple."Leah lightly punched his shoulder, smiling shyly."Stop messing around, it's not funny."Suddenly, a thought crossed Leah's mind. She looked at Amos, her voice softer, more vulnerable."Even if I'm a princess now, I'm still just Leah... your friend.So... please, don't leave me."Amos, locking eyes with hers, could tell she was being completely sincere.A small, relieved smile crossed his lips, feeling some of his worries vanish."You can count on me."They stood there, gazing into each other's eyes, the breeze from the open window cooling the room, the moonlight bathing them both.Amos's heart was pounding, his thoughts spinning.What's going on... This feels like a scene from a drama.Leah's heart was racing too. She stared at Amos, who on the outside seemed unaffected.Maybe I should move closer...She took a step toward him, closing the distance between them.
But just before anything else could happen, the door swung open loudly — it was Leah's parents."Heir of the Void, our daughter said she wanted to introduce us but she's still not back—"Both parents froze at the scene in front of them, Leah and Amos standing far too close to each other.Amos and Leah immediately jumped apart, panicking.Leah's father coughed awkwardly, trying to regain composure."I didn't realize 'he means a lot to me' meant that much..."Amos blushed, and so did Leah, who rushed to cover her father's mouth."No! It's not what you think!"Leah and her father began bickering.Amos couldn't help but smile at the scene.
Leah's mother approached him, her smile warm."Leah told us you saved her life... when the two of you were kidnapped.We are deeply grateful to you."Leah and her father immediately stopped their bickering, turning toward Amos.Amos straightened up and gave a respectful salute."You're welcome, Your Majesties. I am honored to have been able to save the princess."Leah made a face at hearing Amos speak so formally for the first time.Even her father looked a bit surprised.The Queen chuckled softly."No need to be so formal with us, dear."She extended her hand to him.Amos shook it politely."Pleased to meet you. My name's Amos."The Queen smiled warmly."Pleased to meet you too, Amos."She headed toward the door, followed by the King and Leah."We'll leave you for now. We still have a lot to catch up on with Leah."Leah, dragged away by her father, cried out dramatically,"Amos, help! They're going to make me do boring princess stuff!"Her father laughed, pulling her along."Watch your language, Princess. Your people wouldn't appreciate a vulgar royal."
Amos chuckled and closed the door behind them.He lay back down, his eyelids heavy.A new start...My chance to finally belong somewhere,and to make up for everything I lost on Earth.
Sleep soon claimed him.
End of Chapter 12.