CHAPTER 56: ETHICS

Karim.

I know we haven’t seen the last of the matter.

If anything, it just became worse.

I glance in Morrow’s direction.

She is as puzzled by Spatial Domain as I am.

How does he even know that Mrs.Val was referring to Morrow - her story could have just been a coincidence.

But, it wasn’t.

Anyone who noted the direction of her hostile stares would be able to guess who the story was aimed at.

Also, is Morrow the only time manipulator in the entire school?

No one attempts to leave the hall - the seminar has not been officially concluded.

I sit in heavy silence, the thought of what would happen to Morrow and I weighing on me.

Thirty something minutes later, Mrs. Val returns with a man.

He has long silver hair and walnut eyes. He even keeps a goatee. I don’t like men who keep goatees - they’re usually not trustworthy.

His expression is stoic and intimidating, scanning the room with fierce eyes.

One hand is shoved into the pocket of his grey slacks.

He is wearing a black cashmere vest above a white cotton shirt. His dressing isn’t bad - in my opinion.

Val says something to him and he looks in my direction, then at Morrow.

Mrs. Val no longer looks composed and intimidating. Her hair is messed up, no longer confined into the tight bun she had been wearing. Her spectacles are hanging askew on her nose and her dress is a bit creased. Even her face is somewhat flushed.

"Toshiro Karim, Morrow Lasmark, please follow me to my office." The man says.

I heave a sigh as I rise from my seat.

Safari is staring between us, probably wondering what kind of trouble we got ourselves in - we just met at the door an hour ago.

I squeeze past the chubby guy beside me and walk down the aisle.

I can hear Morrow’s shuffling feet behind me.

The man’s expression turns a bit smug when he realizes we are following without complaint.

We approach him slowly.

He gestures for us to follow him.

"Wait. And him!" Val says and points at the lone guy watching us carefully.

Her pointed finger is vibrating visibly. Is she afraid of him?

Spatial Domain stands up slowly and walks down the aisle.

Everyone avoids meeting his gaze. As he passes, people shift in their seats, as if being even an inch closer would put them in peril.

He walks up to where we are.

The man with the goatee shifts and averts his eyes.

I remain exactly where I was. My bravery might be rooted in ignorance of his capabilities, or a strong conviction that he isn’t a villain.

Morrow moves to stand behind me. I notice that I feel protective of her.

He gives me a casual glance before resting his gaze on Mrs. Val’s averted one.

She looks up at him with great struggle.

"You are in big trouble, young man!"

He shrugs casually, which seems to infuriate her further.

Normally, I would find his carefree attitude amusing, but not when it has a direct impact on Morrow and myself.

Goatee gestures and we follow him out of the auditorium.

I can feel the stares from students like pins on my back. I’m guessing that things like this are not common.

We walk down the hallway silently and stop at an office indicating ’Ethics’.

Goatee opens the door, revealing an elegantly furnished room with dark polished furniture and chairs with red cushions. They really do have a fancy for red velvet, I notice.

This is just the waiting room.

The windows are regular arch-shaped openings with costly, but plain glass panes.

Goatee indicates that we should sit down, while he walks into the inner office and closes the door.

A vacant receptionist desk lies by the side of his door, stacked high with papers.

A jar of gummy bears is placed at the edge of the desk. A sticker with ’free’ written on it is slapped carelessly in front of the jar for everyone to see.

Tempting.

Morrow is sitting in the middle of both of us, folding her hands in the pleats of her black skirt nervously.

Spatial Domain just sits a few inches away from her, staring into space.

"Why did you do it?" Morrow breaks the silence.

I raise an eyebrow at first, then, I realize she is talking to Spatial Domain.

She risks a glance at him.

He does not even act like he has heard her.

She tightens her hands and repeats herself.

He sighs.

"Let’s just say I have a low tolerance for bullies".

It may not be the kind of response that would inspire poetry, but, simply put, it is inspirational.

He gives her a sideward glance.

Surprisingly, she doesn’t avert her gaze.

"Thank you". She whispers.

He nods absently. Then, he grins.

"It was funny though. They should name her Bee swatter".

I agree.

Some of the tension in the room has been lifted.

Maybe Furuno was right about Spatial Domain. We had been judging him too harshly.

Morrow giggles, covering her mouth to suppress the sound.

The main door opens and a woman clad in a beige dress with a leather belt fastened at the waist walks in. She looks quite young, but matured.

Her blue eyes scan us briefly before she settles down in the desk by the door.

"Here for an appointment?" She asks.

She gulps when she sees Spatial Domain.

I shake my head.

I’m glad when she doesn’t press.

I listen to the receptionist hum for a while as she does her paperwork.

Morrow is now sweating visibly beside me. She is fiddling with her hands restlessly. I consider placing my hand on hers to calm her, but think better of it.

Subtle gestures like that are often misinterpreted by women, especially teenagers.

Arya is an exception. She never reads too much into any action. Maybe, it’s because she has a cheat ability - she can read souls.

Why do I have the feeling that she’d still be the same if she didn’t have her powers.

The inner door opens and Goatee beckons us all in.

I’m the first to move - so much enthusiasm for someone who risks being suspended, or worse, expelled.

I give in to the temptation and dig out a gummy bear from the jar as I pass.

The receptionist just smiles at me.

I indulge myself and toss it into my mouth. The sweetness slaps at first, but I get accustomed to it.

It seems like it might have expired - or it has stayed in the jar past its welcome.

I walk into a room and meet a long board room table with ten staff sitting on swivel chairs, staring at us.

The scrutiny is way too much.

One of them - a man - is chewing on his ball-point pen.

They indicate for us to sit down.

I settle down on one of the empty seats. Spatial Domain sits across me, while Morrow sits at the edge of the table.

A paper and signature pen lies in front of me.

I don’t read it yet, I prefer to hear everything they have to say first.

"It has come to our notice that five of the Student Conduct Act rules have been violated".

The speaker is an older man, older than Goatee. He has receding silver hair and barely visible eyebrows resting above green eyes.

To his right is a woman with short, face-framing black hair, corporately dressed in a red dress and jacket. To his left is Goatee.

"The Act states that students are not allowed to use their powers outside of training and combat session. The situation is worse because the power usage extended to teachers. Not once, but twice", he continues.

The lady beside him leans forward.

"You have been warned before Miss Lasmark. This is not the first time you have frozen the school, and if we’re not careful, It won’t be the last".

Morrow shrinks in her seat.

"As for you, Master Skylard, you have continuously violated almost every rule in the book. Yet, you keep slipping out of our claws because your father is one of the leading sponsors of our institution. However, we have decided to change our approach. Humiliation tends to work better than sending you home for a few weeks." The old man adds.

Humiliation? By humiliation, what the heck does he mean?

Silence.

"What was your intention for freezing time Miss Lasmark? What was your involvement in her ploy, Mister Toshiro?"

I get ready to take all the blame.

"Karim here had nothing to do with it. I used my powers of my own accord. There was no ploy, I just wanted to buy him some time".

My eyes widen in shock.

"How do we know you are telling the truth?"

She just shrugs.

I want to say something, but unfortunately, everything she said is the truth. My version won’t be any different.

"As for you, Master Skylard. Your case is a well-known one. We would discuss more drastic measures to be taken. In the meantime, I advise you to fill out the forms in front of you".

That’s when I look down at the paper. It’s a kind of misconduct form in which we are to confirm the misconducts we are guilty of by ticking some boxes and swear to adhere strictly to our decided punishments.

When I read my punishment section, I don’t see any form of suspension.

But, the relief is short-lived.

I am assigned to the Dungeons.