NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: STARLIGHT Academy III
The classroom fell silent once more, this time in stunned disbelief. The mention of the name "Noah" had sparked a collective gasp, as if the students couldn't believe their ears. But as they gazed at the stranger, they saw a hint of a smile, and it was then that they knew – this was indeed the Noah they had tormented for so long.
Noah's smile, however, was short-lived. His eyes darkened, and his voice took on a menacing tone. "What? Shocked? You expected me to be a pushover until my death?!" he spat, his anger palpable.
Ben's face contorted in a mix of shock, fear, and pride. He struggled to find the words to apologize, but his ego wouldn't let him. Four years of bullying had conditioned him to believe he was superior, and now, he couldn't bring himself to swallow his pride and apologize to the person he had tormented for so long.
"You..." Ben stuttered, his voice barely audible. He trailed off, unable to find the words to express himself.
The door creaked open, and the professor walked in, his eyes fixed on the stack of books in his hands. He seemed oblivious to the tension in the room as he made his way to his desk.
"Lucky... We'll complete this later," Noah said, releasing Ben's fist. He settled back into his seat, his expression calm and focused as he turned his attention to the professor.
The professor began his lecture, his voice droning on about the dangers of Mana Crystals.
***
"And so, the use of Mana Crystals is precautioned to be absorbed with care, because of its terrifying effects, which could lead to severe cases, even crippling one's mana."
The students listened intently, some jotting down notes while others whispered to each other. The professor didn't seem to notice, or care, his expression a picture of apathy.
"Any questions?" he asked, wrapping up his lecture.
The room fell silent, until suddenly, Noah raised his arm.
The professor's eyes landed on Noah, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. "Yes, Mr...?" He paused, clearly unsure of Noah's name.
Noah's gaze was calm and collected as he replied, "Noah. I have a question, Professor."
The professor nodded, his expression neutral. "Very well, Mr. Noah. Please, proceed with your question."
Noah's eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "You mentioned that Mana Crystals can have terrifying effects if not absorbed properly. Can you elaborate on what kind of effects we might expect?"
The professor's eyes lit up with interest, and for a moment, he seemed to forget his apathy. "Ah, yes. The effects of improper Mana Crystal absorption can be... severe. In some cases, it can lead to a condition known as 'Mana Poisoning,' which can cause—"
The professor's words were cut off by a commotion at the back of the classroom. Ben, still nursing his wounded pride, had stood up, his face twisted in a scowl. "I don't believe this," he muttered, his voice loud enough to be heard by the entire class. "He thinks he's so smart just because he's been gone for a year?"
Ben's outburst was met with a mixture of surprise and annoyance from the other students. The professor, however, seemed entirely uninterested in intervening.
Noah, still seated, turned his gaze towards Ben, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm not trying to be smart, Ben," he said, his voice low and even. "I'm just trying to learn. Something you might want to consider trying sometime."
The classroom fell silent once more, with all eyes fixed on the unfolding drama. Ben's face turned red with anger, and for a moment, it seemed like he might launch himself at Noah.
But then, something seemed to click into place. Ben's expression changed, and he let out a cold, mirthless laugh. "You think you're clever, don't you, Noah?" he sneered. "But you're just a joke. And soon, everyone will see it."
The professor, seemingly bored with the exchange, cleared his throat. "That's enough, Ben. Take your seat."
Ben's eyes flashed with anger, but he knew better than to push the professor's patience. He took his seat, his eyes never leaving Noah's face.
The professor, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room, continued with the lesson. "As I was saying, Mana Poisoning can have severe consequences if left untreated. It's essential to understand the risks and take necessary precautions when working with Mana Crystals."
Ben's eyes flashed with anger, but he knew better than to push the professor's patience. He took his seat, his eyes never leaving Noah's face.
The professor, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room, continued with the lesson. "As I was saying, Mana Poisoning can have severe consequences if left untreated. It's essential to understand the risks and take necessary precautions when working with Mana Crystals."
Noah listened intently, his eyes fixed on the professor. He seemed to have forgotten about Ben's outburst, his focus solely on the lesson.
But as the professor droned on, Ben's anger simmered just below the surface. He couldn't believe that Noah had humiliated him in front of the entire class. He vowed to himself that he would make Noah pay for his embarrassment.
As the lesson drew to a close, the professor assigned a homework task and dismissed the class. The students began to file out of the classroom, chatting and laughing with each other.
Noah, however, remained seated, his eyes fixed on Ben. He seemed to be waiting for something, his expression unreadable.
Ben, sensing Noah's gaze, turned to face him. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the air was thick with tension.
Then, without a word, Noah stood up and walked out of the classroom, leaving Ben feeling frustrated and uneasy.
As Noah walked out of the classroom, Eva and Maya quickly followed behind him. "Hey Noah, wait up!" they chimed in unison.
Maya caught up to Noah and placed a hand on his arm. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face. She had never seen Noah exhibit such intensity before, and it was unnerving.
Noah chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, I'm good," he said with a reassuring smile.
Eva frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I've never seen you like that before, Noah. You're sure you're okay?" she pressed, her voice laced with concern.
Noah nodded again, his smile unwavering. "I'm positive, Eva. Let's just forget about it for now, okay?"
The trio walked in silence for a moment before Noah suggested, "Hey, let's go eat at the cafeteria. It's been a while."
Eva and Maya exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. As they made their way to the cafeteria, the tension in the air began to dissipate, replaced by the warm glow of friendship and camaraderie.