Varian appeared in front of Kyle and frowned. Without delay, he took out a 6-star healing potion and poured it onto his friend's frail back.
Kyle was taken aback by an intruder and was about to open his mouth. But as the cool liquid seeped into his skin, a soothing sensation assaulted his senses.
His eyelids turned impossibly heavy and despite himself, he dozed off.
The guard on the side felt his heart stop.
When Varian opened the healing potion, he sniffed a bit of its aroma and felt his blood rumble.
'This is a 6-star healing potion!' He recognized and stared at the discarded vial with glittering eyes.
A 6-star healing potion was expensive, to say the least. It was mainly used to treat deep injuries for level 6 Awakeners.
But as a side effect, it could rejuvenate and soothe one's mind.
Despite being a Level 5, the guard could only afford three potions with his monthly salary.
Ding!
As he was still reeling in the shock, a white sphere flew towards Varian flashing green light.
It was the caretaker bot.
For some passionate students that just wanted to drown themselves in research, the caretaker bot would help them sustain themselves alone for months.
The specific performance depended on the setting. Looking at the young student that resembled a thin branch, it looked like his condition was 'survival'.
"Mr. Varian, the bot will inform the authorities of intruders." The guard suddenly said, his voice growing weak.
Of course, since Kyle included Varian as one of the close people in his forms, Varian had legal permission to visit him.
But entering the home still needed Kyle's permission…which they conveniently neglected.
Now the bot would inform the higher-ups, the guard could only hope things would smooth out.
'I thought Kyle was in a normal state. Once this Young Master sees his friend, I could simply go back. Who knew…' He rubbed his forehead, already foreseeing a turmoil.
"Eh?!" Contrary to his expectations, the bot paused midway and returned to its position.
'How did he do that? Or did Kyle program the bot to allow this Young Master's arrival?' He wondered but did not ask.
Varian, on the other hand, had no intention to reveal it was Boo's doing.
He ordered the caretaker bot to give Kyle a thorough cleaning.
As the bot carried Kyle to do its thing, Varian knit his brows and scanned the basement.
Its walls were coated with a special white alloy—Dokium, 20mm of which was said to withstand the blows of even peak Level 5 Awakener.
'Why are there so many cracks on the walls?' Varian glanced around and spotted at least forty such cobwebs like cracks on the Dokium coated walls.
Whatever Kyle was doing, it was a destructive weapon. Varian found a few full-body armors and it only reinforced the idea.
He walked to the living room and sat on the couch, tapping impatiently.
The bot was sure taking its time.
"Does the academy know?" Varian asked the guard who was sitting in front. Despite trying to hold back, dissatisfaction was evident in his tone.
If this was the best this academy cared for its students, then one might as well not join it at all.
The guard replied as he leaned forward, clearly anxious. "I'm sure the management is not aware of his condition. No one here is stupid enough to watch a Cista prize winner wither away, right?"
Varian closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he fell back into the couch.
'Why?' As he hunted for the possibilities, Varian saw a discarded comm at the other end of the couch.
"Fuck!"
It clicked!
Varian held the comm and tried to control his breath. 'Boo, check out the last time it was opened.'
Since he couldn't access others' comm, Boo would.
In the next instant, Boo replied. "Master, it was four weeks ago."
"I knew it!" Varian slammed his fist into his palm and said, startling the guard.
Under the gaze of the guard, Varian stood up and walked to and fro along the corridor.
Varian's excited face was soon under tension as he rushed out of the home.
"Stay here and look after Kyle." With those words, he disappeared into the distance.
After a few minutes, Varian returned with a relieved face.
"Is everything alright?" He couldn't help but inquire.
Varian halted for a moment before nodding. "More or less."
He went to check on Maya. Well…they were really made for each other.
At least the caretaker bot in her home maintained her like a human. But she too was on the verge of collapse.
Like Kyle, Maya too didn't open her comm for four weeks.
'They fought because of me? Is that it or am I being too narcissistic?' Varian tapped his chin and waited.
'Sir, Kyle is—'
Whoosh!
Varian ignored the bot and stormed into the room.
"Purr…Hum…" He was greeted by the snoring sounds of Kyle who curled up on the bed, in fresh clothes.
'Sir, Kyle is sleeping.'
Varian heard the complete sentence and took a deep breath. Kyle probably didn't sleep well for a long time. His body must be yelling at him for sleep, so he might as well let him.
'It's just a few hours.' Varian walked back to the living room with a calm face.
He chatted with the guard to kill time.
"What if an intruder enters the academy with a badge? Wouldn't you be in trouble for allowing him?" He asked with crossed arms.
The guard shook his head and smiled. "Even though I'm not privy to all information, I know that such badge is very rare, even among the major powers.
Only important candidates who are to carry the power forward get those badges."
"So I got in a pass because of the badge?" Varian raised an eyebrow.
"Your relationship with Kyle is clear in his admission forms. The badge allowed you in despite you not having specific permission for the meeting.
I know you're worried about security, but trust me, every movement of ours is under surveillance.
If you were not Kyle's relative, we would have not let you in despite the consequences." The guard explained seriously.
Varian secretly sighed in relief.
At that moment, Boo's voice sounded in his mind. 'Mater, I've found a relevant video taken by the surveillance near your tomb.'
Varian closed his eyes and a video started playing in his mind's eye.
Kyle knelt in front of his tomb as he presented a set of full body armor pieces.
"I am making a weapon. It will be super powerful." He said with a resolute face before embarrassment crept in.
"It's…not working now. But soon, it will."
Varian watched as the conversation shifted to Kyle and Maya's relationship.
"I cannot spend time with you like before. I don't want to drag you." Kyle said slowly.
Maya covered her mouth and took a step back.
"So if you want to stop our relationship, you can."
Slap!
"Kyle!" After slapping him, she stormed out of the cemetery with tears streaming down her cheeks.
Kyle looked at the sky and returned to his dormitory.
Then they both indulged in their madness.
'So…I am the one responsible?' Varian's face twitched.