House

"Hugh...I didn't hear that in the orientation. Then again, most people skipped that part. They must have thought it was a pain, right? I didn't think so. I actually think it was quite fun seeing all tho-"

"Okay, okay, thanks for the information."

Hugh was worried that if he didn't stop him, he would have gone on forever. He didn't think he could get along well with a person this talkative. He wanted to be low-key.

"Did you see those houses? They're so good-looking, right? I wish I could have a house that good. Too bad it's only 2nd years and above are allowed customization for their houses."

"Customization?"

"Yeah! You can upgrade your house into something unique for yourself. I'm gonna gather so many points so I could buy those high-tech customizations."

"Points?"

"Yeah points! You really don't know anything, do you? Hahahahaha, don't worry I'll be here to help you!"

Bob put his hands on Hugh's shoulder as he started walking. Hugh didn't know if Bob purposefully didn't answer his question or that he talked too much that he forgot. They walked together down the street, taking a look at the same houses lined up like a commercial factory for houses.

"Do you know where your house is? Me, I don't know yet but I'm sure I'll know it when I see it. Speaking of houses, let's go look at the central area!"

Bob started running, leaving a confused Hugh behind. Hugh didn't want to run around some place he was unfamiliar with. He wasn't even supposed to be in this area; he was supposed to live a normal life having a support career.

He was now alone, in the midst of the maze of the same-looking houses. He should have asked for directions. He started walking towards a street and looked at the holographic signs at the top. 1278, 1279, 1280. These were the numbers at the top of the houses.

"Hey! Where did you go?"

Hugh looked at Bob who came running back to him while he waved his hands. Bob panted as he bent down to catch his breath.

"I stayed behind. I think I'll stay at my house for now."

"Oh! Okay. Sure. Do you know where?"

"No."

"It's the last four numbers of your student number."

"Okay, thanks!"

Hugh was surprised that Bob didn't rattle on like before. Bob's answers were strangely quick and concise, unlike his previous speeches. Hugh noticed that Bob was smaller than before; Bob from before was standing straight like an arrow.

Hugh walked away in search of his house. Bob stood there and walked away after a second that Hugh left.

Hugh navigated the streets, searching for the right numbers of the house. He was walking peacefully, minding his own business until he felt a chill in his neck.

He turned around and saw a distinct spiky white hair staring at him from afar. The guy walked slowly. Hugh's hair stood on end as he saw a creepy smile radiating off this mysterious guy.

All Hugh could hear was the sound of footsteps walking towards him. He couldn't think. His instincts wanted to run but somehow, he knew that it would be pointless.

Hugh could see that the spiky white-haired guy was the same height as him, but he felt much smaller. The pressure he was exuding made Bang feel that he was being oppressed.

The man walked towards Hugh until they were only one step away from each other. He smirked.

"Liked my present?"

Hugh knew what he was talking about. Being enrolled in the special class made no sense unless someone high enough on the ladder demanded it. He should have known there was something wrong with this guy ever since they crossed paths with each other. He just didn't know his intentions.

"Why?"

Hugh stepped back as he questioned the guy's purpose, freaked out by the sinister aura the guy was emitting. The man stepped forward, not letting Hugh escape.

"Why? Why not? You clearly deserve it."

"What?! I don't belong here. I don't have a desire."

"Don't kid with me. That smell emanating from you is dangerous even for me."

"...I don't know what you're talking about."

"You can't hide it.....why are you hiding it?"

Hugh's heart sped up as he was being questioned. This interrogation would lead to him being caught, like a pig ready to be dissected.

"What? Show me. Don't mind the houses, they're disposable."

"I don't have it!"

"Come on, I know you're powerful. Show me, or else I'll tell others about your little incident in the Travek forest."

Hugh's heart skipped a beat as his eyes widened in fear. He was found out. His mind worked on overload; different scenarios came up in his mind as the fight or flight response dominated his instincts. He calculated his survivability in beating this guy successfully and getting out of the academy. The probability only became smaller as he thought about the feasibility of leaving the planet or even avoiding the all-seeing eyes of the CDA.

Cold sweat poured down his back as he took a step back and raised his hands in defense. He was just a thought away from activating his transformation but he was still doubting himself.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone if you show me."

His smirk made Hugh question the validity of the proposition.

'Should I do it? Will that truly keep my secret?'

Hugh decided to risk it and show his Desire. If this was the only way to survive this predicament, then he was willing to take a bet.

He closed his eyes and readied himself for the transformation. Dempsy saw Hugh's change in behavior and his smirk got even wider. He felt the difference in the aura Hugh was releasing. Hugh was the real deal.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

Just before Hugh released his latent potential, someone interrupted their conversation. They turned around saw Bob.

"Tsk."

Dempsy frowned at the disruption. Hugh smiled as Bob came as his savior; he heaved a sigh of relief. Bob walked up to them with renewed vigor and positivity.

"Hi! I'm Bob. What's your name? I haven't seen you before or else I would have remembered that spiky hair if yours. Is that natural? Did you put gel on it?"

Hugh didn't believe it but he missed Bob's irritating speeches. It was like a breath of fresh air from the tense and edgy atmosphere between him and Dempsy.

"Tsk. Hugh, remember my name. Dempsy."

Dempsy looked intensely at Hugh and left the scene. He ignored Bob, only making eye contact with Hugh as he disappeared off into the streets.

"Thanks."

"Hmm? What wrong? Did you not find your house? Do you want me to help you?"

Hugh laughed at Bob's ignorance. It seemed like Bob didn't even notice there was something wrong with Hugh and Dempsy. He just rattled on, like a broken machine.

"No, it's okay. I can find it. How about you? I thought you were going to the central area?"

"No, I decided not to."

Hugh didn't probe any further. He walked along the streets with Bob as they searched for their respective houses. After walking for 10 minutes, they finally found the right place.

Hugh noticed that the streets circled the center, like a barrier. Hugh's house was like any other. From his perspective, this house was considered to be a mansion. A mansion where he had plenty of space to walk around with lawns at the front and a backyard. This was truly too spacious for him.

"Oh! Look at that we're neighbors. Hello there neighbor!"

Hugh didn't know what to feel about that. He was glad that he was near someone he knew; he was glad that he wasn't neighbors with someone like Dempsy. On the other hand, he didn't want to wake up to a 'positive to the point of annoying' neighbor.