Academy of Death

A Chip

"It is a chip," Grace revealed. 

"W-what? Why did you stick this on my nape? What is it for?" I exclaimed in panic while rubbing the object at the back of my neck. Clara glimpsed at Grace and cleared her throat.

"Darling, listen. It won't injure you," Clara calmed me.

"On the contrary, it is used to protect you," Grace added.

"From what?" I snarled. "Am I in danger? Or are all intelligentsia in danger?" 

"No…, It's nothing like that," Clara looked at Grace for more explanation.

"I can't tell you more, dear. I am sorry. It is better if you know nothing," Grace said uneasily. Her face got paler like the dead.

"But, it doesn't make sense that this tiny thin object can save me!" 

"Well, I can feel how much you dislike it. However, you have to trust us. And yes, all the intelligentsia are equipped with this chip," Grace honestly clarified.

"How can you prove to me that it wasn't solely your trick to jeopardize my life?"

"If this chip is a thread, why are you still alive and your body doesn't react to it?"

Clara's defending words lulled me. There was no negative effect on my physique so far. 

"May I leave? I will have a morning class tomorrow. Coming late on the first day will be too risky for my performance record."

"You can. Clara will drive you to the dorm. And please… don't spill any information you heard today. Again, it is for your good."

Hesitantly, I ducked my chin in agreement. I slowly got out of the bed and slipped my cloak on.

"We are sorry but you have to blindfold your eyes before leaving this room."

A protest nearly came out of my mouth; I resisted the desire to do so. Debating with these two women wouldn't benefit me. They would stand their ground to force me to wear it.

Clara covered my eyes with a black blindfold. My world switched dark immediately. That woman guided me out of that place.

Considering the short time I arrived at the dorm, the place where I was kidnapped wasn't that far from the academy. 

The night had fallen when I reached the front gate. The breeze sent a shiver down my spine. After climbing out of the car and getting my sight back, I sprinted inside the dorm immediately. 

The receptionist scrutinized me from top to toe, inspecting nothing bad happened to me. No single word fled his mouth. It was only his smile that garnished his lips.

My appearance didn't change; my uniform was as tidy as it was. Not a strand of my hair tangled. My fresh face indicated that I hadn't been through a disaster today.

I managed to suppress my uneasy feeling of being kidnapped behind my nice demeanor. Anticipating the unpleasant consequence, I kept the incident today for myself.

I turned the light on and found my room clean and well-organized. The maid did her job well. Dangling my bag in the wardrobe, my hand randomly scraped the object on my nape, that chip. It wasn't there. 

I ran to the mirror, trying to peep my back through the mirror, the chip disappeared. How? Wasn't it good for me?  

I lied on the mattress with contentment. When my neck touched the bed, it felt like something pressing against it. I swiftly used my finger to spot what it was. It was the chip. So, the chip would only arise when I sat or lied. 

Phew… it was annoying when you knew that your life was under surveillance. 

**"

The routine was in the line; the Chemistry class early in the morning, the academy tour, the annual social event, and the Intelligentsia union meeting. Wait! I wasn't selected as a member of the Intelligentsia Union, I could skip that part. I didn't have to join the tour as Lanzo had brought me to look around the academy on the first day. So, I omitted that from my schedule too.

"And this one…, " I mumbled.

"What?" Lanzo grasped a chair near me and settled himself on the seat. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing…"

"Why did you eliminate some lists on your schedule sheet?" His eyes set on the paper in my hand. This boy came and went like a ghost. 

"I didn't see you during lunch yesterday," I randomly asked to change the subject.

"I was in the room, I noticed you but it seemed you were too busy with your new friend."

"That's Marin. By the way, …." I doubted to question him about the chip, whether or not they kidnapped him and installed the chip on the back of his neck.

"What are you trying to say?" I shook my head. It was a secret I had to conceal from anyone including Lanzo; I couldn't bear the risk. Letting other people discover it might be able to put me into trouble.

"Ehm...are you in Chemistry's class too?"

"No...I am not interested in that subject."

"I see." I faced down the paper on the table. 

"I am going to take part in that social event, anyway. Why did you remove it from your agenda?"

"I...just don't like to be in the crowd. I mean, I don't feel comfortable mingling with many random people."

"But, this event will be different. I bet you will like it if you give yourself a chance to participate."

"I'll think about it. My class will get started in ten minutes. So, I'll excuse myself."

"Good luck." I stood up.

"Thank you for being kind and nice," 

"That is not a privilege, I guess."

"It is!" He furrowed his eyebrows. "Only you and Marin, I find it friendly and accept me in this academy. Most of the intelligentsia here think of others as their competitors. I hope you are not one of them."

"Of course not! What is good in it, being someone's rival?" My lips flattened, creating a grin. "See you at the social event," he said.

The Chemistry laboratory was on the fourth floor of the right-wing building. I slid through the door, entering the lab where all the other intelligentsia had gathered and prepared for the practicum. 

It was our first meeting; the academic instructed us to do the practicum right away. Without any prior knowledge in Chemistry, I was skeptical that I was able to get along with the lesson well.

A tall lean guy with sleek black hair and dark eyes came into the picture from the open door. His cold intimidating countenance surveyed all the faces before him as if he was studying our traits through our complexions.

"I am eager to know why you are enrolled in my class after the bad rumors spreading out there." 

"The bad rumor? What's the bad rumor? Does Lanzo know about it too?" Another speculation circulated my mind.