#017 briskly walks through the halls in deep thought. The situation was too much of a coincidence, but especially that girl, Tanya. Tanya greatly reminded her of someone, but who? Struggling to piece the puzzle together, #017 almost walks into a figure. Turning her body away at the second, #017 barely misses the standing figure.

#017 pauses to glance at who she almost crashed into a young man standing with his back turned towards her. The student has bright murky russet eyes and striking red hair. His face is quite symmetrically ensuring a pleasing face, fair, clear skin, a strong nose and firm lips. All in all, a proud male specimen. And despite wearing a student’s uniform of an upper-grade level, the impression radiating off the young man was of that worldly experience.

#017 pays no further attention to the young man, before heading on her way. A charming voice from behind her coldly says, “You should be more careful when walking.” #017 doesn’t react and continues down the hallway when #017 skids to an abrupt halt as a young man appears before her. Re-evaluating the young man before her, #017 instantly searches through her memories of all student records until a name and image come to mind, Gareth Lockhart, age: 19 and a powerful teleporter.

Gareth Lockhart narrows his eyes and says, “You managed to detect my teleportation, impressive. Who are you?”

#017 doesn’t respond and merely tilts her head to the side, waiting. A second later, a fluffy teddy bear emerges from the corridor to their right. Gareth Lockhart stares blankly at the teddy bear walking towards him, who stops next to the silent gray-haired woman. The gray-haired woman picks the teddy bear up.

“Hello, young man, my name is Mr. Wilkins and I am a professor here at the academy. I apologize for my creator’s manners, but she is sometimes uncooperative despite my best efforts,” Mr. Wilkins said with a tragic sigh. “She was so cute, when she was younger too,” He unwisely grumbled out loud.

#017 sneakily pinches his tummy making Mr. Wilkins swiftly says, “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, young man. But we have a class to get too.” #017 scarcely lets, Mr. Wilkins finish, before darting down the hallway. Mr. Wilkins stares at #017 who seems in deep thought.

As if inspired upon entering the classroom Mr. Wilkins says, “So tell me all about him?” But #017 fails to react merely setting him down on the desk table and sitting down to think. #017 was so deep in thought that even her brows become furrowed, a rare event.

Mr. Wilkins interjects, “So, it’s not because of the encounter with a handsome, charming boy?

#017 ignores the question and gravely replies, “Mr. Wilkins, I need all records on transfers and deaths for any inmates from the correctional facility for the last two years.”

Mr. Wilkins stares dejectedly at his girl and grumbles, “Okay, why?”

“I am not certain, but there is something on the edge at the back of my mind. Find the information for me, please, Wilkins,” #017 gravely said.

Mr. Wilkins chokes at the sincere request. Disturbed and filled with a mix of emotions, Mr. Wilkins says, “Of course, you are my girl.”

“Good, now order me lunch, I haven’t eaten,” #017 said, ruining the precious moment. “Also, I gave Albert Cross, a week’s detention for abusing his ability in the library.”

Mr. Wilkins sighs but does as he is asked to. By the time class starts, #017 is eating a sandwich and researching on her laptop, while Mr. Wilkins does the same, teaching a classroom and hacking into a maximum-security facility.

*

Gareth Lockhart stares down the hallway, where the strange gray-haired woman disappeared with the talking teddy bear. “Oh, my is the mighty and great, Gareth Lockhart in shock. Stop, my heart doth stop! No seriously man, what’s up?” A handsome young man said.

Gareth Lockhart turns towards his friend, Hunter, who had large golden eyes and golden hair. A Feline Changeling, but one whose origin was easy to guess, that of a Lion. Gareth quietly says, “Is there a teacher that is a talking teddy bear?”

Hunter laughs and says, “Bro, you need to be more socially active. But yes, it’s a freaking talking teddy bear. Most of the departments are drooling over the possibility of doing research, but the creator stubbornly refused. And the Esper Council agreed with the creator as the teddy bear has no soul and technically is not alive as we know it. Therefore, further study is out of the question as there is nothing to study.”

“The creator?” Gareth asked.

“Yeah, apparently she accompanied her creation as an attaché faculty member. What was her name….?” After a pause, Hunter says, “Oh yes, Victoria Starr. According to faculty rumors, she possesses pathetic telekinesis abilities not strong enough to even be registered as a level one Esper. But withstanding that registration, somehow, she gave life to that teddy bear. From what, my sister explained to me, the council believes that it was the power of belief.”

Gareth Lockhart is in thoughtful silence for a moment remembering the reaction of the woman. Hunter eyes his friend suspiciously. “Why are you asking?” Hunter shadily asked.

“Just curious,” Gareth Lockhart said and before Hunter could reply, a young woman with golden hair and large golden eyes crashes into Hunter.

“Idiot, you said you would come get me!” The young woman angrily whispered into Hunter’s ear. Hunter winced as his older sister, Diane, (older by just ten months), digs her nails into his arm. The young woman then turns and smiles prettily at Gareth Lockhart. “Are you going to be sitting with us, Gareth?” Diane asked. Gareth Lockhart nods as Diane happily smiles in reply and drags her brother to their classroom.

The classroom they were heading to was called Z (for Zero) Class. And despite the departments, the Z Class was where only the best students entered regardless of age, grade level, or evolutionary group species. Every single member in the room had been tested in combat and are among the most promising candidates for their evolutionary groups. Even more importantly, most of the members were active in combat as interns to their groups.

Upon entering the classroom, many of the student’s glance over towards the famous trio. Gareth Lockhart was one of the upcoming Espers with a bright future as a teleporter. While the other two, Hunter and Diane as members of the Lion pride, they were one of the more powerful changelings on campus. Not based just on strength or ability, but on political power. The feline groups tended to stick together according to their strength with the top of the food chain members usually being the big cats in the wild.

Gareth Lockhart takes a seat in the middle of the classroom as Hunter and Diane take a seat on each of his sides. Some of the girls glare enviously at Diane, who basks in delight and smugly clings to Gareth’s arm. The class swiftly settles down as soon as the door opens.

A male changeling in uniform with dark hair, golden eyes and an eyepatch over his left eye stops in front of the classroom. The class intently studies one of the legends of their world, James Stark. A feline changeling and to be even more specific, a black panther. Not only was he a great fighter, but one who could go toe to toe with any Esper or Vorpal.

James Stark merely assess the class as his hands military like automatically clasp behind him. “You may call me, Professor Stark or just Stark, nothing else,” James Stark matter-of-factly stated. Seeing the class listening, James Stark continues, “I am told you are the best. But you are not the best until my say so. Until then, you will do as I say, is that understood?”

Most of the students nod in steadfast agreement, while others tactfully remain silent. “Good, then we will begin by learning from the past. Who can tell me, why the empire of Genghis Khan fell, despite supreme military power?”

The class immediately begins to throw out answers as a debate happens. Mr. Stark only intervenes to keep the class from falling to a physical debate. Finally, the class falls silent out of ideas and turns towards Mr. Stark for an answer. “Everything that has been stated is true. If the great Khan had not died, then maybe his dream would have been true. However, the obvious reason is that they all wanted the right to rule. And they would have if they simply had stayed together. But each faction took a piece of land and the empire crumbled. Let that be a lesson to all of you. One may have supreme power, but all it takes is a single falter and everything that has been worked for falls apart into ruin,” James stark flatly stated.

The class is silent as James Stark says, “Now I will choose a partner for you to work with for the rest of the semester. There are no trade backs and no trades with any another classmate. Your assigned partner is your partner until I deem otherwise.” The class lets out groans of protest as several girls perk up at the thought of pairing up with boys and most especially Gareth Lockhart.

James Stark begins to call out names and pair students. Every female student not chosen holds abated breath as James Stark calls out, Gareth Lockhart’s name. “Gareth Lockhart and Diane,” James Stark swiftly said to the dismay of the female and male population.

Diane lets out an excited squeal, while Hunter lets out a sigh of relief at not being paired with his sister. Of course, his relief does not last for long as James Stark reads his name next. “Hunter and Veronica Delavega.” Hunter muffles a groan upon spotting the female Vorpal with short hair and red eyes sitting in the front row glaring up at him. Ever since their first year after the tomato soup lung incident, Veronica Campbell hated him with a fiery dark passion.

Hunter groans and buries his head in his arms as his sister cheerful says, “Little Brother, remember to have an open mind.” Hunter grumbles a muffled reply as Diane happily turns towards Gareth and says, “It looks like we’re together again.” Gareth lips twitch into a faint smile before he turns his attention back to the professor. Diane takes her cue and happily does the same as other members of the classroom have the same reaction as Hunter.

Finished, James Stark says, “Now then, we move to physical trials to see your combability. Move out!” The classroom empties as the students rush towards the locker room to change and then onto the practice fields. It was going to be a fun day.