Micheal didn’t see Axel for the rest of the day, which he found strange. He hadn’t planned on staying in the safe house for long, but he wasn’t about to complain. The place was comfortable, and after everything, a little peace wasn’t unwelcome.

  ?

  ?Freshly cleaned and dressed in new garments, the stench of alcohol and sweat finally gone, he stepped out of the bathroom. The moment he entered the main room, he noticed someone sitting at the table. A steaming cup of tea rested in front of the man, who looked up as soon as he heard Micheal’s footsteps.

  ?

  ?The man had dark hair tied back into a small ponytail, his face unreadable, his eyes sharp and calculating. Despite his composed posture, there was an air of exhaustion about him, as if he had been carrying a burden for far too long.

  ?

  ?"Ah… so you’re finally done." His voice was calm, measured. "Axel told me about you. Micheal, right?"

  ?

  ?Micheal nodded numbly, his gaze drifting to the sword strapped to the man’s hip.

  ?

  ?The man stood and approached him, stopping just a few feet away. “My name’s Aki. This is my safe house. Axel informed me of your… predicament.”

  ?

  ?Micheal’s eyes widened. Aki?

  ?

  ?“W-wait, you’re—”

  ?

  ?“Yes, yes, I know,” Aki interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m part of the Big Three. And yes, I am a dual wielder, meaning I can manipulate both lightning and nature.”

  ?

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  ?Micheal could only stare, stunned, as Aki studied him with mild curiosity, rubbing his chin as if lost in thought. The silence stretched just long enough to make Micheal uneasy before Aki spoke again.

  ?

  ?“According to Axel, I’m supposed to train you, starting tomorrow.” His tone turned slightly bored, as if he’d rather be doing anything else. “I should warn you, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t owe him money. So don’t—” He leaned in slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto Micheal’s. “Get. Cocky. Understood?”

  ?

  ?“W-wait, what!? Training?! B-but I—”

  ?

  ?Aki sighed, shaking his head in clear exasperation. “Don’t you get it yet, Micheal? Axel doesn’t do things for no reason. Apparently, he saw potential in you… something I fail to see, by the way.”

  ?

  ?“H-hey!” Micheal protested, but Aki ignored him.

  ?

  ?“Either way, you’ll be training under me from tomorrow onwards. For now, Jasmine will show you to your room.”

  ?

  ?At that, a girl stepped forward from the shadows. She had neatly tied brown hair, soft brown eyes, and tanned skin. She gave Micheal a small, respectful bow but said nothing, merely waiting for him to follow her.

  ?

  ?“N-no, wait… you can’t just dump this information on me like that!” Micheal burst out. “If he knew I had potential, why did he wait for me to miss my enrollment? Why didn’t he just tell me outright?!”

  ?

  ?Aki let out a slow breath, rubbing his forehead as if Micheal’s presence alone was giving him a headache. “Micheal, think for a second. If the crown prince suddenly recruited some random kid and put him under the Big Three, what do you think the public reaction would be?”

  ?

  ?Micheal hesitated. “W-well… I mean, it’d—”

  ?

  ?“It’d cause an uproar in the AOMC,” Aki finished flatly. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but they’re not exactly on the best terms with the royal family. Never have been. So the soon-to-be king personally recruiting an unknown boy? Not exactly the smartest move.”

  ?

  ?Micheal blinked, stunned into silence for the third time that day.

  ?

  ?“W-wait… not on good terms? But—”

  ?

  ?“They’ve never been on good terms, Micheal. The AOMC is a separate entity with one purpose: keeping peace no matter the cost.”

  ?

  ?Something about the way he said it made the words sit heavy in Micheal’s chest.

  ?

  ?“So… so then… if I hadn’t gotten caught up with Miss Mitsuki—” Micheal stopped himself too late, realizing he’d just said too much.

  ?

  ?Aki simply raised an eyebrow. “Who do you think sent Mitsuki to get you?”

  ?

  ?Micheal’s breath hitched as realization dawned. Before he could ask anything else, Aki smirked—just barely—and turned toward the door.

  ?

  ?“Think on that,” he said over his shoulder, then stepped outside, leaving Micheal standing there, his thoughts a tangled mess.

  ?

  ?A soft voice pulled him from his daze.

  ?

  ?“Master Micheal… may I escort you to your room?”

  ?

  ?Jasmine’s voice was gentle, almost hesitant. Micheal glanced at her, then nodded absentmindedly, following her up the stairs, his mind still racing.

  ?

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