Chapter 3 - Let There Be Light (3)
It took a minute or so for Sylvain to snap out of his thoughts. Seeing the pained expressions of his students, he immediately reigned in his emotions. The light in his eyes receded as it returned to its deep cerulean, seemingly imperturbable in its vastness and unknown depths. The students sighed in relief. Although their minds did work faster and better under the unique pressure of the Professor, it was still a very taxing thing. They did not want to be under its influence for any longer than a few seconds, so one can imagine the drain on their minds after having endured it for a minute.
"Apologies, everyone. I let my emotions get the better of me for a moment. We'll be ending things here today, but before I let you all go…. It is time."
The students barely managed to catch their breath when they were immediately stifled once more. This time, it was not due to any pressure from Sylvain. Rather, they were simply too shocked at his words. They did not need him to clarify what his words meant. There is only one thing it could even mean at this point. Anxiety began welling up in their hearts as they looked at each other with unconcealed worry. They turned to their Professor, partly hoping he was jesting and partly seeking help. They sought his help even when they knew that was simply not possible. What is coming is something that will affect not just the people in this class alone, but the whole world. There was no way one man could help them all. They needed to rely on themselves.
Sylvain looked at each one of them, a bitter smile on his face as a rare show of emotion came over him for the second time today. How could he not know what his students were thinking? How could he not feel his heart quiver in the face of their gazes? He was here teaching them the many things he has learned over the course of his existence. It was not for money or fame. It was out of duty and care. People may think him cold due to his usual indifferent expression, but that was only a public persona. The people close to him know how much he cared about the people he treated as his own. And these students are his own people. No matter their names, they listened to his words and teachings and learned from him. They were his people.
"Return to your families. Prepare everything you might need. Prepare your minds. Don't even bother wasting time convincing others who cannot yet see our world. It is a fruitless endeavour…. After all this, I want to see each and every one of you in front of me again. Do you hear me?"
Hearing his words, the students could feel his trust and belief in them. There was a hint of pride that he could not hide from them, and expectation. This was a man who trusted and believed in their survival. He had already given them the opportunity to learn certain Truths before anything even happened. If they still failed, then it could only be their incompetence that is to blame. They did not want to disappoint their teacher. They will meet again. And when they do, he would lead them forward once more, this time as sharpened warriors rather than children. Their eyes cleared from the doubts and anxiety that flooded them. They became determined, focused and resolved.
"One last piece of advice for you all. The light of others is not your own. Find your own light and let it illuminate your path forward. Do not fall like the hapless angels who found the horror of a stranger's light."
With those last words, class was dismissed. Sylvain shook his students' hands, a sign that it was their last meeting as teacher and students. They clasped his hand tightly and bowed in respect and gratitude before leaving the room. There were many things to do. Even Sylvain left the university early that day. Usually, he would stick around until late noon in case any emergency came up, but he could not care less anymore. By his side were Svetlana and Xiu Mei, chatting as they reached the car. The two would not be returning to their families today. So they both joined Sylvain on his way home. The man let out a weary sigh at the thought of what was to come before pushing it to the back of his mind. At least for this car ride, he wanted to be at peace. He listened in on the girls' conversation to relax his mind.
"Lana, you should really just get glasses like Syl. You're slowly losing control. Pretty soon, you'll end up having to close your eyes completely instead."
"It's not that I don't want to remedy this, Mei. It's that I can't. Syl doesn't let me get glasses for some reason. He's probably feeling jealous of all the guys who'll be attracted to my eyes if I do get glasses."
Sylvain's brow raised in mild amusement and confusion. How did the topic become his jealousy? Although it was partly true that he was annoyed at all the men leering at his two fiancées, that was not the reason he stopped Svetlana from getting glasses just like his. He looked at Svetlana who was seated in front of him. Even with her eyes half-closed, there was a steady leaking stream of dark amethyst light that only seemed to grow stronger and more potent with each passing day. Admittedly, he loved Svetlana's beautiful amethyst eyes. He hated how she had to keep them like this whenever they left home, but there was nothing they could do. At least, for now.
"I've been studying your eyes for a long time now, Lana. The reason I don't let you wear glasses is because it's pointless. Your eyes are similar to mine, containing great power. But unlike mine that is hidden behind layers of locks, yours is just growing organically. That is why it's important for you to always follow the training I gave you. You need to release the pent up power within your eyes or you'd risk serious injury. Of course, that will no longer be a problem soon."
Sylvain smiled, the thought of not restricting Svetlana's eyes was something very much welcome. But the girls knew that behind his smile was a burgeoning madness that was merely waiting for its stage just as well. What is coming may bring blessings, but it most definitely was not a festive event. The 99th percentile might have known of its eventuality, but there was only one person who truly knew what it entailed. It was as though he was born to welcome it and trudge across its murky waters. Svetlana and Xiu Mei were fortunate to have been so close to Sylvain, granting more opportunity to learn about the coming upheaval and preparing for it. Despite wanting to free his mind of such thoughts momentarily, the conversation still steered toward it inevitably. The girls moved to sit on either side of Sylvain, finding solace in each others' warmth. The rest of the ride home was silent.
An hour later, the car entered a private estate. It was not overly grand like the wealthy families of business magnates and politicians, but it was definitely far more regal and dignified. The mansion alone seemed more like a palace built for an emperor. If a stranger lost their way and found themselves here, they would definitely think they had trespassed into royal territory. The crest on the gates and other parts of the estate showed an eye with ten wings. Many people who knew of those who bore this crest called them the Exalted Eye or the Revelators of Truth. But there is only one name they truly refer to themselves as: the House of Grace.