Chapter 831: No Strings Attached

"Have you heard of the announcement, Lex?" Alex asked.

"Yes, Young Master," the Guardian of the North, who was using the alias ’Lex’, replied calmly. "We will have exchange students coming from the Aurelion Empire, correct?"

Alex nodded in affirmation. "Do you think they will recognize you?"

"I cannot rule out that possibility," Lex admitted. "However, I dare say that I now look very different compared to how I looked many years ago. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to be careful. I will start wearing a mask starting tomorrow."

The two were currently inside Lex’s small hut within the academy grounds.

This was quite far from the buildings used by students, so they were confident that no one would be able to eavesdrop into their discussion.

"Can you think of a reason why they would send exchange students here?" Alex inquired. "For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this."

Lex’s expression turned solemn after hearing Alex’s words. Back then, he had fled with the young prince because the latter said that "he had a bad feeling".

At first, the Guardian of the North thought that the young prince was simply overthinking things.

But, the way he looked at him eventually made him decide to flee the Royal Palace, escaping with the young prince in tow.

If they were late by half an hour, then Alex might have already been captured by the Royal Guards and thrown into the dungeon for a crime that he didn’t commit.

The royal family would then handle the rest, making sure that the last surviving legacy of the previous King and Queen would disappear from the face of the world.

"I don’t want to be paranoid and overthink things, Young Master," Lex stated. "But, there is one thing that I should tell you. The Aetherion Royal Family wouldn’t do something unless it benefits them. Meaning, they have a clear purpose for coming here. As to what that purpose is, I do not know."

"If I remember correctly, the Aetherion Empire has an Oracle, right?" Alex inquired.

"Yes, Young Master... ah!" Lex’’s expression immediately turned serious after remembering about the Oracle of the Aetherion Empire.

"What’s wrong?" Alex looked at his guardian, who seemed to think that trouble would soon come knocking on their doors.

The Guardian didn’t reply right away. He simply looked at Alex with such intensity that made the young man feel uncomfortable.

"I’m sorry, Young Master," Lex apologized when he finally snapped out of his daze. "Now that you mention the Oracle, we can no longer rule out the possibility that she has detected your presence.

"Since that is the case, they have decided to reach out to Rowan for a student exchange program. Their purpose for coming here might be to snoop around for your traces, Young Master. For now, don’t tell anyone your secret, including your lovers."

"... I already told them," Alex admitted.

"I see..." Lex nodded in understanding. "Then you need to talk to them and warn them about keeping it a secret. But remember this, Young Master. The less people who know, the safer you and they would be."

"Understood," Alex replied. "By the way, I have been pondering it for a while already. Should we tell the Headmaster about my background?"

Lex hesitated, but in the end, he still reluctantly nodded.

"Young Master, we can trust the Headmaster. Knowing his personality, he will maintain your secret no matter what."

"Good. Now that’s one less problem in my mind."

He had been debating for quite some time whether to tell the Headmaster about his secret or not.

Having a powerful ally and relative was not a bad thing. This would also allow Alex to coordinate with the Headmaster by the time the representatives of the Aetherion Empire arrived during the student exchange program.

"Young Master, do you mind if I ask you a question?" Lex said in a serious tone.

"Yes?" Alex replied.

"If and only if your identity was exposed to the Aetherion Empire, would you run away with me once more?" Lex looked at the young man, who now looked very different from his former self.

To this day, he still didn’t know how Prince Aetherius Alexian Vademont had become Alex Stratos.

He also didn’t plan on asking.

Lex believed that if Alex deemed that he was ready to keep his secret, the young man would take the initiative to open up to him without needing to be asked.

They held a master and vassal relationship.

And to this day, Lex still hadn’t forgotten his oath, even though it had already been broken in the past.

After deciding that they needed to tell the Headmaster Alex’s secret, the two headed towards the great tower of the academy where the Headmaster resided.

When they arrived, they were greeted by the young lady wearing a fox mask at the door.

She was none other than Himea. Alex also had a few questions that he wanted to ask her as well.

Among these questions were two important questions.

Why was she in Hy-Brasil?

And what was her relationship with Efa?

Of course, he couldn’t casually ask these questions to her because that would come off as rude.

However, to their dismay, Himea informed them that the Headmaster wasn’t around.

"Professor Rowan is currently on a business trip," Himea said. "I don’t know when he will be back."

"Do you perhaps know where he went for this... business trip?" Lex asked.

"He said that he will be going to the Aetherion Empire," Himea answered.

Alex and Lex shared a knowing glance with each other. Since the Headmaster wasn’t around, they decided to come back at a later time to talk to him.

"Thank you, Himea," Alex said. "For everything, including what happened in Hy-Brasil."

"If you want to thank her, then how about you give her a kiss?" the Little Devil sitting on Himea’s shoulder replied in a teasing tone. "Who knows? A kiss from a charming prince might break some of the chai—nggggg!"

"Don’t mind this little thing," Himea said while holding the devil in her hand, using her finger to block its lips, preventing it from talking. "He’s just spouting nonsense. Don’t take it to heart."

"O-Okay." Alex glanced at the little devil who was doing its best to free itself from Himea’s hold. "See you later, Himea."

"See you later, Alex," Himea replied.

After bidding each other goodbye, Alex and Lex finally left.

The moment they disappeared from her sight, she finally let go of the devil in her hand.

"I was just joking, you know?" the Little Devil said with a face filled with injustice. "You don’t have to be a party pooper!"

"You’re doing this on purpose," Himea stated. "Don’t do that again."

"Fine." The Little Devil sighed. "As a token of apology, should I give you a good dream tonight?"

"That sounds nice." Himea smiled faintly. "There’s no strings attached?"

"No strings attached." The Devil patted his chest in assurance. "Cross my heart, hope to die."

"Okay, I’ll believe you just this once. You taught me that the scariest things in this world are the things that you get for free."

"You’re learning, Himea. I guess I can still make a devil out of you."

Himea briefly glanced in the direction where Alex and Lex had left before turning around to head inside the tower once more.

Since she was promised a good dream tonight, then she would make sure that she enjoyed it to the fullest.