"I think your curiosity is getting the better of you, young lady."
Mira's heart raced as she heard the voice echo through the void dimension. Her eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the voice, but the dark, amorphous surroundings of the void dimension made it difficult.
It may be a mirror dimension of the real world, but that didn't mean it didn't have its own unique aspects to it.
Mira wasn't used to this new, anxious sensation she was feeling.
She had used the void dimension countless times since she first obtained the talent, staying hidden and observing, using it as a place to escape to etc.
But now someone had not only sensed her but was talking to her directly.
"Over here," the voice repeated, calm and authoritative.
Mira's breath caught in her throat as she turned and saw the figure emerging from the shadows of the void dimension. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Standing before her was the Principal of Capital Prime university. His presence was commanding, his aura almost tangible even in this alternate dimension.
Mira was frozen, a mixture of fear and shock overwhelming her senses.
"P-Principal??" She stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
The Principal, renowned as the second strongest person in the federation and the only publicly known King class awakened, nodded slightly.
His presence here was both surreal and intimidating.
Mira had always known him as a distant figure, a powerful individual far removed from the everyday happenings of students like herself.
"I see," The Principal spoke finally. "And why did you think spying on him was the best course of action?"
Mira bit her lip, feeling even more ashamed and embarrassed. "I didn't want to confront him directly. I thought it might push him further away. I just wanted to understand what he was doing so I could help him."
The Principal's eyes softened slightly. "It's natural to want to help those we care about. But you must understand that trust and communication are the foundations of any strong relationship. Spying on Alex, even with the best intentions, is not the way to go about it."
Mira nodded, feeling chastised but also relieved that the Principal wasn't outright condemning her actions. If he wanted to, he could probably give her a harsh punishment for violating another student's privacy like that, but he understood her situation.
His words made sense, aligning with what Alex had said when he had withheld information from her about why he couldn't absorb those Variant class beast cores.
She recalled the anguish in his eyes, the way he struggled to keep his secrets. Perhaps there really was a good reason for his behaviour, and she needed to give him the space to reveal it in his own time.
The Principal continued, his voice steady and calming. "Alex is dealing with something, and he'll tell you about it when he's ready. Spying on him will only complicate things. If he seems distant, there's probably a good reason for it. Trust him, and let him come to you when he's ready to share."
Mira felt a wave of guilt and understanding wash over her. The Principal's advice resonated deeply with her. She had always valued trust in any relationship she had with anyone, regardless of if it was a romantic one or not, and this was a stark reminder for her.
She nodded, again, more firmly this time.
"You're right, Principal," she said softly. "I'll stop spying on him. I just... I was worried."
The Principal gave her a reassuring smile. "Worry is natural. But remember, trust is paramount, especially in a world as ruthless as ours, and even more ruthless like the Primordial Expanse. Alex will come to appreciate your support and patience."
Mira felt a sense of relief at the Principal's understanding. She still had questions, but she knew now that she needed to approach them differently.
However, before she could thank him, the Principal's expression turned more serious.
"There's something else you should know," he said. "Using the void dimension on the university campus is dangerous. You're not the only one who can sense its presence, with me currently being the underlying example of that."