"Entering into the bodies of humans, were the very essences of Hell and Heaven. So that we too could stand afoot with Angels and Demons, if even in theme. That was the curse put on all Humans…"
He now slows his movements, Mr. Gentus teaches a powerful lesson on his first day.
"The red skin of the Demons, the bat-like wings attached to one's back, or their horns! "
His hands raised to the few who just exhibited some of these traits.
"All are signs of the massing energy that is taking hold of the human's life, and transforming it. Changing it into something suitable and capable enough for its power."
Mr. Gentus closes his fingers together, clasping gently.
Scratches of pen and pencils are his applause, intently focusing on either remembering his words or transcribing them for further study. He examines the class, the many heads looking to their notes and back up to him.
"All of these signs, these traits you hold, are pointing towards your unfortunate Curse."
He makes sure to beam Mason with his stare.
"Your imminent and inevitable turn…"
Mr. Gentus raises his voice enough that all heads poke up from their sheets to face him.
"- into the infernal Demon."
Laying his words flatly for the young students to hear. Gasps escape their lips. You wouldn't need a Blessed ability to read thoughts to know what the collective is thinking.
"Is there no way to reverse it?"
"I'm going to become a Demon?"
"I mean I figured, but I had to hope…"
And Mason still only sits, arms crossed and uncaring, sinking further into his seat, not meeting anyone's eyes.
Mr. Gentus follows up.
"Our job is to teach you youths the control and mastery that it takes to alleviate that future, and that is the reason that institutions like Masquerade exist."
Walking closer in on Mason's desk still steps away but beaming his eyes at the young boy.
"In the hopes of making it so that the world doesn't have to see the likes of another full-blown Demon or Angel…"
Gentus finishes, fighting to inspect Mason's face now. Mason sits back, fighting not to meet his eyes, confused and getting more irritated by the millisecond.
"Now that's... curious."
Gentus leans in closer to Mason's face. A wave of shock and surprise reddens the face of everyone in the class, taken aback by the sudden suspicious confrontation. In an outward wave from his seat in the class, The students start to look over and also find the scene exciting and strange. Gentus now sits on Mason's desk and is near-glued to his face.
"What... is happening. "
Sam watches, embarrassed and puzzled, wording everyone's thoughts.
"Damn it, Gentus! Get off of me!"
Mason tries to squirm, but Gentus' strength and piqued curiosity hold Mason at the jaw now. His slim fingers wrap along his jawline and up to his cheeks, pushed together by his grip.
"You…"
Mr. Gentus doesn't mean to whisper, probably, but his voice does come out softly to Mason alone.
"- washed this away, no?"
Gentus looks at Mason's playful little mustache and beard. A thin black and purple line marks around Mason's lip and chin.
"Wha-!?"
Mason doesn't let Gentus' strength hold him down this time, he launches himself free toward the back of the room. The incredibly speedy scene is only enhanced with his sword already drawn and pointed up to his face. Half of Mason's newly appeared beard is already shaven. Small specks of hair follicles line his blade.
"He shaved it?"
Gentus' face twists into happy surprise, falling dumbly as he just leaned forward onto Mason.
The class doesn't even realize what happened yet, still processing the closeness of Mr. Gentus and Mason's lips a moment ago.
"No no no! Dammit, mustache! I hate it!"
Mason's entire demeanor changed, near instantly. Mason is now the same boyish brat he was before Gentus arrived. His face is red from the slight cutting on his face, and the anger he's experiencing at Gentus' crude plan to see the class's manifestations.
"Dammit! Why does it keep coming back!"
Mason shouts, either not realizing the class is looking at him, or not caring. Giggles break free.
Mr. Gentus stands upright, back on the floor, and gives Mason a closer scan, watching his every move as he shaves the other half of his face.
"Hmmm."
A deep and pondering thought infects Mr. Gentus' mind.
Mason barks at everyone for laughing, holding his free hand over the newer cuts to his face and mock swinging his sword at them.
(Shaving with a sword is never a good idea folks!)
Continued in PART TWENTY…