There was a lot of banging, noise and talking coming from the walls. Levi and Abby entered into yet another large spacious room and the noise came to a torpid stop.
Everyone's eyes were laid on one person in lavender standing at the door. As usual.
Levi certainly didn't expect to receive such attention. He cast a quick glance at Abby, who was standing beside him, hoping she might be able to do something to help. Abby promptly raised her right forearm and announced, 'Everyone, please welcome our newest recruit, Nine.' Her voice echoed loudly throughout the place.
Levi said nervously, raising his right palm up and greeting with a hesitant 'Hi.' A somber silence fell, and he could hear a cough from the back. The surroundings definitely evoked a school atmosphere. It appeared to be a cafeteria, as everyone was seated with meals in front of them. However, a few individuals were standing, while others chose to sit atop tables.
Abby leaned on him, whispering with her left brow raised, "You're meant to introduce yourself, I won't do that for you." Levi nodded in response.
"Umm, hello... I'm Levi. Levi Parker." He gulped and continued, "I'm 17 years old, uhh.. I come from the North Win-"
"Fucking hell man, just tell us your potential already!" A girl sitting on a table in the front row interrupted loudly. Once again, Levi looked at Abby helplessly.
Luckily, she came to his rescue. "He's a grey and-" Her words were abruptly interrupted by bursts of laughter from the academics. Undeterred, she rolled her tongue in her mouth and continued, speaking a bit louder to be heard over the ongoing laughter. "And... I know many of you find that funny, but he has the potential to improve and earn a green-" Her last phrase only fueled more laughter from the crowd.
Abby turned to Levi, "Let's just get a seat, I'm hungry."
Levi thought it was a good idea and followed her as they walked down the center aisle. The laughter had died down, leaving only stares and tiny whispers. From the looks of it, there were at least a thousand people in the room. Levi couldn't help but wonder how many academics were recruited here, not to mention those he saw in the hallway and at The Den.
He also noticed that everybody seemed to be of the same age group. It was a terrible thing, he thought, bringing together teenagers in one facility
Levi looked both left and right, finding every corner filled with academics. Despite being accustomed to such situations, this one felt different. Yes, it was different. It wasn't the usual stares of disgust or mockery, but rather a mix of curiosity, disappointment, interest, jealousy, and perhaps a hint of mockery.
Abby and Levi got their food on a tray at the far end of the room. Abby grabbed two hard-boiled eggs and a small box of milk, while Levi was struck by the exotic variety of dishes. Never had he seen so much food. Not just food, exotic food. He wanted to make a good impression, but also wished the room was less crowded. Ultimately, he opted for a cheddar casserole with eggs, bacon, and tomatoes, and finished with a box of milk.
Levi surmised that Abby was a star in The Academy, highly respected and perhaps even feared. Maybe that was why the Dean put her in charge of him today. His instincts proved right as Abby led him to a table next to a wide window that was allowing the late morning rays to fill the room.
They arrived at the table filled with boys. Abby stood for a few seconds, holding her tray. The boys skimmed her and themselves before they all reluctantly got up.
One of them said out loud as he passed Levi, "He can't even stand up for 'mself!" He threw his arms in the air and flagged at Levi, "Auntie Lydia! Maybe you could add him to your kitchen staff. Look at him tray, I bet eating food is your ability innit?"
Shit.
The laughter erupted again and the boy felt extremely satisfied as he roamed with his squad to another end of the room. Levi felt his heart grow heavy and his throat tighten as they both took seats at an empty table. Why did it have to be him? He wondered. He glanced up at Abby, who appeared unfazed and was already enjoying her eggs.
He knew very little about this place his entire life, yet it was already stirring his emotions so quickly. He forced himself to eat, despite losing his appetite. Suddenly, he noticed movement from his peripheral vision. Someone was approaching him. No, he didn't need any disturbances right now, or it might push him to the breaking point.
"Levy?"
Levi looked up to see a dark skinned skinny teen with non-native brown hair. He looked extremely familiar and he hoped for his suspicions to be incorrect.
"No way." The boy chuckled, "No goddamn way."
Abby looked in inquisition as Levi slowly stood up. The two boys stared at themselves for a while before they jammed an impulsive warm hug.
---
"You know, I'm really sorry about your dad," Brody said, seated beside Levi. Brody was Levi's childhood friend and his only true companion. He never discriminated against Levi because of his syndrome, and he was the only one Levi had confided in before running away to the West Wing
"It's alright." Levi gave a weak smile, "It's alright," he repeated with both arms crossed on the table.
Brody looked sympathetically at Levi, "You know you should've been there."
"Yeah I should have," Levi said quietly. Abby stood up to leave and Levi looked up at her. "Uhh.. You're going? Where?"
She checked her watch. "I'm supposed to pick something up for you now. It's really crazy that I have to babysit you," she said. She noticed the look of despair on Levi's face and smiled. "What's wrong, pretty face? Do you miss me already?" She mockingly imitated a baby's cry.
Levi looked about and watched her back as she walked down the aisle. "Don't get your hopes high on that," Brody said with a large grin. They both chuckled.
"No, it's nothing," Levi replied inactively.
"Come on, tell me bro, what's been going on? You look different man, really good!" Brody said enthusiastically, shaking both shoulders of Levi.
"Really?"
"Really! How the hell did you get in here?"
"Long story."
Brody kept his arm over Levi's shoulder and picked at the remains of his food. "Heard your abilities be grey?" Levi didn't reply, so he went on. "They gave you a cool code name, Nine. Sounds about right." He munched on the bacon. "You know what they named me?" Levi looked up at him, a bit apathetic about the conversation. "Sock. These cunts named me Sock."
Levi heard himself give a short laugh. Brody always knew how to make him laugh, "Really?" He asked.
"I'm not joking." Brody replied licking his fingers
"What about your ability...?"
"Mine? Blue." He raised his arms in defense, "I don't mean to make you feel bad-"
"No, no, no problem," he said, feeling as lost as ever in this unfamiliar place, but his mind consumed by all this talk of supernatural abilities. "What are they?"
"Oh! I'll show you," Brody said. He adjusted his sitting and rubbed his palms. "I don't know if it's gone yet, but I'll give it a try." He focused on the milk box, squinting hard. The box lifted a few inches from the table and then dropped back down. Brody let out a huge exhale.
"Wow," Levi remarked.
"Yeah, telekinesis, pretty cool huh?"
"Yup it is. What did you mean by you don't know if it's gone?" Levi asked.
"These abilities are temporal" Brody replied. Temporal? Levi thought, now that was a let down. "It usually peaks in the morning and starts to fluctuate by noon. By evening, it's completely gone and refreshes the next day." Brody continued, "The span depends on how strong you are and your overall health.
"So you're saying, it's possible I can't do anything till tomorrow?"
"Yes, I think so." Brody said as he drove his fingers through his hair. "Mine could only last two hours when I was a noob."
Levi looked down at the spirals on the wooden table, pondering deeply. "And how did The Academy know that we have abilities?" he asked.
"It's what they do, but I don't know how," Brody replied, picking at his teeth.
"So, they're just keeping us here for what?"
"You know how like 20 or 25 years ago, the raid which killed a lot of pe-" He stopped when he saw Levi already nodding, "They say there's going to be another very soon, and we are meant to be Earth's heroes."
Levi found himself giggling. "Wow, that's just crazy."
---
Levi entered the room where he had started the day. They had truly gone above and beyond. Everything was neatly arranged, featuring a shelf of books, a classic wardrobe, and a comfortably-sized white bed. It was a level of luxury that surpassed anything he had at Mayskeep, not to mention what he had resorted to sleeping on while on the run. He ran his hand along the smooth, wooden frame, feeling its quality and appreciating the upgrade
Levi was exhausted; Brody had taken him on an extensive tour around The Academy, and now night was falling. The institution proved to be even larger than he had anticipated, resembling a sprawling city of its own. He decided to take off his shirt before settling into bed, and as he glanced at himself in the mirror, his side-eye caught his reflection
No way, he couldn't believe it. He was ripped! Levi could have sworn that just the other day he was as thin as a broomstick with his ribs visible. But now, there were no words for it. Running his hand over his chest, he flaunted his enhanced physique in the mirror.
Was his illness gone? Now he realized, where was the bleeding? The headaches, the coughing, and weakness—none of them had been present today. Not only that, he recalled having brown eyes, but now they sparkled with a vibrant blue hue. Even his facial features appeared enhanced. It was truly amazing, he thought.
He heard a knock at the door and he got it. Abby was standing in the hallway in her pyjamas. She took a long look at Levi's biceps before looking up at him. Levi felt shy and he immediately hid the rest of his body but his head behind the door.
Abby gave a short smile. She handed him a sealed bag. "What's this?" Levi asked.
"Everything you'll need. Key, spare uniform, tag... just check it all yourself."
"Alright. Thank you," Levi said taking the bag.
"Any problem?" Abby asked cocking her head.
"No, no, none at all," Levi replied quickly.
Abby stood for a few seconds. "You will have your training first thing tomorrow, I'll pick you up."
Levi nodded vigorously, as if the words she spoke required a deep level of understanding. "That sounds right."
She stood for a while, then bit her lip and nodded before leaving.
Levi quietly closed the door and gave a huge sigh of relief. He tossed the bag on the bed and went on to check out his newfound build.
[I like her] A synthesized, metallic female voice sounded.
Levi quickly looked away from the mirror and around the room startled. "Who's that?" He asked the empty room.