Blaine had taken her empty food containers from her as they became that state. He told Kattie to go head and pick another movie. He didn't want to disturb Lana yet.
They decided to choose a romantic comedy next, though Blaine had a small fear of waking her if it was too funny. It was about a guy and a girl who hated each other when they first met but over the years, they started having feelings for one another. There was a scene in a diner that was particularly funny but they turned down the volume because they didn't want anyone passing by thinking they were watching that kind of movie.
When that movie ended, Blaine decided to call it a night. Lana was wearing an outfit from him so he knew she wouldn't be uncomfortable sleeping in it. He really enjoyed these nights. It gave them both insight into each other's worlds. The truth was, he hated his world. He wanted to know if there was room in her world for him.
Sunday, after breakfast, Paul called her back up to give her bag back, modifications accomplished. She thanked him and asked if he had any intention of selling them.
"I'll have to speak to my parents about it," was all Paul said.
She took Blaine with her to her lab. They needed to categorize what equipment she had then craft how the experiment would be done, exactly. Then a teacher would need to approve it. She discovered just how smart Kyle was and she liked it. By the end of the day, they had everything drafted.
-------------------------------------
That evening, upon delivery of a meal, a system notification rang for a certain someone.
[Quest Complete: Expand Culinary Horizons: 30/30 dishes]
[Quest Reward: System upgrade.]
[Please wait while upgrade initiates.]
[Upgrade installing: 0%]
About 5 minutes later,
[Upgrade complete.]
[Max attributes now 30]
[Max skill points now 10]
[New Skill: Artificial Intelligence]
[Unallocated skill points: 20]
[Allocate points to Artificial intelligence?]
[Yes/No]
[Yes.]
Someone had a huge smile on his face as he ate his most delicious dinner.
-------------------------------------
The next day, Lana was able to provide her proposal to her teacher.
Meanwhile in Elemental Class, a friend of Malp's attacked Alto. They were supposed to be sparring, practicing a new technique. Many elemental abilities used similar techniques, it was just the element that was different. While Alto used water, this student used ice. His watch read 5 while Alto's still read 2. The fight was mismatched to begin with but it was permitted in a classroom setting as there could be things gained by watching such fights.
Alto used a water dagger in the fight, the ice user, who called himself Frosty, used an ice dagger and ice spear. He changed things up as his level allowed him to do. Alto was unable to do anything. Frosty was faster, stronger, and had a more powerful ability. With three ice spears, one to each shoulder and one to his stomach, the fight was declared over. A sergeant named Levine Gadi teleported in and took Alto straight to the doctor. Blaine saw the looks on both Frosty's face and Malp's. He knew it was Malp's idea and Frosty's pleasure to follow the order.
Blaine quickly looked through the book and selected a specific ability. He then accidentally bumped into each of them. When class was over, he followed one. In this case it was Frosty.
Blaine was following while invisible. He snuck up behind Frosty and knocked him out. He then carried the sleeping Frosty somewhere no one would find him. He tied him up nice and secure then went after the other. The ability he used was a tracking ability. It tagged the person touched then the ability user would always know where they were. There would be a line only the user could see like a thin rope that stretch between the two people. Since the Abel family only had the ability for 24 hours before it reset, he had to act today.
Blaine captured Malp and did the same. In the forest, two boys were next to each other on the ground. Blaine took turns beating and kicking them until he got the answers he wanted. He didn't like the answers but at least he knew his next target. As for these two boys, he hit every single non-vital point in their bodies. Blaine made sure to untie them and make sure there was no evidence point to him. Sergeants would be there in about 10 minutes. He needed to be long gone.
The sun was setting by the time Blaine was done.
------------------------
Lana worked in her tree until sundown. She raced back because she didn't know if the chances of Pucket being out were greater at night. In the stairwell, about to go into her hallway, she noticed Blaine walk in. At first, she looked really concerned because he had blood on him. His energy told her he was not injured.
"Did you get dinner, Blaine?"
She had not seen him since lunch and figured he was doing the investigating he said he was going to do. He smiled "No. I was a bit busy."
She allowed him to enter her room first then went to the kitchen to make him something to eat. She was surprised at how fast he washed his skin, unable to do anything with his clothes. He came into the kitchen as she was cutting the veggies.
She whispered, "I don't have any meat at the moment but I can make a bean salad if that's okay?" The 15-minute curfew warning went off on both of their watches. She hoped Kattie was sleeping sound enough to not realize there was an extra alarm in their room.
He smiled, "it's perfect."
"I guess I'm wrapping this in a wrap so you can have it to-go," she chuckled.
"Thank you for this."
"Can I ask about your… state? Why are you covered in blood?"
"Alto was attacked in Elemental class today. It was really bad. I know who ordered the attack. I'm going after them next."
Lana nodded, "if you need help, let me know."
Blaine chuckled, "I knew you'd say that but it's best if you not get your hands dirty. I'm from an Original family so I have more cover than you do"
Lana nodded giving him his food. "You'd better get back to your room. Stay safe."
He grinned at her and was gone.
The next morning the death of two students was reported but there were no leads or clues as to the responsible party. The next two days went uneventful. She didn't stay in her tree long because she was for waiting approval for her experiment. Blaine was busy and the boys had started playing Fight! Train! Fight! They hoped it would get their levels up by training against other students as well as using the training equipment built into the game.
On Thursday, Lana saw Blaine returning from the second-year area and rushed to catch up. He was obviously wounded. She got Blaine to her room. Kattie saw him all bloody and jumped up to assist.
"Kattie, I need you to go up to his room. Have Chekof give you a spare uniform for him. I need to get him out of this uniform after I heal him."
Kattie nodded and was gone.
"Now. Who did this to you?"
Blaine sighed, "the second-year student who works for the major's name is Rakshas. I told him to stop attacking Alto. He had people hiding that I didn't see. I needed to use Kyle to get out of there."
Lana nodded. "So he was likely the person Pucket was delivering the warning for during that first attack."
"Are you going to tell me who Puckett is?"
"He's a monster."
"Those people called me a monster tonight."
"Did Kyle have all 6 abilities?"
Blaine chuckled, "yeah but he only used 2."
Lana smiled. She had him fully healed in 30 minutes
Kattie returned with a uniform for Blaine and she got him in her shower to clean up. It was an hour from curfew when Lana told Kattie she was going out while he was still in the shower.
She snuck close to the second-year building and touched her toes to the ground. A sapling quickly grew. She gave it instructions as it grew so it could meet her purpose. This was an oak tree. She preferred not to use these trees because they were stubborn. When given these specific instructions however, the tree was happy to agree.
She hurried back to her room before anyone saw her.
The next night, Blaine still didn't join her and she went to her beast weapons class alone. The platinum blond was jeering her all week for not having Blaine at her side saying he found someone more worthy to hang around. Lana was happy when Sergeant Tanaka allowed her to spar against the girl but two hits later and she was on her back unable to move. Lana yawned.
"Sergeant Tanaka, is there someone in here that's a more worthy opponent?" She smirked at Star.
"Yes, me if you're willing…" he smiled.
"Um, I'll just shadow spar for now."
She had just returned to her room when Paul sent her a message. He needed her to come to his room.
As Lana got up with intent to leave, her oak tree sent her a message via a tree that was closer to her. Her trap had sprung. Lana told Kattie she'd be back in a bit.
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