DATE: 22nd of April, 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 this 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 like that, 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 militias us to torture. 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 hallways of the school building were what you would expect for such an ancient facility. Hard wooden flooring, painted rusted bricks for the walls and chandeliers every 15 meters. 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 approaching.
I entered and glanced 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, leaning into the seat, but at some point I begrudgingly remembered that I couldn't just ignore them. They were kind of eyeing me.
"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 is currently at some conference in another country. Or was that the English 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. Hmm, I don't really feel like dictating anything so you can study something else." On a serious note, I find this idea of ignoring all textbooks pretty foolish. Shouldn't they also study when alone? Are they supposed to go off their class notes? Whatever.
Of course, they were chatting between themselves. Not like this lower than average class had any ambitions. I think there was one girl who was reading a book? Kind of.
"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 a girl 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." It's not like they'll even know.
"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 students', but I wouldn't say it is bad. Mashed potatoes, some chicken… not like I got 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 was working in her room. Graphics designer she said?
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 nerdy guy with glasses near such a group and went to confront him afterward. He was named Kyle Morris? Like the conglomerate owner? I think he was in class 10-B. Anyway, apparently there was a rumor going around that I had a bomb inside of me. Or that I was a suicide bomber. There were quite a few rumors.
Of course, I knew who started them. I should have been more careful, but I didn't think much of it at the time. Granted, I still don't.
I was even called by the Dean to talk 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 like 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 rumors. 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 I didn't bother 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 April, 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. It's not like I was going to be held accountable for their results.
Oh, yeah, I talked with the Dean and got a salary in advance. I ordered my lost products and also bought a phone second hand so I could search for 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 Ackerman, 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 seem like a nobody, so no one would even recognize me.
As I was saying, I started teaching them. I am sure that Yonezu will be angry when he returns, but hopefully I leave before that happens. In the first place, it's kind of his fault to be gone in the middle of the school year.
I bumped into a girl while she was hurrying out of the classroom and another rumor started that I was trying to assault her so that wasn't fun.
All else I would just ignore them, but this has become too 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 brains of her group. Or better said the instigator. I couldn't touch her without getting in trouble. And she knew.
Alice also started to feel more anxious. 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 April, 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 that I had only to be told that the only free day at Zenith is Sunday. What the hell is this timetable!
I had two classes in the morning, and sadly one of them was with 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 pushed me slightly with telekinesis. Another one made the water look just like the floor, effectively rendering it invisible.
And the last made the water frictionless. What a combination! 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 about, but there was a chance I could have died from that position. I felt it. Having your neck crack was really scary. I'm well aware of that because I snapped others. So for this to happen…
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 it 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. As if most of these students aren't already.
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 gel he calls his hair and slammed his head on the hardwood 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 joke. 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's office, I yanked him to the nearby bathroom and gave 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 almost 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.
How wrong I was.
I let go of my hand and took 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 explanation, but it's not like I have to answer to the nurse so I left, ignoring all her pleas 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 would decide my punishment later and that I should 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 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 didn't even have the courage to use it on me. So, so pitiful.
A tear almost left me as I thought about what pathetic sacks of meat I was teaching. Oh well.
I continued the class as if nothing had 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 heard 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 graphic design job that forced her?
"Yeah. I got really scared when I almost broke my neck. I thought, '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..." She 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 onto the bed while she took my desk's chair for herself.
"I feel like you are avoiding me lately..." Nah, couldn't be. I just tried to stay as far away as possible.
"Not really, we just have different schedules."
"Ah, 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 have to 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!" The irony… 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 rose from the office chair pointing her small body towards the exit.
"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 saw 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, Ackerman turned around and called 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.
"Ah, thank you for informing me." I took great care in avoiding expressing any frustration.
"No problem, take care." He waved at me while walking in the opposite direction. Seems like he had some business to attend to.
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 granite and stone. Adorned with columns on the outside, it was quite an impressive structure. I got inside and was presented with shelves upon shelves of books. These giants made of hardwood reached the stone ceiling. 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 travels 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 clunk 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. Probably around a third story height.
The ladder fell and I was left hanging by 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 succeeded and was left with the strange key.
It had a distorted tip, a shape so strange I had no idea 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 took it to my room, locked it in the safe I was provided with and got to the lounge, waiting for 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. The way they were staring at me gave off a powerful entrance.
Madame Zilliam had a burdened expression. Seems like the discussion got pretty heated.
"I... didn't expect you to be 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 all over the body and the headmaster would say to 'toughen up' and to 'work on yourself'.
"In the future, these children could kill someone if they aren't careful. I ask you, Dean, why is it that they even reached the point where they had the gall to do something like this?"
"Are you saying it is my fault?" A dangerous flicker hid in her eyes.
"Not at all. I would argue it was the fault of their head teacher for losing grip on their behavior like that. Since when was history class a clown show?" My teachers would beat you with mallets if you disrespected them. They would also make us all watch 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 isolated situation. You made a mistake, the students did... Please try to be more understanding next time."She made a pause as if to justify her nonsense.
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 girl Silvia shook at me, I think it is the first situation. Is a little violent that scary?
"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 beaten 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 as possible. Not like it made any difference....
"I understand."
"Then that is good. So as not to let you go too lightly in the eyes 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 got up 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." Her troubled expression annoyed me.
"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 students turned up like this. They cut them too much slack, caring how the students think of them and not how they will become. 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. Is this the difference between a father figure and 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 only question is if it created the heroes or if they made it.