While someone was contemplating ways to run away, several groups were inching towards the Nova Base Station.
One was a jilted lover, another was an expectant battleship, and the last one was an overzealous butler.
Among these, only one group was full of joy and anticipation.
Butler Gary almost tripped trying to rush over to Duke Leander's quarters after his phone call with the Academy's Staff.
It was very unlike him, but he knew that no one would mind the moment they learned the truth. In fact, they might think he was being too negligent for not teleporting.
Not that it was impossible, just costly. But no one in this household should be thinking about costs, especially not with the news he had with him.
His knocking was hurried and likely unbecoming of a professional butler, but that was not the most pressing issue.
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal a dimly lit room. It's been this way for a while now, and even now, Butler Gary felt a pang of sadness at the Duke's state.
But maybe… Just maybe this would help.
"What's the matter? You were rushing." Asked the duke, his hoarse voice a far cry from his famous battle cries.
"Your Grace, I've got unexpected news!"
"Hm?"
"It's Lord Luca!"
"He's recovered!" Butler Gary was brimming with energy, and he was vibrating in place.
And for what it was worth, Duke Leander's head whipped towards the Butler's direction.
"What?!"
*Cough! Cough!*
The Duke's throat suddenly strained from wanting to speak and shout, causing him to enter a fit of coughing.
Butler Gary hurried over to assist the patient, who kept wanting to sit up.
"Your Grace, just please lie down. It would be bad if you over-exert yourself! Especially now!"
"Then you better explain yourself!"
Realizing that to see is to believe, the loyal butler showed the video before explaining what had just happened.
After all, even he thought of the worst. Everything else was possible, and this one was the only one he didn't consider.
The weakened Duke watched a young man that was so familiar yet foreign to him.
It had been so long since he had seen life in the eyes of his only son, and the Duke couldn't help but feel his eyes stinging.
"This…How is this possible?! Are you sure about this?"
"I got this after calling the Academy, Your Grace. Initially, I attributed the delayed return to the space storm, only to discover that something like this happened."
"According to the staff, Lord Luca was actually hospitalized before the assessment but managed to rank 4th place."
Duke Leander never thought he'd hear such news again, not after searching the Astereon Galaxy for a cure. But this happened, and his mind wasn't coping fast enough to meet the prompts of his heart.
"Is this really true? We need to go right away!"
"Your Grace, the classes have started, and we can't just go to the school as we'd like." Much to Butler Gary's chagrin. The school was strict about this, and they couldn't just barge in for a visit.
"Then we'll visit in an official capacity. Replace the dorms or donate a lab. We just need to get in to check!"
As expected! I was right! Once the Duke finds out, he'd want to do the same thing! Butler Gary re-affirmed his knowledge of the Duke's personality. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his only son.
That was how they decided to journey to the Nova Base Station as soon as possible.
The Duke wanted to come, but the doctors weren't having it. So regrettably, it was only the butler who could welcome back the young Lord.
__
Meanwhile, the same Lord was dry heaving towards his dorm room. Although he originally thought bringing a bit of spiritual water would be exaggerated, he now fully supported the idea of spiking the whole jug.
There was no way he was going to class without one. And he planned on hiding out in his space for as long as possible.
He was essentially cheating his way through class, but what could he do when a single sheet of paper couldn't turn into cardboard instantly?!
"It's fine. I'll be fine." Luca tried hypnotizing himself into believing that everything would be fine. And provided he ignored the fact that tomorrow was another day, he'd be able to live through tonight.
Besides, no one would believe that he jumped from preschool straight into the Military Academy.
Even if Lucas managed to finish highschool back in Tesseris, what was his knowledge going to be used for when he could barely identify the planets of this galaxy?
Anatomy? Sure! But what was one species when he had classmates who were clearly non-human? It wasn't that big of a problem because Luca had never been one to judge. But if he mistakes one for another race, he'd probably end up with a few bruises.
So, Luca buried himself in getting lectures from D-29. Its ability to summarize the key points was perfect for someone who had to learn this many things in such a short time.
But while someone was learning rapidly, the school was slowly being infiltrated by a ragtag group of student mercenaries and high-roller donors.
The dormitory halls were quiet save for the unhurried footsteps of three young men.
Kyle Nox looked defeated as he reviewed the new students' records. He normally would've had time to do this, but their return was unexpected.
What was unsettling was how his boss, as well as this one buffoon, looked fine after going through the same documents. Was he really cursed to age faster?
But his thoughts were broken by words he had longed to hear.
"Just rest for tonight. We'll start looking tomorrow." Said Xavier, who continued to walk towards the last room on the floor.
He liked this room because it was peaceful and didn't make him feel like he carried the weight of the universe.
The corridor light flickered on as he entered, and the minimalist space, bathed in the soft glow of the accent lighting, almost masked the sudden shadow that disappeared from the floor.
Almost.
But with Xavier's battle-honed senses, he knew there was something. This got him to reduce his presence and the noise he should've made, preparing to see what kind of ambush lay before him.
Empty.
With the small room, there was nowhere to hide save for the bathroom and the closets.
And what kind of creature would move that fast?
Was he so tired that he was seeing things?