Leonard: "Reasons why people immediately wake up from a dream just as they're about to die is because the human brain has no knowledge of what comes after death. Just like how humans can't predict the future, however it is truly amusing how the human body can tell you about things without you even realizing it yet."
In Zeus's office, Chris stepped inside, finding Zeus staring out the window.
Chris: "You wanted to see me?"
Zeus turned, his expression serious.
Zeus: "Yes, I just wanted to find out how your preparations are coming along."
Chris leaned against the doorframe.
Chris: "Oh, that? No need to worry; it's all fine. I'll be starting the field assessments since I touched on the theory in the first class."
Zeus' eyebrows shot up.
Zeus: "What? Really already?"
Chris chuckled.
Chris: "Yeah, well, that's your fault for bragging about me on the news."
Zeus' face flushed.
Zeus: "Ohhh, you saw that, huh?"
Chris nodded.
Chris: "Anyway, get on with it. Why did you really call me here?"
Zeus' expression turned grave.
Zeus: "I'm heading to head office today, and so are the other principles. It's a virtual meeting with G5."
Chris' eyes narrowed.
Chris: "G5? Is it something serious?"
Zeus' voice dropped.
Zeus: "A request from me regarding security measures on the Products in schools."
Chris' brow furrowed.
Chris: "You still on edge?"
Zeus' gaze intensified.
Zeus: "Isn't it bothering you? How nothing's happened ever since we found those 3."
Chris sighed.
Chris: "I had a feeling you didn't just hype up those kids on the news for fun, but it was rather..."
Zeus' expression turned stern.
Zeus: "A warning."
Meanwhile, at the school assembly, Leonard listened intently.
Leonard: "Announcements of the research writing and mock test were made, as well as an announcement for class A1 to head to the "Tesseract," a huge blue cube-like room which kinda feels isolated from the school."
Kevin frowned.
Kevin: "The Tesseract?"
Leonard shrugged.
Leonard: "That's what he said."
Ben appeared suddenly, his voice low.
Ben: "We can take you guys there."
Ben murmured under his breath.
Ben: "We were instructed to anyway."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
Sam: "Don't you have anything else better to do? You're second years, after all."
Ben smiled.
Ben: "Curriculum's been put on hold since most of our classmates are abroad."
Nick nudged Erica.
Nick: "Shouldn't we be going?"
Erica's voice was crisp.
Erica: "Snowflake's right; let's stop wasting time."
Nick thought to himself.
Nick: "{I'mma pretend she didn't just say that.}"
As the class moved, Ash lagged behind, anxiety etched on his face. He had been trying to reach Zeus, frustration growing due to his unavailability.
Ash: "{Great. Too busy on news channels to check your phone, huh?}"
Charlotte appeared beside him.
Charlotte: "You say that as if he doesn't have important stuff to do."
Ash startled.
Ash: "This is the second time you're doing that! It's creepy how you even do that."
Charlotte smiled.
Charlotte: "Brains emit waves, too. Don't forget that. You should get going; Mr. Smith will be annoyed with you if you're late."
Ash stared, uncertainty written on his face.
As they entered the Tesseract, the class donned black training suits with the school's emblem glowing faintly blue.
As they entered the Tesseract, the class donned black training suits adorned with the school's emblem, a silver insignia glowing faintly blue on their chests. The suits themselves were sleek and flexible, designed for maximum mobility and comfort. Tiny, intricate circuits woven into the fabric hummed with gentle, pulsing energy.
Erica's suit fit snugly, accentuating her athletic build. The material seemed to shimmer in the light, as if infused with microscopic, glittering particles.
Kevin's suit had a slightly bulkier design, accommodating his broader shoulders. A series of small, glowing nodes ran along the sleeves, pulsing in sync with his heartbeat.
Leonard's suit was streamlined, its fabric woven with thin, conductive threads that amplified his bio-electric signals. The silver emblem on his chest glowed softly, mirroring the rhythm of his breathing.
Ash's suit had a subtle, textured pattern, like tiny, interlocking gears. The material seemed to shift and adapt to his movements, providing optimal flexibility.
Tracey's suit was adorned with delicate, swirling patterns that echoed her nuclei's unique resonance. The suit's energy signature harmonized with her own, enhancing her natural abilities.
Sam's suit boasted a unique, aerodynamic design, accentuating his lean physique. The silver emblem on his chest pulsed with a subtle, gravitational wave pattern. Intricate, swirling circuits woven into the fabric seemed to shift and adapt to his movements, enhancing his gravitational manipulation abilities. The suit's material possessed a slightly heavier, denser quality, reflecting Sam's connection to gravity. A series of tiny, glowing nodes along the sleeves and shoulders hummed with gentle, pulsating energy, mirroring his gravitational sense.
Elizabeth's suit shimmered with a radiant, neon glow, echoing her nuclei abilities. The silver emblem on her chest pulsed with an vibrant, electric blue light. Delicate, crystalline structures woven into the fabric amplified her energy manipulation capabilities. The suit's material seemed almost liquid, shifting colors in response to her emotions.
Nick's suit featured an adaptive, camouflaging design, blending seamlessly with surroundings. The Beryllium-infused material provided enhanced durability and lightweight strength. Glowing, emerald-green accents highlighted his arm's regenerative capabilities. Tiny, aquamarine-tinted nodes along the sleeves hummed with soothing energy.
As Chris greeted them, the suits' emblems flashed in unison, acknowledging their presence.
Chris: "Finally, you made it."
Erica asked.
Erica: "Sir, what is this place?"
Chris smirked, popping up a holographic screen.
Chris: "The Tesseract is a special room that will allow me to assess you and teach you how to operate on field tasks."
Kevin raised an eyebrow.
Kevin: "This blue box will do that?"
Chris chuckled, popping up a holographic screen.
The class gasped, confused.
Nick turned to Leonard.
Nick: "You good, man?"
Leonard inhaled deeply.
Leonard: "Yeah, don't worry about me, I'm mega."
Nick's eyes narrowed.
Nick: "You don't look so mega right now."
Leonard's brow furrowed.
Leonard: "Oh, that? Well, I'm not sure; I'm just getting this heavy feeling in my chest."
Nick clapped Leonard's back.
Nick: "Must be nervous then."
Leonard hesitated.
Leonard: "Maybe; I'm not sure why, though."
Nick advised.
Nick: "Don't overthink it; you'll burn out quicker that way."
Leonard nodded.
Leonard: "Right."
In a split second, the room transformed into a dimly lit mine, the air thick with dust and the smell of damp earth. The class stumbled, disoriented.
Tracey's voice echoed through the cavernous space.
Tracey: "Where are we?!"
Elizabeth's eyes widened.
Elizabeth: "More importantly, how'd we get here?!"
Chris chuckled, his voice low and amused.
Chris: "Right now, you're in a gold mine in Japan."
Sam's face contorted.
Sam: "Wait, what?! We're in Japan?!"
Chris clarified.
Chris: "Well, technically speaking, you're in Japan relatively. As far as I'm concerned, you're still in the 'blue box'."
Ash stepped forward.
Ash: "Okay, so why are we here?"
Chris' expression turned serious.
Chris: "This is your first practical task. Research and application are key to completing them. This mine is rich with potassium, and you're currently trapped. Collect and find a way out, but be cautious – not all your nuclei react well with potassium."
Leonard thought to himself.
Leonard: "{Okay, sounds simple enough. So this is what NI's all about, huh? I have to make sure not to fall behind.}"
Chris added.
Chris: "One last thing – the people the Tesseract simulates are very irritable and aggressive. Expect a fight. Good luck."
Leonard's eyes and mouth widened.
Leonard: "{What the?! Why are we fighting?!}"
As Chris glitched out, disappearing from view, the class exchanged nervous glances.
The sound of pickaxes striking stone echoed through the mine, growing louder. A group of Japanese men, their faces weathered and worn, approached.
Japanese man: "Hey! Who's there?!"
Kevin turned.
Kevin: "What'd he just say?"
Elizabeth smiled grimly.
Elizabeth: "And so it begins. You ready, guys?"
Leonard inhaled deeply.
Leonard: "{This is on a whole different scale.} Let's do this."
As the class steeled themselves, Chris watched from outside the room.
Chris: "Time to see what you can accomplish."
Meanwhile, outside the school premises, a sleek black van idled.
Man 1 spoke into a comms device.
Man 1: "This is Delta; I'm in position."
Man 3 responded.
Man 3: "Affirmative, commence phase 1."
The van's engine purred to life.
To be continued...