Adam was still trying to figure out the unbelievable idea that he wasn't just in some weird dark place, but actually living like a spirit inside some kid.
The thought felt cold and heavy as he looked up at the giant, see-through screen floating in the dark of his own special area. The blurry picture of the boy he'd seen earlier got sharper, and then it showed a totally new scene – one that shouted "super rich!"
As Adam watched, amazed, the picture settled, showing the inside of a huge room. It wasn't just big; it felt grand, filled with a soft, gold light that seemed to come from everywhere at once. Sunlight streamed through tall, curved windows, lighting up amazing, detailed pictures carved right into thick wooden poles that went all the way up to the high ceiling. These weren't just patterns; they looked like complicated scenes from old stories, carved with incredible skill.
Heavy, dark red velvet curtains, tied back with thick gold ropes, hung by the windows, making the room feel even more fancy and expensive. Everything in the room – from soft chairs near a big stone fireplace to detailed pictures on the walls showing fights or royal parties – screamed money, power, and being part of a royal family. It looked like a king's personal room right out of a fantasy book.
Adam's eyes got wide as he saw it all. Watching this super-fancy place from his own simple, dark space. This isn't just some rich house, he thought, his confusion mixing with wonder. This place looks like a real palace. Whoever lives here must be actual royalty.
The picture on the screen became super clear, zooming in on the middle of the room. There stood an enormous bed, easily big enough for four people, decorated cloth of dark blue and shiny gold.
And sitting on the edge of this amazing bed was the boy. The boy Adam was supposedly trapped inside.
He looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. His hair wasn't dark and messy; it was a stunning, bright gold, like real spun gold, falling in soft waves around his face. His eyes, when he looked around nervously, were the same striking gold color, though right now they looked cloudy with worry and held a deep, hard-to-read fear.
He was dressed simply, but even his plain shirt and pants looked like they were made of expensive, silk, and fit him perfectly. Even though he looked relaxed, there was a graceful look about him. It was clear, even without a crown, that this boy belonged in this palace room.
But the way he sat totally didn't match his fancy surroundings. He wasn't sitting up straight and proud; his shoulders were slumped forward, his back bent over like he was carrying something very heavy. His eyes were fixed on the detailed pattern of the expensive rug on the floor, lost in his thoughts.
And coming off him was a powerful feeling of fear – so strong that Adam felt a little bit of it inside himself. It wasn't just seeing the fear on the boy's face; it felt like he could almost taste the kid's nervousness.
From inside his quiet space, Adam watched every little thing. It was more real than watching a movie. He could see the slight shaking in the boy's hands, squeezed tightly in his lap. He could almost hear the boy's shallow, quick breaths. He noticed how the light caught the fine gold hairs on the boy's arm.
And, most unsettlingly, he could feel the boy's feelings – a huge fear, deep dread, and a great sadness. This strange connection felt way too close, too personal, and it made Adam feel very uneasy.
Who is this kid? Adam wondered, looking closely at the gold-haired boy. Why is he living like this, surrounded by all this fancy stuff, but looking completely terrified? What could possibly scare someone who lives in a palace?
The questions piled up, making his head spin. He couldn't stand the confusion anymore. Adam tore his eyes away from the screen and turned sharply towards the blue system window that was always floating nearby.
"System!" he demanded, his voice tight. "Is this him? Is this the boy? The one whose body I'm stuck in?"
The system paused for just a second, its blue light pulsing steadily. Then, new words appeared on the screen, calm and just stating facts as always. "Master, the information I am getting matches. The mind creating this picture and the strong feelings fit with the body you are currently inside."
Adam clenched his fists, feeling the faint buzz of his own power warming up just under his skin. So it's true. I'm inside this kid. The confirmation didn't make it any easier to believe. It just felt stranger, more real. He was in this body – a boy full of fear inside a golden cage.
He made himself look back at the screen, at the boy. He looked at his face carefully. He looked so young, almost breakable even with the fancy clothes and striking looks. Underneath the clear fear, Adam could see a deep sadness in his gold eyes, a sorrow that seemed too big for someone his age. As Adam watched, the boy let out a long, shaky sigh that sounded like giving up.
Then, he started whispering to himself, his voice so low and shaking it was hard to hear. "I don't want to leave this room... I really don't want to go." He swallowed hard, his throat muscles moving.
"But... it doesn't matter. If I don't go out there myself, they'll just... they'll just pull me out anyway. They always do." His voice shook more noticeably on the last words. He quickly ran his hands through his perfect gold hair, not gently, but roughly, grabbing his head as if the physical pain could somehow help him forget the nervousness growing inside him.
"Today..." he whispered again, his voice cracking. "Today's the day... I think... I might actually die this time. For real. It doesn't even matter that I'm a prince... that title means nothing to them, not for this. They won't show me any mercy."
Adam's eyes popped wide open. The word hit him like a physical shock. Prince? Did he just say... PRINCE? The idea seemed like something from a fairy tale, but suddenly felt terrifyingly real.
He spun back around to face the system screen again, almost tripping. "System! Did you hear that? Did he just call himself a prince? Is that real?"
The system answered instantly this time, its brain clearly working fast. "Yes, Master. The human used the word 'prince.' Checking the information available confirms this identity within the local social structure. I am still looking for more information about his family, his position, and why he is so upset right now."
Adam stepped closer to the floating blue screen, leaning in like he wanted to pull the answers out faster. His voice was urgent. "Tell me what you know! Who is he? What's his name? What's happening to him? Why is a prince talking about dying?"
The system flickered slightly, showing it was still thinking. "Master, full information is limited right now because of the barrier, the seal. However, early findings identify the human as 'Eric.' About his condition: this body has very low amounts of natural magic energy, much lower than expected for people of his rank in this society. Also..."
Adam pushed impatiently, "Also? What else?"
"Analysis shows his body strength and overall health are also much weaker compared to others his age," the system stated plainly.
Adam frowned deeply, rubbing his temples. Eric... His name is Eric. He tried to understand the rest. Low magic... weak body... Prince Eric.
"So... I'm stuck inside a weak prince?" he mumbled aloud. This situation just kept getting weirder and worse. He was trapped inside a royal person, but one who apparently didn't have the power or strength needed, especially when facing something dangerous.
He tried to put the pieces together. Okay, so I'm some kind of spirit, locked inside Prince Eric. He lives in a palace, but he's weak physically and magically. And today, he has to face some kind of 'test' that he honestly thinks might kill him. It sounded like a complete nightmare – Eric's nightmare.
Then, that spark of an idea came back, stronger this time. If Eric was too weak or too scared, could Adam step in? Could he use the strange energy humming inside him?
"System," Adam asked again, his voice quieter now, more focused. "You mentioned the seal. It stops me from taking full control. But can I do anything?"
The system paused, thinking about the question. "Master, the seal is very strong. Direct control over muscles and nerves is not possible. However, sending a weak magic energy influence across the barrier might be possible. What exactly would happen and the possible dangers are not known right now. Doing this could potentially help the human give him a small, short burst of energy. But, it could also make the human worse."
Adam's breath caught. Gentle influence... make him calmer... It wasn't full control, but it wasn't nothing either. A tiny flicker of hope lit up inside him. "A seal," he whispered, looking back at the screen where Eric sat, looking completely defeated. "Who would put me in here like this... sealed inside him? And why?" Was it like being sent to prison? Or some messed-up way to protect someone?
Before he could get lost in those questions he couldn't answer, the tense quiet in Eric's room was suddenly broken loudly.
THUD!
The huge, fancy doors were slammed open with brutal force, hitting the walls inside with a bang that echoed through the rich room.
A figure stood in the doorway, just a dark shape against the light – tall, powerful-looking, covered head-to-toe in shining steel armor that reflected the light from the hallway. You could feel a strong, harsh feeling of being in charge coming from him.
His voice, rough and sounding like metal, maybe louder because of the helmet, boomed across the room, sharp with not wanting to wait and showing absolutely no respect. "Prince Eric! Stop hiding in here! Today is the day of your test! The council and the elders are waiting! If you fail to show you are worthy – which everyone completely expects – you will lose your title, your family name will be shamed, and you will be kicked out of this palace! Do you understand?!"
Eric flinched hard, his whole body getting stiff like someone had hit him. All the color left his face, making him look deathly pale under his gold hair. His hands, resting on his knees, started shaking uncontrollably.
The armored guard took a heavy, slow step into the room, his metal boots clanging loudly on the shiny floor. He stopped several feet from the bed, standing over the terrified prince. His helmeted stare felt like something pressing down on Eric.
"Do you hear me, Eric?" the guard spat the word, his voice full of hate. "Your failure today will bring nothing but shame upon your father, the King, and your mother, the Queen! They already feel embarrassed enough because of your weakness! At the very least, don't embarrass them even more by acting like a scaredy-cat now! Get up!"
Adam watched from his space. He saw Eric's lips tremble, part slightly like he wanted to beg, but no sound came out. Pure, raw panic swam in his wide gold eyes – the look of an animal trapped with nowhere to go, facing its end.