6. Accelerated Learning Program

I woke up and felt quite shocked to realize that I was not sleeping in my own place. It was D.E.'s apartment. That weird Lycan must have brought me here while I was sleeping last night.

"Why did you bring me here? Didn't you listen to what Flo said? The reporters will gossip about you," I protested.

"I have two apartment units next to each other. I live next door, and you will stay here. I don't think there will be a problem," he replied.

"But—"

"You don't have to pay rent. It saves you money, Slave!"

Hearing about the rent savings, I immediately felt that what Drax was offering was worth it. As Elea Jemima, who lives alone, it felt very tolerable if I didn't have to pay rent for my daily life.

"Okay, I'll stay here," I replied.

"Good. It's already morning, I have to go back to my apartment. You can go to college from here," he said, jumping from the balcony into his own apartment next door.

"But I don't have a change of clothes! I even came here unconscious!" I grumbled.

"Just use what's in the wardrobe. I think the size is right for you. After all, James is at your campus; he will help you if you have a problem," Drax said casually.

"So you do know each other? You're both Lycans?"

"Yeah, but I'm more handsome than him, right?"

"Erm, I think James is also handsome, but somehow he makes me sneeze," I replied.

"Hahaha, I think he doesn't take good care of his fur," Drax laughed.

"Just like the woman in your office, the one wearing a black blazer and looking very sexy. Is she also a Lycan? I sneezed near her too," I complained.

"Oh yeah, Rebecca takes quite a lot of care of her fur. It's so weird... then why don't you sneeze near me?" he asked.

"I don't know! Ah, I want to get ready! I have to go to college, and this place is farther from campus than where I live," I grumbled.

"Would you mind if I carry you? I can run faster than a car," Drax offered.

"You're crazy! You crazy Lycan!"

"Hey, how dare you!"

I immediately ran toward the bathroom, avoiding Drax who seemed like he wanted to ambush me. I took a peek from the bathroom and saw that the man had already jumped from the balcony into the next apartment. What a crazy Lycan! But, he is D.E.—the man I've liked all this time. It’s so unexpected that I can even live nearby.

If D.E.’s fans see me with their idol, I might get in trouble. This is not simple. I have to be more careful from here on out.

***

I got ready, took a shower, and started choosing clothes from the wardrobe. It turned out there were quite a lot of women's clothes there, and the size fitted me perfectly. Does that strange creature like collecting girls? But the clothes looked brand new.

I snuck out, afraid there might be journalists around D.E.'s apartment. But after observing, I found that this room had an exit quite far from Drax’s room. Even though the balconies were close, the entrances were far apart. I came out from there and saw some reporters, but they didn't care about me at all. Turns out the odd Lycan was pretty smart.

I looked for a bus to campus. Luckily, even though the area was busy, there weren't many passengers heading toward my college. I sat on the bus daydreaming; this felt crazy. I went out last night with a Lycan. Worse, he is Drax Ethan, the man I like. A smile crept onto my lips. God, it's like a dream. I even ran my hands through D.E.'s hair. Kyaaaa! Crazy! I cheered inside.

Actually, what is a Lycan? D.E. said he was born that way—a half-werewolf from birth. Are they human? Or are they wolves? How strange. But as far as I know, D.E. only eats chicken. Even his manager, Flo, is a human.

***

I arrived at campus and went to history class. Barbara was already waiting for me.

“Elea! Wow, your dress is so cute! Where did you buy it?" Barbara asked in surprise.

"Um, this is a gift," I answered.

“A gift? Wait, that's a famous brand, Elea! It looks expensive. Wow, who gave it to you? Do you secretly have a boyfriend?”

“What boyfriend? No such thing," I denied.

“So is this because of your new job? Did they pay you well?”

"Emm... for now, I think I'm pretty lucky."

"Wow, thank goodness!"

The students began to quiet down when the lecturer entered. It was Mr. James. He is the most handsome lecturer in the history faculty. Now, I’m starting to understand why his face looks so unreal—it must be because he’s not human. He's a Lycan in a pack with Drax.

From a distance, he looked at me with a sharp gaze.

"Did you see that? Did Mr. James just look at us, Elea?” Barbara whispered.

"Who knows?"

“But he is so handsome! Very charming, isn't he?“ Barbara said, amazed.

"Yeah, I know he's handsome, but he's just not my type," I replied.

Suddenly, Mr. James turned to me with a strange expression, as if he had heard what I just said.

"Gosh, I forgot!" I hissed.

"What did you forget, Lea?" Barbara asked.

"Ah, nothing," I replied.

Crap, I forgot that Mr. James is just like Drax; he has the keen hearing of a Lycan. He must have realized we were talking about him. I had to concentrate on the class. I didn't want to get into trouble with other Lycans while my troubles with Drax weren't even over.

The lecture went normally. Mr. James gave out the material and provided book sources for the lesson.

"Are any of you interested in the student acceleration program?" he asked the class. "Your studies will be fast-tracked, and you can even graduate immediately if you register."

Barbara looked at me, her eyebrows twitching as if to say the program wouldn't be easy. I knew she’d react that way. Only top students like me usually got A's, but like her, I wasn't interested in joining either.

"Let's go home!" Barbara said after class.

I agreed, but suddenly Mr. James called me. “Elea! Come with me to the lecturer's room."

Barbara and I looked at each other. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but the man was already walking fast, so I had to follow him.

"What's wrong?" Barbara whispered.

"I don't know. If you want to go home, go ahead first," I told her.

“Actually, I wanted to take you to the nursing home. I went there today, and I feel I need a friend to strengthen me; I'm a bit weak when it comes to social work,” she explained.

"Ah, wait for me in the cafeteria then. I'll be there later."

***

I followed Mr. James to his room.

"Don't be shy, Lea. You know who I am, so we can be friends," Mr. James said, trying to be friendly.

"Erm, I don't think I know you, Sir," I replied.

"Hahaha, well, have it your way. Come in! Sit down, Lea. Would you like something to drink?"

"No need. Just tell me what's wrong. And please, don't get too close—I'm allergic to fur."

“Ah, I see. Have you heard about the acceleration program? I’ve arranged it for you, Lea. I’ll handle everything.”

"What? An acceleration program for me? But why? I'm not interested," I explained.

"Drax asked me to speed up your college years. He wants you to focus on working for him immediately."

"What? D.E. did this?”

“Yup. Flo said you already signed an employment contract with the company. I don't think you have a choice."

"What is the program like?"

"I will give you the materials to study, summarizing all the courses you haven't taken. You just have to study and take the tests. If you pass, you graduate," he explained.

"In how long?"

"Two weeks."

"What? Two weeks? That’s too short! What if I don't pass?”

"You still have to work for Drax, which means you’d have to leave college without a degree."

“Gosh! He's crazy! So annoying!"

“Haha, you’re cursing him? I thought you were one of his fans?"

“I used to be, but not now!” I replied.

"Yeah, you better not be interested in him. We Lycans don't usually have romantic relationships with humans, though some are still attracted to them."

“Has a human ever married a Lycan?”

"Yes. But human partners usually die quickly. Humans often can't match the ferocious libido of Lycans."

"Ferocious libido?"

“Yup. Some of us lose control during mating season. Lycans who can't find a mate among their own kind usually turn to humans. That’s where the problems start.”

“Is Drax like that? I found a lot of women's clothes in his apartment. Does he use and discard girls?” I asked.

“Drax? Hahaha! He's our newest Alpha. He's so young he hasn't even gone through his first mating season yet. I don't know what he'll be like."

"How old is Drax?"

"About 50 years. Still very young."

"And you?"

"I'm 150 years old. I’ve outlived him by a century," James explained.

"So, like it or not, I have to join this program?"

"Yup. But don't expect any favors! I'll give you the same tests as anyone else. If you fail, don't blame me."

"Okay. I don't like being indebted to anyone anyway."

"Hahaha, good. Very confident."

"Are we done? Can I leave?"

"Yup. I'll give you the materials tomorrow."

"Thank you, Sir."

***

I left the room feeling unlucky. Because of Drax, there was no more lazing around. I had to study hard to get my diploma. I walked to the cafeteria and found Barbara eating spaghetti.

"Lea!" she called. I sat down with a gloomy face.

"What's wrong? Why the long face?"

"Your handsome lecturer put me in the acceleration program. I have a lot to learn in the next two weeks."

"Really? Well, I think you'll pass. Your history skills are top-tier," Barbara replied, unfazed.

"I hope so. Let's go to the nursing home then. Introduce me to the caretaker there!"

We drove to the nursing home. The green atmosphere always made me feel at home.

"Nice place," Barbara noted.

"The elderly here are very pleasant. I know some of them, and they even treat me like their own child," I explained.

"Sounds like fun."

"Lea!" a voice called. It was Jonathan.

"Wow, Lea, who is he? How can there be a staff member as handsome as him?" Barbara whispered as Jonathan walked closer.