Reborn under the dragon pact(BL)

LEO/RYN

"Ryn!" Mira shouted as she dropped into the seat beside him, breathless and wide-eyed.
Ryn gave her a questioning look and dropped the spoonful of rice in his hand. It was lunch, and all students had gathered to eat.


The long tables were packed with students, their plates clinking, laughter echoing—and he was just on his own, seated away from the rest and silently eating, not drawing attention to himself.


He had noticed the tension when he walked in, like everyone was waiting for something to happen, and now that Mira was in front of him without her lunch plates, it just confirmed it.


"You've heard, right? They're announcing it today," she whispered.


Ryn frowned, having no idea what she meant. "Announce what?"


She leaned in and looked around them as if she didn't want anyone to hear, then she whispered fast, "The Dragon Ceremony. The Ceremony of the Chosen."


"Uhm… that's not helping," he muttered.


"You really don't know?" Mira asked, and he nodded. "Crap. I forgot that most of your memories are gone."


Ryn wished that was the case. He truly had no idea what the Dragon Ceremony was about. Even though Mira had mentioned it once, he didn't know what it truly meant and the only memory he had of the body he possessed was of his half-brother bullying him. There was nothing else.


"The Dragon Ceremony is when we get to pick our dragons and become dragon riders. Only the strongest get picked by the dragons, and if you're rejected, you can apply the following year. And if that still doesn't work, then it's your destiny not to be a rider."


Ryn frowned and remembered the first dragon he had seen from the dragon master—and also Kael's dragon. He noticed the sense of pride each of them carried, and it made them look powerful and intimidating. He wanted that, but he worried about his status.


"Do omegas ever get picked?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably, his heart racing pretty fast as he was curious to find out what the answer was, even though he already knew he might have no chance.


This was cool shit, and if anyone had told him months ago that he would get to enter into a fantasy world and see dragons, he wouldn't have believed it. And now, just like how he had loved to take on challenges in his games, he wanted to be a dragon rider so badly.


"It's happened," Mira answered, then sighed. "But barely. The leftover dragons are never good, and most of them end up dying a year after."


Just like he had expected. He had no chance in the ceremony.


"I…" He wanted to ask what happened to those who failed after two trials, but he was cut off by a loud horn blasting through the hall. Immediately, every student froze, their heads snapping up.


"All first-year and trial students should gather at the Yin Hall. Immediate attendance is mandatory!" A voice echoed throughout the hall.


The hall became buzzing once again, and all the students jumped to their feet and rushed out.


"We better leave," Mira shouted excitedly and jumped to her feet.


Ryn nodded and stood up. He carried his plate towards the dishwasher before heading out with Mira.

When they arrived, the Yin Hall was already packed with students. Rows of students stood at attention, their uniforms fluttering slightly with the breeze.


"See you later," Mira muttered to him as they got separated. While she joined the Beta line, Ryn joined the Omega line.


Soon, the masters started arriving and stood on the center stage. Ryn only recognized three of them: Master Selene, the combat master, Master Theron, the dragon master, and Master Lynsander, the rune master. There were at least five other masters he didn't recognize, but he knew they were masters because they were all dressed in the same long dark robes adorned with crimson dragon embroidery.


One of the masters stepped forward, her long blue hair catching the light, and when she opened her mouth to speak, it was the sharpest voice Ryn had ever heard.

"Welcome, first-year students and trial students of Draconic Academy. I am Master Ying, and by the order of the Draconic Academy and Tianlong Kingdom, we will mark the Jade Moon Cycle with the Ceremony of the Chosen!"


Ryn felt a chill crawl down his spine. It was not from her voice, but the thought that he might never be chosen by a dragon.


"The ceremony is a coming-of-age ceremony, and only those who are worthy shall be touched by the bond of the ancient dragons. Only the strong will become dragon riders," she paused and looked into our faces. When her blue eyes met Ryn's, she stared for so long that he feared maybe she saw something—was probably wondering why he was there.

When she finally looked away, Ryn heaved a deep sigh, reminding himself that he didn't belong here, and even if he didn't get a dragon, he shouldn't be angry about it. Because this was not his world, and he was not the real Ryn.


"For centuries, the Draconic Academy has created so many dragon riders who have fought for the kingdom in battles. Some won, some died a hero—and they will always be remembered." She paused for a moment of silence, and everyone also did the same.


Ryn noticed the side talks from the students had stopped abruptly.


When she continued speaking again, it started. Even though their voices were low, he could hear some of the omegas whispering about their low chances.


"Have you decided who you will serve?" one of them said.


"We have to become aides to any of the alphas, and if we're lucky enough, we might get the chance to ride on the dragons."


"No dragon will ever pick weak omegas like us."


Ryn clenched his fists tightly, listening to their complaints. They were already giving up without trying, and he wondered if that was his fate.


Would he ever ride a dragon?


"This year's Dragon Ceremony will be held in groups, and together with your group, you will find your dragons. There will be no discrimination in the grouping. An alpha can pair up with betas and omegas."


The hall erupted in cheers—mostly from the omegas.


"Wow, so we might have a chance since we are paired with alphas!"


"Finally, omegas will get their dragons this year!"


While the omegas were happy, some of the alphas didn't look too pleased. They were all frowning, and their faces held disgust—as if they didn't want to be in the same space with the omegas.


Ryn wondered why the omegas were oblivious to it. He would rather end up dragonless than be with the alphas.


"Feel free to create the groups amongst yourselves, but do know that if you are unable to be in a group, there is a low chance that you will find a dragon, especially if you are an omega," Master Ying advised. "There will be no guide from any of the masters…" she announced, and it caused another buzzing amongst the students as they started speaking among themselves.


"Silence!" The dragon master, Master Theron, voice resounded in the hall, and at once, everyone stopped talking.


Ryn felt the chills just from the sound of his voice. He looked around and noticed that he wasn't the only one. Everyone lowered their heads until Master Ying spoke again.


"Thank you, Master Theron," Master Ying slightly bowed her head, and the dragon master did the same. "The Ceremony of the Chosen," she continued, her voice calmer than ever, "will begin one week from now."


Gasps and whispers sounded again, but it was not as loud as the last time.


"This year," she cleared her throat to gain attention, "please quit talking and listen to me," she pleaded, and the hall went silent immediately. "Out of hundreds of you, only thirty will be chosen to participate in the dragon ceremony."


Ryn had no idea what was happening, but he heard the students murmuring again. He felt so lost—and Mira, who could have explained what was happening, was in the beta's line. He was hopeless about everything, and he tried to recall if he had ever played something like this in his games, but he hadn't.


He looked behind him to see if he could communicate with the omegas, but none of them were looking at him. "I…" He tapped the omega in front of him. When they turned, Ryn wanted to ask questions, but the omega glared at him. "Sorry," he apologized quickly.


There was no way he could even participate in the ceremony when there was nobody to explain things to him. "Oh goodness," he groaned and ran a hand through his hair—but he had no idea that he had said that out loud.


"Is there a problem, little omega?" Master Ying's sharp voice sounded in front of him.


His eyes widened in shock, and he gasped when he realized that all eyes were on him. He quickly lowered his head in apology. "There is no problem, Master," he responded.


Master Ying's eyes lingered on him for a moment before she turned away and continued the discussion.


Ryn heaved a deep sigh and placed a hand on his beating chest, glad that he was quick to react—else he would have gotten the attention of everyone again and been mocked again.


"To prepare for this ceremony, the masters won't be mentoring you—but it will be the top five elite students of Draconic Academy, your seniors. You are to train under them, learn from them for a week."


Ryn felt his stomach drop because he already knew who three of the elites were.


"And now… the elites."


The doors leading to the hall opened, and footsteps echoed as five figures entered—cloaked in flowing black robes with gold stitching. At the chest was a fierce dragon emblem.


Kael walked in first.


Ryn's heart skipped a bit as he remembered the night they had spent together. Unlike when he had been soft with him, Kael seemed like a different person—he had a terrifying alpha look, with his eyes cold and his shoulders carried with pride. He also didn't spare Ryn any glance. Not even for a second.


Sylas came next, and that was the first time Ryn had seen him in days. He had his usual dark, unreadable look, and his hands were clasped behind his back. Just like Kael, he didn't look at Ryn.


Then came Veyr.


He was the only one smiling, and he looked around, searching for someone—and when his eyes landed on Ryn, he winked at him.
Ryn felt his heart start racing fast just by the mere wink.

They both shared a short moment of stares, and he didn't pay attention to the other two elite students who had followed behind—because all he could see was how all three of them Kael, Sylas, and Veyr were right in front of him, making his heart race fast and messing with his head again.