Astrovoid Shower- Celestial University Book 2: A Bully Romance

Chapter 59: Cross Investigation

Lorena let Mechion know about this immediately, though Candy dropped to her knees, ramshackled..

"Hey, it's not your fault, you did great."

"No," forced to deactivate her spell. "This new spell is too heavy," requiring Nico and Claudia to pick her up. "I need to hibernate for a while."

"He said something about the Society of Hollows?"

Nico clocked it. "We heard some people talking about switches that could make you stronger. But I felt so weird afterwards so we tried to find it and warn people."

"And when you went to the Skyrock Sauna, you found him testing it out?"

"We tried to talk him out of it when he started shooting at us."

"Okay, Claudia and Nico go to the center to check your arm."

"I'll cover them in case something's going on," Candy said, fighting her weakened legs to create a trail for her to slide onto, allowing the freshmen to ride on top of her on the way there.

Throughout the week, everyone had something going on.

Cree went to Akilah, with Wali joining him.

"Queen," bowing.

"Liaison. Glad to see you recovered. Cree, you want to continue where we left off?"

"You said you were here for me."

"Precisely. You were both there when Leontis and the Task Force apprehended Kesh. You were arrested when my son and your sister were attacked. You were held in the same prison with the same prison before he was transferred to the most dangerous wing."

"And the first thing I do when I get out is almost get myself caught against the one responsible," getting visibly upset. "Why did you and the President allow that policy in the first place? My sister should not have to join the army because you let him run wild!"

She winced at the air pressure in the room.

"A reason is not an excuse: those born of Aqulia were hunted down for millennia because compared to other flight based StellArts, they have some of the strongest potential next to the Zodiacs. But both Ursa and Bootes were a natural counter to their abilities."

"The Herdsmen? Yeah, his magic can nullify ours and your son, but you're just evicting them. A rotten egg doesn't mean you waste the rest! Did you ever think to use that time on helping Rigal get through that? Is that the reason he's obsessed with strength?"

"Are you not also seeking strength to make up for your own insecurities? Your inability to protect others? Your insecurities that you'll be surpassed? Your fears you won't be the one anyone can't rely on? Are you not here to learn how to surpass those limitations?"

"I know I'm weak!"

Akilah's stoicism cracked.

"But if this is my limit, I'll be the wind that pushes others forward, not send them to their death threats!"

She nodded.

"Which is why I brought you here. In fact, I agree with your rationale. I want Shugoda's history to not be bathed in controversy, and as such, I'm looking for successors."

"Successors? Like...you want me to be the next President?"

She snickered, seeing him ponder over the thought. "Well you have the enthusiasm. But you saw Cassie Lucretia's reaction. She's justified too," turning her screen to show them both monitors. "This is the stratagem for the Herdsmen Recruit Training."

Wali looked at a chart. "The process seems to be in decline."

"The young woman broke in while you were young to search for Ceph Lucretia, her brother. We made technology to support their use against the Voids, but during a mission, there was a hack rendering them defected."

"So he," imagining Candy suffering the same fate. "Oh. No! The Witch of Shugoda: that was her?"

"The criminal to some, the vigilante to others."

"We failed her, we failed you. Sybil and Quermas' demise affected some of us more than others. Had they lived, they'd not be proud of some of our current actions and decisions. Our judgment will come, so until then, I want to prepare for the next generation."

"That's where I come in?"

"Exactly. I've studied your fighting style. Compared to the heirs, you're above all five, barring Sehki's Zodiac transformation. So to level the playing field, we're coming to combine tech and fae lore to enhance your strength: and awaken your Zodiac."

"Can I actually do that?"

"The reason why most people don't is their lack of training, skill, or hardship: harnessing your StellArts abilities is the best most people can manage."

" If my theory on Sybil's pregnancy is true, she instilled her child so he could only reach his Zodiac after exploring his physical and mental options. Am I correct?"

Wali wiped off his sweat. "Perhaps."

"So, are you in?"

"Yes. But do you know who started the hack?"

"I haven't determined the source, but that security clearance and access would only be restrictive to anyone within the Planetary Presidents orbit."

Wali scowled. "If the presidents are all in jail, then that means whoever's responsible-"

"Might be one of the Four Spouses."

Akilah was about to confirm that when she got an email from Mechion.

"They found a Switch? You two, come."

Meanwhile, Lorena had also gotten the ladies to Queen Austrina's room, who took her up on their offer to train them, inviting them to the Nataraja Dance Center.

"It would be my pleasure to train Princesses in Queens, especially my future daughter-in-laws."

Delphine was the most eager while to Lorena's surprise, the others also had that same displeasure.

"You want to grow under my tutelage? How interesting."

Heath stared at Candy, Bodin, and Bella.

"Then I'll nurture you like my own child. Be prepared."

Sehki was allowed to leave, approaching Jia.

"A way to find Qian?"

"We can't wait any longer."

Arian joined her crew near students asking about Hollow.

"Ready to join the Society?"

Mako walked through Cusp Central as he saw a figure approach him.

"Proxim."

"So, young Prince. Shall we start the next act?"