Fanged by Circumstance [Part 1]

“Pay attention!” The Professor lightly barked at one of the students falling asleep at the current presentation.

Instituto Tecnológico de Baja California Sur, also known as ITBCS, and not to be misrepresented for Universidad Baja California Sur, UBCS. The very first higher educational institutes to be established in Nuevo Eztli; both highly respected for their achievements in research and innovations. Earning a prestigious atmosphere for the City: As the undergraduates that attend the school are typically part of the upper class of the City, while the rest have to achieve their own academic respect to have the opportunity to attend the school. ITBCS has been notorious for their intense subjects as they specialize in a selective curriculum. Whereas UBCS, has a more broad variety of subjects, because it was initially designed for the majority of citizens to attend and earn a degree. However, that changed as time went on, now somewhat the same in notoriety.

“Sorry, Professor, but I’d say most of us already know this stuff. When are we going to start learning the stuff we took this class for??” Izel justified as the other students chuckled silently.

“Sr. Vega, is it? The purpose of this class is to prepare you for the entire school’s curriculum, so that means learning everything that is to know about the history of the world’s most life changing technologies.” The Professor lectured.

“I suppose so, but the presentation should be at least entertaining, the first half was pretty engaging, the second half felt pretty dull, OH—And it never mentioned the other Immolation Readers.” Izel pointed.

“Hmm, I can agree to some of what you are stating, however, this isn't a movie theater, Sr. Vega, this is an institute for higher education. That being said—You seem to show a passion for historical figures, so why don’t you surmise an essay with a constructed opinion of the actions of those other Immolation Readers.” The Professor grinned, as Izel deflated into his chair, along with the other students snickering.

The first month of the school year for the next generations of hopeful academics. Attending ITBCS, and the one sleeping in the last lecture of the day. Izel Vega, a young man, honestly too bright for his own good. The Professors knew this. As they mentioned, this class is to make sure that these undergraduates are correctly guided for this school. Izel is one not to waste time, having recognized this from an early age, he’s always attempted to leap forward to greatness. From the moment he graduated High School he knew that the only way to achieve said greatness is to earn a prestigious degree. However being born in the lower class of the City, this would not be the easiest to obtain. Brilliantly, he decided to write his own fate, by taking ITBCS’s Entrance Exam to pass with one of the highest scores. Twice: As they had a false suspicion of him of cheating the first time—With that rightfully earned scholarship, he then fabricates the remaining funds needed for the school. Not by conventional standards, as he saw that there are much more profitable strategies to make money fast. Shady web investments, techno hustling, crypto skimming, low cyber embezzlement. Typical employment for any young adult. None of those normal lower wage jobs.

“And we’ll end it there… I appreciate most of your patience, and I understand the eagerness to dive head first into the future. Just remember everyone, the very ground you're standing on wasn’t created in a single day.” The Professor cleverly advised as the class came to a close.

Izel glanced around the room as the other students left. Clearly experiencing mild embarrassment as he now has to complete a surprise essay. An arguably easy task, but the reason why he has to do it is what will make it into a challenge.

Eventually leaving the classroom after the Professor and other students left. Slouching in his seat with a dreary filled expression. Routinely walking to the stairwell, as the exit to these stairs is slightly quicker to his usual route home. At the end of the stairwell are some other students somewhat blocking the exit door. Izel soon recognized one of them, Mario Gomez, a student that he’s had difficulties from the first day they met. Ignoring them, Izel walked to the door to instantly be stopped by Mario. Izel then heard the door lock at the exit and the upper doors. They must have gained access to them, which means they likely have turned off the cameras too.

“Hold on, Izel.” Mario announced, as the other students closed in on Izel.

“What do you want, Gomez?” Izel sighed, looking upward with a growing frustration.

“I just want to talk.” Mario leaned back to the near wall, rather calmly.

“Bout what?” Izel sneered.

“That. That, right there. Your attitude is a total shit stain on the school’s image.” Mario explained with a clear condescension.

“Oh, my bad.” Izel mocked. “Just because your Aunt is the dean doesn't give you the entitlement to regulate other student’s behaviors.” He then followed, matching Mario’s superiority, which made Mario’s lackey students giggle.

“Heh, look Izel, I understand that you haven’t had the best upbringing.” Mario mentioned as if he knows everything about Izel. “But that doesn't give you the reason to act like a dick to the professors, and running like a damned animal around campus-” He stated but was swiftly struck in the face by Izel, instantly causing him to stumble backwards.

The other students quickly ran to Izel, but Mario told them to stop. Mario then touched his bloody nose, with a glare of laughable disbelief at what Izel acted out.

“That’s what happens when you corner a wild animal.” Izel smirked with his fists at the ready.

“Alright then, I figured that it'd come to this at some point…” Mario remarked, as his eyes glowed in a cybernetic blue.

In an instant, Mario shot toward Izel with superhuman speed. Izel quickly reacted to his movements, recognizing that Mario has superior tech enhancements. Izel tried his best to either dodge or counter Mario strikes. In such an enclosed and narrow space, it was surprisingly easy to gain an advantage in this deplorable brawl. Mario knew this too, swiftly striking his fists at Izel, knowing if he had to just land one of his punches, the fight would be over. Remarkably, Izel kept up the pace. Mario’s strikes broke the air or damaged the stairwell and walls, while Izel countered with his own calculated strikes. For a grueling several minutes, Izel began to lose momentum in the brawl, breathing heavily while Mario hadn't broken a sweat. The second Izel slipped one of his actions, Mario saw the opportunity to end the fight.

In one powerful swing, Mario delivered a tough blow to Izel’s solar plexus. Instantly causing him to fall backwards, gasping for air. Izel immediately regained his fighting stance, and readied his shaking hands for Mario’s incoming punches. Unfortunately, Izel was clearly too drained to continue, and Mario knew this by brushing Izel’s hands off to his side, promptly striking his face’s multiple times. Izel’s vision began to sparkle in a red and blue daze. Back against the wall, Izel slid to the floor. Defeated.

“Sorry, Izel. But this school has a reputation that many want to be proud of, and you’ve been spitting on that since day one.” Mario scolded as Izel brushed his hair back. “If you keep up this nonsense, I assure you that you’ll be expelled.” He warned.

“Unlock the doors idiot!” As Mario and his lackey students walked to the door, he yelled at them for forgetting to unlock the doors once he finished the fight. Mario took one more pitiful glance at Izel on the floor, before he left.

Izel inched his way to a standing position. Understanding that he is somewhat in the wrong, but still frustrated with these disgusting unwritten rules of the world. He stretched his mildly beaten body, to then methodically clean his face off in one of the restrooms.

The routine walk home is back on schedule. The end of the day begins at the heavily populated intercity train station. Getting on the train in his typical spot, second to last cart in the front nearest to the door. On the left side, as that is the side that has the best views of the inspiring central city. A ride of forty-nine minutes and thirty-four seconds exactly, almost every day to his home. Plenty of time to take a well earned nap.