The Villain Of Arise

xvi: the professors

Amidst the chatters of the other students, Jaehyung could not help but feel a little awkward as Jeongsuk came over to sit next to him. It was an emotion he hadn't exactly felt in such a long time, not after acquiring the villain Jaehyung's memories.

Professor Raye signalled the class into silence. "Please, today's class will be a lecture. Take notes as you will need it."

Once the class ended, Jeongsuk yawned slightly. Yuna came from behind him and began to walk with them. Jaehyung watched this with intensity, especially at Yuna, who chose not to see him.

"How long has it been," inquired Yuna, "When you awakened your elemental gifts?"

Jeongsuk stared at Yuna strangely, most probably since he wasn't used to seeing her as kind. Yuna was like that, sometimes. She wasn't exactly the most nicest person when it came to people who weren't worth her time.

"More than two weeks," he murmured.

It was the first time Jaehyung had seen Yuna looked taken aback.

"You..." she said, "you don't seem entirely proud of it."

Jeongsuk glanced at her and smiled slightly, his smile almost somewhat guilty, "I won't be proud of myself until I can prove my capability and worth and improve what I have just learnt."

Newfound respect was shown on Yuna's eyes.
"To think..." she murmured. Then she turned to glance at Jaehyung. "Brother is Jeongsuk your bodyguard?"

"I won't answer such frivolous questions."

Yuna smirked, "Indeed I was correct."

She glanced at Jeongsuk, "Although I admire your diligence and humility, please take note that many others still won't feel sympathetic for you no matter how hard you try."

"Yuna," Jaehyung said sharply. It was the first time he had called her name. "Refrain from saying anything more. I know that you think Jeongsuk is still unworthy of being in the program despite his capabilities."

"Of course I'd think that," Yuna scoffed, "Who wouldn't? Jeongsuk technically only got in because of you, Jaehyung. Otherwise, he'd be nothing, even with his rare light elemental gifts."

Jeongsuk coughed, Yuna turned her dark eyes at him, "Oh," she said sweetly, "Did you not realise this before?"

"Of course I did!" Jeongsuk burst out. "And I initally didn't have a choice but to come here. I was in constant confusion when I first awakened my powers and I didn't know what to do with it! Of course I'd accept an offer so that I could better control and understand this stupid elemental power!"

He balled his hands into fists, a dark gleam in his ruby red eyes, "Turns out everyone in this damn program all detest me because they think I don't deserve to be in this program."

"That may be true," it was Mari's voice who spoke as she appeared besides them. It seemed her bad mood was no longer there as she grinned, twirling a pen in her hands. "But I truly believe most of the students are simply envious of your growth. It's not everyday people see a person like you, Seo Jeongsuk."

"You may turn out to rival even the genius Kim Jaehyung."

"Mariette Valentina," Yuna said in unveiled disgust, "I suggest you stop eavesdropping."

"It's not technically branded as eavesdropping when I was behind you the whole time, right?"

She was behind them the whole time? Jaehyung couldn't believe it. No, it couldn't be true. He could easily sense people. This body he was in and was now accustomed to was trained to sense people's movements.

Yet he couldn't sense Mari's movement.

Jaehyung clenched his fists. Mari, who didn't really seem to notice, simply saw his gaze towards her and smiled. "I'll be off now, my dearest best friends."

As her tall figure began to walk past them, Mari leaned forward slightly and whispered in his ear. Jaehyung did his best not to show any surprise.

"I suggest that you keep watch of everything around you, Kim Jaehyung. Not everything is what it seems in this program."

Then she winked as Jaehyung met her gaze. "Farewell. I'll see you all in the next class."

Jaehyung felt mildly perturbed. "That woman - is she always like this?"

Yuna glared at Mari's distant figure, "she was so cold and arrogant during the first two days of the program, when you were still recuperating brother. Now, it seems like she's a completely different person."

A different person...

"She seems strangely familiar," Jaehyung commented.

Yuna give him a snide glance, "When she looks like that, of course she'd be familiar. Isn't she the face of perfection?" Sarcasm laced her voice.

"Enough, sister." Jaehyung commanded. "Let us get started on our next class."

-

"Welcome students," the professor spoke. "I see you've all been faring well. Now, I'm sure many of you do not know me so I shall introduce myself. I am Professor Razor."

He looked at his smart screen, smiling. "I am not as famous as Professor Raye or as influential as Professor Klaus however perhaps you have heard of the name Fabian Razor."

Oh, indeed he had. Fabian Razor was a young genius mathematician, theorist, psychologist and scientist. In fact, he had graduated from Kings Academy a few years back. He was not much older than the people in the class.

"Ah," said Professor Razor as he tied his long brown hair into a high ponytail. "It seems we have an intriguing number of students. I will do my best in teaching this class for this cycle."

He smiled and Jeongsuk couldn't help but think that his smile was eerily sinister.

"Now, let us begin a test!" Professor Razor announced, as he took up a sheet of paper and began to pass them to the students in the class. Most of the people in the class didn't look surprised. It was a common occurrence.

"You are to answer only one question in a time limit that I shall not tell you. Do your best, students. I have faith in your answers."

Was it just him or did Professor Razor glance at him in expectation as he said this?

"What about faith in us?" A girl muttered near the front of the row of desks.

Professor Razor smiled, "That too but of course that should come second. The human brain tends to trick our subconsciousness. Of course, the brain will impact on the answers. Just simply try hard not to think too much on this question. After all, there's only one question. You may begin the test."

Jeongsuk couldn't help but glance at Jaehyung who looked at his sheet of paper in nothing but icy disinterest. Ah, to him, this test was most probably as simple as a walk in the park.

Jeongsuk felt slightly bitter. The words Yuna had previously said echoed back at him.

It was undeniable. She was most definitely correct.

I'll show myself, he thought firmly inside his head as he glanced at his sheet of paper. One day, I'll improve and become on par with everyone else here.

a/n:
added new photos to other chapters to get a feel of what their actual looks are meant to be.

still, feel free to imagine the characters how you would like to of course :)