Chapter 28: System’s Reward!

Rin blinked at his reflection in the mirror as his hands finally left the earrings that shimmered faintly like liquid silver, cool against his skin. They weren’t just shiny accessories. They were indeed enchanted artifacts.

Artifacts.

That word alone made Rin’s stomach knot. They were powerful and rare. Rin had read enough fantasy novels and manga to know not just anyone gave out artifacts like they were candy.

He turned to the woman slowly.

"Why... why are you giving these to me? They’re not just jewellery, are they?"

The woman paused. Her smile faded for a second, just a flicker... and then it returned, softer this time, like a mother gently looking at her child.

"You remind me of someone," she said, brushing her long hair behind her shoulder.

Rin frowned.

"Someone?"

He silently hoped it wasn’t a lover or something.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stepped away from the jewellery tray and began folding a pale piece of cloth, almost like she needed to keep her hands busy.

"My son," she said at last.

Rin blinked, his mouth whispering an ’oh’.

She chuckled weakly.

"You see, I was a Beta. Still am, of course. My husband was an Alpha. Rich. Popular. All the things they say should make a woman feel lucky."

Her voice dropped, bitter and tired.

"He was cruel and controlling. He’s also too loyal to the kingdom, always ready to prove himself and get attention from the high-ranking nobles. Then I gave birth to our first child... our son... he didn’t smile or cry. He just stared at the baby and when he was fourteen, his father returned and asked what he had manifested as."

Rin swallowed hard as if he already knew the answer.

"He was an omega. My husband was furious. He called his own son weak and said he couldn’t raise a boy like that. Then one day, when I went to the store, I came home and... my son was gone."

Rin’s grip on Niblet tightened.

"He sold him. Sold him like an object. To Duke Vortellion’s estate. Said he needed the money and the boy was better off anyway. Just because he was an Omega,"

Her voice cracked slightly, but she forced herself to smile again, blinking rapidly as if that would erase the tears.

"I haven’t seen him since. I don’t know what became of him. I only heard... rumours."

Rin’s throat tightened.

He knew what happened to omegas taken to the Vortellion estate. And if he told her the truth... if she heard even half of what was done to them there, her heart would break into pieces that could never be put back together.

So he stayed quiet.

He nodded softly, looking at her, really looking this time. She wasn’t just a boutique owner. She was a grieving mother. A woman who couldn’t save her own child... but was trying to protect someone else’s.

Someone like him.

"You didn’t have to give me this," Rin said gently, touching the earrings again.

"I know," she replied. "But I wanted to. If I can’t help my own son, let me help someone. Even if it’s selfish."

Rin smiled faintly.

"Then thank you... for being selfish, I guess."

She smiled back and chuckled, brushing his bangs aside like a mom would.

"Come back whenever you need help. My shop is always open to you."

Just then, Niblet barked twice, bouncing in Rin’s arms like an impatient toddler.

"Alright, alright," Rin muttered, chuckling under his breath. "We’re going."

They walked back out to the main room where the girls were already done with their shopping. Some had boxes stacked in their arms, others were playfully flirting with the shop’s assistants.

"About time!" one of them grinned, eyes sparkling as she noticed the earrings. "Rin! What’s with the bling?"

Rin rolled his eyes.

"It’s nothing. Can we go now? It’s getting late."

"Ooooh, someone’s being shy," another teased.

"Did you buy lingerie too? Want us to pick a great fit for you?"

Rin turned bright red.

"No!"

They all laughed and handed Madame the final slip. She nodded gracefully, telling them the academy would handle the bill.

As Rin turned to leave, the Madame leaned close and whispered, "Come back to town whenever you can."

He nodded slowly, then walked out the door. Niblet trotted proudly beside him.

.

.

By the time the carriage pulled up in front of the male staff dorms, the sun had dipped below the horizon. The sky was awash in oranges and purples. Rin stepped down first, holding Niblet close.

The girls waved from the window.

"Are you really going to reject those Alphas, Rin?"

Rin nodded. "Absolutely. Please, help me with that,"

They shared a look, then laughed softly.

"Alright. Then we’ll find them new partners. Maybe Elna would take them for herself."

Rin smirked and shrugged.

"Well... good luck with that."

He waved at them as the carriage rode to the female dorm. When they disappeared into the air, he turned around and disappeared into the dorm.. His room.

Inside, everything was quiet and peaceful.

Too peaceful and he missed it.

He tossed his coat on the rack, unfastening the rope on his shirt. His collarbone peeked out again, and he let out a tired sigh.

That’s when it happened.

DING!

[System Alert: Major Divergence in Canon Timeline Detected.]

[Minor Character: Survived.]

[Character: Julian Vortellion - Status: Safe]

Rin stared at the screen, stunned.

"...Wait... the mirror trick worked?"

He sat slowly on the edge of his bed, still holding Niblet. He had just made up anything to help Lucien so he won’t go back to the estate and ruin the mission he has. He never expected that it would work.

"So... he’s safe? That’s a good thing... right?

That was when the screen flickered again. The letters on the pink box were different.

[Processing Reward... 56%]

Rin’s eyes narrowed.

"Reward? Why does that sound like something’s gonna go terribly wrong?"

[Processing Reward... 62%]

"This is going to take a while," he mumbled and rested his head.

Just as he leaned back on the bed, letting his head hit the pillow, someone knocked on his door.

He stiffened at the knock.

"No. No. Nope. No good thing has ever come from a knock on this door."

’First it was Lucien, then his father... who else would it be? Lucien’s lovers? Or someone else?’

Still, he stood up.

He padded barefoot to the door and opened it a slow and dragging creak... then immediately froze.

Standing outside was the head doctor, Theron.

Shirtless. The scene felt so familiar.

Rin’s eye twitched.

"Why are Alphas allergic to shirts in this place?"

Theron stood confidently, arms folded. His skin glowed faintly from the evening chill, muscles tense.

Rin forced a polite, exhausted smile.

"Can I help you, Head Doctor?"

Theron held out a paper toward him.

Rin squinted and saw the heading written in bold letters.

The rut registry.

He looked closer. His own name? Nowhere to be found.

He placed a hand on his chest and heaved a breath of relief.

Theron’s name? It was paired with Elna.

"Um... Congratulations?" Rin muttered.

Theron didn’t smile. Instead, he walked past Rin and pushed the door shut behind him.

"...Okay. Rude."

Rin stared at him.

"How did you even find my room?"

Theron shrugged, pointing at the paper.

"This list is posted on every notice board. I don’t live in this dorm, but I came here because I wanted to ask you something."

Rin raised a brow. "That doesn’t answer my question but...What would you like to ask?"

"Why did you reject me?"

Rin blinked.

"Reject you?"

"You were on my list. You were paired with me. Then you weren’t. So why?"

Rin crossed his arms.

"Because I don’t do men."

Theron stared at him, confusion washing over him

"...That’s supposed to be my line," he said quietly. "But I was going to do you. I chose you!"

Rin choked on air.

"Excuse me?!"

"I don’t know why," Theron continued, stepping closer. "But you... You mess with my head. I keep thinking about you. Your sweet perfume that sticks to your skin. Your voice. You keep invading my damn thoughts. I keep seeing you everywhere, my dream, my room..."

Rin panicked as Theron stepped forward again, cornering him until his back hit the wall.

Theron’s arm rested beside Rin’s head. His leg slipped between Rin’s, parting them slightly.

"Tell me what it is. What’s your problem with me? I’ll change it."

Rin wasn’t listening. He wasn’t even looking at the man in front of him, but at the box close to Theron’s head.

But for some reason, his body moved on instinct.

Maybe it was because he wanted to shut Theron up.

Maybe it was because his brain was short-circuited.

Maybe it was because of the system...

But before he could stop himself... He grabbed Theron’s face and kissed him. A full kiss. Right on the lips.

His eyes were wide the entire time. Even he was confused.

’Why did I just do that?! No wait! What am I fucking doing?’

He pulled back and covered his face with his small hands.

Theron froze. He was the most confused one since he wasn’t expecting the kiss.

Then slowly, his hands gripped Rin’s waist.

Rin gasped, pulling away suddenly, shocked.

Both of them just stared at each other.

The air was tense and then...

DING!

[’KISS’ Registered!]

[Reward Loading Completed!]

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