The Voice of Azeon Finally Heard
Atta's face burned red as he stammered,
"W-wait… did you just read my mind too?"
Princess Isha blinked, her green eyes narrowing. For a moment she looked puzzled, even skeptical.
"No. That's just it—I can't. For some reason, your mind is completely closed to me. It's never happened before… and that's why I came to speak with you."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully, her sharp gaze fixed on him. Atta, confused but quietly relieved, gave a small sigh.
"You can't read my mind? But… why not?"
Before she could answer, whispers stirred in the crowd.
"Why is Princess Isha talking to a mere human?"
"Isn't that the cursed prince?"
Atta's ears twitched. He turned, startled—he could hear every word, even from far across the courtyard. What is this? I couldn't do this before… what's happening to me?
Isha suddenly stepped closer, her hand rising.
"Hold still," she murmured. She pressed her palm gently against his forehead, closing her eyes in concentration.
Atta tensed at her touch, but forced himself to stay calm.
Then—suddenly—her hand flared with heat.
"Aah!" Isha gasped, yanking it back.
Atta caught her wrist instinctively, checking her skin for burns.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice sharper than usual.
Isha's eyes widened, fear and shock flashing across her face.
"Y-you… what are you?!" she whispered.
Before Atta could respond, a cold shiver ran down his spine. He turned, his eyes locking on a tall angel boy approaching the academy gates. His aura was so heavy it seemed to press against the air itself.
Isha followed his gaze.
"That's Prince Ethan," she explained quickly. "The heir to the Angel Kingdom… and the most powerful mage in Saint Athepia. What you felt just now… that overwhelming chill… it was his presence."
But Atta barely heard her. Because at that very moment—
A deep, ancient voice growled inside his mind.
"Go to sleep, boy."
Atta's crimson eyes flared, glowing like fire. His body trembled as the same burning pain from before surged through him, stronger than ever.
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To be continued…