NOVEL WEB Chapter 13: High-Risk Promise!
Rin waved to a bunch of students who walked past him on his way to the clinic. They squealed happily when he gave a nonchalant wave.
He didn't even smile at them, yet they were excited.
'Maybe I shouldn't wave next time,'
He thought to himself as he entered the clinic.
It was jam-packed again. Students who had just a scratch were there, both male and female. Their heads turned to him as he stepped in and they began murmuring.
"That's him?"
"He's so... cute. Cutting my hand on purpose definitely worth it,"
"I told you, he is. Maybe we should slit our throats next time and get him to treat us,"
Rin heard their words and lowered his head.
'Please don't slit your throats. I can't be responsible for murder in another world,'
He walked to his desk and it was filled with gifts again.
Elna walked to his desk, picking the odd ones out.
"You must be uncomfortable with these gifts,"
"It's fine," he waved his hand.
"I'll speak to the Dean about all 'this'"
She tilted her head, referring the 'this' to the students.
Rin didn't want to get into trouble with the Dean after what he said yesterday about his mother.
"I'm not troubled about it. It's not like they are going to force themselves into my life or something..."
He laughed and Elna laughed with him.
"Of course not, except you're an omega," she wheezed and Rin laugh ceased in his throat.
"But, since you're a Beta, you won't be affected by them. Also, relationships between students and staff is not allowed, so they won't do anything to you," Elna winked, packing all the odd ones. "But, be careful, Rin,"
"Thank you, Elna," he said, watching her leave. He sat behind the desk, staring at the left over gifts and letters.
DING!
[System Notice –?Mission Countdown: Day 1 / 90]
[Reminder: Keep Lucien Elric within Academy Grounds. Status: Ongoing.]
[Warning: One or more male leads are developing possessive tendencies.]
"Of course, I still have the missions going on," he grumbled and noticed a letter that seemed familiar. It was just like the last one. Plain. White. Odd.
Rin stared at the letter on his desk like it might bite him before picking it and ripping it open.
YOU THINK YOU CAN SLEEP YOUR
WAY TO SAFETY? YOU'RE JUST A
PRETTY WHORE IN DISGUISE. I
WON'T BE MERCIFUL TO YOU.
~Anonymous
Merciful?
It wasn't signed. But he already knew a crazy ex... or current lover... of Lucien's had sent it.
Lucien leaned over, reading it upside down.
"A threat? Just ignore it, sweetheart,"
"Easy for you to say," Rin muttered, flipping it shut. "You're not the one with death threats shoved under your pillow."
"Don't worry," Lucien said, calm but firm, "I have nothing to do with them. I don't even remember most of their names."
"That's not sexy, Lucien." He muttered.
"I'm not trying to be sexy. I'm trying to make sure they don't slit your throat in the showers."
Rin rolled his eyes, but the tension eased a bit. Lucien tried to get closer to him, but Rin stopped him, swiftly standing from his seat.
"Let's... talk outside, student Lucien,"
Lucien understood what he was doing. He didn't want rumours about the two of them being in a relationship to go around the school.
Rin didn't want another terrifying walk to the Dean's office.
They both walked out of the office, with Elna wearing a suspicious look on her face.
.
They reached the back of the clinic where Rin folded his hands, lifting his head to meet Lucien's eyes.
"Stop visiting me in the clinic,"
"What should I do when I miss you?" He asked.
"I don't know. There's no reason for you to miss me," Rin frowned.
Lucien smirked.
"Are you sure? The only one I'm interested in now is you. So you don't have to worry about those threats. I'll get rid of them,"
"Are you going to kill them?"
He turned his head away and looked back at Rin, with a grin.
"Should I?"
Rin felt heat climb up his neck as he noticed how hot Lucien looked with that grin.
"God, can you not...?"
Lucien reached out casually, brushing his fingers along Rin's wrist. He then brought it close to his face to kiss and he paused.
Then his whole expression changed. That usual amused smirk? Gone. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed.
He grabbed Rin's hand fully and sniffed it once, sharply.
Rin froze.
"...My father's scent," Lucien said darkly.
Shit.
Rin tried to yank his hand back.
"Wha...? No way, you're imagining things..."
"Did he come near you?" Did he touch you?"
"No!" Rin snapped, too fast. "He just... he came to the wrong room, thought I was a girl or something... which was a fucking insult, by the way... and then he kissed my hand before leaving. That's it."
DING!
[Lie Detected: 71% success. Target remains convinced (Temporarily)]
Lucien exhaled, fingers still curling slightly around Rin's hand.
"He must've caught a trace. That bastard... always sniffing around where he shouldn't."
Rin couldn't believe Lucien was calling his father a bastard. He never imagined doing that in his world. He would find himself in a hospital before he could complete that word.
"You sound like he's some freakin' wolfhound." Rin said.
"He is," Lucien muttered.
The bell rang suddenly, echoing through the hallway.
Lucien groaned. "Fuck class."
"Wow," Rin said, perking up. "You're allergic to education. Shocking."
"I'd do anything to skip class,"
Lucien glanced at him, annoyed.
But Rin's brain sparked as he suddenly thought of a way to keep him here... here at the academy.
"I have an idea," Rin said.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"That's rare. You don't seem like someone who thinks of ideas,"
"Is that an insult?" He frowned and Lucien raised his hand in mock surrender.
"I apologise, sweetheart. Let me hear it. This... idea,"
"Teach me how to fight."
Lucien blinked.
"...What?"
"You heard me. Teach me how to fight," Rin repeated. "So next time one of your jilted alpha stalkers shows up with pheromones and murder vibes, I can actually punch them instead of dying with style."
Lucien let out a sharp laugh.
He grabbed Rin's small hand and turned it palm-up on his own.
"You wanna punch an alpha with these?" he said, almost fondly. "These are cute, not deadly."
"They're deadly enough if you're aiming for a dick," Rin muttered.
Lucien grinned.
"So demanding. What do I get in return?"
Rin hesitated.
"Do you always need payment for being a decent person?"
"Yes." He shrugged.
"Figures."
Lucien leaned in, smirking.
"One hot night. With you."
Rin blinked.
"...You're joking."
"Nope."
"You want sex as payment for a few self-defense lessons?"
Lucien shrugged.
"You could just go back to getting murdered with style, sweetheart."
Rin glared.
"You're such a dick."
"I'm a dick who'll teach you how to break noses."
Rin gritted his teeth. His gut twisted. He didn't want to say yes.
But three months. Just three fucking months.
"Fine," Rin muttered. "One night. Just one and it'll be when I'm ready. If you train me well. And no weird contracts or stupid bonding shit."
Lucien wore a satisfied smile.
"Deal."
DING!
[System Update: "Bond Path - Lucien Vortellion" has advanced.]
[Lucien's Loyalty: +12%]
[Temporary Skill Unlocked: Physical Defense (Basic) – Duration: Training Arc]
[Note: Host has made a high-risk promise. Survival priority recommended.]
Rin stared as Lucien walked away to head for class.
Just three months and it'll be over and he won't have to see Lucien's face ever again.