It was just after 8 O'clock and an hour had passed sense the news about the moon had spread through the main office building like wild fire. Vaguely controlled chaos had taken hold over the head faculty for a time and Maik had found a quiet corner to sit and meditate a while ago. Or at least try to anyway. Every time the teen had really began to start cultivating someone just had to come bother them, breaking the needed deep trance like concentration to properly cultivate. The only good news was the notification that their minor healing skill had improved earlier.
Tier 4 skill advanced - Minor healing – Intermediate
Now, just as things were calming down enough for the Chi instructor to have enough peace to cultivate they were being summoned to the radio room where the heads of the trilogy were conferring with other groups to consolidate any information on various topics. Someone with a gentle but resonating male voice that could have been a lead singer in a chorus was talking through the radio. “I fear that the trials we have faced in recent days have been but the first of many tests by the lord and that we have thus far been found wanting. More trials await us in the coming days and I worry that the worst is yet to come.”
The sermon went on in the background while Boyd took Maik to the side to discuss why the teen had been called to the radio room. They stepped into another office and the teacher closed the door behind them before walking right over, placing a hand on the teens neck to establishing a link and verify the binding was still in place. “Alright Daley. Apparently word has gotten around about the Chi manual and that has suddenly become a rather hot topic. So much so that some are making some rather extreme claims. Everything from the thing with the moon being a sign of our greed for keeping the knowledge to ourselves to a theory that we are, in some way, associated with the event and the harbingers of some kind of doom.” The math teacher studies the student hard. “You aren't some harbinger of doom are you ?” Maik replies in the negative. “Did you have any idea that there was any issue or would be any issue with the moon ?”
Again the teen assured their master that they had no forehand knowledge of these events and with them linked as they were Boyd felt confident that there was no falsehood from his student and breathed a sigh of relief. “Sigh... Alright. So here is what's going to happen. When I tell you, your going to get on the radio and explain all the general information you know about this Chi business. Why your so good at it, its relation to god, especially its relation to god, the mechanics, what they should expect moving forward and then read off the instruction manual you produced to them. The fact that we shared the manual with Thortan's group earlier today has gone a long way towards earning us good will with most of the groups in the local area but the few that are throwing out accusations are making all the rest nervous and we really want to establish good relations with all the legitimate groups setting up out there.”
Boyd went through a crash course in politics with the teen, explaining the meaning behind several hand gestures that the the math teacher might use during the transmission to instruct Maik silently. The whole thing was rushed though and they only had about 17 minutes before there was a knock on the door to let them know that Maik was now expected at the radio.
The lilin was nervous when they sat down but managed to introduce themselves with enough grace as to not seem awkward. As Boyd had instructed the teen started their explanation with the why. Why did Maik have this knowledge and where had they gotten it from. The teen was just finished referencing the list of obscure books and media, fictional, religious and scientific, which the lilin had researched over the past 4 years when their fathers voice came over the speakers. “Damn it son you watch too much anime.”
The lilin was take back by the familiar reprimand but the teen had been through some things sense they last heard those words and just blurted out the first thing that came to mind, a bit of heat leaking into their voice. “So magics a thing now. Too much anime or not I know how to use that magic and am thus the head instructor here at the school because of it.” Boyd was holding up a gesture for Maik to course correct and take what they had just said back while others face palmed.
That same voice from earlier that was giving a sermon came over the speaker. “Dear God young man. Magic is the work of the devil. Do you mean to spread temptation and sin with this magic.”
Boyd was looking daggers at Maik and the others in the room didn't look much better. They looked like they wanted to drag the teen out of the room and start damage control but they stayed their hand, for the moment, so the teen continued. “Science, if sufficiently advanced, is indistinguishable from magic. By the same coin a rose, by any other name, still smells just as sweet. Sir if you really wanted to avoid the temptation that come from knowledge that allows humans to alter the natural order then you should have moved in with the Amish people a long time ago. As far as my faith in the Divine Creator and my relationship with the Divine Creator through my faith goes.... Well I'm not going to proclaim myself a saint, not by any means, by I am no unrepentant sinner, much less a devil worshiper.”
The lilin didn't give anyone the chance to add lip and powered on quickly eager to fix things, that and Boyd was holding up a note the was telling the teen to compliment the pastor for his insights about this being a test of faith. Maik ran with that. “Though I do believe you were right when you earlier said that we have been found wanting. You will, no doubt have heard about the other young man at our school who has been making strides with using the new abundance of Chi.” The teen nodding the Smalls where they were sitting to the side. “So scientific application of bio-electric phenomenon is not a prerequisite to adaptation in our new environment. Despite this, I have been lead to understand that few to none of the people listening to this broadcast have made much if any measurable progress with the abundance we have been granted. No wonder so many are found wanting.”
Many voices began all at the same time and just as things started to look like they would divulge into a shouting match a sharp whistle brought the almost shouting match to a halt. The gruff yet measured and articulate voice of someone who was clearly used to authority spoke in a stern but calm voice. “Have we already forgotten the agreed upon order in which members of this gathering shall present their points. We shall either have order or no ones voice will be heard. Mister Daley. I can certainly understand wanting to connect with your son but this is an important meeting. Save reunions for after more pressing matters have been addressed please. Pastor Williams. As a leader within the community you should know better then to let your religious beliefs overcome civility. If anyone has the right to interrupt the young... Chi instructor its Mister Bowers of the Villages Militia.”
Another voice, presumably that of this Bowers came over the radio soon after but he simply stated. “Thank you Mayor Zolinski. We are withholding any comment until such time as we have heard all that is to be said about this Chi business.” With that, Maik went about picking up where they had left off. The teen took their time explaining the years of trial and error to verify the usefulness of some sources and discount others as bogus. This finished with a brief recap of the lilins first experience with the new HUD's interface system, leaving out the transformation details of course. An overview of how most of the changes take place while one is asleep. Alteration points and how they can be used. How the system seems meant to guide users in the use of, so called, magical skills and abilities. The systems own words, not his. Maik culminated with with a description of the mind space they found them self in when leveling up and then reading off the very instruction manual they had written.
The whole thing took nearly an hour and a half and there were follow up questions afterwards. What is the relationship between Chi and God ? Has anyone at the school gone with alternate races and if so what have been the effects ? Did the teen have any forehand knowledge of these events ? On and on each of the now 4 Churches and 14 Militia groups went with their various questions. By the time things were wrapping up it was 11:23 and the lilin was beat. Thankfully the various leaders seemed to have sated their curiosity, at least for the time being and where Chi was concerned. The conversation moved back to the leaders speaking among each other and the question of why the trilogy hadn't been sharing this info sooner.
Davis spoke for them on this topic. “To be frank Mayor Zolinski, the situation has been rather fluid and we have needed to adjust our preconceptions each day sense this disaster started. We have also been quite busy keeping order among a total of Fifteen hundred students. It took a full 2 days to properly verify the authenticity of the student Daley's claims. With those facts in mind. Today is only the 3ed day of this disaster and our first act when venturing out into the wider world involved sharing this information with the first group we encountered who wasn't trying to raid us. Many of us, teacher and student alike still have may of the questions you have and would very much prefer for some experts to study the long term effects of using these alteration points but I can't deny the helpfulness that the student Daley's insights have provided, especially seeing as he is one of those who has used the alteration points. Its a big part of why he is our current expert, but rest assured, we are very much on top of everything the youth is developing and watching very closely as things progress.”
Smalls was also consolidated, as much about his opinion of Maik as of his own experiences with Chi and the interface. While this section was much shorter it also felt a lot more like an inquisition that concluded with the young man being tasked with being the eyes and ears of the faith. Ohhh that's just wonderful. Not. So long as we remain honest and don't repeat our previous behavior we should have nothing to worry about. Let the trilogy handle him.
Finally the meeting ended and the teen was permitted to head for bed when everyone filled out. It was already half past midnight and Maik still hadn't showered. This was doubly important because it was also when Maik would be able to wash their clothes. So the lilin stopped by the trilogies quarters, grabbed a set of their gym clothes, their personal towel and headed for the showers. Thankfully each shower was partially divided by two 5 foot tall walls on either side of each shower stall but were open to the center isle of the long room. This offered some privacy to the occupants and this late at night the place was almost deserted, save for Boyd's second in command Nathan. Though the young man seemed to also just be there washing and let Maik Wash in peace.
At least it was peaceful until Tristyn Lawton, mister over priced shoes, strode in with a couple of other guys. Bigger guys, but not ones Maik recognized and thus had not been trained by the lilin. Perhaps they are just here to bath and they wont bother us. Yeah, And I'm still a virgin. How much Chi do we have in the tank ? Tanks full. Were ready if they try anything and I hope they try something. The 3 were chatting about go cart racing of all things. Odd topic. Unless its just for show. They just kept on walking past open stall after open stall. As they drew closer the lilin could see that all they had on were towels wrapped around their waists. Yep. Definitely coming over to start shit. Goooood ! An excuse to hurt someone without disobeying orders. You okay there primal ? What's wrong with our orders ? We messed up and deserve to have been bound. Whatever.
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As expected the trio suddenly stopped right at the lilins stall and with poor dramatic flare mister overpriced shoes acts as though he had just realized Maik was there. “Ohh. If it isn't the trilogies pet.” The lilin was facing away from them but still looked back over their shoulder to give the brat the side eye. He didn't seem to even notice, his attention far more fixated on Maik's back side. “Or are you their bitch now too ? Everyone knows your sleeping with them.”
Nathan raised his voice to interrupt, though there was clear hesitation in his tone. “Hay now, maybe you shouldn't..”
One of the lackeys turns on him instantly, cutting the tall blonds protests off mid sentence. “Fuck off. Like you haven't wondered about this fucker suddenly sprouting breasts and then being brought to sleep with the new management. Or have you already been getting a piece of the action, huh ? I hear hes a girl now, turned himself into one just to fuck their way into a position of authority.”
The lead punk advanced and reached for lilins red hair, grabbing a fist full of to pull Maik's head back. With the other hand he grabs at Maik's right ass cheek rubbing an squeezing at the round flesh. The lilin lets it all happen with a widening smile forming. “Maybe the whole reason the trilogy gets first dibs on the new skills is because their the ones scratching the perverted bitches itch.” The lilin lets the little man boy press them up against the wall with one hand while the sound of a towel being ripped from around the boys waist echoes behind them. “But no worries. Me and the boys will make sure the bitch is good and satisfied.”
Just as Nathan starts to tussle with one of the lackeys the lilin began to laugh. Low at first, a soft yet dark thing that quickly grew to a manic cackle of malevolent elation. “Heh hehh hahh Hahh HAhh HAHh HAH HAA HAAHH.” Maik fueled Chi into their body and slowly overpowered Lawton's grip and then elbowing Tristyn in the gut to make some space between the bully and the wall. Maik projected their aura with the effect of Chi projection and sending, invading the two untrained henchman behind Maik's attacker and filling them with fear for the lilin. Lawton tried to fight back, to overpower the Chi instructor and regain the dominance he had felt for those fleeting moments just seconds ago but with his lackeys cowed Maik was free to turn around, grab the pompous jerk by the throat and hoist him up off his feet. “I'm going to enjoy tearing you apart.”
Such dark promise was interrupted when the voice of Boyd echoed through the shower room. “What the hells going on here ?” The now mid 20s math teacher had come around the corner to look over the sight of the two cowering lackeys, Nathan standing over one looking confused Maik holding Lawton off the ground by the neck, feet dangling and kicking back and forth. “Maik, Drop him.” The lilin complies very literally, simply releasing their grip and letting the head instigator fall to crumple on the floor. Boyd marches closer, his shoes loudly clomping on the tiled floor with each step on his way over to stand beside Nathan and directly address the other 4 in the room. “Well ? I ask what's going on here ?” His eyes trying to bore a hole into the Chi instructors own gaze to make he teen flinch first.
Why the fuck did he have to interrupt now ? We need to answer him. Its not like we really did anything wrong but it would probably be a good idea to at least look chastised sense its master. Raaahhhhh. Agreed, no reason to upset master.
Maik finally looked down and started explaining, fists clenched to their sides. “I was showering when these 3 came in and started implying that the only reason you and the other members of the trilogy had access to the Chi skills was because I was supposedly sleeping with you.” The lilin made air quotes. “Then he tried to force himself upon me. I was about to beat the ever living shit out of him for that when you showed up... Oh and Nathan helped with this jerks underlings too... Sir.”
Boyd looked to his second in command and the young man nodded. The math teach all but snarls at the other three. “On your feet students. Apparently you need multiple lessons in respect, behavior and manors and I happen to be pissed enough to personally see to all three right now. Now move.” While the three dumb asses scramble to their feet Boyd instructs Maik and Nathan. “Finish up and get to your quarters. Tomorrows another big day.” Then escorts the three out.
The two young adults stood there naked and watching them go for a moment longer. Just as Maik was turning to go back into their shower stall Nathan scoffs. “Phuhh. allegedly.” Making his own air quotes. The lilin couldn't keep the smile off their face as they looked back over their shoulder at the tall blond.
There was a hint of sas in Maik's tone. “What ? You trying to say something.”
Nathan leans against one of the stall walls and pointedly looks the lilins back side over from head to toe. “I mean, do you really expect people to believe that you picked That form...” He gestures at Maik's behind. “Purely because of Chi control benefits ?”
The lilin examines their plump posterior for a moment. “Extra alteration points actually.” The basketball player gave Maik a confused look so they elaborated. “I get extra alteration points every level now.” The lilins smile grew wider as they practiced a little dance, shifting their hips from side to side. “But yeah, I look fucking amazing now too.”
Nathan didn't bother to hide the fact that his member was starting to grow, instead continuing the conversation as tho there was nothing unusual going on. “Right.... you mentioned that during the radio meeting. We gain fucking levels now... Jesus.... But how does becoming a she-male grant you more alteration points per level ?”
The lilin shakes an index finger at him. “Not a she-male. Hermaphrodite. Full set of both male and female genitalia.”
He didn't look convinced and it could be heard in his tone too. “So your saying you have a peach to go with that banana ? Prove it.”
Maik crossed their arms over their chest. “Your just trying to get me to pose for you.”
The basketball player shot right back, using air quotes in the middle. “Says the, Dude, who was just shaking their bare ass at me. Either put up or shut up.”
The lilin smirked, spread their legs, leaned back and lowered one hand while the other kept their breasts covered to lift their member out of the way. Maik even went so far as to spread those lower lips while sticking their tongue out at the tall blond. Said tall blond furrowed his brow and leaned forward to get a better look. “Holly damn. Okay.” He raised his hands in surrender. “ Okay.... Where are your balls at though ?”
Maik shrugs and resumes a neutral stance. “I think their internal now. Now sure exactly where.”
Nathan thought about that for a moment before opening his hands wide, fingers spread and then bringing all the finger tips together in front of him. “So... How did Boyd know you have both types of genitals ?” The lilin adopted a flat lipped expression for a moment before relaxing and explaining the events where they had to show Boyd the transformation progress on the first day to prove that the alteration points actually worked and could be used. Which was totally true.
Slowly the basketball player started nodding along as the explanation cleared up more and more of the situation. But then he dropped another bomb. “Alright. I can see that. But then, why weren't you sleeping with the trilogy the first night ? You only started sleeping with them the second, after your transformation was complete.” The smirk on his face said he was sure he had just called 'check' in this little verbal game of chess they were playing.
Maik narrows their eyes at the tall blond and let some heat into their voice despite them self. “Why are you so interested in this anyway ? What difference is it to you if I've slept with one of the trilogy or not ?”
It was Nathan's turn to waggle the index finger at the lilin. “Not if. You definitely did. The real question is why and who started it. You see, that kind of thing sets a certain precedent. One that I would prefer to ahead of the ball on, if you catch my meaning.” Maik was glaring at him, compelled to not speak of the situation further due to masters orders. That's when the sound of someone clapping began to echo from just outside one of the doorways leading into the shower room.