{ Unconventional Psychology class }
Orion Longstone had been a fixture at Ninth House for as long as anyone could remember. Alongside his colleagues, Lola Novik and the Archivist, he had witnessed the evolution of the institution through various eras and changes in leadership, including the appointment of the current headmaster, Adrian Dear. This trio had seen the school through its trials and triumphs, becoming the pillars upon which its legacy was built.
As the first day of the new school year dawned, Orion Longstone was already awake, his mind sharp and alert. He sat in his study, surrounded by shelves lined with ancient tomes and manuscripts. Orion’s keen eyes scanned the notes he had prepared for his first class. Each year, he aimed to challenge his students, to push them beyond their comfort zones and into the depths of their own minds. This year would be no different. He had planned a series of lectures and discussions designed to unravel the complexities of human psychology, to explore the hidden fears, desires, and motivations that drive behavior.
With a slow, deliberate movement, Orion reached for his cane, the polished wood cool under his fingers. He rose from his chair, feeling the familiar twinge in his leg as he did so. The limp had become a part of him, a reminder of his past and the journey that had brought him here. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, his sharp features and silver hair giving him an almost spectral appearance. Dressing in his customary dark coat, Orion prepared to face his students. He knew that his presence alone would command their attention, but it was his knowledge and passion that he hoped would ignite their curiosity and drive their learning. As he made his way to the classroom, the rhythmic click of his cane against the stone floor echoed through the corridors, a sound that announced his arrival. A sound everyone knew so well by now. In the hallways students would glance up as he passed, their conversations hushed and their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. They knew of his reputation, of the rumors that surrounded him, and they wondered what this year would bring.
Back in the classroom, as students settled into their seats, the door at the back of the room swung open with a deliberate creak, drawing all eyes toward the figure who stepped inside. Entering the classroom, Orion paused at the door, his gaze sweeping over the room. The students fell silent, their attention focused entirely on him. His gaze fell on every student in the room, for a second or two. ”Hm…“ He paused, letting that one word, one sound sink in, the weight of his presence felt by all.
Professor Longstone made his way to his desk, his movements were slow and deliberate, his tall frame slightly hunched, as if he were carrying the weight of countless secrets. The sharp click of his cane against the floor now echoed through this silent classroom. No one knew the story behind the cane or the slight limp that accompanied his steps, but it was a source of endless speculation among the students. Some whispered that he had been involved in a duel with a rival scholar, while others claimed he had ventured too far into the dark recesses of the human mind and barely returned.
He placed a stack of ancient, leather-bound books on the desk before him, their titles obscured by dust and age. ”You are here because you seek to understand the human mind,“ he spoke up, his gaze piercing through the dim light. ”But be warned: what we study here goes beyond the boundaries of traditional psychology.“ Orion’s eyes lingered on each student, as if he could see beyond their outward appearances and into the depths of their souls. His intensity was unnerving, yet it captivated the class. He began to pace slowly, the rhythm of his cane creating a hypnotic cadence. ”In this class, you will not only learn about the mind’s mechanics but also its mysteries. We will study dreams and nightmares, fears and desires, and the fine line between sanity and madness. You will question everything you know, and perhaps, you will discover something new about yourselves.“ His voice only becoming louder and louder after every said word.
Just as he was delving into the introduction, he heard a faint whisper from the back of the classroom. Orion’s sharp eyes immediately found the source: a student attempting to converse with their neighbor. He stopped mid-sentence, the room’s atmosphere growing tense. Orion raised his cane and pointed it towards the student, his eyes narrowing. ”You,“ he said, his voice cold and unwavering. ”Out. No one interrupts my class.“