Chapter 17: First Encounter
The start of the new semester was getting closer. With more and more students arriving on campus, the school’s forum was now particularly lively. So right after the young man sent out his post, replies flooded in.
↳[What great beauty? [curious]]
↳[How gorgeous are we talking? [curious]]
↳[A, B, or O? [curious]]
↳[Any pics? I want to see! Let me see! [jumping up and down]]
↳[lolol are you a new student? Every year there are always some “peerless beauties” at the start of the school year? After a years you won’t be shocked anymore [smoking]]
↳[But usually the beautiful ones travel by private starship, this one is at a space station?]
↳[Could be a Beta?]
↳[If they’re a Beta… do I have a chance to shoot my shot? [hopeful]
The young man read this, pondered for a moment, and then typed a reply: [He was wearing an inhibitor ring, so he should be an Omega?]
↳[Why did you word it as a question?]
The young man scratched his chin: [Because he’s taller than me… I’m already 1.8 meters… Are there Omegas over 1.8 meters?]
↳[Of course there are, I’ve seen one [sunglasses]]
↳[Or maybe he’s an Alpha? Didn’t @Teacher Gungun say Alphas should wear inhibitor rings too when going out?]
↳[Alpha inhibitor rings have been selling like crazy lately across all major platforms, but honestly, I still haven’t seen an Alpha actually wear one outside.]
↳[I heard someone try it once, but his Alpha-dad beat him and told him he wasn’t allowed to wear a dog collar. [crying and laughing]]
Seeing the conversation gradually veering off-topic, the young man was about to pull it back when the changing room door opened. He shut his optical terminal in an instant. Seeing the beautiful person now dressed in a protective suit, the young man’s face reddened.
When the beauty wore an oversized, homely outfit, he seemed like a gentle teenager, with an aura of a spring breeze or a warm cloud. Now in a form-fitting silver protective suit, the beauty’s tall and slender figure made him look elegant and refined.
Most eye-catchingly, the beauty’s bright green eyes matched perfectly with the shimmering silver suit!!! If a pair of dragon horns was added, he’d look like a dragon lord descending to the mortal realm!
Every year, Unistar was modified to fit a theme crafted by students and voted on by the entire student body. This year’s theme was “Dragons”. The young man pulled out a pair of dragon-horn headbands from the nearby robot’s storage compartment and offered them to Shen Qingzhu with bright eyes.
Shen Qingzhu: …..
He understood that this year’s theme was dragons, which lined up with his memories. In his previous world, he’d also participated actively in Unistar’s themed activities, so he easily accepted the headband, clipping the silver dragon horns onto his head.
“Wow!” The young man suddenly made a tiny exploding squeak.
Shen Qingzhu raised an eyebrow in confusion. The other’s face was almost concerningly redder than before, and he was… shaking?
Shen Qingzhu hesitated but still asked in concern: “Are you okay?”
Being stared at by those beautiful green eyes, the young man felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest: “I-I-I-I’m fine!! C-c-can I take a picture of you, Dragon Lord?!”
Shen Qingzhu: ......
Was this another slang from the younger generation? Shen Qingzhu wondered. Although he didn’t understand, Shen Qingzhu didn’t refuse.
After posing for the picture and agreeing the other could post it online, Shen Qingzhu sent off and followed the robot toward the space-bungee elevator.
Space bungee jumping existed only on a few planets. Despite the word “space” in the name, the actual jump began from the stratosphere.
Not many first-years knew about it. When Shen Qingzhu reached the stratosphere via elevator, he looked around and found he was the only participant.
The robot reminded him: “Please put on your protective mask.”
Shen Qingzhu touched the dragon horns. The headband was a bionic accessory that adjusted itself as needed. So as soon as he touched it, the horns retracted into his hair, allowing him to put on the mask.
After getting a check for his protective suit’s fit, airtightness, oxygen capsules, and all onboard systems—power, buffer, rescue—the robot led Shen Qingzhu to the bungee platform.
A smiling face appeared on the robot’s screen: “Welcome to Unistar. We hope you enjoy your stay. (^-^)”
Shen Qingzhu grinned back: “Thank you.”
High above the vast sea of clouds, a small point of silver light plummeted downwards.
[Aaaaaaaaahhhh——!!!] A tiny sharp scream echoed in Shen Qingzhu’s mind. He couldn’t help laughing and shouted loudly in his mind even though he knew Zhujian could hear him: [Why are you yelling?]
Zhujian: [We’re falling from this height! Aren’t you nervous?!]
Shen Qingzhu pinched his slightly numb fingertips: [Of course I’m nervous. Don’t you see my heart rate going up?]
Zhujian: [Then why aren’t you screaming?!]
Shen Qingzhu: [I still have an idol image to maintain.]
Zhujian: [But there’s no one else here.]
Shen Qingzhu couldn’t retort. In reality, he was so nervous he couldn’t even scream.
But the conversation with Zhujian calmed his nerves. Shen Qingzhu took a deep breath. After the mind-blank tension finally passed, he turned his head to admire the beautiful planet below.
As he broke through layers of thick cotton-candy clouds, Shen Qingzhu saw an endless blue sky.
In the distance, a golden five-clawed dragon that was thousands of kilometers long glided leisurely. Even from afar, Shen Qingzhu felt the majesty of this ancient creature.
Shen Qingzhu guessed: [Those freshmen in the space elevator must’ve been screaming because of this.]
Zhujian: [To make an aerial dragon-train look this realistic, Unistar students sure have imagination.]
As they admired the sights, another massive roar shook the clouds.
Shen Qingzhu turned his head and saw an equally large black dragon with bat-like wings and a bulging belly soaring out of the clouds.
As he fell weightless, letting gravity pull him downwards, he saw floating immortal mountains, an endless lava island, a radiant crystal palace…
Dragons from different legends appeared together, conveying the rich history of ancient Earth.
This grand welcome for students was a mind-blowing showcase of Unistar’s openness and creativity.
Zhujian commented: [This must’ve been a tough final project for the upperclassmen. These dragons and floating islands probably took months to make.]
Shen Qingzhu imagined it and was very glad he wasn’t a student of the Architecture or Design departments.
He opened his buffer device at 3,000 meters and slowly descended, enjoying the vast mythical scenery.
Shen Qingzhu appreciated everything around with awe: [This year’s “Dragon” theme is pretty fun.]
After landing safely, Shen Qingzhu removed his mask, shaking out his slightly damp hair from sweat.
Sensing no more constraints, the silver dragon horns re-emerged from his hair and perked up.
Shen Qingzhu looked around him. He was standing in a flat, empty terrain, which was typical of space-bungee landing sites. As far as he could see, there was only a grassy field and, but in the far distance, he saw a crystalline palace that he didn’t recognize.
“What’s that place?”
Zhujian: [That’s Hypermarket No. 001. Do you want to go shopping?]
Shen Qingzhu checked his current location. He was nearly half a planet away from Imperial University. The remaining energy in his protective suit wasn’t enough for the trip, but there should be a place to recharge inside 001.
Moreover, this was a perfect chance to check off his next wishlist item to go on a proper shopping trip. Using his suit’s propulsion, Shen Qingzhu quickly arrived at 001.
The design of 001 was clearly inspired by the ancient Earth novel Journey to the West. The staff robots looked like shrimp soldiers and crab generals, and the shelves looked like transparent, ocean-blue waves.
Large theme buildings like this were usually popular as photo spots, but it was probably too early in the semester and students hadn’t discovered it yet. Along the way, Shen Qingzhu didn’t see a single real person.
But like this, he felt the experience was more relaxing. Shen Qingzhu picked out some strong blockers, inhibitors, and white gloves…
Public inhibitors only went up to Grade A. He wasn’t sure if they’d work on him since he’d never experienced an Alpha’s rut. Based on past knowledge, they probably wouldn’t, but at least they gave him a piece of mind.
After picking Alpha inhibitors, Shen Qingzhu hesitated, and then bought a range of Omega inhibitors as well. This was a leftover habit from having been an Omega in his previous world.
Although he couldn’t use it himself, what if he ran into an Omega who needed help?
In addition to inhibitors, he thought, in the worst case scenario, he would need extra protective masks.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
Shen Qingzhu didn’t expect to jinx himself.
He was wandering happily, buying furniture and shopping for fun, filling his cart, when suddenly his hair stood on end and the dragon horns on his head shot up straight.
Shen Qingzhu sharply turned toward the depths of the mall.
Zhujian: [Master, what’s wrong?]
Shen Qingzhu: [There’s an Omega over there.]
[And?] Zhujian was confused.
[Something’s wrong with their scent.] Shen Qingzhu’s expression darkened: [Not just their scent… Why isn’t the mall’s pheromone monitoring system issuing an evacuation warning?]
Shen Qingzhu hoped this wasn’t the situation he was thinking of—when an Alpha was trying to take advantage of an Omega. As a precaution, he told Zhujian to call the police immediately. Then Shen Qingzhu put on his protective mask and sprinted in the direction of the Omega.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
Though Ji Mingxue knew the First Prince was stupid and vicious, the fact that the guy chose to strike on his first day at Unistar made Ji Mingxue want to laugh from sheer anger.
Ji Mingxue was at Hypermarket No.001 to view a mecha display here. As a mecha lover, he wouldn’t miss the chance to see the inventions of Unistar’s best mecha creators.
Unfortunately, Ji Mingxue packed light, only taking his AI Mingfeng.
Who expected that after touching a random mecha part, his previously stable pheromones suddenly fluctuated. The gland at his nape swelled and heated, making restlessness spread through his limbs.
Ji Mingxue didn’t even need to use his brain. Only the First Prince would do this kind of shameless trick on him.
As Ji Mingxue leaned weakly against the wall, he smelled Alpha pheromones in the air. He sneered and thought, so you were waiting for me here.
Ji Mingxue lowered his lashes, hiding the cold light in his eyes, and his fist clenched tightly. He waited for a minute, then two, then more, but the supposed Alpha never appeared.
Instead, the Alpha pheromones faded entirely, replaced by the faint scent of pheromone blockers.
When he looked up, a projection screen popped up nearby, displaying large text. [Hello, are you okay? Are you still conscious?]
Ji Mingxue’s golden eyes hardened. Was this another trick from the Crown Prince’s people?
The words flashed again, as if trying to get his attention.
Ji Mingxue let out a weak voice, “...Still alive.”
Shen Qingzhu hiding far away: Still alive? What kind of answer was that?
If he were still an Omega, he would’ve rushed in immediately. But as an Alpha, he knew he was the last person an Omega forced into heat wanted to see.
Shen Qingzhu had already knocked out the predatory-looking Alpha, and then retreated to a safe distance.
Just as he was wondering where the police were, the Omega spoke again: “...Come out.”
Shen Qingzhu wrinkled his brows: [I really don’t want to go out.]
Zhujian: [Why??]
Shen Qingzhu: [I don’t know why. I haven’t even seen him yet, but I feel like he’s dangerous.]
Zhujian: [Really, but you’re the Alpha. If anyone should feel danger, it’s the Omega!]
Zhujian pestered him: [He’s not going to eat you! He’s a weak, suffering Omega who needs help! Don’t be a wimp!!]
Shen Qingzhu couldn’t retort. He agreed with what Zhujian said, but he didn’t know why he was acting so hesitant today.
The Omega was silent again.
Worried that the Omega had fainted, Shen Qingzhu finally peeked out with his mask on, and looked over.
In the next second, his worried green eyes met a pair of brilliant golden ones.
Ji Mingxue froze.
Silver dragon horns.
A face white as jade.
Clear green eyes.
Ji Mingxue’s heart thumped once, then suddenly the pheromones he’d been suppressing suddenly overflowed. Surging hot, dangerous pheromones spread outward like a shockwave.
Shen Qingzhu sucked in a sharp breath: [My instincts were right. He’s at least S-grade!]
Zhujian also became anxious: [What do we do?!]
Shen Qingzhu asked: [How long until police and medics arrive?]
Zhujian: [At most five minutes!]
Five minutes was enough for a disaster.
The fainted Alpha at Shen Qingzhu’s feet was already flushing red with heavy breathing, obviously on the verge of entering his rut.
Shen Qingzhu quickly injected the man with an Alpha inhibitor and also put a protective mask on the man’s face.
Shen Qingzhu made sure his mask was air-tight and then charged forward.
He swiftly reached the weakened Omega and asked quickly: “Are you allergic to inhibitors?”
Ji Mingxue blinked. He glanced at the stranger’s masked face, and narrowed his eyes subtly before shaking his head.
“Good.” Shen Qingzhu immediately injected him with an Omega inhibitor.
“Hiss.” Ji Mingxue clenched his fists, almost reflexively punching out.
Seeing the Omega’s reaction, Shen Qingzhu thought that he wasn’t used to injections. He softly soothed: “Nanoneedle inhibitors are too slow. IV ones take effect faster.”
Seeing the Omega’s expression was still strange, Shen Qingzhu added hastily: “Don’t worry, I’m not one of those dog Alphas who take advantage of an Omega in danger!”
He reassured earnestly: “Please call me a friend of Omegas! I already called the police, and they’ll be here in three minutes.”
Shen Qingzhu even slapped a cooling patch on Ji Mingxue’s forehead.
After that, Shen Qingzhu felt a sting from the back of his own neck, and he quickly bolted away to distance himself.
Only when he saw police and medics did he leave, but he looked like he was fleeing.
Ji Mingxue watched the “little silver dragon” run away.
He ripped off the cooling patch and thought of the Alpha inhibitor ring around the stranger’s neck and how he masked himself against Ji Mingxue like an Omega was venomous…
Ji Mingxue leaned against the blue wall and his lips curved with a faint smile.
Was this another trick from the Crown Prince?
Or was fate simply this coincidental, letting him encounter such an interesting Alpha?
“Mingfeng, check that person for me.”