A flash of lightning was accompanied by a low rolling growl, the sound of distant thunder. I stared out the window as droplets of rain began to spatter against the glass surface with increasing intensity. In the background I could barely make out the sound of the teacher lecturing the class about Shakespeare and Hamlet. It was soothing and relaxing to listen to. In my left ear, out of sight from the teacher, I wore an earbud and was listening to a classical piano playlist on the Aeronote music Subscription service. The funny thing was, I actually despise music of this kind, yet i still listened to it every day. Using my medium length hair to obscure the bud, I enjoyed, or rather despised the sound of the music and the sight of the storm outside.

With the various distractions, I managed to relax a little.  My mind drifted as my eyes wandered the outside world, taking in every sight I could. The struggle of young trees to remain upright, the stoutness and unrelenting power of the wind battering the old oaks of the nearby forest and the swaying of branches and leaves as the torrent of air and rain blasted them.

I didn’t particularly like school, but then again no one really did. I didn’t hate it though, and it was a necessary requirement due to law.

On occasion I would make the mistake of dreaming of the future, of what could have been of living a normal life. It was often during these periods I let my guard down and allowed others to grow closer to me. Eventually, though, reality would set in; I would then take extreme measures to isolate and alienate myself once more. I didn't enjoy this cycle, and I chastised myself heavily after every incident, but it always seemed to happen again. It was hilarious, really. I hurt others to ensure they wouldn't come to harm.  

A particular memory surfaced at this thought, floating amidst a sea of others. It was a year or so ago, before I decided to come back to the city. I was travelling from town to town back then, staying no longer than a few months in each place. However, there was this one place, Chestoke, that I stayed for way too long in, nearly an entire year. This was unusual, but I knew the reason: A girl. Grace was probably my first true love, not including a crush I had back when I was five years old. I think she loved me back, she was rather distraught when I came to my senses and ended our relationship, afterall a hard slap to the face became one of the last and most prominent memories of the girl. I smiled at that thought.

A sudden crack coincided with a distant flash of light. I jumped slightly, controlling myself just enough to prevent leaping out of my seat. I glanced around, hoping that nobody noticed but was instead met by thirty pairs of eyes. The teacher was hovering above me, wielding a thick textbook which I had no doubt was the source of the sudden sound, and some barely contained laughter escaped another student's mouth.

“Jet, perhaps you would like to continue from where Kayla left off?” The teacher, Miss Thorne, queried, knowing full well that I had not been paying attention. “And take that earbud out, whilst you at it.”

The whole class, including the girl who sat in front of me, Kayla, was grinning ear to ear. The spiteful bastards always enjoyed watching others suffer. But, as always, I would disappoint.

“Gladly, Miss Thorne” I replied, with a neutral smile on my face.

“This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!” I recited. I had read Hamlet once previously, and thanks to my superb memory which was almost photographic, I had memorised the entire thing. I didn’t even pick up the book to read, and the expression of shock was instantly apparent upon Miss Thorne’s face. She was an alright sort, her challenge was more to set an example than a result of any due malice she beared toward me.

“Yes, well, very good Jet. Next time try to pay more attention in class please. And no more listening with your earbud." Miss Thorne recovered, before moving onto the next student. "Darren, you're up next".

A look of surprise shot across Darren's flat face. He didn't expect my easy response and for Miss Thorne to move on so quickly. He scrambled with his copy of the classic, flipping through the pages until he found what he thought was the correct passage and started reading aloud in a horrendously monotone voice. I chuckled within my`head as the whole class stared at the poor soul, before drifting back into my mind. I tried to pretend to actively listen to the monotone voices that filled the class for the next thirty minutes, lest I attract more attention and the infamous ire of Miss Thorne.

As the bell rang signalling the end of class and beginning of lunch break, I let out an inaudible sigh of relief, gathering my things and attempting to make a hasty retreat from the classroom as the rest of the occupants began to flock to the exits. Before I could squeeze through the door, currently filled with the mass of leaving bodies, Miss Thorne called out to me.

“Jet, just a second please”.

I sighed once more, this one more audible, and turned on my heels as I headed towards the front desk where Miss Thorne was sat, perched on the edge of the desk as students filed out of emptying class.

Miss Thorne was one of the few teachers at this establishment that I actually respected, and whilst I found her classes extremely boring, I did not bear her any ill will. She was young, only graduating from University about two years ago, and this was her first teaching position. Whilst relatively inexperienced, she brought results, helping failing students pass with flying colours, and generally increasing each of her classes grade average.She had tried to take on a sort of mentor role, and whilst I appreciated her intentions, it just wasn't what I was looking for. I wasn't here to learn, I was here to keep an eye on the situation, to blend in and hide.

You see, I'm Jet, King of Noir. Now, mind you, that isn't some made up title to sound cool. That has some real bearing, true pedigree behind it. Also I obviously didn’t go by that identity currently, as that would be rather counter-productive to my current goals. I was current Jet Jackson, a transfer student from a nearby city.

I lived in a total different world, a completely distinct reality to most people. I was not ordinary, I was extraordinary. Blessed with extreme psychic powers, my Chromatic Aura was even exceptional when compared to my equivalents from the other families.

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What is Chromatic Aura? Well think of it as a form of energy, that Chromatic Users like myself can manipulate using something akin to telekinesis. I say akin, as it wasn't exactly the same, but had some similarities.

And I was one of the most powerful users of them all.

My Chromatic Aura was of Noir, and I was the king of the Noir domain. All users of Noir were and are derived from my family line, not that there are many Noir users left currently. I can gift the power of Noir at will, bestowing the receiver with power that there ordinary selves would never dream of. Typically this was done sparingly, with perhaps a few families and trusted friends brought in each generation. I had yet to, and didn't plan to ever bestow Noir upon another. Noir would end with me. I would see to that even if it killed me.

There were seven other Aura types, with similarities to mine. There Aura corresponded with the colours of the Rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. These fractions are informally grouped together under the concept of the Rainbow alliance

Those factions weren't as conservative with their power gifting, which thus led to the power base of their respective kings being more dilute and less dense with Chromatic Energy than the Noir faction. Now, don't get me wrong, any Rainbow King would be a challenge. But facts are facts, and considering raw strength, a king of Noir had no equal. I had once theorised that initially the Noir Kings were the weakest, but after generations of extravagant gifting, Noir Kings were now considered the pinnacle of individual power. My power itself, whilst impressive due to inheritance, was also prodigal.

After the Rainbow Alliance formed, and purged the Noir Faction in a war of complete annihilation, I had been smuggled out of the city, a mere child of seven, crying at the loss of my parents. But now, I was back, with business to attend to, so this school was perfect for a cover story, and to gather information.

Rainbow Academy was a front for a school which specialises in training the users of Chromatic Energy from the Rainbow families, and thus was central to their underground empire. The academy had to take in a few normal students in order to avoid arousing suspicion which was how I got in, though obviously I was no normal student. I was at the centre of all things, able to keep a discrete eye on the situation of the Chromatic world. As an added bonus, I could also keep an eye on the Princes and Princesses of the Rainbow Alliance who attended the Academy.

So, truthfully, I had no need of any formal education, for a typical role in society was not my goal. But still I humoured Miss Thorne, and prepared myself to listen to her rant.

“Jet, you seriously waste your abilities here. You could be so much more, achieve so much more, only if you applied yourself some more.” Miss Thorne began.

“Honestly, in my 4 years of experience with teaching, I don't think I've met a smarter kid, who doesn't care as much about his education as you do. You are exceptional Jet, I don't understand why you don't care. Have you thought about what you'd like to do after school? Attend University?” She asked.

I smiled. Her efforts were appreciated, and if I was anyone else in the world, those words may have applied. Alas, my dreams and goals didn't align with typical societal norms. Nor did they correspond to with those of the Chromatic world. I wished for peace, I didn't want to be the best I could be, I didn't want to work my ass off to line other's pockets. I didn't even want a family. I just wanted to live a life of relaxation before I ensured the Noir line ended.

One may wonder why I was so fixated on the end of my bloodline, but to me and likely to a larger part of the Chromatic World, it makes perfect sense. The power of Noir, came at severe cost to the user: extended use over time would drive them insane. When I mean insane, I literally mean the manic type. It was such a case which resulted in the Rainbow Alliance leading a war of extermination against Noir ten years prior, and what lead to the death of my father.

Was I bitter about the situation? Of course I was. I loved my father dearly, in his moments of clarity he was one of the greatest men to ever live. However his insanity caused him to do some very bad things, horrifying acts. I wasn’t fixated on revenge, n or did i have any urge for it. I completely understand the other sides reasoning, and that’s why I keep myself hidden. I wish to not cause any unnecessary conflict which would naturally surface if my existence was discovered.

“I appreciate the concern, Miss. But, we’ve had this talk many times before. I’m not interested in any further educational opportunities. I’m purely here as part of the legal obligation I have to attend an educational facility until I turn eighteen. Then I’m gone.” I replied. I knew she wouldn’t let up on the issue, and any case or excuse I made, she’d find a way to tear it down. I tried to steer the topic to something else, as this was kind of a sore point for me. I couldn't live the life of a normal person, not with this poisonous blood within my veins. “Have you done something with your hair? It looks different.”

“Seriously Jet, you have your whole life ahead of you! Don’t you have any ambitions, dreams?” She exclaimed, waving her arms in the air as if to usher her point across the space between us. “Don’t you want to travel, see the world? Or perhaps run your own business one day?”

I swallowed, careful to not let the rising emotion seep into the features of my face.

Like I said, she was a good woman, perhaps of she was a few years younger, or I a few years older…

But enough of that, time to close the matter and escape the increasingly uncomfortable situation.

“Miss, you know I intend to work with my uncle at his construction company. It’s a good job, with great prospects. There really is nothing to worry about, so please, just leave it.”

Miss Thorne sighed. “Very well, but there is something else. I’m not quite sure how to word. I’m embarrassed, really.” She said, her pretty face turning slightly red.

“Something else? What is it” I urged, fidgeting in place at the now awkward atmosphere filling the room.

“Well, I really hate to ask this, especially as your teacher. But I'm in a bit of a pickle. As you know, next week is half term. My sister is coming to visit, but a last minute conference has been called and attendance is required by all staff.”

She paused, biting her lip.

“So she kinda has no one to hang around with. I was wondering if you'd mind showing her the city?”

Her tone was hopeful, and it would be a shame to let her down, but I didn't quite fancy being a babysitter for a complete stranger. Besides, I didn’t much like having to be social.

“Ah, next week? I’m really busy with helping out at my father’s business then. Sorry.” I lied.

Miss Thorne, I’m almost certain smiled for a half-second. Am I really that easy to read?

“We'll, take this anyway. You may find yourself in the area or with some spare time.” She took my hand and placed a small slip of paper with some contact details and arrival information written upon it.

“I’ll see you after next week” She finished, dismissing me.

Finally, I thought, time to get some food, as my stomach grumbled and I walked out of the classroom.