"I donât understand such things, but thatâs what they said," Lucifer replied.
"H-how amazing. Youâre literally in the legendâs classâthe top of the top. Even getting in on Class B is tough, but you got A? Your Gift must be powerful," Jason exclaimed in amazement.
"Gift?" Lucifer didnât understand what he meant. He couldnât help but ask.
"You donât know that either? Strange. Is this your first time in a Variant related facility here? Didnât you attend Variant Schools before?" Jason inquired.
Lucifer simply shook his head.
"And still you got admission in Class A? Your luck is really amazing. Or, as I said, it must be because of your Gift," Jason exclaimed. "Whatâs your Gift?"
"Oh right, you still didnât understand," he suddenly said as he realized that Lucifer didnât understand him.
"Gift is what we call powers here. I know it sounds a bit odd, but thatâs how it is. Thereâs a saying that each ability is a gift from God. So thatâs why," he further explained.
"So, whatâs your Gift?" he asked again.
"My strength," Lucifer answered.
"I know that a Variantâs gift is his strength but still, what actually is it? You donât need to keep it a secret. This is an Academy. Everyone will soon know your gift anyway," Jason told Lucifer.
"No, you arenât understanding. What I meant is that my strength is my gift. I have more physical strength than a normal human," Lucifer explained.
"Interesting. Pretty good gift, I must say," Jason explained as he frowned. "But I must say, in the academy, that strength will be your biggest disadvantage."
"What do you mean?" Lucifer inquired, confused. "Why will strength be my disadvantage?"
"Tomorrow is Orientation. After that will be your first class. Iâm sure youâll understand there," Jason let out, shaking his head.
"Anyway, why are you wearing the gloves? Itâs not cold at all in this city. In fact, itâs hot. Take them off," he told Lucifer, noticing his gloves.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
"I canât," Lucifer replied, shaking his head.
"Why?" Jason inquired, confused.
"I have a medical condition," Lucifer replied. "Iâm allergic to the air. So I canât take off the gloves. If my hand comes in contact with the air, Iâll be very sick."
"What? What kind of excuse is that?" Jason asked, smiling wryly.
"Thereâs no such thing as an allergy from the air. Moreover, even if you had that, it wonât just be in your hand but your whole body. Youâre breathing the same air, brother," he added as he chuckled.
"Itâs something that even I donât understand. But itâs true. You wonât understand either," Lucifer replied, sighing.
In his eyes, it was true even though it sounded impossible. He wasnât going to take off the gloves.
"Alright. If you say so," Jason said. "Iâm not forcing you. Iâm just telling you that Iâll be your friend so I donât mind this excuse but donât tell others. They might think youâre lying. This can be bad. Just stay alert."
"At best, just tell them a false reason for you wearing the gloves. Just say itâs something personal or that you have some sentiment with these gloves. That would be much better," he further said. "Just a suggestion. If you want to follow it or not is up to you."
Lucifer didnât reply and just gazed at his hands.
âBut this is the truth. Why wonât anyone believe?â he thought, confused.
"Where is the third guy of our room?" he asked Jason, changing the topic.
"Kevin? Heâs in the medical office. He works as the assistant of the Doctor there because his gift is useful in that field. With this, he earns good as well. So heâll come in the morning," Jason replied.
"Anyway, itâs already close to morning. Take some sleep, or weâll be late for Orientation," he added as he walked to the switch and turned off the lights.
As the lights turned off, Lucifer also laid on the bed. He was also sleepy as it was over three already.
He closed his eyes as he asked Jason, "One last question. Which class are you two in?"
"Iâm in Class B along with Kevin. I am new here too, but I came two days ago," Jason answered. "Now, sleep. Or theyâll scold me for keeping their treasured Class A Variant awake all night."
...
Tuck! Tuck!
A knocking sound in the morning woke up Lucifer and Jason.
Jason looked at the clock to see that it was only six in the morning.
"God, only three hours of sleep. I really should start sleeping early," he muttered as he rubbed his eyes before he got off the bed.
He walked up to the door and opened it.
As the door was open, a young boy barged inside, walking straight to his bed.
"Youâre back," Jason said, looking at the boy.
"Yeah. So tired," the dark-haired boy replied. Contrary to Jason, he was slim. In fact, he was too skinny. He looked thinner than Lucifer, as if he didnât eat much.
"Whoâs this kid? Our roommate?" Kevin asked as he noticed Lucifer.
"Yeah. He is Alex, batch 24, Class A," Jason explained before he looked at Lucifer. "And Alex, this is Kevin. He is our roommate and one year senior compared to us. Heâs in Batch 23, Class B."
"Class A? Really?" Kevin exclaimed as he took even more interest in Lucifer.
"Arenât most of the guys in Class A rich snobs? He couldâve gotten a room on the VIP floor. Whatâs he doing here?" he asked.
"I am not rich," Lucifer answered.
"Interesting. So you didnât get admission because of your influence? This one is going to be interesting, I think." Kevin got off the bed as he approached Lucifer.
"Kevin Linder," he said, reaching out his hand.
"Alex Alaric," Lucifer replied, shaking Kevinâs hand.
"Why are you wearing these gloves, Alex?" Kevin asked after freeing his hand.
While Jason looked at Lucifer to see if he was going to take his advice or not, Lucifer fell in deep thought.
âJason is right. If I tell him the truth, he wonât understand. Heâll think Iâm lying too. I shouldnât tell others the truth,â he thought.
"Come on; Iâm only asking the reason. Not your password or anything," Kevin asked, laughing.
"Itâs a personal reason. These gloves were given by my father who is no more. These have sentimental values, so I wear them," Lucifer answered.
Hearing his answer, Kevin was taken aback.
"Iâm sorry. I didnât know," he answered apologetically.
On the other hand, Jason was smiling. It seemed like Lucifer was at least clever. Now he wouldnât annoy people who ask him the reason.