Free Web NovelChapter 14: Black hole eyes
"Excuse me, do you know where Class S is located?" — Ruthless asked of the people passing by in the academy, stopping in the middle of a busy corridor crowded with students.
’I need to get to Class S as soon as possible; I have about 30 minutes for the break.’
"Yes, it’s on the second floor. I assume you’re a first-year here, aren’t you?" — one girl asked, smiling affably and glancing over his new uniform.
’She must be a second-year or even a third-year here,’ — Ruthless surmised, noting her confident posture.
"Yes, I recently enrolled here, and now I need to go to Class S; my friend is waiting there," — he said with a polite smile on his face.
"I see. Then I wish you luck, especially since you’re a guy; it won’t be easy for you," — she said and sympathetically, but noticeably, patted him on the shoulder before moving on.
’Her strike on the shoulder also feels heavy, even if it’s just a pat. I see, in this world, things are very difficult for men. But that is only for those who have their own human weaknesses,’ — Ruthless noted and headed toward the wide marble staircase leading to the second floor.
The second floor was fundamentally different from the first. The noisy bustle remained below, replaced by a deep, almost reverent silence. The walls here were finished with dark wood panels with gold embossing, and a soft carpet lay underfoot, completely muffling the sound of footsteps. And looking around, there were only three classes here: 1-S, 2-S, and 3-S. Massive doors made of polished wood with heavy brass handles inspired awe.
"This must be the floor for the elite," — Ruthless said aloud, assessing the luxury of the setting.
After observing for a bit and memorizing the necessary locations in case they would be useful in the future, he went toward the first S Class.
’Since it’s currently a break, the classroom door is open, and there are a few people inside,’ — he began to analyze, watching the class from the depths of the shadowy corridor.
It was clear that Celestia was in the classroom, as was Lucian, who was surrounded by girls. He spoke to them with what seemed like a very sincere smile, but things were different with Celestia: she sat at the last desk, completely alone. Sunlight from the window fell onto her desk, emphasizing her detachment from the general merriment.
’It seems she is not interested in this society at all, or she wants to get acquainted but cannot.’
In that same second, Lucian saw Ruthless standing in the corridor and looking at Celestia. He immediately rose from his chair and, step by step, began walking straight toward Ruthless, gently maneuvering between the desks.
"Yes, you go ahead, and I’ll catch up with you later," — having said these words, Lucian moved away from the girls, and they obediently went another way, seemingly heading for the cafeteria.
"What are you doing here?" — Lucian asked immediately, stopping in the doorway with a light smile.
"I just wanted to see what it’s like to study on such an elite floor. I was simply told that it’s very beautiful here," — Ruthless answered his question. There was no smile on his face; he just watched, and that was all, leaning his back against the cold wall of the corridor.
"You know, you can frighten people deep down, even if they don’t say it outwardly," — Lucian said suddenly, peering intently into his face.
’I can frighten people? I wonder with what, considering they could crush me like an insect.’
Without looking away from the half-empty classroom, Ruthless asked:
"And why is that?"
"It’s just that your eyes are very frightening. I have never in my life met people with such alien eyes that reflect nothing at all, not even light. On the contrary, they absorb everything around them, like an abyss or a black hole," — Lucian replied, and his voice in the silence of the elite floor sounded unusually serious, even if there was a smile on his face.
’This question is also an unknown for me, to which I will certainly get an answer when I reach the primal truth. But Lucian noticed this and is speaking very dangerously. He is very perceptive; I must be careful.’
"So, they frighten you too?" — Ruthless asked a sudden and, it seemed, slightly dangerous question, peering intently at his companion.
"It seems that you, like me, have stopped playing a role right now..." — Lucian said with a light chuckle, pushing off from the doorframe.
’So that’s how it is... Nothing surprising...’
"Tell me, Lucian, what do you want for yourself from this life?" — Ruthless suddenly asked.
His voice sounded level, without challenge or aggression, but in the silence of the elite corridor, this question hung like a heavy, palpable weight. Dust motes slowly swirled in the rays of the midday sun that cut through the dimness of the floor.
"You know, it’s so peaceful talking to you," — he said, avoiding a direct answer.
"You’ve already failed to answer two of my questions..." — Ruthless noted coldly.
"I see you’re persistent... What do I want from life? If I tell you, will you help me?"
’Spending resources to realize someone else’s dream is inefficient unless, of course, there is a profit.’
"I don’t promise," — Ruthless said shortly and clearly.
"Fine, I’ll wait. What I want is to turn this world into a patriarchy," — he said, turning toward the window and looking at the dazzling sun through the glass. At that moment, his face lost its habitual mask of friendliness again.
"Is that even possible for you?" — Ruthless asked, without even stirring.
"If you help, why not?" — saying this, Lucian turned sharply and also headed in the direction where the girls had gone, putting back on his usual serene smile.
’Patriarchy... It’s not impossible, but every desire has its motives. Without knowing them, I won’t be able to decide, even if there is a profit for me.’
While Ruthless stood alone, analyzing what he had heard, Celestia silently stepped out of the classroom. Her steps were light, and her gaze was fixed strictly ahead. It seemed she didn’t look toward Ruthless at all, as if she completely ignored his presence, and she disappeared around the corner, leaving no one in the classroom.
’First I need to do more important things, then I’ll decide depending on the situation... Let’s begin, then.’
