In the mind of the Genius

Prologue to Abyss (1/3)

VIII.V.XII.XVI..XIII.V.

I was welcomed by these ominous letters written at the blackboard. It was almost a creepy thing first day in the morning.

I was recently accepted into this school along with my childhood friend. We've been here for about over a month already. But still, are these kinds of inscription in blackboard an everyday thing in this university? I can't even comprehend those letters, as if it's a code or some curse given how bold it was written. If there's one person I know that could make sense out of these letters - it would be Ian, my childhood friend. I better take some pictures of it before someone or the professor himself erases it.

This is really a bizarre university. Will I be ever able to adapt in this way of life?

Ecclesiastes University is really different from those normal universities out there. It has a very low acceptance rate. It is already a miracle that I was accepted in this prestigious university. Plus, this school is situated in a rural area, so it kinda gives off an eerie vibe. But who cares? This is still the best university in the country, no questions asked.

And I'm a psychology student here! It's not an easy feat to be included in the 15 person quota per course in this university. And I guess that psychology students have it better compared to other courses because we are always reaching the 15 person quota compared to other courses like engineering where there are only 2 students. I guess the saying "the more, the merrier"holds true. It's not as lonely as in other courses.

Suddenly, some of my classmates starts showing up. Well, it's almost time for our class to start.

"Good morning, Brianna!" Michelle greeted. "Can I copy your assignme --- hey what's that?!" as she also noticed the writings on the blackboard.

"I don't know either" I said. "When I entered the classroom, it's already there. Do you have any idea what's the meaning of that?" I inquired.

"Uhhmm. Is it some kind of a code? It's roman numerals, right?"

"What can we get on numbers? We're psychology students, not mathematicians." I incurred.

"Relax, Brianna. Let's take it easy. Don't be irritated by something like this. Let's wait for Professor Maxwell, and wait for what he's gonna say" Michelle concluded.

As time reaches 5 minutes before 8 o'clock, my fellow classmates are already gathered in the room murmuring different assumptions about what's written on the board. They are as confused as I am.

At last, Professor Maxwell arrived! We, students, are not overestimating ourselves, but considering that we are able to be accepted in this university boost our confidence in our brains. Still, we can't understand what is "VIII.V.XII.XVI..XIII.V.".

So if there are people more intelligent than us, it would be the teachers! They are teaching intelligent students so it's safe to say that they, themselves, are proud of their intelligence. I hope that Prof. Maxwell could enlighten us about what's written on the board.

Jason, our class representative stood up and said "Good morning Professor! Please look at the board and tell us what are your insights regarding it"

Professor Maxwell settled down, and then faced the board, observing each letters written using chalk. We are all eyes on him, as if we're waiting for something big to happen.

"Okay class, let's start" he said as he reached for the eraser and started swiping the writings off the board.

"Sir, you haven't told us what's on your mind regarding the letters on the board" Jason irritatingly said.

The room started to be noisy, hearing different voices, saying what's on their mind.

"Quiet!" Sir Maxwell said. "It is just scribbles, there's nothing behind it. Whoever wrote that must have nothing better to do, and just wants to be noticed, stirring up something that doesn't even deserve to be pondered upon!"

The room was suddenly filled with silence.

Props to our professor, he's really a psychology teacher. He have said so much about the characteristics of the person who wrote that. But I can't shake it off my mind. I'm not satisfied with his interpretation. This incident really has switched the competitive side of me. It is a challenge, it has piqued my curiosity. I must put this into light.

Having said that - it's not me who's gonna put this whole thing to light - it will be Ian. Hopefully.

I've texted Ian so that we could have lunch together. It's already been a month since we started studying here but we could not still find friends that we're really comfortable with. It's not that I'm in bad terms with my classmates, I do have friends that I hang out with, but it's just that almost all the students here are in high strung, always under pressure and in tension. I guess, same goes for us. Because of the standards here in the university, we should always keep our good grades. The teachers are not strict per se, but here, grades are everything.

I'm waiting at the cafeteria, and it's really sinking in me - this university is different. This school is really too big for just roughly one thousand students. I've watched a fair amount of anime during my childhood, there are plenty stories where the setting is an elite school. It's main flaw is - how come an elite school accommodates too many students? Average students! The atmosphere here is really way too different from those so called "Elite schools" from anime.

Everyone's eating with a book on their side, eating while reading. And you can even count the number of students here at the cafeteria - 21? There are currently 21 students, including me, here in this very big cafeteria.

22, including the person currently walking towards me.

"Hey Sheiy! Been here already?" Ian casually said.

"How many times do I have to tell you that don't call me - Sheiy?!"

"What's wrong with calling you - Sheiy? I've been calling you like that since we were little. What's with the sudden change of heart?"

"Here in school, they call me Brianna. So you should better call me likewise." I insisted.

"There we go with your Obsessive Compulsive Disorder again. Ok, Ms. Brianna Sheiyreen Soberano." he sarcastically said my full name.

"Loko"(loko is a tagalog word which means crazy)"So we're calling each other now by our full names, aren't we Mr. Ian Richard Sandoval?" as I also intentionally said his full name to get even with him.

He laughed and changed the topic "So you said in your text that there's something you want me to see. Was that just an excuse to see me? Did you miss me already?" he confidently said.

"Loko. I just want your help regarding this creepy writing on our blackboard a while ago. Since you're a criminology student and likes codes, this might humor you"

I showed him the photos I've taken using my phone.

As he looked at my phone, suddenly he stopped talking and started focusing on what's in front of him. I'm noticing the creases in his forehead, a sign that he's thinking really hard. He's zooming the picture in and out, hoping to find something that may lead to anything.

"I give up, are these roman numerals? If so, then what does he want to say using numbers? Are these just capital letters? If so, what's the pattern behind it? I can't seem to find any sequence, plus what's with the dots? This is really confusing, but I guess it was just a thoughtless scribbles, just like when we are typing random letters with the keyboard." he concluded.

"I guess you might be right. Our professor concluded almost the same as you"

"Well, even your professor said the same, so you don't have to bother with this baloney. Let's just eat, okay? I'm starving" Ian said.

"I guess so" i sighed.

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4/3: Happy Birthday to my main character, Brianna Sheiyreen! hahaha

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