Panic started to set in the werewolf teen’s mind. His heart was beating rapidly, and he was frantically searching for a way out. Alas, other than a small vent and a small window that he would only get stuck in if he tried to use it as a means to escape, there was only that door.
In the end, amidst his panicking, the door was pushed open, and three relatively old men walked into the room, one after the other.
“Oh, this is a nice surprise, you're already up!” Professor Humfree said with a smile and his hands behind his back. This was all done on purpose, just so Gary wouldn't feel threatened or attacked during this delicate situation. “Mr Dem, please rest and lie down while we inform you about what happened during your sleep.”
Gary cautiously looked between all three of them, yet he couldn't sense any hostility from any of them. His rational mind was telling him that if they really wanted to hurt him, then they would have done it while he had been unconscious… or at least put him in chains like Damion had done.
Walking backwards to avoid showing him his bare skin, the green haired teenager hopped onto the bed, and even pulled the sheets over him. At the same time, underneath the sheets, he used Controlled Transformation on his right arm, to make sure he wasn’t defenceless in case his earlier judgement turned out to be wrong.
After what had occurred, Gary wasn't willing to fully trust anyone with a relation to the AFA, even the three professors in front of him.
“First of all, all three of us owe you an apology.” Professor Humfree began and bowed down, the other two joining him without any protest. Never in his life had the Werewolf expected that to come out of someone working for the AFA. His shock even made him revert his arm to normal.
“Everyone working as supervisors should have been heavily vetted to prevent any student from abusing their status. Unfortunately, it is impossible to stop corruption completely due to how our world works.” Professor Humfree explained with a deep sigh.
Gary knew that, and if someone was joining the academy, they wouldn't exactly tell them all the connections they had.
“We deeply regret that one of the students actually managed to influence the head supervisor, of all people, and that you and your friends suffered because of that. We’re even more indebted to you that you not only stopped him, but managed to save the life of your two fellow students.” Professor Hai added.
For the first time in the conversation, the tension in Gary's body settled a little. He had been worried about Izzy and Ian, so hearing that they were alive and well was certainly great news.
“Gary.” Professor Humfree addressed him by his first name with a strong voice. His face was no longer full of smiles, as it sounded like the next subject that was to come was more serious. “We have come here to ask for a favour from you. We’ve already dealt with the student in question, and hope that you can let it rest at that, rather than seek your own revenge against him.”
“Are you telling me that you want me to overlook everything he did? You just said it yourself, ALL THREE OF US COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED! How can you ask me to simply ignore that?!” Gary had the right to be upset, after all, because of this one student he had almost died.
“Mr Dem, we understand your fury, but please try to understand our own position as well. Unless you have the express permission from a high-ranking staff member, fights between official students in the AFA won’t be permitted.” Mr Wood explained.
“Most students are able to leave behind what happened in the facility, but those that don't and wish to complete their revenge only hurt themselves and other students. There have been several cases where we have seen students never come back to the academy again. I'm sure you're smart enough to understand what I mean.”
Hearing these things, Gary was starting to think that the AFA, the gathering of those from all over the place, might be actually one of the most dangerous places in the world.
“In your case, the backing between the two of you is just too far and wide apart. The last thing we want to see is a talented student like yourself no longer be in the AFA, Gary.” Professor Humfree tried to persuade him.
Yet another reason to let out a sigh of relief as it looked like Gary wasn't getting kicked out. At least he had the option to stay, but could he really not hit Sty if he saw him again, if he continued to play his tricks and games.
“We understand that we’re asking a lot from you, and we’re also not asking you to do it for free. Not only has he been warned that any attack or provocation against you, or any of your friends will be regarded on a case by case basis and can lead to his expulsion, but as long as you agree to forget about taking revenge, we shall bury any details about the state we found you in.”
Gary's heart thumbed louder, hearing those words
‘They…saw what I did…didn't they?’
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You were in a desperate situation, one where your life was literally on the line, so none of us blame you for what you did. Given your advanced transformation state, your Altered instinct might have simply kicked in. We’ve not told a soul about it, and we don’t plan to, so we hope for your cooperation, Mr Dem.” Professor Hai admitted.
Listening to this, Gary thought about it for a while, but if he was honest with himself, he didn't want to leave the AFA just yet, not when he hadn't even made it into the real academy.
“It's a deal.” The Werewolf agreed not long after. He was about to stand up and shake their hand on it, but he remembered his lack of clothes just in time.
The three smiled and started to head towards the door, but Professor Humfree turned around before closing it.
“We’ll send over a teacher to hand you a change of clothes as well as some food. Once you’re done, he’ll accompany you to the Real AFA academy. Let me be the first to congratulate you for passing.”
“Huh, I made it?” Gary raised his eyebrow. “So I won’t have to wait for the week to be over like the others?”
“A week?” Professor Hai chuckled as he thought the teenager was joking for a moment, before he remembered why they had come to him at his current location. “Mr Dem, you're one week period has already passed. Compared to your other two friends, there was a lot more poison in your body, so you slept for a far longer time. Anyway, we will see you soon.”
After the door closed, Gary immediately went to check something, something that he had completely missed.
[Your bloodlust grows]
[2 Days until the next full moon.]
*****
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