Lillie Aether, Princess of the Aether Kingdom!

"Lucian!"

Hearing a melodious voice call out his name from behind, he instinctively turned around and opened his arms, a beautiful figure suddenly jumping into his arms.

"Lillie!"

[Pic here.]

Lucian was surprised at first but after getting himself back, hugged her tighter as he spun her around.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to visit?"

This was a rare moment where the calm and collected Lucian lost his cool. One of those people would be Lillie Aether, princess of the Aether Kingdom... his fiancée!

Having met at a very young age of 4, the two of them had become playmates, to childhood sweethearts, to betrothed!

Having had a good relationship with this beautiful young woman since young, even the tough-hearted Lucian had fallen in love with her.

"I wanted to surprise you," she said. "Everyone's talking about the Legendary Pokemon Trainer, Lucian in the kingdom, even father and mother wanted to come and meet you. You know how they are, always so focused on the research of pokemon. Gladion should have also received news of it in the Academy, I'm sure he'll want to challenge you by then."

The Aether Kingdom was located in the Aether Realm, a powerful kingdom that controls two subordinate realms and is always full of pokemon researchers also known as Professors, scholars who strive to discover the mysteries of pokemon.

Undoubtedly, as the king and queen of the "researcher" kingdom, the Legendary Pokemon Zekrom is a great mystery to unfold, being the only Legendary Pokemon Battle Spirit to appear since the Ancient Era.

"Hmm, maybe I'll visit father and mother-in-law in the future then," he smiled cheekily, turning Lillie's face red.

"Oh my," Lena's voice sounded from behind them. "Did you already forget that I was here before you started to flirt around?"

"O-of course not, m-mother!" Lillie glared at Lucian.

Hearing the former calling her "mother," Lena was satisfied and hummed.

"Alright, I'll give you two some space... you both should prepare for supper, Lillie will be staying with us for a week. Make sure you don't give me grandchildren yet within the week, alright?" Lena teased them for the final time before heading off.

The red-faced Lillie glared at Lucian once more before jumping back into his embrace. "I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too," Lucian said as he held her waist. "You're going to stay with us for a week?"

"Mhm," she looked up at Lucian's handsome face. "Did you already forget? We'll have to attend the academy soon."

"Oh."

Lucian dived deep into his thoughts again.

Academies, or Pokemon Academies as they're more known as, functioned as a competitive place where newly-awakened could learn how to control their Pokemon Battle Spirits, get stronger, and learn more. There were a lot of Pokemon Academies, but there were only 10 Great Pokemon Academies, also known as the Great Ten.

They were the oldest and the best Pokemon Academies that the Hundred Realm Cluster could offer, which was a bit ironic considering these ten Academies did not belong to any force with the Hundred Ream Cluster, but a completely different force outside of them. Each had a realm of its own outside the Hundred Realm Cluster and was founded in the Ancient Times by the Legendary Pokemon Trainers, one of them being Red von Demiurge, his ancestor.

"Speaking of which, I heard that all the Great Ten sent out invites to you," Lillie smiled sweetly.

"I would've gotten all invites anyways, even without my Legendary Pokemon."

Even without a Legendary Pokemon, who would dare neglect the next Emperor of the Demiurge Empire?

Even if they were not within the jurisdiction of the Hundred Cluster Realm and couldn't feel the immense pressure of the Demiurge Empire, the Empire is a very powerful force not to be reckoned with. Even if there is a rule within the academies that students couldn't use their status to oppress others, there would always be invisible oppression, frightening everyone.

Not to mention he is a descendant of one of their founders, if they ignored him, then where would be the face of the academies go, who proclaims to respect the powerful founders?

The Great Ten.

Oakridge Academy. An academy mostly composed of Pokemon Trainers striving to become Pokemon Professors and study pokemon. Its main founder is the legendary Pokemon Professor, Professor Oak.

Silvanni Academy. A Pokemon Academy composed of tough but ruthless Pokemon Trainers. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Lugia from the Ancient Era, Silver.

Goldheart Academy. The direct opposite of Silvanni Academy and its rival. An academy composed of soft-hearted and kind Pokemon Trainers. They boast of being the academy with the most students having closer bonds with their pokemon. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Ho-Oh from the Ancient Era, Gold.

Redemption Academy. Once the strongest out of the Great Ten, Redemption Academy was the holy land of Pokemon Trainers, its resources reached the peak, strong Pokemon Trainers left and right. This once strongest academy, unfortunately, declined in the past few years but is still strong enough to stand among the Great Ten. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Mewtwo from the Ancient Era, Red, the ancestor of Lucian.

Dragon Master Academy. An academy mainly focused on raising dragon-type trainers. The Dragon Master Academy has the lowest amount of students due to the rarity of dragon-type pokemon, but this doesn't stop them from becoming a part of the Great 10. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer from the Ancient Era, Iris, one of the few to have the epithet without having a Legendary Pokemon, but was still strong as a trainer with one.

Ancient Academy. Just like the Oakridge Academy which splits its attention on battling and pokemon research, Ancient Academy is another academy that doesn't just focus on battling, but on discovering history as well. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer from the Ancient Era, Cynthia, who just like Iris, doesn't have a Legendary Pokemon, but is strong enough to fight against one.

Gaia Academy. A pokemon academy that specializes in protecting pokemon and innocent people. They help realms maintain order and peace. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Regigigas from the Ancient Era, Steven Stone.

Lorelei Academy. Unlike other academies that accept any gender, Lorelei Academy only accepts female pokemon trainers as its student. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Articuno from the Ancient Era, Lorelei.

Truth Academy. The pokemon academy that is currently holding the title of the strongest of the Great Ten. It follows the "truth" set by its founder. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Reshiram from the Ancient Era, N.

Freedom Academy. The rival of Redemption Academy just like both their founders was, this academy is among the strongest of the Great Ten and has some affiliation with the Oakridge Academy due to the possible relations of both their founders. Its main founder is the Legendary Pokemon Trainer of Genesect from the Ancient Era, Blue.

Snapping out of his deep thoughts, he looked at Lillie in his arms and asked, "Which of the Great Ten will you join in?"

He was pretty sure that just like him, Lillie had received an invitation to all of the above as well.

"Hmm... I plan on joining Oakridge Academy or Lorelei Academy..." Lillie slowly lowered her voice and looked down.

Seeing her downed expression, Lucian could already tell what was troubling her.

Lifting her chin and making her stare at his eyes, he said, "Don't worry, I'm not forcing you to join with me. Just pick at whichever you want. Even if we go to different academies, I'll still visit you," he assured.

Hearing his words, Lillie felt that something heavy was lifted out of her chest and sighed in relief. With a smile, she tiptoed and gave Lucian a light peck in the lips, making him a bit stunned.

"Thank you," she whispered and slowly realized what she had done.

Quickly scurrying out of his frozen arms, she ran away embarrassedly, snapping Lucian out of his ecstatic state.

"Hey! Wait for me!"