Throughout the two days he had painstakingly tried to stimulate his ability. Cale has never seen The pitch black lines reacting so violently, not even in the trial.
"...."
Though silent, he was mentally in turmoil.
It appeared tp be that Cale was safe for now in this class and even Carlos said he wouldn't do anything. Cale obviously didn't trust Carlos, but that didn't matter because the moment he got transported to Gardenia after class ended
'I...can't move my body'
Barely could a finger be felt and could raise itself up
He could turn his head around albeit barely, but he couldn't move the body that supported his skull. Cale was in the quite literal sense at the mercy of Carlos right at this moment
'No he won't kill me, not unless I broke those rules or whatever they are'
They couldn't defy the rules, this much he was certain of
'But what happens when he lets us out?'
A good question to a crappy situation, because If Cale doesn't get transported back and have to leave the large Gates like last time in the trial.
'Screwed'
That's the only way he would be able to describe the situation at that point.
'Damn It...'
Cale internally cursed inside his head blaring red. wondering why he should be forced to trust the words of an Invisible humanoid creature In front of him that he wouldn't screw over with his chances at survival.
[Well then...It seems like everyone is here now]
Carlos spoke these words of confirmation, the room responding to the colder authority breaking the silence, A hint of seriousness was spotted in his voice that could be heard as he gripped the lectern In front of him.
[You will all die, as things are going]
He declared as such, his voice was low but it carried power
"...."
The expression that Cale held didn't change, not because he wasn't surprised by the words of a monster but because it just couldn't change. His body was completely frozen, rooted in the seat, the only thing he could do was breathe slowly through his nose.
'But why is worried that I might die?'
He clenched his jaw as much as the invisible binds that held him in place could allow
Again, due to the lack of information, he couldn't figure anything out
New facts and realization screwed and were drilled into his mind with no context
[There are written exams as you all may know and you also know that you have to be good at all the subjects and get good grades In them]
Carlos said this, the room growing colder and colder each time he talked, his voice grew solemn
[But...how could you. become the Top student of Gardenia by just...studying?]
Ba-thump!
Ba-thump!
Cale's heart beat louder and quicker, anticipating what Carlos was going to say next.
[Each semester, there will be practical exams, all of them designed in a intricate way meant to nurture your growth].
'S-shit...'
Now Cale was really screwed, he also wondered why the letter hadn't said anything about something this Important.
'Could the person who wrote the letter not have been able to disclose it?'
Thoughts surfaced about the reasons why the letter had not even mentioned to Cale about the practical exams but they were quickly shut down by reason
'Knowing wouldn't have changed anything'
With the only advantage being that Cale knew in advance, the Information would have turned useless fast.
'The person who wrote the letter didn't want to waste any words on something that wouldn't help me directly...'
Cale would have found out regardless of whether the letter told him or not, since it seemed that this transportation to Gardenia was planned days prior
"...."
The surfaced curious-filled thoughts stopped entirely and awaited for Carlos to speak again.
[All of you have about - no, close to 4 months before the first practical exam begins]
Carlos said this almost as if 4 months were too little time
'Hold on, close to 4 months? He doesn't know the exact date?'
It didn't seem important at first glance but it was very important, a teacher not knowing what the exam itself entailed was already a sign of disaster
"...."
'If the date is unclear then...the practical exam might even take place during winter break'
None would want to get transported to Gardenia while sleeping or doing something else. Would they?
'I can't even enjoy my break In peace...'
'No, no, it's not certain' Cale mentally assured himself. 'Even if it did happen during the winter break, the practical exam wouldn't take more than a day'.
It wouldn't be much of an exam if it took longer than a day after all, 'ok maybe 2 days at the least' anymore than that would make Cale question what kind of exam it was for it to be so inconvenient.
[I will not warn you again, Use. Your. Time. Wisely.]
He spoke in a low voice but it echoed through the entire classroom making it seem louder than it actually was.
[This is your first day at Gardenia, so you should also know this, there will be a few times where you will find yourself In a similar classroom like this after all your classes end. This usually happens so we can give you Information about the practical exam ahead of time]
'So even they don't know what the practical exam is?'
The confirmation he received didn't make Cale feel any better, 'they must not like spoilers much huh' He wanted to insult them for the sheer absurdity that they declared so proudly
'They brought us here, yet they can't tell us anything about the practical exam?' Cale was pretty frustrated that they didn't know anything when his life is on the line, but it wasn't like he could punch them in the face out of anger expecting to be let go with no consequences.
Carlos stopped gripping the Lectern and took a few steps back, the floor creaked slightly under his translucent weight, The room that felt like it reached below freezing temperatures slowly returned back to normal.
[This is the end of my announcement, I hope you all survive till the end of the semester]
"...."
The words that Carlos said resonated deeply with Cale, of course he still felt scared by the supernatural horror in front
'Yeah...I can't worry about some practical exam when I can't even guarantee my survival reaching the end of the semester'
Eyes moved to the edge of his sockets and gazed at the monster emanating danger
'I want to puke'
Sweet bile welled up in his throat, ready to push through any opening it could find
Cale felt sick, sick that he would have to keep on worrying about whether or not he survived till the practical exams or even till the end.
'For all I know, I could just die in the most random way while being here in Gardenia where common sense is basically warped and distorted'
Cale then also realized that his action for taking a detailed tour around the school to learn its layout also put his life in grave danger.
It wasn't a bad plan obviously, but it became a terrible plan when Cale kept on exploring Gardenia even though he learned the entire layout of the building and knew where most of the classrooms were.
It was like walking In a lawless section in your city with only your phone In your pocket praying that no one looks your way and pays attention to you.
'Crap...'
It was basically like the branding and packaging were done by the victim themselves. The Sludge that gave Cale the dwon was already proof enough that he shot himself in the foot.
'I wouldn't give me information too if I had done dumb crap like that too'
He wanted to face palm himself for his stupidity
'If I had gained the attention of the one that killed those sludges at that time...no I may have already garnered its attention'
Chances were It may have been the humanoid monster in my class had been the specific one that killed them, It may also have been the reason why the Pitch Black lines were swirling around and only pointing at that thing. Or so were the thoughts of Cale
[....]
Carlos looked at the bright sky out the windows and said to all his students
[Now then, time's up so I have to get you all back]
Clap!
Carlos his palms together, similar to how Zenox did it and a familiar gentle Darkness started to consume Cale's surroundings along with his vision.
***
After classes ended
"Finally the bell rang, It felt like Class wasn't ending anytime soon"
Catrina got up from her seat excitedly. She turned to Cale(?)
"So? you gonna get up?"
The doppelganger stared at Catrina for a few moments before getting out of its seat, took the book and pen Cale originally had and then started walking towards the door not saying a word at all to Catrina.
Catrina followed him outside of the classroom, she thought his stiffening silence was weird but only thought that Cale didn't hear her, she was about to take the stairs down but stopped when Cale ignored the stairs that went down and instead went up a floor.
"Where are you going?"
Catrina asked curiously
Cale stared at her for a few moments, almost as if he were pondering about picking the right words to say.
"To my locker"
That is all Cale said, his voice slightly more monotone and emotionless.
"Ah okay, I'll wait for you outside"
Cale softly smiled at Catrina, he waved at her slightly with a smile as she went down the stairs without him
Once she left his vision, his expression turned rigid and cold every trace of joy and happiness from before wiped like a towel wiping of makeup
Step
He took a step forward to where he is supposed to go, because as an echo of what he once was
After all, it was the only thing he could do that had any meaning