With his cold expression, Clansis really should have refused.
After all, in his current state, he was very dangerous—or rather, all Crown Clan members were highly dangerous at this point and wholly unsuited to interacting with such a delicate little one, unable to protect himself.
A single misstep, and it would be easy to injure him.
But honestly, despite how Clansis looked, he had absolutely no experience dealing with such a cub.
The Crown Clan was always extremely attractive; every one of them was the habitat’s proudest work, so as children, all Crown Clan cubs appeared beautiful and refined. Only, combined with their formidable psionic power and the arrogance in their bones, the young cubs were all very rambunctious.
The Crown Clan protected their young fiercely from outsiders, but within the clan, things were regularly chaotic—never underestimate the inventiveness of a young Crown Clan.
Clansis remembered when his five kids were little, they’d gone through a phase where they loved to pull his hair—attacking from every angle, all directions, even collaborating nose to nose for maximum effect.
In the end, he found out they’d been making bets, boasting about how many hairs they could pluck, how amazing they were.
No one ever stood up for his poor hair.
That night, including Amos, he dragged each of them off to the training room for a thorough thrashing.
Afterwards, he would complain to others that his children were simply too mischievous—only to be met with sour, mocking laughter.
After all, Clansis was the only one in the clan to have five cubs at once.
And their habitat planet—was now destroyed.
But today.
Clansis looked at the little one, as if he’d gathered his courage, and if denied, seemed like he might just turn and run; after all, Clansis was unable to say the words of refusal.
He shifted aside to make room.
“Come in.”
Clansis said.
“You can give it a try.”
He quickly added,
“If there isn’t much effect, don’t worry—it’s an old ailment.”
It was, in fact, the chronic ailment of all Crown Clan.
But strange enough, Chu Zao didn’t seem to have this ailment. Clansis didn’t know how much Feeney had told this little one about the destruction of the Crown Clan’s coronas.
But that was fine—no need to worry about more for now.
Right now, just focus on regaining health, getting back on track, and then think about other things.
Seeing the open door, Chu Zao processed for a moment, then quickly stepped inside.
He glanced around, then pulled back the heavy curtains in the room. Sunlight fell across the chaise in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Chu Zao turned to look at Clansis, his small wings behind him fluttering unconsciously.
“Would you lie there?”
He reached up his hand, then drew it back—
Too tall.
He had thought Uncle Feeney was already tall, but now both Father and this Grandfather were even taller.
Feeney could only be considered middling in height.
For a stunted, undersized cub—out of reach, completely out of reach!
Clansis was still mulling over how he’d just let the little one in like that? Also, the feel of his own corona was so odd—yet hearing Chu Zao speak, he put away his own corona and obediently lay on the chaise—
He looked fierce, yet followed every one of the little one’s instructions.
*
“Mother, wasn’t Father already home?”
Feiman had just seen Solan rush back to the Dwight palace.
“Although things outside are under control, the pollution across the interstellar region is terrible, and his corona is in poor shape. He needed to come home and rest.”
Solan said as she pushed open the door.
“Why are you back?”
On her way upstairs, Solan turned to look at Feiman.
Feiman’s face, already carrying a cold, elegant air, still had lively, quick-moving emotions in her eyes. Her speech and movements retained a subtle vibrancy, not at all the way cold-natured people acted.
Feiman had always had this temperament, so Solan paid it little mind.
“Second brother asked me to check in.”
Feiman shrugged.
“Second brother is still handling urgent matters with big brother. I heard they discovered some unknown creatures similar to the Crown Clan, apparently resembling the angels Zao Zao previously described, with golden halos.”
“Angels? Those things really exist?” Soran was surprised. “But from Zao Zao’s description, those angels were nothing good.”
“Right, so second brother couldn’t get away. He’s been paying close attention to Zao Zao’s whereabouts; said he hasn’t moved in the Dwight palace for a while, so asked me to check if there’s any situation, in case he fell out with Father.”
“Falling out with that little one? If that’s true, Clansis really is regressing as he ages—”
Solan gave a loud laugh, ready to ridicule Clansis mercilessly.
She went upstairs, asking Yuan as she walked.
“Yuan, where is Zao Zao now?”
The AI answered quickly, still with that cold, mechanical tone amid constant iteration.
“Your Highness Solan, the young prince is currently on the third floor, in Emperor Clansis’s and your room.”
What?
She was already on the third floor, and saw—still not fully cleaned up—water stains on the floor, with cleaning robots working at it. The flowers at the window edge looked wilted, likely knocked over. All evidence suggested there had just been a minor commotion.
Combining what she knew,
Solan was shocked.
It was real?
Clansis!
You actually bullied such an adorable little one!!
Soran clenched her fists and strode to the bedroom, flinging the door open.
“Clansis—”
She called out by instinct.
Then she paused.
Feiman was right behind.
It was nothing like what they’d imagined.
The room wasn’t sealed and shadowed as the Crown Clan had grown accustomed to after their coronas were broken, huddling in the corner.
Thick curtains were parted; sunlight spilled across Clansis’s face, his eyes closed, his expression tranquil—at least, from his face it showed no trace of pain.
The little one sat on a slightly higher stool, hand extended, pressing here and there on Clansis’s head.
Hearing them come in, the little one looked up, holding up a hand—a hush gesture—soft light landing in his honey-colored eyes.
Clansis—seemed to be… asleep?
Solan was genuinely surprised.
She’d come a little late, hoping to avoid seeing Clansis in distress.
Yet she never imagined, not only was he not in pain, he was peacefully asleep.
At that moment, Clansis finally sensed someone’s arrival; he opened his eyes, a hint of confusion in their depths, and reflexively glanced at the doorway. At the same moment, the corona halo above his head, still fracturing, slowly emerged and began to glow.
Before Clansis could speak,
Chu Zao was watching the corona halo, all curious—
This feeling was strange.
In the past, when he massaged Feeney to help him feel better, he’d rarely seen Feeney’s corona appear.
Mainly, Feeney thought his own corona was too ugly at that time, and since Chu Zao had learned from him how a broken corona meant Crown Clan death, Feeney didn’t want to make the little one anxious.
So this was the first time in a year Chu Zao had seen a Crown Clan corona halo up close.
His hand was already near, and the golden corona atop his own head began to glow softly.
At last, Chu Zao reached out, lightly touching, then grasping—
He held it.
And—Chu Zao felt his own psionic energy being drawn away, bit by bit.
In that instant, Chu Zao felt a wave of dizziness.
He had held—it—firmly—
Disbelief froze everyone present.
Solan’s hand trembled as she pointed this way, and Feiman’s eyes went wide.
Especially Clansis, who gazed up blankly—
How did you hold it????
But regardless of how, the little one truly held it.
Only when he was about to reach his limit did he let go.
In that instant, Chu Zao was overcome by vertigo.
He thought just a second had passed—but in fact, ten seconds had gone by.
Solan and Feiman had already approached and, confused, reached out to try touching Clansis’s corona; Clansis, unable to maintain his cold demeanor, sprang up from the chaise in a flash.
Only then did Chu Zao awaken from the stupor, as Solan and Feiman spoke beside him—
“What just happened?”
“Zao Zao, how could you touch his corona? Or, Clansis, did you do it on purpose? I never imagined you’d be the type of grandpa to amuse a child with your corona!”
Clansis: … “Don’t talk nonsense, don’t be so sarcastic—”
He reached out to cover Solan’s face, pulling her closer.
He was so shocked he didn’t even register his bodily sensations at first—
Yet he felt exceptionally light, the earlier vague pain and malaise quickly disappearing.
“I—I don’t know either.”
Chu Zao was stunned, and quickly waved his hands.
He honestly didn’t understand what had happened either.
He just suddenly felt as if his strength had left him.
He felt sluggish in his reactions.
But—that was fine.
Chu Zao thought.
He could handle it. Compared with the frailty he’d known back in Angel Realm, this was nothing. And besides, he couldn’t trouble others.
It was nothing.
Probably just a bit tired; a good rest after training would fix it.
In the end, none of them figured out exactly what had happened.
And Amos, having finished his business quickly, came over to fetch the cub. The group was so shocked that even after Amos had come and gone with Chu Zao, they still hadn’t remembered to tell him—this cub, this cub had held Clansis’s corona! The corona that, without express permission, no one could touch, the Crown Clan’s most vital symbol!
This little one hadn’t needed any permission at all!
Not until Amos walked away with Chu Zao.
Clansis still hadn’t really processed it. Finally, glancing over the documents and tasks his son tossed at him, he stopped thinking about it, and instead made a quick appointment for a full physical exam, especially a mental power checkup.
And he really wondered if it was just his imagination.
Clansis flexed his hand.
He did feel much better, noticeably lighter.
*
Medical center.
Training between Feeney and Anya was over.
Feeney had obediently returned to the treatment pod for more recovery.
Chu Zao followed Amos. After dinner, they went to the training room.
That sense of tiredness lingered.
Chu Zao rubbed his eyes.
Amos walked beside him, looking at the soft swirl of his hair before asking,
“What’s wrong? Not feeling well?”
As calm as ever, but Chu Zao almost jumped on the spot.
He looked up, instinctively shook his head.
Then said,
“Maybe just a bit tired.”
“Want to rest?”
Amos paused in his stride.
“No, no need.”
Chu Zao looked up.
“I’m fine, I didn’t do any training or studying today—that’s not right.”
About this, Chu Zao seemed to have some guilt—when he hadn’t accomplished what he thought he should, like training or study.
It was, in fact, a side-effect of long-term, oppressive conditions.
Amos wasn’t in any hurry to change this about him.
He simply nodded, planning to adjust tonight’s intensity.
They’d already entered the training room.
Amos carried a wooden sword wrapped in rubber, Chu Zao held a specially made small wooden bow.
For Amos, who was about to reach the peak of Crown Clan power, even without using his psionics, this little one was simply too weak, full of openings.
But Amos wasn’t here to give him much training or corrections, just to help change some bad habits Feeney had ingrained in Chu Zao.
—Unless absolutely necessary, do not rush into melee, especially when you’re this fragile.
Amos wielded his wooden sword, and even wrapped, its edge seemed sharp.
“If this happens—an Aberrant Beast specializing in close combat approaches, don’t engage on its terms. Withdraw, keep him at a distance where he can’t attack you but you remain in your optimal range—”
He started explaining from a distance, but the next moment was suddenly at Chu Zao’s side, as if speaking right into his ear.
“Like this.”
Chu Zao startled, acting on pure instinct, raising his small bow in clumsy defense, preparing to counterattack.
“No.”
Amos said lightly.
That’s when Chu Zao caught on and darted back in a flash—
But the pressure from Amos was simply too great, even when he’d reined himself in completely around Chu Zao.
Still, to Chu Zao, Amos radiated that overwhelming, inescapable might from every angle—which, by instinct, made Chu Zao, who had partially unlearned such avoidance under Feeney’s guidance, shrink away again.
Already exhausted, he found himself even more sluggish before Amos, unable to keep up at all.
His waist, calves, and arms were all lightly poked with Amos’s wooden sword.
Even a gentle poke made Chu Zao’s hair stand on end—
And that already uncomfortable, lagging sensation became obvious now.
Something in his head began to throb, pulled again and again.
Amos jabbed again, watching Chu Zao’s defensive move, sighed, planning to apply just enough force to drive him back.
But as Amos moved, Chu Zao stopped mid-motion.
Even with the sword padded, the attack seemed about to strike him directly.
Amos tried to stop too late—Chu Zao’s small wooden bow fell with a clatter, and he staggered back several steps, raising a hand to his temple, eyes squeezed shut in pain, the golden corona above his head flashing rapidly.
Amos reacted instantly, closing in.
But Chu Zao didn’t really hear a word Amos was saying—for one blink, everything around seemed far, far away.
He found he could hardly hear or think at all.
Maybe he’d caused trouble again by being stubborn?
But he’d really thought it would be fine this time—
Everything went black. The last thing he saw was an oddly frantic look on Amos’s face.
*
When Chu Zao regained consciousness, the luminous star was nearly set. This season on Holy Cas, the star set late, and now the evening glow was cast across the horizon.
“You’re awake, little prince.”
The medical center staff were bustling around; seeing Chu Zao awake, they breathed a sigh of relief.
“What happened to me?”
Chu Zao, still slow to react, tried to sit up, pressing a hand to his forehead.
By instinct he glanced around.
“Where’s Father?”
“You scared Amos half to death.”
Chu Zao turned and saw Feeney smiling cheerfully beside his medical pod.
Chu Zao opened his mouth several times, but couldn’t say a word.
“But it’s alright. You weren’t unconscious for long, your readings were stable—just seemed like you were too tired, with a bit of psionic turbulence. Did you use your psionic power for something? You’d almost depleted it.”
A moment of confusion passed through Chu Zao’s eyes.
“I didn’t do anything?”
He really hadn’t understood.
Glancing around again,
“Second brother isn’t here; he’s outside.”
Feeney said, rubbing the little one’s head.
“Unbelievable. It’s the first time I ever saw that look on Amos’s face.”
He was truly, utterly terrified.
Chu Zao finally lowered his head.
“Did I cause trouble again, Uncle Feeney?”
Chu Zao lowered his eyelids, hiding his emotions.
“I seem to always trouble you.”
Feeney laughed.
“Little guy—”
He mussed up Chu Zao’s curls, speaking softly.
“I’ve told you many times, this isn’t any trouble at all. In fact, family shouldn’t worry about whether or not they’re troublesome.”
But it would take time to correct that.
Feeney thought—
But it wasn’t hopeless.
Even so, it’d take a while, especially for a little one still so anxious, still meeting new family and a new home.
“Why not go look for Amos? Find Amos and you’ll understand.”
Feeney laughed again, and pulled Chu Zao up.
Chu Zao flinched.
“Now?”
But he’d just done so poorly, and couldn’t think of any way to make up for it.
“Yes, right now—”
Feeney said.
He firmly ushered Chu Zao out the door.
And unceremoniously slammed the medical ward’s door shut.
Feeney was so quick, the staff in the hallway barely had time to reach for the little prince in protest.
At last, one of them bit their lip.
“Your Highness Feeney, you do know the little prince needs proper rest, correct?”
“Of course, but I also think it’s important he understands a few things.”
Feeney nodded sagely to the staff.
Then he heard them say—
“That’s not the issue. It’s just, we already told His Highness Amos the young prince should have to stay in the medical pod overnight to recover.”
But now, you’ve gone and pushed the little prince right out—
It probably wasn’t a major issue, but who knew what His Highness Amos would think when he found out.
After all, to the medical staff, Feeney getting thrashed by Amos was quite routine.
Feeney froze, thought it over, then looked at them.
“Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
The medical staff: …
With hands that fast, when exactly were we supposed to say something?
Can’t you reflect a bit—whose fault is that?
But before anyone could speak,
Feeney was muttering, “It’s fine, it’s fine—second brother said he wouldn’t beat me up again for years.”
—Amos, you’re going to keep your word, aren’t you?!
*
So, after Chu Zao wandered about and found Amos, he was sitting on a bench outside the medical center, looking quite somber. Amos had planned to leave in a few minutes, since they’d said Zao Zao’s psionics were so depleted he probably wouldn’t wake that night.
Amos exhaled deeply, then abruptly turned and looked behind him at Chu Zao, frowning instinctively.
Sure enough—Father looked displeased.
Chu Zao whimpered inwardly.
He had no idea what to say, but still answered honestly, “Uncle Feeney said you were still here, Father, and asked me to come find you—”
But why was he supposed to find Amos?
Just ask if I’ve bothered you?
The answer would only ever be no.
Chu Zao frowned, watching Amos maintain his stern face, coming closer and closer, the evening light slanting across his body.
Until Amos was standing right in front of him.