You know, it's strange how fast things can flip upside down. A month ago, life was just...ordinary. Wake up, drag myself through school, dodge the usual bullies, come home, rinse, and repeat. I'd have probably said life was just a cycle of "normal" things, and the idea of it being anything else? Nah, wouldn't have crossed my mind. But now? Now it's like I got shoved into this bizarre, neon-lit carnival where everything's way too intense. Too bright, too loud, and everyone's watching, waiting for me to pull off tricks I didn't even know I had.
So here I am, right in the middle of chemistry, staring at the board like it's written in a different language. The teacher's droning on about...atoms? Molecules? Something that's supposed to matter but honestly just sounds like a blur of nonsense. My eyelids feel like they weigh a ton. I guess that's what happens when you spend half the night wrestling with thoughts that don't want to quiet down. Not that I'm complaining, but it's catching up with me.
I let my pencil roll to the edge of my desk, then flick it back. Back and forth, over and over. Keeps my hands moving, and gives me something to focus on. This whole room has this strange vibe. It's like there's this low hum, not from the lights or anything, but from everyone around me. Like there's this invisible tension, this energy that just hovers in the air. I've felt it before, but never like this. It's so loud here like it's practically buzzing.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch this kid next to me, just...floating his pencil. It's spinning lazily in the air like it's no big deal. He doesn't even look at it, just stares ahead like this is his everyday thing. If it was last week, I'd be freaking out—who wouldn't freak out if they saw someone casually levitating stuff? But now, part of me knows that I'm here for the same reason he is. Because I don't exactly fit in with the "normal" crowd anymore, whatever "normal" even means now.
I slouch a bit lower in my seat, glancing down at my own hands. No sparks, no floating pencils, no cool party tricks. Not now, anyway. Not yet. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm ready to start pulling off stunts in front of a crowd.
"Asael! Asael!" The teacher's voice snaps me out of my trance, and I jerk upright in my seat. He's looking right at me, then nodding towards the board. Something about elemental formulas, a bunch of symbols that mean nothing to me.
"Can you answer this for me?" he asks, tapping his chalk against the board.
My brain stalls. I glance down at my paper, hoping to find some clue, but it's blank. Figures. "I...uh, I don't know," I mumble, trying not to make eye contact.
The teacher scoffs, crossing his arms. "Maybe you should get more sleep the night before. You've been here a week now; deal with it." He moves on, his voice fading back into a monotone blur as I sink lower in my seat, my face burning. A whole week here, and I still feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark.
The weird thing is, I'm starting to notice how different everything feels. Even the air feels heavier here like it's loaded with all the expectations of everyone around me. I look around the classroom, seeing a mix of boredom and practiced indifference on my classmates' faces, and it hits me—I'm the new kid here. The outsider. They're all watching, waiting for me to figure things out, but I'm still stuck on the basics. They make it look easy like they're all natural at this...being "special."
I'm not sure what's more intimidating—being surrounded by people who have powers or being surrounded by people who know how to use them. And here I am, barely able to keep my eyes open, let alone figure out my abilities.
I glance at the clock, watching the seconds tick by, and I wonder if maybe I'm the one who doesn't belong here. Everyone else seems so...settled. Like they know who they are like they're fine with the freaky carnival show going on inside these walls. But me? I'm still just...me.
Another thirty minutes dragged by, and then finally—the bell rang. I bolt out of there as fast as everyone else, practically on autopilot as I slip into the hallway.
Walking down the crowded corridor, I see everyone in their little groups, laughing and chatting, just doing normal high school things. It almost feels...ordinary. Well, aside from the fact that this school is packed with kids who could probably blow stuff up with their minds or turn invisible on a whim. You know, typical teenage superpowers—like some weird X-Men spinoff. Honestly, the comparison's not lost on me, and yeah, I kinda get the irony here.
Not that I have any friends yet. But hey, at least nobody's picking on me here—not yet, anyway. So far, everyone just kind of ignores me, which is better than being the target of random jerks back in my old school. I'm not about to jinx myself, though. Knowing my luck, that peace probably has an expiration date.
I make my way to the rooftop. Took me a minute to get here because this school's more like a college campus than a high school. The size of it kind of swallows you whole. But I guess I could get used to it—there's something about all this space that feels weirdly...liberating.
Once I'm up there, I pull out my old MP3 player and untangle the earbuds. Yeah, it's outdated, but it's all I've got, so it's fine. Not like I'm privileged enough for a smartphone yet. I scroll through the usual playlist, loaded with alternative tracks—some might call them emo or dark, but whatever. They have this raw, indie vibe that just hits right. Lately, I've been into "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" by Radiohead. There's something about that song, especially the way it just dives into that haunting vibe. Maybe it is a bit emo, but I don't mind. It's good music, and that's all I need.
The song's just hitting its best part, that intense, moody section that makes you feel like you're floating, when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I flinch, nearly dropping my MP3 player as I whirl around. Standing there is a girl I recognize instantly. She's got this long, blonde hair that flows past her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes cut through me like they're seeing right into my brain. Those eyes kind of scare me, not gonna lie. She's the one who brought me here to this place, so yeah, of course I'd remember her.
Next to her stands a guy—a lot taller, with slicked-back hair and those same sharp, icy blue eyes. He's just as intimidating in his way, though he's got this laid-back vibe that contrasts with her intense stare. They're a pair, alright, and from what I've gathered, they're siblings.
I didn't remember their names, obviously. It'd only been a week since they first pulled me into this bizarre world where people casually break the laws of physics—and I was still trying to wrap my head around everything. So, no, I don't exactly have everyone's names nailed down yet. I mean, can you really blame me?
The girl raises an eyebrow, noticing my blank stare. She crosses her arms and leans in a little, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth like she's already finding this whole thing a bit entertaining. "It's Auryn," she says, her voice sharp and clear. "And this is my brother, Leonardo." She tilts her head toward the tall guy standing beside her.
"Oh. Right...okay." I nod, trying to lock it into memory this time. Auryn. Leonardo. Got it. I give them a quick nod, hoping it's enough. They both look like they're waiting for me to say something else, but honestly, I'm not sure what. I shift a little, my gaze drifting to the rooftop's edge. It's like my brain's still playing catch-up with reality.
Leonardo steps in with a relaxed smile, clearly trying to ease the tension. "Hey, no worries. It's a lot to process. We get that. Just wanted to check in, see how you're settling in." He shrugs, looking like he's done this introduction a hundred times before.
"Yeah… thanks," I mutter, glancing down at my MP3 player.
Auryn's watching me with this intense, calculating expression, like she's sizing me up, seeing if I measure up to whatever expectation she has. "And that thing we mentioned last week?" she prompts, shooting a quick look at Leonardo.
Leonardo pauses, seeming to catch her drift. "Oh, right. That."
He rubs the back of his neck, his tone shifting to something more serious. "So here's the thing," he says, meeting my eyes. "You're one of us. I mean, that's obvious, right? But there's more to it. We're called Golden Children—Golden Ones, if you like. People with abilities that, well, most of the world doesn't exactly understand."
"Not freaks," Auryn cuts in dryly, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You know, like the lovely public likes to call us." There's this edge in her voice, and I get the feeling she's heard worse a lot.
Leonardo nods, continuing like they're both leading me through this carefully rehearsed script. "Anyway, you probably had an idea of this, but we're the ones who go out and find kids like us. There are more Golden Ones out there, scattered all over the place. Auryn and I? We're part of the academy's recruitment team. We track down others, bring them here, help them settle in. Think of it as, I dunno, a kind of rescue mission." He grins, like he's talking about some casual club.
"And, lucky for you, you're getting a front-row seat to it all," Auryn adds, a glint of amusement in her eyes.
I freeze, trying to process what she means by that. "Wait, you're saying… you want me to go out there with you? Already?" The thought sends a spike of panic through me. I barely feel comfortable in this school, and now they want me to… what? Hunt down other kids with powers?
They both catch the look on my face—some mix of horror and doubt, no doubt. Auryn sighs and crosses her arms, looking almost annoyed.
"Oh, so you don't want to?" she says, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "I mean, if you'd rather head back to those thrilling classes, we can just skip you on this one." Her tone is pure sarcasm, like she's daring me to say no.
I blink, scrambling for words. I hadn't even considered that saying yes might mean skipping class… but if it does, then how can I turn this down?
Auryn's lips curl into a knowing smile. "Thought so," she says, turning on her heel. "I'll let the headmaster know. He'll be thrilled to hear how committed you are to your studies." She shoots a quick, pointed glance over her shoulder.
"N-no! I—I mean, yeah, I'll join," I stammer, realizing how eager I must sound, but honestly, the thought of tagging along with them, of maybe finding a place in all this, feels… tempting. "I mean, if you need me, then I'm… in."
Leo chuckles and claps me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. Don't worry, we won't throw you into the deep end. Just watch, listen, and if you feel like helping out, go for it."
Auryn nods, her smirk softening into something that almost looks like approval. "Just try to keep up, alright?" she says, turning to head down the stairs. Leo follows after her, motioning for me to come along.
I take a deep breath, shoving my MP3 back into my pocket, and follow them down from the rooftop, the adrenaline buzzing through me.
...
We made our way down the bustling hallways, surrounded by the chatter of students. I kept my head down, a habit from my old life as the quiet, bullied kid. It was just something ingrained in me—a way to make myself invisible.
But suddenly, I felt a sharp smack on my back, jolting me upright. The sting made me wince, and I rubbed the spot instinctively. Turning around, I found Leonardo grinning at me, looking way too pleased with himself.
"Walk with your head held high, Ace. You look like somebody just tore into you," he said, his tone light but firm.
I blinked, processing the sting in my back and the nickname. Ace? That was new. No one's ever called me that. I glanced up at him, surprised, and he seemed to catch my confusion immediately.
"Fits you, doesn't it?" he continued, still grinning. "I took it from your name, Asael. Got the 'Ace' part and just ditched the rest. Thought I'd give you a nickname, kind of like a welcome." He flashed a wide, easy smile.
"Oh, um, thanks, Leonardo," I managed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. It wasn't just that he towered over me—though, at six-foot-two, that was part of it—but his energy was a lot to take in.
"Ah, come on, you don't have to call me Leonardo. Just call me Leo," he said with a chuckle. "Gotta keep things friendly if we're gonna be a team."
"Wouldn't that be... I don't know, a little too familiar?" I asked, feeling my gaze drift downward again. The idea of getting close to someone felt strange, almost uncomfortable. I didn't want to come off as too… attached or something. I barely even knew them.
Leo laughed, clearly amused. "Well, we're going to be working together, aren't we? I'm already calling you Ace, so why not give it a shot?"
And before I could respond, he slapped me on the back again, making me straighten up reflexively. The sting was real, but somehow his warmth was too. For someone so intimidating, he was oddly… welcoming.
"O-okay then, Leo," I said, feeling the name awkwardly slip from my mouth.
"That's it!" he replied, clapping his hands like we'd just sealed some big deal. "We're even now."
I tilted my head, a little confused. "Even?"
"Yeah," he said, with that same grin. "I call you Ace, you call me Leo. Fair trade, right?"
I nodded slowly, a small smile forming without me even realizing it. It had been so long since someone tried to make me feel... welcome. The idea of having a nickname, a casual one like "Ace," felt weird but also kind of... good. Like maybe, just maybe, I wasn't as out of place as I thought.
As we made our way down the hall, it started to sink in that they're really going to throw me straight into this whole "Golden Child" gig. No heads-up, no chance to get my bearings—just straight into the deep end. I can't help but wish they'd given me at least a day to prepare myself, but I guess life doesn't always work that way.
The sheer size of this place still gets to me. The halls are wider than any school I'd ever seen, and we eventually step into a skywalk, a glass-walled bridge that connects two wings of the academy. From up here, the view of the campus is incredible—below us is a massive fountain surrounded by benches, flanked by a miniature park where a few students are hanging out, chatting under the trees. Beyond that, the walls of the academy rise up, towering and solid, separating us from the rest of the city.
As we keep walking, my gaze drifts past those walls. There's something happening outside, just beyond the academy grounds. From this height, it's easy to see what it is: a crowd of people gathered in an angry mob. They're carrying signs, waving them high, though the writing's just a blur from here. I squint, and one phrase jumps out at me, the letters clear as day: "Get out of the city, you freaks."
I feel a small twist in my chest, but it's nothing compared to the look on Auryn's face. Her jaw tightens, her eyes narrowing as she stares down at the crowd. Even from this distance, I can tell she's seen this kind of thing before.
I look away, feeling an odd pang of guilt. I knew about this, even before I discovered my own abilities. I'd seen news reports, clips showing the protests, the way people in Camelot react to the Golden Ones. To them, we're something between a threat and an embarrassment—a reminder of things they'd rather not deal with. The media isn't exactly kind to us either. They talk about Golden Ones like we're disasters waiting to happen, comparing us to kaijus, those massive, city-wrecking monsters that show up every now and then. I remember watching the footage, seeing buildings reduced to rubble, streets torn apart by those huge creatures. And the way the news anchors talked about Golden Ones, they made it sound like we were no different, like we were just ticking time bombs that could go off any second, bringing destruction with us wherever we went.
Even before I knew I was one of them, I couldn't shake this sense of fear—and maybe a bit of pity—whenever the topic of Golden Ones came up. It was always the same narrative: the city against the "freaks," the "abnormals" who didn't belong. And now that I'm here, standing among them, it's hard not to feel the weight of that hatred pressing down. We're kept in these walls not just for our safety, but to keep the city safe from us. To keep us hidden, and controlled.
"People just can't mind their own business, can they?" Auryn mutters, pulling me back to reality. She's still staring at the crowd, her expression a mix of anger and something else—something almost like exhaustion.
Leo places a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "They'll always be there, Auryn. Doesn't mean we have to listen to them," he says, his voice calm.
Auryn sighs, glancing at me with a half-hearted smile. "Get used to it, Ace. Out there, we're nothing but a headline, something for people to point at and blame whenever something goes wrong."
I nod, but I can feel my stomach churning a bit. It's one thing to see it on the news, but it's another to know I'm part of what they're all angry about. It's almost surreal, knowing that the people out there have no idea who I am, but they hate me anyway—hate all of us. And I can't shake the feeling that, no matter what I do, that's not going to change.
"
"No point dwelling on it," Leo said, his tone light as he tried to steer the mood in a different direction. "We've got something more important to focus on right now."
With that, the three of us continued down the hall until we reached a door that, unlike the rest, had no label, no indication of what it might be used for. Just a plain, unmarked door. I guess this is where they keep all the information on the other kids we're supposed to find. Makes sense—no point in bringing me along if it wasn't.
Leo grabbed the doorknob and swung the door open, stepping inside, with Auryn and me following close behind. And when I say I didn't expect what I saw, I really mean it. If you'd asked me what a "recruitment headquarters" should look like, I'd probably have described something cold and organized—a large table, chairs neatly arranged around it, maybe a couple of maps or screens with mission details. You know, something professional.
But this? This was something else entirely.
The room was huge, way bigger than I'd imagined, with an open layout that felt more like a loft apartment or a hangout spot than any kind of official operation center. In the center of the room were two large, cushy couches, facing each other with a low coffee table between them. The table was loaded with snacks—chips, candy bars, soda cans, you name it. A bit to the side, there was a mini-fridge, probably stuffed with even more snacks and drinks.
A massive window stretched across one wall, floor-to-ceiling glass that overlooked the academy's courtyard and let in a wash of natural light. The view was actually pretty incredible, with a clear line of sight to the city walls and beyond. It gave the room an oddly peaceful vibe, like a sanctuary.
On the far side, a TV sat mounted in the corner, with bean bags sprawled out in front of it and a gaming console plugged in and ready. A small stack of games was scattered nearby, and the whole setup had this lived-in look, like someone had been here recently, unwinding between missions. The walls were decorated with a mix of posters and framed pictures—some of the city, some of people I didn't recognize. There was even a dartboard on one wall, a few darts haphazardly stuck in it, and a couple of cozy floor lamps that added a warm glow to the room.
Then there was the bulletin board—the one part of the room that actually looked like it belonged in an operation center. It covered an entire wall, and it was crisscrossed with red strings connecting various points on a large, detailed map of Camelot. Each district had small pins, notes, and little tags with scribbled handwriting. Some of the strings linked certain districts together, forming a web that sprawled across the map. It felt like a glimpse into an underground network, something big that most people in the city had no idea existed.
It was cozy but practical, comfortable in a way that caught me completely off guard. Honestly, if it came down to sitting in here or enduring another mind-numbing lecture, this place would win every time. It wasn't at all what I expected, but it was definitely somewhere I could get used to spending time in.
The room wasn't empty, of course. Two girls were already there, looking like they'd made themselves at home. The first was lounging comfortably on one of the couches, her attention focused on her phone. She was beautiful, to put it mildly—dark skin with this edgy, goth vibe that you don't see every day. Her hair was a rich brown, with pink streaks woven through the ends, adding a splash of color that matched the boldness of her multiple piercings. There was one on her eyebrow that seemed to add an extra layer to her intense, almost magnetic look.
The other girl was sprawled out on a beanbag nearby, projecting an entirely different kind of vibe. She had the same dark skin tone but with nearly white, bleached-blonde hair that cascaded in loose waves around her face. Her eyes, dark and sharp, scanned the room with a kind of quiet intensity, even as she lay back, giving off a sense that she noticed everything without trying too hard.
The goth girl looked up from her phone as we stepped inside, setting it down with a small, amused smile. "Oh, you're back already?" she said, arching an eyebrow. Auryn and Leo dropped onto the couch across from her, settling in as if this were their usual hangout, while I stood there, taking in the scene with a mix of awe and awkwardness.
"Yeah," Auryn replied, with a smirk of her own. "Surprised we found him so fast, honestly. He's a quiet one, and this place is a maze."
The girl on the couch turned her gaze to me, her expression softening into a welcoming smile. "Is this him?" she asked, sizing me up in a way that didn't feel invasive—just curious.
Leo nodded, his grin widening. "Yup, this is Ace. The man of the hour."
I shifted awkwardly, unsure what to do with myself, but Leo noticed and gestured to the open spot beside her. "What're you standing around for? Go ahead, sit down."
I glanced around once more, a bit self-conscious, then made my way over and sat beside her. She offered me another warm smile that helped take the edge off my nerves, even if I still felt like a fish out of water.
"So, Ace," she began in a friendly tone, "welcome to our little hideaway. I'm Matilda, by the way." Her voice was smooth and had this quiet confidence that put me at ease. "I hear you're pretty new to all of this."
"Oh, uh… yeah," I replied, hoping my voice didn't sound as shaky as I felt. "Still figuring it all out."
Matilda chuckled softly, her eyes crinkling as she looked at me. "You're in good company. We've all been through that stage. Some of us handled it better than others," she added, throwing a teasing glance over at the girl on the beanbag, who looked up just enough to roll her eyes.
"Era," the other girl said, her voice flat and unimpressed. She gave me a brief once-over, then went back to her phone, her fingers scrolling without a hint of interest. Friendly wasn't exactly the vibe, but I wasn't taking it personally.
As I tried to settle in, I noticed Matilda still watching me, her smile a little mischievous. "And thanks, by the way," she said, her voice playful.
"Thanks? For what?" I asked, feeling a little lost.
"For thinking I'm beautiful," she replied, her smile growing into a grin.
I froze, my mind racing as I realized what she meant. "Wait… I didn't actually say that out loud…"
Matilda laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. "No, you didn't," she said, tapping her temple. "I'm a telepath. You'll get used to it."
Heat rushed to my face, and I found myself staring at my hands. "Oh. I mean, you are…" I stammered, feeling my cheeks burn.
Matilda laughed again, a warm sound that somehow made me feel less awkward. "Relax, Ace. I'm just teasing. But thanks—it's always nice to know."
Leo joined in, laughing as well. "Yeah, just pretend she's not reading your thoughts half the time, and you'll be fine."
I let out an embarrassed chuckle, glancing back at Matilda, who was still smiling, clearly entertained by my discomfort. The idea of having someone around who could read my mind was a little unsettling, but I was starting to feel like maybe I could get used to it.
Auryn sighed, rolling her eyes. "You know, we're kind of forgetting why we're even here," she said, a hint of impatience creeping into her voice.
"Oh, right," Matilda said, standing up and crossing over to the board on the wall where the map of Camelot hung. We all followed her, gathering around as she gestured to it.
The map covered the entire wall and was as detailed as anything I'd ever seen. Camelot was huge—massive, actually. The city was divided into twenty-six districts, each labeled by a letter from A to Z. And these weren't just neighborhoods; each district was about the size of a full-blown town. You could live your whole life in one district and never need to leave. The map had dozens of red pins in various places, each with notes and strings connecting them like a massive web.
Camelot wasn't just big; it was overwhelming, stretching for miles. This city was a world in itself, walled off from the rest of the country. There was a clear division between us—the Golden Ones—and the general population. The walls of the academy kept us hidden, kept us safe—or so they said. But in reality, it was also about keeping us away from the city, from the people who didn't want us there. For the citizens outside, Golden Ones were more like ticking bombs, unpredictable anomalies capable of catastrophic destruction.
On the map, strings connected certain districts, making a complex network across the city. Each red pin marked a location where Golden Ones had been spotted or were rumored to be hiding, waiting for us to find them before someone else did. And now, somehow, I was part of this search.
The question lingered in my mind—how did they even manage to track down Golden Children in a city this massive? Camelot was sprawling, with countless streets, alleys, and buildings; it seemed impossible to pinpoint one person out of millions. But before I could voice my question, Matilda looked at me with that small, knowing smile and tapped her temple as if she already knew.
"It's like a mental navigation system in my brain," she explained, a hint of pride mixed with caution in her tone. "If I focus, I can sense the presence of another Golden Child somewhere in the city. I guess you could say it's like… a mental 'ping' when someone with abilities is nearby." She paused, her smile slipping a bit. "But it's not easy, and it's far from perfect. Trying to pick up on their presence gives me a brutal headache, so I can really only do it once a day. And even then, it's not exactly precise."
She gestured to the map, the sprawling web of districts and red strings connecting them. "I can narrow it down to a general area—a district, maybe even a section of it if I really concentrate. And sometimes, I get a vague sense of their abilities too, which helps us prepare. But it's more of an instinct than a GPS." Her expression turned a bit strained, and I could tell that using her power took a toll on her.
It was impressive, and I couldn't help but feel a weird sort of admiration. Matilda could track down people like us in this huge city, sensing their presence and even catching hints of their powers. It was like having a radar that picked up on the unique energy of a Golden Child, something that set us apart from the rest of the world. But without an exact location, it meant the team had to search manually once they got close. Not ideal, but enough to give them a lead before someone else found these kids.
As Matilda finished, her eyes shifted to Era, who lay sprawled out on the beanbag, looking bored and scrolling through her phone. "Era and I are the ones responsible for locating new Golden Ones. We track them down, figure out who's out there. But finding them? That's where these two come in." She nodded to Auryn and Leo. "They're the ones who go out and make contact—and now, you too," she added, glancing my way.
The idea sent a jolt of nerves and excitement through me. I'd be part of this, joining them to find others like me. Kids who were out there, probably scared and confused, just like I'd been.
Leo clapped a hand on my shoulder, grinning. "Pretty cool, right? We're kind of like a rescue team, showing kids that they're not alone in all this. And with Matilda's guidance, it saves us a ton of time."
Auryn crossed her arms, giving me a serious look. "But don't think it's that easy. The people out there? They don't want us around, and these kids? They're hiding for a reason. When we do find them, they're either scared and run, or they put up a fight."
"Yeah," Matilda agreed, her tone thoughtful. "Kind of like how Gabriel and Marissa were a nightmare to track down."
"Oh, those two were a pain in the ass to catch," Leo said, shaking his head, but there was a hint of pride in his voice.
Era's eyes flicked up at the mention of Gabriel, and for the first time, a soft blush rose on her cheeks. "Gabe wasn't that bad…" she muttered, her tone defensive. There was something there—a flicker of interest that made me curious. Whoever Gabriel was, he'd clearly left an impression.
"So," Auryn cut in, her eyes shifting back to Matilda, "are you going to give us some intel, or just sit here reminiscing?"
Matilda laughed, rolling her eyes. "Alright, alright." She cleared her throat, her expression turning serious again. "Earlier today, I picked up on someone new in District Z."
District Z. My chest tightened a bit—that was where I used to live before they brought me here. The thought of returning, even just for a mission, felt strange, like walking into a past life.
"From what I could sense," Matilda continued, "you three are going to be dealing with a pyrokinetic. It's possible that they may not have full control over their powers, but you never know."
"Another elemental," Leo said, raising his eyebrows. "That makes two in a row."
I realized he was referring to me, and I felt a flash of self-consciousness. They'd only just found me, and here I was, barely a week in, about to be sent out with them. Now that I think of it, I haven't even mentioned my abilities yet. Well, my power wasn't exactly... steady. electrokinesis, as they called it. I could generate electricity and control it—at least, in theory. But right now, it was more like a spark than a current, a flicker of something powerful but barely harnessed. And I couldn't deny the anxiety creeping in at the thought of relying on something so unstable in the middle of a mission. But if it meant staying out of boring classes, well, I'd find a way to make it work.
"Alright then, let's go. We're leaving school early," Auryn said, getting to her feet and stretching, clearly eager to get moving.
"Wait, for what?" I asked, the words slipping out before I realized how clueless I sounded.
Auryn shot me a look, eyebrows raised as if she couldn't believe I'd missed the point. She rolled her eyes, a small smirk on her lips. "To do some investigation, of course. Read the room, Ace."
"Oh… right." I felt my face heat up and looked down, feeling a little embarrassed. Obviously, this was part of the job. Guess I'd just have to keep up.
Leo leaned over, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, Ace. Just stick with us, and you'll do fine. We're just scoping things out—nothing too intense. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can head back and chill."
"Right," I said softly, nodding as I tried to absorb everything. It wasn't exactly comforting, but there was something about Leo's easygoing confidence that made me feel like maybe I could do this. After all, I didn't have to be the hero or anything—I just had to be there. Maybe even learn something along the way.
Just as we were about to head out, Matilda called out from behind us. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention," she said, her expression turning serious. "While I was focusing on the pyrokinetic, I sensed… something else. Another presence. But it was different from any other Golden Child I've come across."
Auryn's gaze sharpened, and even Leo's usual casual demeanor shifted to something more serious.
"Different how?" Auryn asked, her voice low and cautious.
Matilda paused, glancing at the map again as if seeing something invisible to the rest of us. "I'm not completely sure, but… it felt powerful. Unsettled. Almost like a kaiju." She looked at us, her expression grave. "I can't say for sure, but it's possible there's one nearby. So be careful out there, alright?"
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of what Matilda had said hanging between us. Kaijus were a whole different level of threat, creatures with raw, devastating power that made even seasoned Golden Ones cautious. The idea that one might be lurking around District Z was enough to make my pulse quicken, though I tried to keep my expression steady.
Auryn nodded, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Got it. Thanks, Matilda."
Without another word, we turned and headed out of the room, each of us more focused than before. The echo of our footsteps faded as we walked down the long hall, passing rows of empty classrooms and tall windows that let in streams of sunlight. I followed behind Leo and Auryn, my heart still beating a bit faster than normal as I thought about what lay ahead.
It was strange, thinking that just a few days ago, I was just another kid, invisible in a world that never seemed to notice me. Now I was part of something bigger, something dangerous and real. And as much as it scared me, I couldn't deny the flicker of purpose it brought. Maybe—just maybe—this was where I was supposed to be.
Then again, with my luck, I'll probably be dead by the end of the month.