As Robert approached the laboratory door, left ajar just as he'd anticipated, a spring in his step reflected his eagerness. Inside, Vanessa sat engrossed in a biology textbook, her gaze fixed intently on the pages. The cool night air, sharpened by the lab's sterile chill, invigorated Robert. He took a deep breath and walked in.
Vanessa's gaze lifted from her book as Robert's presence registered. Her expression transformed into a gentle smile. "Hey," she said, with a honey-sweet tone. "Been waiting for you for a while now." She stood, her warm smile growing.
"A while?" he asked. "It's only been three minutes since the bell rang." He felt nervous as she approached him with that strange smile. He immediately recalled what happened at Miss Greene's apartment and began to feel a fluttering in his stomach.
"Well, you're at least a little early this time," she said, letting her arms wrap around his neck. "Thanks for the chocolate by the way, it really helped me out."
Robert nodded, struggling to maintain his composure.
She drew her face closer to his. "I was wondering if you could do me a favour and ask Oliver why he asked for my last name a couple of weeks ago. I'm just curious, and I feel awkward asking him myself. But you two seem to be close these days, so I thought you could help me." She looked into his eyes, still wearing that warm smile Robert thought to be strange. Their faces were only inches apart. Robert's eyes lingered on her lips, which were the colour of a rose petal. He swallowed hard, wondering what would happen next.
"Okay, if that's all..." he started to say, but her body language told him that she wasn't quite finished.
"Oh, you're in big trouble, boy," Poison laughed in his head.
Vanessa stroked his face. "Dora said I could never make you mine," she said, her voice low and seductive.
Robert's heart raced. "What do you mean by that?" He stammered.
Before he could finish his sentence, she leaned in and kissed him.
"Robert, you're on a roll! Literature teacher, check. Dora, check. Vanessa, check. You're collecting conquests like they're going out of style!" Poison quipped, his tone filled with pride and amazement.
"What can I say? I'm just too irresistible," Robert replied telepathically as he kissed, his mind voice filled with self-satisfaction.
Lost in the moment, Robert was unaware of Jackson's furious gaze upon them, standing just beyond the window in the corridor, fists clenched and eyes ablaze with anger.
"That should have been me!" he whispered to himself, his lips barely moving. But at that moment, Robert abruptly sensed his presence and immediately pulled away. It would be disastrous if anyone saw him kissing someone else, especially since his relationship with Dora was hardly a secret among their fellow students.
"We should probably get back to studying," Robert suggested, his heart pounding while she continued to stare at him with her charming blue eyes. Vanessa was considered by many to be the prettiest girl in the 11th grade, and it was easy to see why. Her long, straight black hair and graceful figure were only the beginning. Her eyes were the color of the sky, and her full lips were painted a rosy pink. She had a flawless face, and her smile could light up a room. This earned her the envy of many female students and the admiration of the males.
Robert often compared her to Dora, but he could never decide which girl was more beautiful. Dora had long, wavy hair that was a mixture of red and orange. Her eyes were adorable and full of life, and her lips were perfect. He often found himself comparing their body types, but he quickly realized that it wasn't the time or place for such thoughts.
"Robert," she whispered seductively, looking into his eyes, "I want you."
Outside, Jackson's hands were balled into fists so tight, his knuckles were white.
"I'm already spoken for," Robert replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I want a share of you, then," she said, her voice heavy with desire.
Jackson had had enough. He couldn't stand to listen any longer.
"ENOUGH!" he roared, storming into the room. His face was red with anger.
"Jackson? What are you doing here?!" Vanessa snapped in a cold voice, withdrawing her hand from Robert's shoulder.
Poison chuckled with anticipation. "Ooh, this is gonna be interesting."
"You bastard! Stay away from her!" Jackson growled, grabbing Robert by the collar and shoving him against the wall. Robert didn't need magic to defend himself - the passive abilities he gained by hosting Poison's soul were enough.
"Let's talk this out, Jackson," Robert tried to reason with him, but he was cut off by a blow to the face that sent him crashing to the ground.
"Do you really think I'm going to let you off the hook after what you did last time? You knocked me out and left me lying on the corridor!" Jackson picked him up by the collar and kneed him in the abdomen.
"Jackson! I'm warning you - leave before I call the science master!" Vanessa yelled.
Jackson snarled, "I'll kill you!" as he unleashed a flurry of blows on Robert. However, he halted abruptly as he noticed something eerie – despite the onslaught, Robert's body remained unscathed, devoid even of a hint blood, swelling, or bruising. It was as if his blows hadn't landed at all!
Robert effortlessly rose to his feet, brushing off his shirt with a calm demeanor. "Finished?" he asked, his expression remarkably serene and unmarred.
"This... this is impossible!" Jackson was dumbfounded. After everything he'd done, Robert didn't have a single scratch on him. It was as if he'd just gotten out of the shower!
Fortunately for Jackson, Robert wasn't the vengeful sort. If he had been, a boulder could have sent him flying into the field.
"You should probably leave," Robert said and smiled warmly at Jackson, but his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. If looks could kill, Jackson would have been dead twice over.
Jackson's anger and confusion were interrupted by a vivid recollection of Robert's shocking display of strength the day he sent Frank flying during their attempt to extort Oliver. He slowly turned around and rapidly exited the lab.
When he reached the stairs, he halted, his expression puzzled. "Something isn't right," he mused. "No one, not even the toughest person, could walk away from a beating like that with no sign of injury... and Manuel's no exception." His brow furrowed. "And since that match, he's been... different - unnaturally strong and resistant to harm. What's that idiot hiding?" With growing resentment, Jackson thundered down the stairs, fantasizing about tearing Robert limb from limb.
After confirming Jackson's departure, Vanessa shut the laboratory door, sighing heavily. With an apologetic look, she turned to face Robert. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it," Robert replied, "let's just get to studying."
"Sure," she muttered unenthusiastically, dropping the issue completely. They both sat down and began studying until the bell rang to signal the end of the evening prep.
After bidding Vanessa goodnight, Robert exited the laboratory, joining the other students as they streamed out of the classroom block.
Poison's voice suddenly blared in his mind. "Hey, Robert," he called. "You should really find out what Oliver wants with Vanessa. I know you trust him, but Xolomon is sneaky. He might be up to something."
"Yeah, I'll ask him tomorrow," Robert replied, yawning and stretching his arms above his head. Following a short evening prayer at the chapel, the students made their way back to their respective dormitories. Robert settled onto his bed, feeling extremely drowsy, and soon drifted off into sleep. In a dream, he saw a flash of blue light and a voice echoed, "I will come again."
Following the eventful Terraday, Manhawk's promise to pay Robert and Oliver a visit lingered in Robert's thoughts. He anticipated Manhawk's arrival at school starting the next day, but as the first week passed with no sign of him, Robert's optimism waned and unease crept in. The thought of losing an opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure weighed heavily on his mind. As the second week passed and the third drew to a close, Robert reluctantly conceded that Manhawk might have forgotten about them.
After breakfast, on that radiant Nyxusday morning, the first weekday of the fourth week, Robert entered his classroom with a scowl on his face. His day had begun with frustration over Manhawk's delayed visit, but another infuriating incident had escalated his ire. The result of the incident; his gold wristwatch - a treasured gift from his mother - dangled broken from his clenched fist.
"Easy, kid," Poison's voice rang out in Robert's mind, trying to calm him down. "I know Henry crossed the line with his banana peels stunt, but you should not use my... your... our abilities on him, not in this emotional state. I don't think those Magic Council people would go easy on you if you use magic to KILL an ordinary person."
Robert's expression was twisted in fury. "He ruined my gold watch!" He thought furiously. "I'm gonna..." His eyes turned brown and sandy as rage overtook him.
"Calm down, Robert," Poison said soothingly. "Next time, if you trip and fall... try to protect your watch. Oh, and by the way, Miss Shay is about to enter the classroom. You should settle down - your government teacher isn't as nice as aunty Greene."
"Poison," Robert growled, "Are you seriously making fun of me right now?"
But before Poison could reply, the class erupted in uncontrolled greetings, as Miss Shay walked hastily into the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone," Miss Shay greeted the class with a smile. Her neatly trimmed black hair fell gently around her face as she spoke. "Please take out your textbooks." The students did as they were told. Robert's thoughts raced as he tried to calm himself down.
"Today, we'll be reviewing for your upcoming midterm exams," Miss Shay continued. "I know it's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it's important that you're prepared."
In the principal's office.
Deep in thought while reading a letter, Mrs. Carve was startled by a knock on her office door.
"Come in," she bid, and two men clad in black suits promptly stepped inside.
"Hello ma'am," one of them, donning a hat that lent an air of unconventionality to his appearance, spoke up. "My name is Simon Stevenson, and I'm a head investigator with the Axille Police Department. This is my assistant, Charles Currie. We're here to speak with a student named Robert Shade Manuel, who was allegedly involved in a 'magic-related' incident. Can you please let us speak with him?" He flashed his badge at Mrs. Carve.
"I'm Miriam Carve, the principal," she replied with an awkward smile. "Just a moment - I'll go and get him." She swiftly left her office and scurried to the 11th grade art class. She had a feeling this was coming, after all, Robert had been sent to the hospital yesterday, which had been destroyed by some sort of supernatural beings. While she had successfully shielded Robert from the press by denying them access beyond the school gates, the authorities posed a more delicate problem. To avoid extreme measures, uphold the school's standing, and maintain internal order, she understood the necessity of collaborating closely with the authorities.
In 11th grade art class, as Miss Shay lectured on anarchy, Robert's attention shifted to a more pressing concern. He raised his hand and asked, "Excuse me, Miss Shay, could I take a quick bathroom break?"
"As I always say," Miss Shay replied sternly, "no one is allowed to leave the classroom until the lesson is over."
"But Miss Shay, it's urgent!" Robert insisted.
"I said no..." The principal walked into the room, cutting her off. Her gaze swiftly scanned the room, settling on Robert. "Manuel, come with me," she commanded, her face grim.