The boy had messy white hair that stuck up in random directions, dark circles under his crimson eyes that suggested chronic sleep deprivation, and a backpack that looked empty but somehow felt heavy with mysterious intent. He was wearing a uniform that was clearly unironed and covered in wrinkles.
The boy was smiling.
It wasn't a mocking smile. It wasn't a cruel smile meant to hurt.
It was a goofy, slightly awkward smile. The kind of smile that belonged to a guy who had just committed tax fraud and somehow gotten away with it.
Kaizen raised one hand cheerfully, like he was about to volunteer for extra homework instead of ruining a man's life.
"Hello!" he said brightly. "Is this where I sign up for the greatest stream in the entire universe called Axiomancy?"
Mr. Finch's brain shut down.
Not metaphorically.
It fully powered off, unplugged itself, and refused to reboot.
