Night had cast its veils over the Gray Academy when it was announced that the results would be declared that evening, "to add a sense of realism and awe," as one professor said with gentle sarcasm.
In the dormitories, students roamed with gloomy faces, some bracing for the worst, others feigning indifference. As for Raine, he was sitting by the window, watching the moon reflect on the surface of the pond, as if waiting for his grade to fall directly from the sky.
Rinal entered the room, wearing a smile tinged with worry:
"I heard they posted the results lists in the Great Hall. And the most important evaluations will be announced orally… under the supervision of the new professor."
Raine didn't turn around, only said:
"A new professor? Wonderful… just what I needed tonight."
Rinal replied as he was about to leave:
"They say he never smiles. And that means only one thing… he'll hate you instantly."
⸻
The students lined up in the Great Hall, lit by blue torches, woven with gray magic that glowed without warming. Everyone waited for the results announcement, until the great door opened and a tall man entered, wearing a dark coat and a face carved from stone.
"I am Darius, Professor of Unclassified Powers, and responsible for the mid-year evaluations."
He stepped forward with a chilling calm, and said without raising his voice:
"From tonight, excuses are forbidden as a defense tool."
At the back, Professor Craive clapped lightly with a sarcastic smile and said:
"Wow, he still knows how to deliver a tragic introduction! Welcome back to the house of wonders, Darius."
Darius glanced briefly at him without replying, then turned to the students and said:
"Some of the exceptional evaluations will now be mentioned… whether for the worse or for excellence."
⸻
Papers were distributed, and looks of panic started to appear on faces.
When Raine's name was called, he stepped forward slowly under everyone's gaze.
Darius said:
"Raine, student of Darkol, bearer of the mysterious shadow, your results were… ambiguous."
He was handed the paper, which showed two contradictory evaluations at the top:
In "Philosophy of Magical Uncertainty": 92/100 – Comment: "Writes as if the questions are chasing him."
In "Structural Control": 14/100 – Comment: "If he understands anything… he does not want to show it."
Someone laughed at the back, so Darius shouted:
"Laughter is not included in the curriculum."
Then he looked at Raine and added slowly:
"In your answer about the concept of 'Spacetime Interference', you said: Time fails when it tries to remember… Is this philosophy? Or sarcasm?"
Raine replied:
"In my case… sometimes sarcasm is a defense for deep understanding."
Craive stepped forward, applauding slowly:
"Bravo! I wouldn't have said it better even asleep."
Darius said coldly:
"And you're asleep most of the time."
The students laughed genuinely this time, while a suspicious smile appeared on Craive's face:
"Admit it… you still hate me because I defeated you in the 'Magic of Mystery' debate in front of Director Malek."
Darius replied coldly:
"No, I hate you because you teach like a joke… and always survive."
⸻
After the announcement ended, Raine sat on a stone stair outside the hall, staring at his paper.
Rinal approached him and said:
"Dude… you survived. You officially weren't expelled."
Raine replied:
"Survival isn't always a victory… sometimes it simply means you haven't died yet."
Professor Craive suddenly appeared, squatting next to him, handing Raine a strangely shaped biscuit, then said:
"When I was a student, I got 3/100 in 'Structural Control'. Don't ask me how I became a professor."
Raine asked:
"Was Darius your colleague?"
Craive replied:
"We were rivals in everything. He believes discipline is the solution. And I… believe madness is sometimes more honest than order."
He paused, then added as he stood:
"Be careful, Raine. Darius doesn't like mystery… not because he fears it, but because he tries to break it."
When he disappeared, Raine was left alone, pondering that sentence.
Before entering the dormitory, he found a small note under his paper:
"Every mystery… hides a bomb.
And I do not allow bombs in my institution."
– Darius