Chương 30: Book 1; Chapter 29; A Teller in the School

Rainee was sitting in a "Seat of Kings", enjoying the view. She didn't know the history behind this place and why it was made so special, but the name suited it nicely. One truly felt like a king of the world while sitting here. So much comfort was created for someone, and it stayed through all this time, so much safety, so much care. She knew it was ancient, but it wasn't fading away. And it would hardly ever fade away.

If someone cannot find this magical spot in this place built on magic, there truly is not a single drop of desire to hear the truth behind what she says, so there is no point for them to be here. She was going to allow open discussion today. There was no need for those who want only to be heard while speaking nothing to be here. She wasn't expecting any surprise, as hearts of people hardly change overnight. Well, one changed a little bit. And it was a pleasant surprise too, as against all odds it didn't harden.

That was a relief. She was glad that Anniet had this mysterious friend of hers that Rainee wasn't allowed to think about. She did her best not to think. If pieces of information about him were just floating as a background, they could stay, but as soon as she would connect one to another to get a picture, all would disperse and vanish, as if they were never here. Not doing so was a true challenge. Rainee loved challenges.

But for someone who dedicated her life to connecting these pieces in ways others would never even think possible, now not to do so was a true mission. Not a single one. Not in the simplest way. Simply do not think about him in any way. Feel but not think. Feelings were allowed. But only as long as they didn't connect to anything that would awaken knowledge. That way, there was no point in even retaining these feelings, these so-called brushes. But it was a mystery, and she loved mysteries.

She was allowed to remember that he was Anniet's friend. Also, she was allowed to know how she felt about him. For anyone else, he simply didn't exist. Well, the headmaster had stress about him; she even set a reminder about him for herself, but it didn't help. And Rainee wasn't allowed to remember about that reminder either. What a fascinating mystery!

But she couldn't be excited about it, as it will take over the calm that is required, will instantly connect all these little scattered pieces of information, and all will disappear. First to arrive was Marcus. No surprise here. But he didn't stay and went off, wandering, trying to find something that was already found. He doesn't listen to his inner voice, and this voice is so accurate and powerful… What should she do?

How can she make someone hear who already has such precise hearing and firmly believes that it is just rubbish in the background, not allowing him to concentrate? How does one teach someone to see when he already can see but believes that he is not seeing? If he would just stop searching and look into what he already has, it would surprise him a lot. He left, then came back again, then left again, then walked by once more… What a restless soul. Then other people started to come in.

They had a different attitude than Marcus. They knew well that this was the place they wanted to come today, and if it wasn't where they found Rainee, then never mind, this place was nice on its own. They just sat down and took in that invisible power this place offered. Then Anniet came with her mysterious friend, and they brought Marcus with them. Somehow, Anniet even managed to calm him a little bit. Good that she came. Rainee wasn't sure she would. The outcome of yesterday's reaction could not be predicted.

Rainee wasn't sure if she herself should interfere, as the potential for shutting Anniet down even more was much greater than the chances of success. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. But she was about to take a chance anyway, when someone else had stepped in. Someone she was not allowed to think about… Oh god, how frustrating it is! Still, it is good that he exists and is here… don't connect, don't connect, don't connect!

No connections to anything," It is just good that he is here" is allowed to stay on its own. Let it stay like this. It brings a pleasant feeling too, so let it stay, no reasons or approval needed. Time was passing, more people were coming, but nothing close to the numbers she had yesterday. Good. The fewer the numbers, the less chance for anarchy. She'd better start now before this restless soul, under the name of Marcus, explodes.

Prolonging his agony, unfortunately, is not helping him with his problem; otherwise, she would do it all day long.

Today's lesson was very different from yesterday's. Only about fifty people attended, and those who came were not very keen to argue or blame. How Rainee handled it was also completely different. Mainly she allowed others to speak, to bring their stories and tell what they think, and after that she would tell how she sees that story, and nearly every time brought different colours to it and turned the cards around. The atmosphere was very light and friendly.

The stories and explanations were very fascinating, but Anniet found it difficult to follow. Something had clicked last night. What she would have interpreted one way yesterday, all seemed different today. All she could see was how fast people were to blame others without even thinking about how much harm they do themselves. And over such minuscule reasons that for them looked like mountains. She didn't have any questions to ask. She didn't have any stories to tell.

She simply didn't want to think about her past any more. No matter how much she tried to bring her attention to the lesson it didn't happen. Her mind was occupied with the feeling of such gentle and also so strong arms that were holding her not so long ago. The culprit of these thoughts was lying and snoozing next to her. Not even realising the impact his actions had. How badly she wanted to tell him about it… But what was she supposed to say?

He obviously didn't want this kind of relationship And she was his only friend. How could she impose on him something he didn't want… Wouldn't it put their friendship in an awkward situation? No, no way, she cannot do that. He was way too dear to her to risk losing him. The group started to laugh about something, and Anniet rewound in her mind what it was about. People were making fun of Marcus again. Rainee suggested moving from a discussion about rudeness that was nearly exhausted to a debate on being crude.

She asked if someone could give any examples, and immediately someone said:"Marcus!" It brought this laughter in agreement with this suggestion. How unfair! He didn't even say anything today. And even when he does, the only person he might be crude with was Rainee, as anyone else had never received any hardship from him; they simply were afraid of him when he got into his moods. Rainee waited until the laughter stopped before asking:"Can anyone identify what action we just witnessed?"

"Assault". – Anniet said without hesitation before thinking. She bit her tongue after speaking as she tried to refrain from making such straightforward statements in case she herself would be accused of attacking someone.

"By whom?" – Rainee asked softly, smiling at her.

"By everyone," – Anniet replied. Now she didn't have any choice left to keep her thoughts for herself, as she definitely would not say to Rainee anything else but the truth.

"Well done," – Rainee praised her. – "If there were an evaluation test, you would have the highest score. Can you explain why?" Anniet was going to shake her head, but then changed her mind. Why would she be afraid to tell what she thinks? What if others disagree? If she is not right, Rainee will correct her, and she will know; if she is right, why should she be afraid to speak it, just because others might not like it?

"Marcus is never crude," – she said. – "He might be demanding and be straightforward, but he never swears, never threatens, never calls names, or even laughs at anyone. He is learning to say what he thinks, but it is difficult for him. Instead of encouraging and helping, people are usually trying to shut him down, telling him that he is rude, as they don't like the way he thinks. But he is never rude or crude. He is just impatient. That cannot be the same.

And no matter how much hardship he is receiving for it, he does his best to tell the truth as you have asked him to do so." Uncomfortable silence fell over everyone, bringing shivers to Anniet's back, but she ignored it. She spoke to Rainee, not to anyone else, and Rainee didn't show any signs of displeasure over what was said.

"Any other thoughts?" – Rainee asked, – "Any disagreement?" – She added after nobody spoke. No one disagreed either.

"Well, that concludes our discussion about "crude". Well said, I could not say it better myself. A crude person is someone who swears and calls names, no matter what tone or manner. A crude person is someone who makes jokes about others, even funny jokes that make the object of the joke smile or laugh on the outside and bleed and shrink from inside. Not considering someone's feelings does not make one crude, as no one is obliged to do so. The One never made a compulsion for one person to be considerate of others.

It is an excellent quality that can be developed while growing, but is not essential for growth. It always should come from free will and own wish, when it is forced or expected it makes a lot of harm. A crude person is someone who does not consider the feelings of others, but only while seeking gain for himself. When you seek something from someone and then call them crude for not meeting your expectations, it is hardly ever the right thing to do.

In reality, the more abilities someone has, the more demands and expectations are placed on them, the more likely they will be called rude, crude, or cold-hearted for not meeting all of them. And the more a person tries, the more hardship they will receive. In short, it is good to know more than others, and a person who knows more than others is not crude for not using his knowledge and abilities in a way others want them to be used. The crude person is the one who knows better for others.

And I want you to work on the difference between one and another. Any more questions?" Marcus lifted his hand. Through all this laughter and talk, he was sitting still and not showing any emotions about it.

"Do you know why my behaviour receives this kind of outcome?" – he asked after Rainee acknowledged him. What a straight question! That definitely caught everybody's attention, and every look landed on Rainee.

"Yes," – she replied with an indication that this is the end of her answer.

"Could you tell me?" – Marcus ignored it.

"No," – the answer was again straight and short.

"Could you explain why I cannot be told, even if you know, and I want to hear?" Everybody's eyes were jumping from one speaker to another. Nobody was used to hearing Marcus speaking in such an undemanding tone.

"Yes, I can explain that," – Rainee said. – "You know, as well as I, that to tell a person things about them makes more harm than good, as those who want and seek to see, find it out by themselves, or with little help, and only then do they truly see, understand, and are capable of hearing. Others can only guide. Telling is never a guiding. Telling something to someone who doesn't want to hear will bring to them only a flavour of blame and a sense of being attacked and devalued.

Telling someone what is evident to everyone but the person themselves doesn't make them see or even look at it. It has the opposite outcome. It makes a person try to prove that it is not true and to hide reality even further away from themselves. That's why telling is considered a bad manner and an unsuitable method of teaching."

"Can I ask you something else?" – Marcus asked.

"Yes."

"Is it true that every door has opened for you upon your coming to School?"

"Yes."

"Is one of these doors a "teller's" door?"

"Yes."

"Has it opened for you too?"

"Yes."

"Would it mean then that you have the ability of telling people the truth about them without harming them?"

"It would indicate that such a possibility is present."

"Could you then, as a teller, tell me your opinion on why my behaviour brings from others a different outcome than anyone else receives, when saying or doing the same things?" Dead silence fell upon the field. Everyone was looking at Rainee, hardly daring to breathe. Teller was a very mysterious position, and there was very little known about it as it was even more rare than a magic wielder.

Some called it dark magic, some called it lies, some called it a curse, some called it fortune-telling, and no one had ever seen or known anyone who has ever met a teller in their lives. Most people believed that it was just a myth. To find out that one of their kind was standing in front of them was truly fascinating.