章 7: Factus sum magister-VII
DATE:22th of March, the 70th year after the Coronation
LOCATION: Concord Metropolis
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Being stuck in nightmare land for two nights in a row. What is my luck these days? Perhaps these markup or punishment is an omen of my current or future situation? I certainly am concerned for my safety.
To say the least I woke up feeling horrible. My muscles were aching all over, and I couldn't even do my routine with all the equipment lost. I have to talk to the Dean or something. She may be able to loan me some cash.
Alice was at my door rambling about how I was supposed to go to class or something, but I couldn't focus on her words.
I didn't trust the old soap in the room's bathroom so I went to the communal ones to take a shower.
Now that I think about it, I do remember being told to be at some class in the morning. Will I be fired the first day? I couldn't care less. It hurts so much. One has to realize that there is a difference in pain tolerance. It is one thing to feel something painful at once, but to have it take the course of 48 hours Is something different. I think this is the exact strategy the Concord metropolitan Police uses. I've been in that position before.
I really hate this city.
When I got out of there and changed, I saw that it was already 10:30. I think I was supposed to supervise class 11-C. Some troublemakers.
The hallway s. Of the school building was what you would expect for such an ancient facility. Hard wooden flooring, painted rusted bricks for the wall walls and chandeliers every 15 metres. A lot fancier than the school I went to.
They were quite noisy from a distance but got strangely silent when I got close. There may be a kid in there who heard me.
I entered and glance at the "new generation" that I would have to kill one day. Or should I just quit? I am getting too old for this.
"Right, my name is William Carter, I will substitute for the History teacher Yonezu.
I want to get this straight that I am not strict and don't really care about teaching you so be quiet and keep to yourselves. My head is killing me."
I sat at the desk and remembered I can't just ignore them.
"So, where have you gotten in the schoolbook?"
"Mr. Yonezu didn't work with the book, he said he didn't like how they were structured." Kenji Yonezu was a very Pretentious man, very proud of his work as a historian. I think he currently is at some conference in another country. Or was that the Anglican teacher and he is the one whose mother was sick? I really didn't pay attention.
"Right, then I suppose you don't even have the books on yourselves. Hmmm, I don't really feel like dictating anything so you can study at something else."
Of course they were chatting between themselves. Not like this lower standard class had any ambitions. I think there was one girl who was reading a book? Kind of it.
"Hey teach! How come you were late on your first day?" I looked at the one speaking and it was a boy with slick hair. The one from yesterday?
"Didn't feel like it. You'll learn when you are older."
"
"No, but I am really curious. You seem like such a studious type." Is that how you talked with a teacher? Seems like his other friends also joined in the discussion.
"I also want to know!" Was it that gal this time? So boring.
"I may have had a bomb inside my body so I went to scan for it. It wasn't that interesting."
"How is this not? For a hero to come back from the front lines, isn't it admirable?" Judging by his mocking tone he wasn't honest.
I shushed them and tried to not think about the pain I was in. The rest of the day was uneventful.
The food we have here is the same as the student's, but I wouldn't say it is bad. Mashed potatoes, some chicken... I didn't get much. I didn't feel like eating, but I wouldn't recover unless I fed myself properly. Alice wasn't eating at the cafeteria, she had some work from her BubbleTV job to do so she went through her room. Being alone was fine, but I saw students murmuring while glancing at me. At first I thought they were just curious at having a new teacher, but their glances were suspicious.
I saw a nerdish guy with glasses near such a group and went to confront him afterwards. He was named Kyle Morris? I think was in class 10-B. Anyway, apparently there was a rumour going around that I had a bomb inside of me. Or that I was a suicide bomber. There were quite a few rumours.
Of course I knew who started them. I should have been more careful, but I didn't think much of it at the time.
I was even called by the Dean to speak about it. She said I shouldn't let it bother me, because this is how students are and blah blah...
Did she think I care? I quite liked it. Having them think I could snap anytime meant I didn't need to bother talking.
In the evening Alice came to my room to apologize for leaving. Also to talk about the rumours. Did she think it mattered to me?
In any case, she seems to like teaching, though I could see her being somewhat concerned. I don't know why, and neither bothered to ask.
Strangely, I didn't see Mr. Perfect at all.
Yeah, I would say it was quite an uneventful day.
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DATE:26th of March, the 70th year after the Coronation
LOCATION: Concord Metropolis
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The next few days came by quickly. I started teaching them what I read online in between the classes. Oh, yeah, I talked with the Dean and got a salary in advance. I ordered my lost products back, yet they still haven't arrived and also bought a phone second hand so I could search things. The last one was also in the car. I don't have a Sim card anymore as I am technically dead so I have to abide by the School's Wi-fi.
I didn't talk much with Akerman, but it doesn't seem like he cares about me. That is good.
I was quite anxious to go out, but then I remembered I am nobody so no one would even recognize me.
As I was saying, I started teaching them. I am sure Yonezu will be angry when he returns, but hopefully I leave before that happens. Kind of his fault to be gone in the first place.
I bumped into a girl while she was hurrying out of a classroom and another rumour came that I was trying to assault her so that wasn't fun.
All else I would just ignore them, but this has become to much to let them get away with. I thought about how to punish them, or more specifically her. The more hours I did at 11-C, the more obvious it was that Silvia was the brain of her group. Or better yet the instigator. I knew that and yet I couldn't touch her without getting in trouble. And she knew.
Alice also started to feel more anxious, at least to me. I could see bags forming under her eyes so she must be sleeping less. Was she stressed? She comes to me a few times a day, but we don't talk much. I started avoiding her to hopefully make her realize that we do not know each other. I am done with how clingy she has become.
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DATE:27th of March, the 70th year after the Coronation
LOCATION: Concord Metropolis
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It was finally the weekend.
I thought about how I should spend this precious time I had only to be told that only the Sunday is a free day at Zenik. What the hell is this timetable!
I had two classes in the morning, and sadly one of them was that dreaded den of hooligans.
Today they stepped on the final line.
They really did.
When I entered the classroom I found myself slipping on a puddle of water. Normally I am more than proficient in observing such a petty prank, but they used their powers on it. One of the students made the water appear just like the flooring, effectively rendering it invisible.
Another elevated the frictionless factor to the tenth level. I actually slipped. A trained killer.
I hit my head hard on the wooden floor while the children laughed. I couldn't take it anymore. Not because of their amusement, that I could care less, but there was a chance I could have died from that position.
ME? Killed by some children? I couldn't take it anymore. I snapped.
I went to the loudest kid in class and slapped him. I gave him a slap hard enough he ragdolled on the floor near his seat. I didn't even care who did it.
"You think this is a joke? I could have died!
How about I kill all of you? How would that make you feel?" Of course some of them thought I was just another joke. From their perspective I was a simple substitute. That slicked hair brat laughed. I went to him and gave another slap, but he blocked it. They say he is a master of martial arts.
Yet it didn't matter. It didn't matter at all. He caught my hand and possibly wanted to subdue me, no doubt to impress his friends, but he doesn't get it. None of them do. We are in entirely different weight classes. And I am much more experienced. I grabbed that hideous ball of gell he calls his hair and slammed his head on the hard-wood desk. I slammed him multiple times.
"You all think this is a joke? " His nose was bleeding, possibly broken. For the first time since I came to this class there was silence.
Then I realized what I did. This wasn't good. Mr. Perfect would hear of this. I was done. I started laughing. I laughed for a good minute.
Then I looked back at the boy's bleeding face.
"Let's get you to the nurse." He wanted to run away, but I grabbed him by his ruined shirt and dragged him to the door. The rest were still silent.
"I don't know what jokes you do, But I never jest. Don't you Ever try this again."
I dragged the boy outside and told him to follow me. Seems like he started tearing up while following me.
"Y-ou can't do this. The Dean w-won't let you just h-h-urt us."
I couldn't have that. Still a while until the nurse, I yanked him to the nearby bathroom and have him a good slap. He was so scared he didn't even resist.
"You think I care? Isn't it her fault you even behave like this?" I grabbed him by the throat while he tried to push me away. Quite muscular for a teen, but it wasn't enough." What am I supposed to do?" I slapped him with my free hand. "Let this move against my life go?" I really wasn't having any of it. To hell with the Dean.
"Get me fired! I dare you! Get me fired and you will leave this school in a body bag." He trembled under my grip. I could see him almosg crying. Such a weak piece of shit. Is this what happens when parents don't properly educate you? Does he even have any? And I thought my father was wrong for using violence.
I let go of my hand and have take the boy to the nurse. She was very scared upon seeing what happened to him and started questioning me. I only told her that they almost made me break my neck, so I beat him up to teach him a lesson. Of course she didn't really like my explaination, but it's not like I answer to the nurse so I left, ignoring all her pleads and curses.
I went straight to the Dean and told her what happened. Of course she didn't like what I did. At the same time she was also surprised I managed to beat Alek, the boy in question. Apparently he is quite strong, but I didn't see it.
She said they will decide my punishment later and to return to class. So I did just that. The chatter instantly stopped when I got close, similar to my first time here.
Inside, Silvia was waiting at my desk, angrily trying to question me. I only raised my hand and she had curled into a ball. Pathetic. These future superheroes are scared of a worthless man like myself. Her power is a form of hypnosis and she doesn't even have the courage to use it on me. So, sooo pitiful.
I continued the class as if nothing happened. It was too late for me anyway. And just as I was having my first day off! I was much more relaxed when I was a hired killer...
Beating up children, huh? I didn't have that on my bucket list.
When the bell rang I went to my room to take a nap and skipped lunch. No point dwelling on it anymore. Just as I was starting to fall asleep I hear knocking at my door. It was Alice who brought me lunch. Great....
"I heard what happened in the class today." She seemed tired. Was being a teacher too much for her? Or was it combined with her Graphich design job that forced her?
"Yeah. I got really scared when I almost broke my neck. I though, how could teenagers be capable of that?" It wasn't totally false, though it was also just me wanting to punish someone.
"I... Don't think you need me to say you went too far..." He glanced around my room, though I have no idea what she was looking for. I kept it tidy.
"Can I take a seat?"
..."Sure."
I got back on the bed while she took my desk's chair.
"I feel like you are avoiding me lately..." Naah, couldn't be. I just tried to stay as far away as possible.
" Not really, we just have different schedules."
" Ahh, you are probably right.... I am quite silly, aren't I?" Seriously, why is she so depressed?
" Are you feeling well? You seem tired."
" It's just a lot of work right now, but it's not like this is the first time I deal with it. I just.... Miss him."
" Who?" I of course knew the answer to that.
" Kevin. I tell myself that this is only temporary, but each day I wonder, what if it isn't? What if he isn't coming back? I just feel so... Powerless." I was wondering how long the delusion would last.
"I don't believe it is good to think like that. People who die don't come back."
"No, I-I mean yes, usually, but Kevin was different. He is different!" Not anymore!
"I... Haha, Probably sound crazy don't I?" Technically she used to be right, but this isn't the case anymore.
" No, I understand what you mean. It does feel sad that a hero like UltraMan is gone." She felt saddened at hearing my words, and turned away uncomfortably. Then she raised from the office chair.
" I... Should probably let you rest. S-see you later!" She went out in a hurry while I closed my eyes, waiting for my punishment. Yet... No one came?
I got up and went towards the Dean's office. While I was walking at a slow pace, I see Death in the distance. It was Mr. Perfect.
I wanted to avoid him so I quickened my pace and looked away, but just as he was passing me, Akerman turns around and calls me.
" Hey William. You are going to the Dean's, right? There's no need to. We will have a council meeting tonight to agree on a solution." He still saw me as a normal man. Hopefully it stays that way.
"Ahh, Thank you for informing me."
"No problem, take care." He waved at me while walking in the opposite direction.
That was close. Now what to do with all this free time? Oh yeah, Alice mentioned the library when we got here.
The oldest part of the Academy, the library was made entirely of granit and stone. Ordained with Greek columns on the outside, it was quite an impressive structure. I got inside and was presented with shelves upon shelves of book. These giants made of hard wood reached the stone ceeling. You could only get to them with ladders.
At the door there was a student meant to keep track of loans and she shrieked upon seeing me. Seems like news travel fast. Unbothered, I went around the big shelves and came to a logical conclusion. The books downward were much newer. This lack of determination to use the ladders meant that one of the upper books may have something that interests me. What exactly am I looking for? Nothing in particular. When I came here, I wanted to know the secret of the Zilliam family, but logically speaking such a careful lineage wouldn't be foolish enough to leave clues at the library. It was cliche. And yet I didn't have anything better to do. The drugs from the professor still haven't arrived.
I looked through many of the old volumes, but there wasn't anything out of the ordinary. As expected. At some point though I heard a clank when inserting back one of the tomes on classical history. Taking it out again, a key came with it and dropped on the floor. I was surprised, almost instinctively reached to grab it out of the air, but failed and almost fell to my doom with it. I had forgotten how high I was. The ladder fell and I was left hanging my the tips of my fingertips and shoes. It was clear the shelves weren't made to support this kind of weight, and with their age trembled horribly. Quite scary! It took me a while to scale down the shelves, but I eventually succeded and was left with the strange key.
It had a distorted tip, a shape so strange I had no idea in what kind of lock it would even enter. Mysterious! I am sure Alice would love to see this....
Huh....
It is unusual for me to think about her.
Anyway, I put I took it to my room, locked it it the safe I was provided with and got to the lounge, waiting my sentence.
At some point I got called to the Dean's office. Where I waited outside for the rest of the teachers to leave. Felt like a powerful entrance, the way they were staring at me.
Madame Zilliam had a burdened expression. Seems like the discussion got quite heated.
"I... Didn't expect you were so harsh on the student." Was she talking about a broken nose? At the school I went to such a thing was a mere "mistake" when "playing". Breaking bones was a serious issue, but you could be cut on the whole body and the headmaster would say to "toughen up" and to "work on yourself".
"These children could kill someone someday if they aren't careful. I ask you, Dean, why is it that they even reached the point they had the gall to do something like this?"
"Are you saying it is my fault?"
"Not at all. I would argue it was the fault of their head teacher for losing grip with their behaviour like that." My teachers would beat you with mallets if you disrespected them. They would make us all watch it too, to understand what happens.
" I hope you understand this doesn't justify your behavior....." She knew that no one in the room was listening to her rambling. " Look, I expect that this was just an excluded situation. You made a mistake, the students did... Please try to be more understanding the next time.
Can you promise me that?"
" Sure, I can at least do that much." Now that they know what I am capable of, they will either fear me or try to goad me into getting in trouble. Judging by how that gal Silvia shaked at me, I think it is the first situation.
" I want you to understand that some of the teachers see these students as family. I know delinquency must be punished, but we do not believe that violent ways can put an end to it. Children at that age are just.... Troublemakers. You must know what I mean, after all, we all were in their position at one point in time." Except I wasn't. If I made trouble I was beat to a pulp at home, and if I did it at school I would be humiliated by the teachers. Not to mention the gangs. Easy to say I stayed as far away from any conflict. Not like it made any different....
"I understand."
"Then that is good." So as to not let you go too lightly in the ire of those affected, I wish you to be in charge of detention for.... A month? How does that sound?" Great. More standing around doing nothing. I understand why the others wanted to push this onto me. I hate it. Not like I can refuse.
"Alright, I will do all I can."
I then raised from my seat and left her office.
Alice was waiting for me outside, but I didn't stop for her.
" Ah, Are you alright? I am sure it must be tough."
" I am fine Alice."
" We can talk if you want. You know I am here for you." Why does she care? What does she want from me?
" I really am fine." Can't she get the memo?
"Ah, a-alright..." Her pace slowed and I left her behind. I couldn't bother dealing with her at this time.
I kept thinking, what is the Dean thinking? A community? A family? This is exactly why their prestigious student turned up like this. They cut them too much slack, caring how the students think of them and not how they will be come. To hell with this system. These very students will shape the future of this Metropolis. You can't afford them turning into selfish schmucks. The lives of millions are at stake.
Have they no idea?
Have they no shame?
I am sure this isn't the way the past Zilliams operated in. Is this the difference between a father figure to a motherly one?
But what do I know. This school has existed for 200 years and yet there still are heroes like Blazer.
Either way I hate this "New Order". The question is if it created the heroes or if they made it.
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