After a long bath, Zen came out and wore a casual t-shit. He picked up his phone to message Anna but suddenly his phone rang and he saw that it was an administrator message. He got a bad feeling so he immediately opened the message and saw that it was from the vice-director Shreya.
Do I have to personally come to your room to talk to you? I want you in my office within 5 minutes or else you are demoted to first class.|
"Fuck!" He shouted and ran with full speed towards the passage. The passage was fairly crowded so he hesitated to push around but the words from vice director woke him up and Zen dashed with his full speed while pushing the crowd around.
"Oi commoner! Watch where you g" A voice reverberated.
"Yes, Yes! Fuck you too!" Zen shouted and left the passage.
"..." The boy who spoke didn't understand what the fuck happened. After he realized, his face turned red with anger.
"Don't regret it in the future." He spat just to save some face and ran to his room.
Unaware of this, Zen was just running towards the vice-director's office with full speed. As soon as he reached the office, he kicked the door and entered the room. Well, calling it room was an understatement. It looked more like a palace hall with a luxurious table and chair at one corner where vice-director was sitting.
Zen looked at his watch and was relieved to find that he still had 17 seconds left. He was covered with sweat and was panting loudly.
"You look tired." Shreya said in an almost taunting way.
"No shit! You made me run 1.5 miles in 5 minutes and then act surprised that I'm tired?" Zen said while catching his breath.
"Little boy, have no one taught you manners?"
"Little boy? Really? Why do you sound like a 100 year old grandma?"
"..." Shreya couldn't say anything. She is 35, okay? She just likes to act like this.
'This shameless boy.'
"Let's get to the point." She said while holding herself from strangling Zen. "Let me ask you something. I want you to answer honestly."
"You are a mutant. Aren't you?"
"...How the hell did you reach to that insane conclusion?" Zen was honestly surprised after hearing the question.
Being a mutant was something that everyone desired but only a selected few could get. As a commoner, it was almost impossible for Zen to become a mutant.
"Really? Are you sure?" Shreya asked seemingly disappointed with the response.
"Yes? I mean how would I ever be confused over something about my own bloodline? I was born a commoner, how the hell am I supposed to afford a bloodline?" Zen shouted.
"Then how would you explain those extraordinary instincts and fighting prowess? I have never seen someone with those skills at your age even among those highly rated mutants. The way you dodged the punch without flinching. That only comes either if you are very experienced or you know that the person in front of you can never hurt you. Plus, from the start I observed everyone. It was clear that even while talking and laughing, you were aware of your surroundings. It was like you were prepared that something will happen."
"...I honestly don't know what you are talking about. Being a commoner, it was typical for me to have nobles running for my blood. So I had to be always ready for an attack as I had to look out for my sister. After a few incidents in my childhood, I became a firm believer of Murphy's law. As for skills, my mother is a martial artist so she has taught me since I was 5."
"Is your mother a mutant? If she taught you like this, she should be a great fighter herself!"
"For God's sake... Didn't I tell you I am a commoner? And knowing your attitude and position, you must have my family background by now. Why are you asking something repeatedly? If that's all I would like to take my leave." Zen was getting irritated by her attitude. She was acting like Zen wanted to hide something and Zen felt that Shreya was interrogating him.
In a way, Zen was right. From the skills Zen shown earlier, Shreya was doubtful that Zen might have come from a foreign power for some other purpose. But she was able to discern that Zen was speaking honestly.
"Okay okay, don't be impatient. The reason I called you here is something different. I want to take you as my personal student."
"...What bullshit are you sprouting now?"
'This kid is really impertinent.' It was almost refreshing for Shreya. It had been a long time since she heard someone talking to her without considering her status.
"Are you stupid? I just said what I wanted to say."
"And I heard what you said. What I am asking is, in second you were trying to interrogate me and the next instant you said you want me as a student. Are you bipolar? Anyways, I won't be a student of some shady sexy dem.... ahem, some vice-director." Zen said like he was reciting a gospel.
"... I will pretend that I didn't hear anything. Listen kid, you will be my student. Either by your own accord or I will make your life in the academy very..... very good." Shreya showed a cold smile.
Seeing that smile, Zen felt shivers down his body. He knew that if he didn't agree, he can say goodbye to his peaceful life in the academy. But he won't be Zen if he back downs after getting threatened that easily.
"Of course I would love to become student of a beautiful and caring teacher like you. But I am very poor and don't have any credits to even take a rest for a single day off. How will I spend time learning from an amazing teacher like you?" Zen exaggeratedly dropped down his shoulders as he was highly disappointed.
"...So you want credits in exchange of becoming my student?"
"Yes" He was extremely honest.
A vein popped on Shreya's head.
"Alright I will give you enough credits to get by this year easily."
"Als"
"Don't push your luck and get out." Shreya closed the distance between them in an instant and threw Zen like some trash.
"Be here at 6AM tomorrow or else I will throw you in the second grade."
Zen picked himself up from the floor and said sweetly while closing the door, "Thank my beautiful teacher, I will see you tomorrow."
"...The future of the academy will be very.... very interesting." Shreya said while smiling seductively.