Void Devouring System

Chapter 9

It was time.

The dawn of the new day had set Kael up and ready to make a move.

Yet he was filled with uncertainty, his eyes rolling from one angle to the other until they landed on Luna, staring at her with a narrow gaze.

“I will be fine, Kael. You don’t have to worry…” Luna whispered, attempting to hide the pain inside her.

“We already talked about this last night. You can go, I will be able to take care of myself…” She forced a smile, but that was barely enough to hide the true feeling that was simmering inside her.

Kael took a deep breath, and then he inched closer to her, his face dragged down by pain and annoyance.

“I wish I didn’t have to go, Luna. Who will take care of you when I am gone?” He asked the same question that he had been asking for a long time, tears welling in his eyes.

Luna sniffed, holding back her tears.

“You should go, Kael…” She whispered, and as though it was meant to be, the sound of a horn blared through the window, causing them to look toward it.

“I think that’s for you, Kael,” Luna whispered, still looking out the window.

By the time she withdrew her gaze from it, she couldn’t look at her brother, bending her face to the ground.

That made her tears drop, Kael watching as they trickled down, drenching her silk dress.

“I will be back, Luna. I promise…” Kael swore, and after hugging his sister, he picked up his backpack, the only thing he had to leave with.

It contained little of the things he knew he was going to need, yet he was sure to make due of it.

“Goodbye, Luna.” He waved at his sister with tears still in his eyes, and then he turned and walked away, staggering through his first steps.

He quickened his steps at first, but the moment he sighted the sleek black car parked in front of the building, he was forced to slow down.

He stared with uncertainty as he approached the car, eyes moving from one corner to the other.

“I don’t think that is for me…” He whispered, and then he stopped moving, gripped by strong and intense doubt.

The dean had promised that he was going to send someone to pick him up, but seeing the flashy and luxurious car parked in front of him, he had his doubts.

A few seconds later, the driver’s door opened, and Kael was forced to take a step backward, ready to flee just in case it was dangerous.

A middle-aged man dressed in a nice black suit alighted from the vehicle, refusing to get rid of his smile.

“You must be Mr. Ashworth…” He pointed at Kael while his smile was still intact.

Kael nodded, but on a second thought, he remained quiet.

“Maybe he is talking about my brother…” He whispered only to his hearing.

“Well, my name is Rodin, and Dean Morrison has sent me to bring one Kael Ashworth. He said he is very special to him.” The middle-aged driver chuckled with delight, staring at Kael with an anticipatory smile.

“That’s me…” Kael sighed heavily, and then a smile replaced his gloom.

“That’s me, Sir!” He increased the sound of his voice, waving at the driver with a smile he couldn’t resist.

“Very well…” Rodin nodded in satisfaction, and then he beckoned to him.

“Come on then, Mr. Ashworth. We have a long day to go, and we are almost losing the light of the day…”

Kael nodded, but as he approached the man, his words stuck inside his mind.

He could only imagine how long they were going to be on the road before arriving at their destination.

After all, it was still dawn, and the sun had barely risen.

Kael got himself comfortable inside the car, and in no time, Rodin hit the road, increasing the acceleration as they drew closer to the highway.

Kael looked back severally, even when he could no longer see his home from a distance.

He waited and waited, yet there was no guarantee that they were going to get to their destination soon enough.

“Mr. Rodin?” He turned to the driver who tilted his head to look at him.

“Yes, Mr. Ashworth? What is it?” The driver already looked like he knew what the young man was about to ask, yet he listened while his smile was still intact.

“How much longer do we have to go before we arrive at the Apex Academy?” Kael didn’t look like he was losing his patience, but he was eager to know the truth to his question.

Rodin cleared his throat, and then he responded with a whisper.

“Soon enough, boy. Just a little patience and we will be there.” He returned his gaze to the road, pretending not to have seen the unsatisfactory look on the young man’s face.

Kael sighed heavily, and he resolved to wait until they arrived at their destination.

Then it hit him that he had not really thought of what to expect.

His mind was lingering with so much uncertainty, and when he could no longer hold onto it, he was forced to lean forward, turning to stare at the middle-aged man whose attention was still on the road.

But it didn’t take so long for Rodin to notice that he was looking at him, forced to turn to him slowly.

“What is it?” He asked just before Kael looked away.

“I have a question, Mr. Rodin…” Kael managed to find his voice, and then he returned his gaze to the middle-aged man to be certain that he was still paying attention.

“Ask away…” Rodin said with a smile, listening even when he had returned his gaze to the road.

“What is Apex Academy like? What am I supposed to know?” Kael had tried to hide the nervousness in his voice, but it echoed alongside his questions.

Rodin took a deep breath, and then he turned to look at the young man again, his smile intact.

“Where is the fun in telling you, Mr. Ashworth? I think it is just better if you experience it yourself. Don’t you think so?”

Kael’s expression dropped, and even though that was not what he was expecting to hear, he nodded as though he was satisfied.

Sooner than later, he fell asleep, crashing on the cozy chair.