109 CHPT 109: Abrupt Realization, Abrupt Entrance.

Claude went through his first two classes thinking about how Frosty was doing and his awkward departure from Ursula and Warren after they asked about his weekend.

"Stupid.....STUPID. Why couldn't I just lie like a normal person?!" He scolded himself as he entered his Monster Species Studies class.

The room looked similar to the rest of the first year classrooms. Dark navy blue or black tile floors with matching spotless tables and chairs that various students already occupied once he entered. Claude looked around for an open table and found one right next to the window, giving a view of the late October sun beaming down onto the lively green grass.

After enjoying the view for a while longer, more students began to fill in until almost all the rows of tables were lined with young uninterested looking students. All except Claude's— who's table was absolutely avoided in almost every class due to the fact that he either threatened to kill most of them or because they could sense that deep down, he wasn't human.

He reached into his backpack and pulled out his book; Species from and changed by The Tangents. Before he could flip to the page they left off on, the Professor came in with his dozens of books and papers held in an uneven stack in his small hands.

Prof. Alvis was one of the less intimidating Professors compared to the other retired and active Heroes that worked at the University.

He had short light brown hair that was beginning to thin around the top of his long and skinny head. His University issued long coat was visibly small— even compared to most of the first years, but it still hung loosely over his pale and thin frame like a stretched out bedsheet.

Claude still found himself liking the man more than most of his other Professors because of his raw enjoyment to teach and learn. Most students idly sat through the class, settling with the idea that if they were stronger than the monsters, then learning about them didn't matter all that much. Prof. Alvis was able to quickly pick up on Claude's honest interest in the subject and often kept him engaged with questions not included in the lesson and bonus pieces of information after class.

As he sat at his table watching Prof. Alvis prepare for class, he zeroed in on him, noticing something about him was off.

"[Uh oh. The little mouse looks more...mousy than usual.]" Arne said in reference to Prof. Alvis' amplified timid and nervous demeanor.

"Yea, I wonder why." Claude said as he raised his nose in the Professors direction and took in a deep breath of air.

It only took a few seconds for the scent of perspiration and fear to come wafting into his nose. After looking at the Professor for a while longer, he could see beads of sweat sliding down his forehead and the back of his skinny neck.

"Hehe.....G-Good afternoon students, I hope you all had an informative and eventful weekend." He said to the classroom as it quieted and students began pulling out their books.

"Also, forgive me for my lateness.....I had to make a last second change to the c-current curriculum in l-light of an upcoming event."

Most students seemed unbothered while others looks excited at the mention of an upcoming event. But all Claude was, was interested, now wondering if Prof. Alvis' sudden fearful appearance had something to do with it.

"So....everyone please open your books to the first page of chapter 10." Prof. Alvis said as he began writing on the board behind him shakily.

Claude began flipping through the pages to get to chapter ten.

"Environmental effects on Hybrid Species and Monsters from the Tangents." The title of the chapter read.

"[Well. I'm confused.]" Arne said.

"Yep." Claude agreed as he reread the title.

He then looked up from his book, waiting for Prof. Alvis' next move. Unfortunately, he was still using a brittle piece of chalk to write on the board so all Claude was left to do was watch what it turned out to be.

"Environmental effects on Hybrid Species and Monsters from the Tangents...10.1.....Full...Moo—" Claude stopped midway through reading the writing on the board as an intense wave of fear and anxiety gripped his heart and squeezed it relentlessly.

All he could do was sit and look at the board, continuously rereading the title.

"Erhm....in light of the upcoming annual Halloween Festival and the full moon on the 31st, i-I thought now would be a good time to tackle this subject head on.....since it's more important than you think....But, before w-we start....I'd like to introduce a visitor who will be attending this lesson." Prof. Alvis said.

The students now all seemed excited at the mention of a party and began excitedly chattering between eachother and celebrating silently.

"That's in 9....9 days.....I didn't even.....consider." Claude muttered while his head hung in shock. He stayed in this position as the sound of light footsteps came into the room.

The smell of chemicals, metals, leather and fear filled his nose in response to every step the new person took into the classroom.

"E-Everyone....t-this is Det. Cyrene of the Golden G-Gate Detective Corps. She will be attending this class today in relation to a case she's working."

Claude's head shot up from his books. His eyes immediately began to drown in the shimmering black pools of violence that were her own. She looked the same as the last time he saw her, blonde hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, psychotic eyes combined with a barely contained smile and a long black cloak where her pure silver sword was hidden.

"Hello everyone. Thank you for having me and please, pretend I'm not even here." She said in a smooth and silky voice that barely matched her face.

The students that weren't staring at her— because of some level of beauty Claude didn't understand, simply went back to quietly talking to their classmates as they waited for class to start.

"[Claude, remember her class was specifically designed to reveal the true nature of people like us, so stay focused and keep your distance.]" Arne said.

"Now, D-Det. Cyrene. Please pick your seat and we can begin class." Prof. Alvis said sheepishly as soon as Arne finished speaking in Claude's mind.

"With pleasure." She replied while eyeballing Claude.

"You fucking idiot."

"[You fucking idiot.]" Claude and Arne thought in unison as Det. Cyrene headed over to his table.

The male— and some female, students watched her approach their tables hoping she'd occupy their free seats. After she passed enough tables and took her seat, a few of the students eyed Claude with jealous anger before turning to face the Professor again.

Claude scooted as close to the window as possible as Det. Cyrene took a seat right next to him.

He could smell the faint traces of her fear— she was still very aware of what happened the last time she poked him too much. But she was also able to be more forward, now that she was in public. Overall a bad situation for Claude.

"[Just stay calm, but keep your guard up for anything she might try to pull during class.]" Arne warned.

"Right." He responded.

He could see her staring at him through his peripheral vision like a wild hawk as he faced the board uncomfortably. Ability or not, it was having an affect on him, so he turned to face her.

She stared at him for a while longer before bringing her hand up onto the table and running her silver clawed pointer finger across her bottom lip as she spoke.

"I can't help but feel like this year's Halloween Festival is going to be especially...fun."