Rumors don't die easily in universities; instead, they evolve into something different.
By Thursday morning, the story had already changed. Jason walked across campus while two girls were whispering loudly behind him. "That's him."
"The professor's favorite."
Jason sighed. Fantastic.
Marcus jogged up beside him. "Good morning, campus celebrity."
Jason groaned. "Please stop."
Marcus grinned. "Too late. The rumor has upgraded."
Jason stopped walking. "Upgraded?"
Marcus nodded seriously. "Now people think you're secretly getting private tutoring from Professor Menzies, as a boy toy."
Jason stared at him. "…That's ridiculous."
Marcus shrugged. "Well, technically you have been in his office."
Jason rubbed his forehead. "I regret everything."Marcus laughed loudly.
They entered the classroom and the atmosphere felt strange.
Jason immediately noticed Emily sitting near the front again. But this time she didn't look embarrassed. She looked more fierce.
Marcus whispered, "I don't trust that look." Neither did he.
The classroom door opened.
Professor Tobias Menzies walked into the lecture room, and halfway through the class, he paused. "We will conduct a debate today." Tobias continued calmly. "You will defend or challenge the moral decisions of the protagonist."
He scanned the room, stopping his eyes on Emily. "Emily Carter."
Emily stood up confidently. "You will begin."
She smiled slightly. "Of course, Professor."
"The protagonist's betrayal was justified," she said smoothly. Several students looked surprised.
Emily continued. "His brother held all the power in their family. Wealth, influence, reputation." She glanced briefly at Jason. "Sometimes destroying someone stronger is the only way to escape their shadow."
A few students nodded. It was a convincing argument.
Tobias turned slightly. "Counterargument." His gaze landed on Jason.
Marcus whispered into his ear, "You're doomed."
Jason sighed and stood up slowly. "Her argument assumes the protagonist had no choices."
He leaned casually against the desk. "But that's not true."
Emily crossed her arms. "Oh?"
Jason shrugged. "He had choices. He just chose the coward's path."
Emily frowned. "That's a simplistic judgment."
Jason looked at her calmly. "Is it?" He stepped forward slightly. "You said destroying someone stronger is sometimes necessary."
Emily nodded. "Yes."
Jason smiled slightly. "But the protagonist didn't destroy his brother. He destroyed himself."
"That makes no sense."
Jason continued normally. "His betrayal didn't make him powerful. It made him bitter." He paused. "And bitterness isn't strength."
Marcus whispered, "Damn."
Emily's face tightened. "You're oversimplifying the character."
Jason tilted his head. "No." Then he added, "You're just defending the wrong side."
Emily's face turned red. "That's not true."
Jason shrugged. "Maybe."
Then he added one final sentence. "But I'm still right."
The entire classroom erupted in laughter.
Emily looked furious now. She turned toward Tobias. "Professor, that interpretation ignores the social dynamics in the novel."
Tobias had been silent the entire time. Finally, he spoke. "Mr. Williams."
Jason looked at him. "Yes?"
Tobias asked calmly, "If the protagonist had chosen differently… what would have happened?"
Jason thought for a moment. "He would have become someone worth respecting."
Tobias studied him carefully. "Correct."
Marcus whispered loudly, "That's another victory."
Emily slammed her notebook shut. The tension in the room became thick.
After class ended, students rushed out quickly. The drama had clearly entertained everyone.
Marcus grabbed Jason's shoulder. "You just destroyed her."
Jason sighed. "That wasn't the goal."
Marcus grinned. "Well, it happened anyway."
Emily walked past them and stopped beside Jason. Her voice was cold. "You think you're impressive."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "I never said that." Emily leaned closer. "But don't forget something." Jason waited. "This is only the beginning."
Then she walked away. Marcus blinked. "…That sounded like a villain speech."
Jason laughed softly. "Yeah." But something told him she wasn't joking.
Later that evening, Jason sat in the library finishing an assignment. Most students had already returned to their dorms.
Jason stretched and checked the time.
10:45 PM. He packed his bag and walked outside. But as he crossed the hallway near the faculty offices, he noticed something.
A light was on, inside Professor Menzies' office. Curiosity stirred inside him, he walked closer and knocked lightly.
Inside, Tobias looked up from a stack of papers and said calmly, "Come in."
Jason opened the door. "You're still working?"
Tobias nodded. "Yes."
Jason stepped inside. The office was quiet except for the faint sound of papers shifting.
Jason leaned against the bookshelf. "You know the entire campus thinks you're obsessed with me now."
Tobias looked at him. "And you?"
Jason smirked slightly. "I think you just like interesting conversations."
"Did Emily speak to you after class?"
Jason blinked. "How did you know?"
"Answer the question".
Jason shrugged. "She threatened me." Tobias's eyes darkened slightly. "Did she?"
Jason waved it off. "It's fine." But Tobias remained silent.
"You really don't care about rumors, do you?"
"No, I don't. What about Jason"
Jason laughed softly. "I wish I had that level of confidence."
Tobias walked towards him."Confidence is not required."
Jason looked up at him. "Then what is?"
"Clarity."
Jason frowned slightly. "Clarity about what?"
Tobias held his gaze. "What matters."
The office suddenly felt smaller. Jason cleared his throat. "Well… right now what matters is sleep."
Tobias's lips curved slightly again. Jason grabbed his bag. "Goodnight, Professor."
"Goodnight, Jason." Jason left the office.
As he walked down the hallway, his heart was beating faster than it should. Something about tonight felt different.
The tension between him and Tobias was no longer just curiosity. It was becoming something Jason had yet to comprehend.