The Weight of Choices
Erik left the room soon after, while Professor McAllister, and Principal Harris remained behind to talk.
"What's the problem, professor?"
"Can I talk freely?" the teacher asked.
"Yes."
"I think the young man should be punished at least, and I'm talking about a real punishment."
"Why do you think so?" Principal Harris asked while looking out the window.
"He fought against three kids, knocking two unconscious and making one bleed. He must learn that actions have consequences."
Principal Harris then went to the desk and took a cigar from the drawer. He lit it up.
"Tell me, Professor. If we punish the kid, what should we do with the ones in the infirmary? Not only did they set the second floor's bathroom on fire, to which we closed an eye, but they also bullied him, what appears to be an awakener."
"There is no proof they really did that."
Principal Harris looked at him, a little disappointed.
"Really, Sean? You're disappointing me. I understand you lied in front of the young man, but you can't do that with me. You knew the kid was being bullied. Even I heard about it; that alone should make you understand how bad the bullying was. It's impossible that you, as his teacher, didn't."
"If you knew about the bullying, why didn't you take any action?" Professor McAllister asked.
"For your same reason, Sean, it was simply not worth it." He paused. "But after today's events, the situation changed."
"It changed because he awakened, right?"
Principal Harris took a deep and long puff of the cigar. "That is exactly the reason."
"I understand, but it's still hypocritical," Professor McAllister said. "Nevertheless, my point stands—we should punish the boy. We can discipline the others too if that appeases Mr. Romano, but we must enforce rules. If such a kid grows up unchecked, he might turn against the nation."
"That would complicate things," Principal Harris said.
"Because of the Military?"
"Exactly," the principal said. "If the kid gets arrested, he'd have to spend time in jail. You know very well that mandatory recruitment starts soon. Do you think the higher-ups would be pleased if we sent an awakener to jail instead of the military?"
"But, sir, he used his power to injure a student. If he doesn't learn that his actions have consequences, he..."
"Enough."
The truth was that Principal Harris was more worried about his situation than Erik's. If, because of him, he ended up in jail, Harris' ass would be on the line. That much was clear.
Professor McAllister didn't reply.
"You can go now. We already talked too much…"
Professor McAllister then left the room.
…
…
…
Erik remained outside, his gaze fixed on the principal's office door as he waited for his teacher's permission to leave.
Erik observed Professor McAllister and the principal in deep discussion, though he couldn't make out their words. The conversation looked serious.
<System, are there devices from which I can listen to what they say?>
<There are two phones.>
<Good, then connect to them and let me hear.>
The system did. Though the words Erik heard... He didn't like them at all.
"You knew the kid was being bullied. Even I heard about it; that alone should make you understand how bad the bullying was. It's impossible that you, as his teacher, didn't."
<Mother fuckers…>
Rage surged as Erik waited. Then Professor McAllister came out. He was already looking at him.
"What do you usually do before classes end?"
"I go to work, sir."
Professor McAllister sighed, "You can go to work, but you must come here by 18:00 and come to the gym. Your training starts today."
<YOU BASTARD!>
"All right… Sir. Can I go now?"
Erik wanted to rip the man's throat out.
"Yes, you can, but don't be late. I don't like it."
Erik turned around and left.
As Erik left the building, he noticed the students' gazes fixed on him—as if he were some kind of monster. It was a different sort of stare than usual, but he found himself oddly pleased by it. At least it wasn't scornful anymore.
Nevertheless, the full impact of today's incident remained unclear. Erik would have to wait and see if it had achieved the intended effect.
The kids whispered among themselves as Erik passed, likely discussing the incident in the cafeteria. Though he couldn't make out their exact words, he knew the underlying tone of their conversations.
Jealousy tinged their whispers. Awakening was no small matter—it often led to wealth and privilege, as the government gave special attention to Awakeners.
"If only I had awakened too!" This sentiment was shared among many of the students, if not all of them.
Many people knew Erik wasn't bound to be the school trash from that day onward. Having two brain crystal powers meant he could get double the neural links.
Even with a mediocre new power, he had the potential to become twice as powerful as the strongest soldier, and he was certainly destined to surpass those of equal rank.
Unbeknownst to Erik, he had become a source of stress relief for other students during his time in high school. In their highly competitive society, knowing someone was beneath them comforted many bottom-tier students. Ironically, these same students were often his most frequent tormentors.
This behavior was common at school, affecting many students. Yet Erik's situation was particularly dire due to his circumstances, and the isolation of having no family made things worse, especially his mental state.
Ignoring the other students, Erik thought about the most pressing matter: informing Mister Fox at the farm that he'd need to return to school at 18:00 every day from now on.
That situation didn't affect him that much since he trained whenever he returned from work. Doing it at his house or the gym was indifferent. Erik, however, was aware of the advantages of having a tutor.
During the journey to the train station, Erik wondered if maybe he was wrong about telling the others about his powers. The issue was that he didn't want to face Logan's bullying or other people's mockery for the rest of his schooldays.
What Erik did was dangerous, but...
<Professor McAllister is going to tutor me…>
That was no small matter. The man knew what he did and was one of the best teachers in the entire city.
That was the first boon he gained by doing what he did.
<In September...> Erik thought. <I will need to join the military.>
He couldn't afford to be weak there, as it would put him at risk of further bullying, only that things would actually be worse there.
<If the competition is already this bad in high school, it will be even more intense military school.>
The key difference was that in the military, people were trained to fight and kill.
However, Erik's actions today might deter further harassment now that he was officially recognized as an Awakener. Yet he knew this status had its limits. If he crossed the wrong person, retaliation could be severe. Ultimately, his safety hinged on improving his strength, and training with Professor McAllister would provide that crucial opportunity.
This also meant he didn't have to miss a daily quest, and he had to find a way to get experience.
While in deep thought, he arrived at the northern district and took the usual route toward Mister Fox's farm.
Erik saw Mister Fox sitting near the window, watching the fields and waiting for the young man to arrive.
Wearing only a pair of shorts, Mister Fox's lean and fit body belied his age. Yet he missed his arm, which had been replaced by a mechanical one.
"You are late, boy," Mister Fox said as soon as he saw him.
"I'm sorry, sir, I had a problem at school."
"It looks like you are getting into a lot of trouble lately."
"Sorry for that," Erik said. He then looked at his employer. "Mister Fox, there is something I must tell you," Erik said after a brief pause.
"What?"
"The school asked me to return there at 18:00 from today onward. I can't work till late as usual."
"What the hell, Erik?"
This meant he had to do much more work alone.
"I'm sorry, sir!"
"Fuck, this means I must collect everything alone!"
"I'm really sorry, sir," and he was.
Erik couldn't afford to lose his job, as his financial situation was already complicated. That was the only place where he truly felt at peace with himself, and no one judged him for his power.
Tending to the crops was something that gave him peace; it allowed him to be self-sufficient and also to make money.
The farm was one of the few places where Erik felt safe. Although Mister Fox wasn't the most pleasant person, he treated Erik like a human being—albeit a lowly one, but a human nonetheless.
The old man looked at Erik and sighed. "All right, you can go back, but I will lower your pay."
Erik looked at Mister Fox with mixed emotions. "Sir, thank you; thank you very much! Don't worry about the pay."
<Yeah, don't worry, old fucker. You just gave me the reason to rob every ATM I see.>
Erik didn't really want to resort to that, but there was no helping it.
"Just let's get to work now," Mister Fox said.