How did Makoto know about my power? No one else who was watching the fight noticed anything, or did they? No. Thinking back on it, the only comments were on how surprised they all were that I managed to beat him. So how? Calm down Minato. First of all, I should probably question her. "What're you talking about?" Now, let's see how much she knows. Worst-case scenario, I'll just have to rewind.

She looks at me, as if confused at the question I had just asked. " You know. That power you used during the fight. Time control?" So she did know. "Don't worry though. Your secret's safe with me. I have a power too." She does? "I can tell if someone has a power or not. For example, I knew that Ryuske had the power to reinforce his punches. And I also know about your power too. Compared to mine, you're on a whole different level. So-" The sound of the school bell cut her off mid sentence. "Ah! We're going to be late. Let's talk more after school, okay?"

With that, we headed off to class. After our homeroom teacher, Miss Kawakami, had introduced herself and sorted out the seating arrangement, we got straight into our work. Word spread quickly about my little run in with Ryuske. If it wasn't bad enough that I managed to attract more attention than I wanted, everyone in the class, minus Makoto, were looking at me as if I were some kind of delinquent.

The school day went by slowly. When the bell finally did ring, I stood up and prepared to leave. I felt a hand on my shoulder. "You didn't forget about our arrangement, did you?" It was Makoto. "I need to tell you something important. Come on." She grabs me by the hand, in an attempt to get me to go with her. I resist. I don't have time for this. "Come on. It's important!" 

"What could possibly be so important, that you need to speak with me at this very moment?" I know she wanted to discuss our powers, but it couldn't be that important. We were starting to get the attention of our classmates. "Fine. You win. I'll go with you, just let go of my hand." She does so, and I follow her up to the school rooftop. From here, we could see the rest of the school ground. "Ok, I followed you. What did you want to talk about?"

"It's to do with other power users besides me, you and Ryuske in this school. I told you earlier that my power allows me to sense if someone has a power or not. Well, from walking around school, I've been able to get a general idea of who actually has a power or not." Why did she decide to bring this up now? "As for why I decided to bring this up now. Since your fight with Ryuske, I'm sure you've gained the attention of the other power users."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Hang on. How are they so certain that I actually have powers. As far as I know, no one else in the crowd watching even realized that something was strange." Even if they had, they should have made a comment about it.

Makato's expression changed to show that she was thinking hard. "True. But the rumours have spread around school. I'm sure that the other users will ask Ryuske. Hmm. The question is, what will they do when they find out. Most of the powers I know of, would be no match for Ryuske. Maybe they'll want to see how strong you are for themselves?" Great. Just what I wanted. Granted, they won't be able to touch me. But it'll still be annoying.

"Might as well ask. How many other users are there in the school?" Knowing how many I may need to deal with will be useful.

"Excluding me, you and Ryuske? Seven." Not as many as I was expecting. Though to be fair, I would have never assumed there were others with powers. "I think this is a good place to end this discussion for today. Want to walk partway with me?" Accepting her invitation, we head off.

Meanwhile in an unknown location -

"How's the situation?" A Doctor wearing a white lab coat approaches another man, sat on the floor of a white room. An observation window is located behind them, with two security guards watching over. The Doctor stops. "Have you identified how many are at that school yet?" 

The second man, obviously deprived of sleep, looks up. "Ten in total. But you have to understand. My clairvoyance can only tell me so much." The doctor sighs, before pulling out a syringe. A dark blue, viscous liquid is inside.

"I was afraid you'd say that. It appears we have no choice, but to force your power into stage two. Guards! Restrain the prisoner." Three guards storm the room, and proceed to hold the prisoner down.

"No! Don't do this! I've seen what it did to the others!" Upon being injected, the prisoner begins to shake violently. The doctor commands the guards to draw their weapons. The prisoner jolts up, his skin now covered in dark blue lines.

"It appears to have worked. Now prisoner. I need you to find out the abilities of the other chosen one's at Yokohama high. Do you think you can do that?" The prisoner, nods his head in a puppet like manor. "Good. I'll leave you to it."

The Doctor and the three guards leave. Shutting the reinforced door behind them.