Blood Queen Reborn-Chapter 21: Weekend (Part 2)

In an office inside of the second year building, there was a muscular man with arms the sides of thighs, wearing a military uniform as he clicked away on his computer. Clipped to his chest was a badge that stated "Second Years Head: Duke King."

The place had a shelf lined with decorated medals, and the draw blinds were partially closed, allowing for the afternoon sun to light up the area.

Duke was checking on the school’s records, preparing for a special visitor.

He scrolled through the list of students, going from highest ability level to lowest, but he noticed that a specific student’s number wasn’t listed on the mid to high end like last time he checked. Duke had taken note of this student due to the rarity of the ability, and when he looked into her background, she lacked the family backing that most mid levels had. Intrigued by this recent change, Duke searched up her name directly.

[Search: Erin Heley]

When he spotted her number as a level 1, he almost did a double take in shock.

’Did she fake her ability number? No, the records state that she used an ice ability in the test before officially joining the school,’ Duke thought, ’Is she a part of Pure and forged her records? How would she have shown an ice ability?’

Pure was the name of a terrorist organization that opposed abilities. They believed that abilities were the worst thing that had happened to human-kind, and as a result, all of their members didn’t have a single ability. They weren’t weak by any means, and instead got their strength from using beast weapons, making them quite formidable foes. If Erin was a member of Pure, then it would explain why she didn’t have an ice ability now, but not how she was able to use one in the beginning.

Duke was thinking about it, but he was only left with questions. It was all too suspicious, and he almost considered telling the other staff members about the student. Instead, he decided to examine another person who had no family backing, and had recently become a level 1 earth user. A student by the name of Peter Chuck.

’Hmm... I might as well kill two birds with one stone.’

—

As Quinn and Erin looked through the frames, he was finding it a little difficult to pick one out. There was just something about purchasing glasses frames that was so stressful especially since he was basically picking out what his personality would be for the next 2 years.

"What about these?" Erin pointed out some cat’s eye shaped green glasses frames.

"What do you take me for? A librarian?" Quinn dryly commented.

"They’re sturdy," Erin then lightly smacked the glasses on her hands a few times before putting them back.

Quinn rolled his eyes, "At least you care about practicality."

Erin bit her tongue at that snide comment, "It’s what matters most."

They continued looking through the frames, trying out a few. Quinn even grabbed some hot pink heart shaped glasses, thinking they were not his style.

’I wonder how she would look like if I...?’

He held the frames up to where Erin’s eyes were in his vision, and chuckled a little at the silly sight.

"What are you laughing at?" Erin commented.

"Nothing," Quinn quickly spoke.

"While you were laughing at nothing, I picked out your glasses for you," Erin stated, then held up some frames up to Quinn’s face.

It was square shaped, and thick around the edges, but due to the light blue color, it didn’t stand out too much.

"Try these on," Erin handed them to Quinn, and he placed them on his face.

Quinn looked over to the mirror, and examined himself. He unfortunately had acne, and his face was a little asymmetrical, along with a goofy smile that made it so he didn’t see himself as attractive. Not only that, but when he wore his old glasses, he just looked like a poor nerd.

But now, he looked different. He didn’t know why, perhaps it was from the fact that the glasses he was currently wearing didn’t fit his prescription just yet so everything looked blurry, but with his new frames, and newfound confidence, he didn’t look as bad as before.

"...It’s perfect," Quinn said with a smile.

Erin paid for the glasses, which, when Quinn saw the price, he winced at the sight of it. Erin didn’t seem to give it any mind, reminding him of their two very different economic levels.

They weren’t ready to be immediately worn just yet, as they needed to make the lenses that fit Quinn’s eyesight before shipping it to him. Thankfully, due to advancements in technology, such things shouldn’t take too long and they’d be ready either later that day or morning the next.

They left the optic clinic, and walked out into the sunlight. It wasn’t as bright as it was that morning now that time passed, but Erin looked visibly bothered by it, even if she was trying to keep a calm face.

[Erin is being hit by direct sunlight. All stats will be halved]

"Ugh... stupid sunlight," Erin muttered.

They were walking their way back to the military school, but something was bothering Quinn while they were at the optic clinic.

"Hey, Erin."

"What?" Erin shot back, sweating buckets.

"Are you trying to make yourself feel better?"

Erin stopped walking, and Quinn knew he hit the nail on the coffin.

"I’m only making sure you can hold up your own in a fight," Erin replied.

"I know, but there’s more to it than just that," Quinn said, "It’s not just about the glasses."

"What do you mean?"

Quinn sighed, "Its about what I was trying to get to the other day, how low levels as a whole are treated like trash. Just because you’re helping me out doesn’t mean that all the other low levels are going to get the attention of a nice high level, or at least someone with money."

Erin stayed silent, listening intently.

He paused, figuring out the best way to word everything, "What I’m trying to say is... we need change. A change in the horribly strict system we’re in. Something that’ll allow the low levels the freedom to grow, and not be punished for existing."

Erin didn’t say anything, taking everything in. The walk back continued to stay awkward as neither of them spoke for a while. Quinn wasn’t sure if what he said was going to get through to her, but he had to at least try.

Before they were about to enter the school, they spotted a student picking on another. Erin could easily see that the bully was a level 3 picking on a level 2, and the level 2 user on the floor was desperately trying to cover his watch with his body. Before, Erin wouldn’t have paid any attention to this, but the level 3 user had clearly won over the level 2. If Erin’s previous world view was right, then why was the level 3 kicking the weaker person while he was down?

"This is what I’m talking about," Quinn muttered before turning to look at Erin, "Now what are you going to do about it?"

Erin saw the scene in front of her, and the fact that it was clearly a one sided fight, did not seem fair in her eyes at all. She used her inspect skill on the level 3, then looked at her own experience level.

[155/200 EXP]

She just needed 45 more experience points before she could level up, and judging by the quest she just saw, it would be well worth it.

{Erin} With the two of us, we could defeat that guy.

Quinn’s eyes perked up as he saw the same system message that Erin was pointing out.

[Defeat Nill Zilch]

[Ability: Acid Spray]

[Reward: 50 EXP]

[Blood type: B+]

[For fighting with your soul linked partner, additional EXP and rewards may be given]

{Erin} And if we win, I’ll be level 3.