Late evening at the Gremzor residence, Logan leaned over the balcony rail, staring at the valley below. He wondered what his life would have been like if his parents were still alive. Would he still awaken his latent DNA? What of his encounter with Nathan, and Altherion? He didn't have the answers, rather, he didn't want to know. The thought of his parents’ death being the catalyst for his awakening terrified him, he would relinquish his power if it meant that they would live. However, he also understood that things were rarely that simple.

"I am pleased to see that you are in one piece." a voice remarked at the top of the staircase.

Logan snapped out of his musings and turned around with a bitter smile.

"Barely, that bastard nearly killed me." he said.

Nathan nodded. "I warned you." he said. "What was the result of your training?"

Logan grinned and began levitating above the balcony rail, he then floated outside, hovering beside the balcony.

"Impressive, your control is quite stable."

Logan floated back inside the house and walked over to Nathan, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"So…how did your investigation go? Did anything interesting happen?"

Nathan shrugged. "Not particularly, we slew a giant, erased it from existence."

Logan raised his brow. "We?"

Nathan nodded. "The citizens and I worked together to defeat the creature; it was quite troublesome.”

"I see, so the Princess is one of the citizens that helped you?"

Nathan cleared his throat. "Princess?"

"Yes, Celyse informed me that you and your Princess defeated the giant."

Nathan sighed. "I'm surprised that she told you about it."

"Why is that?"

"She tends not to involve herself in others’ matters."

"She didn't want to at first… wait don't change the subject. Tell me about this Princess."

Nathan shrugged. "There isn't much to tell, she is a Princess, and her parents are the King and Queen of Soato.”

"Very funny. Hey, I've seen an image of her, she is…wow."

Nathan grinned.

"Why haven't you mentioned her before?"

"There had been no reason to mention her, besides, she is…" Nathan said, then stopped himself.

"Look, all you need to know is that I once had a relationship with a Princess, and we are no longer together."

Logan narrowed his eyes. "I heard that you are engaged to be married though...where does that leave Sam?"

Nathan frowned. "It's complicated, however I have no intention of marrying Princess Canavhri.”

"So that's her name, Princess Canavhri huh?"

"Before you ask, I do not wish to discuss the engagement matter, at least not right now."

Logan nodded. "May I ask a different question about her parents then?"

Nathan nodded.

"I was under the impression that the Supreme Order of Nava ruled and governed all Altherion, if that is true, what is the purpose of having a King and Queen?"

"Indeed, that is true, the Supreme Order are the rulers of all Altherion. The story of how various Kings and Queens came to govern certain countries is a long one, however, to keep it brief, I'll simply say this. The Elders hold absolute authority in every single region, regardless of their King or Queen."

"I understand. It's quite fascinating that a King and Queen have superiors they report to.”

"In any case, I am exhausted. These past few days have been quite taxing, I'm heading off to bed." Nathan said patting his shoulder.

Logan nodded. "Yes, I'm quite tired as well. I'll head off soon.”

One month after Nathan returned to Lanexia, their group prepared to depart for Bracken. During that month, Logan continued his training under Dormain, which proved to be more unreasonable than the last. He also engaged in basic combat training with Nathan, allowing him to further improve his control over his strength and movement.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

As with all Altherians that leave their world, Logan too had to follow their procedures. That was to have the seal inserted into his brain, as well as have the allowances and restrictions explained to him in detail.

An uncomfortable surge flowed down his spine, the next moment, he felt strength leave his body. He staggered, then supported himself by grasping Nathan's shoulder.

"It is quite overwhelming the first time; however, you will become accustomed to it as time passes." Mr Gremzor said

"It really is a strange sensation, feeling my power flowing through me one moment, then having it suppressed the next. It will take some time to get used to this feeling.

"Have you said your farewell as yet?" Nathan said.

Logan furrowed his brows. He looked around the room intently, everyone that needed to be present for their departure was there, except for…

Logan's eyes widened as he realised Nathan's intention, he glanced at Nathan who grinned mischievously.

"Yes, it was brief, but I managed to say goodbye."

Nathan nodded. "Good, I'm sure you've left an acceptable impression."

"Nyelekai, I have been informed that you shall be graduating from your institution shortly." Dormain said.

"Indeed, High Councilman Greinier, a few weeks from now."

"Well, best of luck and congratulations on another achievement."

"Thank you, sir."

"Logan, even though your abilities have been sealed, you still require practice in the techniques that I have taught you. Continue striving to improve and strengthen your control. I shall look forward to your return.”

"Yes sir, thank you for everything."

Elder Zhaan approached after confirming that the seal was functioning correctly.

"Logan, you now represent Altherion, I trust that you shall conduct yourself accordingly. Any reckless actions shall not only reflect poorly on yourself, but also at the expense of your guardian, High Councilman Gremzor." he said.

Logan bowed deeply.

"Yes sir, I understand. I will do my best not to cause any trouble for Altherion, nor High Councilman Gremzor. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to train in Lanexia."

Elder Zhaan smiled. "Good, I shall look forward to your achievements.”

After a few more farewells and discussion, they entered the portal to Bracken.

On a sunny afternoon, Nathan and Sam sat on a bench enjoying lunch in the courtyard of Bracken University. Since returning from Altherion, Nathan made a considerable effort to spend more time with Sam, getting to know more about her, and vice versa, at least, the parts he could disclose.

"How are the preparations for the graduation party going?" Nathan said.

"It's going well, I've managed to secure a location. One of my mom's friends owns a barn, they have no use for it at the moment, so it will be a perfect place to host the party.” Sam said. “All that's left is to decorate it a few days before the event."

"That's great, one less thing to worry about."

Sam nodded.

"If you'd like, I could ask my friend Logan to bartend, if you don't already have one."

"That would be a great help, thank you.”

"How about you, do you have any plans for the graduation party?" she said.

"Well, I planned to stay home and watch television, seeing as I haven't been invited to any of the parties taking place that evening.”

"That's so sad, I hope you at least find something interesting to watch." she said, hiding her grin.

Nathan smiled. "Where is the barn located?”

"You suck at dropping hints, just so you know."

Nathan shrugged.

"Is that right?"

Sam nodded.

"How exactly does one drop hints, oh wise one?"

"Even if I taught you, which would take years by the way, you still wouldn't get it.”

"You're suggesting that you are a bad teacher?"

"Not at all, I'm simply stating that you wouldn't comprehend it, much like the hints that I've been dropping around you."

Nathan grinned. "I see, it must be incredibly frustrating."

"Very." she said with a piercing gaze.

Nathan opened his mouth to speak, however he got interrupted by a raucous voice.

"Nathan! There you are, I've been looking all over campus for you." Bradley said as he approached.

"Oh, Hi Sam." he said.

Sam smiled. "Hello Bradley.”

"What are you doing here?" Nathan said.

"I'm starving, do you have anything to eat?"

"I've just finished my lunch, but that doesn't answer my question."

Bradley frowned and sighed.

"Here, you can have my sandwich." Sam said, presenting a plastic container.

"Thank you very much!" He said taking the sandwich out of the container.

"Are you visiting…Carla, was it?" she said.

"Ye...a...no…, I.." he said, but Nathan interjected.

"Dude, seriously?"

Bradley chewed hurriedly and swallowed in an exaggerated manner.

"Like I told you last week, we aren't together anymore." he said; however, Sam interrupted him this time.

"Yet you still visit her frequently?"

Bradley shrugged.

"I'm still hungry, hey, Nathan do you have anything for me to eat?"

"I already told you; I ate everything."

"Oh, right" he said, looking around the courtyard.

Sam chuckled.

"I have to go, good luck with finding food, although I'm sure Carla would gladly share with you." she said with a mischievous smile.

Bradley cleared his throat.

"I'll see you later." she said, turning to Nathan.

"Yes, later." he said with a wink. She smiled and turned around to leave.

"Bye Sam!" Bradley yelled as she walked away.

He sat down beside Nathan and sighed.

"I can't believe that you haven't kissed her yet."

Nathan raised his brow. "What makes you think that I haven't?"

"If you had, she wouldn't leave without so much as a kiss on the cheek."

"Perhaps we aren't into public displays, unlike yourself."

"Anyway, your time is running out. Graduation is coming up soon, who knows when you'll see her again after that."

Nathan shrugged. "Time is not something that concerns me that much."

"In any case, why are you here Bradley, honestly?"

Bradley sighed. "I was hoping to ask Sam if I could attend her exclusive graduation party, but it looks like I won't be able to.”

"Why didn't you ask her before she left?"

"It's not something that you can ask in passing, besides it looked like you guys were having an intimate conversation.”

“You don’t say.” Nathan said. "Well, you have two weeks before the party, I'm sure you'll get an opportunity to ask her before then.”

Bradley sighed. "Can't you…"he said but Nathan stopped him with his hand.

"I am clearly lacking when it comes to certain actions involving Sam, as you stated, thus there is no way that I can ask her to allow my friend to come to her party. I am simply inept." he said hiding his grin.

"Fine, I'll ask her next time I see her.” Bradley said. “You better become un-inept very soon, if you don't want to lose her.”

Nathan grinned. "I'll do my best.”

No new incidents were reported, both on Earth and Altherion. It appeared as though things finally settled down; the graduation would proceed without any trepidation.