For two days after the celestial incident, the entire empire buzzed with chaos.
Priests fainted.
Scholars argued.
Merchants printed Sohag's face on lucky charms.
Nobles cried about "the end of normality."
Commoners prayed to him accidentally instead of the Primordial.
Meanwhile…
Sohag hid under his bed.
Literally.
Face buried in a pillow.
Blanket pulled around him like a cocoon.
Aura compressed so much he looked like a shy, depressed hamster.
Aethria found him first.
She crouched beside the bed.
"Master… come out."
"No."
Velra joined, head upside down from the ceiling.
"C'mon, starboy. Academy will be fun."
"No."
Elowyn knelt gently. "You will meet lovely people—"
"No."
Dracarys slammed her tail on the floor. "If you don't come out, I'll flip the whole bed."
"No."
Freya kicked the door open. "If he says no one more time, I'm dragging him by the ankle."
"No."
Aria pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sohag. You cannot avoid education."
"No."
Seraphiel prayed softly. "Lord Sohag… please cooperate…"
"No."
Lyriana smiled warmly. "We all will be with you. You won't be alone."
There was a pause…
But the answer remained:
"No."
Finally, Elyndra floated into the room gracefully, her restored wings shimmering with silver light.
She knelt beside the bed.
"Sohag."
He peeked out half an eye.
Elyndra's voice was soft—too soft.
"Do you wish me to join you beneath the bed? I will."
He panicked instantly.
"NO—!! I'll come out!!"
The other girls stared.
Velra burst out laughing. "Elvira wins again~"
Aethria growled. "Tch. Cheap trick."
Aria sighed. "…Expected."
Freya smirked. "At least it worked."
Elyndra blinked innocently. "I only offered comfort."
---
The Academy Letter Arrives
As soon as Sohag stood up (still shy, still flustered), a servant rushed in.
"Your Highness! A letter from the Imperial Academy!"
Freya snatched it.
Aria read it.
Then both turned to Sohag.
Aria spoke first.
"Classes begin in six days. Orientation in two."
Freya clapped his shoulder. "You have the highest possible admission status. Obviously."
Sohag swallowed nervously.
"…Do I have to go?"
Aria nodded. "It's mandatory."
Aethria hugged him from behind possessively. "If anyone touches you at the academy… I'll remove them."
Seraphiel gently corrected her. "We will remove them."
Dracarys laughed. "After we intimidate them."
Elowyn smiled politely. "After we politely discourage them."
Velra grinned. "After we mentally destroy them."
Lyriana added, "After we stun them with beauty."
Elyndra placed a hand over her heart. "After we erase their sinful intentions."
Sohag looked horrified.
"…I think going alone is safer."
Every single woman:
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
---
The Primordial Sends a Message
Suddenly, a glowing sigil appeared in the air.
A message from Nox Aeternum, the Primordial God.
It read:
"My successor must attend the academy.
It is where the final three will awaken."
Sohag screamed internally.
Aethria's expression sharpened. "Three more rivals…"
Velra's smile widened. "Three more sisters~"
Seraphiel choked. "Three more… fated bonds."
Elowyn's cheeks flushed. "I hope they're nice."
Dracarys cracked her knuckles. "They better be strong."
Freya grinned. "I want to spar with them."
Aria took notes. "I must prepare."
Lyriana touched her lips. "Destiny grows more beautiful."
Elyndra closed her eyes serenely. "They will complete the circle."
Sohag buried his face in his hands.
"…This is my nightmare."
---
The Emperor Makes It Official
That night, the Emperor held a royal announcement:
> "Prince Sohag will enroll in the Imperial Academy."
The hall erupted.
Cheers.
Screams.
Fainting.
Then the Emperor continued:
> "He will be accompanied by a royally approved escort squad."
The escort squad:
Aethria, Yandere Assassin
Velra, Demon Princess
Seraphiel, Archangel
Elowyn, Elf Saintess
Dracarys, Dragon Princess
Lyriana, Star Daughter
Elyndra, Restored Celestial
Freya & Aria, Imperial Princesses
The nobles cried:
"HOW IS THAT FAIR?!"
"ARE YOU TRYING TO BREAK THE BALANCE OF THE WORLD?!"
"WHY DOES ONE BOY NEED NINE GOD-TIER WOMEN?!"
The Emperor replied:
> "He didn't choose any of them. They just appeared."
The crowd:
"…Reasonable."
---
Night Before Departure
Sohag sat in his room, hugging a pillow.
Everyone else was packing, preparing, plotting.
Aethria sharpened daggers. Velra tested spells. Seraphiel polished armor. Elowyn folded uniforms. Dracarys roasted snacks with dragonfire. Freya packed weapons. Aria packed books. Lyriana packed star-charged talismans. Elyndra meditated in a holy glow.
Sohag sighed.
"…Will I survive?"
Aria closed her book. "Yes."
Freya added, "Probably."
Velra shrugged. "If not, we'll revive you."
Seraphiel nodded. "The heavens will protect you."
Elowyn whispered, "We all will."
Dracarys grinned. "I'll burn the academy if needed."
Lyriana smiled softly. "I will guide fate for you."
Elyndra knelt before him. "You will always return to us."
Aethria tightened her grip around him.
"You belong with us."
Sohag blushed so hard he hid behind the pillow again.
But then—
A voice whispered in his mind.
"Sohag…
They are right."
He froze.
"Your destiny awaits."
The Primordial God's voice faded…
Leaving Sohag trembling slightly.
Not from fear.
But anticipation.
The academy would change everything.
---