But Kael decided to play it cool. "How would you feel if someone said that about you?"
Leonhardt replied plainly again, "I don't look like I wouldn't be able to do much. From birth, I've looked like I've got it all…"
"You are a dick!" Kael spat out. He walked over to the tools surrounding them—various combat weapons and picked the one that called to him the most: bows and arrows. Then he returned to Leonhardt.
Leonhardt looked at the fierce kitten before him, What does he want todo?
"See this? It's a bow and arrow."
"I can see that they're a bow and arrow…" Leonhardt said dryly.
"Well, let's make a deal then. If I'm able to pull the string of this bow and hit at least 8 points, then you'll start according me the respect you give to every other Alpha you know," Kael said.
Leonhardt looked at him and chuckled. How do I tell him that I don't give respect to first-year Alphas in the first place? My respect is usually earned and not with bows and arrows. But I guess I've got to play his game.
While Leonhardt looked deep in thought, Kael finally had a chance to think—to even stand one damn second and reflect on what he'd just done, what he'd picked and said.
'Shit… what did I just do? What if he asks for something? What if I don't win? What the hell is wrong with me?!'
"And what happens if you get 7 points?" Leonhardt's words dragged Kael back to reality. His back dampened with sweat. Kael exhaled, and Leonhardt's taunting half-smile mirrored his stress.
Kael replied, "What do you think?"
As he said that, Leonhardt smirked and stepped closer to him, his breath fanning Kael's face. His eyes lingered on Kael's lips, and Kael felt his heart race higher than expected. Leonhardt couldn't help himself and ran his finger over Kael's soft, smooth lips.
Then, as though he hadn't just been touching Kael's lips, Leonhardt stepped back, straightened his shirt, and said while dragging a hand through his hair, "It's very simple. You'll be my Omega toy to use as I'd like."
He's a fucking pervert!
He's always been thinking about how to get in my pants.
Jaden might have to edit his endless qualifications of him and add 'smug' and 'pervert' to the list.
"You're not saying anything. Is that a yes?"
"No!" Kael suddenly shouted as he looked up.
"Huh?" Leonhardt tilted his head.
Kael stammered, "I… me… mea… I won't be losing in the first place, so you aren't having me or using me for whatever evil thoughts you've got."
"I see. Let's see then." Leonhardt said, leading Kael to the training room behind the lecture hall. There, several training setups could be seen, one for guns, another for swords until they reached the archery range. Kael sighed as he stepped forward.
"Go on. The ball is in your court," Leonhardt whispered into his ear, and Kael pressed his lips together.
Everything would stop when I win this shot.
Kael stood in front of the archery range and exhaled. He hadn't chosen or made that deal without some experience—well, if it could be called that. And Leonhardt was right: based on the memories of this body's owner, Kael never had real training growing up. His mother always shielded him from his father's efforts to shape him into an Alpha, whisking him away to play dress-up instead.
But Kael's previous life had been different. Though he never got to go out, he spent time playing virtual reality games when he was well enough. And during those times, he had taken to archery, playing it to saint level. If the skills translated into real life, he could easily score a ten—maybe even higher, if possible. It was ridiculous and ironic to him that he could only chuckle. Who knew that there would be a day he would thank his previous life for lacking freedom and being able to just play virtual games all day. And thanks to the one who made this bow and arrows combat game.
Kael exhaled and began with the most important thing: positioning. Legs apart—one slightly back, the other barely pushing forward. His hands raised, the bow steady in his grip, and his eyes squinting toward the target hole.
He closed his eyes to focus. Suddenly, everything felt clearer. He wasn't sure if it was supposed to feel that way—perhaps it was the Omegaverse setting or some spiritual thing the Alphas spoke about but he was grateful for it. He opened his eyes and they locked on the hole. He pulled the arrow back as far as it would go and, with a single breath, released it.
Kael watched as the arrow flew with a sharp whistle and pierced through the ten-point target, staying put into it.
The force of the arrow was sheer power—he had performed at saint level perfectly. When he turned to Leonhardt, the shock on the Alpha's face made Kael grin inside.
Leonhardt stared. "How long have you been playing?"
"How old are you? How did you reach this level? I'm sure you're not even twenty."
Kael said nothing. He leaned closer and whispered into Leonhardt's ear, "As the good Alpha you are, stay true to our deal and wipe off that smug smile whenever you're near me."
Then Kael walked out of the training room, leaving the Alpha gaping in awe at his performance.
Kael might not have known it, but what he displayed in terms of archery was a skill most would need at least fifty years to master and with consistent training, like at least training every five days in a week. But in his previous life, he did it everyday as he had been addicted to it then.
He didn't know that his previous life and access to advanced technology like virtual reality games gave him a massive edge. In this world, such tech wasn't developed yet—especially not in combat and strength training, as the Omegaverse relied heavily on physical displays of strength.
As Kael walked out of the lecture hall, still riding the high of his performance, his phone vibrated. He checked it and instantly, his mood dropped.
[Meet me at the library after your class or else I'll tell everyone about your secret. I've also got proof.]