Alex was right, and just as predicted, his name resounded throughout the empire. From solar systems, and star fields to galaxies―his name was everywhere. This time, however, his image circulated along with the results of his awakening, making people question what kind of person Alexander Gray was and what made him different.
It's been 2000 years since the universe was plunged into chaos, and the events happening around this one boy were stirring waters that have long been still. Some people who paid attention to him were able to deduce the possibility of his feats surviving the cosmic mana wave and that whatever he experienced must have changed him.
This notion created a large pool of curious individuals who were interested in whatever happened to him, as this may lead to a whole new level of strength and power never experienced before. Others also found the news uninteresting. Going over the set limit may not necessarily mean anything. For all they knew, the test equipment may have been faulty.
However, despite all the attention and publicity, the boy in question never came forward to speak about it. News outlets could only reach out to the people who claimed to know him in order to build some kind of profile of him. Every attempt Alex's neighbours make to get close to him, he shuts down. He was someone who enjoyed his peace and quiet, and no amount of attention was going to change that.
...….
Mars
A region of Academic City on the central continent was the domain of the Knight family. The domain had various buildings of all sizes and designs and could be considered a small town with a land size of 5 square kilometres (1.9 square miles). Inside the main estate that stood towering above the others, Zol Knight sat in his office with a view of the entire domain.
Standing before his desk was James, Julia's butler.
"What do you think James?" Zol asked the butler when he returned with his niece. He had been watching the whole process of the children's awakening. And he was impressed by the boy's performance. Just like the kids theorized, whatever Alex experienced must have brought unknown changes to him; changes that he must actively work on to find out.
Of course, that was not to say there may not be any limitations, but his instincts were telling him it would all be good.
"Just like everyone else, I believe the reason for this may be rooted in whatever he went through during the cosmic mana wave displacement, Lord Zol." James gave his input.
Unlike Zol Knight, James knew quite a lot about Alex, and this was all due to her young Miss's interest in him. As the exclusive butler and protector of Julia, it was his job to know whatever caught the young Miss's interest.
"Mm…" Zol agreed as well. Now the thing was, this had also caught everyone's attention and that was what bothered him. While everything looked like rainbows and sunshine, the empire was not without its issues. There were factions and groups out there that did not follow the empire's way of doing things.
With something like this popping out, these forces may come out from hiding; wanting to find out what made Alex unique and if they could take that away.
"Increase the security detail on Alex and his family," Zol instructed after thinking for a bit. Maybe he was thinking too much, but he would rather be safe than sorry. While he may have met the boy just recently, his unique condition has gained his interest as he wishes to see how far the boy could go.
"Yes, of course, Lord Zol. Is there anything else I can add?" James accepted the command and waited for any further instructions.
"No, that would be all," Zol said, his attention returning to the display before him; rewatching the feed on Alex and the others. James bowed and then eschewed himself to carry out the orders.
'Maybe I should take him as a disciple…' He wondered briefly before adding, "… first, let's see how far he can go himself." With that, Zol stood up and made his way out. He was a busy person after all. He also needed to see his niece and congratulate her on her awakening. He had no desire to be roasted by her.
...
"And done!" Alex exclaimed once he submitted his application. It's been a few days since his awakening and as there was no problem applying as soon as possible, he went ahead and did. Alex and his friends had agreed to apply on the same day.
He turned to the conference call he was having with Ross and Alex, who also completed their application.
"Now all that is left is to wait." He said, relaxing in his chair with his hands behind his head. There was only a month left till the new academy year began. All they had to do was show up when they were accepted, and their new adventure would begin.
[Yep. I'm only worried about one thing though.] Ross's voice resounded in his room. Focusing on his feed, he asked, "What are you worried about?" He wondered if there was something he was missing.
[Well, when we start, we might be placed in different classes.] Once Alex and Julia heard this, they realized they had completely overlooked it. But Julia quickly regained her composure and said,
[I think I can do something about that.] She smiled mysteriously.
Of course, once she said that Alex and Ross quickly got the meaning of her words. With her family's power, they could pull some strings and put them in the same class as it was but a minor issue. And since the school was basically in the domain of their family, it made it all the simpler.
'Having power sure has its benefits,' Alex silently thought, watching her feed. The idea of what she proposed made him chuckle.
"That would be great, Julia. With that, we're all set."
[Yeah. See you in months' time, Alex. You too, Julia.] Ross said, and the call ended on his end. He and Alex would both leave on the same day for Mars after all.
Leaving just Alex and Julia, she also decided to end the call here.
[See you soon, Alex. Take care.] She gave him a final smile and ended the call, leaving Alex alone in his room.
"Yeah, you too," he muttered and closed the display.
'Next stop, Hunters Academy.'