Extinguished Hope

As Professor Aiden stepped inside the room, he took a moment to survey the disarrayed surroundings. Books were scattered on the floor, papers were strewn across the desk, and a faint aroma of stale coffee lingered in the air.

He picked up one of the books scattered on the floor. "The history of the World..." it read.

Kai, feeling self-conscious about the state of his humble abode, hurriedly tried to tidy up a bit, shuffling some papers into a pile and straightening a few books on the shelf.

Professor Aiden glanced at all the books Kai had swept up. All of the titles were related to the history of Earth and the Astral realm and made an amused expression.

"Please excuse the mess," Kai muttered, feeling embarrassed.

The professor chuckled lightly and waved his hand dismissively. "No need to worry, my friend. I have seen far worse in my time."

They both took a seat in the small room, surrounded by shelves filled with books on various subjects. The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room.

"So, what brings you here, Professor?" Kai asked, trying to ease the lingering awkwardness, while also trying to hide his hands.

Professor Aiden leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room once again before focusing on Kai. "I came to speak with you about that speech, the one I delivered not long ago."

Kai tried to hide his nervousness, leaning back in his chair and putting on a facade of nonchalance. With a forced carefree tone, he replied, "Oh, the speech? Yeah, what about it, Professor Aiden?"

The professor studied Kai's reaction for a moment, his gaze penetrating and searching for any signs of discomfort.

"I noticed you were shaking while I was giving the speech." He paused.

"...And especially the hands" He added while looking at his hands."

Kai's heart skipped a beat as Professor Aiden mentioned his trembling hands. He had hoped that the professor hadn't noticed, but it seemed his attempt to hide his nervousness had fallen short.

Unable to maintain his facade any longer, Kai sighed and lowered his gaze to his hands, which were indeed trembling slightly.

"You noticed," Kai admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and relief.

"When did it start?" Professor Aiden asked with narrowed eyes.

He asked with a tone that urged him to answer honestly.

"...After I came back from my first trial"

"...As expected"

"I think- no, I am sure, it's my flaw that's causing this!"

Professor Aiden stared him in the face as if evaluating something and then said:

"I came here to talk to you about this because I sensed a disconnect from the Lumantree's energy on you...."

He suddenly stopped, took out the pocket watch from his vest, and looked at it.

It suddenly made a small chime that caused the Professor to narrow his eyes in contemplation and then after a few moments, he stood up and faced him.

"I am sorry for this Kai, but it seems we have to continue our conservation some other time as I have an important meeting to attend."

He made a small bow towards him and strode towards the gate in a measured gait.

"It's... okay Professor," Kai said in a tone that was filled with confusion as he saw the professor close the door.

"What just happened?"

***

The Professor closed the door and started walking on the familiar hallways to his office. On the way, he saw many students and teachers slightly bowing towards him as a sign of respect. But after he was gone this made way for a wave of speculations and gossip material as many students muttered.

"Hey!, Where do you think Professor Aiden is coming from?"

"Huh? Are you an idiot? don't you know that that is the way to the temporary quarters for the people who will be going to the trial next week?"

"Now that you say it like that it does seem like that!"

"...You are hopeless"

"But doesn't that mean someone caught his eye!?"

"Yeah, I bet it must be someone with potential or a unique astrix. Professor Aiden doesn't just visit anyone in their quarters like that."

"Well, Duh!"

Even the teachers and lecturers joined in the fray!

"Who do you think it was?"

"I don't know, but its a shame these people have no training and so much less time to adapt to their circumstances"

"Yeah so what, if they have potential or a unique astrix, its all a waste if they die"

"A shame..."

Professor Aiden obviously heard all of this but shook his head in disapproval.

Finally, after a few turns he saw the familiar outline of his office. He moved towards the door and gently rotated the doorknob which had an inbuilt biometric scanner and pushed the door open.

Now back in his office, Professor Aiden closed the door behind him and let out a deep sigh. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before sitting down at his desk.

He stared blankly at the corner of the curtain, gently swaying in the breeze from the air conditioner. Mischievous sunlight slipped into the room, casting strips of light that illuminated the space.

"What happened?" The Professor said in a confused tone as he forgot where he came from and only remembered his pocket made a chime.

Prior to the professor's arrival, the office had been empty. However, now, standing by the door, a middle-aged man fixed his gaze on the professor as he entered the room.

He wore a crisp, white lab coat that reached just below his knees, The coat was adorned with several pockets, holding a pocket watch that had an uncanny resemblance to the one Prof. Aiden had. Underneath the lab coat, Aeon sported a button-down shirt, neat and well-pressed, and he sported simple but utilitarian trousers with sturdy shoes.

"Why did you call me?" Prof. Aiden Asked the man.

"Can't a friend meet another friend?" The man said in a joking tone.

"Yes, but you only come when tragedy strikes or is going to strike. Otherwise, you are as elusive as a rat!"

"A rat has to come out of its hole at some point of time, doesn't he?"

"Exactly!"

"Oh come now, don't you know how much responsibility rests on my shoulder?"

"As a matter of fact, I don't!"

"There's a good reason for that..."

"Oh, please spare the theatrics!"

It was quite astonishing that the highly respected professor could lose his composure in front of the man so easily.

They argued for another two minutes before both of them quieted down. Silence ensued, then both of them spoke at the same time:

"It's good to see you again Aiden"

"It's good to see you too Aeon"

***

Meanwhile Kai in his room thought about the conservation he had with Prof. Aiden.

"Lumantree? What is that?"

Kai had reason to be confused as it had only been 2 days since he arrived here, but that was not enough for him to learn everything about the world he was inhabiting right now.

And he was still learning about the history of the world before the advent of the astral realm as was evident by the title of the books.

But there was a good reason for that, He wanted to confirm whether this world had any connection with his previous world.

"Was it the future or the past or some new civilisation of humans has sprung up after some cataclysmic event on his 'Humanity'?

He wondered at the time when he searched for the clues related to it, but to his dismay, he could not find any. Sure, there were some rumors here and there but they were so outlandish that he dismissed them.

At that time something inside of him changed, and the faint hope he held on finally diminished, It was like a weak flame that weathred the storm, weak but tenacious, but ultimately this small revelation completely extinguished it.

"Ugh... I am getting sidetracked!"

"I will get to that Lumantree later, First let me finish all the books I borrowed from the library!"