The scientists didn't hold back from sharing the last lesson's juicy details with the reporters. The news didn't come from everyone, but a few had much to gain from delivering Khan's personal information to the public.
Khan read the news during the ride to his flat, and sadness invaded him when he exited the elevator. He could sense Monica in the main hall, and some guilt gripped his stomach as he approached her.
Monica peeked past the couch with a joyous smile, but Khan's expression froze it. She immediately understood the issue, and an admonishing face replaced her previous grin.
"I'm not mad, dummy," Monica scolded. "How many times do I have to repeat it?"
Khan didn't speak. He climbed the couch's armrest and dived onto Monica. She welcomed him into her arms, and a hand went on his hair while he rested his face on her shoulder.
Monica didn't stop there. While Khan rubbed his face on her, she partially unbuttoned his uniform and uncovered his right shoulder. The azure tattoo appeared in the open, and Monica traced its lines with her fingers.
"I know how much you loved her," Monica continued. "The fact that you can say those same words to me proves how much you care."
"Sometimes," Khan sighed, lifting his head to look at Monica, "Just sometimes, I feel I don't deserve you."
"What just sometimes?" Monica wanted it to be an angry shout but only laughs came out. "Besides, I'm the woman who made Major Khan love again. That's an immense accomplishment."
"The best of all," Khan nodded, and the couple didn't hold back from making the best out of their free time.
Sadly, the news didn't vanish in a single night. Khan's lessons were the main talk on the network, but his relationship remained a huge source of gossip. Learning that he might still have feelings for his ex rekindled many old articles, which turned into direct questions in Monica's following interviews.
Monica took the questions like a pro. She knew the news didn't reflect well on her parents, but her left hand carried all the proof she needed. Her trust in Khan was unwavering, and the reporters always failed to make it falter.
As for Khan, his approach inevitably grew colder toward his students. He knew he was to blame for the news but still didn't enjoy having his feelings leaked to the network. He was at fault, but the event reminded him that some scientists were working against him.
Nevertheless, the colder approach didn't affect the validity of Khan's teachings. He also couldn't explain anything else while the scientists remained stuck at the fundamentals, which weren't an easy bottleneck to overcome.
The scientists were jaded, older, and rational figures, and awakening their long-lost feelings for certain matters wasn't as easy as flicking a switch. A deep introspection was needed, and days weren't enough to accomplish it.
Still, the scientists genuinely tried to succeed, leading to multiple silent lessons. The symphony never answered, but Khan could see many were getting close to understanding the requirements.
A change happened in the middle of the second week of lessons. Once the appointed hour arrived, the scientists began to leave the classroom while Khan waited by his desk. Still, one expert remained behind at that time to have a private conversation with him.
"What is it, Abraham?" Khan asked while keeping his gaze on his interactive desk.
"I was hoping you could answer some questions, Major," Abraham politely said, approaching the teaching platform.
"Questions that couldn't be asked during the lesson?" Khan wondered, finally looking at the scientist and crossing his arms to face him.
"Every scientist wants to be the first to discover things," Abraham declared. "I'm merely following my curiosity."
Khan inspected the expert, but his aura leaked no warning signs. Abraham probably had the tools to hide potential threats, but Khan still decided to face them.
"Speak," Khan ordered.
"Why did you open yourself to alien techniques?" Abraham asked. "I understand you had duties, but the event is highly irregular."
The question made sense. Alien techniques weren't only harder to learn for humans. It was also complicated to gain access to them. Usually, their study was limited to Ambassadors and similar figures since they ended up facing them. They weren't something a young man would have the chance or time to master.
"The chaos element is tricky," Khan explained. "The human methods weren't working, so I tested other paths. The alien techniques turned out to be more suitable."
That wasn't far from the truth. Khan had been unable to cast spells until he completely abandoned himself to Liiza's teachings. After that, he stuck with that since it worked more than well for him.
"The chaos element is indeed difficult to master," Abraham nodded. "My praises for achieving such a level of control, Major."
Khan didn't react to the compliment. He studied the scientist, attempting to understand what he was trying to achieve. However, the lack of clues eventually prompted him to ask a question. "Are your doubts cleared?"
"I apologize," Abraham uttered. "From these lessons, it's clear a basic understanding wouldn't have sufficed."
"So?" Khan questioned.
"Opening yourself wouldn't have been enough," Abraham explained. "You probably mastered the alien techniques before testing the path they offered, and that doesn't come from simple curiosity or duty."
Developing spells was a dangerous endeavor. For that reason, Khan had hesitated to test Liiza's teachings until the very last moment. Abraham was right, and it had only taken him one and a half weeks to reach those conclusions.
While Abraham's intuition was scary, Khan couldn't help but delve into old memories. Sure, he had enjoyed his time in [The Pure Trees], and it had been in his best interest to shine in its subjects. Still, his efforts didn't come from mere duty or ambition.
"Her love saved me," Khan muttered, "And she became my whole world."
"Oh," Abraham chuckled. "To be young."
Khan's eyes had remained dark during the trip down memory lane, but an azure glow filled them when he looked at Abraham. The man was at the same level as him, but a chill ran down his spine anyway. Even without words, Abraham understood Khan was about to threaten him.
"My hunch was on the younger ones," Khan announced. "I didn't expect the vice director of the scientific department to take bribes to fish out my personal information."
"Major, you misunderstood," Abraham gasped, almost incredulous about the fear filling his body. "I have nothing to do with the recent news."
"Words," Khan exclaimed. "How easy are they to say."
Khan leaned forward, bending to face Abraham. The man wanted to step back, but his legs didn't move. An invisible force was trapping him, and there was no escaping it.
"On which side are you?" Khan asked.
Abraham gulped. His first instinct was to resort to more polite words, but he wasn't dumb. He also understood the nature of Khan's question. Anyone with political expertise would.
"Neither," Abraham swore. "I'm simply here for the Global Army."
"More words," Khan scoffed, lifting a hand to place his fingers on the man's chest. "I will make something clear now, so pay attention."
Khan glared at Abraham, and the light of his eyes shone on his face. Still, he remained silent until Abraham understood that he had to nod in understanding.
"You didn't force me to do this," Khan revealed. "You couldn't even if you wanted to. I decided to host these lessons simply to avoid a headache."
Abraham knew Khan was speaking the truth. No official pressure had arrived from the higher-ups, and Khan could have delayed the matter anyway. He had the connections to do that.
"You don't believe me?" Khan wondered. "Do you think your lungs are in charge of breathing here?"
Abraham tried to take a deep breath, but no air reached his lungs. The issue wasn't with his nostrils and mouth. The air had simply frozen.
"Wrong," Khan continued. "I'm allowing your lungs to work."
Khan straightened his back, and Abraham regained the ability to breathe. He coughed a few times while taking a step back. Cold sweat began to fill his forehead, and his half-closed eyes widened for the first time to look at Khan in shock.
"Warn the others," Khan ordered, crossing his arms again and diverting his gaze. "I don't care if you alert the reporters either. It's time everyone learned who is in charge."
Abraham took a few seconds to recover, but to Khan's surprise, he didn't leave. Instead, he straightened his back and waited for Khan to look at him again.
"Anything else?" Khan questioned.
"I initially thought you had your father's enthusiasm," Abraham announced, "But it turned out you have your mother's heart."
Khan's eyes had stopped glowing, but a flash ran through them again. Still, his face didn't reveal other clues. His expression remained firm as he inspected the scientist.
"My mother," Khan muttered. "Do you mean Elizabeth Nognes?"
Abraham didn't want to reveal anything, but hearing that name filled his face with surprise. That information was supposed to be a secret, especially from Khan, but his ears didn't lie.
"I told you," Khan declared. "You are nothing more than a headache."
Abraham remained stunned for a while, but his following gesture managed to make Khan frown. The man went to his knees, placing both palms and forehead on the floor.
"My Prince!" Abraham shouted without changing stance. "Allow me to serve you!"
