Chapter 11

A familiar brunette stood in front of their dorm room door when they arrived.

"Hello, stranger," the youngster said.

"What are you looking for, Chad?" Ulric inquired, irritated.

"To see what—or should I say who—had taken your time away from us," he explained, casting a glance at Jesse. Jesse stepped behind Ulric and hid.

"I've told you before, there is no us," Ulric said, getting more annoyed.

"So this is the human that everyone is talking about," Chad sneered, peeking around to get a glimpse at Jesse.

Ulric turned around, keeping Jesse behind him. "If you lay a finger on him, I'll make you wish that you had never registered here," Ulric said, irritated.

"Can we please go in?" Jesse asked, panic in his voice.

"Get out of here, Chad," Ulric demanded. Before he left, Chad said, "Tell your human that you're mine and to keep his hands off." Ulric heard Jesse's breath shudder. Tears brimmed Jesse's green eyes when they entered the room.

"Why does he think that I'm a threat?" Jesse asked. "Are you two together?" he asked.

"I don't know," Ulric said. "I have never been with that jackass, and I don't want to be," he said.

Ulric sat down on the bed beside Jesse and held him close as tears ran down his cheeks.

"He scares me," he said. "He hates me; I can tell," he said.

"Lay down and clear your mind," Ulric said. Jesse curled up in a ball under the covers while Ulric sat on the edge and kept watch.

"That asshole was rude and scared him," Ulric thought to himself. Ulric was pissed off, so he did his one hour of stretches and one hour of pushups. Ulric wanted to punch Chad but held back because he didn't want to scare Jesse more than he already was.

When Ulric finished with his workout, the blanket rustled. Jesse poked his head out from under them.

"Are you feeling better?" the blonde asked.

"A little," Jesse said. "I'm sorry for being a crybaby," he said.

"It's alright," Ulric said. "He was rude to you," he said. "Promise me something," he said.

"What's that?" Jesse asked.

"If he ever bothers you and I'm not around, contact me," Ulric said.

"I will," Jesse promised. "I think I'll do my training," he said, rising from the bed.

"I already did my share, so I'll watch while you do yours," Ulric said.

Jesse did his one hour of stretching, one hour of workouts, and jogged. The familiar sound chimed in his head.

[Congratulations, you have completed the daily quest: Strengthen your body, the rewards have been sent.]

[STATS]

1/19/2500

Name: Jesse #54591

Race: Human

Level 2

Exp: 80/110

Coins: 616

Strength: 13

Agility: 13

Stamina: 13

Soul Force: 652

Perception: 15

[CRAFTING POTIONS]

Potion Low Grade level 1: 1/50

Potion Medium Grade is required; potion Low Grade level 3 and 1500 soul force points.

Potion High Grade: required; potion Medium Grade, level 5; and 3000 soul force points.

"Just 20 more points, and I'll be level 3," Jesse said.

"I'm so proud of you," Ulric said, kissing him on the forehead.

"How high are your stats?" Jesse asked.

"Too high for your perception," Ulric said. The taller boy stepped up behind Jesse and wrapped his arms around his tiny waist. "How many times do I need to remind you that I'll protect you?" he asked in his ear. Jesse tilted his head up and asked, "Are you flirting with me?"

"What if I am?" Ulric asked. "Does it scare you?" he asked.

"Some," Jesse said, nodding his head slightly. "Nobody liked me like this," he said.

Ulric was glad that Jesse was honest with him. "If it scares you, we can go slowly," he said.

"Are you mad?" Jesse asked as they left the gym.

"No," Ulric said, shaking his head. "I'm glad that you trust me enough to be honest with me," he said. They entered their room and sat down on Jesse's bed. "I cherish our friendship and don't want to rush into anything you're not ready for," he said.

"I do like your hugs, though," Jesse admitted.

Ulric chuckled and leaned back against the pillow, allowing Jesse to lie against him. Jesse relaxed in Ulric's embrace and meditated. Ulric kept watch to make sure nothing happened while Jesse meditated. Ulric was shocked and surprised when the blanket moved on its own, covering them up. Jesse seemed to not notice what was going on around them. Ulric didn't say anything for fear of startling his friend.

Jesse opened his eyes when his meditation session ended. He glanced down at the blanket and then at Ulric. "Did you cover us up?" he asked, confused.

"No," Ulric said, shaking his head. "You did it while you were meditating," he explained. Jesse opened his screen and checked his stats.

[Congratulations! You have completed the daily quest: Strengthen your soul force; the rewards have been sent.

[Congratulations, you reached level 3: rewards have been sent.]

[STATS]

1/19/2500

Name: Jesse #54591

Race: Human

Level 3

Exp: 0/120

Coins: 1116

Strength: 15

Agility: 15

Stamina: 15

Soul Force: 657

Perception: 25

[CRAFTING POTIONS]

Potion Low Grade level 1: 1/50

Potion Medium Grade is required; potion Low Grade level 3 and 1500 soul force points.

Potion High Grade: required; potion Medium Grade, level 5; and 3000 soul force points.

A wide grin crossed Jesse's face. "I did it!" he exclaimed. "I'm level 3," he said.

"I'm so proud of you," Ulric said. Then Jesse's stomach grumbled. His cheeks turned a dark pink.

"Sounds like someone's hungry," Ulric teased.

"I'm starving," Jesse said.

"Let's go to the cafeteria," Ulric said.

Several eyes fell on them as they entered the cafeteria, hand in hand. The two boys each grabbed a tray of food and sat down at an empty table. Jesse felt eyes watching them. He shifted his gaze and noticed a person who glared back.

"We're being watched," Jesse said. "And he doesn't look too happy," he said.

"Let him be pissed," Ulric said. "We're doing nothing wrong," he said. Jesse nodded in agreement and resumed eating his meal.

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