Chapter 81: Ch 81: The New Professor

"Alright, it’s time to get out now. You don’t have to act sentimental like you will never see him again. Noah will be there in class tomorrow. Now go."

Riku finally sent the pair away, and Noah felt his heart give an uncomfortable squeeze at the fact that he was being left alone.

His instincts told him that he should go with the pair so as not to lose them, but he held himself back.

’I should not jeopardize the mission just because I want something. That won’t be right...’

"Kid, I don’t know what you are thinking or what you are going through, but let me give you a warning—don’t try and deny your instincts. They know best."

Riku’s advice was right in most cases, but not this time.

Noah was more than aware that he had no place beside Daniel and Alan in their prosperous future. And no matter what his instincts told him, he could not go after them and do as he pleased.

...

The next day, Noah headed to class with his neck wrapped tightly. It was to hide the wounds that littered his neck blue and black.

Riku had given him a pity-filled look before wrapping his neck. But honestly, it only served to attract more attention.

’If I knew this was going to happen, then I would have just worn a turtleneck sweater. It would have been so much better than being stared at like this.’

Noah held in his irritation as he headed toward the classroom and went to his usual seat.

Ethan’s eyes looked at him in a familiar but forced manner. They roamed all over Noah’s face and then his neck before his expression turned to one of sorrow.

"Does this hurt a lot? Why did you not get it treated properly? Want me to look for a medical esper for you?"

Ethan asked with a concern-filled face, and Noah almost leaned against that hand before he held himself back.

He was not stupid. Noah could see the change in Ethan’s emotions when he looked at him. That careless indifference was no longer present in his gaze; instead, something softer had taken its place.

It was not quite love or romance yet, but given enough time, it could get there. And Noah... did not want that.

Ethan was a good partner. Rather, he would even go as far as to say that Ethan was far too good for someone like him, and Noah wanted to see where their relationship could go.

But it wouldn’t be fair to Ethan, because Noah was going to run away soon.

No matter how much Noah liked Ethan or how much he wanted to be together with him, running away was something he was going to do no matter what. And even if he did not run away, he would have to return to the labs.

So it was not just Ethan who was not an appropriate partner for Noah to be with. He had no intention of being with anyone in this academy or ever.

No one deserved to be with a ticking time bomb like him. In fact, wouldn’t it be better if he disappeared forever? That way, things would happen the way they were supposed to, and he could—

[Thought perimeter not permitted. Forceful mentality change will be initiated. The host is requested to comply with these changes.]

The system suddenly enforced its will, causing Noah to clutch and rub his forehead.

He knew that sensation and what it meant quite well at this point. But it was hard to recall why it had activated.

Moreover, wasn’t it activating far too much these days? Usually, it only occurred once or twice a month at most. But this was already the third time in the span of a week.

’Now, if only I could recall what I was thinking...’

Noah sighed, and Ethan decided to ignore his silent rejection and placed a hand on his forehead to check if he was alright.

"Hmm, you don’t seem to have a fever, but we cannot be sure about this. You should head back to the medical wing. Should I take you back—"

Noah was about to decline the offer when the door opened and their regular teacher walked in. But she was not alone.

There was a powerful presence walking behind her, and everyone turned to look at the person who entered with great interest.

Noah could hear people gasping all around him, but it was more because of the esper’s face than his powers.

After all, those delicate features on the esper’s face usually belonged to guides. Moreover, that blue hair and delicate complexion made the esper look exotic and frail.

"Hey, is that professor really an esper? I mean, I can feel the aura, but still—"

"He looks easy to handle. I don’t usually go for espers, but maybe I can make an exception this time."

"Just thinking about overpowering a professor is a nice feeling. And one that looks like that? It would be so easy."

The whispers were loud and clear. Noah was sure that the teacher down there could hear the chatter as well. It made her cough to hide her uneasiness, and then she turned to look at the students with a near-glare in her eyes.

"Those who are chattering will be punished, so please stop before you are given a sentence. Also, don’t think we do not hear what you are saying in secret. We always know what is going on inside the academy."

The teacher threatened, causing Ethan to let out a scoff.

"So what if these teachers know what is going on? It’s not like they use their knowledge to help anyone out anyway. All they do is cause more confusion and chaos."

Ethan pointed out, and Noah had to agree with him there.

But honestly, he was more concerned about the identity of the blue-haired new professor than keeping up with what people were saying around him. That person felt familiar...

’Do I... know them? Are they from the labs as well?’

And if so, then why did Noah not recognize them instantly? He knew everyone in the labs by now.

Something felt fishy here.