—Thomas.
The voice came from behind.
A thin man was descending a side staircase. Forty years old, messy dark hair, gray uniform with no insignia.
—I'm Jonathan Coulin, first-year counselor.
He extended his hand. Thomas shook it.
Coulin pointed to the portraits.
—It's a bad habit to arrive and stand staring at the pictures.
—He was my father.
—I know. We all thought we knew him.
They walked down a corridor. In one classroom a teacher was drawing impossible figures; the lines never quite closed.
—Most people arrive thinking they know what the Impossible Cities are —said Coulin—. They appear every twelve years. They stay for a hundred days. They disappear.
He stopped in front of a window. In the distance the luminous barrier of the new Impossible City pulsed.
—Your father thought something different. That the cities don't appear. The right question is why we started seeing them.
At that moment someone ran down the corridor and almost collided with them.
—Counselor!
A boy his own age, uniform badly buttoned, messy brown hair.
—Welcome to the strangest place in the world. I'm Daniel Reyes.
He extended his hand.
—Thomas.
—I know —Daniel said with a smile—. Alexander's son. They say you made a beast explode with one punch.
Coulin sighed.
—Daniel, if you run through the hallways again I'm going to assume you're fleeing from something.
The boy disappeared down the corridor.
Coulin continued.
—Ignore him. Though he's right. The Academy is alive. Not in the way you imagine.
Thomas felt his footsteps lagging slightly, as if someone were imitating his rhythm just behind him. When he turned, there was no one.
They reached the dormitories. Coulin opened the door to room 214.
Akira Sato was sitting reading on a tablet. Daniel was already sprawled on one of the beds.
—Welcome to the prison —Daniel said with exaggerated reverence.
There was one empty bed left.
—The fourth student arrives tomorrow —said Coulin—. Rest. Classes start tomorrow.
When he left, Daniel looked at Thomas.
—Is the thing about the beast true?
Before Thomas could answer, a sudden heat pierced his back. The mark burned. The lights flickered.
Akira looked up.
—Do you feel it too?
A deep tremor ran through the building.
Thomas approached the window. The barrier of the Impossible City pulsed.
Among the trees in the courtyard, motionless, stood the tall figure in a black robe. Looking straight at him.
He blinked and it was gone. But the mark kept burning.