Inside the grand, wood-paneled office, Mr. Anderson’s booming voice filled the space. He was pacing furiously, his son Edward sitting quietly, his face pale.
“Explain this!” Mr. Anderson slammed his tablet onto the Dean’s desk, a video playing on repeat. The clip showed Edward being launched across the campus yard, arms flailing like a ragdoll.
“This is what’s happening under your watch? Violence, humiliation, and chaos?” he thundered. “I’ve donated a fortune to this institution, and this is the thanks I get? My son turned into a laughingstock?”
The Dean, a composed man with a weathered face, raised his hands in a calming gesture. “Mr. Anderson, please, rest assured that the matter is being handled. We’ve investigated the incident, and I’ve already summoned Miss Nordin to my office.”
“Investigated?” Anderson scoffed, slumping into a chair. “You call this an investigation? My son is traumatized, and you want me to just sit quietly? What kind of father would I be if I allowed this to slide?”
“I understand your concerns,” the Dean replied evenly, his voice carefully neutral. “That’s why Miss Nordin will be here shortly to provide her side of the story. I assure you, the university takes incidents like this very seriously.”
Professor Kohn, who had been standing to the side, decided to chime in. “And rest assured, Mr. Anderson, justice will be served. Miss Nordin’s behavior will not go unpunished.”
The Dean shot her a sharp look, his eyes narrowing in disapproval. Kohn immediately looked away, her earlier confidence faltering.
But then, something shifted. Kohn’s chest tightened, her breathing grew erratic, and a cold sweat broke out across her forehead. Her heart pounded violently in her ribcage, as though being squeezed by an invisible hand.
’What’s happening to me?’ she thought, panic rising. Her vision blurred, flickering in and out of focus. She clutched the edge of the desk to steady herself, but an overwhelming sense of dread consumed her.
Edward wasn’t faring much better. His hands trembled as he sat frozen in his chair, eyes darting wildly as though trying to find an escape.
The door creaked open, and Valerie stepped inside, her presence calm and polite. She flashed the Dean a small, respectful smile.
“Dean Thorne, you wanted to see me?” she said, her tone even.
But to Kohn, the room darkened as Valerie entered. It was as if a shadow darker than the void itself enveloped the space, pulling all the light and air with it. Valerie’s figure twisted in Kohn’s mind, appearing as a being cloaked in black flames, her eyes glowing with an unearthly, malevolent light.
Kohn’s knees buckled. Every fiber of her being screamed to run, but her legs wouldn’t obey. She gripped the desk harder, her knuckles white, desperately trying to steady herself. 'This… this isn’t human. What is she?!'
Edward let out a strangled whimper, his wide eyes fixed on Valerie. He shrank into his chair, trembling uncontrollably.
The Dean, oblivious to the silent chaos unfolding, gestured for Valerie to take a seat. “Miss Nordin, thank you for coming on such short notice. We have some serious matters to discuss.”
Valerie glanced around the room, her gaze lingering on Kohn and Edward, both of whom seemed paralyzed with fear. She raised an eyebrow, confused but kept her composure.
“Of course, Dean,” she said smoothly as she sat down, crossing her legs. “I’m here to clear up any misunderstandings.”
Meanwhile, Kohn bit her lip so hard it drew blood, her thoughts spiraling into incoherence. ’I have to leave… but I can’t move…’
Valerie’s fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of her chair as her gaze shifted between the individuals in the room. The system interface flickered to life above their heads, displaying unsettling truths only she could see:
Dean Thorne: 45% Evil Tendencies
Gabriel Anderson: 50% Evil Tendencies
Professor Kohn: 100% Evil Tendencies
Edward Anderson: 70% Evil Tendencies
Her eyes narrowed. ’Kohn’s at 100%?’ She glanced at the professor, noting the subtle tremble in her hands as she fought to remain standing. ’Impressive she hasn’t crumpled yet, but it explains why she looks like she’s seen a ghost. The fear skill is sure scary’
Her attention was drawn to the text hovering ominously above Kohn:
Execution: Immediate.
The words pulsed with an eerie energy that made her uneasy. ’Immediate Execution? Seriously?' Valerie thought, biting her lip unconsciously. 'That’s... not gonna end well for me, it’s the easiest way but they’ll label me as a murderer. But there’s no way someone this “evil” is just a harmless professor. Maybe there’s more to her. I’ll figure it out. And that exp reward—1800 EXP? Holy shit!’' She smirked faintly.
“Look at her!” Mr. Anderson’s voice thundered, shattering her thoughts. “She’s biting her lip and staring at her professor like some depraved predator! Dean, are you seriously considering letting someone like her stay here? She’s violent, unfit, and clearly disturbed!”
Valerie snapped out of her trance, blinking at the accusation. “What? Oh, no, no, no!” She waved her hands defensively, scrambling for an excuse. “I wasn’t—! I mean, I was just thinking about food! Burgers, to be exact. I skipped breakfast this morning.”
The Dean, seemingly unphased by the bizarre turn of events, pressed the intercom on his desk. “Send burgers to my office. Immediately.”
Valerie’s brow furrowed. The Dean’s accommodating tone felt out of place. ’Why is he treating me with kid gloves?’
“Thank you, Dean, but I’m fine,” Valerie said quickly, shaking her head. “Let’s focus on the matter at hand.”
“Of course.” The Dean folded his hands neatly and nodded. “Mr. Anderson has raised serious concerns. He claims you humiliated his son yesterday. Could you recount what happened, in your own words?”
“Quickly!” Mr. Anderson barked, his face red with irritation.
Valerie caught the Dean’s tone again—soft, respectful. It gnawed at her curiosity, but she forced herself to focus. She turned her attention to Edward, who sat stiffly in his chair, beads of sweat trailing down his pale face.
“First of all, I’d like to apologize,” Valerie began, her voice calm and measured. “I acted rashly, and I should’ve thought twice before reacting.” She glanced at Edward, whose eyes widened slightly, his fear almost palpable.
She hesitated for a moment, then decided to change her approach. ’I really don’t want to get expelled because of this shenanigans, I need the license, only one way to solve this problem, acting! Ready…. Action!’ She dropped her gaze, letting her shoulders slump slightly as if the weight of her words was too much to bear.
“But,” she continued, her voice trembling, “your son did something I couldn’t accept.”
Mr. Anderson’s brows furrowed deeply. “What are you insinuating?”
Valerie let her lips quiver, tears welling up in her eyes. “That morning, I was wearing a sundress my best friend bought for me. I was walking across the campus, minding my own business, when your son...” Her voice cracked, and she looked down, covering her face as though reliving a traumatic memory. “He lifted my dress and said something vulgar about my—” She choked back a sob.
The Dean leaned forward, his tone gentle. “Take your time, Miss Nordin. You’re safe here.”
Mr. Anderson slammed his fist on the desk, his voice booming. “Lies! In the video, she clearly yelled at my son, calling him her ‘EXP bag’ or some ridiculous nonsense! Stop this farce!”
Valerie’s heart skipped. ’Video? Damn it, I didn’t see any video.’ But she quickly masked her surprise with righteous indignation, her voice rising with passion.
“That was me trying to protect my dignity!” she shouted, glaring at Mr. Anderson. “Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to be harassed like that? I had to stand up for myself! I had to show I wouldn’t be a victim!”
Edward flinched, visibly shrinking under the weight of her accusations. His pale face now resembled a ghost’s.
Mr. Anderson turned to his son, his eyes blazing. “Edward! Say something! Is any of this true?”
Edward opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his wide eyes darting between Valerie and his father.
“Edward!” Mr. Anderson’s voice grew more forceful, but his son remained frozen, trembling in his chair.
Valerie crossed her arms, the corner of her lips curling into a faint smirk she carefully hid. ’Gotcha.’
The silence stretched unbearably. Finally, the Dean cleared his throat, his calm voice cutting through the tension. “Miss Nordin, is there anything else you wish to add?”
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Valerie softened her tone, casting a quick, sorrowful glance at Edward. “I didn’t want to make this a big deal,” she said, her voice laced with feigned regret. “I thought an apology would be enough, but if you want the truth... there it is.”
The Dean nodded, his gaze shifting to Mr. Anderson, whose face was now flushed with embarrassment and anger.
Edward’s trembling hands clutched the armrests, his head hanging low. Valerie glanced at him one last time, satisfaction blooming in her chest.
Mr. Anderson slammed his fist onto the desk, his voice sharp and unyielding. “This is absurd! There’s no proof that my son did anything of the sort. You can’t base your decision on her baseless accusations. I will not stand for this!”
Dean Thorne remained composed, folding his hands neatly as he leaned back in his chair. “Mr. Anderson, if this were an isolated incident, perhaps your argument might hold weight. However—” The Dean paused, pulling a thick stack of letters from his desk drawer and placing them on the desk between them. “—these arrived over the past few days. I think you’ll find them... enlightening.”
“What is this?” Mr. Anderson demanded, snatching a handful of letters and skimming through them. His face darkened as he read, his jaw tightening with each sentence.
“These,” the Dean explained calmly, “are letters from the parents of students who have complained about your son’s behavior. He has a history of physically bullying weaker students and making inappropriate, often lewd remarks toward female classmates. While, to our knowledge, he hasn’t crossed the line into physical harassment, his actions have caused significant distress. Ms. Nordin’s account aligns with the pattern we’ve observed.”
“That’s preposterous!” Mr. Anderson barked, slamming the letters back onto the desk. “My son is not capable of such behavior. These are lies!”
The Dean sighed, his expression remaining neutral. “If you would direct your attention to the monitor, Mr. Anderson.” He pressed a button on his desk, and the large screen behind him flickered to life, displaying footage of the campus yard.
The video showed Edward in the midst of a group of students. He laughed loudly, shoving a smaller student aside before gesturing crudely toward a passing girl. His words were inaudible, but the girl’s uncomfortable expression was clear.
The camera shifted to another clip—this time of Valerie, stepping in to stop two heroes from beating a subdued villain. The villain was on his knees, defenseless, as the heroes advanced. Valerie placed herself between them, raising her hands and speaking firmly, her expression resolute.
“What is the meaning of this?” Mr. Anderson demanded, his face pale as the footage played.
The Dean turned his steely gaze back to him. “This is Ms. Nordin’s intervention, caught on news cameras and praised by the public. You see, Mr. Anderson, this footage was aired on the news. Ms. Nordin’s actions were lauded by the public as a shining example of what a hero should be. She demonstrated compassion, restraint, and moral integrity—values we strive to instill in all our students.”
Mr. Anderson scowled, his bluster faltering under the weight of the evidence. “And what does this have to do with my son?”
The Dean’s tone grew sharper, his patience thinning. “It means, Mr. Anderson, that if I were to punish or expel Ms. Nordin based on her altercation with Edward, the public would demand to know why. And when they see these footage—both her actions and your son’s behavior—they will not look kindly upon your family. The university would also suffer for expelling a student who embodies our principles. Tell me, Mr. Anderson—how do you think this will play out in the court of public opinion?”
Valerie sat quietly, her face a mask of innocence, though her mind churned. ’So I was praised for that? Great... except this kind of attention is exactly what I don’t need. They’re using me to push their agenda. I really don't wanna be a tool for their ‘heroism’ ideology. This could get annoying.’
She allowed a faint, conflicted smile to appear, playing into her image as a humble, misunderstood student. “I only did what I thought was right,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The Dean nodded approvingly. “And that, Ms. Nordin, is precisely why you are a role model for this institution.”
Valerie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ‘This is just another obstacle in my way. But if playing their game keeps me here, then so be it.’
Mr. Anderson, still fuming, turned to Edward, who had sunk lower into his chair, visibly shaken. “Edward, are you going to let them humiliate us like this? Say something!”
Edward stammered, his voice barely audible. “I-I...”
The Dean cut him off with a firm voice. “Mr. Anderson, I suggest you take this as an opportunity to reflect on your son’s behavior. We are more than willing to provide guidance and support for him, but this institution will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind.”
The room fell silent, the weight of the Dean’s words settling like a heavy fog. Mr. Anderson clenched his fists, his defiance waning under the scrutiny of the evidence.
Valerie leaned back slightly, her gaze calm but steely.
“Professor Kohn, what do you think? You’ve been silent this entire time,” the dean said, his voice calm yet commanding. All eyes turned to Kohn, who sat stiffly in her chair, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the edges of the table struggling to maintain her composure under the suffocating weight of absolute fear.
Valerie leaned back in her chair, legs crossed with an air of smug amusement. She rested her elbow on the armrest and tilted her head, her face a picture of feigned innocence. “Professor Kohn, I’m sure you’re on my side. After all, I only stood up for myself. He started it.” Her voice was sweet, but her smirk betrayed her.
Kohn swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “Y-yes… absolutely. Miss Nordin, you… you did the right thing. Of course.” Her words came out in fragments, her gaze darting away from Valerie’s piercing eyes.
Valerie’s grin widened. “Ah, see? Even Professor Kohn agrees. Dean, I think that settles it, don’t you?”
The dean nodded, about to close the discussion. “Indeed. If there are no further objections—”
“Nonsense!" This is far from resolved!” Mr. Anderson’s voice boomed as he slammed a hand on the table. His face was red with frustration, but before he could continue his tirade, a sharp knock interrupted him.
“Enter,” the dean called, straightening his glasses.
A staff member walked in, balancing a tray piled high with burgers, fries, and drinks. He placed the food neatly on the desk and handed out portions to everyone present.
“I hope this is to your liking, Miss Nordin,” the dean said, smiling warmly. “Please, enjoy. Let’s have breakfast together while we discuss this matter further.”
Valerie’s eyes sparkled as she reached for her food. “Oh, thank you, Dean. That’s very kind of you.” She unwrapped the burger with an exaggerated air of gratitude.
The group began eating, albeit with varying levels of enthusiasm. Even Mr. Anderson, begrudgingly biting into his burger, gave a reluctant nod. “Not bad,” he muttered.
“Our kitchen staff prides themselves on preparing meals that are both nutritious and delicious,” the dean said, gesturing to the food. “We believe a healthy mind begins with a healthy body. A well-fed student is a focused student.”
Valerie gave a polite nod, savoring her fries. “I couldn’t agree more, Dean. This burger is fantastic.”
While Valerie and the others enjoyed their meal, Kohn and Edward sat frozen in terror. The food before them twisted into grotesque illusions. In their distorted minds, Valerie wasn’t biting into a burger—she was feasting on their heads, presented on a silver platter.
The vision became unbearable. Kohn let out a strangled gasp, her eyes rolling back as she collapsed forward onto the table. Edward wasn’t far behind, slumping in his chair with a faint groan.
Valerie blinked, holding a fry halfway to her mouth. “Uh… did they just pass out?”
The dean glanced at the unconscious pair, his brow furrowing in concern. “Odd. Perhaps they also skipped breakfast this morning. Low blood sugar, maybe.”
Valerie stifled a laugh, taking another bite of her burger. “Guess they couldn’t handle the intensity of the discussion.”
Mr. Anderson scowled, but even he couldn’t suppress a smirk as he reached for another fry. “Maybe next time we discuss this without the theatrics.”
Even though Edward and Kohn had collapsed, the dean and the others made no move to call for medics until they had leisurely finished their breakfast. Only when the plates were cleared and drinks consumed did the dean finally signal for assistance.
Medics arrived promptly, hoisting the unconscious Edward and Kohn onto stretchers. Mr. Anderson, his hands shoved into his pockets, walked alongside them, his face tight with disapproval.
“Due to this… bizarre turn of events, we will postpone this discussion for now,” he said, his tone biting. “Mark my words, Dean—this matter is far from resolved.”
He paused at the door, his gaze sharp as he turned to Valerie. “And you, Miss Nordin, how long do you think you can keep up this innocent act? Enjoy it while it lasts. The truth always reveals itself.”
Valerie raised an eyebrow but remained silent, her smirk hinting at mockery.
Mr. Anderson then turned to the dean, his voice filled with righteous indignation. “And you, Dean—how could you be so blind to the great evil standing right in front of you? You’ve seen the signs. The end of all things has already begun.”
The dean responded with a placid nod. “Of course, Mr. Anderson. Perhaps next time, we’ll see each other in a different light.”
Valerie watched Anderson storm out, the medics following close behind. When the door finally clicked shut, she turned to the dean, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Uh, Dean? Can I ask something?”
“Certainly, Miss Nordin. What’s on your mind?”
“Who is that guy?”
The dean chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair. “Mr. Anderson is a former hero—a Templar, to be precise. He’s a devout worshiper of Athena, one of the few who helped usher in order during chaotic times. Don’t be fooled by his youthful appearance. He may look thirty-five, but he’s actually 356 years old. Athena herself granted him longevity to continue his crusade.”
Valerie’s eyes widened slightly. “A Templar? A knight devoted to Athena?” She crossed her arms, mulling it over. 'A 356-year-old knight with a grudge? That’s just great'.
The dean smiled kindly. “Indeed. There’s much to learn about him—and perhaps about yourself as well. Now, Miss Nordin, if there’s nothing else, you’re free to go.”
Valerie nodded. “Thanks, Dean. I appreciate it.”
Once Valerie left, the dean stood, a contemplative expression replacing his usual calm demeanor. He walked to a discreet panel in the corner of his office, pressing a hidden switch. A section of the wall slid open, revealing a dimly lit chamber.
Inside stood a towering statue of Loki, its mischievous grin etched in stone. The dean knelt before it, bowing his head.
“My lord,” he murmured reverently, “I witnessed something magnificent today. Absolute Fear. The sheer power of it was awe-inspiring, a testament to your divine plan. My faith in your cause has only deepened, and I swear to guide her toward becoming what you require. I will not fail you.”
The statue seemed to glint in the dim light, as if approving of his pledge.
----------------------------------------
Back at the dorm, Valerie pushed open the door to find Fiona crouched over a bucket, furiously scrubbing at the black goo that coated the floor. She wore a mask over her face and had a sour look in her eyes.
“Val!” Fiona snapped, not even looking up. “What the hell is this?! Why does it smell like a thousand skunks exploded in here? Did you shit your pants or something?!”
Valerie blinked at the scene, then burst out laughing. “Oh, hey, Fi. Uh… I can explain. I promise.”
“You better explain!” Fiona pointed an accusing finger at her, the sponge in her other hand dripping with goo. “I was out for, like, ten minutes, and I came back to this?! What even is this sludge? It’s alive, Val! I swear it tried to bite me!”
Valerie scratched the back of her head sheepishly. “Yeah, about that… remember when I said I’d try to keep things low-key this semester?”
Fiona glared at her, hands on her hips. “Oh, you mean the semester that’s literally a week old? Yeah, I remember. And this?” She gestured to the mess. “This is low-key?”
“Uh… slight hiccup?” Valerie offered, grinning nervously.
Fiona groaned, tossing the sponge back into the bucket. “You’re buying me lunch for this. And dinner. And dessert. And maybe a hazmat suit.”
“Deal.” Valerie smirked. “But first, let me tell you about my new heart.”
Fiona froze, narrowing her eyes. “Val… what did you do?”
Valerie gave her a sheepish grin. “You might wanna sit down for this one.”