Aiden straightened his back, meeting Mr. John's skeptical gaze without flinching. "I'm not crazy, Mr. John," he said with a steady voice. "I really want to challenge Carl to a fight."
Mr. John stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether Aiden was joking or had truly lost his mind. Finally, he gave a short nod, his expression grim. "I see," he said, "so you really are crazy. Maybe you've been possessed, maybe a spirit has taken over your head and filled it with suicidal thoughts. That must be it. Because there's no other reason someone like you would willingly ask for death." His tone was dry but serious. "I am your teacher, Aiden. My job is to make sure you live long enough to see your power manifest and for you to also graduate, so no — I will not allow this nonsense."
