"MONSTERS!"
The creatures, designated "monsters," originated from Gates, interdimensional portals whose provenance remains undetermined. Their objective in this incursion is clear.
DESTRUCTION.
Cities upon cities were ruined and devoured because of them. That's when heroes rose from what was left over to fight the monsters. They gained extraordinary powers Scientists have tried to figure out how one obtains such abilities to no avail.
With the rise of monsters, villains also saw an opportunity to cause panic as well. Being a hero became common for those with abilities, and they were praised by society and treated as celebrities.
Abilities are separated into 4 types:
(P) Prism>
(A) Aegis>
(C) Catalyst>
(Z) Zenith>
These categories sort and rank each person's ability from F to S.
Prisms are supportive and mostly have no combative use outside of helping teammates. Known for their healing and boosting abilities, area effects, buffs, and debuffs.
Aegises are defensive and built for drawn-out fights; they have limited combat capabilities. Known for their immense durability, stamina, and shields.
Catalysts are highly offensive and the main damage dealers of a team. Known for their attacking capabilities, speed, and flashy abilities.
Zeniths are the wild cards of the group, able to do the jobs of other roles. They are extremely rare and can handle more than one role at once.
I'm going through this document, and it's just full of boring stuff. I've gone through this info so many times, but even though it's boring, I can't help but feel excited when I read this kind of stuff.
It's like a fire is lit under my ass... wait, no, wrong expression... maybe. Honestly, why do people use a phrase like that to describe a positive feeling? If my ass was on fire, I'd probably feel a lot of pain and distress. Wait! What was I saying again? Something about asses on fire?
"Cho! What the hell are you doing!? We are going to be late! Again!" Camila's voice interrupts my thoughts. That girl has a really impressive set of pipes. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!" I switch off my laptop and rush out of my room.
"Okaasan I'm heading out to school!" I scream as I exit my home and see Camila just standing there agitated. "Cho?" She looks at me, rubbing her temples.
"Yeeeeees, Camy~" I put on my best puppy eyes. "How long have we been friends?" Looks like she's having none of that today. "Since we were in diapers, of course."
"Exactly 15 years of my life wasted looking after you. When will you grow up?" I place my finger on my chin as if I'm pondering something. "Depends. What do I get in return?" I flash a cheeky smile at her.
"You're an idiot!" I chuckle as she sighs. "Yes, but I'm your idiot." Instead of replying like she usually does, she turns and starts speed walking. "Camila, wait for me. I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you, probably."
We walk in silence until we reach the train station; it's crowded as usual, but we are able to get on the last train before it leaves. We found two empty seats and sat down.
"Soooo~ are you excited for today?" She shrugs disinterestedly. "Oh, come on, don't be like that. Today's the day we finally find out if we have abilities. How could you not be excited?"
She raises her eyebrow at me. "You of all people should know that I have no interest in such things. I've already planned out my future, and it does not involve heroism."
"Fine, you're so boring, you know that we could have been an amazing hero duo, you and I."
She sighs, "Look, I care about you, okay? So what I'm about to say comes from a place of worry, not malice, but you need to stop being a child and grow up from your delusions of grandeur. You don't always get what you want, but you should be grateful for what you already have. If you don't have any powers, just accept it and move on; it's the way of the world."
I look at her; she's right, she always is, but I just can't accept the reality of not having an ability. It's been my dream since I was a kid; it's all I've ever wanted to be ever since...
My mind wanders to a time I'd honestly rather forget. What happened that day is in the past; right now is the present. I can't let a bad memory hold me down forever.
The train ride continues in silence until we reach our school, Claymore High School. I can't say it's the best school out there, but I've had some okay memories here. There's more hustle and bustle today because of the ceremony that's going to take place.
We made it just in time as the bell rang, starting the first and only lesson of the day. I arrive in my class and take my usual seat right at the back. Our teacher walks in looking way more formal than she usually does; she has her hair done and everything. It's a stark contrast from her usual laid-back, baggy clothes.
"Good morning, students. As you know, today is the StarLight ceremony, where you will all be tested for your powers, so I expect everyone to be on their best behavior." She's acting really formal to us as well; it's so uncanny.
"Does that also apply to you?" One of the boys says, smirking at her. The rest of the class laughs in unison like a choir of snickering baboons. Morons!
Our teacher keeps a calm face as she takes a marker from her desk and flings it at the guy's forehead. The guy toppled over, and the class stopped laughing; instead, they turned to our teacher, who had a smile that screamed danger.
"All those who laughed will receive detention and extra homework for a month." Told you.
"Now with no further interruptions, I'll walk you through the process of the ceremony."
She pulls out her laptop and starts projecting something on the whiteboard. ____________________________________
StarLight Ceremony
This ceremony is held annually in the Hall of Stars to test for those who possess abilities. Students are required to take the test in order for their abilities to be registered to their identification files.
The test is done by uploading a student's mind through a mental simulation of a gate opening; the distress causes one's ability to awaken.
Note the simulation does not cause harm to the individual.
This ceremony is also held in remembrance of the first heroes. The ones that fought for the sake of their world when monsters first arrived.
Presentations will be held dedicated to past heroes, showcasing their endeavors and sacrifices.
All personnel (students, educators, heroes, etc.) are required to be present for these presentations.
________________________________________________
After a lecture on proper behavior that must be shown in the Hall of Stars, we were finally ready to leave. Our entire grade was put into multiple buses. I would have sat next to Camila if they didn't separate us by our classes. Instead, I'm next to Penny, a girl in my class who's known for her upbeat, bubbly, and hyperactive nature.
The only person I socialize with in my grade is Camila, so I'm not really keen on sitting next to someone so talkative.
"So what do you think?" She's looking at me expectantly. Crap! I did it again. I may have a habit of spacing out from time to time, especially when next to someone with this much energy.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" She waves her hand in my face. No, leave me alone! Please!
"Oh, sorry, I must have zoned out a bit there. What were you saying?" I put on the best fake smile I can muster up on such short notice.
"I was asking for your opinion on abilities personally. I feel I'd make a decent Aegis. I don't really want to be in the direct spotlight, and I also want to protect people, so Aegis would be the best option if I even get a power. Also, I think Ty would make a great Catalyst; he's super loud and gets really aggressive easily, although I don't think the public will like him much because of his massively inflated ego and his superiority complex. Tessa would probably get Prism because she's so docile and skittish. I don't think she would hurt a fly even if her life was in danger. Also....."
This girl never shuts up, does she? I don't even know who these people are. I did ask who she was talking about, but she looked at me confused and said it was our classmates... Yeah, did I mention I'm bad with names I don't even know half the people in my class.
I let her continue to ramble on and on until she reached me. "... And for you I'd go with Prism—" I interrupted before she could continue.
"What?! No no no no no no no no no no no no... no. I'm going to be a Catalyst; if not, then a Zenith. I can't be a Prism." She looks at me as if I had just grown a second head.
"No, I'm pretty sure you'd be a Prism you're always so quiet and emotional. You know they actually found that Prisims are more deeply sensitive than any other group. Plus, I don't think you'd make a good Catalyst or Zenith. First of all, you're too one-track-minded to be a Zenith and too antisocial to be a Catalyst."
She read me; she read me like a book. Who is this girl, and can someone remove her from my presence before I crash out?
Before I could respond, the bus stopped, and we finally arrived at our destination, the Hall of Stars.