BINGED: Reincarnated as an OP-Chapter 27: The Forbidden Book

Ren’s eyes darted to the envelope sealed with a blue stamp. He sighed and adjusted on the bed, shifting towards the table.

He stretched for the letter, groaning as every muscle protested. He peeled off the stamp, flipped the envelope open and drew out the letter, expecting the worst as always.

The address read The Office of the Head of Research Department, Zenith City Overwatch. He didn’t need any further introduction to know who sent the letter.

He slowly read out the contents.

"It’s been a while, Ace. Hope you’re settling in well? Purist University can be a hell of a place, but I’m sure you’ll fit right in with that chaos.

I need you to come over once this letter reaches you. There are things I forgot to tell you. Don’t be late. It’s for your own good."

’Once this letter reaches me? I’m almost paralyzed!’

He grunted, squeezing the paper in his hand.

He sighed, straightened the paper, and folded it back into the envelope. He pushed himself off the bed and looked around. His shoes were under the seat Faerin sat on.

He bent and reached for it, pain jolting through every muscle and joint until he pulled the shoes out from under the chair. He sat back on the bed, exhaling, and proceeded to wearing the shoes. It was another round of torture that he had to bear because he had no choice but to answer to his mysterious saviour whenever she called.

Once he was done, he limped out of the ward, praying that no nurse saw him and questioned why he was leaving.

As always, his luck caught up with him.

"Hey!" A nurse shouted just as he reached the lobby.

"What are you doing?"

Ren activated his ultimate ability: selective deafness. He paced across the lobby with a straight face, not minding the pain he felt with every step or the relentless nurse screaming his name and cussing something about students making her regret her job everyday 0across the hall. Speaking with the nurse would only complicate matters.

He pushed the door open and covered the stairs in seconds. An amazing feat for someone who could barely move.

He walked through the field and navigated his way back to the main gate. He was dead-shocked to find Moss leaning casually on the car just outside the school gate, whistling, winking and kissing the air at the dozen of young females that walked past the gate. He held the cringe that rose in his chest and struggled not to puke.

"What are you doing here?" Ren asked when he got closer.

"What?" Moss frowned, "Didn’t you get the letter?"

"I did...but—"

"Then hop in," Moss said, waving.

"Seems like you know a lot of people around here," Ren said, walking round to the other side of the car.

"I told you. I know a lot of people."

They both got into the car. Moss rested his hands on the steering.

"What happened to you?" He eyed Ren, from head to abdomen.

"A freak accident."

"You look battered, man. Hope you fed that bastard his arse?"

"How did you know?"

"I know what freshmen go through every time. But you have to make sure they know you aren’t a soft dough."

Ren chuckled. "I’m sure he won’t be making that mistake again."

Moss chuckled, patting his shoulder and smiling. He stepped on the gas pedal and drove off.

Ren had this chilling feeling crawl over him as he saw the towering, elegant building of ZeCO again. Never had he thought he’d be back there again. Susan’s call had just reminded him that this awful place might be a constant visit during his entire stay in Zenith.

Moss nodded at the main door after Ren stepped out.

"You know her office right?"

Ren squinted and turned around. His eyes ran up the windows of each floor, all the way to the top.

"I doubt I know which it is."

"I think it’s the fifth floor. Take the lift. Makes it easier for you."

Ren nodded, unsure if he even remembered where the lift was.

"Hey," Ren turned sharply.

Moss jerked as he halted the car immediately.

"Could you get me new clothes? This one," he gestured at his shirt, "has outdone itself."

Moss winked, "Aye. You got it, fight club," he said before driving off.

Ren inhaled and walked into the ZeCO building. The building looked just as cold and judgmental as the last time he was in it, especially with eyes shooting at him from different directions.

He was relieved when he spotted the door of the lift sliding away for three people—two officers and a lady in a snow jacket. He dashed across the hall, not minding the eyes that turned to him as he did.

He slid into the lift before the doors kissed back.

’Is it just me, or I missed the weather forecast?’

Ren tugged at the collar of his torn shirt and flapped the hem to fan himself.

’This place is hot as hell."

The other occupants of the lift exchanged looks, but their ultimate common focus was Ren. The lady instinctively covered her nose with her palms, muttering under her breath. Ren acted like he was the only one standing in the lift, staring up at the roof and the corners in front of him.

The lift went up humming softly. It made a soft click and halted. Its door hissed and then it resumed its ascent.

The lift halted for the fifth time. The door hissed open as it did the other four times. Ren knew that was his stop as he figured the halts announced the floor they had reached. One of the officers had gotten out at the third floor.

Ren touched a black panel by the door and waited for the door to slide open. He rushed out of the lift, pacing into the hallway without looking back.

Susan’s office couldn’t be missed. The last one with a silver door on the left, down the hallway. He swung the door open and hopped in like he was avoiding someone or something outside.

Susan raised her head from the papers she was focused on. She smiled softly when she saw Ren standing and breathing heavily.

"Don’t tell me you used the staircase," she said, sizing him.

"No," he winced. The pains were suddenly coming back again.

"I was just in a rush since you asked to see me."

"Oh, you got my letter," she grinned and arranged the papers into a pile. She shifted them away.

"Wasn’t I supposed to?"

"Have a seat, Ace."

Ren inhaled sharply when he took the first step. He paused, rolled his shoulder, cleared his throat and walked to the chair.

"You just arrived and you caused trouble already?" she said when he sat down.

"I wasn’t in trouble. I got caught in the middle of a fight."

"Aw," she cooed. "That’s why you shouldn’t play hero, Ace."

"Yeah. I’ll make sure to remember that next time," he forced a smile.

He sank into the seat.

"You didn’t think to change your clothes before coming?" she pointed at his shirt, grimacing.

"I had no choice. This was the only one Moss got for me."

"What?" her brows furrowed, "Why would he get just one? What I give him daily could buy you a dozen."

Ren shrugged.

She sighed. "He’s definitely gambling again."

She rubbed her temple as she leaned back on her chair.

"Ace," she lowered her hands and her eyes fell on him.

Ren could suddenly see a streak of concern in her eyes.

"Your power being unknown is still an issue. I bet even you don’t know how your power works."

"I do. I can use it at my will."

"Using it doesn’t mean you understand it. Do you know how scalable it is? Do you know if your powers have limitations?"

Ren was silent.

"Of course, you don’t. Silly."

She snickered playfully at Ren. He rolled his eyes, looking away.

"I want you to meet someone," she reached for a note.

She tore out a single leaf and grabbed a ball point beside the pile of papers. She scribbled on it and slid the paper to Ren.

"That’s his office address," she said as Ren picked up the note.

"Find him and tell him I sent you. He already knows I would be sending someone to him."

"I’m not supposed to know this person’s name?"

"He loves to remain a mystery until he sits face to face. He doesn’t want to move on from the old ways."

Ren stared at the note again, clicked his tongue and shoved it into his trouser pocket.

"Is that all?"

"That’s all, for now. You can leave if you want to."

"I’ll, um... I’ll have to leave. I have an exercise to finish up."

"That’s fine. I’ll send a letter if we have to meet again."

"A letter? You can just call."

"You don’t tell me what to do, Ace."

Ren nodded twice, and swerved around, walking to the door.

His hand rested on the door handle when he heard Susan call his name again.

"Ren?" She said and stood up.

Ren turned back to her.

"Could you help me with something?" She asked, pursing her lips.

"Um, yeah?"

’Do I even have a choice?’

"There’s a book I’m in need of. The only copy I know of is in the Purist University library. There’s no way I can gain access... unless I know someone there."

"So you want me to get it for you?"

"Exactly. You’re getting smarter now."

Ren sighed, "What’s the name?"

"The Great Chronicles of the Terimen. "

"That’s it? Sounds like a book about circus people."

"They were more feared than circus freaks. And you won’t find it in the public shelves."

"Why?"

Susan shrugged, "Because it’s not about circus people."

"When you see it," she added while Ren itched his head, "borrow it, don’t steal."

Ren nodded.

"Borrow it, don’t steal," his repeated the words like as toddler learning new words.

He walked out of the office. His plan was to get back to school before anyone noticed he was gone. He had no replies cooked up if anyone asked where he has been. But now he had more to his plan.

He got into the lift.

"Terimen," he scoffed, "Pfft. Wonder why she is interested in such ridiculous name."

As the lift descended, he muttered "Terimen..." again. There was something about the name.

’This name feels strangely familiar. I don’t know why.’

’If Susan wanted this book so badly enough to send me after it... it probably wasn’t just a book.’