The Last Pythagorean: Book 1 Read online

  -Great Ariston! -Concludes ironically.

  After several frustrated attempts to materialize a tree with an Earth Effect, he withdrew and gave his turn to Damocles who was considered one of the best students. This was due to his mania for following ethical precepts to the maximum. To me, he was just a failure.

  By the time he reached the centre of the courtyard, Damocles had already reached the necessary frequency for his demonstration. Using his expertise, he showed his ability to move at various speeds any object. The masters looked on in admiration, making comments among themselves.

  -You have not yet seen anything. - I thought nothing at all.

  The next one would be Fadel, who positioned himself almost in the corner of the courtyard. I remembered seeing some excellent elemental effects he had made. But nothing that compared to me. His eyes almost closed denounced the lack of energy. First he materialized a fire exactly in the centre of the place. Something extremely easy when you have a fire nearby. Then he made a small floating waterfall appear that quickly put out the glowing flames.

  By the time Fadel returned, Icarus was already positioning himself at the other end. As far as I could remember, the boy with long black hair was regular in almost everything, migrations with movement effects always outside his weak point. Icarus took some time to reach the theta frequency. Everyone watched him, with suspicious eyes, fearing for a failure in the middle of the night of transition. When he obtained the necessary mental waves, he provoked the onset of a seismic tremor from an Earth Effect. With great difficulty, he made the ground tremble for a few moments. Something very modest. It was Achila's turn.

  The young girl with oblique eyes and curly hair moved confidently through the courtyard. She chose a place near the masters' table to make her demonstration.

  Achilla was excellent at Behavior Effects. In an instant everyone observed a cloud of butterflies that were not found in Crotona. They displayed a strong shimmering blue tone and flew in disarray among the students. To synchronize them, the young lady also docked a Bread flute that she played according to her mental commands. The butterflies now flew in perfect harmony as if they were rehearsed. The dynamic choreography interchanged speed and softness in a way that did not tire the audience's eyes. After the delicate blue ballet, the butterflies disappeared to materialize again, where they came from. The next one would be me. The rapid heartbeat alerted me that vigor and anxiety were simultaneously pulsing in my veins. Achilla remained focused, to finish her demonstration with an Elemental Effect.

  As Achilla was finishing up, I walked and positioned myself exactly in the center of the courtyard. The theta frequency mental waves were already prevailing and I just waited for her to finish to start the big show.

  As soon as the young man dematerialized the stream of crystalline water, I started levitating everything on the ground. Objects and people were going up until they parked at one hundred and fifty feet. The image was interesting: tables, fruits and cereals defied the law of gravity by remaining suspended in the air. Everything was organized in the same way, but floating. The masters leaning on shaky chairs looked in admiration at each other. After suspending the audience, I began the attempt to bring in an unstable natural event.

  I knew that these contributions were considered absurdly difficult and possible to be made only by people with at least ten years of initiation. Even though I knew it could exhaust my base energy, I needed to show that I was capable of the most difficult Effects. If I succeeded, the masters would be impressed and the chances of admitting me into the circle would be greater. My mind was searching the four corners of the world for the best event. When I traveled with my thoughts to the north pole of the planet, I found what I wanted: the spectacle of lights.

  Now the hardest part would come. Working on an input consisted basically of making changes at the quantum level of a certain object, creating the necessary conditions to transport it. When it was an unstable event, the work was much more peculiar. For a moment I thought I couldn't do it, until I heard a joint interjection and opened my eyes. Everything was ready.

  Little by little I went down the furniture along with the students and the masters. They were fascinated by the green and red lights as they were put back on the floor.

  I heard the voice of Pythagoras, but could not clearly identify his words. The dawn would cease in a few seconds without my having to intervene, and while everyone was contemplating the luminous magic I returned to my place in the row of students. My demonstration was over. I had used all my base energy to prove that I was the best young Pythagorean.

  The last students continued with their demonstrations. Gaia used her energy to apply high-speed motion effects with the torches and ornaments of the courtyard. Soon after Abnara and Adromáce showed their skills in simple elementary effects.

  I was the big highlight. The best.

  -All as I planned. - I looked at the sky while thinking.

  The ceremony followed and the moment of transition was coming. Each student would receive from a master a necklace with a bronze pendant stamped in the shape of a pentagram, which was the symbol of the inner members.

  Everyone remained in line side by side, concentrated and anxious. Attila and Fineas held the necklaces while the other masters stood up and positioned themselves in front of us. There was a reciprocal greeting, where pupils and masters bowed their heads as a sign of respect.

  Pythagoras took one of the symbolic necklaces and took a step forward by analyzing the future internal members. He walked to where I was and put the pentagram on my neck. The almost black eyes fixed on my face for a few moments. I felt that he believed in me exactly as I wanted him to believe.

  As he slowly walked away, I noticed that his expression was of someone looking for something inside my eyes.

  Attila handed another pentagram this time to Aristides, the master of the natural sciences. He walked and placed two necklaces, one in Achilla and one in Damocles.

  Icarus and Fadel received the pentagrams by the hands of Isocles, the master of metaphysical matters. When the last students received their necklaces, Ruales, the master of music evoked a symphony to cheer up the end of the ceremony. Many students tasted fruit and bread to the sound of the invisible lyre. They celebrated the transition while the masters withdrew to the circle that would take place the same night.

  Little by little the students left the courtyard and closed the ceremony completely. I remained motionless feeling the heat resulting from the weather and the surrounding fire. I turned suddenly when I heard someone approaching. It was Theano.

  -I came to say congratulations. -Yes. - Her blue eyes were lit as she said.

  -I said I wouldn't let anyone down. -Oh.

  -I have to go, my husband's waiting for me in the circle. -Oh.

  -Do you think I could be invited to participate? -Yeah.

  -Pythagoras is impressed with your mental capacity, but the circle is extremely reserved. This invitation may take time, or maybe never happen...

  -Do you not know me? Don't you know I get everything I want? Wait and you'll see me inside the secret circle soon.

  Before she could say anything, I started walking towards the patio exit. Theano's words had awakened in me a healthy fury that would accelerate my plans. I would be able to put my hand into the equations even if I was not invited to the circle. As I was about to pass through the sustaining columns, Theano interrupted me:

  -Aryon, wait. I'll try to convince Pythagoras. -The tone of voice was decisive.

  -Do as you please. - I said leaving the yard.

  The Hidden Room

  -What did you think of the first assembly? -Damocles asked, sitting next to me in the warm sand that captured and stored the heat of the Greek summer.

  -It was not exactly as I expected.

  -Ora, but of course. We've been interns for three days. We'll have to learn a lot yet. Damocles, Achilla, Icarus and Gaia arrived at the beach first thing in the morning, taking advantage of the free sc
hedule of classes that day. They were walking southwards when they found me looking at the immensity of the ocean that seemed to have no end.

  -We are already going back to school, are you coming with us?

  -I'm going to stay a little longer. I'll follow later.

  -Okay. Don't be late for the midday meal. -Damocles said as he walked away. -Oh.

  I held the pentagram in my right hand while trying to imagine the exact location of the hidden room. In an impulse of disbelief, I thought it was all invention, and that the possibilities of a secret hiding place were nil.

  But Theano had assured me that everything was true. And that the equation uncovered an absolute and powerful truth.

  My index finger made a map in the sand, gently tracing every room in the school. I checked several times if I hadn't forgotten some part of the large building.

  Although I had never entered some reserved rooms, Theano always kept me informed of what was going on inside them, detailing even some secret conversations of Pythagoras.

  Even analyzing several times the improvised map, I could not identify any hidden passage. It would be necessary to know the areas of limited access to obtain more uniform conclusions. And I would do that at the appropriate time.

  The tide erased the map leaving only traces of the layout. The sun was getting higher and higher burning my skin and my hair with intensity.

  I got up willing to walk back to school. My bare feet felt the water beating as I walked slowly, savoring the refreshing sea breeze. The sky, without any cloud, showed a clear blue that made the morning clearer than usual.

  My mind invented possibilities for the location of the room.

  - What if it existed outside the school? I asked myself.

  The deduction intrigued me for a moment. Being rational it concluded that a secret so powerful could not be far from Pythagoras for security reasons.

  I accelerated the steps unconsciously, obeying my empty stomach that yearned for water and food.

  I walked for an hour until the fatigue beat me. There was still a long distance to go, totaling about eight stadiums. The sun was almost at its height and the salty sweat was dripping down on my body, wetting little by little part of my short tunic. My mind was wandering around the monochrome horizon, when I decided to make a migration before I missed the school feeding schedule.

  I smelled bread and olives as soon as I entered the dining area. Most students including boarders and outsiders were sitting at the marble table, filled with food. There was an empty seat next to Icarus.

  -Is this someone's place? -I approached asking.

  -It was from Achilla, but she's at another table. - The tone of voice was sad.

  -What happened? You don't sound well... And why is Achilla at another table?

  -We argued. -Icarus answered with low eyes.

  -But you seemed happy on the beach... -Oh.

  -It was just now.

  I ignored Icarus' depression and started eating. The taste and texture of the bread did not satisfy me. I missed the succulent lamb and the strong thick wines served at the banquets that I sometimes attended without anyone knowing.

  Unfortunately I had to settle for that dull and tasteless food that was served every day.

  -For a short time.

  -Speaking to me? -Icarus asked me, scaring me.

  -No. -I was just thinking out loud.

  I searched uselessly for Theano in the dining area. Obviously she was with her husband in the most luxurious room at school, eating selected nuts and grapes. I needed to find her and tell her about my last idea, after all she was part of the plans.

  -You seem agitated, -Damocles said he was on the other side of the table, right in front of me.

  -Impression of you.

  Before I left the place, I had a soup made with several legumes harvested at the entrance. The flavor seasoned with herbs was pleasant to the palate and took away the rough taste of dry bread. After finishing the stew, I quickly got up and left the dining area.

  I took the empty central corridor at this time, walking slowly in the hope of finding Theano. I discreetly examined each room, trying to hear the sweet voice of the young woman. No sound was heard except my own steps.

  I went to the east area and sat on the smooth marble that covered all the ground of the place. The logic and metaphysics class would begin in a fifth of an hour and I would take advantage of the free time to formulate some strategies.

  When I elaborated the details of the plan that would be put into practice that night,

  Gaia and Damocles suddenly appeared at the entrance.

  -The class is about to begin Aryon. -It was Gaia who spoke.

  -I know. - The tone of my frustration was exteriorizing.

  -You don't have to be upset, we only came because Attila ordered it. -Oh, I know. He's monitoring the absences this month.

  I got up and went to the room walking at my natural pace, interspersed with large and fast steps. The small marble tables fixed on the floor were occupied by the new boarders. The atmosphere was invaded by the intense clarity of the afternoon sun. Isocles had already arrived and I expected everyone to get organized.

  When silence finally reigned on the spot, the master greeted us and began to speak.

  -Those students, from today you will begin a fascinating journey on the paths of logic and metaphysics. You will learn to question the essence of the cosmos and the first cause by relating it to the absolute truth of mathematics. I must remind you that this is a study that requires dedication and discipline, and that you depend on it to achieve the next degree of initiation.

  Isocles began the class by instructing us on the basic concepts of Pythagorean logic and later on its relationship with metaphysics.

  While we were discussing the possibility of no first cause, Fadel interrupted:

  -Master Isocles, I beg your permission to ask a question. -There is a myth about a Pythagorean secret. -Master Isocles. Something like a powerful equation that unlocks a great secret of the cosmos. I wonder if this story is really a myth.

  The man with the light brown eyes and long black hair, kept a deep expression.

  -I allowed your question, dear young man, because I imagined it was related to today's studies... But I notice that it aroused curiosity in everyone.

  The students looked at each other as he spoke. Isocles took a long pause before he went on.

  -This story was made up some time ago by a young man from Samos. -Oh. He was a student of Pythagoras before our school existed. This young man was stealing several equations from his master without him knowing...

  -Why did he do it? -Fadel asked.

  -I longed to be wiser than Pythagoras. -Yes. Or at best be like him. According to the story invented, in one of these robberies, the young man would have found an extraordinary equation. Something extremely mystical and powerful, which would be highly dangerous if it were in the wrong hands. Fearing that the young man would discover the real secret behind the numbers and use it with the worst intentions, Pythagoras would have recovered the equation and hidden it somewhere. There is also a version in which she was burned. Of course, all this is just invention, or as you said yourself dear Fadel, a myth. Let us return to the debate about the first cause.

  I was looking in the master's eyes for some sign of concern. He seemed to have known that story for a long time, for at no time had he stumbled upon the words told. Was that version true?

  -He would never confess the truth. -I measured it rationally.

  I began to analyze what had happened, trying to understand how everything had come to Fadel's attention. Thanks to him, the class got to know the story.

  After the debate, Isocles' class continued with a different atmosphere. The students remained focused on logical-mathematical exercises, but the master seemed bothered by that silence. He walked around and took water without feeling a real thirst. When class was over, I noticed that his hands and face were exaggeratedly soft.

  Concern or warmth?
-I asked in silence.

  I left the room, determined to find Theano, wherever she was.

  -Let's go to the east area before the next class, come with us Aryon?-Icarus was right behind me.

  -I have to do something important, I'll see you later. -Oh.

  I followed the corridor to the library, where Theano used to spend some afternoons. The dark place, like every school, was almost empty, except for the young woman who wore a long braid and analyzed some papyrus.

  -By Zeus, I've been looking for you since the midday meal. -I said whispering.

  -Something happened? -Your voice was even lower than mine.

  -I had a new idea, which we will put into practice tonight.

  -This evening? -Yeah. But that fast?

  -Yeah, then I'll explain why. -Yeah.

  -Explain it to me now.

  -We don't have time. We need to combine the details, which are more important. Tonight will be the second assembly. This will be the best time to enter the reserved rooms.

  -But you have to attend the assembly. It's mandatory.

  -Not if I'm sick.

  -Aryon, that's not gonna work. -Oh.

  -It will, I'm sure of it. You just have to be convincing.

  -And what should I do? -Yeah.

  Right now, we hear a noise of sandals crawling down the hall.

  I quickly picked up a papyrus and moved away from Theano.

  Have you come to research something, young Aryon?

  -Yes, Master Phineas. The metaphysics lessons left me quite instigated. - I answered.

  -That's good, dear young man. Metaphysics opens the hidden windows of the mind.

  And you Theano, what are you doing here?

  -Same as Aryon, but I was just leaving. I need to take care of some plants in the meditation area. -She was emphasizing the last words.

  I spent some time in the library to convince Phineas of my research.

  After he left the place, I left just after going to the area where Theano was.