…

Mr. Abrams remained silent for a while. This particular failure could have been prevented if he moved quick enough. He’s been limiting himself far too much while inside this silly school.

He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts…that he forgot to leave Ian’s memories and return to the normal world.

…

[Ophelia: “ALL NON-COMBATANTS, DUCK!”

Li Shun: “Huh? What-”

Ian: *Turns head* ...MEEP! Duck, stupid!!”

Brennan: “Huh? What’s going...AAAH! *Shoved*”]

…

Mr. Abrams: “…”

Hearing their healthy banter restored his mood, if only a tad. He flashed his own eyes and removed his consciousness.

Mr. Abrams: “6...huh? I swear that one day: when this whole incident is over and after I have taken care of a few things – you both will be sharing prison cells with the bandaged one. I’ll make sure of it.”

Without pause he moved onto Brennan next. He relived Brennan’s final words as well, with an added, unspoken apology hidden deep within the boy’s mind…

Brennan: “(Mom, I’m sorry that I’m so worthless. Our promise…)”

*Bang!*

… Only one child remained.

The only student left to have his memories read was naturally, Li Shun.

His final words…well, truth is he didn’t have any to spare…!

Even when facing death, he was busy concocting a plan to save all of them from the bullets shot at point-blank range. And even in death - other than scorning his own, pitiful weakness - did he experience the pain that coupled together with having one’s own body transform into a self-imploding bomb.

And that woman’s maniacal laughter was his last blurry, yet clearly-heard, memory.

Brennan, Ian and Li Shun looked at Mr. Abrams curiously; each thinking something different.

Ian: “...(Why is this grown adult staring at me like that?! Did I do something wrong?? I don’t think I did...He’s...He’s weird! Ahh, I have a weirdo for a homeroom teacher!)”

Brennan: “(Mom...if it means fulfilling my promise with you, then I don’t mind dealing with a weirdo teacher who enjoys staring at my eyeballs.)”

Li Shun: “...(What’s he doing...?)”

Mr. Abrams: “You three. I realize that I must have startled you by abruptly approaching your group and activating my powers on you, but can you NOT think such detestable thoughts about me? It’s unfit for a Hero High school student to think so ill of their own teacher. Unless they did something horrible and unfit for their role. Do you three believe I’m unfit for this teaching position?”

Ian: “No, Mr. Abrams. I’m truly sorry.(Reading minds should be illegal! It is OBVIOUSLY an invasion of our privacy!! Ah – wait. Hehe, can he read this too?

…

Reading minds is a definite plus for all types of situations Mr. Abrams. Truly a marvelous power that helps to regulate dangerous thinking students and people from those that are innocent and righteous!)”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Mr. Abrams: “…(This guy…)”

Li Shun: “*Cups hands, then bows* I am very sorry about that, Mr. Abrams. It won’t happen again, I promise! You are a wonderful teacher! Truly fit for your role!”

Mr. Abrams: “Thank y-”

Li Shun: “Yeah, right. Wonderfully WEIRD! What self-respecting homeroom teacher scares his students, invades their thoughts and even BLAMES them for it?! Where is my apology?? Does this man not know common etiquette? HAS HE NEVER HEARD OF PERSONAL SPACE?”

Ian: “Meep!(He – he said it out loud!)”

Brennan: “...L-Li Shun...you - you said...”

Li Shun: “What? What are you guys both staring at me for?”

Ian: “(Wait, but he can read minds, then he already heard what I said before, didn’t he?? Th-Then...isn’t this my chance to avoid any punishment?)”

Brennan: “*Softly whispers* You – You said it out loud, Li Shun. I… I mean, WE all heard you!”

Li Shun: “...(I...I’m dead.)”

Mr. Abrams: “-ou. I see. So that’s how you feel. How about the rest? Do you also agree with him?”

Ian: “(Grrr, it’s all or nothing!) I do – I do!

One, we didn’t know why you approached each of us or what the reason was behind you staring so deeply into our eyes. It was creepy for a teacher to do that to a student.

Two, you scared us! How were we supposed to know you had cast a power...or something, on us? Oh, wait, your eyes flashed. Bu-But still! After today, that could’ve been a signal that just about ANYTHING was amiss. Maybe you saw something on us, or IN us? Maybe that weird light messed us up somehow...or they- meaning the villains -are still secretly around us in disguise or invisible or something? OR ... maybe you thought that WE were a villain in disguise? There was even a small, really small, chance that YOU were a villain in disguise.

Third, We were only venting. I disagree with you using your mind reading powers to check our minds! What if… What if I were to think about my Master Password?? OR My Bank information? How could your act of invading my personal space be considered anything BUT criminal after your blatant misUSE of it! How many heroes teach us in Herotopia to use power wisely? How many people have been under your care Mr. Abrams? And HOW-”

Mr. Abrams: “Alright, ENOUGH! One: I never said I had mind reading powers. Two: You clearly admitted to criticizing me just now. And moments prior, did you not call my actions weird? Based on that logic, I had no reason to assume you magically changed your minds about me without getting a proper explanation first. And more importantly, you guys are inside of a magically ward-protected building that has NOT been tampered with in any way, shape or form. If I was not who I said I was, nor if any of YOU were who you said you were, then this building’s defense systems would automatically engage the threat and respond accordingly.”

Ian: “Meep!”

Brennan: “…”

Mr. Abrams: “Which brings me to my last point. Three: During an Emergency such as the one occurring today, those rules you claim I should be restricted by? Hehe...they don’t apply.”

The three boys began to sweat. Did they just brazenly harass their teacher during an emergency where hero rules don’t bind him to normal laws and standards? No, no, they knew deep down, that HE knew that this was all a big, GIANT misunderstanding! Just one misunderstanding…

Yes, one misunderstanding…

Mr. Abrams: “Now, Brennan. Care to give me a piece of your mind, as well? Go ahead. Hehe, I don’t mind. *Grins*”

Brennan: “I……...I think you’re a great homeroom teacher. The perfect one! Nobody else could surpass you at…!

...Um.

...Uh……

...te-teaching…homes…”

Mr. Abrams: “…”

Ian: “...(You idiot…)”

Li shun: “...*Whispers* I’m nervous too Brennan! I am also nervous… this teacher is too scary!”

Mr. Abrams: “Haah. I’m sorry for worrying you three. *Pats each of their shoulders* I wasn’t trying to freak you out. I only wanted updated information on the ‘ordeals’ you have each been through. And honestly? I’m impressed. Especially with you, Shun. You did a wonderful job taking out that mercenary bastard. (Ah, I shouldn’t curse…ah, eff it. What’s done is done.) Your resolve to save everyone during trying times was very admirable. One day, each one of you three can transform yourselves into a fine hero – should you choose to put in the proper effort.”

His words struck a soft spot in each of their hearts – striking a chord with their inner desires they buried deep within themselves due to the nigh – impossible - to -overcome ladder of reality. Their was just no hope of ever climbing higher with the realist faction around.

...But who can possibly stop them from having dreams?

Those who dream of becoming a hero would no doubt hold firmly to it, despite the heavy odds. And their hero of a teacher, Mr. Abrams, himself, claims to have been impressed by their work. They didn’t feel like questioning how, or why, this teacher knew. No. They only thought about telling him one thing…

Ian, Brennan and Li Shun: “…Thank you.”

Mr. Abrams: “Oh. OF course, this is assuming you each put in massive, and I mean MASSIVE amounts of hard work and effort into training at what you can bring forward to aid society, somehow. Be prepared for some serious training over the next few years. ..If any of you are up for it, that is.”

Their eyes gleamed in response, though for Ian it was only a fleeting think before he fixed his hair and turned away while blushing. If either of the two girls he befriended could see him right now, they’d be busy trying hard to stifle their laughter.

Brennan didn’t care, and neither did Li Shun: these two boys had dreams and aspirations to become a Hero one day. They had no reason to hide it among the non – combatants. Maybe they’d keep quiet about such things in front of the Sidekicks and Hero students, but that’s because the gap between is so insurmountably high, that bringing up aspirations is nearly useless.

Mr. Abrams was pleased with his work. He silently recalled every memory he had learned of, and every detail was forever burned deep into his psyche. He would make sure to use this instance wisely; and resolve himself to never lose anyone important like this, again.

This has become a learning experience for him. And now, his task of checking out the memories of all members of his Class 3 – C that were involved with the attack, have been accounted for-!”

Wayne: “Hmph.*Grumbles* Some amazing teacher. He wants to know if he deserves his position, does he? Obviously not since he let so many of his students die. He was probably sleeping too. Hmph! I know his reputation. *Grumbles*”

Mr. Abrams: “(Oh. I forgot about Wayne.)”

---