Walking forwards, a building slowly grows in front of him. White stones slowly become identifiable. As well as the glass windows. Some have the shapes of angels in them while others force him to clench his eyes shut before averting his head to the ground and stopping with walking. Grass greets his eyes once he opens them again.
Walking forward once more, Dean clenches his fists unhappy with the situation. Just yesterday he got the schedule and this morning was wasted on stupid tests. What were they even testing? His elementary school lessons? Nothing made sense. Why do they want to test all this? And the Latin tests, he's been learning a bit of it from Bobby and his dad. Useful information when hunting or researching but why are they so interested in him knowing the complete language. Fucking hell. He's certain she intends for him to learn Latin in such a way he can even speak it. Most likely to torture him in some stupid way.
He growls thinking about it. He's certain that certain subjects were left out. The blank spaces were clear signs of it. So what did they leave out? And what? Things concerning this stupid society or the laws they follow? He knows there are laws he doesn't know about for she talked about them. They must have been written somewhere but he doesn't know where. Not as if it is of any importance to him.
Shaking his head, he turns a corner to the back of the building. He was told to wait here for Benjamin. But why here? Another thing which doesn't make any sense. The last time, he was supposed to enter the building and now he isn't. He shallowly laughs wondering how many more times things won't make sense to him. It's been happening too often for his liking as is. As he waits, he looks around the area he just entered. It is a field with a few cases standing on the side which are different from those he's seen before.
In the distance, an obstacle run's visible. And from what he can see, it's something he imagines the military uses. So, it can't be for him. Never. This isn't the military and he's got no need for that. In the background, leaves are rattling on the ground as someone steps on them. He knows what this means; Benjamin's coming. His free time's over. It has proven to be true in short order.
"Dean, there you are. I've been looking for you. What are you doing here?"
"I was told my training would be here?"
"Oh, yes indeed. However next time, wait for me at the entrance and we'll walk together."
"Sure, if you want to. So what'll we be doing now?"
He looks Benjamin over wondering what this is about. Benjamin was scratching his head almost as if he forgot. He bites his lips to keep from smiling. It is just so amusing to see them forgetting something they force him to do. Hopefully, they will forget even more in the future. But now, he wants to know what he's supposed to do. Benjamin waves with his hand before answering his question.
"Why don't you warm up while I set up the next part of your training."
"What?"
"Stretching, you know how to ...?"
"Yes, I know what warming up is."
Dean blushes and looks away. No one will ever know when's he embarrassed by something. No one. Besides, he wasn't embarrassed. He was just surprised Benjamin told him to warm up. He hadn't thought about it. And also, he's interested in knowing what Benjamin will be setting up. Then he shrugs and starts to stretch. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees how Benjamin keeps an eye on him while laying something out on the field.
He looks around. Where are the others? He frowns, not understanding this. Last time, he was training with an entire group, and now not? What's the reason behind this. Is he getting preferential treatment or what? Benjamin doesn't notice him looking for a while. Once, he does an eyebrow is lifted. He grimaces before voicing his question.
"Where's everyone else?"
"You'll be training on your own for a while, Dean. Until you're up to speed with your age mates."
He growls again. He doesn't want to have even more remedial lessons at all. He wants to be among his age mates. At least, he'll have someone to talk to then. And maybe, they'll even tell him things he can use to escape. Or he'll get an idea of how they got involved in this. It would allow him to help them escape this strange group. Benjamin seems to misunderstand his action with the way he smiles calmly seconds before speaking up.
"I'm sure you'll be able to catch up soon. From what I've seen so far, you won't be too far behind."
"Yeah, yeah, she said that also."
"Imogen? Of course, she did. She knows more than you think."
"What!"
What does she know? And how? He frowns, how much did he tell her during their conversation yesterday. Hopefully not too much but he doubts it. He just hopes she's leaving his family alone and hasn't had someone stalking them before his kidnapping. He turns to Benjamin who waves his hand dismissively.
"Oh, nothing really special. She just thinks you are capable of more than you're showing. And if you behave a bit better then she'll help you with nearly everything."
"Like returning to my family?"
"Unfortunately not that. It's not something she has control over as she's under orders of the Clave to integrate you in our society and force you to cut contact with your family."
"So she's not free in everything?"
He frowns. He was convinced she was free in her actions but apparently not. Maybe he should be a bit kinder to her. He shakes his head. He won't do that. Benjamin tilts his head before answering his question.
"No, Imogen is as the inquisitor beholden to the clave. It is her job to enforce our laws and go after criminals in our society. Kinda like the police's internal affairs."
"Yeah, I've heard about them. Are they not normally hated by the normal guys?"
"Maybe, but I am not sure."
He frowns again. He always saw her as an enemy but she's not the only one. Merely the one pushed forward to serve as such. So maybe he'll not make too much fuss around her from now on. She's a slave to the clave unable to escape them. He sighs, his earlier conviction discarded and tilts his head as another thought crosses his mind.
"Are you not also a member of the clave."
"Yes, I am. I wanted you to return to your family but was outvoted. Though I did insist you needed training but not this way. And remember, there's not one person in the clave who makes the decision; it's always done by the majority."
"Mhh, and this school she told me about, that's also something the clave decided."
"You mean the Central College? No, it is not. That's something she decided. She'll want you to get the best education you can so you'll have a bright future."
"Alright, but she said all lessons would be given in the form of distance learning but I remember clearly attending a lesson with a teacher."
"Oh, that happens from time to time. If there are many of us together then we might organize a shared lesson from time to time. It doesn't happen often but it's mostly done to ensure kids get to interact with each other."
"And?"
"It is important for our children to interact with each other when they otherwise cannot. At the institutes it is different and some martial art lessons are given in a group setting then. For those who do not reside in an institute, they - like you - always have a personal trainer."
"Alright, alright. Can we start now?"
"Oh, you are soo impatient. Have you stretched sufficiently?"
"Yes!"
"Then run a couple of laps around this field."
He groans and grumbles. What else will Benajmin have him do before they start training? He has no idea but hopes not too much. It'll be boring soon otherwise. He wants to train and not do these stupid things. Nevertheless, he runs the lap at a high speed trying to get it finished as soon as possible. After one lap, Benjamin suddenly speaks up.
"Run slower, Dean. You'll have no breath left for the remainder of your lesson if you don't."
"Yes, sir."
Horrible man. He'll have more than enough breath left for the lesson even if runs fast. He knows his strength better than Benjamin does. Soon, he manages to complete the laps at a slower pace. And his fast running has still saved him a bit of time. No matter how little, he'll make use of it in the end. As he stops, Benjamin beckons him over.
"Good, you'll do this before any training session."
"Why?"
"Because it's good for you. And it'll ensure you've got something to do while I prepare the lesson. Now come, pick up a seraph blade. I've seen your skill with a training sword yesterday and would like to know what you can do with a real one."
Dean walks to the crate Benjamin pointed at and looks inside. The familiar side of tubes wrapped in paper greets him. He looks at them and frowns. They are all calling towards him. One blade calls to him even more than the others do so he picks it up and turns towards Benjamin.
"You know how to activate them."
He nods and activates the blade. Seconds later, Benjamin does the same before coming at him. They spar for a short while before heat grows in his hands. He ignores it until the heat gets too much. It is at this time, the blade and handle shine brightly. He drops the blade while hissing at the burning feeling on his hands.
He looks at his hands and sees the same marks on them as in July. Exactly the same. Nothing of this sort happened to any of the others students here. Why does it only happen to him? Why? It doesn't make sense. He shakes his head when Benjamin's voice reaches his awareness.
"Dean, are you alright? Let me see your hands."
He looks up, seeing Benjamin looking at him with concern visible in his eyes. He clenches his fists but hisses seconds later at the pain spreading through his hands and arms. At this Benjamin grabs his right wrist and pulls it towards him. He considers clenching his hand once more but ultimately decides against it. He's unwilling to feel the pain once more. Besides, what will Benjamin even do with them? Bandage them? He can do that himself.
Benjamin looks at his hand for a moment before he strokes the burn mark. This time, Dean looks at it. The burn's covering his earlier burn almost perfectly. The hand's red around the burn mark which is covered in blisters. A movement out of the corner of his eyes has him turning his head towards his side. A glowing stick is brought to his wrist and it burns something into it. It's a complicated pattern which glows brightly for a moment before turning black.
A tingling feeling grows across his right hand. He shakes his hand trying to get rid of the feeling as he doesn't like it. But no matter how much he shakes his hand nothing helps. He turns his eyes to the hand when he feels his left wrist being caught. He immediately turns his head towards his left wrist and sees Benjamin doing the same thing there. The tingling slowly grows in his left hand and he shakes it also.
The world around him swims. Everything becomes hazy. Lights glow brightly in the distance almost as if guiding him towards them. His gaze is drawn towards it. He can't stop himself for a while. Then he slowly turns his head in the direction he last saw Benjamin. In front of him is a small brightly glowing ball inside Benjamin's luminous body. He frowns. What's he seeing? Before he can contemplate it, the haze disappears into thin air.
"What'd you do to me?"
"I only healed your wound, Dean. Calm down, there's nothing to worry about. Just remember this rune; it'll allow you to heal yourself if you're ever injured."
"I didn't ask you to do that."
"No, you didn't. But as your trainer, it's my responsibility to look after you and that includes taking care of any injuries you receive. Now pick another blade and we'll continue with your training."
Growling, Dean walks towards the chest and blindly pulls out a blade. Walking back to Benjamin, they quickly start to spar again. And like last time, after a while, the blade heats up in his hand. Refusing to burn himself again, he drops the blade on the ground. The grass beneath his feet starts to sizzle around the blade. He jumps away just in time before the blade lights up brightly. Moments later, the blade shatters.
Clenching his fists, he feels his eyes widening. In comparison to the last time, his hands do not hurt. Thankfully. Opening his fists, he looks at his hands. Only a faint scar is visible where the wound should be. On his wrists, a dark tattoo is visible. It shines slightly. He frowns. Is it healing something he didn't see? Or is disappearing? Well whatever, it's not as dark as before. So, it'll not stay on his wrist for all his life. A welcoming thought because it would raise too many questions for later.
The bright thoughts turn instantly sour when he spots the remands of the sword. Why does it only happen to him? It makes no sense. He grips his hair and glances up to Benjamin who's frowning. At least he's not angry. That is one reassurance. No matter, how small. But still, he's got to know why the blades seem to destroy themselves in his hands. Benjamin's voice breaks through his thoughts.
"Well, until we've figured out the mystery behind you destroying Seraph blades, we'll be spending our time training with dummies. I won't risk any more blades being destroyed."
"So you've got no idea why it happens?"
"No, we thought it might be something one-off or because you've not had your first rune. That belief has to be changed. But don't worry we'll figure it out."
"Yeah, and you won't tell me about it."
"Oh but we will. You must know that also."
He nods, waiting for what's to come next. There won't be any sparring if they can't use the blades. Especially, as he hasn't seen any signs of dummy swords lying around. So how will they spend their time now? Then he remembers Benjamin's tone and glares at him. He doesn't like it and doesn't want to hear it ever again. Benjamin sighs and shakes his head.
"Well, let's do some hand-to-hand sparring. I admit I want to see what you're truly capable of Dean. We won't have much remedial training concerning that aspect."
"So, there's something I'm on track with the others? Never thought to hear that from you."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. You're capable of more than you think. Trust in yourself and always conduct your duty."
He bites his lips but doesn't respond. Wanting to get on with this training as quickly as possible, he moves to the center of the field. Benjamin moves with him and stands before him. They both move into a position to spar when he notices Benjamin's smile. He narrows his eyes.
"You're certainly eager to begin."
"Of course, I'm eager. I just want to leave this place."
He moves forward trying to strike Benjamin before he does it for him. He's got no interest in any further conversation. Let him return to his room where he can have peace and also plan his escape. Benjamin quickly blocks his strike. For the remainder of the time, they are sparring hand-to-hand. Benjamin gives him corrections from time to time but doesn't annoy him any further. And he doesn't want to admit it but he's enjoying himself a lot.
Dean walks towards his bedroom after finishing breakfast. It was at least bearable as she didn't talk as much with him as yesterday. He had a bit of peace except when she mentioned his test result got in as well as his lesson plan. But upon reaching the door to his bedroom, dread fills him. What will he find behind this door? Nothing good, that's for certain.
Opening the door, he steps inside the bedroom. His eyes are immediately drawn to the books which lie on his bed on the left side of the door. Dragging his eyes away from the books and his bed, he finally looks over the room. Something he didn't do yesterday. Opposide the bed stands a wardrobe which's thankfully closed. At least no one's gone through it. He's got some things in it which he doesn't want anyone to know about.
At the foot of the bed stands his desk which is empty except for some notepads and writing utensils. He frowns. Why are the books left on his bed and not on his desk? It would be more logical. Or even in the bookcase which only becomes visible once he closes the door behind him. It makes no sense. He looks around wondering if someone's trying to prank him but sees no one. Nor does he notice anyone in his bedroom.
Shrugging, he walks to his bed and looks over the books. The books are pilled according to their subject if the folder on top of the piles' any indication. Picking up a folder, he looks into it and immediately groans. It contains a lesson plan. Carefully looking the first one over, he sighs. At least, he's not supposed to study all these books. There're a few chapters he's got to finish. Nothing more. Going through all the folders, he learns the same counts for most of the other piles. Except for the last folder. In it, he finds the results of his test.
He shakes his head. Of course, the results would be in the last folder. Where else? Scratching his head, he wonders where to start. With the interesting subjects or the boring ones? He bites his lips. On one hand, he'll be done with the boring ones if he does them first. And he'll have more time with the interesting ones then. Maybe he can even go through the chapters he's not supposed to read. But on the other hand, he doesn't know if he's able to stay focused long enough to finish the boring ones. He doesn't know what to do.
Going through the piles, he looks for a good subject to start with just as the door opens behind him. Footsteps resound through his room as someone walks in. He ignores it and presses his lips together well aware of who just entered. The inquisitor, better known as Imogen. He's got no interest in dealing with her right now. He just wants to get these boring things done so he can get to more interesting subjects.
"Dean, can I talk to you for a moment?"
He crosses his arms but still doesn't turn around. The footsteps resume until Imogen's in front of him. She stands before him with a calm look on her face. He frowns wondering where it came from but dismisses it. He's got no choice but to talk to her. Pouting, he speaks up.
"Of course."
"Good. Have you looked through your rest results yet?"
"Yes, I have thought I didn't study them."
"Then let me tell you that the mundane academics are at a suitable level for you to take the lessons reserved for your grade after only a few remedial lessons. I expect you to maintain a better grade than you've done so far. For those crucial for us, you've got some knowledge even if it's only the barest of it. It's nowhere near what's expected for your grade. You've got most of your work to do there."
"And?"
"I suggest you start with the mundane remedial lessons so you'll have more time to catch up with your agemates in the special courses."
"I was already planning that."
"Oh, so you did study the test results?"
She smiles at him while he glares. There is an unwelcome twinkle in her eyes. And her smile or more likely smirk, he wants to pull it off her face as quickly as possible. Growling, he speaks up.
"No, I didn't but those 'special' courses - as you call them - are more interesting. I just want to spend more time on them."
"That is a good thing. Make sure you study, I'll be testing you later."
"What!"
Imogen doesn't respond to his outburst but just walks out of the room. The door closes softly behind her. He glowers at the door for a while. Where did she get the nerve from to think to test him? What's the purpose even? He can get by with just minimal effort. School's not that important in the long run. A smile grows on his face only to be replaced with a frown a short time later.
If she's testing him then he can't do that. She'll notice. It won't get the attention of his back but then what will she do to him? Give him more coursework? Limit his free time? Or maybe lock him up in this room. He'll certainly not prepare for any of this. He sighs; he'll do as planned. Clenching his fists, he picks up one of the interesting books. Benjamin had urged him to read about this subject after their training. Something about it containing information about the creatures which exist.
Sitting down at the desk, he begins to read the book from the beginning as he's been instructed. For about an hour, he reads the book getting more engrossed by it the further he gets. And the further engrossed he gets, the more his eyes start to drop. After nearly falling on the table, he finally pushes the book aside.
Walking to his bed, he looks at the piles trying to determine what to study now. He picks up books only to discard them moments later. In the end, he has held every top book of the piles in his hands without making any decision. Growling, he moves forward grabbing a book blindly and walking back to his desk.
Once he sits at his desk once more, he finally looks at the book's title and groans. Why of why did he pick this subject? It makes no sense. It's the most boring subject of all. Groaning, he decides to simply go through this material. He'll be rid of it quicker that way. Not that it's important.
About an hour later, he discards the book certain he's done more than enough with it. Not that he can remember much of what he's been doing. Standing up, he moves to the pile and looks for an interesting subject to study. A reward for his hard work. He quickly finds one and picks up the book. Reading through the book at his desk, his interest rises as he learns the laws these people abide by. Some are understandable and highly useful for his family while others are just pure shit.
Thirty minutes later, he's through the first chapter and discards the book going for another one. Only this time, he accidentally picks up a book belonging to another useless subject. Something he only notices once he sits again. Groaning, he quickly works his way through it. He wants to see this book gone.
For the next few hours, he repeats the cycle of an interesting and uninteresting subject. And all he does is scan through the chapters he's assigned. He refuses to read any of them thoroughly anymore. Who cares about it anyway? No one.
Dean's engrossed in an intriguing chapter when the door opens behind him. He clenches his fists on the desk but refuses to turn around. No one will disturb him while he reads this chapter. No one. It's just too interesting. Whoever just came will have to wait. Despite his determination, a voice breaks through his mind not long afterward.
"Dean, leave the book alone for a moment. I'm here to test you."
He ignores her, unwilling to give her the pleasure of breaking his determination. What will she even do now he refuses to cooperate? He smiles at himself. There's nothing she can do. Nothing which will make it worse for him. Just then an arm comes beside him and pulls the book away. The book slaps close with a loud thud.
He turns around with narrowed eyes. How dare she! He was just at an interesting section. He sees as she smiles brightly at him. The book is in her hand. He holds out his hand for the book but she moves a bit back. He jumps up trying to get it from her. At just this time, she speaks up.
"Now that I've got your attention let me rest you."
For the next ten minutes, she asks him all sorts of questions. Some he can answer while others he can't. And from her expression, he's not even answering those he can right. What's he forgetting? He's got no idea. None at all. He bites his lips just as she moves on to the useless subjects and he struggles even more than before. It takes her an eternity - which is no more than thirty minutes - before she relents in her questioning.
"Well, that was disappointing. What've you been doing?"
"Studying as you told me."
"No, you haven't done that. You've only read the books I'm sure but didn't make the assignments that come with them. Nor did you ensure you understood what you've been reading."
"I didn't know there were assignments."
She stares at him with an unimpressed look. He crosses his hands over his chest. He won't be intimidated by her. And he wasn't even lying. He didn't notice any assignments. Must be in the other books or somewhere hidden in the piles.
"There always assignments even when you still went to a mundane school. So I think you deliberately forgot them and suggest you finish them. You'll be able to answer my questions next time if you do so. And for those last subjects, I questioned you about; you've been doing a half-assed job at them. I expect you to put more effort into them."
"I did put an effort into it. Don't accuse me of anything I didn't do."
"Oh but now you're lying. You've not put any real effort into that. Care to explain why?"
"There's nothing to explain. I told you the truth already."
"Who're you even fooling? Yourself? Because you're certainly not fooling me."
He bites his lips, well aware she's telling the truth. Nevertheless, he doesn't want anyone to think he is interested in studying these books. That's Sammy's job, not his. And besides, she'll let him go if he acts so stupidly. It's not like with Sunny when no one was bothering him. When people were genuinely interested in him. Now, everyone he's met is bothering him and not interested in him. And he wants it to stop.
"You've got anything to say for yourself, Dean?"
"No, I've told you everything."
He glares at her piercing eyes. Those eyes turn soft a moment later. He clenches his fist not liking where this is going. He wants anything but softness from her. Not as if he understands where this comes from.
"There must be one reason you can think off to motivate you to study. It's important for your future even if you don't do much with everything you've learned."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do know; you don't have to tell me but find a way to motivate yourself. I want you to succeed and that includes you getting good grades."
"Fine, I'll think about it."
"Good, then I'll quiz you at dinner once more. But is there anything you can tell me anything about it? Anything at all?"
He bites his lips unwilling to address his reasons. He does not want to but she stares at him so severely. He shivers, wondering why she's so insistent on knowing all this. He turns away biting his lips to keep from speaking. He clenches his fists when he feels his mouth opening. It helps for a second before his mouth starts to speak without him being able to stop it.
"I just want to be left in peace and return to my family. This is nearly all useless for my family."
"Nearly always, so there's something you can use?"
"Yes...I can...I can use the information on demons and monsters for them but nothing else. And what's the purpose of those stupid laws even?"
"I told you some of it already, didn't I?"
"Yes, but what's its purpose?"
"Mostly to provide security and some rules for us to follow. The books explain it in more detail."
"Fine, fine. But then still…this is all useless."
"I imagine it certainly appears that way but there are many ways you can use this knowledge once you're an adult. You might not be able to contact your family but you can still aid them in other ways. Think about it."
He nods just as she stands up. He heaves a sigh of relief. Finally, she's done. She won't hound on him anymore. At least until dinner but he'll take what he can get. Movement draws his attention. Imogen walks to the door, opens it but stops with her hand on the doorpost.
"If I may offer some unasked advice: make a schedule for yourself. You don't need to study everything at once."
"I know that. What'd you think I am? Stupid?"
"It certainly crossed my mind, yes. I'll leave you to your studying right now."
So said, she walks out of the room. The door clicks closed behind her. Dean turns back to the desk and rests his elbows on the desk while his chin falls into his hands. He's got some thinking to do. Like what'll he do with these fucking lessons? He could do as he's been doing so far. Or maybe…maybe he could do a good job with them. At least it'll get her off his back like with everything he does to seem to be accommodating to his new future.
He tilts his head. If he does it then he'll need a good reason to be able to convince Sammy once he's back with his family. He won't hear the end of it otherwise. And isn't interested in it. So what'll he use? Maybe he could use it for his family? Or just something to do to give them a false sense of security. He shakes his head. The second is the best option he's got. So back to studying then.