Suspicious New Professor

The Curious Case of Professor Noir

11

Jenissa sat in the quiet solitude of the university library, her gaze fixed on the dim screen of her laptop as she poured over search results, trying to piece together the fragments of Elias Noir’s past. Despite the many documents she’d found on his flash drive—encrypted files, student records, and CGR resources—she hadn’t yet found anything definitive. The secrecy surrounding him only fueled her determination. Somewhere, she was sure, there lay a trail that could explain his veiled threats and cryptic words, but finding it was proving to be as elusive as catching shadows.

The library was nearly empty that afternoon, the golden hue of the sun filtering through the windows and casting a calm, almost serene atmosphere. But for Jenissa, peace was the last thing she felt. Her mind raced with each piece of information she uncovered, every puzzle piece hinting at a larger picture she couldn’t quite see yet.

After hours of digging, she finally found a trace—a mention of Elias in an obscure academic article about CGR teaching methodologies. The article had been published years ago by a university in a small town on the outskirts of Paris. According to the article, Elias had been a visiting lecturer, filling in temporarily after the previous professor left abruptly. Jenissa frowned. The description was eerily similar to what had happened here with Professor Levrentia Bergman.

She noted down the name of the university and, using her student access, attempted to search its public databases. A few results came up: departmental records, archived student reviews, and scattered references to past faculty members. Jenissa opened each link one by one, scanning for mentions of Elias Noir, hoping for any hint of his behavior, any indication of why he’d left that post. But, strangely, there was no mention of why he had departed or what had led to his arrival.

Emile’s earlier warning echoed in her mind: “Don’t let him catch on that you’re still suspicious.”

With a sigh, she scrolled further, her frustration mounting with each dead end. The absence of records felt deliberate, as though someone had intentionally erased his presence from the system, leaving only faint traces. She had no proof, of course, but it felt odd—too convenient. She couldn’t shake the sense that Elias’s history had been carefully managed, his tracks covered by someone who didn’t want his past scrutinized.

A gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. “Lost in research again, I see?”

She looked up to see Emile grinning, his usual playful energy subdued in the quiet atmosphere of the library. She managed a small smile. “More like lost in dead ends.”

Emile took a seat across from her, folding his arms on the table. “Any luck finding dirt on our mysterious professor?”

Jenissa leaned back in her chair, sighing. “Not much. Just vague mentions and a few records, but it’s like someone’s wiped out most of his history. It’s almost as if... as if he doesn’t want anyone to know where he’s been or what he’s done.”

Emile frowned, nodding slowly. “Which in itself is suspicious. People don’t go to that much trouble unless they have something to hide.”

“Exactly,” Jenissa agreed, her frustration seeping into her words. “It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.”

They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in thought. Then Emile reached into his bag, pulling out a small notepad. “Look, I know you’re caught up in all of this, and I get it—it’s weird. But remember, sometimes the best way to get answers is to ask questions. Directly. You’re good at reading people, Jen. Use that.”

She looked at him, realization dawning. “You think I should try talking to him, see if he slips up?”

Emile shrugged, a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Not exactly. Just… let him talk. See if he gets comfortable and starts dropping hints. People tend to reveal themselves when they think they’re in control of the conversation.”

She nodded, absorbing his advice. While the idea of confronting Elias head-on was intimidating, it was also thrilling. She didn’t need to accuse him outright—just listen carefully and let him lead the conversation. If there were cracks in his facade, she’d find them.

---

The next day, Jenissa sat through Elias’s CGR lecture with newfound purpose. She paid closer attention to his mannerisms, the way he smiled with the students, his body language, and even the phrases he used when explaining complex concepts. Throughout the lecture, she maintained eye contact, challenging him in small, unspoken ways.

As the class ended, she lingered by her desk, pretending to review her notes while the other students trickled out. Elias remained at the front of the room, packing away his materials with his usual calm efficiency. She sensed his gaze shift to her more than once, as if he, too, was aware of the tension between them.

Finally, she approached, keeping her expression neutral. “Professor Noir, do you have a moment?”

He turned to her, his smile polite yet guarded. “Of course, Jenissa. How can I help you?”

She took a steadying breath. “I’ve been reviewing some of the material from last class, specifically the rendering techniques you mentioned. I found it interesting... how you emphasized subtle errors and unintended consequences.”

His smile didn’t waver, but she noticed the slight raise of his eyebrow, the way his eyes seemed to probe her. “Yes, rendering is quite sensitive to even the smallest mistakes. It’s a concept that often translates well beyond the classroom, don’t you think?”

Jenissa’s pulse quickened. She knew he was speaking in double meanings, hinting at their silent cat-and-mouse game. She maintained her composure, nodding thoughtfully. “I agree. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest mistakes can reveal the most about someone... or something.”

Elias chuckled, a hollow sound that barely touched his eyes. “Very astute, Jenissa. You seem to have a knack for understanding these... intricacies.”

She smiled, her expression unwavering. “I suppose it’s all part of learning. After all, each professor brings something unique to the table. That’s what makes the university experience so valuable.”

For a moment, Elias’s mask slipped. She saw something flash in his eyes—an intensity, a calculation, as if he was weighing her words. Then, just as quickly, his smile returned. “Indeed. It’s essential to understand the world from all angles.”

As she turned to leave, his parting words lingered in her mind. She had managed to unsettle him, even if just for a moment. Perhaps he hadn’t anticipated her curiosity, or maybe he simply hadn’t expected her to confront him so directly. Either way, she knew she was on the right track.

---

Later that evening, Jenissa sat at her desk, her notes spread out before her. She had added several more pages to her investigation, carefully recording each interaction, every detail, no matter how small. She began searching through the files on the flash drive once more, determined to crack the encryption.

She worked late into the night, the glow of her laptop screen illuminating the determined set of her jaw. Finally, after hours of trying different techniques, she managed to bypass one of the smaller encrypted files. Her heart raced as the document opened—a single page with a list of unfamiliar names, followed by dates and locations.

Her mind raced. Who were these people, and why did Elias have a file with their information? She searched the names online, but only a few returned any results. Most were obscure, unremarkable, with little to no public presence. But each one had something in common: they had all disappeared or moved away abruptly, often under questionable circumstances.

Jenissa felt a chill run down her spine. She could sense a pattern, but it was fragmented, incomplete. The puzzle pieces she’d gathered pointed to something far darker than she had anticipated, but the picture was still blurry, elusive.

With a heavy heart, she closed her laptop. She was uncovering things she wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but it was too late to turn back now. Elias Noir was hiding something, and whether it was connected to his past students, his former positions, or something far worse, she was determined to find out.

As she lay in bed that night, the silence pressed in around her, filling her mind with questions and possibilities. She was getting closer, inching toward a truth Elias didn’t want her to uncover. And though fear gnawed at her, so did a fierce, unrelenting resolve.

She would get to the bottom of it, no matter the cost.