Ding!
The sound of a notification brought back Ian's consciousness as he reluctantly opened his eyes.
"What the hell," he groaned as his head throbbed from a piercing headache. "I feel like my brain is in pain."
[Energy: 100/100]
[Host will experience intense migraine as a consequence of resisting hibernation.]
"It says hibernation like I'm some sort of animal," Ian thought as he looked around.
He was in a white room with a machine to his side and barely any other furniture except a white couch which was presently occupied by...
"Jake?" Ian called, jolting him awake."
"Huh? Yes? What?" Jake said incoherently.
Ian cocked an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"
"Who, me?"
"I don't see anyone else."
"Oh, I took you to the dorm's infirmary when you passed out," Jake smiled, finally getting a hold of himself. "I didn't notice it all this while but we're both from the black dormitory."
"Wasn't that always obvious?" Ian asked. "The rims and edges of both of our uniforms are black."
"I want to thank you for helping me back there," he continued, ignoring Ian's statement. "I'm sorry that you were put in danger because of me."
Ian winced as another wave of throbbing pain in his head assaulted his senses. It hurt so much that it was particularly noticeable when he winced.
"Is something wrong?" Jake hurried over to him. "Should I call the doctor?"
"There's no need. I'll be fine," Ian managed to reply. "And I wasn't there to help you."
"It doesn't matter," Jake smiled. "You helped me either way."
"Okay," Ian shrugged and winced from the pain in his head.
"Your methods were.... quite. Um, how do I put this?" Jake said as he let out a nervous laugh. "Extreme?"
"Do you have an ideal way of dealing with that situation?"
"No?"
"Then it was just fine."
"I guess so," he chuckled. "I'm sure Damian would be grateful that he only got punched in his throat. I'll prefer that over the others anytime."
"That punch to his throat would have killed him though," Ian commented. "You sure have some weird priorities."
"That is only bad if he dies," Jake stated. "I think he would prefer to have his balls intact when he wakes up."
"Whatever you say," Ian sighed as he laid back down. "I'm tired."
"You are a lot stronger than I thought," Jake said looking down as he went back to the couch. "I'm sorry I didn't apologize earlier. I put you in danger."
"Apologizing wouldn't have changed the outcome," Ian stated. "Those guys wanted to hurt you. Considering how you must have followed my advice, apologizing would only mean you would be hurt if they hurt me. That's like giving them the go-ahead to beat the crap out of me."
"I see, Jake said. "But I'm sorry still. I didn't think about this when I refused. I just-I just..."
"I said it's okay," Ian sighed. "I told you I wasn't there to save you either. I had my personal reasons for confronting them."
"What reasons?"
"Confidential."
"Oh, okay," Jake smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're okay now."
"What about you?" Ian asked.
"I was healed in no time," Jake laughed. "Did you know that our doctor is the second best in the whole academy?"
"Oh?"
"Apparently, students from our dorm experience the most bullying incidents and we need the services of a doctor more often than not. So one of the best was appointed to us."
"I see," Ian mumbled. "Why wasn't I healed completely then?"
"The doctor said that your injuries and stamina were restored but something seems to be strained inside you," Jake explained. "Something he can't heal."
The door opened and a man in a white robe walked in. He had blonde curly hair which looked to be in a constant mess, blue eyes, and a lean healthy build even though he isn't muscular. He was about Alan's height or a little taller, but not as good-looking as Alan. He had eyebags and an unkempt stubble which gave him a more rugged look than that of a doctor.
"Oh, you're finally awake," he smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"Are you the doctor?" Ian asked.
"Well, I would suppose so," he shrugged. His voice sounded really husky like he wanted nothing else but to sleep.
"He's the doctor," Jake chimed in. "His name is Chad."
"You haven't answered my question," Chad said staring at Ian like he was analysing him. "How are you?"
"I'm okay, but," Ian winced again as his head pounded. "I have a splitting headache."
"That was expected," the doctor said as he wrote something down on his notepad.
"Expected?"
"There seems to be some energy stopping me from healing you completely," he said casually. "Especially around your head. You don't seem to have had any hard hit on your head but there's something there that I assume would cause you pain later on."
"Doesn't that mean he's in danger?" Jake asked, worried.
"Not exactly," Chad said as he touched Ian's head. "Even now, the energy seems to be subsiding on its own. I think it's unnatural and strange but it doesn't feel like anything dangerous."
"Okay," Jake sighed in relief.
"Can I talk to Ian in person?" Chad asked glancing at Jake.
"Huh? Why?" Jake asked. "Is something wrong with him? Is he in danger?"
"No, he isn't," Chad smiled. "I just have a few things I want to discuss with him."
"Um, okay," Ian agreed as he stood up. "Ian, call me if you need anything."
"Of course, he would," Chad replied. "Now leave."
Jake stared at Chad for a little longer before making his way to the door and closing it behind him.
"I'm guessing it's something for my ears alone," Ian said.
"Obviously," Chad replied. "Why do you think I sent him out?"
"What's wrong?"
"I should be the one asking that question," Chad said as his expression changed and became serious. "What the hell are you?"
"What?" Ian asked.
"Why do you have different unrecognizable energies inside you?"
Ian froze as he was confused as well but knew this was related to him being a Chimera.
"I know that you're not human, at least not entirely," Chad said as he placed a scalpel at Ian's neck before the latter could react. It seems like he has had it in his pocket all along. "Depending on your answer, I would take your life right here."
Ian swallowed as he stared at the scalpel before staring back the fierce blue eyes which glared at him.
"I will only ask one more time," Chad said. "What the hell are you?"