He wouldn’t say. He absolutely would not say anything about this. This was a secret he needed to take to his grave for the simple fact that it would further demoralize his already demoralized student.

The boy very nearly taught HIM a thing or two about what being a proper teacher entails. Usually the very lazy Mr. Abrams would never work this hard for a class.

Life will break these tykes down anyways; why waste any more effort than required?

The resolute faculty member ponders this as he makes his way back to Rise and Noel. He already finished teleporting a dazed Leos in the same room as Ophelia, Oliviera and Dome. There was only one thing bothering this man right now, though…

Should he check the memories of his two students? The troublemakers? He refers to them as such because ever since they met one another in the morning, they just fight non-stop. It wasn’t necessary to do so now, but since Mr. Abrams already vowed to check the memories of every student, then why not finish what he started?

Going back the way he came – or SHOULD have come had he not instantly teleported to Leos’s front door. And throughout the way back, he mulls over everything that he learned by reading the cynical, prepubescent, black-haired teen’s mind.

Only after reaching the final hall, does this man start to wonder if it is truly wise to sneak a glance in the next particular child’s memory. The biggest oddball by far is obviously his devious shortie of a student, And he also happens to be Class 3 – C’s largest threat. Going about this predicament logically, he feels his most questionable pair deserve the most attention. Elijah and Ophelia have largely been investigated by now, thanks in no small part to Principal Leyman.

But there’s far too much that Mr. Abrams is aware of in regards to the ‘Malieranos’ for him to be complacent with an excuse like Noel ‘running away from the nest’, as the principal put it. In fact, he especially worried about Rise. After all, that boy most likely came from a place eerily similar in nature to some of the ancient ‘families’: Villain Haven. Why does he think that way?

1) The boy claims to have been trained under extreme methods by his “neighbors and family.” The only people pushing their very own kin so far are doing so in the dark, away from prying eyes. And they must be doing one hell of a job hiding it too. Why? Because Herotopia doesn’t allow mistreatment or abusive actions. And an entire neighborhood over – training their kids would obviously get caught. In his mind, at least. Therefore; Rise must have come from a different land, and simply lied in his documents. Not uncommon whatsoever, these days. Eventually they get filtered out. They always do.

2) He’s quick to act out in violence and fairly easy to irritate. Sure, there are many with bad tempers, but those who are easy to swing rather than socialize are usually going down a dangerous road. At the very least, they are far more common in Villain Haven then Herotopia by a long shot.

3) This is the main issue that tipped him off to Rise’s true identity.

...other than Rise openly admitting it to Noel back inside the stadium lobby, that is.

While fighting Four…

From what little Mr. Abrams has seen, Rise was actually enjoying the act of tearing into his opponent. It was almost as if he found it fun to treat his dominated prey like sport. His glee infused with contempt radiated off his bestial lips back then. It was horrendous to watch, in a child barely old enough to experience puberty.

…

Well, either way. Mr. Abrams was well equipped to ‘reform’ him.

*Creeeak!*

Mr. Abrams: “I see the barrier has been removed. Are the surgeries comple-”

Ms. Daisy: “Don’t be silly! Are you out of your mind? I just got here!”

Mr. Abrams: “(I keep forgetting. This power of mine allows me to experience life through another individual’s eyes – but it doesn’t do so in real time. 5 hours worth of memory checking for them has only been a of couple seconds to minutes each. reliable for information gathering, yes. For actually memorizing things that escape my awareness? Not quite so.)

Where exactly is Aero- I mean Mr. Onareilam?”

Ms. Daisy: “Hmph! You ask annoying questions the first step you take inside here. Who cares where that weirdo went?!”

Mr. Abrams: “...What did he do…?”

Georgia: “He ran right by her after saying something about the lab experiment’s blood curse being sealed. She was trying to act friendly with him too. Most likely, she got offended because she was making an effort to be ‘nice’ with this fresh gym instructor that might not feel included at our high school yet, but instead, he nonchalantly zooms past her. He acted like he didn’t have a care in the world about leaving her hand outstretched or her greeting un-returned.”

Mr. Abrams: “Umm, he acts like that sometimes. Just ignore the fool and focus on healing the kids, please.

.

.

.

Oh, and Four too.”

Ms. Daisy: “What in the heck do you think I’m doin’? Of COURSE I’m going to ignore him! He probably ain’t worth the stress. Anyways, did you finish checking up on Leos? How’d it go?”

Mr. Abrams: “Haaaaah. This whole ‘teaching seriously’ bit is a tad frustrating. I’m not used to having a class full of...What’s the word…?”

Wuce: “Emotionally damaged individuals who direly need help?”

Ava: “Problem children?”

Winney: “Children that actually don’t care about your fame? I remembered a bit about you from the assembly. Heehee~”

Mr. Abrams: “...Yes... AND NO. Hoooh, I had a slight disagreement with him before coming here. Apparently he and another student of mine don’t like each other already. They fought before the attack, and he wanted me to ‘choose’ a side of sorts. I couldn’t live up to his expectations. When I think about having students like him, Elijah and Ophelia; I become worried about my precious future(specifically my soon to be lack of sleep!)”

Ms. Daisy: “Did you choose a side?”

Mr. Abrams: “What– of course not. Such a thing would only brood more hatred, negativity and chaos.”

Ms. Daisy: “*Nods* Mhm. Good. So long as you understand this simple fact, then you’ve got nothin’ to worry about, dear.”

Georgia: “Although some might accuse you of being wishy-washy instead. As a teacher, it’s probably for the best that you not push them aside. Maybe try talkin’ to them both?”

Mr. Abrams: “Haah. Well, for now; I plan on learning a bit more about them, through this recent attack. Hopefully my ‘clue hunting’ can also help me in understanding these kids. I’m starting the process on this one *Points at Noel*. Nobody interrupt me. I don’t know how long this kid’s process is going to take. Especially since he has been exposed to the mercenary leader for the longest time.”

Ava: “Can I ask how a child such as this came into such a predicament? Furthermore, how exactly is he alive?”

Mr. Abrams: “You may not.”

Ava: “...Okay then.”

Mr. Abrams: “Mainly because I don’t know myself. I only came in time to stop Rise’s – that child with the poison originating from his wounded neck slit – head from being lopped off. Had I been aware that it was a poisoned blade, I’d never have crushed it. Haah.”

Ava: “...(If you stopped the blade, then, doesn’t that mean you came into contact with the other mercenaries? How can you not know where he is? Hmm. Unless THIS fellow here, the human ragdoll, wounded them. I’m curious … But I won’t dare ask. This man...in more ways than 1, he is not normal. And I’d rather not get involved with him.)”

Georgia: “A proper magic technique that automatically extracts a poisonous substance and transforms it into an instant antidote. Surely that sort of incredibly useful spell exists?!”

Mr. Abrams: “...Yes. Surely it does.

...It does exist, actually. And it’s ‘incredibly useful’ on non-magical poisons. Meaning poisons created by magic or protected by magic are immune to it. I’ll have to research whether there’s a magic-related variation to it very soon. That way, this sort of tragedy never happens again to my students.”

Wuce: “To take up a mission about targeting children… How sick can these mercenaries get? Furthermore…where did the villains even go? Did you stop them, Mr. Houdini?”

Mr. Abrams: “Security is searching for them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m beginning my memory search. (I’ve decided. I’m far too curious to let it go now. Far too curious NOT to take a small peek inside of this boy’s past – too see just how much damage that greedy family has done to him, and exactly how much I have to cure!)”

His pupils shone brightly as he pried open Noel’s own. With a swift motion, his projected image was guided into the child’s mind – or rather the consciousness residing deep within his own soul. Guided by his intent alone; he was fully prepared to fend off some sneaky Malierano-style protection like those foul curses that marked his soul, sealed his body and protected his DNA from those with foolishly curious eyes.

.

.

.

What he did NOT expect, was what he saw next.

Mysterious Fragment: “Hmmm. Good. VERY good, actually.

…

…But not good enough. You’re not ready to converse with me, child. Disappear for now. Go. Train hard, and come back when you’ve grown stronger.”

---