The conflict with Leon began, as most things at Blackwood did, with a rule.
It was in Professor Wood’s Moral Philosophy class, a subject Niles had initially dismissed as nebulous. That changed the moment the debate topic was announced: “Resolved: That the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
Leon, for sure, was the first one to speak for the affirmative. He stood straight, buttoned his blazer, his prefect badge shining under the classroom’s light. He immediately laid out all his reasons with logic, acting like a prosecutor delivering a closing argument.
“It is the foundational principle of any society,” he began, his voice carrying effortlessly. “From utilitarianism to social contract theory, the point is clear. Individual sacrifice for collective stability is not just admirable; it is essential and necessary. To argue otherwise is to produce chaos.”
It was a well-constructed position. But to Niles, he believed Leon’s idea was utterly, dangerously wrong.
When it was his turn for the negative, Niles didn't stand. He remained seated, his voice unusually calm.
“The ‘needs of the many’ is defined by the powerful. It’s a fallacy dressed up as moral philosophy. Who defines the ‘need’? Who constitutes the ‘many’? Historically, that argument has justified everything from the tyranny of the majority to the extermination of inconvenient minorities. Collingwood, you’re actually arguing for a system that legitimises its own cruelties.”
The classroom went quiet all of a sudden. All eyes turned to Niles, and then Leon.
Leon’s expression tightened, he continued. “That’s a misrepresentation, Fulgencio. We are discussing abstract principle, not historical aberration.”
“Principles exist in a vacuum, while societies do not,” Niles did his rebuttal, his mind latching onto Leon’s flawed argument like a predator. “Your argument has no room for the outlier. For example, the genius, the one who sees a different path, Collingwood.”
“Based on your logic, my old school was right to expel me. I disrupted the ‘many’ for my own ‘few’ needs—the need to not be intellectually stifled. Was that wrong?”
“Yes and without a doubt ,” Leon promptly confirmed, his voice sharpening. “You broke a rule. You prioritized your intellectual vanity over the functioning of the community. Rules are the architecture of order, Fulgencio. Without them, there would be only noise and chaos.”
The word ‘algorithm’ hung in the air, a direct insult to Leon in this context. Leon’s composure cracked. A flush crept up his neck.
“If that’s the case, I would decide to work within the system to change it. I would never vandalise it for a moment of childish satisfaction. Your actions were merely the tantrum of a brilliant child who couldn’t accept the word ‘no’.” Leon clenched his fists, his knuckles turned white.
The boys were stopped by Professor Wood before they could provide further argument. They were sent back to their own seats. Niles could feel Leon's glare from behind.
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPfknBx5S7
The bell rang shortly after the debate, a shrill dismissal, and students filed out quickly, avoiding the tension crackling between the two boys.
Niles felt a hot, unfamiliar anger. It wasn't a frustration of a flawed equation; this was personal. He needed to find Alice.
He found her sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard, but she wasn’t alone.
Leon was sitting next to her, his posture less rigid than it had been in class. He was speaking to her in a low, urgent tone. Alice’s arms were crossed, her head bowed, listening. She looked like a defendant before a judge.
As Niles approached the two, they both looked up. Alice’s eyes widened with a silent warning, telling him to immediately leave. Leon turned, and the brief vulnerability Niles had seen quickly vanished, replaced by a cold, polished mask.
“Fulgencio,” Leon said, with a dangerously calm tone. “I see you have made... friends already...”
“Alice, are you alright?” Niles ignored Leon, turning his attention only to Alice.
Before she could answer, Leon stood up and took a small step forward, placing himself subtly between them. “She’s fine. We were just discussing the importance of discernment. Of choosing one’s associations carefully at a school like this.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Niles asked, stepping closer to the boy.
“It means your method has consequences,” Leon replied, his eyes boring into Niles’. “Everyone that involved in your ‘systematic correction’ has friends, not to mention that you insulted one of my prefects...”
His gaze flickered to Alice for a fraction of a second. His message was clear: Niles' actions have consequences for her.
“Stay away from Alice, Fulgencio,” Leon warned, his eyes glaring at Niles. ”This school was not a place that tolerate... unnecessary questions...”
"That's enough, Leon." Alice stopped him.
“Is it?” he turned to her. “You know the rules, you know what happened to those students who drew too much attention. The faculty would notice... anomalies...”
His words sent chills to Niles' spine and Leon gave him one last, measuring look. 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto8WL3Vcpk
“The rules here aren’t just suggestions, Fulgencio. They are a containment system. I suggest you learn them, before you learn what they're containing...”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r2pK56sbq
He walked away, his footsteps echoing with finality in the stone corridor.
Niles turned to Alice. “What was that? What did he mean, ‘you know the rules’?”
Alice’s face turned pale. She wrapped her arms around herself tighter, “He’s not just a prefect, Niles. His family… they’re part of the foundation here... before. He knows things.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS36kX85kKA
“What things?”
Alice shook her head, a genuine fear in her eyes. “I can’t. Not here…” She didn’t finish the sentence. She just looked at him, and in that look, Niles saw the truth. Their confrontation with Leon wasn’t just a clash of personalities. It was a line being drawn. And they were now squarely on the wrong side of it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRXwKxFWao
and then Add to home screen.