The sun cast a warm glow over the city as students gathered for the opening ceremony.
Leonard: "As our test was about to begin, the other first years who already completed their courses were about to attend the opening ceremony."
Ash's eyes scanned the area, his gaze settling on an alleyway.
Ash: "{This is such a waste, really...opening ceremonies are so primary school.}"
He strode toward the alley, his footsteps echoing off the walls.
A middle-aged man, desperation etched on his face, held a black tech gun to a young lady.
Robber: "Come on, lady! Gimme the damn money so I can scram!"
Lady: "Someone, please!"
Ash's hand grasped the gun, his fingers wrapping around it like a vice.
Robber: "What the...get lost, kid, before you get hurt."
Ash's stern gaze startled the robber.
The gun began to melt, its metal twisting and contorting.
Robber: "Oh shit! You're a..."
Ash's punch sent the robber flying.
Lady: "Uh...Thank you!"
Ash approached the robber, his eyes blazing.
Ash: "Where'd you get this gun?"
Robber: "Black market, genius...t-that's why I was trying to get some credits, ya know."
Ash's gaze turned icy.
Ash: "Cheapskate."
He turned to the lady.
Ash: Call the cops; let them take it from here...this guy won't be bothering you anymore.
Robber: "Of course!"
Lady: "O-okay."
Ash's intense stare lingered.
Ash: "Your welcome, by the way...also, try not to walk in alleyways often; you saw what just happened."
Lady: "Yes, I'll remember that!"
Ash walked away, his thoughts already racing.
Ash: {I'll have to investigate this a little later.}
Meanwhile, Erica and Tracey hastened toward the ceremony.
Erica: "Tracey, would you hurry up? We're gonna be late!"
Tracey: "I'm coming, please stop shouting."
Erica: "Sorry...but you're taking forever."
Tracey: "We'll make it; don't worry."
Across the street, they spotted another student, earbuds in, jamming to music.
Erica: "Hey, doesn't that guy look familiar?"
Tracey: "I-I think he was at that exam too."
Erica: "You think so?"
Tracey: "I'm not sure."
As the streetlights turned green, a panicked man accelerated his car.
Man: "Dammit...I really can't be late again!"
A child and mother were still crossing.
Erica: "Tracey, hold my bag!"
Tracey: "Are you gonna make it?"
Erica: "Of course!"
The mother and child screamed.
Sharp, shiny crystals burst the tires, snapped the cables, and tipped the car.
Nick stood before the mother and child, his hand on the ground.
Man: "Kid! Are you stupid?! Look what you've done!"
Nick: "Are you colorblind or stupid, old man? Cause I clearly see the light shows red."
Man: [glaring] "You have no idea what you've done, boy...you have no clue at all."
Nick walked away.
Mother: [bowing] "Thank you...thank you so much."
Nick: "Uhhh, it's a pleasure, really."
Erica approached him.
Nick: Whoa-whoa, wait! You were over there.
Erica: Uhh, yeah. And now I'm here...good job, by the way.
Nick: [awkward smile] Thanks.{Okay, so I'm just gonna pretend this is all normal.}
Tracey caught up.
Tracey: "S-so it really is him."
Erica: "Seems so."
Nick: [lost] "I am so lost right now."
Tracey: "Well, do you wanna walk with us?"
Nick: "Huh?"
Erica: "Well, we're going the same way, right, NI?"
Nick: "Well, yeah, but..."
Erica: "Great! Let's go."
She pulled Nick along.
Nick: "{Aww, man, I won't be able to listen to music now!}"
In a secret base, Carbonyl and Micro plotted.
Carbonyl, with short, spiky silver hair and bright green eyes, paced.
Carbonyl: "That guy isn't here yet?! Well, seems like he didn't learn his lesson."
Micro, a petite woman with curly black hair and piercing blue eyes, leaned against a console.
Micro: "Forget that for now...we have to move forward with the plan..how's the mother doing?"
Carbonyl: She's still stabilizing; we plan to extract in the next 72 hours.
Micro nodded.
Micro: "Good."
Carbonyl: "Is that professor still coming in handy?"
Micro: "Well, it appears that there's a ceremony happening today. We'll be informed if there's an opening."
Carbonyl's gaze turned cold.
Carbonyl: "Alright...I still don't like the thought of going up against children...so you can leave the teachers to me."
Micro raised an eyebrow.
Micro: "Really? Weren't you zapped by one the other day?"
Carbonyl smirked.
Carbonyl: "Well, it was part of the plan, wasn't it?"
Micro chuckled.
Micro: "Heheheheh...indeed it was."
Carbonyl: "Let's continue with proceedings then."
Meanwhile, Leonard, Kevin, and Sam stood before the majestic gates of Neutron Institution (NI) Academy.
The school's sleek, modern architecture gleamed in the sunlight.
Towering spires and curved glass panels seemed to defy gravity.
A sprawling lawn, dotted with vibrant flowers and ancient trees, stretched before the entrance.
A gleaming silver sign bore the academy's logo: an intertwined N and I.
Sam: "You guys ready?"
Kevin: "We better be."
Leonard's eyes sparkled.
Leonard: "{We finally here}"
Kevin: "Earth to Stormy!"
Leonard: "Huh?"
Kevin: "You coming or what?"
Leonard's smile spread.
Leonard: "Let's go mega."
Kevin rolled his eyes.
Kevin: "Dude, I said....you know what, nevermind."
The trio burst into laughter.
To be continued...