"Poopy head..."
Even though the tension in the cafeteria was thick enough to choke on, Isaac couldn't help but replay those two ridiculous words in his head. Poopy head. He almost burst out laughing again. That little sister of his... she really was full of surprises. With every step he took forward, the crazed grin he had worn earlier slowly softened into something sillier - a goofy, almost giddy smile spreading across his lips.
He looked unhinged, like a madman quietly losing it in the middle of a battlefield. But who could blame him? Honestly. Poopy head? Pfft...
A small chuckle escaped his throat before he could hold it back. It echoed awkwardly through the silent cafeteria.
Maya, hearing it, turned her head slightly - just for a split second - and her eyes met his. Confusion washed over her face... then disgust.
That word... disgusted - it hit Isaac like a slap. The smile melted off his face. She hadn't even said anything, but it was there, carved into her expression.
"M-my smile... was it really that bad?" he mumbled to himself, almost ashamed.
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Maya's head, ruffling her hair playfully. Then he leaned in slightly, voice low and serious.
"Maya," he said, his gaze sharpening, "what are you doing? Care to explain this situation?"
She blinked, startled at first - then straightened up.
"Brother... this poopy- I mean, this guy, he kept bullying my classmates."
Isaac tilted his head, mumbling half to himself, "Hmph... classmates, huh? A bit annoying... but I guess it can't be helped."
He glanced over at the trembling twins standing nearby - one of them clutching their arm like it had been twisted too hard, the other hiding behind them, pale and trembling.
Bothersome, he thought.
His gaze shifted toward the red-haired kid.
Kaine.
The so-called lab rat to be.
The boy stood his ground, eyes burning with irritation as he met Isaac's gaze.
"The hell are you lookin' at, freak?" Kaine spat. "Take that girl with you and leave."
Isaac's expression didn't change - but something in his eyes shifted. He was pissed. But... it wasn't time yet. The experiment wasn't ready. The subject needed to marinate in his own rage for just a little longer.
So Isaac ignored him.
Instead, he turned to Maya again, and for the first time in what felt like years, he gave her a smile. Not a creepy one. Not twisted. Not forced.
A real smile.
Warm. Bright. Unapologetically proud.
"Maya... you must be a genius," he said, voice full of praise. "I always knew my little sister was smart, but this? You're amazing at judging people."
He looked back at Kaine with that same sunny smile still painted on his face.
"He really is a poopy head. I mean, it's the only explanation... since the only thing that keeps coming out of his mouth is shit."
Maya blinked. She stared at her brother in awe - his expression glowed like he was being blessed by the heavens themselves. She could've sworn there were butterflies fluttering behind him, maybe even a halo. It was that sincere.
The entire cafeteria froze.
Not from fear. Not from some powerful ability.
No, they froze because... the contrast was too jarring. That smile... paired with those words... It was so bizarre, it stunned everyone.
Everyone... except Kaine.
His face turned bright red. Sparks began to dance around him. Flickers of flame licked at his shoulders and arms.
Must be his ability, Isaac thought, intrigued.
He stepped forward until he was face to face with Kaine - completely calm, unfazed.
"I can't fully control my mana yet," Isaac thought to himself "I can use it to slightly boost my physical strength, but I can't do anything flashy. Not like this guy. At least... not yet."
His lips curled into a sinister smirk.
Then, with deliberate ease, he focused his mana into his finger and flicked Kaine hard in the forehead.
Thunk.
Kaine flinched.
Isaac tilted his head.
"What's the matter now, poopy head?" he mocked. "I'm not even awakened. Are you really gonna attack me too?"
The cafeteria held its breath.
Isaac, on the other hand, could barely hold back the excitement bubbling inside him.
Ahhh, this is it, he thought, grin growing wider.
The lab rat is ready.
This was about to get fun.