Chapter LII: A Word of Caution
The hallway feels longer than usual. Ryujin walks beside Dr. Aoshima, footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors of the Sadalmelik Building. Students' voices fade behind them as they turn down the faculty corridor, and it gets quieter, colder, almost sterile to the sense of sanitary is in the air, like the world's quietest room coming right up.
There are no posters, and no chatter. Just closed doors and humming lights. Due to the tension, Ryujin takes silent gulps, and his palms are sweating. His fingers brush against the ring. Warm, yet unaware of what will be Dr. Aoshima ask or will talk about.
Dr. Aoshima stops in front of his office. He unlocks it, opens the door.
"Do come in, Mr. Furukawa"
The fluorescent light flickers as the light switches on. And as it appears, the office is neat yet too neat. Different books are arranged by height on the shelves. Papers stacked with geometric precision. Folders and files neatly stored on the table and in the filing cabinets. Though, a sense of greenery as pot of lucky bamboo are on top of the table and a jar of Golden Pothos near the office window. A whiteboard stands at the side, flipped backward.
Dr. Aoshima walks behind his desk, takes off his bag and puts it aside, and sits. He gestures to the chair in front of him.
Ryujin sits on the chair parallel to his desk. The distance between them feels deliberate. Like a table in an interrogation room, but only thing missing there is a yellow light.
"Man, this feels like getting interrogated from doing a crime. The only thing different here or would add suspense is the bright atmosphere, and focal light. But man, I feel mugged.", Ryujin thinks to himself.
Dr. Aoshima sighs, and folds his hands. He adjusts his glasses, and looks at Ryujin.
"I have something to ask you, Furukawa. However, it will be discreet as I intend to take this manner privately and will treat it with consideration, and confidentiality as these information will only be used in private manners, in such, just between us."
Ryujin nods. "Al-Alright, sir."
"So, you don't have class next period, I take it?"
"Not really, Sir. Arita heard that Shinse-sensei is in Tokyo."
"Ah yes, Ms. Class Representative. Good. Absences in classes would contribute a large lump and pillar to your grades."
Silence hangs. Then, Dr. Aoshima's eyes drop to Ryujin's hand. He analyses it, and observes it.
"That is one fascinating ring you got there, I must say.", Dr. Aoshima thinks to himself as he sees it on Ryujin's finger.
The word lands like a stone dropped into still water.
Everything freezes but not in real time as only for Ryujin. The hum of the fluorescent lights, and the ticking clock, are like frozen, and silence is in the air, a dead calm as Ryujin heard what Dr. Aoshima said. Ryujin's breath though materializes and echoes within the bounds of reality. Inside his mind, he calls out.
"Pacificus..."
The radiant blue presence within the ring answers instantly.
"Yes, Ryujin, I feel it too."
"Can I tell him?", he asks.
There is a gradual pause. Pacificus hesitates profoundly on pondering the implications and consequences if what will happen if Ryujin tells Dr. Aoshima about him. Then Pacificus' tone lowers.
"Ryujin, there is a bit disturbing aura... but let me scan him if I find some anomalies that could lead to him, not being the real Dr. Aoshima", Pacificus says.
In real time, Dr. Aoshima waits patiently, fingers interlocked. He then changes to all fingers, tapping unto the desk.
Pacificus' voice returns.
"Ryujin, as far as I can see, he carries Stellanine traces in his bloodstream. Rare. Same signature as previous bearers." , Pacificus states.
"So he's real?", Ryujin asks.
"Likely it is. But we need to test him. I got an idea, answer each question he asks with bias. Then, I'll watch his stress response.", Pacificus adds.
Ryujin exhales slowly, and back to real time. Dr. Aoshima leans forward slightly.
"If it's alright with you, I promise this stays only between us."
"...Okay, Sir."
Then, thus begin the questions and extraction of information. Dr. Aoshima begins.
"First of all, where did you get that ring?"
Ryujin shrugs. "I-I-I Bought it at a night market, Sir."
Dr. Aoshima's eyebrow twitches.
"Alright, just how long have you had it?"
"Last month, Sir."
Dr. Aoshima's fingers tighten subtly.
"Does it have any... unusual effects?"
"It glows when I'm hungry, Sir."
Dr. Aoshima blinks, and brows furrow. Stress is constantly rising in him.
"Hmm, have you ever felt... guided by it?"
"I think nah. Just a fashion accessory, Sir."
A reverberation of pulse is visible at his neck.
"Have you told anyone about it?"
"Hmm, I show it to random strangers, Sir."
His jaw clenches.
"Do you know history of this ring?"
"Sounds like it, Sir."
Dr. Aoshima exhales sharply.
"Would you give it away if asked?"
"Sure, I guess, Sir."
Then, sudden silence. Dr. Aoshima stands abruptly, pacing.
Pacificus whispers to Ryujin.
"Stress spike detected. Stellanine active. He's genuine, Ryujin. You can now, drop the act."
Dr. Aoshima runs a hand through his hair.
"You know, this isn't a joke, Furukawa."
Ryujin stands.
"Sir, wait."
Dr. Aoshima turns.
"The answers... were just a test, Sir."
Then, another silence.
"...A test, you say?"
"I needed to confirm if you're really you. There are... disguises happening, Sir."
Dr. Aoshima studies him, then slowly returns to his seat.
"...Fair enough, youngling."
Dr. Aoshima's voice softens.
"Alright, Mr. Furukawa, I'll ask this once again. How... where... when... why did you get the ring?"
Ryujin looks at his hand.
"Actually, Sir, I found it. It floated towards me on the shore. Three years ago."
Dr. Aoshima freezes.
"It gave me lightning... adding and complementing to my natural water abilities, Sir."
"Hmm, what else?"
"It protects me, Sir. And... someone lives inside it. He is named, Pacificus, Sir. The keeper of the ring."
Dr. Aoshima absorbs this.
"Is he good?"
"He's actually my mentor, Sir."
Dr. Aoshima leans back.
"You know, Furukawa, that ring... is ancient. One of a kind. And in actuality, there are former users of the ring, and it is uncountable."
Ryujin listens carefully.
"It was worn by Aoto Abe's father. Yes, your classmate's father. And... my father, Hiroshi. The former University President."
Ryujin's breath catches.
"So, knowing the capabilities and antiquity of this ring...should I give it to you?"
"No, Ryujin," Aoshima says firmly. "You are its current bearer, and as its current bearer, you are responsible to hold and handle it with care. In the meantime, when you will have any vacant time, we will study it together."
Ryujin nods and smiles. An agreement has been made, a handshake if one could please, and a silent pact.
Ryujin walks back to class, and upon arriving, the door slides open.
Haruto jumps. "BRO WHAT HAPPENED."
Inoshiro leans forward. "Are we expelled?"
Hageshi whispers dramatically, "Did he unlock your villain arc?"
Ryujin shrugs.
"Calm down dudes, it was just school system stuff."
They blink.
"...Oh."
Immediately, they take their phones out and one again, the memes resume.
"LOOK PEWDS GAINED AGAIN!"
"SING IT!"
They start chanting PewDiePie songs horribly off-key. Ryujin laughs, but his hand rests over the ring.
And now, he knows he's not alone in the truth anymore. But that only means one thing and the game just got bigger.