Indeed, as he had claimed, Zion accompanied him all the way to the TIC's office building, while they constantly bickered along all the way.
None of their conversation made sense anyway, since Earl couldn't stop looking away every time their eyes met.
Ten minutes ago, that man had humiliated him publicly, but now…Zion kept staring at him as if he had discovered a hidden treasure.
Even walking across the hallway, shirtless and brazenly holding his arm, they did invite attention from the fellow students who walked past them.
Though none of them dared to question his action, Earl couldn't help but keep trying to break free from his grasp while hiding his shy face.
"Let go of my hand!"
"Not until I take you to the office."
His suspicious action made Earl furrow his brows when he exhaled a big sigh.
"I know what you're doing."
"What?" Zion asked.
"You won't fool me." Earl clicked his tongue, sounding quite confident, "I know this is your new way of messing with me. But—"
All of a sudden, his words fell silent when a strange feeling crawled down his spine, making Earl quickly turn his gaze aside.
A bit far from the academy grounds; it felt as if someone was watching him.
There were many students, buildings, and countless trees…but the feeling of a figure who stood beneath a distant stone archway felt very apparent.
The figure was tall, motionless…he couldn't understand whether it was a boy or a girl.
However, even from that distance, Earl could feel a pair of crimson eyes fixated directly on him without wavering anywhere.
The gaze was sharp, cold, and almost predatory…sending an unpleasant chill through him.
But right next second, the figure disappeared in thin air…as if nothing was there in the first place!
"Wait...What the hell?" Earl gasped from shock, making Zion narrow his orbs towards the direction where he was staring.
"What happened?"
When Zion enquired, Earl blankly stared in that direction for a few seconds before pursing his lips.
"Nothing."
Zion narrowed his orbs, clearly unconvinced. But knowing Earl won't elaborate easily, he muttered, "Here you should know about something important. Don't try exploring everywhere in the Academy alone. It would be far more dangerous for someone like you…so if needed, I would accompany you."
Earl raised his brow at his concerned tone, with a mocking smirk, "Well, won't it ruin your reputation to tag along with a wolfless omega whore?"
"Earl–"
"No need."
Earl pressed his lips, sounding much more ardent from his tone as they had reached in front of the office building.
Finally freeing his arm from his grip, he sounded a bit relieved, "In fact, I would be glad if you could keep a distance from me as well. I am not a weakling who would need your constant protection."
From his tone, it was quite evident that Earl was still angry at him for hurling all those insults previously.
When Earl marched away before he could say anything else, he even refused to look back.
He might notice that Zion hadn't moved at all, gazing at him still, following his retreating figure, though unable to look away.
In fact, Zion himself felt a little remorse for blatantly trusting the rumors spread about Earl before he could step into the Academy.
But now…he was the only one who could make him feel something for the very first time in life. And there was no way he would be reluctant to let him escape from him.
Though the unusual feeling made no sense to Zion at all. After all, he didn't even know Earl before today.
Yet his warmth still lingering on his fingertips refused to disappear, serving as a haunting reminder of Earl's existence.
On the other hand, Earl didn't bother to worry about some creepy stalker watching over him. He had far bigger problems. Like surviving his first day in a stranger's body…and bearing with the constant turmoils hurled at him.
Especially the biggest trouble existing for him right now…Zion.
….
The hallway inside the office building felt unusually larger and more deserted than usual, while Earl was cautiously following the map to reach the TIC office.
But as if the world had held a personal grudge against him, a new trouble found him again.
Two young boys were coming towards him on the opposite side, sneaking glances at him, which Earl could vividly feel. Zion's black shirt was hanging loosely from his frame, swaying with every step he took.
But the trouble began when those two boys sensed Zion's scent lingering on the shirt, immediately halting their steps. Their greedy gazes scanned him from head to toe, smirking among themselves before they blocked Earl's path.
"Well, well…looks like Zion has finally broken his chastity and jumped on a pretty boy, huh?" They snorted, moving a step closer to Earl, glancing at his shirt, "Is that why you're flaunting Zion's shirt? Was it fun spreading legs for one of the Pillars of the Academy?"
Pillar? Wait…what did he mean by that in the first place? Was it a special position granted to Zion?
But honestly, Earl had no intention of finding more about it, because he was already late to the TIC's office.
Exhausted and not in the mood to give them further attention, he shrugged, "I am a wolfess omega, not worth your time. So, move out of my way."
"Wait…what?" The two boys suddenly paused for a second before bursting into a loud, wicked laughter, "That's insane! So you're that infamous omega bitch who sold himself to a higher official to get in here? And…Zion took you as well?"
Incredible. Earl thought he had been inside this academy for less than an hour, and somehow his fictional sex life had become the center of gossip among all the students.
But honestly, he wasn't exactly thrilled to have his reputation tarnished everywhere inside this academy.
Even though he was deliberate to survive for now, knowing there wasn't exactly a place left for him outside in the ruined world already hit by a catastrophe.
Sighing internally, when Earl intended to cross the path, one of them blocked his way again, almost demanding this time, "Where are you going without answering us?
"You've got some nerve to act this way towards us. But I bet you might taste great…knowing Zion couldn't hold himself back either."
Earl's patience began evaporating. Because, unlike these idiots, he actually had somewhere important to be. It was clearly stated in the Academy rules that he had to meet the TIC first to register his entry here. And there was no need for wasting his time with these kids on another pointless argument.
"I said move!"
His voice sounded quite agitated this time, making the tallest boy among those two march even closer with a threatening growl, "Or what? Just because we are betas, that gives you the right to look down on us, you bitch?"
"Hey, that's not—"
A rough hand suddenly grabbed his collar hard before Earl could finish, and the force jerked him forward, making the boy sneer.
"Just because Zion gave you a good fuck, now you think you're above everyone, huh? Don't forget your status here. Like an obedient bitch, strip and bend over there. Maybe if you beg us nicely, we will be gentle to you?"