[ABO BL Anthology] Time Cross Academy

Panotti of the Opera (13)

Two days after the musical ended, it was obvious that the atmosphere of the campus had changed drastically.

Firstly, there were many whispers about how handsome Prince Syris was. The opinions of omegas made a complete change the moment they heard Syris rapping and even though his singing was mediocre for a siren, they were captivated by his passion on stage.

“Not only is he good-looking, but he is also kind and talented!”

“Are you sure he was previously tone-deaf? Maybe he was just pretending and waiting for the right time.”

As Floopy and Klick walked to their class, they kept hearing mixed comments and opinions about Syris. The composer was glad that more people are starting to view his boyfriend in a more favourable light and giggled happily.

To make things better, ever since Floopy proved his ability to create such an emotional musical that Amanda loved, nobody bullied him or Klick anymore. In fact, it felt a little strange to be receiving nods of acknowledgement from his classmates and omegas. While he didn’t make new friends because of it, he earned their respect.

Speaking of strange changes, there was one that made Floopy a little confused and Klick extremely annoyed.

Alphas don’t often approach betas but ever since the musical, there had been several alphas coming to the beta block to catch Floopy. Some would come with flowers and others would recite poetry in hopes to ask Floopy out. Klick recognised them as the alpha sons of families who depended on music for their power or livelihood. In other words, all these people were celebrities. Hence, the bat demon did his best to chase them all away to protect his precious friend.

“I hate this damned cast, why can’t it be removed already? I could have kicked that alpha’s ass without this stupid thing on!” he fumed.

The latest alpha was a peacock in even the most literal sense. The man dressed in a very loud and ostentatious fashion that screamed “attention w***e” and proposed for the fifth time today in front of Floopy’s class. The bat assassin even heard that this peacock alpha already had a canary fiance and that made him angrier. It didn’t matter how many times Floopy told him that he wouldn’t accept his proposal because he already had a boyfriend, this peacock was relentless!

“It’s alright,” Floopy told his best friend. “You can still kick him after you’re better. Just don’t be too reckless, Bruce told me that you tore your ligament from trying to fly while still in bandages. Your wings are broken, please take better care of them!”

Klick was annoyed. Speaking of annoyances, his life seemed to be at the least favourable point. Apart from the chaos circling Floopy, he was also involved with an annoying shark. Unfortunately for Klick, he still had a mission to fulfil so he was unable to reveal his true colours just yet, The person he needed to murder still hasn’t been found in this massive academy so he had to make do for now. That said, Bruce actually did make a decent pest repellant. Normally, Klick would have to ward flies away from Floopy and himself but with Bruce standing in front of all three of them, Syris included, nobody dared to approach them carelessly, in fear of inciting the shark’s wrath.

Today, Floopy and Syris were going to see Amanda. It has been roughly a week since the musical and to reward Floopy for doing such a fantastic job, Amanda wanted to see him and Syris who played a huge role in the play’s success.

Without even hearing or looking, Klick knew how his timid friend must be feeling. Becoming an omega wasn’t going to be easy. There were so many things that Floopy didn’t know even after reading up all about it and talking to Soubi. When the panotti heard about the first heat that all awakened omegas first experienced, he was honestly frightened.

“Will you be ok?” Klick asked just before they made the final turn to the tower. Syris was already waiting there and if Floopy wanted to back out, this was the last chance.

Unlike him, his friend was a true beta who had never known the pains of an omega. Klick couldn’t help but worry. He never thought that being an omega would be a joy. Compared to the shackles of fate by becoming an alpha or an omega, Klick had always wanted to be a beta. He couldn’t understand why Floopy would willingly change his second-gender to something that is bound by fate. Then again, it was slightly different for Floopy. He fell in love with Syris who happened to be an alpha and this was a personal decision. He was shackled by fate like Klick so maybe his friend would be fine.

“Yes,” Floopy nodded and hugged his friend. “Thank you for taking care of me and being my first friend and best friend. I’m going to miss you a lot!”

Klick sighed and nuzzled the boy’s furry head. “I’m going to miss you too. Please be happy. If Syris makes you unhappy, tell me. I will teach him a lesson for you.”

Floopy laughed. “Syris won’t do that. But thank you, I’m going to ask Amanda for the gender-changing potion.”

They met up with Syris and Bruce at the foot of the tower. Klick scowled when he smelled the shark.

“Why are you here?”

Bruce rolled his eyes. “To keep an eye on you, obviously. You’re going to wait here until they return to hear the news first hand so why can’t I?”

Klick made a face and Floopy smiled. As strange as this was, he thought that his best friend of Syris’ best friend made a lovely pair. They might always be fighting but Floopy knew that Klick wouldn’t be so at ease with any other person. With Bruce, it feels as if they were playing on a more even ground, not holding back on insults.

“Shall we go?” Syris asked and offered his arm to Floopy like a gentleman. Floopy allowed Syris to escort him in and they met Asahina who brought them up the tower to see the grand archmage.

“Floopy! My favourite composer! How have you been? I heard that many things have changed ever since they knew that you were the composer for all the musicals made. I told you that keeping your identity wasn’t a good thing but you refused to change that despite all the bullying you suffered. What changed your mind?”

Syris blinked. This was the first time he heard about it and gave the panotti a questioning look. Floopy avoided Syris’ gaze and thanked Amanda.

“It’s as you said. I had no reason to reveal myself after enduring it for so long. However, I believe the reason for my revelation should be the same as how I managed to write the first romance musical that you’ve been pestering me for the longest time. I have to admit, the revelation wasn’t planned. It was an accident but a happy one.”

Amanda took a look at the clasped hands and smiled.

“Asahina, bring me that thing and the registration form. Prepare them a special room as well. I heard that they’ve already been acquainted with Ringo and Michael so this should be easier.”

Floopy blinked, not knowing what was going on but Syris’ eyes widened. Amanda produced a potion and slid it across her desk for Floopy.

“I think that you deserve a second chance at life. You used to tell me that you’re alright with being a beta because you had no place to go even if you graduated and said that you wanted to be a permanent staff with the school. I think that dream has changed now, huh?”

Floopy blushed but nodded. Asahina brought the registration form and told the couple to read through the terms before signing it.

“This form is one for rooming together as an official couple. Once you’ve bonded and mated, please come back to sign another form. The potion will change Floopy’s second gender and the process will be painful. In order to become an omega, the beta second-gender must first be destroyed and the womb must be created. After the womb is created and the reproductive organs are stable, the first omega hormones will release themselves, triggering his first heat. In that time, please accompany Floopy as his alpha to bond and mate. The heat would last anything from two days to a week and not more than that.”

After the thorough explanation of the arrangements for the new couple, Amanda watched them sign the papers, thank her and leave. Asahina bowed and passed the signed papers to Amanda who grinned like a naughty child.

With a wave of her hand, the principal undid the transformation magic. The signatures were legally binding to the real terms but the new couple didn’t know that. For them, their relationship was at a higher risk than most of her other students. As the principal of her school, she wanted to bless each and every couple but some were more tricky than the others.

With Syris’ status as a prince and his unstable family background, Amanda took the liberty of adding a few new clauses to the standard contract. This was proof of her devotion and protection for Syris and Floopy so that they did not get caught up in the political strife.

“Asahina, go make a copy of this and send it to the King of Atlantis. If they do not agree with my terms, annihilate them completely. Floopy and Syris might have to work hard to repopulate the merfolks but I don’t think they’ll have an issue. Consider them warned through my grace.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Below the tower, Floopy and Syris explained the situation and Klick immediately offered to help Floopy pack.

“You are not going anywhere,” Bruce growled and hoisted the small bat up by the back of his shirt. “Thankfully, I anticipated as much and asked some other betas for help. Yang Yang and Kenma are very free so there will be two extra pairs of hands to help your friend pack. As for you, I’ve given them strict warnings about letting you run wild. Unless you want to be a cripple forever, you better start doing as the doctor says.”

Klick was offended and turned to Floopy for help but the panotti shook his head this time. “I’m actually on Bruce’s side this time. You really should rest up instead of running around so recklessly. What are you going to do if you get hurt again?”

Feeling utterly betrayed, Klick yelled and struggled in Bruce’s hold.

“You ungrateful friend! How did I raise you?! Is this how you repay me after all my help? Just because you’re marrying into his family doesn’t mean you can ditch your best pal! Are you listening to me?!”

From her tower, Amanda watched the lively group leave. “Be happy,” she whispered and blessed the group. “For as long as you can. Stormy waters are approaching so steer well with my light.”

It would be a shame to find their relationships as shipwrecks on the seabed after everything that she has done.