Flashback?

Prince Caesar- Blondie POV

After walking into Kyler's hospital room and finding him asleep on the floor, shivering, I felt quite concerned and confused. I picked him up in a princess carry, with one arm under his back and the other under his knees, and brought him to the room where a priceless artifact known as the ADV Machine was kept.

Kyler didn't wake up, which wasn't very surprising to me, who had found him almost impossible to wake once he fell asleep.

"I can ask him when he wakes up how he fell on the floor, even if he keeps pretending to be mute. I really wanted to let him know about his authority and what he was like, but I will have to let him know in a less suspicious way," I thought to myself.

After having my servants change him to his preferred clothes we commenced the project. As soon as I walked into the main room—a large, open space with scientists who only seemed to be there to observe— Kiki my bodyguard roughly and purposely placed Kyler in the capsule I had to give her a disapproving glare which she avoided. It was one of three giant egg-like capsules that stood side by side. The capsule slowly closed around his body, keeping him out of everyone's view.

I then placed my hand on a metallic cord that was hooked up to the back of the egg-like machine and focused my lightning on it. As I watched the glow become more luminescent, my thoughts turned to Kyler, my best friend, and the sacrifice he had made for the continent—and for me specifically.

Back at the academy, Caesar had dominated everyone in social situations for one reason: his passive ability allowed him to read the electric synapse wavelengths of others and listen to their thoughts. Using this, he would bring up people's deepest insecurities to those he didn't like and compliment others on their strengths to gain favorability. No one else knew about this ability. If they did, everyone would probably avoid and ridicule him for invading their privacy.

The only person he couldn't figure out was Kyler, who avoided him altogether. That intrigued him. When Caesar tried to focus on Kyler's thoughts, it felt like they were covered in a black fog, he had previously only seen this state in really old people. The fragments he could glimpse were so confusing and twisted that they gave him a headache. Was Kyler mentally ill? The only clear emotion he could sense was bliss like Kyler had regained something precious.

Being the son of the Lightning Empress, Caesar often felt that everyone only wanted to know him because of his mother. Even though he knew his mother didn't care about him at all, others thought gaining his favor would help them get closer to the Empress.

When Caesar noticed another boy his age, who he couldn't understand, sitting in the far corner of the classroom and avoiding all conversations, he found himself drawn to him. Caesar would look for the boy during lunch, but with the constant crowd of snotty, selfish nobles surrounding him, it became increasingly difficult.

Eventually, Caesar bribed the teacher to change the seating chart so he could sit closer to Kyler. The boy's mysterious nature fascinated him. However, his so-called "friends" noticed Caesar's interest and began to harass Kyler behind his back. To their frustration, Kyler seemed completely indifferent to their antics—if anything, he looked euphoric. When Caesar focused deeply on Kyler's thoughts, he could only hear one statement: I am free. The way Kyler thought those words made it sound like he was in heaven.

Caesar even hired private investigators to find out more about Kyler. They returned with nothing but his name from the academy's registration. There was no past, no history—just his presence there. It made him suspicious that Kyler might be a spy from the eastern side of the continent. Despite his suspicions, Caesar couldn't summon the courage to speak to him directly.

When the midterm results were posted, Kyler had achieved near-perfect scores in almost every subject, while Caesar and Rebecca tied for second place. Rebecca, the bratty and temperamental heir to the Wind Matriarch, was known for her beauty and trademark white hair. Her temper often left her avoided by many, but her noble status meant she still had suitors and followers.

As Caesar waited for Rebecca's inevitable outburst, he absentmindedly pulled a bag of dried seasoned jerky from his satchel. True to form, Rebecca yelled in anger when she saw the results, a cold blast of wind emanating from her in frustration.

"Who is Kyler?" Rebecca demanded in a low, threatening voice.

One of her followers meekly answered, "He's the one who sits in the back left corner near the window."

Storming into the classroom, Rebecca confronted Kyler, who was sleeping with his head on his desk and his arms folded under his chin.

"Are you Kyler?" she asked loudly, trying to gather attention. But Kyler didn't even twitch.

Rebecca's face turned red in embarrassment as she slammed her bag on his desk and repeated herself, pulling one of his arms out from under his chin. Kyler stirred slightly and, with a disarming smile, muttered, "Wow, you're beautiful. Who are you?"

Everyone froze in shock. Rebecca was speechless, her face flushing redder by the second in her head Caesar could hear the sound of confused screaming. Nobles, especially women, were treated as idols in this world, and men—unless of noble birth—were regarded as inferior. For Kyler to speak to her like that was unheard of.

Rebecca stammered, "Do you know who I am? Of course, you don't. You obviously cheated! I studied every night to be valedictorian, while you sleep in class. If the academy weren't mandatory, you'd be kicked out!" She spoke faster and faster, her frustration mixed into her flustered words.

Caesar as he listened to her mind could feel the various emotions. She's angry, Her thoughts are chaotic, a storm of emotions rooted in an overwhelming sense of entitlement. She's been trying so hard, but she can't accept someone like him not playing by the rules. She wants to feel superior, and she can't understand why he's not scared of her.

Ignoring her accusations, Kyler stood up, dropping the pencil he had subtly gripped behind his back as if one would hold a knife in a sneak attack. Only Caesar noticed this. Kyler moved inches from her, pinched both of her cheeks, and said, "You're pretty cute, but you're too high-strung. If all you do is force yourself to learn, you'll never enjoy anything, and you'll lose your reason for living. Relax."

Rebecca's followers gawked as their usually fiery leader went completely silent, her cheeks burning bright red. Caesar could tell that her brain was overheating he could almost imagine steam coming out from her ears.

She's—looks like she's going to pass out! Caesar's mind jumped slightly, after a long moment of silence.

"I-I'm sorry… for accusing you," Rebecca mumbled. 

Caesar only thought one thing: What a player. 

With a bright, innocent smile, Kyler let go of her face and walked out of the classroom, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Caesar couldn't help but feel an odd mix of intrigue and caution as he watched Kyler leave. Something about him his calculated movements when he had hidden the sharpened pencil But Caesar wasn't sure why Kyler could evoke such a strong reaction in people. His mind was unknown—there was something off, something unsettling, about the young man. Kyler's emotions, unlike anyone he'd encountered before, felt like a fog he couldn't quite clear.

Kyler's POV

When I woke, I expected to find myself on the floor of the hospital room. Instead, I was inside a metallic, oval chamber. The white steel walls surrounded me on all sides, and a soft hum filled the enclosed space. The design reminded me of a Saiyan pod from Dragon Ball Z.

How did I get here? I blinked at the unfamiliar surroundings.

The hum stopped, and a faint hissing sound signaled the door's opening. Bright light spilled in, making me squint as I heard voices clamoring around me.

Trying to stand, I realized I was on my feet before I even thought about it. Blinking in disbelief. My legs are healed.

Relief washed over me, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. But instead of easing the tension in the room, my smile seemed to unnerve the onlookers. Was something on my face? I quickly returned to my neutral expression, and the scientists relaxed as if they'd been holding their breath.

Scanning the room, I spotted Caesar holding a metallic cord, sparks of lightning flickering around him. The prince looked pale and drained.

"Your Highness, you can stop now!" a scientist shouted.

Caesar blinked, snapping out of his daze. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Kyler.

"The ADV Machine requires a lot of power to maintain," Caesar explained in a tired voice.

I felt confusion, followed by something like gratitude. Caesar had used his electricity to power the device, and yet... the sense of unease that I felt was persistent.

Caesar, his focus shifting as he studied me. There was something wrong with him, but what?

As I stretched my legs, the scientists continued staring, bewildered. Caesar, noticing their distraction, shook himself awake and announced, "You are finally healed!" His voice was tired but full of grandeur.

As I followed Caesar out of the room, a small red "X" appeared in the corner of my vision. I focused on it, and the text zoomed in, sloppy handwriting—just like my own—appeared:

Missions:

Do something entertaining.

Pending…

Reward upon completion.