Earning Paul's hatred I

Light shimmered, the bustling sound of people passing by resounded, amidst this, Allen began to awaken, the effect of expending too much mana wearing off as his blurry eyes gained clarity.

Gaining visibility, he glanced across the room, recognizing it as a hospital. Several tubes and machines were connected to his body, keeping tabs on his vitals, though it wasn't necessary as he only got mana sickness, something that would wear off in half a day at worst.

"Looks who's finally awake," Jackie's voice suddenly sounded, snapping Allen out of his thoughts as he faced Jackie, a soft smile forming on his face.

"Haa, how long have I been out?" he asked directly, and "What happened after I passed out?" he asked, taking off the things connected to his body, standing to his feet the next moment.

"Well, nothing much happened. Emma was taken to the central hospital, and you were brought in by a woman named Clarissa. And I have to say, she is one hot chick," Jackie joked, contrasting his usual attitude as he aimed to cheer Allen up.

Allen remained puzzled by Jackie's reply, knowing nothing about anybody named Clarissa. Jackie seemed to notice his confusion, and before Allen could ask, he continued.

"Huh, Clarissa, one of last year's students, the gold-ranked system holder who rivals platinum-ranked system holders," but it still seemed Allen could not remember hearing of anyone bearing such a name. "The girl who slayed the spider king single-handedly," Jackie relayed, and it immediately sparked Allen's memory.

"Wait, you mean she's the woman who killed the dungeon boss 'spider king,' stopping the dungeon break," Allen spilled, remembering her great feats.

"Yeah, she is, and I have to say she has some nice assets," Jackie playfully said, however, he did not realize she was standing right next to me.

"Jackie, you might wanna turn around," Allen suggested. Jackie raised his eyebrow in confusion before he glanced back, only to catch sight of Clarissa who glanced at him, piercing through him as she stared into his very soul.

"Hmhmm, I will give you two room to talk," he said awkwardly, quickly exiting the room, with a sweaty forehead.

"So, what brings you here?" Allen inquired, sitting by the edge of the bed, as he glanced at Clarissa with a smile.

Hearing his question, she sighed, dropping her shoulders. "I came to apologize for what I did back in the dungeon," she pleaded as she put on a solemn look.

However, Allen only scratched the back of his head. After all, he had already passed out before she hit him, so he didn't really remember her hitting him.

But just then, a barely visible grin formed on his lips. "It's alright," Allen reassured her, "I don't hold any grudges. Besides, it's not every day I get to meet a legendary hero." He chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension.

Clarissa smiled in relief, grateful for Allen's understanding. "I'm glad you feel that way. I was worried you might be upset."

"Nah, not at all," Allen replied, shaking his head. "In fact, I was thinking, once I'm fully recovered, how about we grab dinner together? As a thank you for saving me and all."

Clarissa's eyes widened in surprise with a bit of reluctance, but after some thought, a smile slowly spread across her face. "I'd like that," she said softly. "I'll hold you to it."

"Great," Allen said, returning her smile. "It's a date then. Once I'm back on my feet, I'll take you to the best restaurant in the city." At least once he had earned enough money.

"A date?" she repeated, blushing in reaction before she hurriedly walks out of the ward. "I don't have your number yet," Allen said loud enough for her to hear. Hearing his words, she turned around before she gave him a card. As she did this, he sighed; after all, he didn't want her to see his broken phone.

"I need to change this," he promised, glancing at the smartphone in his hands. Jackie walked at that moment holding a novel in his hands while glancing at Allen with a glance that said 'really?'

"What?" Allen asked, noticing Jackie's gaze on him, but with his deduction and closeness, he already knew why Jackie gazed at him.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe it's because you are playing a dangerous game of womanizing," Jackie said, criticizing Allen. "I warn you to be careful, lest you might get yourself in trouble," Jackie advised, sitting back in the chair before handing Allen his uniform along with the storage watch.

"Okay," Allen replied, ignoring Jackie's advice before his stomach grumbled in hunger.

After some simple processes, Jackie and Allen exited the clinic before Jackie quickly called for a cab on his phone, arriving five minutes later.

"Azure Bay Bites never fail to impress each time," Allen commented as he and Jackie entered, grabbing their usual seat.

"So, what are you planning on having today?" Allen asked Jackie before grabbing the menu, his eyes glancing around the array and mirade of dishes.

"I will get the Crimson Moon Pie," Jackie decided as Paul took their orders, writing nonchalantly, his boredom evident in his dull expression before walking off to prepare the order.

"Jackie, do you suppose you know where I can sell this?" Allen inquired before two large fangs appeared on the table, stunning the surprised Jackie.

Quickly reacting, he quickly reprimanded. "Allen, put those away," he cautioned, glancing around, wondering if anyone saw the appearance of the fangs. "The academy does not know, right?" he inquired, his surprise palpable.

Allen just smirked at his friend's reaction. "Of course they don't, and I don't plan on exposing myself by selling it at the Systemholders Association," he explained.

"That makes sense, but there are only a few ways I know in which you can sell them," Jackie informed, his hands stroking his chin. "Let me help you sell it; I know a guy who can help with that," Jackie suggested, giving Allen a requesting gaze.

Allen contemplated before he decided, "Fine, but make sure to get my money's worth," Allen agreed, though he was a bit skeptical about Jackie's dealing; he didn't plan to pry, after all, it was already great that he had chosen to help him.

"So, when were you planning on telling me about your... system?" Jackie asked, which immediately brought a loud silence onto the atmosphere.

"Ah~" he sighed heavily before he locked gazes with Jackie. "I myself don't know much, which is why I haven't told you," he said before he paused, not knowing what to say.

"Is your system really the Lizard System?" Jackie asked straightforwardly, his hands crossed as he tried to guess.

"No, not really, my true system is known as the Draconic System, but that's all I know. Even the rank is a mystery to me," Allen replied tiredly.

"Okay, that's enough," Jackie interrupted, sensing that Allen didn't know much about his system and he was really getting bored with the conversation.

After they had finished their food, Jackie paid, glaring at Allen who simply looked the other way. They went their separate ways, with Allen handing Jackie the two fangs before he boarded a cab and left.

At that moment, Allen was to bored to go home, so he decided to stay for a while; after all, it was a place he was familiar with.

"Hey, Allen," Eisha's voice cut through the air, interrupting Allen who was sipping at his Dragon's Breath brew, a new favorite of his. Dropping the alcohol, he glanced at the stunning lady standing next to him.

"Oh, hey, Eisha, I have to say you look stunning like always," he commented, his remarks making the shy and timid Eisha blush, her face red like a tomato, cursing internally at Allen's open remark.

"So, Allen... I have been meaning to ask, have... you been seeing anyone?" she inquired, her face turning red as she used all her courage to ask.

Allen, hearing her question, smiled a bit before standing to his feet, walking over to her. "Well, no, I haven't been seeing anyone," Allen replied, already making his move as he moved to her back, holding her waist, earning a redder face from Eisha who seemed to want to enter the ground and disappear due to embarrassment.

However, Allen tightened his embrace as their bodies touched, turning Eisha's face crimson red as she felt Allen's weight on hers along with something poking her from behind.

"He must be drunk," Eisha quickly deduced, trying to push Allen's arm away. However, she had begun to become engrossed in the moment, which caused her to give up resistance as she played along with Allen's music.

Unbeknownst to them, a prying eye caught the beginning of their soon-to-be moment, glancing in shock as the flower in his hands fell, his heart aching as unimaginable pain descended upon his heart.

"Eisha?" he muttered heartbrokenly as he remembered when and how he had developed a crush on her long ago, but now that he had gotten the confidence to confess to her, he still lost her to the pretty face he had never truly liked.

Tears dropped down his eyes as he fell to his knees, closing the slightly open door he had peeped through. He held his fists in a fit of rage, but his aching heart could only reluctantly make him release his grip, his eyes turning into a stream as he showcased weakness.