With that, the school bells rang, signaling the end of the lesson—perfectly aligned with Grey's dramatic finish. Instantly, his calm and serious demeanor shifted, and his contrasting, goofy side resurfaced.
"Hehehaha, perfect," he laughed.
Noticing our entranced gazes, he added hurriedly,
"I know, I know, I'm fantastic at teaching, but wouldn't it be a shame if you missed your next lesson? Of course, that can't compare, but I don't want to ruin my reputation for punctuality, do I? I take time—and its power—very seriously, you must know. Now, hurry up."
"Ughh, Professor Grey, we have a break now," one student muttered, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Ohhh, that's convenient. Well then, enjoy your break."
And with that, our first meeting with Prof. Grey came to a quick end. A peculiar one, it certainly was. The tense atmosphere shifted as soon as he left, as if some powerful being had departed, leaving a vast emptiness behind.
With no oppressive aura remaining, the silence collapsed, and everyone rushed to their friends to discuss the lesson.
"Hahaha, Lewis! Never seen you that absorbed before. Was it that captivating?" Jan said, approaching Lewis's desk, followed by Nico and Kisuke. Zara joined them.
"Well, it isn't like that. Prof. Grey was just… an interesting individual, and the knowledge was overwhelming. Haha, it felt more motivating than purely instructive."
"I agree," Zara said, and Kisuke nodded in concurrence.
"So, what did you think? Didn't you find it… odd?" Zara added. "For me, it even felt a little like a warning, but that's just my perspective."
Everyone nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah, so what do you think? Is it true? Is our brain really that powerful?" Nico asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Well, I mean, it's partly true, right? From a sports perspective, absolutely. Some athletes improve so much thanks to their mindset—don't get me started on the effect it can have in games. I play really well when I'm locked in and confident."
"Yeah, the flow state, right?" Lewis agreed.
"That's true, Jan, but what about the other thing—this 'affinity' that supposedly elevates us further? That part doesn't make sense," Zara said skeptically.
Looking around casually, Kisuke interjected. "His main goal was probably to push us to understand our innate potential and improve in all endeavors. I respect him for that. And I truly believe what he said about the brain—how we can boost our talent and inevitably change ourselves, just through proper training and avoiding frivolous distractions."
"Well, certainly true. But what about all the stares he gave Lewis? What was that about? Lewis, do you know him or have any connection?" Zara asked, curiosity piqued.
"Huh, you noticed that too, Zara? I guess it was funny—he barged in late and seemed to single Lewis out as an excuse," Lewis said, smirking.
"Yeah, that's what I thought too, Kisuke. Hahaha. But Lewis, you were the only one scolded—must be your dark aura. You need to lighten up a bit," Zara teased.
Lewis smirked. He wasn't used to such attention. Normally, he would keep to himself, focusing on his tasks. But today, oddly enough, he was drawn in by the teacher's charisma. Grey had touched on a topic that demanded Lewis's meticulous analysis: the power of the mind. Certainly something useful will come from this.
"Ah, I didn't think much of it. I was late, so I don't really care," he said, aloofly.
Kisuke remained silent, while Nico and Jan nodded thoughtfully. Zara, however, scrutinized him. Bold of him to downplay his own tardiness. Convenient, using someone else to distract us from his own fault. He was ten minutes late… she mused. How dare he criticize Lewis like that.
"Why so persistent, Zara? Just because it's Lewis, haha. Mr. Grey was knowledgeable, and the lesson was enjoyable. And as far as I know, it isn't even part of the curriculum. The teacher went out of his way to teach something complex," Kisuke said calmly.
"I agree. This lesson wasn't part of our curriculum, and the upcoming ones probably won't be either. We should be grateful," Nico added.
Nico's fascination with knowledge was evident. He admired well-educated people and sometimes became so absorbed that he drifted into his thoughts, as if floating in another dimension. Having studied ahead he knew.
"But still…"
Lewis knew his friends well. They were inseparable, always supporting each other. So it wasn't a surprise that they would be upset by someone mistreating their friend—especially Zara. To smooth things over, he decided to change the topic. He didn't like seeing them worked up over minor issues. The knowledge they had gained could be influential and defining for future endeavors. His friends always opened new perspectives and brought up points that made him think further.
And that was certainly true. Each of them possessed remarkable intuition and comprehension—often without realizing it. At such a young age, one could only imagine how much they could flourish under more intense circumstances.
Lewis took the initiative, wanting an engaging, fun discussion that could also teach him something. Though he didn't show it, he shared Nico's curiosity and loved observing his friends' lively engagement.
"Well, all things considered, let's focus on the main idea. This lesson about the brain sparked my interest, and clearly, even I was captivated. Essentially, he gave us the tools to change ourselves, supported by solid scientific evidence. And as Kisuke said, it was all strategically presented—whether as a warning or not, I can't be sure. But it was cutting-edge learning. So…"
Strategically initiating, he continued, trying to sound aloof:
"How would you apply this knowledge? Any ideas on what to do with it? I'd love to hear your thoughts, Zara."
Zara hesitated, slight redness coloring her cheeks. Her usual stoic mask slipped, and she flared—half indignant, half playful—before she could stop herself. Zara wasn't one to show her emotions freely. She usually stayed out of the limelight, adapting to society's expectations. Yet with her closest friends, she could reveal her true self. Lewis appreciated this side of her. He understood the struggles of those who couldn't express themselves due to anxiety or other reasons—and he loved seeing his friend comfortable in her own skin.
And just as he had hoped, a lively, unrestrained conversation erupted. Zara began by explaining her insights, Jan and Nico added their thoughts, while Kisuke and Lewis listened carefully, occasionally contributing. It was a brilliant mix of awe, harmony, seriousness, and laughter.
Lewis loved watching this. Seeing his friends happy, engaged, and learning at the same time was a rare sight. Though the group was still relatively new, they were gradually building deeper understanding and forming lifelong bonds.
And that was one of Lewis's most cherished wishes: to have friends he could return to, people he could trust and be happy with—just like in the stories he loved.
And for him, it seemed he had that.