When Director Nike teleported all three of them — Amos, Lucas, and Criskin — into her office, she stared them down with a dark, piercing gaze. No one spoke; silence blanketed the room.
Amos could feel the tension rising with every passing second, Nike's stare suffocating. Lucas and Criskin seemed just as tense as he was, unable to utter a word under her eyes.
Finally, Nike broke the silence with a deep sigh, her gaze softening slightly.
"You gave us a real scare. Do you even know how long you've been gone?"
Amos and Lucas didn't seem to have an answer — they had lost track of time when they got lost in the cave.
Nike glanced at their tattered clothes and injuries, noticing just how wrecked they looked.
"Just look at yourselves. You look like you've gone ten rounds with a Nest Master."
Amos and Lucas exchanged a glance, both knowing that was exactly what had happened. Nike narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her voice.
"Don't tell me… I'm going to need a full explanation."
Amos and Lucas hesitated at first, unsure where to even begin. Eventually, Amos decided to speak, not wanting to drag out the awkward moment.
He recounted everything that had happened in detail. Nike listened intently, skeptical at first, but gradually her expression changed as she began to understand. Lucas could only nod along, looking a little embarrassed when Amos mentioned the part where he had fainted.
After a long while, Amos finished. Nike lowered her gaze, clearly stunned by what she had just heard.
"So you're telling me you managed to tame that psychic energy beast and killed the Crystal Wolf?"
Amos nodded, but a puzzled expression crossed his face when he heard "Crystal Wolf," not quite knowing what she meant.
"Yes, I tamed Criskin as you said. But what do you mean by Crystal Wolf?"
Nike sighed, remembering that Amos and Lucas weren't from this world and wouldn't be familiar with the terminology.
"The Crystal Wolf is the Nest Master of the place you were trapped in, based on your story. It's classified as an S-rank beast, mainly because to its ability to hide its true form and trap prey. So don't take it personally if I'm having a hard time believing your story."
Amos, who thought he had nothing to prove his words, suddenly remembered something. He pulled out the Nest Master's core that Lucas had given him and handed it to Nike.
"Will this be enough for you?"
Nike's eyes widened when she saw the core. A slight shiver ran through her body as she felt the overwhelming psychic energy radiating from it, her eyes reflecting the pinkish-purple glow emanating from the core.
Now convinced, Nike leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.
"This is… impressive, I'll give you that. But tell me, how exactly did you bond with one of it's minions ?"
Amos understood she was talking about Criskin, but looked a bit confused since he had already explained it earlier.
"I already told you — I petted her and materialized this collar to distinguish her from the others."
"I know, but you mentioned this collar was independent of your psychic energy."
"That's correct, yes."
"This collar… it's a bond linking you to that beast. And forging such a bond is one of the most complex things for any psychic energy user — especially to link with a beast using your own element."
Amos made the connection, remembering how much energy and time it had consumed.
"That explains a lot… But what do you mean by 'my own element'?"
"Normally, to bond with a psychic beast, the simplest method is to use a binding stone, which creates a basic link between the user and the beast. But there's an alternative — using your own element to bind to a psychic beast. When done right, it transforms the beast into a form closer to the user's psychic energy type by using a core similar to the beast's, infusing it with the desired psychic type, and having the beast consume it."
As Amos listened, he knew exactly what he had to do. Lucas, who was listening carefully, quickly caught on to the same idea.
Nike looked at Amos's hand holding the Nest Master's core. She also understood what he had in mind.
"It'd be risky to have her consume an S-rank core…"
Amos looked closely at the core and then at Criskin, weighing whether he should go through with it or not. Criskin tilted her head as she stared at the core. Her eyes showed clear curiosity about what would happen if she consumed it.
Amos finally made his decision. He began channeling psychic energy into the core. A translucent trail started tracing along his veins, appearing like a faint mist, flowing into the core. Amos had his eyes closed, completely focused.
Lucas and Criskin watched him in awe, but Nike stared at him in shock, unable to believe what she was witnessing.
This boy… He's infusing psychic energy into that core without me even explaining how. A task this complex, and yet he looks so comfortable handling psychic energy. He keeps surprising me more and more.
Amos stopped when the pinkish-purple color of the core shifted into a deep black with purples hues. He stepped closer to Criskin. Nike and Lucas both watched, eager to see what would happen when Criskin absorbed the core. Criskin stared intently at it as Amos stopped in front of her, holding the core towards her mouth. Amos chuckled when Criskin gently opened her jaws and approached the core to eat it. Lucas and Nike behind him both felt as though time had slowed as she neared the core.
In a blink, Criskin seized and swallowed it.
Before anyone could react, Criskin burst into white flames, her entire body engulfed in blinding light.
The intensity was overwhelming, forcing everyone to cover their eyes as they stood stunned by what was happening.
The light eventually flashed, and when they opened their eyes again, Criskin was there — but in an entirely new form.
She was larger than before, her skin resembling that of a normal wolf, but so silky and deep black that even shadows seemed pale in comparison. Her spine was adorned with magnificent purples crystalline spikes that glowed softly. And her eyes — dark and endlessly deep — could freeze anyone who met her gaze.
Amos and the others were amazed by her new form. Amos approached her and stroked her muzzle. Her fur was soft, but Amos could feel the phenomenal amount of psychic energy radiating from her, reminding him of the Crystal Wolf.
Nike stepped up to Amos, still stunned by Criskin's transformation.
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"This is all well and good, but she draws too much attention. You'll need to find a way to conceal her."
Amos knew Nike was right and began thinking of a solution.
How am I going to do this…
He turned towards Criskin, hoping she would understand.
"Hey Criskin, can you try suppressing your aura?"
Criskin nodded, lowered her gaze, and began concentrating.
Her body started shrinking until she reached the size of a normal wolf, now looking much more like a simple pet, her form far less exaggerated.
Amos smiled, impressed by Criskin's ability.
"How did she…"
Nike, understanding the situation better, answered him.
"It's probably thanks to the void materialization. Since you mastered it and infused your psychic energy into the core when you charged it—"
A thought instantly crossed Amos's mind at her words.
"So that means—"
Nike cut him off, finishing his sentence.
"Yes. She can likely manipulate spatial and elemental void, just like you."
Amos fell silent as he absorbed Nike's words.
So she'll probably be able to learn the other types of void along with me…
"You can go now. Resume your studies."
Nike's voice was sterner than earlier, forcing Amos and Lucas to obey without protest.
They both saluted Nike and left with Criskin.
Nike watched them leaving, still a bit Shaken by all of this
This boy has something really special...
Amos and Lucas walked side by side through the corridors, their clothes still torn and scratched, all eyes fixed on them. Amos sighed but chose to ignore it.
"Better swing by my dorm so I can get you some clean clothes," Amos suggested.
Lucas nodded, knowing Amos was right since his own dorm was farther away.
When they arrived at Amos's dorm, Amos opened the door — and to their surprise, the other three Heirs were inside, all of them wearing worried expressions.
As soon as they entered, Leah was the first to throw herself at Amos, hugging him, her voice filled with both worry and relief.
"You scared us to death, you two! You've been gone for two whole days!"
Amos scratched the back of his head, speaking softly to reassure her.
"We just hit a couple of snags, but nothing serious."
Anna approached them with her arms crossed.
"Snags, my eye. Just look at your state."
Amos and Lucas exchanged a glance, remembering the pitiful state they were in.
Yoan, sitting on the bed, added a calm comment as usual.
"I'm surprised it was just the two of you who did that together."
Everyone except Lucas burst out laughing at his comment.
Lucas looked at them confused.
"What? Did I say something funny?"
The tension in the room eased as their laughter filled the space.
Anna caught her breath, then headed for the door.
"I wish I could stay longer, but class is calling."
Yoan followed, heading for the door as well.
"Same here."
Amos grabbed a shirt and pants from his wardrobe, handing them to Lucas.
"Here. You can go get changed now."
Lucas nodded and left the room with the clothes.
Amos and Leah were left alone in the room.
Amos's heart started beating a little faster, and so did Leah's.
They stood side by side, an awkward silence settling between them.
Amos broke the silence, heading toward the bathroom with clean clothes in hand.
"I'm going to shower and change…"
Leah nodded, sitting on the bed and watching him leave the room.
Her cheeks turned bright red as Amos left, her thoughts growing heavier.
What am I even thinking, just sitting here?! What's he going to do when he comes out?!
When she heard the sound of running water, her skin turned even redder.
Don't imagine anything! Don't imagine anything! He just went through something tough!
Leah calmed down, gazing out the window, recalling her past moments with Amos.
It's already been a while since we met… I wonder what he thinks of me…
Leah straightened up as Amos opened the door, stepping out clean and refreshed.
Leah instinctively walked toward him, exaggerating her gestures.
"So, did you have a nice shower?"
Inside, Leah cringed at how ridiculous her words sounded.
What's wrong with me?! Why did I just rush over to him?!
Amos answered her, a bit confused by her behavior.
"Yeah… By the way—"
A thought crossed Amos's mind — he had completely forgotten about Criskin. He looked around, trying to spot her, but nothing.
Leah noticed his searching gaze.
"Looking for something?"
"Not really…"
Criskin, who had been hidden in the shadows, perfectly blending in with her fur, suddenly appeared between Amos and Leah, barking to get their attention.
Both of them turned toward her, not expecting it.
Amos looked at Criskin, a relieved smile on his face.
"There you are."
Leah's eyes sparkled as she saw Criskin, still in her subdued form.
She rushed over and scooped her into her arms, squeezing her tightly and wiggling around excitedly.
"Who's this sweetheart!?"
Criskin's eyes clearly said Help me as Leah hugged her tightly.
Amos replied, slightly amused.
"That's Criskin."
End of Chapter 22