The Professor|| Sylus

News

It was PE day, and the days seemed to blend together for Mei as time passed. Classes came and went, and with each moment, Mei found herself becoming more confident with Sylus's guidance. She had listened to his words diligently, practicing her shooting range during her vacant hours at home, balancing her studies along with the training. Sylus had begun to notice her improvement each time she picked up a weapon. He praised her, even in his more tired moments, as he rested and recovered.

Life seemed to settle into a rhythm. Things felt normal, almost peaceful. Sylus had assured her that, for now, they were safe—there were no immediate threats. But the shadow of danger always lurked, and deep down, Mei knew that things could change in an instant.

That change came sooner than she expected.

During a quiet afternoon, Mei was called to the school office. The pit in her stomach grew as she walked through the halls. Was this it? Had she been caught with Sylus? Was their secret relationship about to unravel? Her thoughts raced, and her nerves built up as she reached the door.

Inside, the head of the school sat behind the desk, their face grim.

"Mei," they began, their voice heavy with sorrow. "I... I have terrible news."

Mei's heart clenched. She braced herself for what was coming next, but nothing could have prepared her for the words that followed.

"Your parents...are dead."

The words hit her like a physical blow. Her chest tightened, her breath catching in her throat. The room spun as she stood there, frozen, unable to process what she had just heard.

The head of the school continued, each word driving the knife deeper into her chest. "The police reported a massive explosion at your home. No one made it out...I'm so sorry."

Mei's world collapsed in an instant. Her legs felt weak, her mind blanked, and she stared at the head of the school as if waiting for them to say it was all a mistake. But no such words came. She wanted to scream, to cry, to deny the reality before her, but her voice failed her. Nothing came out, not even a whisper.

*Explosion?* Mei's mind struggled to connect the dots. *Why had this happened?* And then it struck her like lightning—the danger that followed her and Sylus. Could it be related to them? Had her family paid the price for the life she had become entangled in?

The guilt began to surge, drowning her in its grip.

This is my fault.

The thought echoed over and over in her mind. The anger, the frustration, and the unbearable guilt all collided within her, forming an overwhelming storm.

"Mei?" The voice of the head of the school was distant, like it was coming from underwater.

Without a word, Mei stood, bowing politely before leaving the office in a daze. Her vision blurred, and her body felt light, as if she were floating. Her legs carried her out into the hallway, but she had no sense of where she was going. She used the wall for support, her hand sliding against the cool surface as her knees weakened.

Her breaths became shallow, ragged, as her emotions began to suffocate her. She was halfway down the hall when her body gave out. The world went dark, and Mei collapsed, her consciousness slipping away as the weight of her grief pulled her under.

...

The faint beeping of the heart monitor filled the room, its steady rhythm a contrast to the turmoil Mei felt deep inside. As her senses slowly returned, she blinked against the harsh hospital lights, her vision gradually sharpening. The voices around her were muffled at first, but she could make out Sylus speaking to a nurse. The clock on the wall showed it was already evening. Time had slipped away from her.