A silent anticipation soaked the room, dousing every student twice over. 

Rayden had always been combative, spurred on by the constant preconceptions of his professors, all of whom seemed to have decided who he was for him. If they continued to do so, it was only fair that he held them to the highest standard. From his first year to now, he had not yet encountered someone whose name he had been entirely unaware of. Every professor and substitute who had taught at Stonehall had either an astounding pedigree, or an achievement worthy of mention.

He had not once heard of someone named ‘Tilo.’

The person in question, wearing a cloak that hung haphazardly from his shoulders, could only be classified as an unknown variable.

There wasn’t a single student in the classroom that didn’t want to peel apart this enigma and prove that it was entirely unworthy of the place where it stood.

If they were going to watch Tilo with an obscene amount of scrutiny, it would only be right that he acted accordingly. He knew these looks better than anyone should.

“Let’s begin with how I was able to acquire this specific position, because as I’m sure you’re all aware, Professor Krylin doesn’t use substitutes. For the past two years, she has asked me to act as a teacher; I have rejected every time until now. In other words, she thinks highly enough of me to recommend me to a position such as this. Furthermore, I have experience dealing with artifacts, having spent the last ten years exploring various sites across the world. I was never one to log my journeys personally, so none of the records of any expeditions will contain my name. Nonetheless, many of the artifacts in Stonehall’s collection are ones I obtained.” 

Tilo’s tone was undeniably antagonistic. Yet, there was an undertone of indescribable calm; a calm that could only come from experience.

A hand raised. 

“Mila Romchal?”

“I don’t think that’s particularly good evidence. As far as I know, most of the artifacts are stated to have been obtained by either pre-established teachers at this school or are listed under the family name of the individual who headed the explorations. It wouldn’t be difficult to claim that you went on one of these expeditions.”

“Yes, well, between the word of Professor Krylin and the list of people who worked on expeditions, I’m certain you can find me.” The message was clear. Do your research first. “Does that answer your question, Rayden?”

“No.”

“Okay, then what could I do to convince you?”

Beside Tilo, Nemo was hurriedly waving his hands, trying to get Tilo to stop. If there was one thing Nemo knew, it was that one should never ask a teenager what could be done to convince them of something. Tilo would never win. Especially not against someone with Rayden’s defiant personality. 

“You’re real confident I took something. If you believe that, then why not take it back? If you can take it from me, then I’ll consider giving you your respect. Otherwise, I’ll make this class your worst nightmare.”

Rayden snickered.

Nemo nearly smacked Tilo. Rayden had said exactly what Nemo had predicted he would say.

Tilo, on the other hand, had grown very invested in the story playing out before him.

“So you’re implying you did, in fact, take something,” he responded.

“Am I?” Ryden smirked toothily.

Tilo shifted his attention towards Nemo. “Waterproofing magic, right?”

“Right,” Nemo affirmed. All it took was that one question for Nemo to catch on - Tilo was planning something.

Tilo began to walk towards Rayden, who didn’t move and still bore his vicious smile.

Step, step, step.

Every footfall was like thunder. Tilo drew closer. The room held its breath as he went, the atmosphere surrounding him changing, an electricity building, like the air before a lightning strike. 

Rayden’s smile slowly dissipated as he watched the force of nature that slowly made his way towards him. Still, the conceited pickpocket remained seated.

Tilo stopped, leaning forward, face mere inches away from Rayden’s. For a brief moment, the temporary professor glanced back towards Nemo. For half a second, Nemo became suddenly aware of an unearthly purple that made up Tilo’s iris. And then it was gone, back to a normal, familiar dark brown color. 

Tilo thrust out an empty gloved hand, palm up. 

The room was still.

“The wallet.”

The wallet came forth, set hastily on Tilo’s upturned palm, then disappeared into his cloak pocket.

Nemo watched from behind as Tilo’s shoulders, previously pulled back and tensed, shivered before falling to their normal relaxed state. 

The storm dissipated.

Tilo made his way back to his place on the teaching platform. 

Nemo almost couldn’t understand what he’d just witnessed, but a moment’s processing allowed him to realize that he recognized this sight. There was only one other person he’d ever seen change so completely in such a short amount of time. A feeling surfaced in his gut, an unwelcome fascination that turned his stomach inside out.

Ignorant of Nemo’s voiceless distress, Tilo continued to act.

“How about, instead of me taking something from you, you spend the week trying to take something from me? Of course, there will be consequences if you don’t manage to do it by the time I leave.”

After a spectacle like that, Rayden had no intention of disobeying Tilo, and the way the substitute teacher spoke implied that he wasn’t making a suggestion. So, unable to say no, Rayden responded the only way he could: by asking more questions. “Like what?”

“How about if I win, you never try to pickpocket someone again, and if you win, I won’t explain to the headmaster the behavior you’ve been exhibiting.”

Nemo caught the three fingers Nemo held up behind his back. Number three on the list - distraction: find something for them to do.

The student swallowed hard. “Okay.”

“Now, to allow you to gauge the difficulty you’ll face, why don’t you do a test round right now?”

The other students all looked at Rayden, expectant. There was no way that he’d be able to evade the peer pressure bearing down on him. All of his arrogance was gone.

Tilo motioned for the boy to come forward and onto the teaching stage. Despite his contempt, Rayden didn’t delay on his way down.

“Oh, and no magic. I won’t use magic either, so you don’t have to worry about that,” Tilo added. He changed his position, pulling himself up straighter and resting his hands by his sides. A casual stand. Only Nemo, as close as he was, was able to detect a slight buzz around Tilo as he altered his posture.

By this point Rayden had regained his composure, pride slowly returning to him.

The student saw the opportunity presented and took it, hand diving swiftly towards Tilo’s pocket. Just as quickly, if not quicker, a separate hand flew by, grabbing Rayden’s wrist. Rayden’s second hand made a move and he twisted around Tilo, attempting to disguise his movement by bringing attention to other, more disorienting movements. Again, a hand intercepted Rayden’s. He was caught. 

Rayden turned white.

Tilo released the student gently. 

“I think that’s enough for you to understand what you’re getting yourself into, especially given that next time I might be caught unawares. Now, if that will be all, I’d like to begin teaching now.”