The Return of Duke's Villainous Son

Time check. It is already quarter to six.  Typically, most of the students and teachers are already out of the school as it is way past the class hours. Ceres Isaac is a running for another overtime. He smiled inwardly. Ceres Isaac, a 27 years old science teacher in a local high school is obviously overworked for almost two weeks. Fatigue is evident in his panda like patch under his eyes. It's just another day, Ceres. A regular day. But today isn't like most school days. Ugh, no, scratch that this scenario is of common occurance to most educators like Ceres.  "Please sir, I apologize for my son's absence in your class. It is a great waste if he won't graduate just because he failed your subject." said a woman in his early fourties. She looks so lavish with all the jewels and stylish dress. Her presence seems to be so out of place inside the faculty that they were in. Her face is also well made up but her desperation is evident. Which was because of the teenager beside her. Ceres looked at the boy. He was tall and looks so mature. Not an ounce of innocence of a child can be seen. He clicked his tounge when their gaze meet. The boy just lowered his head, his cheeks with a tinge of pink. "But Mrs. Perez, it's not just about the attendance, isn't that right, Carson" Ceres tilted his head towards the boy. However, silence is what ensued in the entirety of the faculty room. Cares taped his fingers on his working table. His gaze penatrating to both mother and son. So he continued. "Carson's absence isn't the only factor for his failing grade. Due to his absence he failed to participate in my class, which of course has a huge percentage in the grading system. He also did not submit the project that I introduced at the very start of the term. I gave them time until before the periodical exam. However, the exam week has passed yet Carson's grid in my record is squeaky clean. And the exams…" 'oh, don't even start me with the exam' he wanted to add but instead he let out an exasperated sigh. "I meant no offense. I just want to be honest." His gaze roamed at the entirety of the faculty room. Fortunately, all of his colleagues are gone. The teacher's eyes hopelessly stared at the teen. "I practically have nothing to compute for your grade." "Then how about a special project? I can spend money, I don't care how much as long as my son graduate." Ceres looked at the woman with an unbelievable eyes.  He heared a 'ha!' sound from his student. Now, Ceres can somehow see the bottom of all this. His eyes glimmered with the familiarity of this situation. "But, Maam. Grades doen't have a monetary value, at least for me." he said truthfully. "I can't magically made grades out of money. I need an effort from the student's side. And besides this won't solve the root problem." The silent student spoke. "You've always been like this." Carson started. He emotionally spoke towards his mom. Ceres, who remained silent after his student's outburst, let his eyes wander. He knows that what happens next is a family affair. He willed himself to be deaf in the next few minutes. Even if its impossible due to the fact the emotional duo is in front of him. He heared the frustrated whines of the teenage boy. Carson told how useless he felt when his mother did not bother to ask about his studies and just throw money for him to spend and not bother her. How she always fail to attend homeroom meetings thoughout the whole year. The student devolge each and every disappointments that he has. Truthfully, it was awkward for Ceres but as a teacher he understand the boy's sentiments. In fact, he himself has experienced it the first hand. Not as Ceres Isaac though. He sigh inwardly as he watch the live family drama in front of him. He won't open the television for tonight, that is something he is sure about. Growing up as an orphan in this world, he lacks moment like this. Most of his childhood memories are composed of hardships and starvation. At a very young age, he forced himself to learn everything that will help him survive in this world. Cooking, cleaning, construction works, selling and a whole lot more. The skills that he picked up proved to be useful when he finally touched his diploma. It was hard alright.  But I deserve that level of hardship. That is what he always say to his self. Because of that thought he became stronger and he achieved something that he will always be proud of. He became a teacher. After some minutes the two came into understanding and naturally made up without him butting in. Ah, the power of family ties is indeed amazing. "I'm sorry we are such a mess." Carson's mother said as she wipe away the stray tears. "It's no big deal. What matters is that you cleared each other's understanding." he gave out an amicable smile. "Now, as for your grade Carson. I will give you one last chance but I must warn you it won't be an easy way. Will you take it?" the teen gulped due to the question. He knows that the teacher is understanding and kind. However, he is strict when it comes to performance and output. So when he warns the class that the quiz or test will be in hard mode. They will be down to a brain wreck. Now, he can only imagine what this last chance entails. He nodded. "Alright then. Science, as you know, is a major subject so I only expect utmost effort from you, boy." he pointedly said "For you to get at least a passable grade. I require you to make a powerpoint presentation about all of the topics that was discussed this term and you will present it infront of class. Make it concise. Without any important points left behind. Second, make a reflection paper based on the chapters on your book. I will read it, I assure you so don't even dare to try slip a song lyrics in the middle of the paragraph. Don't copy the obnoxious ways of other wishy washy students because I would know." he jokingly warned.  Carson, who obviosly know someone that does exactly that, shippishly laugh.  However, his smile instantly vanish as he heared what his teacher said next. "Lastly, you will take a test that I. will. personally. make." Ceres Isaac, said with an ambigous smile. One can say that his smile borders between that of a villain and a saint. A chill ran through the spine of both mother and son. "But-" the student started, trying to haggle. It was a huge work for him! Completing all of tasks is next to impossible. "I can't do magic and give birth to your non-existent grades, do I?" he teasingly said. "Sir-" "Your records right now is technically blank." he propped open his laptop and open the excel file that shows the student's record, there were white dents. "I need something as substitute for me to compute your grade. And of course, don't expect that you will suddenly get a whooping 90 as I also need to consider your classmate's effort just to be fair. Completing these three will give you  at least a passing grade." Ceres looked at the teen's parent expectantly. The woman seems to understood his stare so she expressed her agreement. "That is something natural, son. Be thankful that Sir Isaac gave you a chance to graduate. Besides you need to learn how to clean your own sheets." "Absolutely, Mrs. Castro." "Okay." the boy still looks a bit disappointed. Seeing this, Ceres inwardly rolled his eyes. This kid is a brat through and through.  He mirrored my first me. "Well, don't mess your studies next time. Because it will always be a huge bother to fix." he tapped on the boy's shoulder. And it will be a pain if we stick together for another year. So make sure to graduate, please." Ceres playfully put his palms together, as if begging for a candy. The mother and son duo light heartedly laugh. Moments later they both excused themselves and once again thanked the science teacher for the oppurtunity.  Ceres looks so tired as he rest his back on the reclining chair. It is understandable that aside from lesson plans, topic presentation materials and other countless workload, dealing student's issue is also part of his job. It's just that it is so draining—emotionally. Years of experience made him flexible but it is still hard for someone who has a deep rooted scar like him. Specially that Carson-student parental issue. For he himself was in almost a similar situation. Misunderstood and self destructive that was his life in the past. By past, he doesn't mean Ceres Isaac' past. He means his past Parzelus Richter von Cassidy. His past life. His first life. He solemnly closed his eyes as his memories came rushing. It was a life entirely different to his present. A world of magic and fantasy. His life as Parzelus is bound to be a life of comfort—at first. Being born as the first son of a duke and a family that is known for strong magic, he thought that he will live a honorable life after his mother died. However, everything turned full 180 after his magic gone berserk during his kidnapping incident when he was 10. His lightning magic, a magic known for its powerful yet violent and destructive nature went out of control in the middle of life or death crisis.  This resulted to his salvation, ultimately killing a dozen of adult kidnappers. But it comes with a great prize. His young and tiny body suffered a irreversible consiquence. Half of his body was scorched, his left face left with a hideous scar and rendering his sole symbol as a "bearer" invalid. To be a bearer means that he, even though he is born male, was blessed with a womb to bear a child. Bearers was prized and considered of great importance. But who would find a hideous looking and impotent bearer worth something? No one. He was scorned and avoided like a plague.  And his family that he expected to protect him was apathetic. They only look at him coldly. Sparing no warmth for him. Maybe just like what other say, he is nothing but a low born illigitimate bastard. A daughter of a w***e who suddenly came out from nothing. A man who may be born with strong magic yet possess no talent to wield it. With this, Parzelus was thrown into the depths of irrational wrath and hate. He did a lot of bad things that would send a regular noble to the gallows, but he wasn't. He killed countless innocent yet he was not deemed as a criminal. Ultimately as if these wasn't enough, he colluded with a dark guild to turn his lightning into abyssal magic and joined the high ranks of this atrocious group. It was just a small effort for him since he is a bonafide master in Bodily Enchantment. A skill born from his persistence and hunger for revenge. He was an absolute genius. A mad archmage. He walked the path of destruction with smug face. He bacame the despicable vanguard for a dark guild that will drive his own kind to doom only to be betrayed in the end.  Ceres face palmed at the memory of his foolishness. Sans excuse. He dragged himself to clean his desk and put his laptop inside his bag. After that, he absent mindedly walk out of the school. He can't help but feel remorse and shame. If only he knew he will be betrayed by whom he called as allies. If only he was strong enough to defend himself when he was assaulted. If only he knew that his family actually love him to the point that they bury my evil deeds and accept him. If only he kept his sight forward, he will never get lost. He was blinded by misunderstanding that he made. A sinner like him deserves to die such a horrible death. To die by exploding his own plate is a fitting end for someone who dabbled on abyssal power and dead mana. His steps became firmer as he remembered his last moments in his past life. The feelings of death. It was like exploding from within. And internal pain that hurts more than any physical or mental pain caused by magic.  But Parzelus—Ceres knows that h  this isn't enough. So when he was reincarnated in another world with the burden of knowing his past life, he vowed to repent until the day he dies hoping that a life time of repentance will pay for his misdeeds. This is also the reason why he decided to be a teacher. To influence young minds to be mindful of their action and to make them understand the need to face their own consequences. Ceres was hoping that none of them will fall in the pits that he once shove himself in. Upon exiting the school, he decided to drop by a convinience store along the way. He bought a half litter of chocolate ice cream. His comfort food whenever he is pressured. Ceres needed this because remembering his past life made him feel inexplicable unrest. He also bought a few cat treat for his 3 pet cats that rules in his two floor apartment. His second life made him realize the pain of loneliness so to make himself feel a little better, he took in 3 stray cats. Now those three are his official tenants. With a satisfied smile, he went out of the store. However, his face crumpled into a frown when he saw two young students that is wearing the same uniform of as his students horse playing by the side of the highway. These two small and lanky looking first years are playfully pushing each other towards the center of rushing vehicles. "Hey, stop playing by the road." he yelled. He is still a few meters from the students so hurriedly walk towards them. His voice was somehow drowned by the honks of the cars and the chatter of the crowds. He picked up speed but alas, he suddenly felt a pang of nausea. His built up fatigue is finally baring its fangs. He staggered a bit but he continued nonetheless specially when he saw that he two showed no stopping. Ceres' eyes almost popped out when he saw one the students stumbled and fell in the middle of the highway and was about to be rammed by an approching car. The boy just turned stiff out of fright! That stupident f*****g wants to die! He cursed mentally. If ever someone read his mind they will definitely say that it was so unbecoming of a teacher. But what can he say?! He is still human whoss old enough to curse! Amidst the nausea, he practically dragged himself to reach the frozen student. He successfully pushed him out of harm. However, his nausea once again made its presence known and this time, it came with a company, a piercing headache. Ceres momentarily forgot that he was in the middle of the road. That there is a speeding red car that will ram him in a few seconds. He broke out of daze when he once again, heard the concerned shout in the other side of the road. "Sir, there's a car. You have to move out!" He was about to move out just like what the voice said. But this time, science proved that a red SUV that is moving in 40 km/h is faster than a nauseated and over fatigued science teacher. Ceres cannot do anything when he was hit by the car unceremoniously. The impact made his body fly a good two meters from the ground.  He cannot feel his self. All that he know is the familiar yet unfamiliar pain throughout his body. As his body finally hit the ground, his head hit the elevated stone in the base of the aisle. It instantly cracked his skull like a pinata. At that moment, hundreds of his memories raced in his head. It was memories that he made as Ceres not Parzelus. The memory of his early years as an orphan. His struggles as a student. The fun times that he had with his friends and his precious experiences that he had as a teacher. Regret filled his head in a few last seconds of his life. Is this all the time he can have in this lifetime? Is everything that he had done enough to repent for his past sins? If he die,will he finally rest this time?  He don't know that but he is dying. He is sure about that. I wanted more time. He almost laughed as he realized that his inner desire surfaced in the face of his acquaintance, death. He really is shameless. As darkness slowly seep into his sight. As coldness devoured his senses. His last thouhts are; "I hope the three rascals won't starve now that I am gone."