ALEXiThymia: Chapter 22: First Day of Supers High School (1)

Chapter 22

First Day of Supers High School (1)

Being the new kid at a new school is never easy. Especially when the school in question is the Tri-State regions’ attempt to pool resources together so they could educate all pre-awakened students at roughly the same time.

This is a practice that is good in theory. From a taxpayer perspective, one could not ask for a better allocation of resources. What those finance reports fail to consider are the social hierarchies that exist within any school. Let alone a school, where the very purpose of said school is to pit students with powers against each other to help them first learn their boundaries, second to learn they are not alone, and third to see which are the most desirable to have on an adventuring team.

When one considers that Dawning Light had not one but three states worth of exceptional students one could expect steep competition.

Also, there was the unmistakable fact that all kids who went to Dawning Light knew for a fact that they were the chosen few. That they were going to get a class regardless of how much work or studying they did. That meant, the only thing left for these kids to do was, sit around, sign with a perspective company, and wait.

Truthfully, many of the students here were content to just wait for their awakening day when a class would be awarded. For while the method of achieving a crystal with a Power attached to it was supposed to be earned from a dungeon run. Many prestigious families employed methods like the one utilized by Luke Thyme who by all accounts ‘found’ his power crystal while in a dungeon.

For Luke it was a win-win situation. He got a power, which meant he would not have to worry about whether he would get a class. Now his only concern in that regard would be, how good of a class he would get. But he would be lying if he said the difference between getting a bad class and no class were equivalent to being middle class or lower class.

The other condition of his earning a power was that he simply keep tabs on his sister, know where she was at all times, and above all else never let her go on a weeklong spelunking adventure again.

For Luke this last one was easy. Once he signed his forms, he saw that fact that Alexa herself also worked for the Tri-state investigative team. With their bringing Luke on, it was just a matter of being able to protect their newest consultant, without having to set up operatives within the school itself.

Luke took this of course as proof that the captain only wished for the best for Alexa. Truthfully, he was glad that she already had such a lucrative job set up for her once she got out. Assuming she kept her slotted class, which since it was slotted meant it was a Legendary class, the sky was the limit for her. Even now in the introductory phase of her class, she could do exceptional things.

Things that Luke was not written onto, nor should he press to find out. In fact, if their parents were to ever press Alexa for what the class did, not only was Luke to change the subject, but he was also to report the incident immediately to the Captain.

Now this last command seemed a little confusing, but from what he could tell, the captain did have Alexa’s best wishes at heart. She even went so far as to have a pair of TSI agents stationed at the dungeon just to make sure Alexa returned safely.

Their first day at the new school did not go as planned. Everyone wore sashes around their necks. Each sash had some type of metal pin clamped to them.

Even the teacher and administrators had sashes.

Looking at all the different pins, there were many. Luke had enhanced Perception, though his was nothing compared to what his sister’s was. So, while he pulled into the parking lot, he figured he’d do what he always did when he didn’t have the answer, he asked his sister.

“What are those sashes for?”

Alexa turned from looking out the window to stare at her brother. “Didn’t you read the student handbook?”

With that Luke paused, “wait that book had important information in it?”

Alexa just stared at him.

“So, what does it mean?” He pressed again.

“The sashes are worn by all who attend these hallowed halls.” Alexa began reciting the passage on sashes as if by memory, which was in fact what she had done. She had memorized the book by reading through it twice. She wanted to make sure she had all possible infractions covered, while also trying to figure out how to earn the most amount of augmentation crystals.

“…The sash on the student and faculty’s right side is blue for Psychic Powers. The wearer of the sash will have a pin for each of the psychic powers they have unlocked. The right side of the sash is green and represents the magic of the world we live in. This sash goes over the heart and will have a pin representing each of the magical powers the wielder has unlocked. In addition to these pins will be a pin in roman numerals next to each school of magic, denoting the tier the wielder has progressed their magic to. Finally at the bottom will be a pin used to clip both ends of the sash together against the student’s clothing. This pin will be in clear golden Roman numerals and will depict the grade level of each student. A golden ‘I’ for a Freshman, two golden ‘II’s for a Sophomore and so on.”

Seeing that his sister was done with her regurgitation of the rule book, Luke felt impressed. Not just at her memorization skill, which seemed to be even more prolific than before, especially considering she just received her copy of the student handbook last night. But also, the level of detail she was able to give. Her reciting of rules seemed to have more emotion than her regular pattern of speaking did.

“Wow, they sure put a lot of thought into the design of those sashes.” Luke said.

“Not really, mostly they designed them this was as an excuse to cover girl’s cleavages. If you look the sash having to link at the top of the sternum provides a cover for any women wishing to come to school only in workout equipment.

Alexa noted as she then proceeded to indicate multiple women around the parking lot, many of who were already heading to the campus.

While Luke himself was unaware of the magical signatures surrounding the school’s perimeter, Alexa herself could see through the thick mist of mana clearly.

“So, when do you think we will get our sashes?” Luke asked, his voice clearly nervous as he began asking Alexa more and more questions.

“We get them from the principal on our first time entering the school. If we need a replacement, we must bring back the scraps to show that we did not lose the sash, but rather it was lost during our everyday classes. If we forget our sashes, a replacement one can be rented for the cost of one augmentation crystal.”

Whistle.

At that cost, Luke knew for certain that his sister would not want to pay the exorbitant prices for renting a sash.

“I take it you already have plans?” Luke asked.

With that Alexa nodded. “I plan to take swaths from future lost sashes and keep them. Then return them in case someone makes off with my sash.”

Luke paused at that.

“You don’t think you would forget it. You think the only way you would need a replacement is either by delving, or by someone actively stealing your sash?”

“Yes.” Alexa replied.

At first Luke wanted to argue with her, but he did remember how she was targeted by different men and women both during their times in elementary, and middle school. Fortunately, most knew to avoid her by the time they got to high school. That or if they didn’t their friends soon informed them. By high school Alexa had gotten to the point that she found simple tricks to ruin any would be tormentor’s day. People would find that their uniforms had itching powder for a week. That or the insoles of their shoes would be ripped out before a run day.

Alexa herself had this happen to her on multiple occasions and understood if you had a lower Endurance attribute you would come home with blisters on your feet. Luke of course would try to stick up for her, but one day he told his mother and father that he couldn’t keep doing it, that he was only enabling others to continue to pick on her when he wasn’t around. That was when his parents agreed and had a conversation with Alexa. While Luke didn’t know the full details, only bits and pieces that had to be amended over the years. The gist was, do what you must do to get others to stop, but don’t get caught.

With that, as her only limiters, Alexa was a terror. Before the girls were vicious towards Alexa. Then over time when it was found that one joke, prank, or annoyance to Alexa would be met with tenfold punishment. A lot of the girls backed off. The only problem was, Alexa remembered every time and was diligent in keeping her retributions to be tenfold. By the end only Dathney Williams was the last target with what students at the school were calling a karmic debt against Alexa.

While everyone knew Alexa was behind the actions, no one could tell how she did some of the things she did or was credited with.

“Well, I hope you are wrong.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t think it will take long to realize two things.”

“Two?”

“Never fuck with a healer, and Karma always gets paid.”

“You think you can do that again?”

“Yes, after a point I didn’t need to do anything. Dathney and the others just assumed I was behind all their bad deeds. A sentiment I readily encouraged.” Alexa said.

Now, finally hearing her actions, Luke was impressed.

“That is, wow. That is diabolical.”

“Yes, you give people a reason to look out for bad things, then when those bad things invariably happen, they automatically blame you.”

Hearing this Luke just had one thing to ask of his fourteen-minute younger sister. “Just promise me one thing. That when this is over, you won’t become a super-villain?”

Hmph. Was Alexa’s only response to that question.

“That is a a no right?”

Alexa just stared at her brother for a second, before getting out of the vehicle.

With that, Luke wondered for the first time, if he perhaps bit off more than he could chew, when he agreed to watch his sister.

Luke wanted to ask her more questions but lost her for a second in the parking lot. Then by the time he caught up to his sister, she was already entering the school.

“Names?”

“Luke and Alexa Thyme.” Luke called out, as he looked at the guard.

To his senses the skinny person before them looked to be in their mid-twenties and looked like a strong breeze would blow them over.

What Luke didn’t know that this toothpick for a man, was in fact the school’s dean of discipline.

Alexa upon seeing the man, instantly recognized the man for the powerhouse that he was, as he seemed to glow like a nuclear factory that breached containment.

“The new transfer students?” The skinny man asked to confirm.

Alexa nodded.

“Yes.” Luke responded verbally.

With both having acknowledged the question, the man nodded, then gestured for the two to follow him. “Right this way.”

With that the two took their first steps into the next phase of their lives.

“I must say, you two are an anomaly, you are currently our only Sophomores. For the sake of class resources, we will need to put you in with the Junior classes.”

At that Luke looked like he wanted to say something. He did, but only on Alexa’s behalf.

“Don’t worry. We will make sure the course curriculum is slated for your Individual needs. You just must understand that even with us getting students from all three states, we mainly receive Seniors and the occasional Junior. You two being our first Sophomore pair makes you both uniques.” The man said, as he took them to the entry hallway.

There on display were two sashes, both with pins in their proper places.

One only had two. While the second one looked to be more defined and decorated than many of the teachers. The second one had three pins on the left side, the blue side, denoting psychic powers. While the right side had three pins denoting three different magical classes along with an ‘X’ next to each.

At first one could assume the second stash was to denote an expert. Which in a way it was, that sash clearly belonged to an expert. The only problem was that expert was of course Luke’s twin sister.

“Here is your sash, Mr. Thyme.” With that the skinny man grabbed the simple sash that had only two pins a gold pin with a half-faded shadow, and the Roman Numeral ‘II’ at the bottom so he could pin the sash to his shirt.

Luke took it, and slid it on, clasping it to his shirt as he was instructed.

Seeing that he knew the procedure the skinny man nodded with satisfaction.

“Then here is your sash, Ms. Thyme. I must admit I was a bit curious about a student claiming to have not one but three Psychic and Magic schools. Then to also have it verified that those three magic schools were set to the ‘Max’ rating.” The skinny man said, as he held out the sash to Alexa.

Alexa just took the offered sash and pinned it to her shirt as well.

“Well?” The skinny man asked after a moment’s silence.

“I am, thank you.” Alexa admitted.

Seeing this for what it was, Luke tried to cut in. “My sister has Ale…”

“I know full well what she has. I also know she is more than capable of interpreting the true meaning of a situation. Instead she chooses to use her disability as a weapon. Clever tactic Ms. Thyme. Though know many will be able to see through your ruse.” The skinny man said.

Alexa nodded.

Looking at the sash that Alexa was now wearing at eye level, Luke could clearly make out the different symbols. On the right side, the magic side, were a red cross, a tree, and a cloud face that looked like it was breathing. Then on the left side, the psychic side, Alexa had three more pins: Starting at the top was a mind that was hiding behind a medieval knight’s shield. The second was a mind holding multiple objects in the air. Then the last one just had several stars that all seemed to be slowly fading out.

Suddenly looking at his sister, Luke realized that he had no clue just how accomplished she truly was.

“Know that our school has a zero tolerance on bullying, but we cannot be everywhere all the time. With that, we need you to come to me, if you experience anything remotely like bullying.”

There was a pause, as Luke suddenly realized that this high school might be vastly different than his previous high school. In the last one, no one really messed with Alexa because she had both earned her credit as a cunning opponent, while also having Luke to help her smooth out any social stigmas.

Now, looking at their sashes denoting vastly different power levels it was clear, that Luke might find himself needing Alexa’s protection, more than her needing his. Before Luke could go down this path of thinking, the skinny man pulled out two different sheets of paper.

“Here are your course curriculum and a map denoting where everything is. This is the last piece I will give you. You will find that this is set up as a university campus, so do not be alarmed if you do not find your classroom in the building you are in. You will likely need to look around to find your…”

Alexa just took off walking.

Luke however looked sheepish on her behalf. “You must forgive her. She does not intend to be…” Luke began, but this time he was cut off by the skinny man.

“No, I just find her data retention admirable.” He said, as they both watched her leave the room. Only once she was gone, and Luke counted to a good ten count, did the skinny school assistant turn to Luke. “Actually, this is perfect, as there is something that I needed to speak to you about personally.”