Magkasamang naglalakad sina Benjamin at Janus papunta sa Paramount Building pagkatapos ng pag-uusap nila sa opisina ng school director. Balak nilang puntahan sa opisina nito si Daniel para kausapin, at para na rin makita ni Janus ang building na para lamang sa mga miyembro ng Paramount Class.
Janus, on the other hand, was just leisurely looking around as he walked with the school director. Because of the look on his face, it is completely difficult to guess what he is thinking, but he seems to be feeling comfortable walking around the place.
"This feels nice, you know... to walk around."
Bahagyang natawa si Benjamin habang umiiling-iling, "Naninibago ka ba? Dapat kasi lumalabas ka palagi... You're always either inside your office or inside the lab."
Pagpasok nila sa gusali, napatigil si Janus sa kinatatayuan at pinagmasdan ang lugar. He then lifted his head and looked at the school's symbol attached on the big board on the wall, before moving his gaze towards the left, where the Paramount Clinic is situated.
Agad siyang lumiko sa kaliwa niya, at dumiretso sa clinic kung saan huling nakita si Dr. Lara Trinidad.
Nang makitang naglalakad na si Janus papunta sa ibang direksyon, agad itong sinundan ni Benjamin. Nang tumigil si Janus sa harap ng Paramount Clinic ay saka lamang tumigil sa paglalakad ang school director.
Janus was quietly looking at the door from top to bottom, before acknowledging the school director's presence by glancing back at him.
"May tao ba sa loob?" tanong ng lalaki kay Benjamin.
Ipinasok ng school director ang mga kamay niya sa loob ng bulsa at napabuntong-hininga. "It has been over a week since Lara disappeared... We believe that her disappearance is caused by another metahuman, but I can't just point fingers unless I understand what actually happened to her. She was last seen inside this clinic, but all of a sudden, she's gone. Nag-iimbestiga na ang mga tao ko, pero parang wala pa ring nangyayari. Hindi ko naman basta mailalagay ang atensyon ko sa paghahanap sa kanya o sa pag-alam ng totoo dahil marami rin akong ginagawa –"
"She's inside..." Janus then told him nonchalantly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Benjamin dahil sa narinig. "Sino? Yung dahilan ng pagkawala ni Lara?"
"Hindi..." tugon ni Janus na umiiling-iling pa habang nakangiti, "Nasa loo bang doktor na hinahanap ninyo... She's still in this clinic, so your efforts in finding her are just plain useless."
Benjamin, now with a curious look on his face, walked towards him until they are now standing next to each other in front of the door.
"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?"
Napangisi si Janus, bago napabuntong-hininga habang nakatingin sa pinto ng clinic, "She's not lost... She's still in here. Just... on the other side."
Natigilan si Benjamin, at unti-unting naintindihan ang ibig ipakahulugan ng kasama.
"If she's not lost then..." Benjamin's facial expression suddenly change for a serious and eerie look as he slowly realized who is possibly behind Lara's disappearance, "I need to talk to Helga..."
Inilabas ni Benjamin ang phone mula sa bulsa niya, bago saglit na lumayo kay Janus. Habang may kinakausap ang school director sa tawag, naiwan ang lalaki sa harap ng saradong pintuan.
Nakatuon lamang doon ang tingin niya, hanggang sa unti-unting gumalaw ang ulo niya at lumipat ang kanyang tingin sa pinto ng pantry na nakapwesto sa tapat ng clinic.
As he looked at the pantry, he focused his eyes on the door knob, before a smirk slowly appeared on his face.
********
Tahimik na nagbabasa ng ilang mga researches si Daniel sa loob nang opisina niya nang bigla siyang mapaupo nang maayos dahil sa tunog ng pagkatok sa bukas niyang pinto. Nang mapatingin siya sa direksyon kung saan nanggaling ang tunog, at nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ang school director sa pintuan ng opisina niya.
"Sir Benjamin... Meron po ba kayong kailangan?" Daniel sounded anxious as he moved away from his chair and approached the man.
Natawa si Benjamin, lalo nang makita ang mga papeles sa mesa ng class adviser. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your work..."
"It's alright, Sir. Nagreresearch lang naman po ako..." Daniel's voice trailed off when an unfamiliar man entered his office. Halos kasingtangkad niya lang ang lalaki na may kalmadong ekspresyon at isang sinserong ngiti sa mukha nito. "May kasama po pala kayo..."
"Ah, right," tumango si Benjamin, "Daniel, this is Dr. Janus Roth. He is a scientist, and the head of Project Cosmos, a program the Paramount Labs is developing. Andito siya para makita ang mga miyembro ng Paramount Class, at para maging bahagi ng quarterly assessment natin sa kanila na mangyayari sa huling araw ng semester. He is also going to make occasional visits here to see the students, and I hope that the two of you can work together," Benjamin then moved his eyes on the doctor he is with, "Dr. Roth, this is Mr. Daniel Arevalo, the class adviser of the Paramount Class. He has been with us from the beginning of this project, and is the one to credit for the wonderful success of the students in this project."
Nginitian siya ni Janus at iniabot ang kamay. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Arevalo. Pwede ba kitang tawaging Daniel? Hindi kasi ako sanay na maging pormal eh... Pwede mo rin naman akong tawagin sa pangalan ko kung gusto mo. Okay lang ba?"
"Okay lang naman," tugon ng class adviser matapos kunin ang kamay ng doktor at nakipag-kamay dito, "Walang problema sa 'kin 'yun."
"That's good to hear..." komento ni Benjamin habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawang lalaki, "Alam kong magkakasundo kayong dalawa... This is really nice. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na –" Naputol ang pagsasalita niya nang biglang tumunog ang phone na agad nilabas ng school director mula sa bulsa niya, "Excuse me for a while... I just need to take this call. By the way... Daniel?" Benjamin said, like he was reminded of something.
"Ano po 'yun, Sir?"
"I want to see you in my office later. May mga gusto lang akong itanong sa'yo."
Napatango na lamang si Daniel habang sinusundan ng tingin ang palabas na school director. Hindi niya mapigilan mag-alangan at kabahan sa posibleng pag-uusapan nila ng lalaki.
"He's just going to ask you a few questions about the upcoming quarterly assessment. Don't worry..." biglang saad ni Janus sa kanya, "Tsaka hindi na 'yun babalik. May gagawin pa siyang importante pagkatapos nito. It looks like I'm under your care now."
Daniel was a little startled, as his brows furrowed in confusion. "A-ano?"
Nanatiling nakangiti si Janus, dahilan para makaramdam ng pagkaalangan si Daniel. Hindi alam ng class adviser kung bakit hindi siya komportable sa presensya ng doktor na nakatitig sa kanya, lalo na sa kakaibang kalmadong ekspresyon sa mukha nito.
"May problema ba?" tanong ni Daniel sa doktor na naupo na sa harap ng mesa niya. He is sitting comfortably, as he looked around the interior of the office.
"Wala naman," tugon ni Janus habang nakangiti. "By the way, your office looks nice... It doesn't look crowded or suffocating... My office is seriously messy. Some visitors even complain that they feel claustrophobic when they are inside..."
Tuluyan nang binigyan ni Daniel ng matalim na tingin ang lalaki, "Ano ba ang kailangan mo?"
"Ooh... Hot-tempered," Janus chuckled and heaved a shallow sigh, "I know you're a good man... You may have a lot of rage in you – which usually clouds your judgement – but you are kind... Unfortunately, it seems like your temper and impatience always gets the worst of you. Well, you're lucky you're not alone in this battle though... Good luck."
Halos magdikit na ang mga dulo ng kilay ni Daniel habang pinapanood niya si Janus na tumayo mula sa kinauupuan nito at maglakad papunta sa nakabukas na pinto.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" the class adviser asked, his confusion and agitation increasing two-fold.
Tumigil bigla si Janus sa paglalakad, pero hindi siya nito nilingon. "Stay alive. They're going to need you."
May sasabihin pa sana si Daniel sa lalaki, pero tuluyan nang nakalabas si Janus sa opisina niya. Naiwan siyang mag-isa sa silid, nalilito at nag-aalangan pa rin dahil sa mga sinabi at ipinakitang pag-uugali ng lalaki.
Maliban sa detalyeng nagtatrabaho si Janus sa mismong loob ng Paramount Labs, hindi nagustuhan ni Daniel ang mga sinabi nito, lalo na ang bilin nitong dapat siyang manatiling buhay. Pakiramdam niya ay hindi magiging maganda ang dulot sa kanya at sa mga plano niya ng paglitaw ng doktor, pero hindi niya alam kung bakit.
There are so many possibilities and theories going on inside his head, but one thing is for sure – he has to be even more careful.
********
Pagdating ng hapon, bago magsimula ang supplemental class para sa mga miyembro ng Paramount Class, ipinatawag ng school director ang walo sa conference room sa main building para sa isang meeting.
Pagpasok ng walo sa loob, sinalubong sila ng class adviser nilang si Daniel, ang school director na si Benjamin, at isa pang lalaki. Bahagyang nagkatinginan sina Jacob, Vladimir, at Gwen dahil na rin nakita na nila ang lalaki na kausap ng school director noong nakaraan.
Sa likod ng tatlong lalaki ay ang white screen kung saan naka-project ang logo ng Faircastle High School, at ang mga salitang 'Quarterly Assessment'. Sa baba nito ay ang petsa, na napagtanto ni Jacob ay mangyayari mahigit isang buwan mula sa araw na iyon.
"Maupo na kayo," utos sa kanila ni Daniel na nakatayo sa kanan ng school director.
The eight students, who are now complete after Vladimir's punishment has been completed, took their seats that are facing the three men in front. It was a long table, and on each side there are four students sitting. Nico, Jacob, Leia, and Emma are on one side, while sitting adjacent to them are Axis, Sketch, Gwen, and Vladimir.
"Now that all of your abilities have manifested, we can finally go on with the Paramount classes in full force..." pagsisimula ng school director, "For months, we have been watching all of you discover your abilities, as well as develop them on your own. It was necessary that you find out to control those your way, because no one will know better about one's abilities except the one who possesses it.
"Ang totoo, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nag-manifest na ang lahat ng mga abilities ninyo kahit hindi pa nangangalahati ang semester. Sobrang bilis ninyong lahat kumpara sa lahat ng batches na dumaan sa amin. From Vladimir, who we discovered has technopathic abilities; to Nico, who possesses unbelievable superhuman bodily strength and reactive evolution. We also have Emma, who has omnilingualism and clairaudience; and Axis, whose extreme sensitivity to sound and the ability to mute himself or anyone still impresses me. Leia has psi abilities to communicate with animals, and heal living beings. Sketch has the ability to produce three-dimensional images with his mind, and can even multiply himself, with all his duplicates having different identities. And then we have Gwen and Jacob... The last ones that discovered their abilities as a telepath and empath, respectively."
Tumango si Daniel, bago itinuon ang mga mata niya sa mga estudyante, "Magmula ngayon, tapos na ang supplemental classes ninyo. In the coming weeks, under my supervision, you will now sharpen your abilities and test your limitations. You will find your own identities as metahumans, and shall learn how to use your skills effectively. You might also develop more abilities along the way or improve the powers you already have, just like what happened to some of you."
Benjamin then smiled at them, his face full of pride and excitement, "I am looking forward to see more of you and your abilities, and I am expecting all of you to show excellent performances during the quarterly assessment a month from now." Pagkatapos ay ibinaling niya ang tingin sa lalaking nakatayo sa kaliwa niya, dahilan para mapatingin din dito ang walong estudyante, "Everyone, this is Dr. Janus Roth, a scientist within the Paramount Laboratories. As you all know, the Paramount Program is formed because of the school's partnership with them, whose goal is to develop metahumans like you and for you to embrace your peculiarity and intelligence. Sa mga susunod na linggo, makikita niyo na nang madalas si Dr. Roth dito sa school. Gusto kong maging komportable kayo sa kanya para matulungan niya kayo. Pwede kayong magtanong kung gusto niyo. He knows everything about it the Paramount Program, and he will also be a part of some of your activities, including the quarterly assessment that will be held before the semester ends," Benjamin told the eight students, "And who knows, you might work with him soon in his projects..."
Janus smiled as he gave each of the students a good look. "That's possible. I mean, the Paramount Labs is not just focused within the laboratories. We also work in different countries, since we have labs there as well. There are also a lot of companies and sectors that are connected with us, so there is a real possibility we might cross paths in the near future."
Napangiti si Benjamin. "Eh 'di dapat pala, tandaan mo na ang mga pangalan at mukha nila. Trust me when I say that this batch is bound to be great and successful."
Tumango-tango si Janus habang isa-isang pinagmamasdan ang walong estudyante. "They are... They really are."
Itinuon ni Jacob ang mga mata sa doktor, at hindi niya mapigilang magsuspetsa dito. Maliban kasi sa nakita niya na ito kasama ang school director dahil sa babala ni Gwen, ang detalyeng doktor ito sa Paramount Laboratories ang nagbigay sa kanya ng ideya na marahil ay kilala nito ang tatay niya.
All of a sudden, Jacob was a little startled when Dr. Roth's gaze moved onto him. Napatigil ang doktor bago siya nito nginitian na para bang hinihikayat siya nitong ngumiti pabalik sa kanya.
The doctor's eyes then moved towards Gwen, and Jacob noticed that the girl looked anxious and wary. Nakita ng doktor na hinawakan ng dalaga ang kamay ng katabing si Vladimir, na magkasabay na nagulat at nagtaka dahil higpit ng hawak ni Gwen sa kamay niya.
He then saw her hold Vladimir's hand, much to the latter's shock and confusion.
Habang patuloy ang school director at ang class adviser nila sa pagpapaliwanag ng mga susunod nilang activities, nakapako pa rin ang nagsususpetsang tingin ni Jacob sa doktor. Ginamit niya na ang kakayahan para alamin ang mga emosyon nito, pero gaya ng ekspresyon sa mukha ng lalaki, totoong kalmado ito noong mga sandaling iyon.
Nagkuyom ang mga kamay ni Jacob nang muling magtama ang mga mata nila ng doktor. Hindi niya gusto ang presensya nito.