The Last Pythagorean: Book 1 Page 11

  Everything went dark.

  Intuition

  Ancient Greece, 529 B.C.

  I sat on the cold sand watching Achilla's movement as she created the courage to dive into the icy waters of the Mediterranean.

  - Don't you think it's a bit cold today to bathe in? - I asked before she went into the sea.

  -It's Icarus, but I don't mind. -I don't mind.

  -You're crazy! - I said surprised.

  -Maybe I am, crazy for life. -Oh! To feel the various possibilities of sensations is fascinating... You should try it.

  Being with you is enough for me.

  She seemed to ignore my words by diving quickly into the blue waters...

  greyish.

  As I analyzed the sky I realized that the heap of opaque clouds was growing, blocking the passage of the few solar rays that intended to warm the day. The horizon became progressively darker, warning me of the storm that was to come.

  - Achilla! Don't be long! We need to get back before the rain.

  - I'm coming! - She screamed before she dived again.

  Although my thought was to admire Achilla, there was one thing that disturbed me: Aryon's behavior.

  Last week, the extremely intelligent young man, whom I had as a friend treated me with enormous carelessness, proved to be someone of various personalities. I knew Aryon had never been very kind in his treatments, but I always thought he showed some friendship during meals or when we went to the beach.

  - Are you thinking about something? - Asked Achilla, he was already in the sand again, without me noticing immediately.

  -I am... Aryon's behavior. I thought he was my friend.

  -Aryon was never anyone's friend. -I thought you knew that.

  -But he's right, Achilla. I'm the worst mentalist who's ever been to school.

  -I can't believe you trusted Aryon's words. -Oh. You're great, forget what he said.

  -You say that because you love me. - I was too disappointed to believe her.

  -And you should trust only the words of those who love you. -Oh!

  -Well, even if I believed your words, that wouldn't change my reality. I really suck.

  - I'm sure you can get something Aryon can't. She said sure. -Don't make me laugh Achilla. Aryon is good at everything. There's nothing he can't do.

  - Even if you don't agree, to me you'll always be the best. Now forget what happened and let's go.

  I stood up still upset and held Achilla's hand tight. My hair was soaked, framing the delicate face that instantly charmed me as I fixed my eyes.

  I couldn't contain the urge to kiss her.

  - We must go. We don't have time for romance. - She said as she ran past my footsteps. The always intense, relaxed smile.

  We walked for about fifteen minutes until we felt dense drops falling on us.

  - Achilla, I won't be able to reach theta quickly, my mind is in chaos.

  - Don't worry, I can migrate both of us.

  We'll be back in school in a tiny fraction of time. Achilla was always an expert in absurdly fast and smooth migrations that caused no discomfort when completed.

  Meanwhile, I was able to achieve at most slow and bewildered migrations, which often took me to places I did not even know.

  Although I'd never minded that Achilla was better at almost everything, I felt much inferior this time.

  My soul grew cold, and for the first time I knew what it was like to feel self-pity.

  Aryon was right, I had never been worthy of being a Pythagorean.

  - What was it? Why are you standing there? We need to go, class is about to start. - Achilla said, pulling me out of the submersion in my thoughts.

  -I'm not going.

  -What do you mean? -I'm not going. Of course you're going... Why wouldn't I go? Don't you feel well?

  -I'm fine, I mean, I think I am. -Yeah. I just don't feel like studying.

  - Icarus, what's going on? You're not like that. You've always been one of the most dedicated students.

  - Achilla, what good is it if I'm the worst mentalist in here? I won't go and don't think I'll change my mind. - I said abandoning her in the middle of the center aisle.

  I walked to my room feeling a terrible lump in my throat. I was collapsing on myself, acting like a coward, believing in Aryan.

  But it was inevitable.

  If I couldn't be someone meaningful, why keep trying?

  I reached the empty room and lay on the old mattress. I closed my eyes in an attempt to get rid of that terrible feeling that was gradually bringing me down. A mixture of sadness and inferiority consumed me and I only wanted to be able to sleep at that very moment. Perhaps I would wake up better or not at all as I really wanted to.

  Even though my conscience was slightly altered by sleepiness, I could hear footsteps approaching the room. I resisted the sleep call and became alarmed.

  Damocles entered the room.

  - Icarus, are you all right?

  - What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class? - I asked, ignoring your question.

  -I snuck out. Achilla was sad and I asked her what was happening. I can't believe you're like that for what Aryon said.

  - Well, believe me. -I did. -You say that because you weren't humiliated in front of the whole class.

  - Isocles already punished you, don't you remember? He's forbidden to attend classes.

  - Do you think that's enough? - I asked with indignation.

  -I don't know if it's fair, but he didn't come out unscathed. -Oh. And you're really going to give up now, because of what he said? So you're giving in too easy. Don't you realize that's exactly what he wants? To hit you.

  Damocles, I know I shouldn't give in. But it's just that I still don't understand, how he could do that... I thought there was a friendship between us.

  -I never trusted Aryon, but I also found it strange. In the last few days his behavior is not normal. He seems even more arrogant if he thinks he's too superior.

  -But he is. After all, he is the best mentalist in school. Even the masters agree with that.

  -I'm sorry Icarus, but that's no reason for him to act that way. -He said while he was occupying part of the mattress, sitting next to me. -I think he had to be expelled. -Oh.

  -That's never gonna happen Damocles. -I'm sorry. Pythagoras was impressed on transition night. He would never allow Aryon's absence. I'm sure they already consider him one of the most important members of the circle.

  - You are mistaken, Icarus. First because Aryon is not yet part of the circle and second because Pythagoras first values ethics and morals. Aryon's latest actions are far from these principles.

  - Perhaps... - I said by revealing what he had said.

  - Now I have to go. Isocles may suspect my delay.

  - Apologize to Achilla for me.

  - It's all right. Next class is Advanced Mentalism. You don't want to miss it, do you?

  -Advanced Mentalisms? It's very interesting! - I couldn't contain the enthusiasm.

  -Then I'll see you in a little while. -Oh! It'll be in the east area. - He said out.

  I waited for a small fraction of time, until I heard the noise of the students walking down the hall. I left the room quickly to arrive along with the class. Attila was already positioned in the middle of the huge place.

  -Good day, dear students. We will start the module most expected by many: Advanced Mentalisms.

  The students made a circle very close to it, showing a particular interest in the new subject. The rain was now very soft, causing a nice noise to be heard, which did not disturb the understanding of Attila's words.

  Achilla's eyes sparkled when they realized I was on the spot.

  -Master Attila, will you be mentoring a cover or do we need to stay wet?

  -Fadel, I brought you to the east area on purpose. I wanted to take advantage of the rain to start with one of the most difficult mentalisms: Elemental Inversion.

  -I thought we had seen all the elemental mentalisms. - Said Gaia con
fused.

  - No, you haven't. Attention students! Do not confuse Elementary Inversion with Elementary Annulment. These are very different mentalisms in theory and practice. In the basic module you learned how to neutralize or annul an elementary effect with its opposite element. Now you will learn how to transform an element into its opposite.

  -I didn't know that was possible. -Gaia opined.

  -You young man, there is no such thing as the impossible for your mind. - Attila said while looking attentively at all the students.

  But Master Attila, I can't imagine what the mechanism would look like. - Fadel interrupted.

  -That's exactly why he's considered advanced. -Oh. It is a very elaborate mechanism and difficult to achieve.

  Well, first it is necessary to codify the value of the vibrational frequency of the two opposites. In our case, water and fire.

  -We haven't learned to encode vibrational frequency yet. - I said convinced.

  -You haven't learned, dear Icarus. -Yes. You missed the first class today, where you were taught such content.

  I shut up in response.

  - By Zeus, I should not have stayed in the room. - I thought I was sorry. - Now I won't be able to make the reversal.

  Achilla's eyes were worried. She seemed to want to tell me something.

  I opened my mind to telepathic communication.

  - I can pass you the encryption. - It was the main thought directed at me.

  - I can't accept Achilla. - I thought I'd answer.

  - Why not?

  - Because it's not right.

  -Icarus is no problem. If Attila questions you, you say you've read about coding in the library papyruses.

  I pondered it for a moment.

  I didn't know if it obeyed the school's ethical values. Attila was advancing the class and the students were already working on coding. I decided on an impulse.

  - Okay.

  -Save me a few minutes and I'll do the math and pass you the results.

  Achilla took a clean papyrus inside her briefcase and started calculating manually. All the students were focused on getting the correct values from both elements.

  I copied the gesture and pretended to be working with the same goal. After a quarter of an hour, Achilla passed me the values of the vibrational frequencies to perform the mentalism.

  I was surprised to see that the number was not exact, having two houses after a comma.

  - Are you sure this is the value?

  -I think so. I did the calculations twice and this was the result.

  -How odd... They always said elements were linked to exact numbers. The fire would be 1 and water 2.

  -Maybe the vibrational frequency isn't included in this rule. -Oh. - Achilla thought.

  -Might be...

  It took a little longer for everyone to finish their calculations. After checking the completion of the first task, Attila proceeded:

  Everyone must keep the number they found. It will not be allowed to check the figures with the colleagues. We will see who was really attentive to the first lesson and will be able to get it right. Concentrate and try to change the vibrational frequency of the raindrops until they reach the same value as the fire. Remember that you already make vibration changes in inputs.

  -Master Attila, in input it is not necessary to know the exact value. Just increase the frequency to the maximum to shift pure energy and then decrease to the original vibration.

  -Yes, it is very different. That's why they're only learning now. You will need to change slowly, little by little, until you completely modify the structure of the element according to the desired value. It will take a high degree of control and discipline of your mental power to do a thorough job, otherwise it will not work. Now enough theory and let's go to practice. Gaia will position herself in the center, she will be the first.

  The young woman walked quickly, showing excitement with the invitation.

  - Give me the papyrus with its result.

  Attila looked at it with a frightened expression, although she seemed to have foreseen what she had read.

  -Cara Gaia, it seems you talked too much during the first lesson. Students, mentalize a copper-resistant protective wrapping.

  - Copper? - Gaia asked confused.

  -Yes, young man. You found the vibrational frequency value of copper. Pay more attention in the next few classes.

  After scolding and verifying that all students had masterminded the correct wrapping, Attila allowed the inversion attempt.

  Gaia hit the theta quickly and everyone noticed the unusual effort she was making to change the frequency of the drops. The young woman with brown hair, now wet, closed her eyes seemingly seeking transcendental concentration, demonstrating to everyone that it was really more difficult than we had imagined.

  - I can't. - She said after five minutes of trying.

  -Sure you can't. The class is Elemental Inversion, where you turn a primary element into its opposite. Transformation into complex elements will be in the next module yet. Go back to your place, and I hope you've learned to behave better when a master explains theory.

  -Yes. -She answered with embarrassment.

  -Damocles, your turn. Position yourself. - Attila asked with a firm voice.

  Damocles walked confidently, with his green and kind eyes. When he delivered the piece of papyrus that he had used to calculate the values, the master opened a sincere smile as if congratulating him.

  - Students! Mentalize a Hydorenvoluntary. We seem to have the first correct value. Concentrate. You can do it. - Attila said encourage him.

  Damocles looked at the horizon losing himself in his wet vastness, covered by the white tint of rain. The drops were getting thicker and thicker, making my body progressively cool down.

  I mentalized the water wrap by feeling invaded by the tremor, which was trying to produce energy to keep me warm.

  After four minutes of concentration the reversal show began to happen.

  The crystalline drops turned into floating flames that burned the ground. Attila was attentive, putting out the rapidly spreading fire, avoiding a fire from the eastern area. Everyone looked delighted, with the rain of fire that would seem surreal to any inhabitant of Crotona who was not a Pythagorean.

  The wrap extinguished the flames that came towards me, preventing them from reaching my skin.

  - What would be the value of the frequency? Did Achilla get it right, too? - I thought quietly.

  -Very young Damocles. -Oh. You got the reversal right. You'll get a few points in your final grade. Now, turn the energy back to its previous state, turning it back into water.

  Damocles finished the activity perfectly and returned to his place by my side, wasting joy and pride.

  - Congratulations. - I told him.

  -Thank you, Icarus, I'm very happy you made it. I think I'm evolving.

  -Yes, you are.

  -You'll make it too. It's not so hard, just concentrate.

  -We'll see. -Oh. - I said with some doubt.

  -Icarus, since you're talking with so much excitement. I'll let you be next. - I said Attila with a slight tone of irony.

  -Sure, master Attila. -Oh. -I answered without grace. - Shall I position myself?

  -Yes, please.

  I walked to the center of the area, hoping not to be questioned by Attila as to how I obtained the values. I've always been terrible at telling lies, and I wouldn't know what to say exactly, even though Achilla had guided me.

  I handed the papyrus to Attila without looking him in the eye.

  -All right, young Icarus can begin. -Oh. Your values are correct. Students, don't unpack the wrapper!

  After hearing the master's words, I felt relieved that this time he had ignored the fact that I had missed the first lesson.

  I closed my eyes and tried to reach theta quickly. After succeeding, I had to work harder than ever before, trying to alter the vibration of the drops that fell unceasingly.

  After seven minutes of try
ing, I thought about quitting. I was stopped when I noticed a tiny spark in the ground that disappeared when I blinked. If I wasn't dreaming, it had been erased by some dense drop and that meant I was starting to get it.

  I made an effort again, applying the rest of the base energy. My head hurt and my hands trembled, warning me that I was already weak. I ignored the feeling and continued.

  - I could hold on a little longer. - I thought.

  As I completed a fifth of an hour, the drops began to turn into glowing flames, repeating Fadel's spectacle. I contemplated for a very short period of time, when I inevitably fell unconscious on the marbled ground of the eastern area.

  I woke up when Attila was performing an energy transfusion. Achilla was on my left side, with worried eyes.

  -You okay? -She asked?

  -I am now. - My voice came out whispering.

  - How long was I disagreed? - I asked confused.

  -about a third of an hour. First rule about mentalism: when your base energy is running out, don't proceed. - Attila said scolding me.

  - I'm sorry, I didn't...

  -Don't say anything, Icarus. -You need to recover. Can you get up? - Achilla asked.

  -I think so.

  -Stay on Damocles and Fadel. They'll help you get to the room. -Attila advised.

  The morning passed quickly while I stayed in the room recovering from the loss of consciousness. The rain had stopped, giving way to the shining sun that warmed the wet and cold walls.

  I got up and walked towards the dining room, smelling the midday meal.

  Achilla, Damocles and Gaia were sitting in their usual place.

  -Is it better now? -Damocles asked as soon as I approached.

  -Yes and I'm starving! - I answered after kissing Achilla's face.

  - You gave everyone a fright. Don't you know it's dangerous to go on when base power is scarce? It can be fatal. - The voice was Gaia's.

  -Yes, I know. But I thought it would hold. I learned my lesson.

  -Well, it was just a fainting spell. -Yeah. - Said Achilla.

  -It won't happen again. I'll be more careful next time, I promise.

  The meal was delicious. I had hot bread with vegetable and herb soup, plus the juicy ripe grapes that were served as dessert.