Chapter 1

"Now in this example we need to measure the reaction rate."

Leo's eyes slipped out of focus, the lecture slides blurring into indistinguishable smudges that no longer resembled chemical formulae. He had hoped his second semester here at the Academy would have offered a challenge, something that called for a higher level of thinking. The recruitment officer had insisted it would be a thrill – "the best decision of your life, son" – and that he would learn thing he'd only dreamed of. Unfortunately this semester was shaping up to be just like his first – juvenile. He'd dreamed things bigger than anything they'd shown him so far.

As a fall back, Leo had hoped that he could use his classes to at least gather ideas or tips for the many personal projects he was working on back at his dorm. If he wasn't going to be set any new challenges, he could at least harvest what they had to offer for the tasks he had set himself. This far, his spare time had been spent minimally on completing the course work required to excel, and primarily forging his way forward with personal ventures.

When Leo considered his spare time, he was mentally referring to all the time he spent outside his classes. He had fast learnt that an isolated individual was a target for freshman pranks, and he had already copped his fair share. After receiving an electric shock the last time he had reached for the door leading to the student lounge Leo had decided it best to keep to his personal space. Sci-Tech students were particularly stealthy in their pranking, and no less ruthless.

Leo's eyes dropped to the blank document open on his tablet in the hopes that perhaps today would garner some new information, and found that it was no longer blank. Instead it consisted of a dozen line-long trails of backslashes. Flinching, he whipped back the arm that had been leaning on his tablet and propping up his chin, causing his seat to rock back and knock the legs of the student sitting directly behind him. He froze, hunched, waiting for the inevitable kick back, and not two seconds later his chair received a violent kick that sent his pretzels showering down onto a girl in the next row. Salt and biscuit sprinkled across her shoulders and wiry hair as she squawked loudly. His attempt to apologise profusely was nothing more than a wheeze as she turned with a filthy look, and shook her hair to release salt all over Leo's shoes. He felt the granules slip into his socks and scratch against his skin, but he dared not move, both hands raised in apologetic defence and too frightened to make another move until the girl had turned back around. The majority of students in the lecture hall were now looking in Leo's direction, their faces wiped of the perplexed expressions this class often inspired, many with an eyebrow critically cocked.

Dr Chaundry's voice floated back into earshot at the completion of this kerfuffle. "What would we expect to see as the reaction progresses? Mr Fitz, perhaps?"

"Decreasing with the result of negative 4.5 x 10-5 moles per litre per second in the first fifty seconds," he answered instantly, his eyes focused on the backslashes he was now desperately trying to erase. "Shifting the negative to the opposite side of the equation as speed has no sign of course."

Dr Chaudry's footsteps paused briefly before resuming at a slower pace. "Thankyou, Mr Fitz. A few steps too far forward as we've yet to work our way there. And I'll thank you not to bring salty snacks into my class in future."

Leo kept his eyes low as the lecture resumed and the eyes of his fellow classmates gradually returned to the front. In truth, Dr Chaudry's irritable tone did not have the anxiety-inducing effect it once had. He'd heard it all too often from all of his professors. He was not embarrassed to know where the equations were leading before the slides showed it. The only thing that caused his anxiety to spike was the ammunition he had given for follow-up pranks.

The remainder of the lecture passed without incident, and when it ended Leo tucked his tablet under his arm, slipping out of his otherwise-empty row as fast as his nimble feet would carry him. He kept his eyes low and bag clasped tight over his shoulder until he reached the door and found a pair of heeled shoes in his way. To his dismay, he found the path blocked by Agent Weaver, hands folded in front of herself and a half-smile playing across her face. Weaver's expression always seemed either suspicious or impressed, and one was never sure which way things would go until she spoke. Leo had experienced the brunt of both shifts in the past.

"Mr Fitz, if I may have a brief word."

"I—I've actually got—" he began, pointing to the freedom of the empty hall behind her.

"Lovely, let's take a stroll, shall we."

It wasn't a question and Leo's arm fell limp in resignation. His steps were peppered by the occasional skip to keep up with Agent Weaver's confident stride.

"How are you finding your time here at Sci-Tech?" Agent Weaver asked, her eyes focused on ahead.

Leo scampered up to her side. "It's—it's fine."

"Making friends?"

"Not generally—"

"And how are your classes?"

"Is there a reason—"

"We've taken notice of you, Mr Fitz," Agent Weaver interrupted, coming to an abrupt stop in the hallway. The wall to their left opened out onto the grounds where students below were milling around or grouped together at picnic tables, laptops and workbooks spread between them.

"Notice?" His eyebrows knitted together in a mixture of exasperation and anxiety.

"You don't appear to have much interest in the materials your professors teach."

His voice suddenly took on a much higher pitch. "Did Professor Hall say I wasn't handing in my work because that was one time and I told him it was only because it caught fire when my soldering iron—"

"We think it would be constructive to advance you in your training."

Leo fell silent. "… Advance?"

"I understand this is only your second semester with us but you seem to have a thorough understanding of the content you're currently being taught. Perhaps something more challenging would be beneficial, wouldn't you say?"

"Well I—it's—"

"How would you like to advance to our second year programs, see how you fit in with the material there? We have advanced students in the past and if the candidate is right the results are quite impressive. You may find it more suitable for your unique skillset."

Leo nodded nervously. "Yes ma'am. Yes."

"Excellent. We'll have your new schedule to you tonight and you will commence your new classes tomorrow." She nodded, quite pleased with the result of their brief conversation and not at all bothered by Leo's overwhelmed state. "Good afternoon, Mr Fitz." And with that she was washed away by the crowd, leaving Leo to try and stay afloat amidst the lunch rush.