Sweat glistened on the young man's brow.
Utter silence persisted throughout the lecture hall.
Nothing but the tick of the clock as it vastly approached zero, and the rapid scraping of a hundred pencils chaotically scrambling each to its own rhythm.
Then a sigh. Deep. Heavy. Relieved.
Zachary Morgan placed his pencil down and dusted off his papers.
He carefully aligned them, then walked to the professor's desk.
He handed the examination directly to the man
But rather than simply add it to the stack already on his desk, the aging bespectacled man glanced over the answers, carefully examining each and every statement, as well as the math displayed that came to the conclusion.
He placed the papers down and raised his glasses, which were securely tied to the back of his head, before folding his hands.
He said nothing, not at first.
Waiting just enough time for Zach's heart to beat with dread.
"I'd say judging by what I've seen here you've scored perfect marks Mr. Morgan. Not only that but it would appear you have solved a flaw with the existing model even I could not detect. You should publish your findings."
Zach exhaled once more, his shoulders practically turning over with relief as he did so.
His breath was accompanied by the Professor's lips twitching into a smirk, proud, paternal, like a father who had finally seen his son become a man.
Yet Zach shook his head, recomposed his dignity, and asserted himself.
"It wasn't anything all that impressive, Professor Drake. Everything in life can be solved by a bit of math, and a capable mind."
The professor chuckled as he finally added the paper to the stack of the others that had been submitted to him.
All while the remainder of the class struggled to get theirs done within the time frame that was ever approaching.
"Everything you say?'
There was no response, at least not verbally spoken.
Zach's grin said all that was needed.
And after shaking his professor's hand, he departed. A solemn farewell, and a thanks for years of tutelage.
As he stepped into the fading afternoon light, the weight of years of study finally lifted. All that remained was to gloat.
---
Zach was in the middle of driving his way home from the university's campus.
He and a group of friends had combined their means to rent out a house near campus, and he simply could not wait to give them the good news.
Educated Fool:
'Guess who got perfect marks on his final exams?'
Enraged Genius:
'Not you. I'd sooner suck myself off than believe a mouth-breather like you aced anything.'
Hopeless Romantic:
'Yeah? I bet you wish you could manage that with your tiny pecker! Don't mind Dylan; he's a jealous cocksucker, and we all know it. Gratz Zach, I'm proud of you; my little boy is all grown up! So what's on the docket for tonight? How are we going to celebrate?'
Zach's eyes furrowed as a smug grin spread across his face, he carelessly reached for his phone, using his elbows to steer the wheel of his sedan as he typed back a witty retort.
'Little boy? I'm two years older than you asshole! But fuck it, I'm in too good of a mood for you fuckers to spoil it XD. Tonight we conquer! I'll bet you losers I not only scored better across the board than you all, but when I get home, I'll destroy your empires as well!'
The notification that his friends were typing back to their collective acceptance of his challenge on their favorite strategy game appeared when he looked back up at the road and noticed something that shouldn't be there.
In the center of the empty two-way road, surrounded by nothing but trees and inclines, a young woman, who appeared at first glance more light than human; silver hair, flowing dress, eyes aglow like starlight…
Panic overtook Zach's mind the moment he realized what was happening, and before he could properly react he had already swerved off the road entirely.
The windshield cracked as branches and bushes collided with it, and then the crash.
Not even a heartbeat passed before the airbag deployed, consuming Zach and everything else in the small vehicle with it.
---
There was no telling how much time had passed before Zach woke up again, and when he did, he felt unusually heavy.
And that wasn't all. His mind was fogged, barely capable of stringing two thoughts together, and his breathing was ragged.
He was covered in sheets of dark purple silk, and when he touched his forehead, it was slick with sweat.
And then he heard it, the whispers in the background, before he could even gain his bearings.
"By the Eidolons! The young master lives! Swiftly! Inform the master that the spell has worked, the poison has been cured and his fever has broken!"
It was then that Zach finally noticed it. An old man with a long braided grey beard and a haggard face stared at him.
Green light spread from his hand towards Zach's body, filling him with warmth, ease, and also energy.
All the while, a young woman dressed in a maid outfit, and with a collar around her neck ran off as swift as the wind.
The only thing he caught of her appearance before she disappeared he thought was a black cat tail.
His brain stumbled over the image like a glitch in reality.
But… That couldn't be? Could it?
He really must be tired. Or so Zach thought to himself as he lay back on his feather bed and down pillows, trying to wrap his head around what had happened, where he was… who he was?
And then it hit him, the car crash, the message, he nearly jumped out of his bed as he looked around him terrified and confused.
Stone walls, ancient beyond recognition, a primitive hearth blazing not with red, but with emerald fire; dancing wildly, threatening to smother him if he stepped too close.
And stained-glass windows, like something out of the Notre Dame. Sunset's amber tone glistening through them, creating a kaleidoscope of rays bathing him with their glory.
One thing was certain; he wasn't home.
"Who are you! What are you doing to me?"
The elderly man was taken aback by Zach's sudden response, and was quick to try and soothe him.
"Young Master Ferrondel… Please… Your body and mind has been through much. You must calm yourself!"
Yet how could Zach calm himself? He had no idea where he was, if he was even alive, or dead? If he was dreaming, or awake.
Or perhaps if he had truly gone mad?
His heart began to pound in his chest, louder and more violently than ever before. And as he gazed down at his own body, he found he was not himself.
His body was chiseled, and more robust, like a god of war; his skin was white and milky like alabaster whereas before he had a healthy tan.
But what was most terrifying of all was that there were tattoos that glowed across his skin, vibrant, blinding even, and they were the color of rust.
With everything going on, it was too much for his mind to bear, especially when his body was already so weak.
His thoughts twisted into a storm; who was he now? Where did Zach end and this begin? His chest tightened. Vision blurred. The world slipped away again.