“Are we going to have class?” The girl with spectacles tapped her desk with a pencil rather roughly.

“Hey, I think I see him outside.” A classmate brought up, pointing at the door.

“It’s about time,” The black-haired boy yawned and rubbed his eyes through his sunglasses, “I was just about to leave.” He straightened himself out before the door swung open, and smoke appeared out of the door. “Wait, how-?”

“Hello there class,” A voice echoed, “I will be your new substitute teacher for the day!”

That voice. The pink-haired girl thought as her eyes widened. Oh no, what is he doing here!?

As the smoke cleared and the door and curtains shut, a light shined down on the guy standing on the teacher’s desk, acting as if he was doing a little opening performance before starting the main event to his captivating audience.

“My name is Benjamin, and I look forward to knowing you personally, as well as your weakness- I mean personalities!”

“Ok, but could you write your name on the board?” A classmate asked.

“Why? I just told you who I was, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but all the teachers I know do that sort of thing. And what if we forget who you are?”

How could they forget who he was? He’s the great dark magician; he could blow up this classroom in the blink of an eye if he wanted to! However, Benjamin didn’t want to get on any bad sides at the moment and say something he shouldn’t, so he decided to play along for now.

“Fair enough, I suppose.” These species are known to be stupid and mindless, so I’ve heard. It figures that they need a reminder of such a simple thing.

After picking up a chalk and writing his name, he checked at the desk for what they call in the Monster World, a magic scroll (which has people’s names inscribed on them) for roll call procedures. And so, the magician finally pulled out a stack of papers with poorly drawn handwriting and plopped them on top of the desk.

As his eyes squint at trying to read them, he called the names out one by one, with each student raising their hands once they heard them. Benjamin’s eyes shifted between the book and the classroom, waiting for the two that are on his radar to lift their hands. It didn’t seem like it was going anywhere until he got to their names at last.

“Nicholas...” Benjamin called out.

“Here.” The same tall guy with the dark shades raised his arm casually.

“Isabelle...” Benjamin continued.

“H-here...” The pink-haired girl with glasses slowly lifted her arm before quickly putting it down and staring at her desk.

A-ha, so that's what her name is! Benjamin had a big smile on his face. Now that he finally knows the name of his upcoming opponent, his next step can now begin. “Alright, that’s enough roll call for today.” He concluded as he put the papers back in the desk while some other students glanced at each other in confusion. “Now let’s see what we can do next...”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Benjamin looked over at some exciting books near the shelves and pulled them out one by one. He flipped through each of the pages to find interesting in them to talk about with the class. So far, none of them seemed to pique his interest.

He wasn’t sure if the students would mind these or if they’ve already learned about them, but there wasn’t a point if it didn’t catch the eyes of the great magician. Eventually, he gave up searching. He realized, by looking at the clock, that he was wasting precious time doing nothing.

Is it a first for these students? He thought. That was when he had an idea.

“You know what? This book looks dull. So how about for today’s assignment, you guys do an essay about Japanese wars, and in Japanese?”

It seemed impossible, which was why everybody booed at the thought of actually trying it. Benjamin calmed the students down by saying that there is an alternative that they could do instead; they leaned in closer, pleading for him to go on with the details. With a smirk on his face; knowing full well that they had fallen into his trap, Benjamin decided to press on.

Now having the attention of all the classmates, Benjamin went up to the board and took a blue marker.

“Tell you what; there’s something else you guys could do for me,” He explained to them. “I lost something imperative while coming here, and I need you guys to find it for me.” Drawing a circle, Benjamin stepped aside to give everyone a view of what he was referring to. “It’s called a Crystal Sphere, and it looks like this.”

“Oh, no...” Isabelle murmured under her breath. Nicholas turned his head in confusion at what she just said.

“And the first person to find that and bring it to me does not have to do the essay.” The dark magician finished.

The words rang in the student’s ears as they took their stuff and ran out the door. Everybody seemed to have gone after it. Everyone, that is, except for Nicholas and Isabelle. Benjamin got out of his seat to lock the door, turned to Isabelle, and walked across to her table.

“What do you want?” Isabelle hissed, her hands gripped to her chair.

“Well, well, Isabelle, was it?” Benjamin asked with a smug smile on his face.

“Yeah, I already told you that.” She got up from her table and took a few steps away from him.

“Why haven’t you gone with the rest of them?” Benjamin questioned, leaning a little closer.

“Because I know you’re up to something...”

“Me? Why I’d never—”

“I don’t believe you, so why don’t you just leave us alone already?” She retorted while shifting her eyes to him, Nicholas, and her bag.

“Aw, that’s not very nice.” He fake pouted.

“Like I said earlier, what do you want with us?”

“Oh, you know what I want. It’s the crystal sphere, the one you took from me yesterday!”

What the heck is going on? Nicholas thought as he listened and watched the two argue back and forth, moving his head to the one currently talking.

“Look, I have no idea what you could be mentioning... Benny” Isabelle rolled her eyes.

Ooh, why that little— “I know you have it. I saw you take it from me with my own two eyes!” Benjamin roared.

“Oh yeah? Where’s your proof?”

“Proof? What is wrong with you humans and—?”

“Yeah right, like I’d even tell you, regardless! Why should I?”

“Well, I’m your teacher for one, and as such, being the superiority, you have NO choice but to listen to me and do what I say!”

“I could, but I have a right not to. Besides, why would I have that thing you were talking about right now? I mean, it’s not like I hid it in my locker or anything- oops!”

As the words escaped from her mouth, Isabelle quickly covered them with her hands as Benjamin smiled and reached for the exit door. “I’ll be back; don’t you two go anywhere now!” He unlocked the door and shut it from behind them, leaving the two all alone.

“He’s gone, and not a moment too soon.” Isabelle sighed, as the tension of the area died down.

“Yeah, I’ll say,” Nicholas added, getting up from his seat. “Say, is that device really inside your locker?” He turned to ask.

“As if!” She cackled at the response, “Do you think I’d be stupid enough to pull that card?”

“Well, no, of course not! But then where could it be?”

“This is what he was talking about.” Isabelle took her bag and unzipped it, pulling out a small aqua green ball with a matching glow and light reflection.

“No way, so he’s not talking crazy, then! But, Izzy, how did you...?”

“It’s a long and complicated story, Nicky. I wanted to tell you at lunchtime but...”

“Well, I have all the time you need.”