Chapter 20: Another name
Headmaster Stoick was still unclear about Drake’s reactions; he could not grasp why the young man got so excited instead of being utterly devastated by his lack of a system.
He would be the joke of the year if so, and yet, he was handling it surprisingly well.
Drake didn’t take long to notice Headmaster Stoick’s countenance, pressed with worry and concern for his mental health.
"I’m sorry, I got carried away," Drake muttered, letting out a sigh. He then thought of the best way to put it to Headmaster Stoick.
Now that he had figured out the majority of his questions, the fact that he no longer needed to inform the Headmaster of his discoveries hung in the air, gnawing at his mind.
After all, the fewer people that knew, the better.
However, with this new development, Drake had a request—one that only the Headmaster could grant.
How convenient.
The young awakened let out another sigh, this time a frustrated one. I hope I don’t come to regret this, he thought.
With that, Drake Drakon spoke. "I have something to tell you, but I need you to keep it a secret, Stoick."
Headmaster Stoick groaned softly, tapping the rest of the chair with his fingers as if running out of patience. Then, after a short consideration, he nodded in agreement.
"I have no idea how long it has been, but I have another system—different from the standard one the academy implants into every awakened. It’s different, certainly more detailed," Drake explained.
Stoick raised his hand to his beard and started to fondle with it; his thoughts immediately felt heavy as he was flooded with different possibilities.
It took him a while before he spoke in reply.
"Drakon, this is something very rare, if not unheard of—a different system, one that came with your ability? The odds are basically unbelievable—"
"I’m sure of it, Stoick," Drake cut the Headmaster off before he could finish—rude, but necessary to keep the old man on the line of thought he needed.
This was certainly not the time to dwell on lazy discoveries that would change human history... at least, not before Drake.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen or how the system works, but I’ll do my best to keep you updated—if you help me with a few favors," Drake said, wasting no time in getting to the point.
Headmaster Stoick pondered on his next statement. This is really an amazing discovery, and he doesn’t want me sharing it, he thought, troubled.
A discovery that could change humanity—the way they perceived talents, and maybe even the plagues—kept secret for the reasons of a child.
And that led to his next problem in making a decision: talking to young Drake Drakon never felt like talking to a child. It felt as though he were speaking to an equal.
"Hmmmph."
The Headmaster let out a sigh of fatigue, hunching his back and rubbing his eyes in weariness. "Every conversation with you is a pain."
Drake kept silent.
"Fine. I’ll make this deal with you," Stoick said at last, "but promise me—when the time comes to expose this secret to the world, you’ll do so through me."
Headmaster Stoick snorted lightly, yet he was especially serious about the last part. And this was something Drake expected.
Knowing the angles and wants of the other person was the best way to control the conversation...
Drake nodded in agreement. "Should I go on with telling you my needs?"
"Yes, please do," Headmaster Stoick said, reclining in his chair and bracing himself to hear the most barbaric requests ever. Knowing Drake, he wouldn’t hear anything less absurd than a private nuke.
Drake smiled naughtily. "Can I have a second awakened identity with a forged ID card and origin?"
Headmaster Stoick’s mouth fell open in shock before he managed to close it again. He rubbed his temples and shook his head. "For God’s sake, where do you get all these insane ideas of yours?"
Drake shrugged. "Oh yes—and a fake system that displays a false level and information on my ability."
Headmaster Stoick’s voice quavered. "Uhhh, even for a man of my caliber, making all that happen is next to impossible."
Drake frowned, turning his head away from the Headmaster. "In that case, I guess other academies will be happy to hear about my discoveries," he exclaimed, landing his gaze on the Headmaster once more. "I might even get a monumental statue in my honor—"
"All right, fine! You win!" Stoick sneered, rising from his seat. The chair had suddenly lost all comfort, thanks to the argument with the cunning awakened.
"You sure know how to play your cards properly," Headmaster Stoick added. "Just like your brother."
Drake’s expression faltered—barely noticeable—but the Headmaster knew those words would have an effect on him.
To quickly change the topic, Headmaster Stoick spoke again. "What name would you like to be on the fake ID, if I may ask?"
Drake placed a hand under his chin and gave it thought. For some reason, he was reminded of a time in his past life when he had been given a code name—one he particularly liked.
"You don’t have a name planned?" Stoick muttered, a bit crestfallen. For some reason, he had been expecting another absurd reply from Drake—one that would tip the scale of the situation into complete insanity—but nothing came...
Until—
"I have a name, Stoick," Drake said. "Unknown. The name should be Unknown."
Headmaster Stoick grinned once more and nodded. "Unknown it is."
With that, the Headmaster’s body began to fade away, as though being erased slowly until there was nothing left. He vanished into the ether, leaving Drake Drakon alone in the eerily quiet atmosphere.
First things first—Drake waved his hand in the air and commanded his system to show his stats. It did, and this time, many changes could be seen, an alluring glow filling his gaze.
"Let’s see what’s changed, shall we?"
***Author’s note***
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