“Hello.”
Ruite didn’t know who Varen was, but seeing how casually he treated Chester, he assumed he was at least a knight of the same rank.
The man, who had a languid impression with slightly drooping eyes, stared at Ruite for a moment before plonking himself down next to Chester.
“A face I don’t recognize?”
“He recently joined the Research Department,” Chester answered flatly.
“Ah, right, I heard about that. The one who joined during the special period?”
Ruite nodded.
“Glad to meet you. My name is Varen, rank: Knight Commander.”
“I’m Ruite.”
Varen stared intently at Ruite.
Under the persistent gaze, Ruite debated whether he should continue eating or wait for the man to say something more.
“Your hair color is quite lovely.”
Varen reached out toward Ruite’s hair.
However, his fingertips didn’t even graze a single silver strand before his wrist was snatched by Chester.
“Don’t. Don’t you know that’s a breach of etiquette?”
Ruite thought to himself that he didn’t particularly mind—it wasn’t like his hair would wear out from a touch—but he stole a glance at Chester anyway.
“Ah, sorry, sorry. But Ruite, are you and Chester well-acquainted?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve just never seen Chester eat with anyone before. Even when I ask him, he always dodges me.”
Ruite looked back and forth between Chester and Varen.
This sly, sociable personality definitely didn’t seem like a good match for Chester.
Since he was asked about their relationship, he had to answer… but what should he say?
A pair bound by an arranged marriage?
No, definitely not that.
Family friends? Just friends?
“We were Academy classmates.”
While Ruite was racking his brain, Chester provided a surprisingly clear answer.
Ruite was startled.
Come to think of it, that was the most basic answer—why hadn’t he thought of it faster?
“Oh, so you’re from Whitmore too? No wonder Vice-Captain Vilter was so eager to scout you; I figured you’d be talented. But still, it’s unexpected.”
Varen rested his chin on his hand, eyes darting between the two.
“I imagined Chester spent his Academy days wandering alone, radiating a freezing aura. Who knew he had such a close friend?”
“Ah, we aren’t exactly close—”
Ruite’s voice trailed off.
It was a reflexive answer, but he couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.
Noticing the nuance, Varen smirked.
“Ah—so you’re not close?”
“Senior, that’s enough, you should—”
“We are close.”
Chester, who had been trying to shoo Varen away, froze.
Varen’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at Ruite with renewed interest.
He noted that Ruite’s face was quite flushed as he insisted they were close.
“I mean, uh… in the sense that we aren’t not close…”
“Right, I hear you loud and clear. I’ve interrupted ‘friends’ time for too long! See you later. Chester, I’m off.”
Varen slapped Chester on the back and stood up.
As he walked toward another table, he stole one last glance at Chester—specifically, at his bright red earlobes.
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward after Varen’s intrusion.
Ruite hurried through his meal.
Since his official first day started tomorrow, he wanted to go back and rest as soon as possible.
“Ruite, follow me for a second.”
Even after finishing dinner, Chester didn’t let Ruite go.
He led Ruite down a hallway on the opposite side of the cafeteria.
“This is the infirmary inside the dormitory.”
“Oh? Okay.”
Then, Chester led him out of the dorm building entirely and over to the main building.
“There’s another infirmary on the first floor of the main building. There are two in total within the headquarters. Do you have that down?”
“I got it, but why are you telling me this so suddenly?”
It was helpful information, but Ruite was supposed to get a full tour of the grounds tomorrow anyway.
“You were properly trained by your family on how to control your pheromones from a young age, right?”
“Of course.”
That was mandatory education for any noble family with children born with a secondary gender.
Alphas and Omegas usually began manifesting specific physiological responses—like pheromones and heat cycles—after reaching adulthood.
Families provided early training to ensure their children wouldn’t accidentally scatter pheromones or negatively influence those around them.
In truth, most people with a gender instinctively knew how to regulate their pheromones.
“This is a place of communal living, like the Academy. There are Alphas and Omegas here, though they are in the minority.”
“Yeah.”
“If something feels wrong with your body—if you suddenly get a fever or lose control of your pheromones—go to the infirmary immediately.”
Seeing Chester’s grave expression, Ruite paused to think.
“Are you talking about a ‘heat’?”
“…Yes. That’s right.”
Chester nodded after a brief hesitation. Alphas and Omegas are characterized by periodic cycles.
It was a state where specific physical reactions caused peak sexual arousal, which could lead to health issues or a loss of pheromone control, potentially affecting others of different genders.
In other words, an Omega’s heat and an Alpha’s rut could trigger one another.
However, it wasn’t usually a major problem.
There were suppressants available in pill or injection form that could calm the state and stabilize pheromones.
Most Alphas and Omegas simply took their medication and rested for a few days.
While cycles vary by individual, they are usually regular.
But there were always exceptions—unexpected cycles that hit outside the scheduled window.
That was exactly what Chester was worried about.
“If it’s that, I’m fine. Before I came here, my mother prepared suppressants specifically for my body. I explained all that during my medical interview when I joined.”
“I’m talking about the exceptions that happen when you least expect them,” Chester said, his brow furrowing.
“Anyway, be careful around all Alphas. If your body feels strange and you don’t have the strength to make it to the infirmary, come find me. Understand? Only me. It must be me.”
Chester’s intensity was overwhelming.
He closed the distance between them, making his demand with forceful eyes.
Ruite, who hadn’t given much thought to his cycles before, finally widened his eyes in surprise.
“Answer me, Ruite.”
The snarky retort Ruite usually gave—telling Chester to stop saying weird things—died in his throat. Chester’s face was more serious than ever.
His straight, dark gaze felt like it was pinning Ruite’s entire body in place.
“Okay, I will.”
Ruite swallowed hard and nodded.
Only then did Chester look satisfied, stepping back to restore a normal distance.
“Let’s head back then.”
“Hmm, but Chester.”
“What?”
“You told me to be careful around all Alphas. But you’re an Alpha too.”
At those words, Chester’s shoulders visibly flinched.
He stole a short look at Ruite before speaking.
“I said I’m the only one who’s okay. Because I’m your fiancé.”
Ruite found it funny how Chester had just been so stern, yet was now shifting his eyes around restlessly.
Swallowing a laugh, Ruite walked back to the dorms with him.
The Research Department office was located on the third floor of the main building, which they occupied entirely.
“Alright, as I’ve mentioned before, this is Ruite Everhart, the new member joining our Research Department today. Everyone, please help him adjust.”
As Vilter introduced him, the department members clapped, welcoming him with genuine warmth.
Ruite had been nervous before walking in, but the bright faces relieved him.
“Ciel, please show Ruite around.”
“Yes, sir.”
A man with curly brown hair and a gentle face stepped forward, smiling at Ruite.
“My name is Ciel. I’m a Knight Commander in the Research Department and also serve as the Vice-Captain’s assistant.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Ruite, right? I’ll start by showing you the basic layout of the headquarters and the department.”
Ruite followed Ciel out of the main building.
“To put it simply, our department is a bit specialized within the Order. We have our hands in a lot of different areas.”
Unlike the typical combat units, the Research Department focused on studying beasts and handling carcasses.
However, that didn’t mean they were completely removed from combat.
When a beast appeared, the command center assessed the scale and sent out knights, and Research members were always included.
Their role was to share the beast’s traits and predicted behaviors with the other knights to ensure the battle went smoothly, making encounters with beasts unavoidable.
They also played key roles in criminal cases involving beasts.
“I’ll tell you upfront: our department is considered one to be avoided within the headquarters.”
People generally admired knights who heroically took down beasts; they didn’t care much for those analyzing and supporting from the back.
Coupled with the heavy workload and required technical knowledge, few knights volunteered for the position.
“The Vice-Captain told me a lot about it.”
“Really? And you joined anyway?”
“I understand why others feel that way, but I think this suits my aptitude better.”
“Ah, I get it. If you’re in a combat unit, you have to clash with beasts or criminals at all hours of the day, right?”
He hit the nail on the head.
Ruite looked startled as if his inner thoughts had been read, causing Ciel to let out a small chuckle.
