Raj was thinking about the recent experiments he had performed on Stage 3 Nanites. All the parameters were correct, the experiment was a success. That is if you did not consider the fact that it took 16 years to get there and had only his Grade F to show for it.
He had about 3 months before he had to enroll in the prestigious Portal force. He had to figure out how to meet the basic requirements for enrollment.
"Raj, Can you pay attention to the demonstration?" said Ms. Felicia Smith to the growing snickers of his fellow students.
"It will be hard for you to even pass the certification exams. You will need all the help you can get with your Grade F powerset. You do want to graduate, correct?" she remarked causing more jeers from his peers.
She was a grade E Pyrotech. She could increase the temperature on the contact area of 20 square cm (3.2 square inches) to about 100 degrees celcius (272 Fahrenheit). In other words a glorified Tea kettle. She hated him because she felt he overstepped his bounds in society.
Somewhere she believed Raj could never succeed in getting into the Portal Force. If he did, that meant that all her life was a lie and the grading systems failed. She could not take that, so it was easy for her to make fun of the guy for trying to fight his destiny.
"This is exactly the reason my father wants to rescind free universal education for Grade Fs. It's such a drain on public resources" sounded a sly comment from the side.
Bridgette was the Queen of Glendale academy. She was the Mayor's daughter and the strongest contender for Patrol Force recruitment. She could control Gravity within 10 feet of her.
"Now, now Bridgette even though I agree with you, I still have a duty to the low-ranked students. After all, Raj might get employed as one of the City's finest Municipality." Felicia countered while praising Bridgette.
Many suspected Ms. Felicia was bumping Bridgette's grades. All the staff was following the principal's directives. He hoped the school would get better grants.
Raj looked at the teacher and Bridgette and said "I was paying attention to the experiment. In fact, the solution should be unstable and explode in 3, 2, 1...."
BOOOOMMM!!!!
Raj lifted his book to deflect a shard that headed his way. The entire class screeched in fear. Raj put his book down to look at Felicia whose face matched her heart "BLACK". He could see fear transform into anger on her face.
"Raj report to your detention after class. The principal will hear how you endangered the class." Felicia said with anger while pointing her finger at him. The students could see she was still scared from her shaking finger.
"Sure Miss, The principal will be very interested to know where the controlled substance came from," said Raj with a hint of challenge. The experiment ended up a failure because Felicia used a controlled substance. She wanted to show off pill techniques to Bridgette to gain favor but it backfired on her.
Felicia seemed to be nervous and cleared her throat and said "Looks like you have learned your lesson, I will let you go. But remember you will still need to submit your project to pass the class."
Felicia reminded Raj with a threat about keeping it a secret and sharing how his life was still in her hands. Raj did not even counter. The inequality of the world only grew with Powers. Born to two grade Fs he would never be able to defend himself even if he sued the school.
Felicia dismissed the class, Raj rushed out before his bullies cornered him. 3 small drones, the size of mosquitoes in size, followed him out of the class. He rushed out of the school, knowing what would follow. Over the year, Bridgette had made his life a living hell. With the whole school bowing down to her she had started to believe she owned the school. The only one who ignored her status was Raj.
She started reveling in forcing him to his knees every day with her gravity powers. Even though it was only 5 times the gravity it was still extreme for most unevolved humans.
Raj had planned to get away before she could notice him. He almost got away before a crushing force pushed him down to his knees followed by loud laughter.
"Aww, the little piggy wanted to run away. That would have been cute if you weren't so pathetic." She crooned.
"Let me go, Bridgette. I am recording this, even your Dad won't be able to refute the proof and stop you getting suspended." Raj rasped feeling his blood slow to a crawl as his heart went into overdrive to compensate.
"Haha, Raj. Very funny, you think anyone in this city will care even if I kill you? You are a grade F, bottom rung. No one even will notice your death. You are at best a glorified switch Raj and no one cares" said Bridgette as her cronies snickered.
Raj s mental powers to send a series of commands to the coin-sized relay unit in his pocket. One of the three drones following him rushed into Bridgette's face and exploded with a flash. Each of the drones had a battery that could heat up and explode creating a loud and bright bang.
Taking advantage of the momentary chaos, he rushed to his home. If everything went according to his plan, he will no longer need to run and hide.