Saruto awoke in the Time Chamber, then sat cross-legged in the center of the Gravity Chamber, his breath ragged, his body heavy, but his eyes burning.
"Armoring… it's the key. If I don't master it, I won't be able to face the Second Founder."
He raised his hands in front of him, trying to envelop his body in a solid aura, just as he had seen the Founder do. At first, a faint layer of violet light appeared around his shoulders and arms, but it quickly cracked and vanished.
"Damn it…" he muttered through gritted teeth, clenching his fists.
He stood up again and tried again and again. Sometimes the armor held for a few seconds, sometimes it crumbled before it was complete.
But something inside him was beginning to change… his body was adapting to the pressure, his aura was beginning to solidify, even if it wasn't perfect.
Suddenly, his father opened the door to the room with quiet footsteps. He smiled as he saw him sweating.
"You've done your best, Saruto… but that's enough for today."
Saruto raised his head in surprise.
"Today?! I've only just begun…"
His father laughed and pointed to the watch on his wrist, smiling.
"It's already morning. You must return to the academy immediately."
Saruto's eyes widened in astonishment. Had he been training all night…? I hadn't even noticed the time passing. It seems I'd overtrained.
He left the room with heavy steps, entered the bathroom, and let the cold water run over his tired body. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, the purple hair and hawk-like eyes. He smiled faintly.
"I haven't mastered armor yet… but I'll keep trying. I'll keep going… even if it takes my whole life."
Then he left the bathroom, ate his meal, and put on his academic robes. He placed his fingers on his head, closed his eyes, and teleported directly to the academy's treatment room.
He glanced at the bed he had been lying in and saw that the Star Princess was still asleep. He carried her to another bed and then lay back down on his own.
Only moments passed before the bed next to him moved.
Lucian, the Ice Heir, opened his eyes to see Saruto lying there, still "asleep."
His gaze froze on him, and his eyes narrowed.
"...How can he sleep so peacefully next to me?"
He clenched his fist, but said nothing. He simply sat silently, watching him as hatred seeped deeper into his heart.