Brennan: “...Who are you people...? What did you... do to me?”

Mr. Abrams: “I teleported you. Can I ask you something? Why were you going to enter the non-combatant division's building? Did you not know there was an assembly going on today? I believe everyone should have been notified.”

Brennan: “I... was go- going to ask for directions. Mister, why did you teleport me here? Where is this place?”

Mr. Abrams: “Mr. Abrams, and you've only been brought further inside the building that you tried to enter. Alright, kid! Introduce yourself, and make it quick! We need to grab the rest and hurry back.”

Brennan: “I'm... Brennan. I've applied to become a non-combatant temporarily, in order to strengthen my powers further. Eventually, I... want to become a hero. So I'll train hard! I won't... run away. Not anymore... not ever again...!”

Noel: “Hi Brennan! I'm Noel, it's nice to meet you! I'm rooting for your progress and eventual acceptance into hero courses!”

Brennan: “...Thanks.”

Noel: “...”

{That's it?! Ah jeez, this is gonna be depressing. I don't know how to handle people like this. There's only one hope: Teacher Abrams! Please help me!}

Mr. Abrams: “Hmmm... Brennan, Brennan...oh. OH! The animal whisperer!”

Brennan: “...”

Mr. Abrams: “Haha! Phew, I'm glad I was right assuming you were a part of my class. Don't worry kid, you'll get the help you need in order to rise...”

Brennan was completely unhappy coming here, in case it wasn't obvious. Not because he refuses to attend school as a non-combatant.

No.

Not because he cannot accept befriending other non-combatants or 'weaklings'.

Nope.

Certainly not due to the fact that in this school, his former friends or enemies will notice his status as a non-combatant and make fun of him for it, possibly to the point of blatant bullying.

Not this, either.

The reason for his clear disapproval of even waking up the morning of his school's assembly: is due to a lack of belief in himself. Brennan truly doubts that he will ever live up to his mom's expectations.

After assembly comes the Orientation games – something he dreads to watch. That would mean watching others compete. Others who had previously convinced him that he was worthless, only to hear him shout out loud that he would prove them wrong.

Yes, prove them wrong...

He was fully intent on doing so from the bottom of his heart...

Until his actions directly granted the gunman a chance to shoot his mother.

This depression stuck close to his heart like a parasite, forever whispering his deeper worries and woes in his head. And for a moment, Mr. Abrams's advice cleared away such negative thinking and uplifted him: making his eyes shine brightly with respect.

Yes, for a moment, anyway...

Mr. Abrams: “Mm, don't worry so much. I'm sure you will go from... talking to squirrels and birds to controlling massive elephants. Hahaha!”

Brennan: “...I can do more than talking to animals teacher.”

Mr. Abrams: “Oh, is that so? I was only told about your ability to speak to animals. Either way, it matters little. If you attend Hero High, your abilities will improve. Simple as that.”

Brennan: “I kinda doubt it, but I have nothing left to lose so...”

Mr. Abrams: “...What you're saying now contradicts what you mentioned previously, but eh. We'll have lots of time to figure out what exactly makes you tick later...for the time being, let's go!”

The trio began making their way back to where Noel left Ophelia behind. But for the past 3 minutes that his group ran for, he felt a strange gaze devote itself to watching his pace.

Brennan: “...”

Noel: “...Hm?”

Noticing the purple – haired classmate staring at him like he was a circus monkey performing a show, Noel felt the need to follow his brother's advice over the conundrum: “How to hold conversations without scaring people.”

Yes, even if they fight, Noel still admires his brother for the amount of time the young(looking) adult spent in the 'outside world' expertly blending with society – and Aeron, of course, like any proper big brother, excessively prepared 'little Ty' for the hard struggles he might very well face during his very first 'field trip'.

Brennan: “...”

Noel: “...Um... is something wrong? Not to be rude, but... why do you keep staring at me?”

Brennan: “...Why are you so short?”

Noel: “...!!”

An unexpected attack! Noel paused in his steps, clearly reeling from the mental blow his brother failed to prepare him for. Unsure of whether Brennan said this with intended malice or innocent curiosity acting as the fueling source, however the way Noel took his remark wouldn't change either way!

For Noel the remark felt like a dagger plunged deep into his chest: its serrated edge causing ripples of pain through every remembrance.

{...I'm...short? He said I was short. I was called short? I thought my height was normal? I'm actually short? That's a lie! That other kid from before was short! I'm short... but I was supposed to be normal...?

Could it have just been a lie to boost my confidence?

I'm short...

I'm short...

I'm short...

I'm short...

I'm short...

I'm short...

I'm short...

I'm short...}

Noel: “...take that back....”

Brennan: “But look at how tall you are compared to m-”

Noel: “I'M AVERAGE!”

Noel's outburst alerted Mr. Abrams to the developing scenario.

Mr. Abrams: “Haaah. Can you not cause me more trouble than I'm already dealing with, ESPECIALLY over something so petty and superficial? Oh, and Brennan: he's shorter than you because he's only 12, and you're already slightly above the average height for a 14 year old while only being 13 and some months yourself. Now, let's leave it at that and GET GOING in silence.

And wear your masks! We're still dealing with a Corona-Virus pandemic in society, so you can never be too safe.”

Both Brennan and Noel: “Okay.”

Brennan: “Oh, and if what he says is true, then sorry for what I said.”

Noel: “It's okay...”

Brennan: “...”

Noel: “.............What is it now?!”

Brennan: “Nothing. I didn't know you were 12 is all. I thought this school was going to be tough for me. Now, I feel a little bad, thinking like that without knowing someone like you is here. It's going to be rough, attending school with kids from 'that side'.

Noel: “Hmm? What side? Should I be worried about something?”

{Actually, my big brother already prepared me for this little bit of info. There's one thing that separates students in Herotopia High Schools from normal schools: Well I mean, aside from all the superpower fighting stuff...

Students who enter are treated with major hostility at the start by a pretty large population of students and even a few teachers.

He said this is known as the 'Division between Heroes' in the three major schools. Those who welcome people with disrespect and mockery, even attempting to test their skills are the 'Realistic Heroes'. They mostly perform these deeds to pressure kids that grow up believing becoming a Hero is 'fun' or a 'dream come true'. In order to 'weed out' those who would only die early deaths and effectively save lives by preventing even further tragedies, they will perform deeds similar to villains, even if it means appearing like a villain themselves to that child.

Though brother Aeron claims that some people who just love to flaunt power over others are actually mixing themselves within the realist faction, but the difference is obvious since the realist heroes don't actually take things too far like they do.

One can easily identify a realistic hero by their motto, “Wake Up!”. It represents their desire to teach others how dangerous “Upholding Justice” is, and that fighting crime could easily result in one getting killed by villains, or even have their loved ones targeted. The most extreme of these kinds of heroes resulted in the development of Herotopia's police force: the “Super Police”. By authority alone, they don't supersede the Hero Society, but they DO have the rights to arrest any hero caught committing crimes on the spot, no questions asked. They also reserve the right to dictate what type of act labels an individual as a 'villain'.

However the other kinds of heroes: called 'Dreamers', still harbor their childhood fantasies about “Justice”. Teaching others that anybody can be a hero, no matter what one looks like. What's important isn't the need to 'fit in' nor the ability to outshine every single villain that comes your way. If that were the case, then only the 'elite' would be capable of becoming Heroes. The 'chosen few'.

Their motto is a simple one: “What is important above all else, is the desire to protect.”

To protect the innocent and weak at all times.

Especially the weak...}

Brennan: “...No, forget it. You're a non-combatant. They'd get in trouble if they did something to you. Besides...”

Noel: “Hm? Besides what?”

Brennan: ”...Okay, but only because you asked!”

Noel: “Mhm. Mhm, go on already!”

Brennan: “You'd probably earn the dreamer side's protection because you're so shor-err.....young. So just wait until school starts and you'll find out on your own.”

Noel: “...”

{For some reason, I don't really feel like that was supposed to be a compliment. Was he pitying me?! Isn't earning somebody's protection a good thing?!}

Mr. Abrams: “....(If only that kid knew. I'm just glad all of the 10 families home school or jointly teach their misfits. I would never get to rest if I had to worry about somebody picking a fight with a class full of monsters pretending to be helpless non-combatants.)”

…

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