"Oh yeah, about your power..." Lili began, her voice hesitant.
I looked at her, raising an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
"So, if you imagine anything, you can make it happen, right...?" she asked tentatively.
I nodded.
"Then what if you accidentally imagine something bad...?" she inquired, her eyes filled with concern.
That was a valid question. It brought back the memory of the time I unintentionally silenced the world. Before I could answer her, I looked at her intently.
"Well... I've actually done that before..." I admitted, my voice trailing off.
Lili's eyes widened in surprise. "You have? What happened?"
I recounted the incident at the road, how my desire for peace and quiet had manifested into a reality, causing a car accident in the process.
"I was lucky no one was seriously hurt," I concluded, a shiver running down my spine as I remembered the gruesome sight of the injured man. "But it was a wake-up call. I realized that my powers can have unintended consequences, that I need to be more careful with my thoughts and intentions."
Lili nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's a heavy burden to bear," she said softly. "The power to shape reality... it's both a gift and a curse."
I sighed. "It is. But it's also a responsibility. I can't just ignore the power I have. I have to use it to make a difference, to protect people."
Yolan chuckled darkly. "At first, I almost hurt someone too," she confessed.
Lili's eyes widened in shock. "Really? What happened!?"
"Well, I really hated this girl at the time," Yolan explained, a hint of shame in her voice. "She was a total pick-me girl, always trying to steal my friends' attention. I wished she would just get stabbed by a spike, and accidentally, my power activated, and the stairs nearby transformed into spikes. But I realized what was happening just in time before anyone got hurt."
Lili's jaw dropped. "That's... intense," she said, her voice hushed.
"Yeah," Yolan admitted, a sheepish grin on her face. "It was a close call. But it taught me a valuable lesson about controlling my emotions and my powers."
I nodded in understanding. We were all still learning to master our abilities, to harness their potential without causing harm. It was a delicate balance, one that required constant vigilance and self-control.
"That's why we need to train, to practice, to understand the full extent of our powers, we need to be prepared for anything, for any situation that might arise."
"How about you, Lili? I mean, your power is just invisibility. Have you ever made any... human errors with it?" I asked her, genuinely curious.
I was wondering if everyone experienced their own mishaps when it came to using their extraordinary powers. It seemed likely that she must have slipped up at some point.
"Yeah... when I was still working with the Seers, I was supposed to be invisible, or at least that's what I thought," she replied, a sheepish look on her face. "I actually wasn't completely invisible. I only became invisible when the target tried to hit me."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the image of Lili accidentally bumping into things or being surprised by people who could still see her. "That must have been awkward," I said, trying to suppress my laughter.
"It was," Lili admitted, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I ended up causing quite a few accidents. Once, I even walked right into a glass door, thinking I was invisible."
Yolan and IM burst out laughing, their amusement contagious. Even Lili couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Well, at least you're learning from your mistakes," IM said, wiping a tear from his eye. "We all have our moments of clumsiness."
"Yeah," I agreed, still grinning. "It's all part of the learning process."
After a while, the machine finally finished its task. It was surprisingly large, a gleaming white contraption with a laser core at its center. It was presumably used to create something or assist in medical procedures, as Lili had mentioned.
"So I just need to duplicate it, right?" I asked Yolan, turning my attention back to the task at hand.
Yolan nodded. "Yes, 100 copies. Can you handle that?"
I grinned. "Piece of cake," I replied confidently, my eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I closed my eyes, visualizing the machine multiplying, replicating itself over and over until the entire factory floor was filled with identical copies. It was a breathtaking sight, a testament to the sheer power of my imagination.
When I opened my eyes, the factory floor was indeed teeming with machines, each one a perfect replica of the original. The workers stared in awe, their mouths agape.
"Where did these come from..." one of them murmured in astonishment.
"Sorry, guys, the room wasn't big enough for 100 machines, so I imagined them appearing here," I explained with a sheepish grin. "Sorry if they're blocking your way. Let me..." I focused my imagination and placed my hand on one of the machines obstructing their path, lifting it effortlessly as if it were a feather.
The workers watched in amazement as I effortlessly moved the heavy machine, their faces a mix of awe and disbelief. I carefully placed it in a more convenient location, then repeated the process with the other machines that were blocking their way.
"Wow, that's incredible!" one of the workers exclaimed. "You're really strong... just like a superhero... but you are... oh, you're the one who fixed the machine earlier, right?"
I nodded, a bit surprised he recognized me. "Yeah, that was me... oh, we've met before?"
He nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I was the last one to leave before you came out."
"Ah, I see," I replied with a smile. "Well, it's good to see you again. And thanks for recognizing me."
He grinned. "Of course! You're a hero, after all."
I chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through me. It was nice to be appreciated, to know that our actions were making a positive impact on people's lives.
With the obstacles cleared, the workers resumed their tasks with renewed vigor, their admiration for us fueling their productivity. Yolan and Lili continued to supervise, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. IM, meanwhile, had found a comfortable spot in a corner, observing the scene with a bemused smile.
The night wore on, and eventually, the factory emptied as the workers headed home, leaving the space quiet once again.
"Last one to assemble, then we box it up and send it off to Singapore... geez..." Yolan sighed, wiping her brow.
"Don't worry, this is the last one. Then we can go back home," I said, offering her a reassuring smile.
Yolan returned the smile, though a hint of exhaustion lingered in her eyes. "Thanks, Xian. I appreciate the encouragement."
We focused on the final reassembly, carefully placing everything in the box and ensuring it was ready for shipping. Our movements were now practiced and efficient. The complex machine took shape under our hands, its intricate parts fitting together seamlessly.
As we sealed the box, a sense of accomplishment washed over us. We had completed the task, fulfilling the client's order despite the challenges and time constraints.
"Finally done," IM sighed, stretching his arms above his head. "Now, can we go home?"
"Yeah, I'll handle sending it tomorrow. You guys can go home," I replied, feeling a wave of exhaustion hit me.
I flashed a peace sign at Yolan and Lili. "See you later," I said with a smile.
With a final wave, IM and I disappeared in a flash of light, teleporting back to the comfort of my bedroom.
The night had been long and eventful, but it was also incredibly fulfilling. We had helped those in need, faced our fears, and grown closer as a team. As I lay in bed, my mind drifted back to the events of the day, a sense of satisfaction washing over me.
I was no longer just an ordinary high school student. I was the Imaginator, a hero, a protector of the hidden world. And with my friends by my side, I knew that we could face anything the future threw at us.
The next day, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to face the exam. After a quick breakfast and a pep talk from my mom, IM and I headed to school. The atmosphere was noticeably more subdued than usual, the students' minds preoccupied with the upcoming tests.
As we entered the classroom, I couldn't help but notice the worried expressions on my classmates' faces. They were frantically reviewing their notes, their anxiety palpable. I, on the other hand, felt a sense of calm confidence. I knew that I had the power to ace the exam, and that knowledge gave me a sense of peace.
"What's up?" I called out to them, a playful grin on my face.
"Today is... the math exam..." Rayhan said, his voice filled with dread.
"Don't worry guys. I'm sure you'll both do well on the exam. Just relax and try your best." I reassured them, offering a supportive smile.
Creaak! The door creaked open, and a small figure stepped into the classroom.
"Senior Xian...?" a soft, familiar voice called out.
I turned my head, surprised to see Lenna standing there, her eyes wide with a mix of apprehension and hope. "Yeah? Lenna," I replied, my voice softening.
"Um... I'm sorry to interrupt," Lenna began, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I was wondering if... if I could talk to you for a moment?"
I glanced at IM, who shrugged, giving me a silent nod of approval. "Sure, Lenna," I said, stepping out into the hallway with her. "What's up?"
She hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting a strand of her long hair. "Umm... lately at my house complex..." she started, her voice trailing off.
< Chapter 148 > Fin.