Chapter 10: Eye Contact

Kilos, ahead of fellow students, arrived in the new class. It was smaller and quieter. For some unknown reason, this place had an atmosphere of calmness.

The students took their seats, except for Kilos who stood, rather pacing about. He was restless about his role and why he had been chosen. He had more than one reason not to feel comfortable, especially because he was the introverted type.

"Kilos," a girl called.

"Yeah, how may I be of help?" Kilos replied to the young girl, impatiently.

"I saw you when you defeated Manny, but I also heard you broke your wrist," she said in a tone that was neither too bad nor too good.

Kilos wanted to build his confidence on the first comment, but the latter watered down his pride.

"Sorry for my manners, I'm Ria," she said.

Kilos didn't know how to respond, but since she stood there, he decided to give an appropriate answer. He did not want to mess things up because of this temptation.

"Anyway, you win some, you lose some," he finally said.

The frown on Ria's face dissolved, and she smiled. That was an opportunity for Kilos to leave. Ria watched his back as he walked to the front to address the class.

Before he could say Jack, a high-pitched note came from outside the class. The instructor for the period had started his teaching.

"Our lesson is about Mentality Change. You can't be the enemy of your state. You've got to take care; your talents, gifts, and your origin must be of use to your own state..."

Mr. Robinson appeared, holding a briefcase in one hand and his note in the other. He walked briskly into the class and carried a funny look. The students giggled—though that was risky and could attract his anger—they couldn't hold down their emotions.

Upon reaching the front, he placed his case on the long desk and dropped the manual he was reading from. Somehow, his hand hit the briefcase, causing it to stumble. He hastened to retrieve it, but then his book fell with it.

Robinson lowered himself to get his belongings.

"Don't believe what you see, believe what I say," Robinson said, stretching his back. He placed his briefcase and the manual on the table.

Robinson was a stout instructor, and he was one of the hands the army depended on. He had an outstanding record, which was why he could take on this subject matter.

He focused his eyes on Kilos, then shifted to the student behind him, and from there to everyone.

As he did this, the students wore serious looks.

"You must be Kilos Barber," Robinson pointed toward the class captain. "I received your video before coming."

Kilos nodded.

"I heard you would give me whatever I needed," Robinson directed his words with a sharp gaze.

"Um!" Kilos scrambled for what to say.

"I'm Robinson, but those who know me call me Rob. But don't twist my words, okay?"

Robinson gave a detailed analysis about what mentality they should carry. His explanation favored the States and supported working for its progress.

"Let's practise something," Robinson said as he raised his teaching manual for all to see.

"If you set your mind on this, as in this position, it stays," he said.

Robinson released the material, and down it went. But he didn't lower his hand from the position.

"Where is the book?" Robinson asked, a rhetorical question.

"Sir, below your feet," Ria replied.

"Gravity has done its work here, so the book is on the ground," Tad gave his opinion.

The look on Robinson showed satisfaction. He turned to Kilos.

"What's your thought?" he asked.

"I think you still have the book right in your hand. I can see it right in your hands," Kilos said, thinking he had spoken the most foolish statement.

Several eyes were on Kilos. What he said was illogical and only through magical ability could that be achieved. But for Robinson, he didn't care how you thought, all he was after was the mind of possibility. He knew that if you can imagine something, the power behind it should be mental ability.

"If you can actively improve on your mentality, your limit is limitless. Think of something good for yourself and you'll achieve it."

"Kindly compile the list of these students, Kilos." Robinson departed.

Ria and a few students walked towards Kilos to give him their details, but then Robinson's head popped in from the door.

"Kilos Barber, watch your badge for instructions. Hope you lead the class to championship." Robinson disappeared and didn't show up again.

Kilos read what was on the badge. A red signal was blinking non-stop. He wanted to know if anyone was watching.

"What's up?" the class roared.

"Yeah, no problem," he lied, but he couldn't bring himself to say what he was seeing.

"Our next lesson is going to hold here," he said half-mindedly.

He believed the next lecturer would arrive with unexpected moves. But the problem he couldn't understand was the danger sign.

He made up his mind to be the defender of everyone else. To do that, he mustn't be caught off guard. He paid attention to whatever was coming.

A few minutes of waiting didn't yield what he believed would arrive, but someone else came in—it was Lucas.

Shocked and surprised, everyone looked on.

Lucas walked to the front and cleared his throat.

"Someone broke through our facility and we are to fish him out. They were two," Lucas spoke confidently while his eyes scanned the room.

"Your new lecture will be to expose the culprit, that's if he is here."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a man walked in, dressed in a red suit. He had a confident look and walked with his shoulders high to greet Lucas.

"Mr. Lucas," he greeted.

"Mr. Martin," Lucas returned the greeting.

"One by one, in a single file," Martin ordered.

The students with clean slates took the front row. But some were still afraid even though they hadn't done anything wrong. The conscience can sometimes relate guilt from irrelevant occurrences to the present. The last in the queue were Ria and Kilos.

All Martin did was to look into the eyes and then shake hands. Doing these two allowed him into the realm of the past and helped him recover the information he was looking for—if any.

"I am Vic."

"Okay Vic, let's see," Martin said and held his hand with focus, eye to eye.

Vic was not part of the crime. Another student stepped up and that one was innocent too.

"Seems these students are good. I don't think we have the culprit here," Martin was getting tired. His ego was punctured because he couldn't catch anyone.

Kilos heaved a sigh of relief at his conclusion. But then, Martin walked toward the back and called.

"You and you, let's have you checked," Martin spoke to the last two.

"I am the captain of this group, so I think we should continue in an orderly manner," Kilos protested, pretending to care for the students in line.

"I give orders here, even to class captains—and they obey," Martin responded, weakening his pride.

The students were pleased with Kilos' suggestion, but the presence of Lucas tipped the argument in favor of Martin.

"Your hand, young lady," he requested.

Ria and Martin shook hands. Unlike others, she lacked the strength needed to stand before Martin.

Something amazing happened.

Martin put his hand before his own eyes and checked the lines. Nobody understood what this was about, but the new style called for attention. Martin repeated the act. He could not continue the examination because his eyes were not yielding what he wanted. He kicked a table in frustration. Then the students understood—something had gone wrong with his eyes.

Martin cried out: "My eyes are gone!"