AEKMEM chapter 15

Chu Heng: “… ”

Chu Heng remained silent for a few seconds, then raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “Are you sure you want to make this request?”

While An Qiao was ill and delirious, he felt guilty for questioning An Qiao so coldly for no apparent reason. He told An Qiao, “If you recover quickly, I’ll grant you a reasonable request.”

Unexpectedly, An Qiao now made such an absurd request.

Most people had only seen his black dragon beast form through a screen, and it was met with both awe and fear.

With its wings spread, the colossal dragon was both a guardian and a demon to the empire’s people, appearing massive enough to blot out the sky. Its blood-red, vertical pupils sent chills down their spines in particular.

Some members of the Second Prince’s faction secretly spread rumors that his bloodline’s reversion to its ancestral form might cause him to lose control. They claimed that if his bestial nature overwhelmed his humanity, he would pose a tremendous threat to the empire.

His black dragon form terrified many children. Some parents used it to frighten disobedient children.

The empire revered strength, yet they too held his black dragon form in awe. Even Jiang Qi, his adjutant and close friend, couldn’t help but fear him and dared not look directly at the Second Prince in his black dragon beast form.

This was the first time anyone had said they wanted to see his beast form.

Wasn’t An Qiao afraid?

But, looking into An Qiao’s bright, almost burning eyes, it seemed that he genuinely wanted to see it.

Chu Heng recalled their first meeting when he tentatively asked An Qiao what he wanted in return. An Qiao casually replied,

“Just… that firebird you created with your fire-type ability.”

His firebird was notorious for its ferocity and cruelty, and many people harbored deep resentment toward it.

However, An Qiao showed no fear of the firebird. Instead, he touched it gently and curiously, with a touch of gentle patience.

Perhaps An Qiao’s perception changed after he lost his memory, and his tastes became strange?

Thinking this, Chu Heng’s gaze toward An Qiao became strange.

An Qiao nodded, and a rare, almost obsessive determination appeared on his usually cold, expressionless face. “Yes, I’ll only make this one request.”

One reason he stayed in the first place was because he was “smitten” with Chu Heng’s black dragon beast form.

Chu Heng’s expression shifted, seemingly filled with complex emotions. Finally, a hint of difficulty appeared on his face. “…How about you change your request?”

An Qiao: “?”

Chu Heng said, “Or… I’ll show you after some time passes, okay?”

He explained patiently, a rare occurrence for him. “I was injured a while ago and am still recovering. I can’t transform into beast form right now.”

Even his two closest adjutants and the military doctor, Jun Yiran, didn’t know if he had been injured in the war against the Zerg or how badly. The Second Prince’s faction had also been trying to find out about his physical condition.

But now, without any hesitation, Chu Heng was telling An Qiao.

“Injured?” An Qiao’s brows furrowed slightly.

He didn’t realize that his initial reaction wasn’t disappointment or regret at not seeing the long-awaited black dragon beast form but rather concern for Chu Heng’s injury.

“Give me your hand,” he said.

Chu Heng said, “Huh?”

An Qiao grabbed his right hand and placed his fingertips on his pulse.

Chu Heng stiffened, feeling a faint burning, tingling sensation where An Qiao touched him.

“It’s alright. Not too serious,” said An Qiao, withdrawing his hand.

Chu Heng smiled and teased, “I didn’t expect you to know how to take a pulse, young master.”

Of course, he didn’t think An Qiao knew how to take a pulse. How could he possibly diagnose anything in such a short time? However, he was greatly pleased by An Qiao’s caring behavior.

Sensing his teasing, An Qiao coldly raised his chin slightly. “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, his expression froze.

He stared intently at Chu Heng, his beautiful, icy blue eyes blank. “…So, being injured means I can’t see your beast form anymore?”

Under An Qiao’s gaze, Chu Heng felt a strange sense of guilt, as if he were a heinous criminal. He touched his nose guiltily. “…Right now, I really can’t show you.”

Actually, he could barely transform into his beast form anymore. However, his injured beast form was covered in wounds, making it appear even more ferocious and hideous.

Even his uninjured beast form might frighten An Qiao. Perhaps An Qiao was just curious after watching the video. He was feigning interest, but the real experience of facing the beast would be far more terrifying than the intimidating power seen in the video. No one likes something that instills genuine fear.

He didn’t want An Qiao to see the injured beast form even more.

His perfect image couldn’t be ruined!

Seeing An Qiao’s expression shift slowly from blank to disappointment bordering on despair, Chu Heng hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.

“I’ll show it to you as soon as it’s healed!”

“Oh.” An Qiao still looked disappointed.

Clearly, he no longer trusted Chu Heng.

Chu Heng: “… ”

**

An Qiao was listless and lacked energy for several days after failing to see the long-awaited black dragon beast form.

Two days later, when he returned to school, he noticed that the teachers and students passing by were giving him strange looks.

“Why are you all looking at me so strangely?” An Qiao asked the person beside him, Song Leran, his face full of confusion.

Song Leran’s lips twitched. “You don’t know?”

Seeing An Qiao’s bewildered expression, he remembered that he had lost his memory and probably didn’t understand at all.

“This 2S-grade energy shield bracelet was specially designed for the Crown Prince of the Empire. However, if he truly cares for his crown princess, he will give it to them. Therefore, this bracelet is also a symbol of the Crown Princess’s status.”

This 2S-grade energy shield is not only astonishing because of its special significance, but also because An Qiao wears several A- and S-grade energy shield bracelets, which makes him extremely wealthy.

It’s important to know that the materials used for energy shields are extremely rare, especially the higher grades. They are hard to find, and the production process is difficult. There are only a handful of S-grade energy shields in the entire empire, and A-grade energy shields are also very expensive.

Only patriarchs of powerful families can attain S-grade energy shields. Even heirs to prominent families in the capital city only have access to A-grade energy shields. Ordinary scions of wealthy families can’t afford one. Song Leran only obtained an A-grade energy shield after relentlessly pestering and begging his parents.

Furthermore, the S- and A-grade energy crystals used to replenish the shields’ energy are also extremely expensive.

Someone like An Qiao, who wears several S- and A-grade energy shields, is unparalleled in his wealth, which makes others envious and tempted to rob him.

—Of course, that’s just wishful thinking.

First, the Crown Prince came to the school himself to pick up An Qiao, causing Zhou Xiaoxiao, who had tried to set him up, to fail spectacularly. Now, the crown prince had given An Qiao a 2S-level shield, which symbolizes the crown princess. Although An Qiao came from an ordinary family, had failed his awakening, and lacked the elves’ innate healing ability, who would dare look down on or bully him now?

Song Leran couldn’t help but sigh, “The Crown Prince even gave you this.”

So that’s how it is.

An Qiao understood. No wonder some people had toned down their malice quite a bit. Of course, the malice hadn’t disappeared. It had just been hidden under pressure, and they hadn’t dared to show it in front of him.

Chu Heng has quite a reputation here. These people all seemed afraid of him.

Was this a case of someone using someone else’s power to intimidate others?

What a novel experience.

As for any special or not-so-special meaning, An Qiao didn’t care. He and Chu Heng tacitly agreed about this “marriage” forced upon them by the mainframe system.

Chu Heng was a 3S-level beastman who didn’t need the 2S-level energy shield but gave it to An Qiao because he thought he “needed” it.

“Hey, by the way,” Song Leran added. “When you were attacked by that Bloodthirsty Vine that day, why did it suddenly stop attacking?”

“Not only that, but it bloomed and fawned over you! How did you do that?”

The Bloodthirsty Vine’s sudden change in attitude left everyone present bewildered and speechless that day. An Qiao raised an eyebrow slightly. “Maybe it’s because plants are attracted to me?”

Elves are born with a natural affinity for light, which makes them close to nature. Their scent is welcomed by plants. However, the Bloodthirsty Vine that had been frantically attacking him was only obsequious because it was terrified after he suppressed it with his mental power.

Song Leran’s brow twitched slightly.

He glanced at the potted green plant on the windowsill next to An Qiao.

Since it was an elf classroom, there were many potted plants. Compared to the others, though, the plant next to An Qiao stood out remarkably; it was vibrant and full of life.

“Perhaps that’s really the case?”

Elves aren’t as favored by plants as plant-based ability users are, but they’re still much better off than ordinary people. Could it be because An Qiao, though not successfully awakened, has pure elven blood and is exceptionally beautiful, making him more popular with plants?

Meanwhile, the people around them were enthusiastically discussing the upcoming freshman final exams, eagerly anticipating the trip to the Star Beast Forest, and debating which of the five major legions they wanted to join. The Second Legion, commanded by Marshal Chu Heng, was the most discussed.

Furthermore, many mentioned that Jun Yilian, a fourth-year student, had returned.

He was currently the most popular student at the empire’s top military academy, an S-rank elf. Born into the prestigious Jun family, one of the top-tier families in the capital, he lacked the typical arrogance of a noble’s heir. He was refined and easygoing without the usual elven affectation or fear of hardship.

Since awakening as an elf, Jun Yilian traveled to remote planets every year during holidays and internships to treat soldiers and locals who sought his medical help.

Although not a celebrity, he was far more famous than any star, and for good reason: almost no one spoke ill of him.

The eldest son of the original An family, An Qiao, although he possessed a higher purity of elf bloodline than Jun Yilian, had not truly awakened at the time. His family background wasn’t as strong, and his personality wasn’t as good, making him far less popular.

Countless people pursued Jun Yilian, including the Second Prince.

**

After class, An Qiao arrived at Qingyuan Pavilion, escorted by Zheng Jingyang, captain of the Marshal’s personal guard.

It is the most renowned restaurant in the capital city.

First, the food is exceptionally delicious and leaves a lasting impression.

Second, the scenery was stunning. Located in the Mingguang Building on Mingguang Avenue, peach blossoms bloom there year-round. At sunset, the afterglow reflecting off the blossoms created a beauty reminiscent of a fairyland, making it the top choice for couples to go on dates, confess their feelings, and propose. Over time, it has become the number one “couples’ restaurant” in the city, perfectly reflecting the meaning of its name, “Romantic Fate.”

An Qiao, a country bumpkin who had only recently arrived in the city, naturally had no idea that it was a “couples’ restaurant.”

Chu Heng, a “straight man” who paid little attention to anything other than battle and his savings, was also unaware that it was a “couples’ restaurant.”

Seeing An Qiao’s listless mood and knowing he hadn’t fulfilled An Qiao’s request, Chu Heng frowned. Knowing An Qiao loved good food, he had his adjutant, Jiang Qi, choose the best-rated restaurant in the capital city as an apology.

Believing he had his superior’s best intentions, Jiang Qi unhesitatingly recommended Qingyuan Pavilion.

Chu Heng had originally intended to pick up An Qiao himself, but an urgent matter arose, so he sent Zheng Jingyang to get An Qiao while he went directly from the military headquarters to the restaurant.

The aircraft landed on the top floor of the Mingguang Building.

An Qiao, dressed in a snow-white robe, was led unhurriedly through the corridor by a waiter to his reserved private room. There, he happened to encounter An Yuchun passing by.

“Brother, what a coincidence,” An Yuchun smiled. “Why are you at a couples’ restaurant alone? Isn’t His Highness the Crown Prince with you?”

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