Chapter 12: Research
For the last couple of days, Connor had started to almost live in the library when the dates of the semester exams were announced. Being a freshman it took him a while to get acquainted with the curriculum here, and he was lagging far behind. Not to mention, he wasn't much accustomed to the ways of presenting the answers.
After his class on Monday, he spent his evening in the library. He planned on staying until the librarian kicked him out because it was time to close. His complete attention was on the book in front of him when someone outright sat in the seat in front of him. Looking up, his face paled when he saw who it was. "You know that this topic is not that important right?" Clarice asked.
"Um…" Connor hesitated. "I am going to die." he groaned. The amount of syllabus was already overwhelming, and he couldn't believe he spent the last half an hour on a topic that might not be required at all.
"Is that your book?" Clarice asked. Connor nodded reluctantly, avoiding her gaze at all cost. Borrowing the book, Clarice browsed through it. "Lemme mark some important topics for you that would be helpful this semester." she added.
She was halfway through, until which the entire atmosphere was covered in awkward silence. She looked up at Connor who looked down the moment their eyes met. "What"? Clarice chuckled. "Look, I am sorry about the other day. I reacted a little too harshly, when you were just trying to help." she added.
"Oh…" Connor mumbled. "Is that why you are trying to help me out?" he asked.
"A little bit, yeah." Clarice nodded. "But mostly because I want you to understand that you can't always know what is important and what is not all by yourself. Ask your seniors for help from now onwards." she suggested.
"I don't know any." Connor shrugged.
"Well, from now on… you know me." Clarice smiled.
"Thanks," Connor nodded. "Did you find out what happened with…."
"Nick?" Clarice finished the sentence for him. "Not yet. But the police finally took my complaint seriously, and they are getting involved. So… let's hope for the best." she shrugged, while a frown graced her face.
"I'm really sorry about him." Connor mumbled. "I hope they find him. Now that real detectives are involved." He added.
"Yeah." She chuckled. "Well, if you need any help feel free to ask me." Clarice added. She got up to leave but Connor called out to her.
"Wait"!
"Yes?"
"Um...how will I find you? I mean… I have no means of contacting you." Connor added.
"Right". Clarice nodded. She grabbed the pen from Connor's hand and on top of his notes she wrote down her number along with her name Clarice Morgan. "Just, remember. Before you call me, text me once who you are because I don't really pick up unknown numbers." She added and left. Connor stared at the number that was left and an involuntary smile crept up his face.
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After an eventful weekend of extensive research, Hayden was so immersed in finding out about this Warlock Conrad that he almost skipped his class. Key word: Almost. However, he did manage to surprise a lot of his students when he showed up in the class with dark circles under his eyes tainting his handsome face, which was even prominent through his spectacles.
Indeed he barely slept at all, but that doesn't mean his teaching was compromised. If anything he seemed even more charged. Hayden was somewhat relieved that Nathaniel didn't show up in class, because that would most definitely drive him crazy. But then again, if he had managed to catch him perhaps he could have asked his doubts regarding the things he found out.
For instance he did his research regarding the seventeenth century. The recordings of that time are so vague that it was hard to differentiate truth from myths and perception. However, there was always some truth in those myths that were worth looking for.
Given the status of Conrad, he tried to search for his name, Conrad Vance Wyman, in historical records of high society families. Given the kind of name, Hayden was surprised that he even remembered his full name. Indeed the name was quite mouthful.
He did find one, although he wasn't sure if it was the same or not given whatever he read about him. Apparently it described 'Conrad' as the kindest souls out there, but Hayden knew that it was otherwise so he moved on from that record. Alas he didn't find any, so he wondered whether or not he needed to expand his search or was he missing something. That somehow the kindest-soul Conrad became the devil.
After his class ended, he headed for the library for the day where he noticed the girl from earlier. Hayden couldn't exactly spot whom she was talking to as the guy who was on the table had his back turned against him. Nevertheless, he decided to explore on his own in the mythological section. After searching for a bit he was startled by the same girl.
"Professor Rushmore?" Clarice blinked. "I thought you taught physiology, do you believe in myths?" She asked.
"I believe in busting them." Hayden replied. "I'm doing a paper on Myths and reality where I try to determine the source of myths and how they can be explained by scientific phenomena that was unknown in the ancient days." He added.
"I see," Clarice nodded.
"Do you believe in myths young lady?" Hayden asked her.
"Well.. some of them." She chuckled. "But, I'm interested in different cultures and their myths. I'm majoring in sociology and I'm writing a paper of similar myths in different cultures". She added.
"Like how many Greek gods have their Roman counterparts?" Hayden asked.
"Exactly." She nodded.
Before Hayden could proceed with the conversation further he noticed a swift running away in the distance that piqued his interest. For some reason he very well knew who it was, and therefore he had to cut his conversation short. "I'm quite amazed by this and I'd love to hear more but I have some urgent business that I need to attend to, and therefore you'll need to excuse me" Hayden mumbled.
He managed to follow that blurry haze to his office where by the window, hiding behind the drapes stood none other than his most loathed vampire. Nathaniel.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone