Chapter 183: 32

Chapter 183: 32

"Darrian?" Jia Hyson slurs out.

Mr Garth frowns at the reaction. Peering closely, he notes Jia Hyson's glazed and slightly unfocused appearance. "You" He immediately whips his head around and glares at Prince Silas. Prince Silas stares gloomily back as he slowly stands up, chairs and desks clattering as he shoves them away. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing much," Prince Silas replies coldly, too lazy to elaborate on a love rival.

"Your Highness, with all due respect, it sure looks like you've fucking dru-" Mr Garth, who was readying to attack the younger vampire in anger, stopped mid-sentence as a soft and limp body leans against him.

"Don't.." Jia Hyson nuzzles into Mr Garth's much broader, muscular chest, "Take me back, please."

Mr Garth understood Alaric most likely did this to stop him from fighting and causing unnecessary backlash from the elders as a consequence. Still, he couldn't deny his heart softening at the intimate and dependent action.

"Fine." He grunts, standing up and directly ignoring his prince in favour of using his power to lift the more petite vampire up and into his arms. "Let's go to your room first, then, can you tell me where it is? This place is huge."

Jia Hyson chuckles softly, "Yeah, yeah, don't worry; once you get us out of the building, it's pretty easy."

"I can do that, at least," Mr Garth walks out of the classroom. Seeing the red and yellow-haired punk staring at him with a rather irritated and gloomy expression, similar to Prince Silas', the older vampire pauses. "Sorry, brat, as you can see, I have a situation at hand. Pretty sure your class is around here somewhere, though. That pervert- uh, I mean, the silver-haired brat in here may not look like it, but he's the student council president or something. He can help you out."

Curious at who he was talking to and reminded that another party had seen him and Prince Silas, Jia Hyson peered around Mr Garth's shoulder in curiosity. Now that he was separated from the Golden Rose crown prince, he was slowly sobering up again, and his blue eyes were bright and shining with unshed tears. His pale face was flushed pink, and the rims of his eyes were reddened, highlighting the blueness of his eyes even further, as well as serving to make him look pitiful and fragile.

Kylan Laframboise's mouth turns dry at the sight. The young man was so beautiful. Most importantly, it was almost exactly the same face as in his memories, one that haunted his dreams and was the face that starred all over the crossdressing blog he now almost religiously followed. Immediately, Kylan became very excited. Still, he could only awkwardly watch as the rough and rugged old man carried the other further away from his sight.

It was her! Him! It was Jasmine!

'Host, that was Kylan Laframboise.' Bebe piped up in Jia Hyson's head.

Jia Hyson groans audibly.

Of course, he was. He hadn't even sorted out Silas, and somehow Kylan had entered the game earlier than expected. Wasn't he supposed to come at the start of next year? Then the female lead, Jessica Fang, would enter the year after, starting the plot of the second book of the series. That meant there were still over one and a half years before the story began. Can Jia Hyson really stabilise some sort of stalemate till then? He got a headache just thinking about it, and his favourability for Kylan, the little stray puppy in his memories, immediately plummeted in response.

Unhelpful people were annoying people.

Mr Garth, mistaking the groaning sound for discomfort, strokes his back quietly as he walks down the hall. Moved, Jia Hyson nuzzles his face against the other's neck affectionately like a kitten, "Thanks, Darrian." He murmurs, enjoying the look of embarrassment on the older vampire's face.

Because it was still during school hours, the halls and the courtyards were practically empty. It was easy for Mr Garth, under Jia Hyson's instructions, to quickly find the way to the dorms. Entering the room, Mr Garth sees the large couch and uses his power to gently float Jia Hyson there. "I'll get a wet towel to wipe you down. Do you want some juice and some food? Or tea?"

Seeing how the other was pampering him, Jia Hyson really didn't have the face to let him continue, especially given this was his dormitory, and Mr Garth was a guest who had never been here before. Even if he liked to act a bit spoiled and needy with the older vampire, it wasn't to such an unreasonable extent.

Sitting up, he awkwardly smiles, "There's no need. I'm actually much better, ah." Seeing Mr Garth really intending to go find where everything is, Jia Hyson felt embarrassed and panicked. His good manners really couldn't allow someone he felt admiration and affection for to do this, especially when they were in such an ambiguous unconfirmed relationship.

Bebe: 'What about Sefu?'

Jia Hyson: 'That's inherently different. He was my servant ah.'

Sefu: Coughsblood.jpeg

"Then, at least let me get a towel for you." Mr Garth says stubbornly as he walks over to the sitting vampire, touching Jia Hyson's head with faint distress, "If you want, then I would appreciate some coffee and biscuits then."

"Mm." Jia Hyson nods, agreeing to the compromise. He points to where the bathroom would be and also does his part of getting up and putter around the kitchen.

Mr Garth was predisposed to headaches due to his powers, so not only does he smoke but also enjoys strong doses of caffeine, which has vasoconstrictive* properties. During a headache, blood vessels go through changes like swelling or tightening that produce increased blood flow around the brain, putting pressure on the surrounding nerves. This pressure sends pain messages to the brain that causes headaches, so by using caffeine, the blood vessels will 'tighten' and reduce that blood flow to the brain relieving this pain.

*vasoconstrictive properties: meaning that blood vessels narrow

In light of this, Jia Hyson doesn't hesitate to put a more concentrated brew for Mr Garth while also adding a sweetener to improve the bitter taste like how he prefers. He also puts out a small plate of strong pain medication, triple the recommended dosage for a human. Caffeine taken in combination with these can increase the absorption and strength of the medication to provide even faster relief, and with their vampiric constitution, just a regular dose really won't cut it.

Of course, if caffeine is consumed regularly, then the body will become consequently dependent on its effects and adjust to this state, so if one stopped taking caffeine regularly, there would be a backlash. The blood vessels that have been suppressed by the caffeine will enlarge and increase the blood flow again, triggering a caffeine withdrawal headache. These withdrawal headaches can last for a couple of weeks as the body adjusts to the lack of regular caffeine input. However, since they were all vampires, the negative effects of caffeine didn't apply to them as much. Therefore like smoking, Mr Garth just chose to never go into withdrawal.

Alongside the medication, Jia Hyson also added some gingersnap biscuits and other snacks while he boiled some hot water for his own cup of tea.

"You look like a good little wife." The gruff voice of Mr Garth comments good-humouredly. Jia Hyson laughs as he passes the steaming cup of strong coffee to the older vampire.

"It's really too bad I didn't put on an apron; add to the look and all." He jokes.

After closing the door, Jia Hyson turns on the tap and splashes water on his face. The cold water was welcome, and his eyes felt a little less sore. With a wet face, Jia Hyson tilts his head up and massages his closed eyes with circular movements made by the palm of his hands and groans heavily.

Jia Hyson was fairly decisive when things got to certain points; whether he would choose to follow Prince Rigel or not, he was more or less ready to sever whatever connections were necessary. It was only Mr Garth that made him reluctant and conflicted.

Does he want to betray him? No. Is he willing to leave him? Not really. But does he want him to betray the coven he had grown up in and protected since he was born just to join him? Definitely not.

Jia Hyson felt he would rather do the first two things in a heartbeat than force the other to change into something he doesn't want to be. Even if Mr Garth was willing for himself, Jia Hyson, who usually loved the idea of breaking someone down and remoulding them into his desired image with his own manipulations, suddenly felt uncomfortable and nauseous thinking about applying anything similar to his chain-smoking vampire.

'If Bebe could speak now,' Bebe suddenly says, 'Host, maybe you could consider looking at this?'

Taking his hands from his eyes, Jia Hyson blinks and looks at what his system has projected in front of him. It was a Bebay page. On it was a catalogue of low-level systems and system-related things. Speech system, Social Worker system, Surgeon System, Sales Representative System, Service System, Sailor System, Security System-

'Don't look at those. They're basic and extremely expensive add-ons to your current system. A rudimentary level system, one of the lowest levels.' Bebe instructs, 'The starter price is already high, and it is indeed useful if you want to try to learn these sorts of jobs while you work, but if you want to specialise further, you have to pay more to unlock it.'

Thinking it was still a bit vague, Bebe explains further, 'You can think of them like the Superstar or Farming systems in transmigration stories. The ones with no emotions and have the lowest artificial intelligence, making them only able to give out various tasks that need to be completed in exchange for rewards. However, they haven't been particularly popular since the introduction of being able to book classes and free training rooms in Host World, where the overall prices seem a lot more affordable in the long run. To be honest, it really depends, but- never mind that, first look at what I highlighted for you.'

Jia Hyson frowns as he looks at the list. 'Oh, this?' His eyes eventually see an item highlighted by Bebe, and presses it on the screen. Immediately the item page pops up, showing a strange-looking almond thing with the texture and colour of a black pearl. Under the photos of it taken at multiple angles and even on a hand to showcase its size, there was a series of text.

[System Seed - Do you think someone you met deserves a chance at becoming a host like yourself? Want the chance to meet them once more?

Either gift or feed the System Seed to the other party and if the individual is lucky gains an appropriate stimulus or has already been judged to have potential as a host, the System Seed will use their data to create a rudimentary system best suited for them, equipped with a basic AI to aid their journey. They will undergo a trial period, and if they are judged to have passed, they have the opportunity to become a proper host or enter the reincarnation cycle with the merits they've accumulated.

Warning: The system seed does not guarantee activation. A person can not take in more than one system seed at the same time, taking more than one will result in dangerous consequences that we will not be liable for. This item is for people who don't have systems. It is highly recommended you do not tell the other party what this item is.

We reiterate please do not give to them if you know they have a system. Yes, even if their system is not related to our system world and was produced as part of the story, it still counts because it is a system. Seriously, it's just one rule, do not complain if you break it. We are not liable for your stupidity, you stupid fucking- Made by Overlord Li Jun's R&D: Where we make what you don't necessarily want.

(75,000p)]

Jia Hyson was a fairly quick reader, and the more he read, the more his eyes lit up.

'It doesn't guarantee anything,' Bebe warns him carefully after sensing Jia Hyson's visible excitement. 'In fact, because of this, it's not as expensive as the other things on the page, but it's still enough to make us hesitate with our current wealth, to be honest.'

'How can I increase the chances?' Jia Hyson asks, the eagerness in his expression unable to be hidden at all. While he couldn't deny he felt a little hesitant and wary, the thought that maybe they could see each other again, even spending a few lifetimes together it didn't fill him with a sense of dread or pressure or anxiety at all. Well, it was undeniably present, but it was nothing compared to the shy giddy feeling that fluttered inside his chest like petals being blown up by the wind.

At this moment, Jia Hyson felt maybe he captured just a little bit of the feeling that those quick transmigration BL protagonists have. Wanting to chase after one man, spending every world together with him no matter what-no, unlike them, Jia Hyson was still not so big-hearted. He appreciates Mr Garth for his dry wit, his kind sincerity, their similar attitudes in sex, admired his loyalty to others, likes his thoughtfulness and openness. Jia Hyson wouldn't change his smoking habits, the way the man could trip on air when he was tired enough, how he occasionally starts to mumble if he talks too long. Because these were all aspects he really, really likes about him.

Jia Hyson swallows heavily and touches his cheeks which were the hottest they had ever felt since he became a vampire.

'To be honest, even Bebe doesn't know the exact conditions that can guarantee it activates. It's a little flawed in that even if people try to follow the previous successes, it can still not work and can only depend on fate. Generally though, if the person has a strong speciality, has a large accumulation of merit, saves someone before they die or has just experienced a lot in their life, the chances increases.' Bebe recounts before adding. 'You can only give it to him once, and if you do buy it, it's best to make him eat it. After all, if it falls to someone else's hands, then they'll be the ones with this opportunity instead.'

Given that he had enough money to afford the System Seed and still had over 100,000p leftover, Jia Hyson didn't hesitate and asked Bebe to buy it for him. Even if the seed didn't activate, at least he could say he had tried. Maybe in other cases, he wouldn't have bought it so quickly, but in this context, the cost of regret for not doing so far outweighed any monetary losses right now.

Once the purchase was put through successfully, Jia Hyson took the System Seed out from the storage space. Looking at the smooth, black seed, the size and shape of an almond in his hand, it seemed so innocuous. But thinking of what it truly was, and what it could do, the seed suddenly felt simultaneously incredibly heavy and fragile in his hands.

Jia Hyson silently and carefully curled his fingers around it and brought it to his face to gently kiss.

...

..

.

Little Theatre:

Mr Garth: So.. there's a chance I'll be back? :D

Yin shard: Fuck

Yang shard: FUCK

Yin-Yang shard: F U C K