First Day
The selection period was over two days after he arrived at the academy, he was pleased that he was able to get into all four of his favored electives. Despite his excitement to begin the year it was one of these vary electives that he found himself standing awkwardly in the school fitting room.
An old woman with a sharp pointed nose, thick rounded glasses, and a beehive hairdo was measuring him to get fitted for his uniform. Unknown to him at the time, the theory of mayhem class was amongst the most coveted classes in the school because of the frequent class trips that often time supersede other academic obligations. This type of class was nothing new to Anthony, being from Texas meant that almost every high school cared more about football than any other subject. But he also found it strange that the uniforms weren't well…uniform as strange as that sounds.
"O you will so enjoy theory of mayhem my dear, your costume will be just fabulous," The old woman gushed while measuring his arm length.
Anthony felt a frown tug at his lips, "why do we have to get into these costumes, is this some sort of superhero training or something?" He asked.
The old woman put a hand to her mouth and giggled, "o something like that my dear, you'll have to use your abilities for school trips so we can't have everyone knowing the identities of our gifted students. One can't be too careful." She explained.
Anthony nodded at that, "but why do I see people wearing them on campus?"
The old woman giggled again as she wrote down a measurement in a book, "because it's fun my dear. Just look at me, I the grand honey mistress of the great hive." She gestured dramatically over her hair and garishly colored yellow and black dress.
He just shrugged his shoulders, "if you say so ma'am." He said noncommittally.
The self-proclaimed honey mistress huffed, "well off with you I have everything I need."
Anthony began to walk away before calling over his shoulders, "please no spandex."
He heard the old woman giggle behind him, "no promises," she called before the door to the fitting room closed leaving him alone in the honeycombed corridors of the academy.
Anthony found a digital clock on a nearby wall that showed it was nearly ten minutes past five in the afternoon, he felt the strain of the day weigh on him. He had been scrambling all around campus to find his class rooms on his schedule, sit in an hour introduction lesson for each, all the while lug around a back pack full of books and school supplies that would no doubt give him scoliosis if he had to actually carry that much all year. He decided that he would have sleep for dinner because no way in hell he was gonna be able to walk the three miles with all his stuff all the way down to the cafeteria.
It took him nearly ten minutes to make it to his dorm where he promptly passed out on his bed face first and not even bothering to take his clothes off or get under the covers, within minutes he was out like a light.
The sound of waves crashing against the shore brought a calming effect to his mind, he looked up to see his beloved elder brother gently stroking the feathers of a dove that sat contently on his hand.
His elder brother looked down at him and smiled, "do you want to hold her?" He asked
He nodded and lifted his little hands up, his brother gently placed the dove in his cupped hands.
"Be careful with her she's a fragile creature, not like you and me." His brother advised.
He stroked the dove gently just like his brother showed him, it was amazing that his brother could coax the bird to his hand, but that wasn't a surprised, his elder brother was the best, he made miracles happen on a daily basis.
"You know you'll have to wake up soon little one," his brother said.
"Shh she's sleeping," he admonished his brother lightly.
"Wake up," his brother said.
He looked at his elder questioningly, "wha-"
"Wake up, Wake up, Wake up!" The voice of his brother became louder and boomed though the Earth causing the land to quake.
"Wake up!"
Anthony was startled awake by the yell, "holy balls!" he cursed falling face first out of bed.
A chuckle sounded from above him, "get your ass up kid, I've been sent to get you." The southern drawl of the voice wasn't as thick as Anthony's was but it was enough to notice.
Anthony scrambled to his feet seeing a teenager that looked to be at least seventeen, he stood a head taller than Anthony's own five foot six heights and had a large build with broad shoulders. The newcomer was nearly covered head to toe in hive themed spandex with only his bottom jaw showing his skin.
"Who are you?" He asked, coming off more rude than he intended to.
The larger teen pressed a thumb to his chest, "name's Private Hive, now move it kid!" He introduced with a yell, doing his best impression of a drill Sargent.
At tone of voice, an old instinct in him took him out the door before he even realized it, he wanted to go back and get ready but Private Hive was blocking him with his bulky body and Anthony really didn't want to fight a guy that looked like he could eat a bowl of nails without any milk.
He resigned himself to his body odor and bedhead that more than likely had a long cowlick at the back. He could hear the loud echo of the Private's heavy boots follow closely behind him, he felt awkward at being followed like this, but he felt more annoyed at being woken up than he was uncomfortable.
He passed a clock on the wall that told him it was only a few minutes past six in the morning, Anthony felt his scowl on his face grow at that, school didn't start for another hour, "couldn't this have waited?" He asked himself.
"This way kid," Private Hive said, taking the lead and turning to the right.
He followed easily, feeling a bit better now that he doesn't have a large mass of muscle at his back.
In a few moments they came upon a door with a sign that denoted the room behind as the research and development laboratory. The room they were in was a long room that looked to be more at home in a shooting range than a school. Hive opened the door and he soon followed, he found an old woman with white hair tied into a bun, she was wearing a black dress suit that had the academy emblem sown onto the left shoulder, she also wore a black skirt and black high heels. "Thank you Private Hive you may leave us," the old woman instructed.
The Private saluted the woman, "yes headmistress" he said before leaving Anthony and the woman alone.
"How are you settling in Anthony?" The woman asked.
He gave the woman his best smile despite his tiredness, "it's been nice so far ma'am, can't complain."
The headmistress nodded, "that is good, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Professor Adeline Wilson I'm the headmistress of this fine academy."
"Nice to meet you ma'am, id introduce myself but you already know my name," he chuckled awkwardly while trying to mat down his cowlick.
"Yes I do know about you, my colleague Professor Blood has had nothing but praise for you, your unique type of magic has interested us quite a bit," the head mistress moved towards a monitor mounted on the wall and gestures towards it.
Anthony saw a recording of him in the steel testing room radiating a golden light, he felt his cheeks blush at seeing himself naked on the screen screaming his head off about something being too much.
The headmistress turned off the monitor, "it is because of your abilities and your acceptance into the theory of mayhem class that I will be presenting you with your new identity." She revealed.
Anthony took a step forward, "wait, new identity?" He asked.
The headmistress nodded, "yes, unfortunately, Anthony Crane has a family that can be used against him the risk of someone finding out about his abilities and wish to exploit them for their own gains is too high and it would not behoove us to put our students and their families in danger. We also strongly encourage you to keep your real identity secret even when on campus, here you have no past, only a future, here we can all start anew and become better than what we were." She intoned.
Anthony frowned at this, he didn't feel right leaving it all behind, he left because he didn't want to hurt his family, to leave his name behind, it wasn't something he expected to give up when coming here. "Will I be able to see them again?" He asked.
"Of course, this school is entirely voluntary and if you do not wish to learn and keep our policies you are free to leave now and go seem them." The headmistress said evenly.
Anthony shook his head, he didn't come this far just to leave before it all started, "okay I understand, it's for their safety." He wasn't know if he was talking to her or trying to convince himself at this point.
The woman kept her stoic visage but a twitch of her lip indicated she was pleased, "very good, now let me show you your new identity." She walked over to an empty space on the floor and pressed her heel onto a floored panel.
With a hiss of escaping air a hexagonal panel on the floor slid to the side and up from below the room came mannequin matching Anthony's exact measurements. On the mannequin was his new identity, there was a golden cloak and deep cowl that covered most of the mannequin, under the cloak was a black spandex jumpsuit, to his disappointment, with the sides accented by gold and the boots being solid gold in color.
"Your new identity will be named Aurum and you will go by this name for as long as you are a student at this academy."
Anthony deadpanned at the name, "wow gold in Latin so creative," he thought sarcastically.
"I hope you know that we are expecting great things from you Aurum, now take this to your dorm and get yourself acquainted with the new you."
He took the cloak and jumpsuit without a word and left for his dorm, all the while looking down at his new clothes with an odd feeling of excitement and apprehension in taking his new identity.
After Anthony arrived at his dorm and took a shower he put on his new clothes. The jumpsuit was cool to the touch and to his pleasant surprise didn't ride on him like he was expecting and the cape and cowl felt as smooth as silk. He gazed into the full mirror that was sat on the right side of his bedroom, looking at himself in disbelief, he looked down at the cloak in his hands feeling a weight to it that wasn't there before.
He slowly placed the cloak atop his shoulders and with slow deliberation brought the cowl above his head all the while keeping his eyes on the mirror. Anthony Crane soon disappeared under the shadow of the cowl, Aurum was now ready to face his future.
It was lunch time, Aurum found himself standing awkwardly with a tray full of mashed potatoes, beans, a bread roll, and fried chicken. The food looked and smelled way better than the slop he had at his old school, "just another perk of being in private school I guess." He mused.
He saw that the lunch room was already divided amongst various cliques, even when everyone was dressed in some way shape or form like the costumed heroes on the TV it was still plain to see the social divides. There were some the academic kids to the right all working on school work studiously on the day one assignments, only occasionally talking and joking around with each other but otherwise their faces where buried in their work. The nerds weren't too far away, sitting on the same long table as the academics, they played card games amongst each other, occasionally an academic would wonder over and play with them if they were finished with their work and the nerds being who they are accepted readily.
The jocks and preps where on the left side of the room, almost all of them where themed in keeping with the beehive aesthetic save for a few like the same red spandex wearing kid he saw when he first arrived.
In the middle was a tough looking trio of kids, it was the only table with just three people eating there, everyone seemed to avoid it like the plague. Sitting at the table was a girl with pink hair and black clothes, she was arguing loudly with the same green jumpsuit wearing midget that almost took his head off when he flew over him the other day. In front of the two was a large goliath of a teen, his red hair fell down between his shoulder blades, his chin strap beard made him look like a super senior.
In the very back where the goths, emos, burnouts, and pretty much anyone else that didn't fit in with the traditional cliques. Most of the people there wore dark colors, the table was probably one of the loudest despite everyone trying to look the silent edgy type. Emo rock was blaring from one of the kid's phones and he could hear from where he stood that some of them were trying to play victim Olympics with each other, all complaining about who had the sadder upbringing for attention and self-diagnosing depression and anxiety.
He honestly didn't want to be involved with any of these cliques except maybe the nerds cause at least they seem to be decent enough people. The jocks and preps where noisy and boastful, and the three kids in the middle gave off a, 'I will cut you in your sleep' kinda vibe to him.
Decision made he decided to sit at the nerd and or people who care about their futures table, the kids at the table gave him incredulous looks. One with a white jumpsuit with a green belt, gloves, and a helmet that made him look like a Cyclopes looked up at him, singular eye blinking, "What's up kid?" he asked.
Aurum shifted awkwardly in place, "hey can I sit here, I'm kinda new here?" He asked unsurely.
The Cyclopes kid smiled good naturedly, "yeah sure," he scooted over offering a seat, "you play?" He asked gesturing to the card game he was involved in.
The cloaked teen shrugged, "nah I'll just watch."
The kid nodded his head, "I'm See-More by the way," the kid greeted as he pulled out a card from his deck and placed it on the table.
The old habitat of answering by his real name almost came out but he held himself back, "Aurum," he introduced.
See-More looked up at him with his big eye blinking, "is that supposed to mean something?" He asked.
Aurum swallowed his mashed potatoes before answering, "yeah means gold in Latin, not my choice," he added.
See-More laughed at that, "man talk about being stuck with a shitty name."
"At least mine isn't a pun," he quipped back.
The Cyclops grinned back at him, "puns are the principal of comedy," he argued back.
He rolled his eyes under his hood, "whatever you say kid."
It was then that a dark shadow loomed over the pair, "O hey Kyd what's up?" See-More greeted.
Aurum was surprised by the sudden appearance of a discount Batman, not even seeing the dark clothed teen even move from the corner of his eye.
"Hello See-More have you finished your page in Mayhem yet?" The boy said in a monotone.
See-More pulled up a back pack from the ground with a smirk, "yep got it done before we left."
Aurum tilted his head, "wait they're giving us homework on the first day?" He asked.
See-More blinked, "have you been to Tom yet?" He asked using the colloquial term for the theory of mayhem class.
He shook his head, "no all my electives are after lunch." He answered.
"Then you will do well to know that it is very homework intensive, Professor Blood wants us to be independent and trusts us to finish the work in good time." Kyd responded.
Aurum hummed at that, "what's the class like anyway, is it just some niche philosophy course or something?"
See-More and Kyd gave each other a look before laughing, "Haha!" See-More was holding his sides while Kyd's shoulders were quaking.
He felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment, "stupid, shouldn't have said anything," he admonished himself looking down at his trey of food tying to pretend he wasn't there.
"Don't worry about it kid, it's an inside joke," the guy across from Kyd said, he looked to be a year older than him, he had slicked back black hair and was wearing a skin tight spotted black and cream yellow jumpsuit. He looked normal over all save for his piercing blue cat like eyes and clawed hands. "Name's Jaguar, and the Batman wanna be is Kyd Wykkyd," He introduced.
Aurum nodded feeling not as embarrassed now he knew they weren't laughing at him. "Have you had the class yet?" Aurum asked in a slight more subdued voice.
Jaguar placed a card from his deck at the table, "had it last year and I'm taking the second course of it this year, it's a bit strange at first but you get used to it. The homework sucks though," he complained with a grunt.
The other two had calmed down enough to sit quietly, See-More occasionally snickering while he and Jaguar continued to play their card game , Kyd sat across from Aurum next to Jaguar.
The table fell into silence after a while, everyone being either too busy eating or playing cards to talk. It wasn't until Aurum was finished with his food that he decided to speak up, "so uhh, what can you guys all do?"
See-More seemed to come to life more with that question, "o I can do all sorts of stuff, I can see as far as eagle, got X-ray vision, and can even make barriers!" He flashed his large eye different colors with each announcement of skill until he created a slightly opaque barrier around his head that resembled his one big eye. "Go ahead, nothing can get past this," See-More boasted gesturing to his head.
Aurum didn't have it in him to sucker punch the guy so he just went for a slap, his hand met the barrier and it felt like he had just slapped a hard mushy wall. He waved his hand at the stinging sensation, "felt like I just slapped a wall of silly putty," he mumbled.
Jaguar across the table chuckled, "that's nothing, I can see in the dark and you'll never know when I'm around if I feel like it, I once tore through a flatbed with my claws." He put his elbow on the table, white claws pointing sharply to the sky looking menacing to Aurum's eyes, Jaguar then plucked a hair off his head and let it fall towards his claw where it cut the hair in two.
Aurum nodded at that, not willing to risk challenging him on those claims.
"I can teleport," Kyd informed shortly in his flat voice.
"What about you Aurum?" See-More asked.
Aurum shrugged, "I still don't know yet, the teachers told me I can use a type of magic they haven't seen yet, I can't really control it that well." He instantly regretted telling them that last bit, hoping that he didn't scare them off.
Kyd merely nodded at that, "hmm so you recently came into your power?" he asked.
Aurum nodded, "I got them about a year ago, tried to figure it out back home for a bit but…yeah I decided to come here, seemed like the best option."
See-More smirked at the deck in his hand, "that was smart of you, wild magic can fuck some shit up."
Jaguar narrowed his eyes at the cards on the table, drawing a card from his deck. "Yes you aren't the first person to have that problem, we're all weirdoes, freaks, dangers to society and what not so you're amongst your people now."
Kyd and See-More nodded at that, the way he said it was so casual and off the cuff, but to Aurum it was exactly what he needed to hear after so long in fear and isolation. "Thanks guys," he mumbled looking down at his empty tray, he felt a smile tug at his lips shadowed by his hood, "maybe this really can be a new beginning," he thought wistfully.
His first elective class was theory of mayhem, better known by the students as Tom or Tom's class.
He arrived at the lecture hall where twenty odd other students were seating themselves, up in front was the three standoffish kids who sat in the middle of the cafeteria. The taller one took up the middle most seat doing his best to be as annoying as possible to the people behind him.
Aurum scowled beneath his hood when he caught sight of Private Hive who was looming over a girl with white feathered wings who looked very annoyed how the Private was standing with his foot atop her desk. Aurum would have done something if he knew how to handle himself in a confrontation, but from his view he could see the winged girl gripping her pencil tightly and from the tensing of her muscles he could tell she was just barely stopping herself from stabbing him.
The back was taken by a few emo and goth kids, he didn't want to smell cigarette smoke all period so he took a few rows ahead of them and to the left to avoid, being behind the goliath in front.
He took out his text book for the class, it was a bright red hardback that had a glossy sheen to it, atop the red was an image of the world on fire and in big yellow comic sans font read the words, 'intro mayhem!' "Who the fuck designed this an eight year old with power point?" He asked himself, if he had paid money for this school he probably would be pissed off that his book cost a hundred fifty dollars.
His thought were broken by a loud shriek of pain that grated against his ears, he whipped his head towards the sound to see Private Hive clutching his thigh with a pencil sticking out. "Ah what the hell you stupid bitch, that what I get for being a nice guy!?" He screamed in pain.
"Silence private," a smooth voice broke through the student's cries of pain.
The Private stood strait and went quite seemingly to forget about in pencil sticking out of his leg, "I had hoped for a student who boasted to have super enhanced endurance and strength you would be able to survive a superficial wound such as that." Professor Blood glided into the room looking disappointed at Private Hive.
Aurum didn't feel any vindictive pleasure at seeing the guy who so rudely awakened him get a once over by the teacher, in fact he actually felt a bit bad for him. "Was his posturing uncalled for? Yes, but use your words like an adult not assault the guy, and Blood seems more angry at him than he is at the girl. The fuck kinda backwards shit is this?" He asked inwardly.
"Take a seat Private Hive, I will have no more disruptions to my class room," Blood ordered sharply.
The Private nodded silently before sitting down, never bothering to take the pencil out of his thigh.
"Now children allow me to introduce myself, my name is Professor Blood and I will be your teacher for the theory of mayhem. In this class you will be taught the ethos and practical applications of becoming a freelance user of your gifted abilities," Blood introduced while writing his name on the chalk board.
Aurum tilted his head in askance, he wanted to ask what he meant by that but he didn't want the attention of the whole class.
Blood glided forward facing the class, "it is not my job to tell you right from wrong, only give you an education, for all your lives you have only been told one side of the argument. That those with gifts have a responsibility to the whole of society, as a teacher it is my job to give you new ideas and a new understanding in life. This class asks the questions, why is it my responsibility, why am I the one burdened, and how do I better myself?" Blood glided up the stairs between desks making sure to make eye contact with each student. "Your first assignment, I want you to write about a person who you disagree with in some way, weather that be politically, morally, religiously, I don't care. I want you to write why you disagree with them and then you will write something positive about them and try to relate it to yourself, I want you to try and walk in another person's shoes, I assure you that you will find the experience enlightening."
Aurum placed his hand to his chin in ponderance, "someone I disagree with and that I can find a positive about… maybe Hitler? I mean the only good things about him is that he liked dogs, hated commies and killed himself. No that's too popular, O I know!" He smiled, actually exited to do homework for once. "Bruce Wayne, that's an easy one, damn money grubbing prick has lobbied against capital punishment like he's some sort of moral authority. It's because of people like him that all those super villains are allowed to live, they destroy parts of the city and suddenly Wayne Enterprises comes in and buys up the property. So what are the good things about Bruce Wayne?" He asked himself .
"Keep those ideas floating in your mind, but for right now we will begin today's lesson," Blood glided back down to the front of the class room, "now tell me, which one of you has ever committed a crime?" He asked the room.
The girl with the wings raised her hand first, then another kid, and then the three upfront raised their hands, soon nearly all the class had their hands raised including him.
Blood nodded, "the first lesson," he grabbed an eraser and threw it at the girl in the wings pegging her in the forehead, "never confess to a crime!" He yelled.
"You," Blood pointed at Private Hive.
"Y…yes sir?" Private Hive stuttered under the burning gaze of the professor.
"What crime did you commit?"
The Private looked confused, Aurum could see him trembling from where he sat, "t…theft sir." He squeaked.
Another eraser went flying and was perfectly aimed at the Private's forehead, "wrong you did no crimes, you are innocent!"
His gazed turned to Aurum, "You!" He yelled, the flash of red from Blood's eyes went unnoticed as Aurum felt like a small child again under the Professor's piercing stare. "What crime did you commit?!"
Aurum felt the urge to confess all of his most grievous of sins to the man, how he's downloaded over a hundred hours of songs illegally off the internet, how he's jaywalked, all the petty blue laws he's broken without knowing. He felt a drop of sweat land on his eye, with trembling hands he whipped it away, "I…" the class was looking at him with interest. "O God don't choke, everyone's looking at you, O God no why does the scary hot chicks have to be in this class?" He bemoaned.
"What crime did you do?" Blood asked again, with a more reserved voice but the heat of his gaze only seemed all the more oppressive to Aurum.
"I…I plead the fifth" he breathed out as if he was being choked by an invisible hand.
Blood smirked and a weight suddenly lifted from Aurum's body, "correct," The professor praised.
When Blood's gaze finally moved away from him he allowed himself to slump back into his chair, breath feeling ragged. "What…what the fuck was that?" He asked himself.
Aurum watched the back of Blood for a moment and shook his head, "this is going to be a long class."
To his great relief the class ended a half hour later and he found himself in Philosophy, to his surprises Kyd Wykkyd was also taking the class with him and the two sat together.
The Headmistress herself taught this class her way of teaching wasn't as heavy handed as Blood's was. She took a more wistful approach, allowing time for her students to ponder the questions she put forth and encourages people to question her ideas.
"Now tell me class, what makes a villain?" She had asked, sitting atop her desk with her right leg crossed over her left, arms folded above her chest.
Just like the last few questions she asked the class fell silent for a few moments, "Is a villain someone who fights superheroes?" She asked the class.
Aurum and a few other's in the class nodded, but Kyd to his side shook his head causing the pair to look questioningly at each other.
"To those of you who said yes, I ask, what if the so called superheroes are in the wrong? Would they not be the villains?"
"O so that's what she's getting at…I think," He thought.
The Headmistress got off her desk and began to pace, "I put it to you that a villain isn't an objective truth, who or what we see as a villain is up to the individual, a Superman to one person could be a Joker to the next." She lectured.
The class nodded with that line of thought, Kyd raised his hand.
"Yes Kyd?" she asked.
Kyd cleared his throat, "so who we consider as a villain has more to do with who we are as a person rather than who the other person is?" He asked.
Professor Wilson smiled, "right you are, the questions of villainy and heroism are more of questions of self-discovery rather than commentary of society as a whole."
"Huh, never thought about it that way, this class is gonna be fun." Aurum sat back with a small smile on his lips.
Magic 101 was the only class that took him to the surface, the outside class was far away from the main building. Here only three students sat in a circle on the freshly mowed lawn, the only other magic users in his year was Kyd Wykkyd and that girl with the bright pink hair. Magic 101 was one of the few classes that was known as a gift prerequisite class meaning that only those with magic could be accepted, something that Aurum didn't bother to read the fine print of when he didn't think twice about rating it one of his top picks.
The teacher was Professor Blood who sat cross legged, hovering over the grass eyes closed, the three sat patiently awaiting their teacher's word. A minute passed, another minute, then another minute.
It wasn't until long that the girl with pink hair decided to mimic their teacher and attempted to meditate. Aurum saw Blood smirk lightly and quickly followed the subtle instructions followed by Kyd.
Aurum closed his eyes and attempted to meditate, he's sort of done it before and has had varying results. He pressed his eyes shut, trying not to think about his classes, trying not to think about his future, trying not to think about how dumb he must look, and trying not to think about how his ring is starting to heat up. "Wait…O God no!"
"Calm yourself Aurum, the ring will hold, trust in me," Blood's smooth voice echoed in his mind.
Aurum felt a calming presence settle over his shoulders, a stark contrast to the abject horror that Blood triggered in him earlier today. "H…how are you talking to me… are you in my head?" He asked.
"Not quite, when magical users mediate in close proximity their energies can mix, think of it as a string on a tin can." The teacher replied still speaking in his mind.
"O…that…makes since I guess?"
Blood chuckled in his mind giving him a strange shiver up his spine, "no it doesn't, one of the first lessons about magic is that things hardly ever makes since and tying to wrap your head around its intricacies is an exercise in futility."
Aurum frowned, "so it's pointless then?"
"No far from it, our ancestors did not know how the rain worked yet they still used it to grow their crops, they did not know what stars were yet they used them to navigate the seas. Magic is much the same, even if we do not fully understand it doesn't mean we shouldn't use it . Magic is a tool to be used and exploited, like how the rays of the sun power this school." Blood lectured.
Aurum nodded, "so it's just a resource, a tool."
Aurum could feel blood smile at him, he felt proud at that, "yes you are learning."
Blood then stood up, the unannounced movement jarring him and the two other students out of their mediations. "The first lesson of magic is the important of meditation, you have all done well in today, I let us begin our second lesson." Blood turned on his heel and lead the students to what looked like an archery range, only there were no bows and the targets were robots and not hay bales.
"Jink my dear since you are the most experienced why don't you show how you can use your gifts," Blood instructed.
Jink strutted forward until she was only a few inches behind a thick white line painted in the grass, "watch and learn boys," she said with cocksure smirk. In a second her right hand glowed a vibrant pink color as if she was holding a bright LED light in her hands, she tossed the pink energy like a baseball pitcher and it sailed towards one of the humanoid robot targets. The energy smashed into the robot but appeared to do nothing until half a heartbeat later the metal where the energy bolt hit began to rust at a very rapid rate.
"Very good Jink," Blood glided to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder, the smirk on her face was replaced with a soft smile her eyes beaming with pride at the praise.
"Jink here is a skilled sorceress with the ability to bring bad luck to anything her power touches, her ability is one of the most versatile and effective I have seen to this date. No matter what strengths you may have her power automatically searches for your weakness and exploits them at the worst moments." Blood explained, meanwhile Jink's cheeks where nearly matching her hair.
Blood turned to the darkest teen of the group, "Kyd will you be so kind as to give us a demonstration of your own?"
Kyd nodded and wrapped himself in his cape, in a swirl of black the teen disappeared and suddenly reappeared behind another of the robot targets where he slashed is from behind with his cape cutting right though the metal and slashing it in half. A second later Kyd disappeared again in a swirl of black only to reappear from a circular void in the ground.
Blood clapped at the demonstration, "Marvelous Kyd simply Marvelous," Blood complemented.
Kyd smiled and nodded politely towards his teacher.
"Kyd's power comes from the ancient relic he currently wears, the item has the spirit of a powerful mage trapped within, and to my understand has chosen Kyd Wykkyd to continue on in their legacy and from what I can see they did not make a mistake." Blood revealed placing his other hand on Kyd's shoulder.
Blood turned to him, "now we do not know how your power will manifest itself so we will walk a safe distance away before you try your demonstration. Remember Aurum concentration is the key, try and guide your energies and calm them, allow your power to show you how it wants to be wielded."
Aurum nodded feeling anxiety creep back up in the pit of his stomach, once his teacher and fellow students were a safe one hundred meters away he began to focus on his energies. The chain he has had metaphorically wrapped around his powers was beginning to strain even with the ring on, he knew he would have to expend his energies soon if he wanted to remain safe.
He focused on the warmth bubbling beneath him and tried to heard the energies into his right hand. He looked down to see it encased in a golden glow, illuminating the veins underneath. For minute he strained to hold it in place, after another minute the radiant light began to slowly flow out of his hand like steam, "so far so good," he thought to himself.
Clenching his teeth in concentration and blinking sweat out of his eyes he aimed his glowing hand towards one of the robot dummies down range. "Okay magic gold stuff…uh do your thing," he attempted to coax the energy, no luck, the steam kept raising at a faster rate and his forearm began to glow bright gold.
"Aww shit, uhh…up, up and away?" He tried again, still no luck, the golden light had reached his bicep
Aurum was shaking under the strain now teeth grit and heart racing in fear, "For God's sake please jus-" his loud yell was cut off by the ear ringing sound of a sonic boom cutting through the air.
A concentrated beam of light shot out from his palm and dug a ten foot deep trench all the way towards the direction of the robot dummy. The metal robot was melted upon impact and the beam of energy kept going, though tree after tree until an explosion sounded off in the distance.
Aurum was thrown back as his beam of energy met an unmovable object out of sight, it was enough to cut his concentration, the beam disappeared into the air like glowing mist. "Ow," he groaned upon hitting his head and back on the ground. His vision was spinning and his arm felt like it was wrenched out of its socket.
"Amazing, truly and wonderfully amazing," Bloods voice sounded from above him.
Jink was standing back face even paler than what she usually was, Kyd cautiously peaked his head out from behind her.
"W…what did I hit…is someone hurt?" He asked.
The shadow of Blood loomed over him, shielding his eyes from the sun, "no my boy it appears your energy merely hit the magical barrier that surrounds this school but from the looks of it we may have to reenergize it after that blow." He said with a chuckle.
Aurum looked guilty, "o…sorry about that."
Blood shook his head, "no need to be worried Aurum such an occasion should be celebrated, your very first controlled use of your power, you make this old teacher proud."
He felt lightness in his chest at the praise, "thanks."
Ring, Ring, Ring!
The bell announced the end of the period, "you should get to your final class," Blood stated helping Aurum to his feet.
"You all did wonderful today, I am looking forward to teaching all of you, now be off and don't be late to class!" Blood yelled from across the training yard to the two stunned students a hundred yards away.
Aurum walked on unsteady legs towards his fellow students of magic, "Uhh, Kyd could I ask you a favor?" He asked, head still spinning.
Kyd nodded slowly, "are you okay?" He asked with concern.
Aurum nodded and instantly regretted it, "Ye- Wow," he was about to fall back down when Jink caught him. "T…thanks," he mumbled with a blush before standing back up.
Jink for her part was still pale as a ghost but trying to hide her concern for the new magic initiate.
"Kyd…could you take me to the cafeteria, my next class is on that floor."
Kyd nodded, he looked at Jink, "do you want a ride too?" He asked.
Jink crossed her arms in a huff, "I can get to class on my own, just make sure he the kid doesn't puke in the halls, I don't want to smell that stink when I'm trying to get to class."
Kyd shrugged his shoulders, "suit yourself," he said before wrapping himself and Aurum in his cloak.
Aurum didn't feel anything from the instant travel, one moment he was outside with the August wind nipping at his skin, and in a blink of an eyes he was suddenly in a room temperature hallway with no sound of trees or wind anywhere.
Aurum breathed deeply after Kyd stepped away from him, holding his head from the dizziness. "Aw fuck," he groaned.
Kyd stepped forward, "what is it?"
Aurum pressed his hand to his temple, "I forgot my fucking bag."
It was then that Kyd realized that he too forgot his own bag, "damn…what room number is your next class?" Kyd asked.
"Five hundred one," he answered.
Kyd nodded, "alright head to your class I'll meet you there in a sec," he told him.
Aurum obeyed and began to walk towards his final class for the day, he entered to an already mostly filled room with students excitedly talking amongst each other about the class.
A second later Kyd appeared in a swirl of black clutching Aurum's hive themed back pack in his right hand. "Here, thank me later," Kyd said shortly before tossing the golden teens bag to its owner, and without another word the dark teen hurriedly teleported to his own class.
Aurum looked to find a seat that wasn't taken, he moved to the nearest availed seat but it was suddenly blocked by the bald jumpsuit wearing child as he placed his metallic back pack right atop the chair as Aurum made for the seat. "Sorry piss back seat's taken," the midget snickered.
He scowled at the kid but felt it too much trouble to start a scene with the dizziness in his head, "O hey Aurum over here!" He heard the voice of See-More yell from over the crowded classroom.
Aurum quickly found the seat that was next to See-More, "wow what happened to you?" the Cyclopes asked.
He placed his bag on the desk and promptly using it as a pillow, "magic," Aurum mumbled into the black fabric of his bad.
See-More looked at him in askance, "what do you mean, do they make you run around the whole school or something?"
"No, I kind of just used my powers on purpose for the first time ever," Aurum mumbled into his back pack.
He almost puked when he felt See-More clap him on the back, "that's awesome man, you might even be able to join the combat sims soon."
Aurum didn't have the energy to ask him why the hell a school would have a combat simulation in its curriculum.
A minute later the same spectacled teacher from Aurum's academic exams entered the classroom. "Alright settle down settle down, I know extraterrestrial studies can be exiting but please pay attention." The teacher said with a chuckle.
"Now my name is Professor Oster, I was once amongst the top researchers for extraterrestrial life, I was one of the first scientists allowed to study the biology of Superman himself and I have personally met and studied alongside visitor of our plant." Oster introduced while writing his name on the chalk board.
The students began to murmur amongst each other in excitement at hearing their teacher having been associated with the planet's greatest defender.
"Our first lesson for today will be on the history of our planet's first encounters with alien life starting all the way back to the ancient Han Dynasty in the fourth century BC."
Aurum tried to keep concentrated, he so wanted to listen but his back pack was whispering sweet nothings into his ear begging him to rest.
"It is believed by some that the dragon written about in Chinese mythology were the first unidentified flying objects man had ever encountered. But other sources rebuke this claim as no real evidence has been found and adding unto the fact that China is one of the most magically active regions of the world." Oster continued.
"Wait, are you telling me that dragons are real?" The whiny voice of the midget was like nails on a chalk board to Aurum.
Some students chuckled at the brats question, "it may have been possible at the time but just like for the alien theory no actual evidence has ever come to light."
The lecture continued on for thirty more minutes, Aurum focusing in and out though the rest of the class
Aurum dragged his feet tiredly though the halls dodging other students walking around more out of muscle memory than conscious thought.
It took him half an hour to get to his room, taking a few wrong turns in his daze, he was too nauseous to eat so sleep was his dinner again.
Much like yesterday he plopped on the bed still in his clothes atop the blankets, light out for the second day in a row.
AN: I really enjoyed writing this chapter, it was fun writing for Brother Blood, he's so manipulative I almost feel dirty.
Just to clarify some thing if they weren't' obvious before. This starts before the third episode of season one where the Hive was first introduced. So as far as the story is concerned it is currently takes place a few months before the Titans form. I know that the episode introduces Jink, Mammoth, and Gizmo as graduates but they end up back at Hive for some reason, I mean if they graduated why are they still apart of the school? I'm going to just ignore that line cause It doesn't make since and I'm not about to rework the entire time line of my story just because of one word said in the episode.
I hope this chapter finds you all well and thank you all for reading!