Does the Alpha Have to Be a Succubus too? - Chapter 4

Lu Heguang had initially wondered why there were no guards at Ferroel’s home. After all, this was the residence of the leader of the Imperial Star. However, when Ferroel left for a meeting the next morning with a dark expression, a large contingent of guards suddenly appeared. It then became clear that Ferroel had kept them out of sight the previous day so his guests would not feel tense.

“Lu Ze needs rest, and I have matters to attend to, so I cannot escort you to the academy,” Ferroel said, clearing his throat before he departed. He signaled to one of the guards and said, “Mitchell, you are responsible for seeing him to the academy.”

“That is not necessary. I can walk there myself,” Lu Heguang said, waving his hands dismissively. “It is not far from here anyway.” He had no desire to wander around with a bodyguard in tow.

“Do not worry. Mitchell is also Salorian’s older brother. You will get along well,” Ferroel remarked before being escorted into a vehicle that sped away from the castle. Mitchell looked down at the youth, who barely reached his shoulder, and gave a hearty laugh. “I heard my younger brother has become your guide. He is a good fellow, though a bit loose in his ways. I hope he has not been bullying you?”

Lu Heguang had assumed they would take a car, but Mitchell seemed intent on walking with him. The trek from the castle to the Wyatt Mecha Academy took about half an hour. Back in his small town, Lu Heguang had frequently gone on long hikes, so the distance was trivial to him. He had been concerned about inconveniencing Mitchell, but upon hearing Salorian’s name mentioned, he decided to stay quiet because he wanted to learn more about his guide.

Mitchell recognized the attentive look on the boy’s face and realized he had found the right topic of conversation as they walked toward Wyatt. “You two met yesterday, did you not?”

“Yes, he is very kind and patient,” Lu Heguang nodded. Mitchell continued, “That is good. Actually, you two are quite a compatible match. He needs someone like you to distract him.”

“To distract him?”

“Yes. As the only Omega in our family, he was bullied quite a bit growing up, especially by Alphas. I personally caught them at it more than once,” Mitchell said. “But he has a strong spirit and never gave up on himself.”

Lu Heguang finally understood why Salorian was so repelled by Alphas. His childhood experiences had shaped him that way. “I thought Omegas were supposed to be pampered. Is that not the case?”

Mitchell let out a hum of agreement. “It should be that way.”

The two fell into silence as the gates of Wyatt Academy appeared in the distance. There were many more people today, indicating that the training period had begun. Lu Heguang was about to say goodbye to Mitchell when the guard spoke up. “Young Master, may I ask a favor of you?”

“Just call me Heguang,” the boy replied, uncomfortable with the formal title. “How can I help you?”

“If you see anyone bullying Salorian, remember to come and tell me,” Mitchell said earnestly. “He does not talk to me about such things much since starting university, but I know there are still people at Wyatt who target him.”

Lu Heguang pursed his lips and nodded in agreement. “I will.”

Mitchell let out a long breath and, before seeing Lu Heguang inside, taught him how to exchange contact information using his Brain-Computer Interface bracelet. “If you need anything or if anything happens, contact me directly.”

After parting with Mitchell, Lu Heguang thought he would have to explore today’s schedule alone. However, he had barely walked a few steps into the academy when he spotted a familiar figure. Salorian was not wearing a school uniform today. Instead, he wore an oversized beige T-shirt featuring a small devil illustration. He was standing nearby, waiting for someone.

“Senior!” Lu Heguang called out loudly, worried that the crowd would drown out his voice. Salorian looked up immediately.

Lu Heguang squeezed through the crowd of students while lugging his suitcase. Salorian stood his ground, waiting calmly for the Alpha to reach him before reaching out to take the luggage. Lu Heguang did not want him to exert himself, but Salorian countered, “What? Do you look down on Omegas?”

“No, not at all,” Lu Heguang said, quickly letting go. He watched as Salorian took the suitcase with one hand and handed him a stack of various documents with the other. “These are your dormitory key card, meal card, and identity verification cards. There are others you need to apply for yourself, which I will help you with later. Let us put your luggage in the dorm first. You are staying on campus, right?”

For some reason, Lu Heguang detected a note of anticipation in Salorian’s voice. Remembering Mitchell’s request from a few minutes prior, he felt a stir of emotion. “Yes, I am staying on campus.” He had already discussed it with Lu Ze. Living on campus would help him adapt to this life more quickly, as they could hardly ask Ferroel to live in a small town with them.

“That is good. My trip was not in vain then,” Salorian laughed. “I have not even had breakfast yet because I wanted to get these done for you before the crowds arrived. It was worth it, though.”

“You have not had breakfast?” Lu Heguang reached into his backpack and pulled out a rice ball. “My dad made this for me. You should eat it.”

“What is this?” Salorian asked, puzzled, as he took the item. He watched as Lu Heguang unwrapped the packaging to reveal a hand-rolled ball of rice.

“There are grilled meat slices, vegetables, and sauce inside,” Lu Heguang explained. “When I was in a rush for school before, my dad would make two of these and leave them on the table for me. They are delicious, Senior. Please try one.”

Salorian hesitated, swallowing the question of which backwater town the boy had come from. He also decided not to mention that a nutritional supplement would have sufficed, mostly because he could smell the rich aroma coming from the rice grains.

The two stopped walking. Salorian took a bite, and the combination of savory meat and crunchy pickled vegetables filled his mouth. He found it far superior to the most expensive meals in the cafeteria.

“You said your father made this?” Salorian asked through a mouthful of food. “The man from yesterday?”

Lu Heguang nodded and quietly took the suitcase back from him as they walked side by side. Salorian remarked, “He does not look like someone who would have a son your age.”

“I know,” Lu Heguang smiled. “Everyone who has ever met my father says the same thing. It is as if he never grows old.”

“Yes, he is very young.” Salorian had finished half the rice ball before he thought to ask, “Did I just eat your lunch?”

“It is fine. I will go to eat later.”

“I will treat you to lunch,” Salorian decided, taking another bite. “Consider it compensation for your lunch. Your father’s cooking is truly excellent.”

Lu Heguang made a silent vow that he was going to learn how to cook from Lu Ze.

The training period began in the afternoon. At noon, Salorian kept his promise and treated him to a meal. Lu Heguang ate heartily, finishing most of the food, and Salorian did not seem worried about him overeating.

“It is fine. You just differentiated, so you need to replenish your energy. Eating a lot is a good thing. I was worried you might not have much of an appetite,” Salorian laughed in response to Lu Heguang’s concern. “If an Alpha eats too little, their health suffers.”

“You seem to know a lot about Alphas, Senior.” Lu Heguang regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth, but Salorian did not seem to mind. “I have a brother who works under the Marshal. He is an Alpha with a massive appetite. He practically eats out of a basin.”

“I think I will stick to a bowl,” Lu Heguang thought, unable to imagine himself eating from a basin. He had intended to eat less, but he still felt hungry. He held his empty bowl, wondering if he should get seconds. Salorian noticed his hesitation. “Another bowl? I will help you.”

Lu Heguang stood up quickly. “I can go myself.” How could he let his guide be troubled just to get him more food?

Salorian watched him walk to the window to get more rice and smiled to himself. “Young people these days have quite a bit of pride.”

“Hey, get up. We need this table.” Before he could finish his thought, a shadow fell over him. Several Alphas stood by the table, varying in height. Behind them stood some anxious-looking newcomers. It appeared to be another guide group like theirs, but this group did not look nearly as friendly.

Salorian had no intention of giving up his seat. “There are empty seats nearby.”

“We want to sit here.” The leader was a tall Alpha who looked like he would be taller sitting down than Salorian was standing up. “Do not forget the previous lesson. If you know what is good for you, get lost.”

Lu Heguang had taken a moment to buy a drink for Salorian while getting his rice. As he approached the table, he heard a commotion and realized a fight had broken out. From a distance, he heard Salorian shouting for someone to let go. Startled, Lu Heguang placed the rice and drink on a stranger’s table, ignoring their confused protests, and ran toward the scene.

Squeezing through the crowd of onlookers, he saw Salorian facing off against several Alphas. The Omega’s cheek was red and swollen as if he had been punched. The Alphas’ clothes were a bit disheveled, but they were clearly unhurt.

“A piece of trash from the Pride. Growing up around Alphas did not give you much backbone, did it?” the lead Alpha sneered. “A piece of trash who does not know their place deserves a harsher lesson.”

Before he could finish, he reached out to grab Salorian’s shoulder. The Omega had already tensed up in a defensive posture, ready to dodge, but someone was faster.

He watched as Lu Heguang made short work of Parker, the largest student at Wyatt. His movements were so swift that by the time Salorian reacted and pulled Lu Heguang away, Parker’s face was marked with several scratches.

Lu Heguang secretly retracted his small succubus tail and stood innocently beside Salorian. “I am fine, Senior.”

Salorian remained silent. He knew Lu Heguang was fine.

“Where did this bastard come from? Who are you?” Parker yelled as he scrambled up from the floor, pointing a finger at Lu Heguang. “Newcomers should act like newcomers! Who taught you to hit a senior?”

Lu Heguang thought for a moment. Simply giving his name would only cause trouble without providing any deterrence. He needed a legitimate and threatening identity.

Taking a step forward, Lu Heguang said calmly and firmly, “The Imperial Marshal is my dad.”