CHAPTER 76: I’M FREE TO WORRY!

Rin slammed the door behind him, his breath shaky, chest rising and falling in sharp bursts. His room felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just the storm in his head.

He stared down at his wrist, the redness stark against his pale skin. Lucien’s grip had been strong, but it was the words that left the deepest bruise on Lucien.

"You’re no different from him. You’re just another monster like him."

Those words echoed in Rin’s head repeatedly, louder than the wind howling outside. He didn’t regret saying that. If he hadn’t, Lucien wouldn’t have let go of him. He hated how he spoke to him like he was an object meant to be moved from one point to another. His father had said the same thing to him, now, Lucien.

’Fuck! I hate the Vortellions!’

DING!

[System Notification: WARNING - Emotional Threshold Exceeded.]

[Your demonic energy is reacting to your anger. Please calm down to avoid triggering your sealed form.]

Rin groaned and sank onto his bed, grabbing Niblet and placing the small dog gently on his lap. His hands shook as he stroked the pup’s soft fur, trying to focus on the steady rise and fall of Niblet’s breathing.

"It’s fine," Rin muttered, mostly to himself. "I’m fine. I won’t let this world or its people make me lose control. I can’t. I won’t."

But in his heart, he felt the burn. They want to break free, to show them what he truly was, to make them regret ever thinking they could control him.

He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and let the silence hold him.

DING!

[System Reminder - Weekly Reward Wheel available now!]

"Ugh!" He groaned and sat up. He wished he could skip it, but he’ll have to wait a whole week before it appears again.

He pushed the spin button and watched it roll dramatically. As it slowed down, he prayed for it to land on free gift or bonus points.

He shut his eyes as he heard the wheel slow down and stop. He opened one of his eyes and peeped.

It landed on bonus points. He clapped his hands excitedly.

TA-DA

Bonus Kiss Points

DING!

[You’ve received 10 kiss points]

[Total: 55 Kiss Points ]

"Oh my!" Rin grinned. He managed to accumulate almost forty kiss points thanks to Lucien. He could buy another bullet with it but he doesn’t want to be reckless. There could be something else he would need urgently. He pushed the spin button again and just as he thought...

PONPON!

Try Again!

"I knew it!" He sighed and lay on the bed. "I’d better sleep and wake up early tomorrow. Other than the clinic, I have to collect my luggage from the Duke’s mansion,"

He would have asked Lucien to get it for him, but he was already on a bad page with him. He didn’t want to think about it so he just shut his eyes, trying to sleep the whole afternoon.

.

.

The next morning, Rin was already at the clinic. He was focused, methodical, trying to bury the feelings from yesterday under work. He stood beside a frail-looking female student lying on a bed, her forehead dotted with sweat.

She’d been complaining about stomach pain for the past few days. Rin had already given her basic potions, but she didn’t seem to be improving.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Yes... It’s... It’s worse than before," she answered, trying to breathe properly.

"I’ll get someone to check on you. I’ll be right back. Please, have some rest," Rin said and she nodded.

Rin left her bed and approached Elna at the nurse’s desk, his voice soft but concerned.

"Miss Elna... about the girl from room three..."

"Ugh! She’s been here for three days already. Just give her more potion," Elna interrupted without looking up. "She’ll be fine."

Rin frowned. "But it’s been..."

"Rin. Potions."

He pressed his lips into a thin line and turned away. He wasn’t satisfied with that answer. He already expected that answer from Elna. After all, she’s been upset with him ever since she watched Theron kiss him in public.

She stood and watched everything till her tray slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor.

He shook his head, not wanting to imagine the horrible expression on her face then.

Since Elna refused to answer him, he went to Theron. He reached his office door and barged in without knocking.

Theron looked genuinely surprised when Rin walked into his office.

"Rin? Are you... alright?"

"Yes..." He answered.

Theron stood up to approach him. He began scratching his head as he turned his face away.

"You see... I’ve been thinking of a way to apologise to you for what I did to you that day at the canteen. It’s so uncalled for and..."

Rin shook his head as he waved his hands dismissively. He has even forgotten about it.

"I’m not here for a chat, Theron. Besides, I’ve forgotten about that already. I came here because one of the students is really sick. I need your help."

Theron nodded immediately.

"Lead the way."

Back at the clinic, Theron examined the student. Rin watched every subtle movement of his face. Theron didn’t look shocked, but he looked... restrained. Still, Rin knew something was going on.

He snapped his fingers. A soft hum surrounded them, and suddenly the background noise of the clinic faded.

"Sound magic?" Rin asked, his eyes widening slightly.

Theron nodded.

"Only Alphas can use it."

Rin forced a smile.

"Of course. How convenient."

But inside, he was annoyed. Another reminder of how this world worked. Omegas were always powerless.

Theron turned to the student.

"When was your last heat?"

The girl swallowed.

"Three weeks ago."

"Are you bound to an Alpha?"

She nodded, tears already welling.

Theron exhaled slowly.

"You’re pregnant."

The girl’s gasp was loud despite the sound barrier. She tried to sit up, panic flaring in her eyes.

"No... It can’t be happening,"

Rin froze. His mouth parted, but no words came out. It felt like the air in the room changed.

She began to cry.

Theron stepped back, silent, then snapped his fingers again. The barrier dropped, and the sounds of the clinic returned. He wanted to speak to Rin but Rin was still shocked even more than the pregnant student.

"Rin? Come with me," Theron said, but Rin still couldn’t move a foot.

He walked Rin to his room, handed him a glass of water, and sat beside him. He finally got himself out as he slipped from the glass.

"What happens to her now?" Rin asked quietly as the glass left his mouth.

"She’ll likely be sent home," Theron said. "The Academy doesn’t allow pregnant Omegas to stay. She might have to marry the Alpha she’s bound to."

Rin gripped the glass tightly.

"And what if she hadn’t been bound to an Alpha?"

Theron looked tired but he answered all of Rin’s questions.

"Omegas often have multiple partners during heat. It might be difficult to find out who’s responsible for the pregnancy if that’s the case. She’s lucky to be bound to an Alpha,"

Rin glanced at him.

"How many Alphas can an Omega be bound to?"

Theron gently took Rin’s hands and pointed to his wrist.

"Two here..." Then he touched his neck. "...and two more here," he added. "That’s four scent Glands. An Omega can be bound to four Alphas,"

Rin pulled his hand back.

"This world is disgusting."

Theron gave a small smile.

"You’re not wrong."

Rin groaned and buried his face in his hands. There’s no means of protection in this world. Some Alphas also do not enjoy pulling out during intercourses which makes Omegas get pregnant easily.

"And there are no condoms here? Seriously?!"

Theron blinked. "Con...doms? What’s that? A meal?"

Rin looked up and waved it off.

"Never mind. Just more proof this world sucks."

Theron placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don’t worry too much about her."

"I’ll worry if I want to," Rin snapped, then softened. "When’s the next lecture for students?"

"Tomorrow morning. Do you want to attend?"

Rin looked up. For the first time in hours, he smiled. "Yeah. I want to teach them something. That’s only if the academy approves of it,"

"Huh?" Theron asked, confused but Rin said nothing.

He left the clinic with that plan in mind.

But he didn’t return to his room. He walked straight to the Dean’s office.

He had never gone there willingly before. But today? He needed to.

He knocked, and the voice inside barked,

"Enter."

Rin secretly rolled his eyes as he stepped in. The Dean scowled the moment he saw him.

"What do you want, Rin?"

Rin took a deep breath.

"I need to speak with you. It’s important."

"I’m too busy to listen to you. You should leave."

But Rin didn’t move. He stepped forward and slammed his hand on the desk.

"You have to listen to me, Dean. What I’m about to say could reduce the number of pregnant students in your academy."

The Dean raised a brow, intrigued despite himself.

Rin smirked, eyes gleaming. "Now do I have your attention?"

And just like that, the Dean leaned forward.

"Talk."

Rin straightened his shoulders.

"Gladly."