Opening the rickety door, a book immediately went flying towards him. "You brat! You caused trouble again! Why are you opening a gossip again? How many times do I have to tell you that is not allowed!" an elderly guy wielding a cane proceeded to throw him various objects. "Old man, stop it! You're damaging my hair!" he yelled back, dodging all the things and defending his hair.
"You still have the audacity to think about your hair! If those other old hags find out what you did, they'll cause trouble for you and me; remember, they despise us, you annoying brat!" the elderly guy grew tired of tossing objects and moved closer to his student.
"Don't get any closer!" he yelled, running away from the elderly guy. "And Teacher, why do we still need to think about those old hags? They're only jealous of us because we're more outstanding than them," he boasted.
"Heh, I know that punk! Even though we're more amazing and talented than them, you still have to understand and obey the rules that were told to you," the old man replied. He came to a halt and pondered on what he had said. "F*ck! You have 399th gossip, but now that you opened another one, it means it's 400th!" The elderly guy, who appeared weak earlier, immediately raised his cane and struck his student.
"Ouch! Teacher! Stop it!" he cries, unable to believe what is happening. How did his always calm and quiet Teacher become so agitated?
"This is your 400th gossip, Lucius, and once you reach 400, the Finders will find you!" the elderly man stated as he walked to his desk and fell into his chair. The old man was plainly devastated by what was going on. His only pupil was going to be captured by the Finders. How can he not appear distraught? Lucius froze from what he had heard.
The Finders?
"You mean those finders that the Head informed us about?" he inquired. He recalled his first visit to this place. Every year, the Head personally reminded the new pupils about the importance of this academy for those who were new to it. The Head were notorious for being aloof. He rarely speaks and is always confined to his office. However, they can see him once a year due to his speaking in front of newcomers about the Finders and reminding them of the 400 rule. The Finders, as the name implies, find people. He knew too little since, despite that the Head constantly reminds them, he is known for being introverted? He's frigid and constantly has a poker face on. They rarely see him, and none of them are brave enough to approach him.
He definitely dislikes talking and limits his speaking to the following words every year:
"As we welcome you to this place, we hope you will also follow the rules and keep the peace and order inside. I'm sure you've heard about gossips, so I won't explain them to you. The number one rule of this place is to never open up a gossip to the human world. Once you open one, it will spread around until no one can stop it. Once you reach the 400th time of opening up a gossip, an organization called the Finders will find you. If you're going to ask if this is the number one rule of this area, why it had to have 400th times of opening up a gossip if we may limit it to only one to avoid the Finders, I'll explain it to you. In every task, it is unavoidable for you not to start up a gossip, so even if you did, you don't have to worry.
This place exists not only for tasks, but also for learning how to avoid opening up gossips, so as you study in this place, you will all be able to avoid them more easily. The first rule is for individuals who will reach the 390th position or higher. It will function as your grade because it will demonstrate what you've learnt or if you're even learning about gossip avoidance.
You will not be found by the Finders in this place. Once you're on a mission, you'll be beyond the academy's boundaries, so they'll be able to do so. Because you're a student, this place will defend you at any costs, but if you're on a mission, the academy will no longer be able to protect you. Since the academy's founding, 10 students who reached the 400th have not returned since they departed their mission. The academy regarded it as a sign that the Finders had found them and taken them away. As the head of this academy, I'm also unaware what happens to the pupils that were captured by the Finders. So, students, we hope you study hard! That's all I have to say, thank you," he said as he walked off the stage.
Lucius trembled and snapped at his thoughts when he remembered the Head's speech. So, what will he do now? A ringing sound resonated throughout the chamber, followed by a computerized voice saying, "Lucius, please accept your new mission."
Lucius and his teacher exchanged slow glances. They're screwed.
~~~
The next day, Elise entered the room and found Prim sitting in her usual seat. "What are you reading?" she said, sliding her purse behind her back.
"Franz Liszt? Is he your new idol?"
Prim returned to the library after class yesterday to borrow the book again, and was relieved to see that the librarian was still present. Prim couldn't care less about what Elise said, and Elise also couldn't care less about what the former did. Elise is baffled by this woman, who alternates between being calm and mad. When Prim smelled something, she stopped reading the book. She noticed her friend eating as soon as she looked at her. "It's early in the morning and you're already eating? I know you've already eaten your breakfast, but you're eating again?" Prim inquired of Elise.
"Sorry but can't help it." Elise said and smiled. Prim shakes her head, commenting on Elise's figure, "I'm surprised that you're still not fat after eating."
Elise looked at herself, "I know right! I wonder where all those food have gone through." she wondered. Prim rolled her eyes, "Of course, to your stomach." she said. "Whatever. I just wanted to let you know that I eat five meals a day." she said waving her five fingers then immediately hide her food when she saw that their professor came in.
"And you even look proud of it." Prim mumbled as she reflected on how she came to have a friend like her.
The professor went to his table and face them, "Hello everyone! How's your day so far? Do you remember what I told you last time?"
"What? No?" he saw others looking at him with a confused and lost expression. "Oh, it appears that I haven't told to all of you yet. But I clearly remembered telling you all that." He shook his head and laughed.
Elise sighs with pity, "Poor Mr. Chu, it's obvious that he got dumped by his date yesterday." she laments, shaking her head. "How can you say he got dumped?" Prim questioned. "Many people would even think he's in a good mood due of his enthusiasm today."
"But you're saying that he got dumped?" Prim continued.
Elise nodded, "En, look at his eyebags, then his eyes; they may appear to be happy, but I know that behind those eyes is pain and sorrow," she continued while holding her chest as she explain it with emotions.
"Do you like him?" Prim asked Elise.
Elise gave her a look. "You mean, Mr. Chu? You've got to be kidding me. No I don't like Mr. Chu." she says, trying hard not to laugh. "It's just that I'm attempting to be poetic today." Elise continued, laughing. Prim was helpless as she looked at Elise. She muttered, "How does that even qualify you as a poet? You're completely out of it."
"So you get what I'm saying, right? We're going to the National Museum on Friday. It's going to be a long ride, so I hope you pack everything you'll need." Prim has only heard about going to the museum and hasn't heard what Mr. Chu has said to them previously. She's too preoccupied on talking to Elise. "Also, please write a report about what you discovered after visiting the museum, and pay attention to what the guide says." He went on.
"Awww, we're having a field trip then they want to make us a report?"
"Please, give justice to all of us. We're wronged."
"I can't take it anymore. Just kill me then." One of their classmates held the other hand of his seatmate and use it to hurt his head. Though despite the heavy words he's saying, it's obvious that he's joking because of his expression.
"OK, everyone, stop whining." Lots of noise was made after hearing that they were going to make a report, and the majority of them were complaining about the report. Mr. Chu left the room, and their classmates immediately stopped complaining. Prim didn't seem to mind and seemed to be indifferent to the idea that she was about to make a report. In fact, she seemed pleased. However, she felt odd when she didn't hear Elise groaning and complaining about the activities. Knowing Elise, she'll always be the first to be dramatic about it. When she looked to her side, she noticed a jellyfish that looked to be dying. Elise is sprawled in her armchair, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. She noticed her making the sign of the cross all of a sudden. Prim wave her hand in front of Elise face. "Hey, how are you doing? Have you gone insane? We're not even halfway through the year yet. We're just getting started."
Elise looked at her teary-eyed. "That's right. We're still starting. That's what I'm depressed about. I'm exhausted from all of our activities. We still have thesis from that lazy professor."
"What should I do?" she asked. Elise head went back looking to the ceiling. Prim didn't know if she should laugh or cry to her friend's agony. She lifted her hand and pat her friend's forehead.
"It's all right. You'll make it through. Remember that others will create the thesis as well, and you will feel better." Prim was at ease. Elise looked at her resentfully "Don't tell me that's something you always do. That must be why you always appear to be in a good mood!"
"Are you crazy? No, I look happy because I enjoyed what I'm doing." Prim said as she beat Elise's arms. "You mean you enjoy writing theses? Is that what you mean?" Elise inquired, her hand moving to her brow, indicating a headache.
Prim sighs, 'What should I do with this woman?' She had grown accustomed to hearing Elise's complaints about the activities. There are so many things that her friend has to complain about. Despite her personality, she still ended up making and giving her best to what she's assigned to. Prim simply doesn't understand why Elise continues to disparage her activities. Maybe it's her stress reliever.
She suddenly went enlightened, "You know what? Just date. Have a boyfriend maybe you'll get your inspiration from him." She suggested and pat her friend's shoulder.
Elise sighs, "Prim, have you lost your mind? Having a boyfriend may cause me to become even less focused on my studies. You're influencing me to do bad things. No, it's bad. It's not good. I'm lucky that I still have rationality left in my body, if not, I will really follow your suggestion." She put her hand to her chest and heave a sigh of relief.
".."
"You..."
Suddenly receiving a glare from Elise, Prim fidgeted, "W-what?"
'Why did she suddenly look at me like that?'
"Don't tell me you've got a boyfriend! And you didn't inform me?!" She said this while clasping her hands around her waist. Her voice was so loud that their classmates turned to look at them.
"Prim already has a boyfriend?"
"Oh no, my first love is literally gone! Just like that!"
Prim took a look around at her classmates. Her classmates are already talking amongst themselves. If the rumor was not stopped, it would spread throughout the school. She fixed her gaze on Elise. "Why did you feel the need to yell? I don't even have a boyfriend!"
Elise flinched and realized that her classmates are now talking, "Alright, alright." She looked at her classmates who are still busy on gossiping, "Hey! My Prim doesn't have a boyfriend! Don't spread rumors! I ought to smack your head if you spread it!" she shouted and act as if she's gonna smack all of them.
Prim stop her before others get offended to what she's about to do. "Hey, stop it you're getting violent." But Elise still fixed her stare towards their classmates as she make a gesture 'I'm keeping my eyes to all of you'
Prim laugh awkwardly "H-hey! Why are you acting in this manner?" She stowed Elise's hands and smiled at her classmates. "You were the one who yelled earlier. Why are you acting like a thug?"
"Just think about the museum and the report." Prim said and flicked Elise's forehead. Hearing the word report, Elise slowly become dejected and sprawled on her chair again. She sighs, "My knees suddenly felt weak." she muttered.
~~~