“Alright, Iris, you’re the last one left,” Mrs. Stone said, shifting her focus to the trembling girl. “Please, introduce yourself.”

Taking a deep breath, Iris forced herself to stand tall despite the knots of nerves twisting in her stomach. “My name is Iris Blackwell,” she began, her voice growing steadier. “And my fun fact is that I love to read—my favorite book is The Wizard of Oz.”

She hesitated, her words catching as she tried to continue. “As for my ability… it’s… it’s—”

“Come on, hurry up already! Just say your ability!” Charles barked, tossing an eraser in her direction as if to prod her into silence.

“Shut up!” Iris snapped, the command more desperate than intended. In that moment, panic surged through her, and her ability erupted uncontrollably. Flames burst around her, their fiery tendrils licking at the edges of the classroom.

“Woah, that’s quite the ability,” Charles remarked, his tone mingling astonishment with amusement.

“F-fire!” Iris cried, her voice cracking as the flames intensified, feeding off her rising fear.

“Wallace warned me this could happen,” Mrs. Stone sighed, swiftly conjuring a wall of water to push the rest of the class to safety. Her calm, measured tone tried to steady the chaos.

“Get away! I don’t want to accidentally burn you—calm down, Iris, calm down!” Iris pleaded, her eyes wide with terror as she struggled to rein in the inferno swirling around her.

Mrs. Stone swiftly conjured a series of shimmering water orbs and hurled them toward Iris, intent on quelling the outburst. But the flames surged to defend themselves, twisting and writhing as they coiled around the water. In a flash, the golden fire overwhelmed the water’s protective aura, incinerating it and turning the water into steam that dissipated into the air.

“H-Her flames… they burn away the very nature of abilities,” Mrs. Stone murmured to herself, her voice tinged with disbelief and frustration as she fought to extinguish the runaway inferno.

In the midst of the chaos, Iris’s voice trembled, “I can’t control it… I can’t control the flames!” Her cry echoed in the heated air as the flames flickered wildly around her, reflecting her inner turmoil.

At that moment, Charles rolled his eyes and, with a flick of his telekinetic power, hurled a chair in Iris’s direction. Although the chair was partially consumed by the raging flames—which stripped it of its aura—the force behind Charles’s throw kept it hurtling forward. Instinctively, Iris dodged the airborne chair, her movements swift despite the lingering heat.

As suddenly as it had erupted, the flames began to die down, their fury momentarily distracted. Iris’s attention snapped back to the scene. “What was that for… you jerk?” she yelled, her anger mixing with relief as she glared at Charles.

Charles’s lips curled into a cheeky smirk. “It worked, though I was hoping the chair would have knocked you out instead,” he chuckled, amusement lacing his voice.

“Jerk,” Iris retorted sharply, slapping Charles across the face. The contact ignited a burst of flames on his skin, intensifying the sting of the impact.

Mrs. Stone sighed and rolled her eyes as she quickly summoned a gentle cascade of water to soothe the burn on Charles’s face. “While you deserved that, go see Wallace—he’ll heal your burn. And Iris,” she added, her tone softening with maternal concern, “I don’t trust him. You go with him.”

“Why do I have to go?” Iris protested, her voice a mix of frustration and uncertainty.

Charles grumbled, “Yeah, she’s the one who burned me… ow.” His complaint mingled with a hint of sarcasm, the pain evident despite his nonchalant tone.

Mrs. Stone fixed them both with a stern, unwavering glare. “Maybe you’ll be smart enough to apologize on your way out,” she chided, her voice firm yet tinged with exasperation.

With a heavy sigh, she dismissed the class. “Class dismissed. I’ll continue my explanation after lunch—fortunately, I set aside extra sessions for incidents caused by your…unique abilities.”

As Iris and Charles trudged down the corridor toward Wallace’s office, tension hung thick in the air. Their eyes met in mutual disdain.

“Jerk,” Iris muttered under her breath.

“Brat,” Charles retorted, and with a flick of his telekinetic power, he sent an eraser whizzing from his pocket, narrowly missing her head.

“Ow… I’m sick of you,” Iris cried, her frustration flaring as she instinctively conjured a fireball and lobbed it in his direction. Charles leaped aside with agility, his smirk unchanging as he retaliated by hurling a jumble of debris and small objects at her.

In a flash, Iris raised a wall of flames as a shield, the searing heat incinerating the incoming projectiles before they could reach her.

“Really, this is just perfect,” Jonathan grumbled from nearby, his tone heavy with annoyance. “It’s the first day and there’s already a full-blown fight—and of course, it’s right by my office.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small packet of seeds. With a swift motion, he tossed them into the fray. Almost instantly, thick vines erupted around the two bickering students, intertwining and constricting them, while clusters of vibrant flowers burst forth from the tangled greenery.

“Tell me, why are you two fighting?” Jonathan demanded, his voice cutting through the chaos as he stepped forward.

“He’s a jerk,” Iris snapped, glaring at Charles.

“I’m sick of you, you A.E.G.I.S. dogs!” Charles roared, struggling against the relentless bindings as he attempted to break free.

“Charles, do I need to send you to detention? I promise you, you don’t want to deal with Anastasia,” Jonathan said dryly, his tone laced with a mix of amusement and warning.

“Now, please head off to Wallace’s office. I’d rather not hear about any more of your trouble,” Jonathan ordered, his eyes narrowing as he glared at them both.

“Stupid dog,” Charles muttered under his breath as Iris reluctantly followed him.

Jonathan’s voice softened just a fraction as he added, “I’ll be keeping an eye on you two.”

As Iris and Charles entered Wallace’s office, Wallace couldn’t help but chuckle as he grabbed his phone. “Hey Markus, remember that bet we made? Yeah, I was right—both of them ended up in my office at once… You want to go double or nothing? Fine, I bet they got into a fight. Alright, let me ask them. So, what brings you two here?” he said, his smile warm and teasing.

Charles rolled his eyes and replied bluntly, “She slapped me with fire after I threw a chair at her.”

Wallace burst into laughter. “Well, looks like Markus, you owe me fifty bucks now,” he said, hanging up the phone with a satisfied grin.

Lowering his tone, Wallace added, “He has no idea I asked the Bookkeeper to look into the future so I could rig this bet. Anyway, let me heal you troublemakers.” A soft green light emanated from his hand as the burn on Charles’s face faded away.

Curious, Iris asked, “What was the bet?”

Wallace’s eyes twinkled as he explained, “I bet my brother twenty-five dollars that you two would be the first to show up in my office needing some healing. Then Markus went double or nothing to see if the cause was a fight.”

Charles smirked. “Well, while you’re here, I might as well do your weekly blood test,” he said, producing a small needle from his pocket with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“No, no, no—I’m not letting you anywhere near me, you dog!” Charles protested, taking a step back.

“I agree,” Iris interjected sharply, her eyes narrowing as she ducked behind Charles. “I hate needles.”

“Hey, don’t hide behind me—get off!” Charles barked, half-laughing despite the tension.

In a flash, Iris retaliated by hurling a small fireball, which promptly triggered the sprinklers overhead. Water cascaded down in a sudden deluge, and Charles instinctively used his telekinesis to shield himself—and even extended his protection to Iris.

“Let’s get out of here, quick,” Iris laughed nervously, grabbing Charles’s hand as they made a dash for the door.

Wallace sighed, picking up his phone once more. “Hey, brother, twenty-five dollars to you—sprinklers went off on the first day like you said they would,” he said with a chuckle as he hung up.

Watching them leave, Wallace muttered under his breath, “I should have looked into the whole day instead of just this moment.” His voice trailed off, mingling amusement with a tinge of regret, as the office slowly returned to its usual, chaotic calm.

Iris continued to hold Charles’s hand as they left Wallace’s office, their laughter mingling with the soft hum of the corridor.

“You’re crazy, you know that,” Charles laughed, a spark of mischief in his eyes.

“You make a good umbrella, you know that,” Iris teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

“Oh, shut up… and let go of my hand,” Charles protested, trying to wriggle free, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Your face is really red—it’s like you’re a tomato,” Iris quipped, laughing.

“Shut up, shut up. Let’s just go to the cafeteria—by now, lunch has started,” Charles grumbled, still blushing as they made their way out.

The pair strolled down the corridor toward the cafeteria, still giggling and exchanging playful banter. As they entered, they were greeted by the bustling atmosphere of a vast dining hall. The room was filled with the gentle clamor of conversations and the clatter of trays, a lively mix of trainees and faculty members. High above, large windows with delicate screens offered glimpses of the outside world, while colorful banners representing various teams and achievements hung proudly from the rafters, evoking a sense of heritage and purpose.

The air was thick with the irresistible aroma of freshly cooked dishes. Long buffet tables groaned under the weight of steaming pizzas adorned with every topping imaginable, vibrant salads bursting with color, a build-your-own taco station, and juicy burgers fresh off the grill. Friendly staff moved briskly between stations, ensuring that every plate was appealing and inviting.

Large round tables dotted the room, filled with animated groups of trainees—some in crisp uniforms, others in casual attire—all engaged in animated chatter. Murals depicting scenes of heroism and teamwork adorned the walls, a constant reminder of the greater mission they all served.

Amidst the lively chatter and clinking of cutlery, Markus suddenly materialized at the front of the room, as if stepping out of thin air. “Hello, how are you all doing on your first day?” he asked in a cheerful tone, his presence instantly drawing attention.

Before anyone could respond, Charles jumped, eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. “Where did you come from? Are you a g-ghost?” he screamed, his voice echoing through the cafeteria.

Markus chuckled, shaking his head lightly. “No need to worry—I’m not a ghost, well, at least not yet. But if you do spot any, don’t call me. I absolutely hate fighting ghosts. It’s the main reason I never learned Japanese; too many ghosts in Japan.”

Mrs. Stone approached with a wry smile, joining the banter as the rest of the class trailed behind. “Does that really matter, Markus? You’re banned from leaving the country anyway. Every other nation considers it an act of war if you step foot out of the U.S.”

Theo, his mischievous grin lighting up his face, nudged Charles. “Hey, Charles, just wondering—are you scared of ghosts?”

Charles rolled his eyes and tried to sound confident. “What? No, of course not. I was just surprised when he suddenly appeared.” His tone wavered, betraying his unease.

Theo wasn’t having any of it. “Then you won’t be afraid of the ghost right behind you,” he teased, pointing directly over Charles’s shoulder.

Startled, Charles jumped into the air, his telekinetic power propelling him upward to a height that would have been impossible for an ordinary person.

“Relax, he’s just teasing you,” Iris said, struggling to stifle her laughter.

Markus laughed heartily. “You remind me of myself as a kid, Charles—minus the anger issues. I used to cause quite a bit of trouble back in the day.”

Wallace strolled over, now in a fresh change of clothes and still sipping from his “World’s Best Brother” mug. “You did a lot more than just a bit of trouble. Remember that prank you pulled on Nikolai? I still have no idea where you got monster-attracting pink hair dye or how you managed to sneak it onto him.”

Markus burst into laughter at the memory. “Yeah, Emily really chewed me out for that one. She refused to help me in combat for a whole week!”

Wallace shook his head. “I’d recommend not causing any more trouble Charles, a bunch of new rules have been added thanks to Markus alone. Come on—I missed breakfast. Let’s hurry and get some food.”

The group made their way to the buffet tables. The delicious aromas grew stronger with every step, and Iris’s eyes lit up at the sight of the endless food options. She eagerly piled her plate high while Wallace and Markus chatted amiably, reminiscing about old exploits.

“I’m going to eat in my office. Jonathan said he wanted to talk with me soon anyway…” Markus declared, turning to leave—but promptly walked straight into a wall. “Fu-fu-fun day, isn’t it? Don’t curse in front of the kids, or I’ll lose the bet,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his forehead.

“I’ll go with Markus. Someone has to keep an eye on my brother, right?” Wallace said as he balanced his tray and followed after him.

“Why don’t we all sit together?” suggested Jacob, scanning the group with genuine warmth. “After all, we’re all in the same class.”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Iris agreed, her enthusiasm infectious.

“I’m not sitting with you losers,” Charles grumbled, trying to salvage his pride after the ghost teasing incident.

Theo’s eyes suddenly glowed black, and Charles’s vision dimmed. In a calm, almost eerie tone, Theo said, “I won’t return your sight until you agree to sit with us.”

“Brother, is this really a good idea? He’s scary,” Celia interjected, her voice laced with worry.

With a reluctant huff, Charles mumbled, “Fine, I’ll join you. But that doesn’t mean I’m suddenly your friend.”

Theo’s eyes returned to normal, and Charles’s sight was restored. The group settled around a large round table with their trays, the ambient chatter of the cafeteria wrapping them in a moment of camaraderie amid the chaos of their extraordinary lives.

“I’m glad we’re all sitting together,” Jacob beamed, his enthusiasm lighting up his face.

“Just remember, we're not friends,” Charles muttered, spearing his food with a fork as if puncturing his disdain.

Iris scanned the table, feeling a surprising sense of unity despite Charles's grumbling. “Well, friends or not, we’re in this together. Let’s make the best of it,” she declared, raising her glass of juice in a tentative toast.

Slowly, the glasses clinked in a light, harmonious chime—a gentle sound that signaled the tentative beginnings of camaraderie among the group. Even the reluctant Charles and the perpetually drowsy Xavier joined in, their expressions softening momentarily as the noise cut through the hum of the cafeteria.

“Alright, this is definitely better than the school food,” Iris sighed contentedly after sampling a bit of everything on her plate.

“I can’t wait for ability training later—though hopefully, it won’t be too difficult,” Jacob replied, taking a big, satisfied bite of his pizza.

“Speak for yourselves. I think the training will be easy,” Charles muttered, scowling as he reluctantly bit into his mushroom pizza.

Theo chuckled and teased, “Says the guy who just got restrained by Mrs. Stone.”

“Hey, that was a cheap shot. Next time, I won’t let it happen,” Charles snapped back, glaring at Theo.

“It’s not all about fighting, you know. We’re supposed to learn control,” Alice interjected softly, adjusting her glasses as she tried to temper the rising tension.

Celia, barely above a whisper, added, “I-I think it’ll be good for us to train together. We can all get better.” Her voice trembled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

Xavier, still half-asleep and munching on a pretzel, simply nodded in agreement, his contribution a quiet, steady presence amid the banter.

“If anyone should be worried, it’s Iris. You have no control over your ability yet,” Charles teased, his voice dripping with mockery.

Iris’s eyes narrowed in defiance as she retorted, “I’ll master my ability, don’t you worry… jerk.”

Charles smirked, leaning back in his chair. “How many of you are even skilled with your ability? If we have to do a team exercise, I’d rather you all not be dead weight.”

“Oh, look at who’s suddenly interested in training,” Theo remarked with a challenging glint in his eyes. “Don’t worry—I can cover for both me and Celia with my ability.”

Celia shrank slightly, tears threatening to spill as she confessed, “I’m s-sorry, I haven’t gotten the hang of using my ability yet.”

Alice’s face flushed a delicate shade of pink as she added, “The doctor recommended I don’t use my ability unless instructed, so I haven’t had any practice yet.”

Xavier, ever the silent observer, quietly manifested three ice cubes from his fingertips, dropping them into his drink and causing a small, refreshing splash.

Jacob cleared his throat thoughtfully. “I can control my ability well, but I need objects to work with. Same goes for you, Charles—without something to manipulate, we’re basically useless.”

Charles huffed and folded his arms, his tone dismissive. “At least I have some control. You’re all just a bunch of amateurs.”

“Being rude isn’t going to help anyone,” Iris interjected, her voice gentle yet firm as she tried to smooth over the tension. “We’re here to learn and improve—nobody starts off perfect.”

Theo nodded in agreement, his eyes kind. “Exactly. We have plenty of time to get better, and we have each other to lean on when things get rough.”

“Teamwork is key,” Jacob added, offering Celia an encouraging smile. “We’ll figure it out together.”

Celia wiped away a stray tear and gave a small, determined nod. “Y-yeah, together.”

Even Charles seemed to soften slightly, though he rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, “Whatever. Just don’t hold me back.”

Alice adjusted her glasses and smiled softly. “We’ll do our best. That’s all anyone can ask.”

Xavier, finishing his drink, finally spoke up in his low, drowsy tone. “Let’s just focus on getting through today. If we do well, maybe we can head back to our dorms early—I could really use a nap.”

Charles scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. “A nap? Seriously? That’s all you’ve done all day.”

A ripple of laughter passed through the group, easing the tension for a moment.

“Alright, looks like lunch is almost over,” Alice observed, glancing at her watch. “We need to head back to Mrs. Stone’s classroom before training starts—she wanted to finish her lecture that you interrupted earlier, Charles.”

Charles immediately fired back, “Hey, Iris helped ruin that lecture too!”

Iris crossed her arms defiantly. “It was your fault my powers got out of control, so let’s just get going.”

With that, the group gathered their trays and headed back down the corridor, their playful banter and shared frustrations weaving together a fragile but promising sense of unity as they prepared for the next challenge.

As the students filed into the classroom, Mrs. Stone greeted them with a warm, reassuring smile. “I’ll keep my explanation brief, since you’ll need to head to the gymnasium for your ability training soon,” she announced, her voice calm and authoritative.

With precise strokes, she began drawing on the blackboard, sketching out the A.E.G.I.S. logo and underlining the acronym. “As Charles and Xavier are well aware, my ability is Hydrokinesis.” With a graceful flick of her wrist, she conjured a small, swirling sphere of water that shimmered in the ambient light before she casually dismissed it with a wave.

She continued, “Your primary objective here is to train and become full-fledged agents of A.E.G.I.S. The acronym stands for Advance Eradication of Ghouls, Interstellars, and the Supernatural.” With a flourish, she redrew a detailed version of the logo, ensuring every line was crisp and exact.

“What exactly will we be doing as agents of A.E.G.I.S.?” Jacob asked, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.

“Excellent question,” Mrs. Stone replied, nodding approvingly. “It is our mission to conceal any evidence of supernatural activity from the public—whether it’s rogue Awakened, monsters, ghosts, aliens, or even out-of-control artifacts. We operate globally, though our resources have been stretched thin following a certain incident.” As she spoke, she illustrated the board with a series of sketches—a ghoul, a monstrous creature, a spectral ghost, an alien, and a mysterious artifact—each accompanied by a brief description that captured their menace and mystery.

She then drew a figure in a sleek black suit and sunglasses, reminiscent of the classic “Men in Black,” to represent the covert nature of their operations.

“Once a week, Wallace will perform stability tests and examine your blood to ensure your abilities are under control. However, for Iris and Alice, these tests will be conducted twice a week. Your watches will alert you when it’s time,” she explained, drawing a simple watch and emphasizing its importance with a careful underline.

Iris’s eyes widened, and a small flame flickered above her head as she blurted, “Wait—I need to get a needle twice a week?”

Mrs. Stone quickly extinguished the flame with a practiced wave of water. “Yes, but don’t worry—you’ll get used to it,” she reassured.

Turning to a new section of the board, Mrs. Stone then sketched a crude but unmistakable caricature of Wallace, his hair and glasses exaggerated for humorous effect. Next to it, she drew a library with a bold circle and a line through it. “The library is off-limits to all of you,” she declared. “It’s a dangerous place, and you may only enter with an official agent or once you turn sixteen and have proper clearance.”

After surveying her work, Mrs. Stone stepped back and smiled. “That’s the bulk of what I wanted to cover today. I’ll deal with the rest another time. Now, please head out to gymnasium seven for your ability training.”