"Everyone, it's time for your tests. Proceed to the examination hall for your written papers. You will also go to the screening room to have your power levels checked and to be restrained from using abilities to cheat," George, the vice principal, announced firmly, cutting Rose off mid-sentence.
"So soon? That's not fair…" Rose pouted, folding her arms across her chest.
"It's alright. We'll talk about our experiences later with Jerry, right?" Johnson said, patting Rose's hair softly.
"What's this? Didn't know you cared about anything at all, including yourself," Rose replied, brushing his hand away. Her lips curved in a sly smile as she leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "So… did you guys do it yet?"
"I seriously have no idea what you're talking about," Johnson blurted, his voice full of innocent confusion.
"The ultimate good deed," Rose murmured, glancing toward Angela, who stood just inches away, her cheeks turning pink. "The one you haven't done yet with Angela…"
"I don't know. Why don't you check my mind to find out?" Johnson taunted back with a smirk.
"Aunt Mary said I shouldn't use my abilities on you. Besides, you wouldn't want me to anyway," Rose said, folding her arms again.
Angela twirled a strand of her hair nervously, her thoughts whispering in her heart. Sometimes I wish I knew what Johnson was really thinking…
"Do you like Johnny?" Rose's voice slid telepathically into Angela's mind as the students made their way toward the exam hall.
"Yes, I… Wait! How can I hear your voice in my head?!" Angela gasped, clutching her temples.
"Is everything alright, Angela?" Johnson asked, glancing at her as they walked side by side.
"Yes, I'm fine… I guess," she managed to assure him.
"Oh, okay. Don't be nervous about the test. We'll cool off after the exams," Johnson said, patting her shoulder with a small smile.
So you do like Johnson, Rose teased playfully in Angela's mind. That's interesting. I'd love to know your love story. She floated a few inches above the ground, her hair swaying as she moved.
"Rose! Stop flying to the exam hall. Follow the line!" Sasha barked, adjusting her glasses.
"Or you'll become an undead," she added with a mischievous grin, standing guard at the gate.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rose replied, floating back down to the ground as she continued walking. "So why do you want to know what my sweet big brother thinks?" she asked aloud this time, her tone sugary but curious.
"Nothing, just curious, I guess… But more importantly, how am I still hearing your voice in my head? Is this some kind of magic?" Angela asked, her brows furrowing deeply.
"No. It's my psychic ability, remember? I trained it so I can speak to multiple people at once," Rose said with a smug smile. She suddenly projected her voice into everyone's minds. "Everyone, come to the cafeteria after the exam! We're going to have a party!"
A ripple of confusion spread across the line of students. One girl clutched her head. "What's happening?" she cried.
"I can hear someone's voice in my head!" another shouted.
"Rose, what did you do?" Johnson said, turning sharply to face her.
"What? I didn't do anything," Rose replied with a playful shrug, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Silence!" George's voice boomed across the marble hallway, echoing off the tall stone pillars as he stood at the entrance to the examination hall. "Inside this hall, you are strictly prohibited from using your abilities. You must answer all questions honestly. If you are caught cheating or attempting to use your powers, you will be disqualified from the event entirely. Energy dampeners will also be applied to your wrists to prevent any form of cheating."
A hush fell over the crowd as students formed a long line, the sound of shoes scraping softly against the polished floor. Teachers moved down the row with glowing devices in their hands, checking each student and clasping a mini energy dampener to their wrists before allowing them inside.
"Tch. This teacher loves ruining my mood with his timing," Rose thought, pouting to herself as she shuffled forward in the line.
Angela leaned toward her, whispering in her mind. "So why don't you want to read Johnson's mind?"
8faster than a light-speed hypercomputer, processing information before a normal person can even think. With that kind of speed, he can easily hide memories and thoughts. I can read his mind if I really want to, but it would take a ridiculous amount of magic and concentration. And trust me, he'd definitely know someone was trying to hack his thoughts."
Angela's cheeks flushed pink as she hesitated, then whispered again. "But… have you tried before? Does he think about me? About us? Our future?"
"Oh, he thinks about you all the time," Rose replied, tilting her head. "But he doesn't think he deserves you. As for his naughty thoughts…" she paused, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Yeah, you don't want to know that."
Angela's fingers tightened around her bag. "Tell me. I want to know everything about my boy…" she muttered but stopped herself, biting her lip.
Rose giggled softly. "Ara, ara. Never knew you two were dating. No wonder you're acting shy. Well, your boyfriend is very naughty, but also very responsible about those thoughts. He thinks low of himself most of the time. Honestly, I don't even want to know what my perverted brother thinks sometimes....it's depressing." She exhaled and stepped forward. "Anyway, it's almost my turn."
"Rosemary Stones!" Lillian's voice rang out.
"Yes, ma'am." Rose straightened her posture, adjusting the glowing restraints on her wrists and flicking her hair back.
"You and your brother are unique," Lillian said, her gaze piercing. "You use your abilities based on will, but with limitations. As for you, my dear…" She touched a sigil on her chest, releasing a faint spell from her emblem. "Yours is magic. As long as you don't have magic and don't want to have magic, you cannot use your abilities. So I'm placing an anti-magic seal on you to make you as normal as any other Beta before giving you this."
Lillian handed Rose a slim pair of enchanted glasses. "Do not take them off."
Rose narrowed her eyes, her tone turning sharp. "And what if I do? What are you going to do about it...fight me?" She hissed under her breath, stepping past Lillian into the hall without waiting for a reply.
"Kids these days," Lillian muttered.
"Aren't you going to punish her?" Sasha asked curiously from beside her.
"No," Lillian replied calmly. "I don't want her brother's trouble. Besides, a squabble with her could blow up this building in seconds. I'd rather not risk that." She waved to the next student.
Across the line, students whispered to one another. "Did you see what just happened?" Alice asked her friend.
"Yes," Kyla whispered back. "That new student just talked down to a teacher. What do you think will happen to her?"
"Nothing, actually," Michael said quietly from behind them, a bead of sweat sliding down his neck. "The teachers are more scared of what could happen to the building if they fought her. Believe me." His voice wavered as he remembered his own training under Tony.
"You seem scared yourself. Are you okay, Mickey?" Alice asked softly.
"I'm fine," Michael said with a nervous smile. "I'm just happy I'm on her good side for now."
"Why? Did something happen between you two? You seem different since training. Did Mr. Tony beat you again?" Kyla asked, her brows furrowing.
Michael chuckled bitterly. "Nothing much. I didn't fight Tony much, but Rose… she got beaten again and again. Yet every time you knock her down, she gets stronger. She keeps getting back on her feet. It's… it's actually beautiful." His eyes glimmered faintly as he moved to the front of the hall.
"Yeah, he likes her," Kyle and Alice whispered at the same time.
"Michael Angelo!" George called out. Michael stepped forward, fidgeting.
"Sir… I don't think I'm ready for this test. I'm kind of nervous." He scratched his brown hair.
George glanced at him with a raised brow. "Hmm. Your hair color changed. Nervous, huh? Is it about a girl?" He scanned him with an energy detector strapped to his watch.
"I… it's not like that…" Michael stammered, his words tumbling out.
"It's fine," George said kindly. "But you have to focus on this test. Afterward, I'll put in a good word with Rose for you. Deal?"
Michael's eyes widened. "Really? Thank you so much, Vice Principal!"
"Yes. But only if you pass. Remember, your mother wouldn't want you to fail, would she?" George clasped an energy dampener to Michael's wrist. "Your Beta ability draws energy from rage and stress, making you grow and transform into a Titan avatar with enhanced strength and agility. But you can't use any of that here. So… take this." He slapped the second dampener into place and waved him on.
A few steps away, Angela leaned toward Johnson as their turn approached. "Hey John… I have a question."
"What's that, my dear?" Johnson asked, glancing down at her.
"Do you love me? More than anything in the world?" Her green eyes shimmered with nervous curiosity.
Johnson smiled faintly. "Hmmm. Yes. I love you more than my own existence. I'd do anything to keep you, or anyone I love, happy. But I know you don't love me as much as I imagine you do." He tilted his head. "But this isn't what you really wanted to ask."
Angela's face heated. "I just… I thought you hit on the school president during training. You didn't do anything with Joyce, did you?"
Johnson burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "Hahahaha! You're jealous for me? I'm flattered."
Angela frowned. "What's so funny? I'm seriously asking you something and you're laughing? Tch." She turned away, her steps quick and sharp as she moved in front of the line.