Leuko - Blind to the Sunlight

Chapter 40: Silent Fascination

…it's silent.

I petted Pandora while slowly inspecting the classroom for any possible way I could escape. Of course by now I knew there was no need for me to escape…as last time I tried, they caught me in less than an hour.

…and also that they might not want to harm me as much as I thought.

 But another surprise came from the fact that they might not be as determined as I thought, as despite me being just a little late, I was still the only one present in the classroom.

And the feeling of being alone was only augmented by the size of the classroom, even the vision of Pandora didn't allow me to see the end of it. The worst however was that the classroom was practically only covered in white, with only the border of the walls stopping its invasion with their golden line. In front of me was an extremely long white table that stretched until the other side of the class, where I'm sure I would be able to drop my things…if I had any. The chairs I was allowed to sit on were extremely comfortable, as they had a comfortable blue cushion that I could rest on.

Finally, the class was separated by a staircase that cut through the middle of the room. The top was simply the entry, and at the bottom was a half circle made out of wood with a giant projector that was big enough to be seen from far away. It was important to mention that the classroom was also designated as a half-circle, so our gaze should always be directed toward the projector or the one below it. Even if I had doubt that someone at the far end could see anything…or is it maybe my vision that is simply worse than the other's?

Well I think I explained everything in the classroom for the thirty-seven time…are they there yet?

…still nobody…

Hmm…maybe everyone is already outside the door, but they are just dreading opening the door because they don't want to feel the humiliation of knowing they wear the same outfit as me?

I thought as I looked at the Zenith academy outfit, and couldn't help but sigh in tightness at how tight the outfit was compared to my usual outfit. At least my wounds on my skin were mostly healed, so it didn't hurt, but it stayed uncomfortable.

I did look at the more complete rule of the academy just in case I missed something, but sadly it was quite strict that we wear the uniform constantly during the hour of class.

The rules were published with the letter informing me of my class and the schedule I have to follow for the rest of the year.

…wait an instant…the schedule did say that the course would start at 10am…is it that the reason why there still nobody in class?

No, that would be ridiculous, I arrived at 6 am, how could that be too early? The class would have started in four hours, anything less than that and I would have just been late.

…well I already thought I would be late, but I guess the rules are more permissive here…or maybe they knew that I wanted to arrive even earlier? The reason I was even late was because I was occupied preparing breakfast for my friend at my dorm…the part that took me the most time was trying to climb the counter of the cafeteria.

Not to say the rest was easy, as there was not a single bench that I could use to reach all the necessary equipment. In fact, the only reason I was even able to finally finish their meal was because some Meltan decided to remodel the kitchen to give me a bench to reach the button or handle. Yet I still had to stand of my toes to reach the button!

But I should raise a complaint to whoever designed the kitchen like this, it is clearly not accessible for a normal person, only a giant could make use of it!

"Kyu. (Or anyone not as small as you.)" Pandora added as his claw reached for the basket I filled it with poképuff.

I swelled my cheek at such impudence from Pandora, but I calmed down as I looked at the basket filled with poképuff I took from the cafeteria.

…of course I didn't steal these sweet…I just…I will just pay them later, so it doesn't count as stealing.

But just as I was about to reach one for myself, I suddenly heard the door of the class open.

Oh, that must mean that someone finally decided to arrive on time.

But the figure that arrived didn't seem to be a student, as not only was he taller than most, but his features also looked more mature. Also that I would remember someone with such a particular style of hair a half crescent moon.

The man's eye fixed me the moment he entered the classroom, letting me see his shining yellow eye below his pair of glasses. He was wearing a black uniform with blue stripe under his white scientific cloak.

Without even addressing me, his meltan formed a tablet and he immediately started to rapidly type on it without breaking eye contact with me…which was even weirder considering that he was looking where my eyes were supposed to be even though I was clearly wearing a blindfold. Then, with his free hand, he hit an interruptor right beside the door, and the orange stones that were in a vacant state suddenly woke up with all of their light.

I had no choice but to give up the poképuff inside my hand to reach for my umbrella to protect me from the light before it could burn my skin.

Without even acknowledging my situation, he slowly descended the steps until he arrived at the last level of the class, right where I was situated. But despite looking directly at me, I didn't have the sensation that he acknowledged my existence.

Well I'm sure it was only a coincidence that he looked at me, so I guess I can resume to eati…

"Student Luciel, can you declare your motive for being in your class so early in the morning?" I jolted as I was finally addressed, even if this didn't stop him from typing on his tablet. His voice wasn't particularly cold, however, there was also no warmth in his words, so I couldn't help but grab Pandora to feel safer.

"I…I didn't want to be late…" I looked at his face again, but once again he showed no emotion toward me, the only way I was able to deduce that he heard me was the fact that he stopped writing for a split of a second. After that, he only contented himself to watch me in silence, with the only sound being from his finger interacting with the screen.

But the silence only made me more wary of him as I began to have some doubts. Maybe I arrived way too late, and the course already ended…and now I disrupted him because I was too stupid to arrive on time? Oh no…I must apologize, I should…wait…I can't present my head anymore…what should I do?

I was awoken from my thoughts as his emotionless voice reasoned once more. "While your dutifulness is exemplary, I would prefer that you would not act like that, as it goes against the very reason why I am here."

Clearly seeing the questioning face I gave him, he proceeded to elaborate. "A person's brain is only fully awoken after 10 am, which makes it in the perfect condition to learn new information. This is why I found out that this supposed academy wanted to start earlier on the sole basis of tradition. I found the idea so insulting that I had no choice but to intervene!" He's tone stayed as monotone as before, but the intensity of his tipping was not.

"I simply couldn't stand such disrespect done to science, especially considering they want to make this academy a model for everyone to aspire to…but apparently they considered my involvement into this side matter as an interest, and they thus forced me into this position as the main representative of the Unova region. As stifled as I am about this fact." I was finally able to hear some emotion from his voice this time, one of displeasure. But I wasn't able to fully integrate his message before he continued to talk again. "However, if I'm put in charge of a project, then it's my duty to complete it with the same effort I put into my own project, do you understand?"

I shook my head, which only made him look more disappointed in me. "Then allow me to use words that someone who shares the same size of wisdom as your stature should understand. I am irritated that you threw away the main reason why I'm here, with no apparent reason. In the same effect, I find myself aggravated that I was called off my research by Geeta because I learned that one of my many pupils infiltrated not only my class, but also the cafeteria to steal some ingredients and pastry."

Pandora's eyes widened as he glanced toward the basket filled with poképuff, and realized that it represented proof of our crime. So, heroically, he jumped toward to cover it under his costume, so the adult could no longer see it.

But I only looked at him with a deadpan expression, as I could clearly feel him eating the rest of the poképuff.

You just wanted to eat them all, didn't you?

Pandora shook his head adamantly, as if I were a fool for thinking that he could do something as selfish as that. It might have worked on me if not for the fact that he took another bite at the same time.

"I…I didn't steal them…I'm not a criminal…" I responded uneasily, as I made sure to keep his arm in my vision.

However, the teacher's face eased up a bit as he nodded. "I suppose that is true, as you are offered a free meal by the academy as a student, and in any case, no expense should be a concern for you inside this establishment." But his eye suddenly grew more serious as he looked at me. "However, you should not have infiltrated yourself inside the delimitation of the cooking area, as it could have caused harm to you, and thus a lawsuit for us."

…oh…so I didn't have the right to enter the kitchen…because it could harm me? What is this backward thinking? Shouldn't they be glad that I was harmed? And even if it was, why would they want to punish for risking getting injured?

…oh wait, it's different here…they don't want me to be in pain… It's hard to remember. But he did say that it would cause them problems if I got injured, so maybe it's from that.

But as I was thinking, my body stiffened as I noticed him bring out a bottle containing a grey liquid I was extremely familiar with, the tasteless medicine!

Of course the man noticed the change in my expression as he put the bottle in front of my desk. "Hmm, it looks like you're already able to recognize it. Then if you're able to remember it from, then you should also be able to remember that you need to take it for each of your meals until further notice. I was thus tasked with the mission of giving you these meals, as it was hypothesized that the reason why you even infiltrated the cafeteria was to avoid taking it. Do I will have to ask you to take it?"

Ugh…Nurse Joy told me the same thing…but I really don't like the taste…I would prefer to eat these rotten berries instead…but I suppose at least the medicine makes me feel better…

I started to poke my finger as I looked at the ground shamefully. "But…I don't like the taste…I…I don't mind starving if you prefer…I swear I would suffer more if…ah!"

Wait! They don't want me to suffer! It means this excuse doesn't work! NO!

And as expected, he didn't seem to have accepted my alternative, as he pushed forward the medicine. "I'm unable to find the correlation between the two, yet it appears that the worse the medicine tastes, the better the result ends up. So at best use this statement to motivate yourself to take it each day, at worst, just consider it as your punishment for entering the kitchen without supervision. As long as we can prove that you're health is getting better, we should be able to avoid any problem."

…so it's a punishment…at least it's less bad than getting hit in the end.

With resignations, I grabbed the bottle and gulped it down to my throat, filling my mouth with an uncomfortable texture, before sending it to the rest of my digestive system.

But as I was controlling it to make the taste disappear the fastest I could, I was once again interpreted by my teacher.

"Now that this matter is completed, I will pass to the next one, so give me an explanation on why you went against the result of my study. I doubt that someone like you had the time, nor the interest to read such important work, but I shall let you know that your behaviour is extremely abnormal according to the norm. So an explanation would do well to clear any concern that I, or other teachers may have. But it also concerns your person, as if you continue like this, I fear you will lack the focus to listen to my lesson and also have difficulty in class. And I hate wasting my effort on those who do not deserve it."

I leaned my head to my shoulder as I tried to think what he was even saying. Even Pandora felt confused by his statement. "…I…I didn't want to insult your study…I only wanted to be here early."

"Being early usually means being present at the maximum one hour before the event, not four hours. Now, do you have any study that proves me wrong, or do you admit that you were so we can both forget this matter?"

…but that's not early at all…usually, if I only came one hour in advance, I would miss the class my progenitor offered to…who? Who did he offer these classes to again?

I considered reaching into my hidden memory, but I noticed it was hidden deep inside my worst one, so I gave up.

…well it doesn't matter anyway, all I know is that no matter the hour my progenitor told me the class would start, it would always start before, so since then I always made sure to arrive earlier than anybody, so I would never miss it.

It's true that after seeing me be there on time each time, he always started his lesson extremely late, leaving me under the sun for an hour, but just in case I arrived before the sun could rise to always be there on time. He never woke up before the sun after all.

As he saw my lack of reaction, he finally realized that I was indeed not trying to lie, but it only left him even more confused. "Do you perhaps sleep earlier than your peer?"

I shook my head to this question. "I don't sleep."

Usually I only slept because the pain of being awake was greater than the one of sleeping, but now that I felt better, the role changed, so I preferred to stay awake.

"You don't sleep?" The earlier indifference soon turned into a genius curiosity from him. "Interesting, it does explain why you didn't have any problem arriving this early…but this could be a great method for me to deepen my research." He readjusted his glass as he looked at me like a new tool to break it inside. "I did notice that in your file that you kept yourself alive manually, does this have any correlation with how you are able to stay awake indefinitely?"

I saw that he changed the screen to a blank page, as if he prepared himself to note my answer, not even considering if I wanted to answer in the first place. I knew I could refuse him if I wanted…but what did it matter what I wanted?

"Well…I don't know…before I preferred to stay in a state of unconsciousness most of these days, as it reduced the pain I felt for a brief moment, I only woke up from that state because otherwise my body would fall apart. So I never really experienced what others call being tired…but recently, it stopped hurting…so I stay awake all night now…But I still don't see any effect new effect happening to me." I tried to explain the best I could to at least satisfy him, but things were still extremely vague as I never really considered the effect my sleep had on me...and even if I did, what would I even do about it?

But it didn't seem to matter for the teacher, as he nodded with a calm face while adding the information inside his notes. "I see, so you don't enter a state of sleep, you simple shut down your brain, then how do you…whatever term you use for waking up?"

I showed him Pandora to his question. "Well…recently it was Pandora who woke me up by dragging me away from the blood sea…but before…I…I don't remember…" Once more, I considered looking into my memory, and this one wasn't even hidden that deeply, so it couldn't be that bad, but I was interrupted by another question from the teacher.

"Then what use does your brain have?"

"Well…it allows me to store memory…But I can also secrete some liquid that make me feel emotion…sometime pleasant one…and other It create some liquid that lowers the pain…but the most important part is that it reactivate my sense of touch by sending a lot of electric signal all over my body…without those, I couldn't even move my body…but it also mean that I'm barely able to block any pain I felt."

"So he controls the nervous signal from his body to control it like a puppet." He murmured as he frantically typed on his keyboard, as if he had just made the discovery of the century, but I had a lot of difficulty believing I could be that important.

"Do you think you would be able to control someone else's body if you were to do the same thing to their brain?" He asked as if it were a normal question, which means it should be a normal one.

"It's actually quite easy, I just have to shut down their brain, and restart it…but the problem is that the moment I release their brain, I won't be able to restart it again…also I must be the one to shut it down in the first place…otherwise…well… there will be too much lost for it to work properly." I explained from my memory, I clearly removed some part, but I do remember that it wasn't really that effective…well that's what my progenitor said, so maybe it's false?

"And do you think you could control as many people as you want at the same time?" I leaned my head to the side, before slowly nodding.

"I think I should be…I never try…should I?" I looked at him in interrogation.

"Mmh." The professor stopped tipping as he held his screen closer to think, before shaking his head. "No, I have no basis for the chance of success, and not only would the worst case scenario would be extremely problematic, but also that I would barely be able to collect the most important data." He swapped the note he took for another screen before consulting it deeply. "Hmm, there seems to be nothing in your contract nor mine that would prevent me from continuing these tests…very well, Luciel, go meet me at my laboratory at 18h00, it should be more than enough time for you to complete the rest of your academic responsibility."

…oh…but…I thought I could spend more time with my friend…well…if I…

But before I could finish my thought, I heard a growl coming right beside me, and it wasn't hard for me to guess that it was Pandora who made this sound.

"KYU! (LUCIEL DOESN'T WANT THAT!)" Pandora suddenly jumped onto my head as he raised his claw toward the teacher to intimidate him, but he didn't even look impressed by this.

The teacher fixed his glass as he looked at in comptent at Pandora. "My apologies, it seems I entered the territorial zone of your pokemon by accident. Let me step back so that this nuisance shall stop." He took a step back, before going back to ignoring Pandora entirely, as if her existence was completely removed from his vision.

Seeing that he wasn't taken seriously, Pandora was right about to attack, which was why I grabbed him off my head and took him into a deep hug against my chest.

Noticing that I subdued my pokemon, the teacher nodded before looking at me again. "Now, to return to a more important topic, what is your tolerance of pain?"

"MYU!!!? (HOW DARE YOU!!!?" Pandora unleashed himself inside my arm as he tried to free himself to kill him, but I made sure to restrain him the best I could.

"It's fine Pandora… it doesn't matter that I don't want to go…he wants me to… that's all that matters…and you also know that I'm used to pain." I try to reassure him, but the truth only seems to make him even madder.

But the teacher finally realized what the problem was. "Ah I see, so this is where the problem comes from. Of course, how naive of me, I keep forgetting that the advancement of science is only perceived as an achievement by me, but it is not enough to convince others. And I cannot allow you to go there against your desire, otherwise I will receive consequences I would prefer to avoid, so your compliance would be favourable for my future study." He spoke as if he were truly embarrassed by making such a mistake. "Hmm… let's see…you're still just a child, so the best way to gain your interest would be to be more…mmh, I never studied this matter...but there must be a research to this name."

The teacher searched through his file once more, and he switched them so fast that I barely had the time to read their title that he was already passed one hundredth of them, until he finally stopped on one.

'Mentality of a Children.' He looked intently at the file before nodding at me.

"I didn't take the time to read it before as it would have been a waste of time for my other study, but I cannot allow myself to much even more sordid mistakes on a discovery of such a level of importance." He spoke in the air, and it didn't even look like he was trying to talk to me either.

Even Pandora looked confused, as he finally calmed down enough for me to allow him liberty again.

"Let's see…first impressions are the most important impression for any individual, especially children. Thus, when interacting with one, you must make sure to make yourself look as welcoming as possible to them, failure to do so will create distrust toward the children for the rest of their relationship. As he would constantly think the adult wished harm on him, whether it was true or not." He fixed the comment for a long moment, before looking at me in curiosity. "Do you consider that I want to harm you?"

I was stumped by his questions, but after some little consideration, I nodded.

He frowned his brow at my answer as he massaged his brow. "Such a grave mistake because of my arrogance…if I had read it first, I wouldn't have made such a stupid mistake. But to be even wiser than my mistake, I must learn from it instead of swallowing it to hide it deep inside me…it a good thing I decided to refer myself to it right now then…who know the other mistake I could have done…now, let see if there's any more thing I should know."

While looking at him looking directly in front of me way that he could gain my trust, I couldn't help but think how stupid the situation was. I mean, if someone was telling outright that he only acted in a way so you could trust you, then obviously that any normal person would immediately start to trust him!

After all, someone who is putting effort into appearing kind to you can only have kind intentions! Otherwise, if he really had bad intentions towards me, he wouldn't have wasted his time to act learn how do not appear like he didn't just to manipulate me. After all, there is no need to convince me, only to order me.

"…mi…(…Luciel…)" Pandora murmured in a tone that I couldn't differentiate from relief or disbelief, but I'm sure it was the first.

But it did mean that Pandora stopped looking at the teacher with aggression and stood back on the table, but not without keeping his attention toward him.

"Ahah! I see, this is indeed very important, I must tell you my name to assure that you don't see me as a stranger…hmm, I do wonder why it only has a single line of text, surely such an important piece of information should have a whole article dedicated to it." He said with consternation, and I could easily see in his eye that he was really about to create a new report right now if no one stopped him.

But I did…not because I minded him talking to himself right beside me, but more because I wasn't sure if I still needed to go to his laboratory tonight or not. But of course I couldn't just ask that, or else he might consider my lack of knowledge as impertinent and find other way to punish me. So I simply try to act as if I were indeed that intelligent. "Maybe it's because they explained it in another article, and they assumed that anyone reading this one must have read the previous one too."

The teacher stopped looking at his screen to look at me to consider my eye, before nodding. "I do suppose this would be a more appropriate explanation than considering a sorties mistake by those who call themselves professional." But suddenly, his eyes widened before he decided to hide them with the excuse of removing his glasses. "But I do suppose that I'm in the same rank as them, as I still didn't follow the correct procedure, my foolishness betrays my inexperience. You may know that my name is Nicola Colress, but I prefer being called only by my last name for the reason of not having to waste my time in case I have the misfortune to work with someone sharing the same name. Also, according to the information I received, I shall act as your teacher for your General Class, for more information concerning what this entails, I would prefer to discuss it at the same time when the class starts. Unless of course you consider that this information should be crucial to willingness to participate in my experimentation tonight?" He said as he delicately placed his glass back on his nose.

"No…there's no reason to make an exception for me." And I don't need to be convinced either, as he already made his order clear.

And it also means

"Splendid…now, I would have horror to make any more mistake, so I shall finish our discussion now to make more deep research on the matter, I hope this would not displease you."

I shook my head, before stopping for a short moment as I considered something...something truly vile…

I was hesitant to make this move, but from the start he didn't seem to care about my comportement at all…so maybe even if he acts cold…maybe he's like the other…but worst? But at least good enough that he could maybe agree to this small selfishness.

I tried to open my mouth, but no words were able to leave it.

Right…right…silly me…I forgot to direct the air in my throat to the right canal… "Cgrwwll cvrwlll"

…oops, I forgot to open my mouth now…so the sound wasn't able to leave…

But it was loud enough to catch Colress attention…he still didn't look bothered, simply curious…

…it's should be fine right…I…I can ask for it… "Can…can…can…can…can…"

Come on Luciel…you repeat the same words…do better, or else…no…maybe it had never any chance for it to work in the first place…

"Can you what? Do you have difficulty speaking? Well I suppose it would it would concord with your file, so continue, there is proof that practicing despite our weakness is the best way to fight it. And under the prestence of a teacher, I have the called responsibility to make sure that all my student develop as better person." He responded completely unbothered, but his gaze just gave me more chills on my back.

…but it should be fine…and if he really get angry…then I could just say I spoke wrong…it should reduce his anger…

"Can…can we start the laboratory later…I…I would just want to make…memory…happy one…with my friend…" The moment I made my request, a huge amount of shame invaded my body as I instinctively grabbed my head to protect it.

I can't believe I dared to make a request…to help me! How dare I! Did I really believe a second that having the right to be happy gave me the right to…

"I see no problem with it, we will then start at midnight, then, I will give you a special authorization to traverse the hallways past the curfew."

…what?

…I…it…it got accepted…

Just in case he was only doing it so I could lower my arm, I took a look at his expression to see if he had any hate engraved on his face, but to my surprise, he wasn't even looking at me.

…but why…I…I just made a selfish request…why doesn't he care?!