Lucas Ashencroft

Arthur remained still, but his mind raced.

Keeping his identity hidden was crucial. Not just for convenience—but for survival.

He knew the military would send people into the academy.

It wasn't a question of 'if'—it was a certainty. The academy was the single most important place in the kingdom for nurturing young talents.

There was no way they'd overlook it.

They might even ask him to join the academy once the prison sentence was over, since he did fit the age group If they knew he was here…And Arthur wasn't ready for that.

Not yet.

There was another reason, too. He wanted to build a separate identity.

A second life. Just until the merge. Because once the worlds fused, it wouldn't matter anymore.

After that—he wouldn't be weak in the real world.

After that—they wouldn't be able to suppress him.

Lucas took a step forward.