Merlin's Curse

CHAPTER 6: The Magic of Nature

"Class dismissed," Professor Atlas says. "I'd like to talk with Merlin alone. And don't forget you have the Von Neuman architecture test next week." 

Most of the PCs are exiting the room before he finishes. Except for Zahir and G. They stay—but G folds his arms in protest.

"Hey," Zahir says. "If it is you or isn't you, you know we have your back, right?" He elbows G in the side. "Isn't that right?"

"Of course," G replies. But his drawn face and muted eyes say otherwise.

"Do you want us to stay?" Zahir asks.

"I don't bite," Professor Atlas quips. "But thank you for your concern, Zahir."

"I'll be ok," I say, managing a small smile. When he turns toward the door, I call to him, "Zahir..."

He stops. "Yes?"

"Thanks," I reply. His bushy eyebrows don't seem so pointed anymore. "For having my back." Prickling heat tingles the lobes of my ears from rushing blood. And I don't mind. Because for the first time, I see Zahir smile. A big toothy smile. And he's not looking at my ears.

G...he's already out the door.

Professor Atlas pulls up a chair next to me and sits. "Seems like you've had a pretty exciting start here at Code-X Academy." He runs his hand through his hair; somehow, not a single strand falls out of place.

But then I look away from him. Because exciting isn't how I feel.

"Um...Merlin," he continues, "first I want you to know that I'm here not just as an educator, but also as a mentor. I know how hard these adolescent years can be."

I wriggle in my chair, not from his pompous words, but from sticky sweat collecting in all the wrong places. "I have a therapist," I say. "If that's what you mean."

He chuckles. "What I mean is that you can count me as a friend if you ever need help."

"Thanks. But I have a friend." And I smile, maybe a little bigger. "His name's Zahir."

"Oh, um, that's great." He pinches his eyes shut and then moves on. "Merlin, did you hack Fydor's account?"

I look away from him and squirm as he leans closer.

"Don't worry. You're not in trouble."

"I think the wizard did," I reply. And I'm not lying.

Professor Atlas' eyes sparkle with excitement as he edges closer. "Merlin, are you the wizard?"

"I don't feel like a wizard," I say as I slump on the desk and rest my head in my hands. "I'm Merlin without magic."

He raps his knuckles on my desk. "Hey—head up. This is important. You need to understand that we don't know who @WizzardSlayer666 is, and if you're TheGreatWizard—well, I want to make sure you are safe."

"@WizardSlayer666 is the one who should be worried," I reply. "No one can hide forever."

The professor stares at me with a growing smirk on his face and then stands up unexpectedly. He walks to the podium in a few quick strides. "I'm awarding you 1100 XP for the kill," he says, picking up his phone. "And -500 XP to Fydor for being glupyy enough to let his account get hacked."

"What?" I respond, sitting up straight. Shocked. "Why—I didn't admit to anything!" It's enough XP to make up for all the classes I missed starting a month late; more than three times the goal Jupiter set for me. But it's Fydor and his -500 XP I'm most worried about. 

"Because—Merlin without magic—you are remarkable." He leans against the podium and points at me. "The most powerful wizards are the ones who don't need magic. And while you may not be ready to share your truth, I know what you have done. Ethical hacking is permitted at the academy. That you did so on a squad leader's account is a most impressive kill. And as Fydor's in the eleventh grade, 1100 XP as an award seems fitting."