All my humor is based on destruction and despair. If the whole world were tranquil, without disease and violence, I’d be standing in the bread line right in back of J. Edgar Hoover.
- Lenny Bruce
A few days ago
The dimly lit underground chamber echoed with the muffled sounds of desperation and fear. The once-respected figures of authority in Ascendant Academy—the headmaster, senior masters, and mistresses, along with the members of the teacher association and secretary board—were all helplessly bound and locked in individual cells. The cold, metallic bars confined them, a direful symbol of their powerlessness.
The senior mistress longed to be back at the school. Her voice was strained from shouting so loudly. But it was useless. They were several levels below ground, and no one would hear them.
As the flickering lights cast eerie shadows across the chamber, a figure emerged from the darkness. Their presence radiated an unsettling aura—a seemingly innocent young woman with an unnerving smile. Her eyes twinkled with twisted delight as she surveyed the captive leaders of the academy.
The headmaster, his voice heavy with disbelief, managed to find the strength to speak. “Who are you? Why would you do this?”
The girl’s smile dropped into a frown as she folded her arm. Sighing and shaking her head in utter disappointment, the girl spoke, “I can’t believe this. Not even my own headmaster recognize me!”
The female rubbed her eyes as if she’s about to cry, “Mr. Griffin, were all those compliments of me being unrecognizable and changing the world with my mind just empty words of sweet nothings, Mr. Griffin?”
The headmaster gazed at the girl with confusion.
‘Huh, recognize? But I don’t know who you are?’ The headmaster contemplated whether he see the girl before but halted when he noticed a smirk gradually creeping on her face.
“Oh. You don’t remember the brunette quiet girl who always gotten bad grades to the point you was considering of expelling her? Or the blonde boy who had excelled in all his classes that he became the first Ascendant student to ever graduate during the first year? Does any of these ring a bell?”
The headmaster reflected on what was said. He had met so much students in his lifetime and the years at the academy always flew by.
‘Based on the young girl's features,’ the headmaster thought, ‘she looks quite young. She had to been a recent student!’
The headmaster thought so much, he overlooked the girl’s words. It wasn’t until he realize what was said had his eyes widen in shock.
“Wait a minute!" The girl exclaimed, her voice deepen to mimic the headmaster’s. "How did you know those students attended the academy?” The headmaster didn’t cared he was mocked. He was mostly surprised that the girl had just read his mind. 'Was I that easy to read?'
The girl nodded, "Yep."
‘First, she gave me an accurate descriptions of two students who attended Ascendant. And now she’s reading my minds?! What type of sorcery is this?!?’
He heard the dark chuckles of the girl and quickly back away in his cage. “There's no sorcery at play, Mr. Griffin. Just some good old fashion techniques that keep the world going ‘round and ‘round.”
She traced circles in the air with her fingers before giggling maniacally to herself.
"I can’t believe why someone would do this." One of the senior master said in disbelief. His voice filled with both disappointment. 'Let alone, an old student?' Mr. Griffin thought.
The headmaster moved closer to the cell door and beg, "P-Please don't do this. I beg of you! There's no reason for this to be done. Would you like some money? I-I can write you a check. If you just let me out..."
The girl folded her arms and grimaced, "No! No! No!"
Mr. Griffin fell to his knees, taken back by her change of attitude.
"My reasons for doing this runs deeper than your bloodlines." The girl said matter-of-factly. "Since none of you don't understand my reasons, there's no need to beg, right? Besides, begging and bribing are so old fashioned. It does nothing to me."
His throat bobbled anxiously, 'Something more?' The captives look at each other with perplexing expressions. Deep down inside, they feared what would happen to them.
"Haha! Yes. Look at each other. Because it may be the last time you will be doing so."
"What are you talking about?!"
The girl just smiled once more, which annoyed Mr. Griffin.
'She's not taking the bait. Shall I try another?' Mr. Griffin tried something else to persuade the girl to free them, but the moment after he finished his statement, he remembered that the girl had attend the school before. Twice.
"You seem like a bright and intelligent young lady. We can offer you a scholarship at the academy?" The girl shook her head.
"Or would you like a head position? A teacher? A senior mistress? You can be the youngest senior mistress who ever grace the halls of the academy." Again, her head shook.
"Something else? Would you like a scholarship for your family? Maybe a brother?" And again, she shook her head.
"Anything?? Please!!" He clasped his hands as he plead desperately, "Please!! If you let us go, we promise we won't tell anyone about this! In fact! You can wipe our memory of this incident! Why would you choose to descend into darkness and malevolence when you can help the world?” What started as persuasion ended with Mr. Griffin fumbling his words.
The girl’s grin widened. Her grin revealed a cooling confidence. “Because,” she replied, her voice dripping with sinister delight, "it’s all so fun."
'Not the anwser I was hoping for.'
She then continued, "You don't even know why you are here. Doesn't the idea of not knowing what will happen, what won’t happen, what can happen, and what already is excites you?”
Her words sent shivers down the spines of those held captive. The once-trusted leader of the academy couldn’t comprehend why people like her choose to fall into the spiteful sea of madness. The air grew heavy with a mix of anticipation and dread as the girl’s intentions started to unravel.
'So confusing!' Mr. Griffin thought. 'Wasn't we were talking about the academy? And now she's rambling about excitement. My old brain is to tired for this crap.'
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With a deliberate pace, the girl moved closer to the headmaster’s cell, her gaze fixed upon him.
“You see, Headmaster, I’ve grown tired of the mundane routines of this world,” she explained, her voice laced with cold amusement. “The monotonous days, the stifling laws—they no longer satisfy me. I yearn for something more thrilling, more exhilarating. And I will use the world’s most precious and highly respected institute to do so.”
The headmaster’s eyes betrayed a mixture of sadness and anger. “But this isn’t the way, my dear,” he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation as he tried to reasoned. It was poor, but he still hope that his words penetrated the girl's wicked heart. “There are other paths to excitement and fulfillment. The path you’ve chosen will only lead to destruction and despair.”
The girl smiled once more. Any ordinary person's cheeks would be tired from all the smiling, but she wasn't an ordinary human. Changing the subject, she said, "This is surprising! Have you guys truly given up?" The girl turned to look at the other hostages in the cells behind her. "I mean, not one you guys tried to sneak and pick the lock whilst I was talking? Fear really frightened you guys, hmm."
Suddenly, the sound of sizzling followed by a scream filled the air which last for a few minutes. One of the teachers tried to pick the lock, but a voltage so powerful strike back, burning her hand to a crisp. The girl's crackles echoed throughout the chamber. The laughter went on for minutes. She felt the glares of the school leaders on her. She didn't care.
Once she was done, she was in a panting mess. She wipe a tear from her eye as she continued laughing, "Oh man. I can't believe you fell for that. The oldest trick in the book."
Whilst the girl was chortling, Mr. Griffin started to think. 'Her speech. Her mannerisms. Her personality. She's too calm and collected. As if she has planned this moment from a long time...' His eyes then widen. 'Wait a minute. Don't tell me this girl have something to do with the recent attacks on Ascendant Academy?'
“Are you now putting the puzzles pieces together until it fits your perfect picture?” the young girl ask him as she started to release an oneirogenic gas into the chamber. She then said another statement in a sing-song like matter, “The unpredictable can become quite fun when you’re least expecting it.”
Flummoxed, the old man glanced at the girl. The final realization pusled through his mind. Just when he was about to respond, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The last thing he saw was the young woman waving gleefully at him.
The balding senior master’s eyes widened, and just as he was about to speak, he too fell unconscious.
One by one, the captives began to fall into a deep slumber. With a press of a button, all of the cell doors became unlocked. The girl then signaled the standing men in the shadows to grab the hostages.
The girl orchestrated this sequence of events to transfer each renowned leader of the academy to individual, secluded prison cells. These cells were designed to isolate them from one another, ensuring they couldn’t see or strategize together. The girl was aware that the headmaster knew exactly where he and his team were located.
With the captives securely contained, the girl knew her plans could proceed undisturbed. Failure to prevent their escape was not an option.
Besides, in a few days, a new group of students would be arriving, completely unaware of what awaited them once they stepped beyond the academy’s doors.
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Now
The boy was at the airport waiting for his luggage. A few days has passed since the examinations had end and he had received an email. He had to use to verify to the airport staffs that he was a soon-to-be student at Ascendant Academy.
The boy, along with a few other soon-to-be students, flew on the plane which was on autopilot. The boy observed all his peers as they ride in the air. His eyes flittered from the set of children who were quiet and meek to the children who were loud and daring.
'Something tells me he will be in my homeroom. He looks like he's nimble with his hands, maybe an instrumentalist or an inventor. And that girl over there… she definitely seems like trouble.'
He made a few predictions on the students-to-be attributes, personality traits, their likes and dislikes, and commit them to memory just in case he might talk to them in their future. When the plane arrived to the island's airport, it was eerily empty with only a few employees working.
As the male glanced outside his window, he uttered, "There are no humans here. How bizarre…"
His mind started to formulate reasons as of why there wasn't any humans. He gathered his luggage from above him. As the students ambled down the boarding stairs one by one, a robot introduced himself and asked each of them for their name and identification number.
Soon, it was the boy's turn to tell the robot his name and number.
In a monotonous voice, the robot asked, "Good day, sir. What is your name and your school identification number?"
Showing the robot his ID, the boy replied, "Augustan Ambrovich. Identification number 001 546 3114."
After confirming, the robot handed the boy a piece of paper before allowing him to go down the stairs, "Please take your personal luggage with you. Every other luggage will go on the cart." The boy glanced at the paper before stuffing it in his bag. Augustan followed the robot's instructions and left the airport.
When the boy exited the building, he felt like he was into another world. Augustan was greeted by the beautiful scenery of greenery, shrubs and flora. At the center of it was a large, circular water fountain made of stone and craved with intricate designs.
'I can't believe all of this is own by the academy.'
As expected, Augustan excelled all the examinations, archiving the perfect score of a thousand out of a thousand.
After ogling the scenery, the boy followed the other children to a slightly discreet location. There, was a solid white bus with the 'Ascendant' logo on either side of bus. It looked like it can fit up to fifty students. Due to not seeing any humans in the airport or on the bus, Augustan can only guess that the bus was driving on autopilot.
Excitement pooled in the students stomach as they arrived closer to their destination.
Augustan heard the loud chatter from the others as he glances out the window, his eyes swallowed the breathtaking driveway of the sun luminating the evergreen trees. The sun would be setting soon in another hour and they still had to go through an ceremony.
Augustan closed his eyes and sighed.
'Hopefully, the orientation can be set two days from now.'
As Augustan and his fellow students approach their destination, the towering silhouette of Ascendant Academy gradually came into view. The sun bathed the grand structure in a warm, golden glow, accentuating its majestic presence. Gasps of awe and whispers of excitement fill the air as they marvel at the sight before them.
As the bus approached the school's entrance, Augustan felt a surge of anticipation. The gate, adorned with the school's emblem, stood tall and imposing. It seems to come alive as it swiftly verifies the bus's identity, its mechanisms whirring with precision. With a soft hum, the gates swing open, granting them passage into the hallowed grounds of Ascendant Academy.
The bus glided smoothly through the entrance, guided by an invisible force. Augustan watched in fascination as the vehicle maneuvered effortlessly along the winding driveway, as if it possessed an inherent knowledge of the school's layout. It seem to navigate each turn and curve with uncanny precision, revealing an intricated dance between technology and the architectural design of the campus.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the school, Augustan's gaze was drawn to the vibrant surroundings. Lush greenery adorned the meticulously maintained landscape, complementing the elegant architecture with a touch of natural serenity. The air hummed with a sense of purpose and possibility, as if the very atmosphere of the academy resonated with knowledge and ambition.
Finally, the bus came to a graceful halt in a designated parking area. The doors hissed open, inviting the students to disembark and step onto the threshold of their educational journey. Augustan took a deep breath, feeling a pulse of excitement and determination. The awe-inspiring sight of Ascendant Academy, combined with the seamless arrival orchestrated by the autopiloted bus, instilled a sense of confidence and anticipation for the transformative experiences that awaited them within those hallowed halls.
Once the bus parked in its designated position, the door smoothly slid open, inviting the students to wonder. Augustan patiently waited, observing as his companions eagerly stepped off the bus, their excitement palpable in the air. As he rose from his seat, a sigh escaped his lips, a mixture of nerves and determination.
"Remember, Augustan," his mentor's voice echoed in his mind, "Beware of the others around you and don't forget the job."
Taking a moment to steady himself, Augustan absorbed those words, letting them sank deep into his consciousness. He was aware that amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of Ascendant Academy, there were challenges and potential pitfalls to navigate. His mentor's advice served as a reminder to stay vigilant and focused on the task at hand.
With renewed resolve, Augustan steps off the bus, his heart filled with both excitement and a touch of trepidation. The grandeur of the school enveloped him, its architectural splendor and the palpable energy of possibility ignited his hopes for the future.
As he joined his fellow students, their animated conversations and eager anticipation surrounding him. Augustan sensed the feeling of camaraderie among the diverse group, all trekking on a shared journey of knowledge and growth.
With each step forward, Augustan carried his mentor's words as a guiding beacon. He walked through the courtyard, taking in the beauty of the surroundings. Perhaps everything would indeed go smoothly.