Chapter 30 - Everywhere Is Trouble

After meeting Professor Senara, Daron decided it was time to return to his dorm; The morning took its toll. Especially when he looked up at the sky, a noon sun hanging overhead. His way through that maze had taken far more time than he had originally thought.

The campus was now crowded with students familiarizing themselves with the place and meeting their friends. Walking through the crowd, Daron couldn't help but feel disconnected from his classmates. He had discovered the strange fantasies and mysteries that lurked beneath the seemingly plain façade of the college.

Returning to his dorm room, Daron closed the door and collapsed onto his bed, his thoughts a bit muddled. His first impression of Professor Senara had left him with more questions than answers. Why the need to be so secretive, to the extent of confidentiality for a student? Who is that elusive old friend Dr. Senara spoke of? It could have been an acquaintance—perhaps his parents, director Aaron, or Mr. Gail?

Immersed in thought, Daron couldn't shake the feeling that a secret was waiting to be unraveled right in his room. It seemed constantly supervised, every step of his in a complex dance of illusions, even the simple overlapping of sounds in the halls of the university.

Grabbing a notebook, Daron shook his head sighing as he collected his thoughts. He'd need more than just his healing ability to question the things going on here. Preparing himself for the challenges ahead would be difficult, but needed, to question the things going on at this college. Director Aaron had urged him to become stronger, and Mr. Gail had equipped him with the necessary tools.

As the afternoon approached, Julian returned to the dorm room.

"How was your morning?" Julian asked, ruffling his hand through his hair and rolling his eyes as he settled on his bed.

"Strange. I take it your day didn't start off any better?" Daron replied, setting his notebook aside.

"It certainly did not. There's this lunatic running around campus challenging everyone to fights. Word has it he's already sent a few people to the medic's office. He challenged me too, but he didn't realize the extent of my ability. The moment he got hit, he surrendered. What a coward. How about you?"

Daron shrugged, his face still a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Nothing like that, but a professor somehow enrolled me in a test. When I woke up this morning, I found myself trapped in an illusion array. It was eerily silent inside, with muted colors that barely raised suspicion. But there was this peculiar place—a pond with trees on campus—that stood out as an anomaly within the illusion. The pond was strangely still. I was able to break free only because I had the intention to tread water and escape. Then I met the professor who was in charge of whatever was going on. I thought it should've still been morning, but it was already nearing noon; I didn't realize how long I was actually in there until I finally broke out of it."

Julian whistled, clearly impressed. "You weren't kidding when you said 'strange' so, what did the professor want from you?"

Daron shook his head, his confusion still there. "I have no clue. The professor said something about testing my ability of perception and determination, but it all sounded weird. It was like they were trying to measure how I react and how I deal with unexpected situations, especially when I finally escape."

Julian curled up on his bed, still tired. "It's almost like a secret test or initiation ritual. Maybe they're looking for someone who wants to do a special class or something."

Daron nodded at the thought. "A reasonable guess. I don't want to go through that again, though, at least not when I just wake up. I want my mornings to be more lively... maybe that's not the right word, but to have some life."

"This place looks like trouble everywhere, it seems," Julian said as he lay on his bed.

Daron laughed out loud, agreeing with Julian's sentiments. "The trouble here is certainly familiar. Right at home, isn't it?"

Julian nodded and agreed with a sad smile. "They kind of keep us on our toes to grow with the place. But it's kind of nice right? Keeps it interesting?"

He looked at his book full of questions and thoughts. "Yeah, you're right; it does keep it interesting. Some more guidance would be helpful, though."

Julian leaned on his elbows, eyes fixed on Daron. "Maybe that's the whole point, Daron. To find our own way, to prove ourselves in this game. I mean, think of people like Professor Senara or some of the others – then wonder how they got there, that place, their lot in life. They definitely faced their difficulties to get to where they are."

Daron nodded, his curiosity piqued. "You have a point there, Julian. Sometimes it feels like we're trying to decipher a secret language and no one gives us a key."

Julian leaned in, a glint in his eye. "Well, isn't that just it. Why have someone give us a key, when we can find it, or even make it ourselves? Imagine the satisfaction of doing so." Julian sighed, reaching out to his head.

"Enough thinking for now. Let's grab lunch, and hopefully not run into any more questions along the way."

Daron closed his notebook and set it aside and nodded. "It sounds like a plan. Maybe an answer will pop out at us along the way, though, hopefully not literally." As they prepared to leave the dorm room, Daron just couldn't shake the final words Professor Senara said to him out of his head.