Edited by: ASaltedFish
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Ellery and Akimitsu took the lead with reporting about their trip, providing the agreed-upon explanation of Juniper's existence. They explained what happened so many times, they could probably say it in their sleep.
Director Yun sat back in her seat and felt like she was dreaming. "To think Juniper is in a body that the Beast God created! Just like the first humans created in the Zevaria Empire…"
"Then why do you have the mark of the Beast God on your forehead, Ellery?" Adviser Yun asked, still a bit confused.
"It is a side effect of being exposed to the Beast God's divine power. He had to separate Lune from my soul, which caused the Beast God's mark to appear," Ellery easily explained. It wasn't a lie, but not exactly the truth.
"We understand," Vice Director Theodore nodded. "We will do our best to explain to the citizens of the Empire your and Juniper's situation. I am sure no one will question it after seeing the mark of the Beast God, though…"
That was true. The Zephyrus Galaxy still had contact with the Beast God and Adel. With them being present, the belief in the Beast God was strong.
"Perfect." Director Yun clapped once to get everyone's attention. "Vice Director, draft up an explanation. The rest of us will revise the contract."
After an hour of back-and-forth negotiations, the contract was finalized. All they needed to do was wait for the legal teams to look over the contract once more and notarize it.
Only after the contract was signed did Juniper and Ellery update their information through the Guide Association.
*****
By the end of the day, Ellery and Juniper's arrival at the Imperial Star was publicized. They introduced Juniper and gave a convincing explanation about the Beast God's mark on both their foreheads. They emphasized that Ellery sought out the Beast God because of his fears of the two separate spiritual seas increasing in spiritual power. There was a fear that he would explode from the amount of spiritual power his body had. He also had pain associated with the increase in spiritual power, so he had no choice but to seek out the Beast God for a solution.
Finally, Lune was separated from his body and was bound to a compatible soul.
No one questioned this explanation, and everyone in the Zephyrus Galaxy welcomed Juniper with open arms and excitement.
There was another person who had SS+ rank spiritual power with SSS+ potential! How could they not be excited?
The Interstellar Netizens were sharing their excitement in the comment section of the Guide Association's explanation.
[windfearsme: I wonder why the Beast God created a body for Mr. Juniper that looks like Mr. Ellery.]
[marrymejuniper: I think it's pretty obvious! It's so Lune has an easier time adjusting to a new owner!]
[Ellery's#1fan: Damn! The guy above me changed his user so fast!]
While the netizens of the Zevaria Empire were celebrating, Juniper was leaning against Edros. After a full day of human interaction, all he wanted to do was hide in his room.
Edros did his best not to move. He felt like a pet owner who needed to use the bathroom, but he didn't want to disturb a napping cat on his lap.
"Juniper… are you really going to be okay?" Ellery was used to Juniper retreating to the back of his subconscious while they were sharing a body. Now, Juniper was unable to do that.
"I will be okay. I will get used to it." Juniper knew he needed to get used to this or he would have a hard time living in his new body.
Everyone knew that Juniper was also getting psychological treatment, so they could only trust that he would be okay.
"That's good. If you need anything, just let us know." Ellery patted him on the shoulder while giving him a gentle smile.
"I understand…"
He knew his friends were worried for him and felt grateful to them. They were patient with him.
The rest of the ride home was silent but comfortable. At this point, Akimitsu and Edros lived at Ellery and Juniper's house.
Edros' estate seemed like a furniture gallery than a house. Well, it did hold his crystal collection, which Juniper still hasn't seen.
Coincidentally, the next day, Juniper and Edros separated from Akimitsu and Ellery so Juniper could see Edros' crystal collection in peace.
Well, it was more like Edros didn't like when Akimitsu picked them up with his bare hands, so he banned Akimitsu from going near his crystals…
Akimitsu had some things to do with the First Fleet, so he left early in the morning. Ellery, who didn't want to be home alone, gathered his friends from the academy to have fun for the day.
*****
It didn't take long for Edros and Juniper to arrive at Edros' estate. It was a lot bigger than Ellery and Juniper's home. The estate was given to him by the previous Emperor when he became a Marshal.
As for why, it was a symbol of status.
Edros and Akimitsu only used a few rooms, and the rest were decorative. To be honest, Edros didn't even know how many rooms there were in his house.
Edros pointed out different places around the mansion on their way to his crystal collection. Juniper curiously looked around, listening intently so he could memorize it.
When he cared about someone, all he wanted to do was remember every little thing the person said to him.
Juniper wanted to know everything from their favorite foods to their hobbies. A person's house was a reflection of themselves, well, that's what he believed.
It took a few minutes for them to finally reach the door to Edros' crystal collection. It was a weird hallway with only one door on the left side.
"My crystal collection takes up five rooms. This is the first room and the start of my crystal collection."
Edros made it so the first room started at the end of the hallway, then there would be a connecting door in the wall of each room. He didn't want so many doors leading into the hallway, so he opted to get rid of most of those doors.
"I have a trusted robot that comes to clean both the crystals and the rooms every day."
He had too many crystals, so it would take him all day to clean them if he had to do it himself.
At the entrance of the room, Edros and Juniper grabbed the prepared gloves while the robot opened the door to the room. This robot had its charging station just outside the door, so when Edros wanted to look at his collection, the robot was ready to open each door for him.
Juniper could see at a glance that Edros' crystal collection was different from his. Edros liked shiny and sparkling crystals, which made up the majority of his collection. He didn't have any pretty rocks like Juniper did in his collection, but his crystals varied in size, which Juniper didn't have.
Still, Juniper appreciated the beauty and care Edros had in his collection.
In the center of the first room, Edros placed the Sylvturine crystal Juniper had bought for him on Edros' mining planet. It was locked in a glass case and was the most protected crystal in his whole collection.
"This Sylvturine…" Juniper looked at the crystal and felt his heart beating. He didn't feel anxious, but surprised and happy.
"It's my favorite crystal in my entire collection since you gave it to me." Just seeing the crystal made Edros' happy day even happier.
"Will every crystal I give you get the same treatment?"
"Well… No. Of course, they would be cherished, but this one is much more meaningful to me."
Even though they had bought each other crystals and in the past, for some reason, knowing that Juniper bought this crystal because it reminded him of himself made the Sylvturine special and different from the rest. The color of the Sylvturine was the color Edros' eyes which Juniper took the time to pick.
How could he not love it?
After looking at the Sylvturine, Edros and Juniper carefully looked through all the crystals, spending the rest of the day appreciating his entire collection.
Edros took his time, talking about each one and where and why he got them. Juniper listened to every word, never interrupting and occasionally giving his input.
Of course, they took breaks here and there, but quickly went back to looking at the gems.