"Elaborate, please." I insisted.

"It's just a research club regarding the powers of yurei and rekishiya. Nothing much, and it'll also be totally awesome." He said.

Research, eh? I like the idea of it. But, who knows what he's trying to pull off?

"What do you say, Mr. Rekishiya?"

"Tell me this---are there not other research clubs? Why not join those? They probably have a lot more members, plus they should be having better equipment, and facilities. So, why the TREC?" I asked.

"You really should believe me when I say unlike any other. TREC wasn't the most successful club during its time for nothing. You'll understand when we get there."

He seems confident enough. I don't smell any ill intentions from him---or maybe I’m just easy to be swayed.

"I'll join, on one condition---you train me."

"What? Haha... Okay, we have a deal. But don't get too hasty---we still need another member to make this happen."

A minimum of 3, is it? My school also had this similar limitation---minimum of 5 members for the creation and sustenance of a club.

"Where shall we get another person?" I asked.

"We'll see. I do have a certain person in my mind. Anyway, I'll see you in class tomorrow, big guy. Don't forget our deal."

"Got it."

Room #501, 10:15 P.M.

"You're back earlier than I thought you'd be. I reckoned you might have been ready to spend the whole night there, Ryou."

"What am I, a bookworm? Anyway, I ran into Utsumi."

"Why the hell would he be at the library at this time? Still, he does have pretty good test scores, so it's not weird. Anyway, you decided the elective subject you're going to choose?"

Good grief. I actually forgot about it.

"About that... I'm not sure. I might have a vague idea regarding Advanced BT-Practical, but I obviously don't know about the other one... the..."

"Advanced Ability Theory? That's actually the tougher subject. Probably the toughest we have. It's obvious that everyone's going to go for the other one---because it's more fun, and also, will greatly benefit you in the upcoming academic years. But Ability Theory? It isn't something that we, as fighters, usually choose. Those with ambitions of becoming researchers might be interested, but the entire idea of research has become quite convoluted."

"Convoluted? How?" I asked.

"There hasn't been any sort of progress in the field of research---at least not in the past few decades."

"So people avoid researching? About powers, reorbis... None?"

"It's not a matter of less personnel, but about progress. It isn't research if there are only dead ends."

That's odd. So, was TREC created for the very purpose of promoting this field? That's what I'm feeling right now. Utsumi did say that it became the most successful club ever, then I suppose the previous members succeeded in getting ahead with the research...?

"It's getting late. Better to sleep. We're supposed to choose out of the two subjects tomorrow, too. Decide well. Night."

Next morning, Class 1-3

"All right, you brats, the registration portal will be opened after classes, so just choose your damn subject via your PDA." Mariko-sensei said.

The first period is Ability Theory---I need to see what it's about.

"And let me introduce you to a new teacher---He'll be teaching you Ability Theory, and the advanced one as well, if at all you're going to choose."

A man opened the door, and entered the classroom. He looked like a foreigner, notably due to his blonde hair, and distinguished face.

"Everyone, this is Brett Kayne. A lot of you might be aware of him, and must be knowing that he's more than capable of handling this subject. Be nice to him." Mariko-sensei said.

I can hear a lot of whispers, with surprised expressions on everybody's faces. He's obviously somebody famous---whom I have no idea of.

"Yo, Yoshida... That's Brett Kayne, the man himself, in the flesh! Holy crap."

"Who is he, exactly?"

"Who is---are you serious? The guy's TYB, and the youngest to make it into one of the top 3 Ranks." Yosuke replied.

"TYB?"

"Tokubetsu Yurei Buntai. They're the combat unit of our country, or to keep it simple, the heroes who serve to protect us from the bad guys. They're role models, for all of us---I've always wanted to be a part of them!"

"Me too!" Ayase said, "They're just amazing. And Brett... He looks so young! No wonder they call him a genius."

"What's this about Ranks?" I asked.

"There are 10 in total---Rank-10 being the lowest. Members of the top 3 ranks are considered the most elite of the TYB, and quite possibly, of the country. There are even rumours that all the members of Rank-1 are rekishiya, although, they're rarely seen by people, since they're always out on missions." Yosuke replied.

They're basically the yurei military, I guess. That's pretty amazing. No wonder this guy is such an important person.

"And," Ayase followed, "It is said that he is one of the strongest yurei in the world---mainly due to his extensive use of powers during combat. He even has his own book on improving one's skills of using powers. Plus, he looks adorable! Totally, like an ikemen!"

"Hello, lads. You probably might be knowing me---I'm Brett Kayne. And I'll be handling Ability Theory, and the advanced one, as well. Already, ten minutes have passed, so shall we get on with the class?"

"YES SIR!" Everyone shouted in unison.

"Good. Now, as you all know, we're beings with powers, and hence, it is our job to learn about ourselves, as to why we're different from normal human beings. Now, these powers can be classified into 3 main types---

Contact-type.

Non-contact-type.

Enhancement-type.

Contact-type powers usually involve touching something, in order for you to use them. They're the second-most common type found in the world.

Non-contact-type powers, as the name suggests, require no contact of any kind. They're the uncommon one out of the three types, and can usually be activated at the user's will.

Enhancement-type powers are the most commonly found in the world. They are powers which enhance an already existing feature of a person---such as their vision, strength, speed, et cetera. They're quite useful, and depending on how they're used, they can be used defensively, or for all-out attacking."

"What's your type, Brett-sensei?" Yosuke asked.

"Non-contact-based. It's quite useful, too." Brett-sensei replied.

"How's it like, being Rank-3? You must be receiving special treatment, right, sensei?" Tsujihara asked.

"Haha, I'd be lying if I said no. But, that doesn't really matter, for now. I'm your teacher, so, my current job is to teach you all."