Academy of Death

The Chemistry Class

The murmurs filled the room like bee sounds, creating an uncomfortable situation. 

The academic who just introduced himself as Antony fumed in anger, criticizing the intelligentsia. His cynical quip stopped the small commotion.

"It seems gossipping is your only skill." It was merely one sentence but enough to get all the mouths shut and our gaze landed on the floor. "I have one rule in my class; hold on to your curiosity about everything."

The others might think it normal, their intention was just to study and graduate from this academy with honor. That was all they ever dreamed of. However, it was odd for me. It just emphasized that my assumption might not be fully wrong. The Academy of Haut hid a secret behind its luxury and resplendence.

"And those who are with me abide by the rule," he continued. "If you break it, you'll bear the consequences." His threatening words stung me. "If you choose to bug out, the door is still open for you."

He backed off to his table, observing our reaction. No one had the nerve to express their feelings, either staying or leaving. 

"I am with you, Sir." An ebony short-haired boy with big dark brown eyes raised his hand confidently. 

"Are you sure, Mr. Kaiv Frank? 

"A hundred percent,"

"That's nice," a couple of claps from his hand thundered through the room. "If you can't even make up your mind, it means your place is not here. You are allowed to leave with due respect."

"I am in." My palm abruptly shield my mouth. I was still in doubt when I made a decision. But, I had picked the side where I was going to stand.

"Two students may be sufficient because I don't fancy the crowds." He folded his hands on top of his chest and motioned the others to proceed to the open door using his forefinger.

"I am. Let me in." It was a red-haired boy who confronted Marin in the hall. Antony called him Ron Miller. That boy set his head high, showing his overconfidence. 

"Next…"

"I am interested." I finally could smile in joy because Marin would be in my class too. No one I was close to but Marin. With Marin in Chemistry class, I wouldn't be lonely and isolated from the others. I leered at that girl who displayed her bare white teeth with a smile.

And another two intelligentsia finally dared to confirm their enrollment. Six intelligentsias were remaining in the lab now. 

Antony smirked in satisfaction facing his six disciples. 

"Now you have practicum kits before you. Your task today is to prepare a 0.1M NH4Cl solution using the substances in the tub in front of you." Antony gave some instructions for us to follow, dissolving the reagent and doing several other steps until the solution was mixed.

I was a bit tad struggling at first as this was my first time formulating the chemical solution. I didn't experience this before.

Antony walked around the room to check our work. He barked at the girl with gray eyes who was no other than Marin. She froze in her place with a dreadful expression as if she had just committed a big sin.

"Is this all that you can do?" he growled. "Your intelligence is even nothing compared to kindergarten pupils." His words stabbed Marin in her heart. Marin helplessly stared down.

It was too rude of him to throw such an insult. How could an intelligent academic mock an inexperienced young girl let alone she was one of the intelligentsias?. 

"He has no moral compass." I heard Kaiv, the ebony-haired boy hissing in a low tone that didn't reach Antony's ears.

Secretly, I liked the way he denounced  Anthony for his rude manner. This arrogant academic needed someone to teach him a lesson. But, we had no power over him. I could only eye Marin hopelessly.

The arrogant academic, Anthony, walked back to the front after humiliating Marin. His shoes knocked the floor noisily not because of his high heel footwear but his arrogance. 

"If you can't improve in the next meeting, I doubt you will pass this semester. I suggest you leave this class. It is not yet too late to do so." His suggestion was more like a disdain. 

Drying her wet eyes, Marin trotted back to the room to change the white robe into the red cloak, then ran outside without a word. Standing like a fool, I could only witness my only friend treated unfairly. I barely cursed myself for doing nothing. None of us had power over him, that ferocious academic, to defend Marin. No one would take the risk of failure in this chemistry class. Failing in one class would bring you to your downfall. That was stated in the academy's guide book. And confronting him had put one of her feet down to hell.

"This class is not a place for the weak and the fools," he asserted in an immense voice that nearly broke our eardrums.

He rechecked our works after having his say. My hand trembled when he made a sudden halt near me. Neither critic nor compliment, I received from that pompous academic. He just moved past me. I breathed out in relief. 

"This class is over," he announced a half-hour later. He let us out of the laboratory. 

I hurriedly sauntered the corridor to find Marin. That girl must be in grief after dropping from Anthoby's class. My existence could be of any help.

"Dylanesa…" I searched for someone who shouted my name. "You are Dylnesa, right?" Kaiv ambled toward me.

"I am. Is there anything you want to say to me?" I squinted my eyes.

"Your cloak, you haven't swapped it with your formal one." I immediately dropped my gaze all over my uniform. I was still wearing the lab uniform, white robe.

"Oh God, why am I so careless? Thanks."

I veered back into the laboratory. The room was quiet; no one was inside it. Heading to the closet where my cloak was hanging, I quickly took off the robe and donned my red cloak. 

I had to do it in an instant. The social event would start in twenty minutes and I had decided to attend the event. But, first of all, I had to ensure that Marin was no longer in pain so I had to meet her to find out.

In a flash, my feet carried me to whisk to the front door. However, the pink liquid in a vial brought me to a sudden pause. My brain reacted to it, processing it. It was like a substance; the weirdest potion. 

I got closer to the object on Anthony's desk. My hand barely touched it but Anthony's voice screwed me.

That academic glared at me in rage. I felt devastated that I would face his wrath in a second. 

He stomped his feet on the floor, coming closer and closer. His hand expanded, I crouched my head in fear and resignation. 

"Do you remember the rule?" His cold tone reverberated in my ear. "Hold on to your curiosity."

I gaped and found no one before me. Anthony had gone with the light pink potion.

What was that object for?