System Versions

Chapter 12: Goodbyes

"Please, step through the portal," Mrs. Silver instructed. "We will be teleporting to a facility where you will learn more about your newfound abilities."

The students hesitated for a moment, but then stepped through the portal one by one. On the other side, they found themselves in a sleek, high-tech laboratory filled with strange machinery and equipment.

Mrs. Silver led the seven students to a small, enclosed space with transparent glass walls. The space was about the size of a small room, and it was filled with a soft, pulsing light.

"This is the Ability Analyzer," Mrs. Silver explained. "Each of you will enter this room, and the machine will analyze your newfound abilities. The results will be displayed on the screen over there."

She gestured to a large screen mounted on the wall outside the glass room. The screen was dark and blank, but it seemed to be waiting for something to happen.

"Please, Angel, you're first," Mrs. Silver said, smiling at the student.

Angel nodded and stepped into the glass room. The door slid shut behind her, and the machine hummed to life. The screen outside the room flickered and lit up, displaying a message in bold, futuristic letters:

"ABILITY TYPE: DUAL ELEMENT CONTROL (FIRE AND ICE)

ABILITY RANK: A

DESCRIPTION: The ability to control and manipulate both fire and ice elements."

Next, Tyler stepped into the room, and the machine analyzed his abilities. The screen displayed the results:

"ABILITY TYPE: SUPER STRENGTH

ABILITY RANK: C

DESCRIPTION: The ability to possess superhuman strength, speed, and agility."

Then, Jack, a tall and lanky boy with a messy mop of hair. stepped into the glass room, and the machine analyzed his abilities. The screen displayed the results:

"ABILITY TYPE: TELEPATHY

ABILITY RANK: S

DESCRIPTION: The ability to read and control minds."

Then, it was Alison, a girl with a cold expression on her face, turn. She stepped into the glass room, and the machine analyzed her abilities. The screen displayed the results:

"ABILITY TYPE: ILLUSIONS

ABILITY RANK: B+

DESCRIPTION: The ability to create powerful illusions that can deceive even the most perceptive individuals."

Next, Ben, a quiet and reserved boy who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else stepped into the room, and the machine analyzed his abilities. The screen displayed the results:

"ABILITY TYPE: HEALING

ABILITY RANK: B

DESCRIPTION: The ability to heal injuries and ailments in oneself and others."

Next, it was Brad's turn. He stepped into the glass room, and the machine analyzed his abilities. The screen displayed the results:

"ABILITY TYPE: SHADOW MANIPULATION

ABILITY RANK: SS

DESCRIPTION: The ability to manipulate and control shadows, including the power to create shadowy illusions and teleport short distances through shadows."

The students gasped in amazement as they read the results on the screen.

Mrs. Silver smiled, seeming to approve of the results. that someone has an ability Rank SS which is the highest rank ability in her class.

-"he is so strong" one student voiced out.

-"how can someone have an SS ability" another one said.

Mrs. Silver smiled. "It's extremely rare, but not impossible. Brad's abilities are truly exceptional."

Finally, it was Mohamed's turn.

"hey... system no one can know about my Echo ability" Mohamed thought internally to the system. "Can you hide it from the ability analyzer"

["Yeah, I can do that. But, Mohamed, think this through. If I hide your Echo ability, the analyzer will show that you have no ability at all. that will draw suspicion."]

"I've got an idea," Mohamed thought. "I'll just buy the Speed ability from the shop using my credits. That way, it'll look like I have a speed ability, and no one will suspect a thing."

[ "That's a clever move, Mohamed. Am surprise that you nut brain came up with that."]

Mohamed rolled his eyes. "Shut up and unlock Speed."

[-50 credit]

[Speed has been unlocked]

Mohamed stepped into the glass room, and the machine hummed to life. The screen displayed the results:

"ABILITY TYPE: SUPER SPEED

ABILITY RANK: C

DESCRIPTION: The ability to move at incredible velocities, far exceeding the speed of a normal human."

Mohamed breathed a sigh of relief, knowing his secret was safe – for now.

As the students gathered around the Ability Analyzer, Mrs. Silver's eyes gleamed with intensity. She watched as each student received their results, her expression growing more and more pleased.

But when Mohamed's results were displayed on the screen, Mrs. Silver's expression faltered. She looked disappointed, but she didn't say anything.

The students, however, were thrilled with their results. They congratulated each other, laughing and joking.

"Well done, all of you," she said. "You have all demonstrated exceptional abilities. Now, let's see how you can work together to achieve great things."

Just then, the mysterious man from before walked into the room. He smiled at the students, his eyes gleaming with approval.

"Congratulations, all of you," the mysterious man said. "I am Instructor Lucas from St. Aethoria." The students exchanged surprised glances, but Instructor Lucas continued. "You have all demonstrated exceptional abilities and have been selected to attend St. Aethoria, an institution for supernatural beings."

The students gasped in amazement, and Instructor Lucas smiled. "You will learn how to control and develop your abilities, as well as how to work with other supernatural beings."

Instructor Lucas paused, his expression turning serious. "I want to give you all a day to prepare and say your goodbyes to your loved ones. Tomorrow, you will be leaving for St. Aethoria, and your new life will begin."

The students nodded, looking at each other nervously. They knew their lives were about to change forever.

With that, Instructor Lucas turned and walked out of the room, leaving the students to their thoughts.

The students looked at each other, still trying to process everything. "I can't believe we're going to a school for supernatural students," Angel said, her eyes wide with excitement.

"I know, it's crazy," Tyler replied. "But I'm also kind of scared. What if we're not good enough?"

"You'll be fine," Mohamed said, smiling reassuringly. "We'll all be in this together."

As the students continued to talk and speculate about their future, Brad stood off to the side, his eyes fixed on Mohamed with a mixture of anger and resentment.

He couldn't believe Mohamed had been chosen to attend St. Aethoria, while he had been forced to make a deal with a dark and malevolent force.

Brad's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge and betrayal.

"You're going to pay, Mohamed," he whispered to himself.

...

The next day, the students said their goodbyes to their families and friends. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with excitement and nervousness.

Mohamed and Angel stood in the cozy living room of Mrs. Jenkins' house, surrounded by warm memories and familiar comforts. Mrs. Jenkins, who had taken Mohamed in as her own when he needed a home, and was also Angel's loving grandmother, smiled through tears as she hugged them both tightly.

"I'm so proud of you both," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're growing up to be amazing individuals, and I know you'll make a difference in the world."

Mohamed felt a lump form in his throat as he hugged Mrs. Jenkins back. She had been like a mother to him, providing love, support, and guidance when he needed it most.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins," Mohamed said, his voice choked with emotion. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Angel nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with tears. "We'll miss you so much, Grandma," she said, using the nickname she had always used to address Mrs. Jenkins.

Mrs. Jenkins smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I'll miss you both too, but I know you're ready for this new adventure. Stay in touch."

With one final hug, Mohamed and Angel bid Mrs. Jenkins farewell and stepped out into the bright sunlight.

As the students finished their goodbyes, Instructor Lucas appeared, his eyes scanning the group. "It's time to go," he said.

The students nodded, shouldering their bags and following Instructor Lucas.

As they walked, Mohamed caught Brad's eye, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Mohamed felt a surge of unease, but he tried to shake it off.

Instructor Lucas led the group of students out of the building and across the parking lot to a large, open field. He pressed something on his watch, and in a few seconds, a glowing, crystalline portal appeared in the center of the field, pulsing with energy.

"This is a portal," Instructor Lucas said, his voice calm. "This is the gateway to St. Aethoria. Are you all ready to take the next step on your journey?"

"Yes!" all the students voiced out.

As they stepped through the glowing portal, they felt a sensation of weightlessness and disorientation, as if their molecules were being rearranged and reassembled on the other side.

The journey was instantaneous, but it felt like an eternity. When they emerged on the other side, the students found themselves standing on the edge of a great, crystal-studded plain, surrounded by towering mountains that seemed to be made of pure, shimmering energy.

The air was filled with a sweet, musical hum, and the sky was ablaze with colors that seemed to shift and change like the shadows on a moonlit night.

In the distance, the students saw the spires and towers of St. Aethoria Institution, shining like a beacon of light in the heart of the mystical island.

The school's architecture seemed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, as if it had grown organically from the very rocks and crystals themselves.

Instructor Lucas smiled, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "Welcome, students, to St. Aethoria! I'm delighted to give you a tour of our esteemed institution."

>>>>>

Instructor Lucas led the students through the entrance hall, he began to explain the history and layout of the Institution.

"Aethoria Institution is a place of magic and learning, where students from all over the world come to hone their supernatural abilities. We have a diverse student body, comprising of witches, werewolves, vampires, fae, shadeborn, luminari, and many others."

The students followed Instructor Lucas as he led them through a series of winding corridors and spacious classrooms. Along the way, he pointed out various landmarks and features of the institution.

"We have six houses here at St. Aethoria Institution," Instructor Lucas explained, gesturing to a series of colorful banners that hung from the ceiling. "The houses are ranked from A to D, with S and SS being the highest and most elite ranks.

Each house has its own unique traditions and rivalries, and students are sorted into their respective houses based on their magical abilities and strengths."