Leave

After the cafeteria incident, Theo insisted they head back to the dorm.

Kael, stomach still half-full, followed unwillingly.

Once inside, they both sat.

Theo didn't speak right away, he just leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor like it held a map no one else could see.

Kael waited a few seconds.

"So… your sister was nice."

Theo didn't look up. "Why are you here?"

Kael blinked. "You dragged me back, remember?"

Theo ignored the answer.

"Do you know how many kinds of people exist in the world, Kael?"

Before Kael could respond, Theo held up a finger.

"One....Predators."

He finally looked up, eyes sharp.

"If you intend to survive here, in this Academy even for a little while, you'd better remember this. Nobody and i mean no one is exactly what they present to you on the surface. Everyone has an agenda. Good or bad, it doesn't matter. And if yours doesn't align with theirs… they won't hesitate to crush you, trust me on that."

He leaned back slightly.

"Honestly, I still don't understand how someone with your personality managed to live this long."

Kael stayed silent.

Theo stood and calmly walked to the window, cracked it open allowing air to filtered in.

"One of the core abilities of my class allows me to peer into the soul of a person. Not literally, it's more like... sensing the shape of their will, their desire."

He paused.

"Ever since I got linked to the Archive, I've made a habit of reading people, curiosity, mostly. Their goals, intentions, hidden urges, it all leaves a trace. And no matter how noble their ambitions may seem, it's always the same underneath."

"Stained, twisted or corrupted."

He turned halfway, not looking at Kael directly.

"Over time, I stopped being surprised by it, i came to understand that it was just in human nature."

He took a breath.

"But then I met you."

He turned now, eyes fixed on Kael.

"When I tried to look into you yesterday, I felt... nothing. No goals, no dreams, no ambition. Nothing."

"It was almost like your soul had just been born."

Theo crossed his arms.

"Maybe that's not a bad thing i guess. Wanting to live quietly, free from the chaos and politics of this world, that's fine. I get it. But what I don't understand, is why someone like that would come to a place like this."

"A place built on competition, hunger and on conflict."

He walked back toward the door to the room.

"That's why I think you don't know the reason why you're here."

He paused, hand on the handle.

"So let me give you one piece of advice. Leave."

"A man without a purpose, whether good or evil is a dead man. Find a goal, Kael, a purpose. Even if it's small, something that will keep you going when you feel like giving up, something that will push you to become the best version of yourself."

He turned slightly, and added with quiet finality:

"And remember, don't trust what people show you, especially not here. The prettier someone looks, the harder they've worked to hide their fangs."

He looked back one last time.

"I don't care about what your story is, but if you want to survive long enough to find out... you need to start acting like someone who gives a damn."

He pushed the door open.

"I'll give you some time to think."

But before he could step out, Kael spoke.

"What about you?"

Theo stopped.

Kael sat up slightly. "Doesn't that mean you also have a second motive for helping me?"

Theo glanced back.

And for the first time, he smirked.

"Do you think I'm this nice to everyone?"

And with that, he stepped out and disappeared into the hallway, leaving Kael alone with his thoughts.

...

[Daily Subtask: Ask a question or make a statement during public gathering.]

[Penalty: Loss of Voice for 6 hrs]

[Daily task timer: 6hrs remaining]

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Kael "..."