[ABO BL Anthology] Time Cross Academy

Food or Lover (5)

Ringo was thrilled. Amanda Lucifer kept her word and convinced the strongest spirit alpha in the Academy to meet up with him. Of course, it wouldn't be easy to convince the alpha to form a pair with him but all Ringo needed, was a chance.

Shen Long was the most notorious alpha that even most omegas feared. Alphas left the delinquent alone because he was merciless and would beat anyone into an inch of their lives if he didn't have a good day. He treated omegas like dirt and there were even rumours about how the merciless dragon god spirit could only do one night stands simply because no omegas were strong enough to match him. Many omegas looked as if they were sucked out of their life after sleeping with him for one night and Ringo mentally readied himself.

In order to capture this spirit, he was willing to do anything. So far, Shen Long had only been requesting for Ringo to put up with some of his 'kinks'. The exorcist didn't know how much more twisted the alpha could get but he had to persevere. Having needles piercing underneath his nails was painful but if it made Shen Long better of him, Ringo would put up with it.

The alpha had tortured him with candle wax and whipped his back where it wouldn't be exposed underneath clothing. Ringo tried his best not to cry even if he almost fainted from the pain. However, nothing could compare to the latest muse. Shen Long was suddenly into something more exotic. He wanted to drink red wine with blood of omega virgins. Ringo was the first to offer himself and today would be the third time he was donating his blood to Shen Long.

The exorcist felt slightly bad for Michael. The vampire kept to his promise and didn't drink too much from him each time he fed. If a normal person required three meals a day to be healthy, Ringo didn't know how horrible it must feel like for Michael to feed only once every three days. Although there was no communication between them, Ringo knew how considerate Michael was being with him when compared to Shen Long.

After feeding from him, Michael would always take care of his wounds and heal it for him before bandaging his wrist and passing him some iron pills. In comparison, Shen Long didn't care about such things. He simply threw a knife and a bowl to Ringo and told him how much he wanted before kicking him out.

Ringo knocked twice on the door to the science lab at the agreed time. The teachers knew about Shen Long's tyranny but nobody did anything about it. Shen Long was simply someone who couldn't be offended. In the entire academy, only the principal and a handful of alphas were capable of handling him. The alpha told Ringo to get in and the exorcist did.

He was slightly surprised to see three other omegas in the science lab. Compared to how coldly Shen Long treated him, he was treating the other omegas better. One bunny boy served the dragon god spirit wine and the fae massaged his shoulder. The third omega who was an incubus sat in his lap and allowed Shen Long to french kiss him.

Seeing this, Ringo didn't know how to feel. He might not have romantic feelings for the bastard but he certainly was doing a lot for him. How could Shen Long treat him more poorly than these boys? Didn't the rumours say that Shen Long detested love and didn't want a mate? What was he looking at now?

"Oh, you're here," Shen Long said with disinterest. "You," he pointed to the bunny boy. "Get the stuff. Today, I want to drink pure rose blood. That vampire had been going around drinking other people's blood in search of a rose blood carrier other than you. I want to have a taste of what he has been talking about to become this insane."

Ringo stiffened. He didn't know what rose blood was but that was something Michael kept repeating. He knew that Michael hadn't approached him for five days now since the last time he drank but to hear this from Shen Long felt like a stab to his heart. Initially, he thought that rose blood was something special that only he had but as it turned out, in the eyes of these alphas, he was just food.

If Michael didn't want his blood, it didn't matter who else he gave it to. For now, his aim was to win Shen Long over and secure a mating mark with him so that he can turn him into the most powerful shinigami an exorcist can have. It didn't matter if Shen Long was willing, once Ringo became permanent mates with him, their lifespan would be tied together. Anything that endangered his life would threaten Shen Long's as well. Even if the alpha was unwilling at that point, there was nothing he could do but to protect Ringo.

Unwrapping his bandages, Ringo didn't even flinch. The bunny and fae omegas wanted to run when they saw how Ringo slashed his wrist until blood flowed freely into the bowl. He bled out the usual amount and was about to re-wrap the bandage when Shen Long stopped him.

"Today, I want this bowl to be half-filled."

Ringo stared at the bowl and hesitated. Half a bowl of blood wouldn't kill him but it would make him extremely weak.

Smirking at the hesitation, Shen Long took the opportunity to goad him. "What? Unwilling? I guess this is only how far your dedication to me goes."

Biting the bullet, Ringo continued to fill the bowl despite the light-headedness.

>>Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX<<

Michael was parched. Ruo Han introduced all his human friends who offered to help him out but none of their blood was any good. It had to be Ringo's blood, there was no other choice. Even if there were other rose blood carriers, Michael doubted that they would be able to quench his thirst either.

After passing by the teaching block, Michael froze.

"Isn't this Ringo's blood? Have I become delusional from becoming too thirsty?"

Curious, Michael followed the scent like a drug addict. As he became closer to the science lab, the smell of blood grew stronger and Michael's heart pounded. No, it wasn't an illusion. For the blood to smell this strongly, Ringo must be seriously injured!

Michael was no fool. He knew about how Ringo was seeing Shen Long. The science lab was also Shen Long's base of operation. Without thinking too much, the vampire rushed over.

Just as Michael reached the door, he saw through the windows how Shen Long took a sip of what looked like Ringo's blood in a huge bowl. Then, the dragon god spat it out and caused, throwing the bowl of blood to the side with such force that the wall cracked and the bowl shattered.

"What the heck? This thing is foul! How dare you call yourself a rose blood carrier?"

Seeing red, Michael unleashed his killing intent and burst through the door, lunging at Shen Long. The dragon god spirit was caught off guard but he defended on time. Michael's claws sank into his arm and Shen Long swiped at the platinum blond monster with his transformed claw.

Ringo watched in shock at the fierce fight while the three other omegas made their escape, not wanting to be caught up in the mess. This side of Michael fighting with all his might to tear his opponent apart was something that scared the exorcist. He didn't think that the meek and sickly vampire could be this ferocious.

"Take. It. Back. Don't you dare insult Ringo's blood!"

Shen Long barked a laugh and sneered. "Why should I? Not everyone enjoys blood like a freak."

Hurt at Shen Long's words and touched that Michael defended him, Ringo's heart softened. It wasn't worth it for someone like Shen Long even if he was the alpha that Ringo wanted. In comparison, Ringo liked Michael better. It was a pity that the vampire wasn't a spirit and couldn't be his shikigami.

Shen Long grappled with the stubborn and powerful vampire who refused to back down. They were evenly matched and the dragon god spirit clicked his tongue in irritation at having his fun ruined. Michael was livid and wanted nothing more to kill Shen Long. If Shen Long took Michael lightly, he would not just be injured. He could also lose his life.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed a movement. Unlike the other three useless omegas, he was still around and severely weakened from blood loss. Shen Long smirked evilly and a plan formed in his mind. Michael lunged again and followed Shen Long as he tried to make a run for it. The dragon god spirit allowed Michael to pursue and when he was closing in, grabbed Ringo to be used as a shield.

Michael couldn't stop on time and his eyes widened in horror when he felt his arm go through Ringo's midriff. Shen Long wasted no time and made his escape, leaving Ringo to his last moments and Michael in tears.

Instead of feeling pain, all Ringo could feel was numbness and relief. Perhaps this was for the better. No more pain, no more unhappiness and he didn't have to continue fighting for the sake of his family. Michael held Ringo's limp body in one arm while he coughed up blood while the hand that was coated in Ringo's blood was caressing Ringo's face gently.

"Don't cry, I'm human. I wasn't going to live long anyway but before I go... Thank you for defending me. My last wish is for you to take my blood, all of what remains... It's a pity too much is wasted on the floor now."

Michael shook his head and apologised. Ringo's breathing grew weaker and Michael made his choice. He was going to save him even if Ringo would hate him forever after this. It was at a time like this that Michael finally understood what made Rngo's blood special. The exorcist was his fated pair and after forming a bond, there was no way he could drink any other blood.

"You can hate me all you want but I'm not going to let you die," Michael whispered and sank his fangs into Ringo's neck as well as biting it hard enough to leave a row of teeth marks.