Skybound Throne

Standing before the floating crystal, where Skyler and Charles were, on the rooftop of the building, the middle-aged man assigned with keeping an eye on it sighed wearily.

Caspian moved back and settled into his chair. He looked exhausted. His eyes were shadowed by dark circles, and his rumpled clothes indicated he hadn’t left this place since the moment he was assigned here.

The orange crystal had long since turned white, yet it had remained sealed. No one knows what the two kids are doing inside, or if they are even alive. Let alone the kids, they had no idea about the villains either.

Caspian groaned. His mind filled with questions as to why the hell they weren’t coming out. Are they planning to remain inside the crystal forever or something?

"If they don’t come out today as well, I’m leaving for a few hours to rest."

He rubbed his temples. The two other Lights hiding on the rooftop didn’t respond. Their condition was just as bad as his, and they just wanted to go home and rest!

In all their years working for Loyd and Johnson guild, this was the first time they were so sleep-deprived! Now they knew the pain of their fellow colleagues who skipped sleep to find Skyler in the preliminary test!

The three of them were powerful Adept tier Lights, but now they looked as if they would collapse any second, let alone fight anyone. One of them was even dozing off.

That’s why, when the floating white crystal before them shook suddenly, and a familiar young figure leaped out of its surface, they all nearly cried out in joy.

Mid-air, Skyler’s eyes widened in alarm as his feet found no purchase. He plummeted down the stairs created to reach the crystal, a scream escaping his lips as he attempted to protect Riruru first and foremost.

However, before he could land face-first and break a bone or two, Caspian swiftly grabbed him by the shoulders.

The middle-aged man, clad in dark brown attire suitable for combat, stared at him.

"Are you alright?"

Skyler laughed dryly, one of his hands grabbing Riruru who was inside his shirt.

"Seems so... I shouldn’t have jumped."

Caspian nodded, his expression alert and solemn as he watched the crystal, ready to face the villains if they were still alive.

Skyler stumbled to his feet and moved away from the place. Caspian understood why when another young figure leaped out of the crystal in a very similar manner.

Charles gasped as he plummeted, but fortunately, he was caught by the collar. His face flushed as he met the pointed stare of the middle-aged light, who questioned why they had both jumped out when they could have walked through the exit portal.

He cursed inwardly, glaring at Skyler.

’Damnit... why the hell did I follow this idiot’s footsteps when I knew that crystals are always floating in higher locations!’

Caspian checked the two kids to ensure they were fine. His gaze lingered on Skyler. He was certain the guild leader’s son was hiding something under his shirt, but since he couldn’t sense anything, he let it go.

The two hiding Lights didn’t show up, but they watched the crystal. However, no one else emerged from the crystal. Then, under everyone’s eyes, the crystal, twice the size of a human, shattered into tiny sparks.

Skyler stared at the bright particles that vanished into thin air. His eyes filled with regret as he muttered under his breath.

"What a pity... It was so beautiful."

His words made Charles speechless. So, now this obsessed boy even wanted the crystal leading to another dimension?!

Caspian cleared his throat to get their attention. His tired face had brightened to see they were both completely fine. He had no idea what happened to the villains, but he was sure the kids had suffered a lot.

This must have been a truly traumatic experience for the two, considering neither of them had ever entered a crystal before.

If only Caspian knew that their time in the dimension was the best time of their lives, who knows how he would have reacted?

Regardless, he was surprised to find that one of them was a 5-star and one a 4-star.

"You two should sit down and rest. I will contact the guild leader and..."

He turned to Charles.

"Your family as well. They will be happy to see you back safe and sound."

Charles’ expression hardened. Happy? No, his parents would be furious if they found he had survived yet again.

"There’s no need to contact my family. My parents are rather ’busy’ people. I will take my leave. I know my way home."

He tried to slip away before Caspian could say anything further, but Skyler grabbed his collar from behind with a scoff.

"Where do you think you’re going, huh? You’re coming with me."

Charles gasped and glared back, but the ash-brown-haired youth ignored him.

Skyler turned to the middle-aged man.

"Sorry, sir. I have to trouble you. Can you please get us a ride? I want to go home. I know my parents must be busy if they are not here. It would be better for me to wait for them at home. Moreover, I really don’t want to meet them in this condition."

He grimaced as he glanced at his clothes. He needed a bath very urgently at that.

Caspian was silent, unable to believe how easily Skyler was conversing with him. He had heard whispers about him since Skyler came to train in the guild gym. Wasn’t this kid supposed to be very shy?

He also didn’t look like he had emerged from a crystal filled with monsters. Instead, he looked as if he had just returned from a short trip to the park. What happened to the fragile boy everyone in the guild spoke of, the one they thought needed protection?

Many ladies in the guild were even distressed when they found out he had been teleported to the preliminary test!

Caspian rubbed his brows. It seemed he shouldn’t believe in rumors. Unbeknownst to him, this was all because Skyler became very quiet and withdrawn after awakening only a 1-star potential, and his good looks made him seem like a sulking, quiet angel.

"Alright, I will drop you home. But first, let me speak with the guild leader."

With that, he turned to call Johnson.

Charles glared at Skyler.

"Now let go of my collar, will you?"

Skyler’s lips stretched into a smirk.

"Hehe, you think I don’t know you are planning to run away? I told you, let’s go to the Starlight Academy together. Then let’s go together. Also..."

He showed him his storage ring.

"...we have not divided the spoils of our hard work yet! I know I am a jerk, but I don’t like going back on my word."

Charles rolled his eyes as Skyler finally released him. He cast a glance at his shirt where Riruru was concealed, and sneered.

"As if I don’t know you want us to get in trouble together if your lil secret gets out! Why do I have to suffer alongside you?"

Skyler was taken aback that Charles had figured out his plan. Damn, he has a brain. At times like this, he really missed 505. A sly grin spread across his face.

"Because we are good friends, and good friends always suffer together."

"You are a jerk, you know?"

"Thanks for the compliment."