At half-past ten, Arthur was studying math, which was taught determinedly by a man with stern face and a white cotton eyepatch. He was dressed in a purple t-shirt with a black striped necktie, black slacks with a brown leather belt, and brown leather shoes. His black leather clutch bag stood on the teacher's desk
The room was as quiet as a library. Only the voice of the teacher and the noise of chalk scribing could be heard. No one dared to sleep or talk in this man's class; they only whispered to each other when the teacher didn't look.
Arthur, who was gazing at the blackboard from his window seat, was on the verge of dozing off, just like his classmates. If he had to listen to the teacher for another five minutes, he would have visited dreamland.
Arthur tried to stay awake. He stretched his back, took a deep breath, and shook his head. He felt slightly refreshed, but still sleepy, so he gazed out the window, hoping the life of the city would energize him.
While Arthur was watching a flock of birds in the sky, he spotted something strange on the spire of the clock tower located at the corner of the street, on the other side of the canal. It was a lump of something concealed with a yellow wrap. Arthur squinted his eyes, trying to figure out what it was.
Suddenly, the wind blew, the warp opened, and Arthur gasped in shock. It was a man in a yellow cloak. He was crouching on top of the tower and watching people on the street.
Arthur couldn't believe his eyes. He rubbed his eyes, looked out the window again and realized that he didn't have a delusion.
The mysterious man stood up and looked around, preparing to move. Arthur couldn't wait to see what he would do next. He clung to the window and watched the person without blinking. But then Arthur's excitement got blown away when he heard a shout from the teacher.
"Arthur Wanderer!"
"Yes, Professor Aleister!" Arthur turned to the teacher in panic and stood up.
"Can you please share with the class what you're watching?"
Everyone looked at Arthur and
Arthur stiffened for a moment, before looking out the window and found out that the person on the clock tower had gone. Arthur turned back to Aleister and said, "Nothing, sir."
Aleister stepped to Arthur. "Nothing? Are you sure? As I saw, you seemed so... excited. Are you hiding something from me?" He stopped before Arthur's desk and looked into his eyes. "
"I, uh, I," Arthur was speechless when his eyes locked with the professor. He looked out the window from the corner of his eyes before he noticed something that could help him get out of this situation.
"What were you looking at, Arthur?" said Aleister in a cold voice, placing his hands on the table and stretching his face to Arthur.
"I was looking at…"
Aleister looked into Arthur's eyes.
"The girls, sir!"
"The girls?" Aleister looked out the window and saw a team of cheerleaders practicing beside the football field. "Oh, I see! Chill out, Arthur. I know they are beautiful and talented, but you didn't have to be that excited."
"I'm sorry, professor. I'll control myself next time."
His classmates laughed.
"Good!" Aleister turned around and looked at Arthur out of the corner of his eyes. "At first, I thought you saw a person on a clock tower or something."
Arthur's eyes widened.
"Okay, everyone! Eyes on the board. Our class hasn't ended yet," Aleister returned to the blackboard.
Arthur sat down in surprise as he realized he wasn't the only one who saw the mysterious person.
After class, when the other students had left, Arthur visited Aleister, who was standing at the teacher's desk, putting his stuff into his bag.
"Excuse me, Mr. Aleister," said Arthur.
"What is it, Arthur? Want to talk to me about those cheerleader girls?" said Aleister without looking at Arthur.
"No, sir. I want to talk to you… about the person on the tower."
Aleister paused.
"You saw it too, right? The person in a yellow cloak."
Aleister looked at Arthur. "Walk with me, Arthur."
Arthur followed Aleister out of the room and walked with him. After they walked side by side in silence for a while, Aleister spoke, "Why did you lie to me?"
"Pardon me?"
"You told me you were looking at the cheerleaders, but in truth, you were watching the person on the clock tower."
"My apologies, Professor. I was afraid that if I told you and the class about that person, you and the others would think I was crazy."
"Don't be afraid to tell the truth, Arthur. What if that person is an assassin who came to put a bullet in my head? Will you tell me the truth, or will you inform me after I've lay down on the ground?"
"I, uh, I'm so sorry, Professor. I didn't think that far ahead."
"From now on, try to think a little further."
"Okay, sir."
"Sigh! I understand that you're scared of what people will think of you, but lies never help. You have to tell the truth no matter what. That will be good for everyone, even yourself. Besides, I'll never label my student as crazy, no matter what."
Arthur smiled. "I'm glad to hear that, sir. By the way, do you have any idea who he is? Where does he come from?"
"I'm afraid I have no idea. This is the first time I've seen something like that."
"Should we call the police?"
"No, Arthur, not yet. We don't have any evidence to show them. They definitely won't believe us and will think we are insane."
"But you said we should tell the truth no matter what!"
"If telling the truth doesn't improve the situation, it's better to keep it to yourself."
"What should we do then?"
"For now, let's keep this thing to ourselves until we have evidence to show the others."
"How about we take a photo of him, when we see him again?"
"That's a good idea, Arthur. But don't forget the fact that people nowadays hardly believe in extraordinary photos, thanks to those fake image editors. Edited photos are everywhere, and they'll think our photos are one of them."
"How do we get evidence then?"
"I have no idea either, so I think we should stick to a photo for now. At least, having something to show the others is better than having nothing at all. And don't forget to send me the picture when you find him. Here, this is my contact." Aleister gave Arthur his contact.
"You can count on me."
"Oh and be careful. Try to keep a distance from him. I don't want to find out later that my student has disappeared."
"Don't worry, I'll kick him between the legs and run like an Olympic medal if he gets close to me."
Arthur and Aleister chuckled.
"Anyway, how could you see him? I mean, he's so tiny, and you were focusing on the class. I almost missed him."
Aleister extended his face to Arthur. "I see everything, Arthur."
"Really?!"
Aleister laughed. "Nah, just kidding. My eyes are special. They're sensitive to yellow. That's why I could spot that eyes-burning-colored cloak from a mile away. By the way, there is something I need to tell you, Arthur?"
"What's it, Professor?"
"I, uh, I won't come to this school anymore."
"What?! Why?!"
"I have a project to finish, and I've decided to quit this job to put all my time into it."
"What project are you working on?"
"I can't tell you yet. But trust me, it'll change the life of everyone in this world forever, including you."
"Wow! A world-changing project. Can I join you? I want to be a millionaire, too."
Aleister chuckled. "Sorry, kid. But this project is for high potentials."
"Fine. Good luck with your project then."
"But don't worry, when the time has come you will be part of it, too."
"Really?"
"Yes, Arthur. This is a big project, and a big project can't be accomplished without help from everyone."
Arthur smiled. "I'll be waiting for your call then."
"And don't be concerned about the class; Ms. Margaret will come to take my place."
"I'll miss you for sure when you are gone."
"For real? I thought you didn't like me."
"Well, you are strict and look very scary sometimes, but you are also a good teacher. You teach us well and care for your students. I'm glad to have you as my teacher."
Aleister smiled. "Thank you, Arthur. Your compliment means a lot to me. I'm glad to have you as my student as well."
"Thanks for everything Professor Aleister. I've been happy to study with you even for only a month."
"My pleasure, Arthur. I hope you make the right choices in every decision in your life after I've gone."
A moment later, they arrived at the cafeteria.
"Alright, here we are. Enjoy your lunch, Arthur."
"You too, sir."
"I hope when I see you again, you'll become a smart and strong grown-up."
"I will. Farewell, Professor Aleister."
"Until we meet again, Arthur."
But after Arthur and Aleister parted ways for a few seconds, Aleister's phone shook. He stopped, took out his phone and realized it was from the principal.
"Yes, headmaster." Aleister answered the call and talked to the headmaster for a moment, before turning to Arthur and shouted, "Hold on, Arthur!"
Arthur stopped and looked at Aleister. "Yes, Professor Aleister!"
Aleister walked to Arthur. "Come with me!"
Aleister strode out of the cafeteria and Arthur ran after him in confusion.
"Wait! Where are we going?!" shouted Arthur.
"The principal's office," answered Aleister.
Arthur looked at Aleister in surprise, before blocking his way. "Wait a second! Why do we go to the principal's office?"
"The principal wants to speak with you."
"But I haven't done anything wrong. Why does he want to talk to me?"
"You'll know soon."
Arthur followed Aleister to the principal's office. When they were about to reach the office at the end of the hallway, the light went out again.
"It seems we need to inspect the electrical system of this school?" said Aleister, looking at the bulbs.
Arthur and Aleister approached the office door. When the corridor was dimly lit, the golden ray of light from the office that shone through the door's window could be seen clearly.
As soon as Aleister grabbed the knob, he turned to Arthur and said, "Have you met the new principal before?"
"No, I haven't."
"A word of advice: whatever he tells you, believe him and do as he says. He loves his students and wants them to walk on the right path."
"Understood, sir," said Arthur doubtfully.
"Oh, one more thing! Don't look him in the eyes."
"Why?"
"His gaze is quite… scary. Alright! Behave well, Arthur."
Aleister opened the door, and beyond it was a large, darkish room. The principal's office was luxurious, vintage, and beautifully decorated. The walls were made of dark wood, elegantly carved, and adorned with exquisite paintings in golden frames and portraits of the past headmasters. A golden chandelier hung down from the ceiling at the center of the room. The shelves were filled with trophies and sculptures, while the bookcases were full of books and files. The fireplace blazed with bright orange flame, and Arthur now realized why there was a chimney on the school roof.
On the left side of the room, on a black leather couch, a black-haired girl in a black hooded coat was playing chess by herself. Meanwhile, on the right side, beside the bookcase, a tall, pale teenage boy was immersing himself into a book.
The back wall was replaced with three massive square windows, and the only source of light in the room was the golden sunlight that shone through them.
The principal was standing next to the center window, watching the world outside with one hand behind his back and the other holding a glass of wine. Arthur saw him as a silhouette.
"What are you waiting for?! Go in!" said Aleister as he saw Arthur standing still at the door.
Arthur stepped into the room and went to the principal's table. He looked at the hooded girl, and she gazed at him with piercing eyes, same as the pale boy, who he eyed after the girl.
Arthur stopped behind the guest chair, which was an antique wooden chair with a red cushion.
The principal's desk was a large, sturdy wooden table, intricately engraved and reminiscent of the president's desk. Papers, a computer, a lamp, and a pen were arranged orderly on the table. The seat was a large black leather chair.
Aleister closed the door, walked to Arthur and stopped beside him.
"Mr. Wanderer has arrived, Headmaster," said Aleister, putting his hands behind his back and bowing.
The principal leisurely turned around, and as soon as Arthur made eye contact with him, he stiffened in fright and a shiver ran down his spine.
The headmaster had the most intimidating face he has ever seen. It was scary enough to give every student a nightmare. His face was stern, his eyes were chestnut brown, his beard was trimmed, and his hair was neat, shiny and dark. He was a large, tidy, strong man who dressed in a red shirt with a black necktie, a black vest, and black slacks.
The thing that scared Arthur the most was his eyes. They looked like ordinary eyes, yet overwhelmed with profound mystery, absolute confidence, and immense pride. They were so frightening that Arthur couldn't describe them in words and couldn't look at them for more than a second.
Ferdinand strolled to Arthur. Arthur's heart beat harder as he got closer, and his steps grew louder. The principal stopped at his desk and glared at Arthur. His shadow obscured Arthur's entire body.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Wanderer," said Ferdinand in a deep low unsettling voice,
"Good afternoon, Headmaster," stuttered Arthur, avoiding his eyes. "Why do you want to talk to me?"
"Don't you have parents to teach you to look a person in the eyes when talking to them?"
"No… sir… I…"
"Look me in the eyes, Arthur Wanderer."
Arthur slowly looked at Ferdinand's face.
"Now!" yelled Ferdinand.
Arthur quickly looked into his eyes. When their eyes met, Arthur stiffened like a rock once more and couldn't feel his body anymore. Every second passed felt like a year for Arthur.
After they locked eyes for a few seconds, Ferdinand cracked a smile. "Good. Do this with everyone you'll be talking to. Understand?"
"Understood, sir."
Ferdinand pulled his chair to him and took a seat.
"Please, have a seat." Ferdinand pointed his hand at the guest chair.
Arthur sat down on the chair and asked in fear, "Did I do something wrong, headmaster?"
"No, Arthur, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Then, why do you want to talk with me?"
"Because you're about to do it."
"I… I don't understand."
"Have you encountered something extraordinary lately, Arthur?"
"Something extraordinary?"
"Something like a strange animal, a strange plant or a stranger. Did you run into any of these things?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because there were many unusual things happening in our town recently, and I'm worried about the safety of my students. So, did you face any anomalies?"
Arthur remained silent for a moment. "Honestly, I did."
Ferdinand smiled. "Can you tell me what you found?"
"I can, but you won't believe it."
"Why?"
"Because it's too strange to be true."
"If it isn't strange, then how could it be an anomaly, right? Tell me, son, or you'll regret it later."
Arthur stayed quiet.
"Hurry, kid. Before I lost my patience."
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