1 Operation Start

'If I'm being completely honest, I'm a bit nervous about my first day at social school. New people, new powers to learn, and having to worry about being singled out for my own.'

Miya sat alone in her bed, gathering her thoughts so that she could start her morning. Little movement came from her, only slight tosses and turns, but that's typical of someone that's nearly bored to death.

Clan Logicus, nicknamed the sleep clan, is the badge representative of all of her family and is known for its distinct bodily features. Pupil-less, iris-less light blue eyes and light blue hair that contributes to the individual's power. The more hair, the more power being dealt out, and when one's eyes are open one gains the ability to put someone to sleep with a single touch. Since an incident seven years past, she is the only surviving Sleep clan member, the last remaining proof of their legacy.

The Sleep Clan was known throughout Metam for it's noble practices and styles, much of which was mirrored by their closest ally, the Miura Family, a family that, on a shared settlement, solidified the might of Hinansho City using their Spiritual Abilities.

As Miya lie in bed, a woman's voice came from down the stairs of her home, filling her entire room. Her voice rattled Miya a bit, still half asleep.

"Miya! Get ready for school, already! You're going to be late on your first day!"

Miya's comforter flew across the room, propelled by her arm.

"OK, Miss Boudreaux!"

She fumbled out of the bed.

She dashed to the closet, grabbed the only formal uniform she could find, and jumped down the stairs; only god knows how she stuck that landing. Miss Boudreaux, a dark skinned woman and Miya's caretaker, offered her some food, but she was already out of the door before even seeing the plate.

Her property had a large plot of land with flowers blooming around its stone walkway. A gate surrounded the house, a metal one with a stone foundation.

It was warm outside, and the air was filled with the usual mixture of voices as Miya began running down the street toward social school, her arms boosting her momentum.

{Hello Miss. Where are you headed to?}

A man's voice rang in her head, startling her as she ran through the crowd of people on the sidewalk. She stopped and scanned the area in hopes of finding where the voice could've come from, but it was impossible through the huge crowd of people.

He had a regal way of speaking, already getting her imagination running as to who this man was.

{Why do you close your eyes?}

"I have no need to open them. What is your name?"

She continued to walk in the direction of school. Her eyes continued to scan around her in search of the source, but it never came.

'He's using telepathy...'

As she walked through the crowds of people, her path was blocked by a man who was dressed in a formal suit, its surface holding a unique spiraling design, and he had tinted shades covering his eyes, invisible to her. He was a lean man with short black hair, and his posture was proper, yet Miya couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness around him.

'This guy's super shady. I should walk awa-'

His head leaned toward her, his mouth turning to a smile. As he spoke, he began walking beside Miya, his body angling toward her.

"I apologize for accosting you like this. My name is Fable. I couldn't help but be curious about you. It's not everyday that you see a woman with natural blue hair like your own. Where are you headed?"

"Eastward Social Academy or Eastern Social School..."

Miya squinted toward him, straining to see more of his face as the details were almost certainly intentionally hidden, and continued speaking, her suspicion seeping through her voice.

"... You asked me why I cover my eyes when I could be asking you the same question. Why do you cover your eyes with those shades?"

Fable plucked his shades upward, showing his regular, brown eyes.

"My eyes are sensitive, my dear. It isn't uncommon for a man to wear shades."

"Where are you going dressed so nice, sir? Surely you should be heading there soon."

"To work, of course. I'm only a volunteering assistant there, so I'm in no hurry."

He stopped talking for a while until he finally began again.

"What's your name?"

"Miya."

He paused again.

"I apologize for invading your privacy. I'll be on my way."

He stopped walking, but Miya felt like he wanted to say something else. She stopped with him, his mouth beginning to wave strangely from side-to-side, making her feel uncomfortable. She spoke nonetheless.

"It's alright. Is there anything else you wanted?"

She could tell he wasn't looking at her anymore but something Miya couldn't see as she followed his eyes.

"No."

His voice was shaking, and he turned around and raised his hand.

"B-Bye."

He walked away, mumbling to himself, and Miya walked the opposite direction. She couldn't help but think that his curiosity wasn't the only reason for his sudden approach, but she eventually shrugged the feeling off.

...

"Greetings, 1st years! My name is Lykus Krewe, the dean of this establishment."

Miya sat in the middle of the auditorium's seats, a man standing on stage as the packed auditorium's eyes lie on him. He seemed to appear out of thin air, and the crowd was caught by surprise, the room growing silent. The only sound that remained in the room was his speech.

"The young dreams people like you chase has led me to pursue the construction of this school for the empowered and has aided me in becoming the man you will know throughout your journey with our school."

Nobody could take their eyes off of him or, more specifically, his eyes. They were like red gems without a pupil or iris, and they were very mysterious, giving off an aura of their own. Everyone who saw them knew they held what all students in the room feared, absolute power.

"My faculty and I have selected an upperclassman for each of you starting today to aid with getting accustomed with your new home for a short period of a week. They will provide simple protection if you live outside of campus, and ensure you're ahead on your grades and so forth, but it's for a limited time, just to get the ball rolling."

A boy in the crowd raised his hand, his face riddled with bandages and his hair shaggy and messy.

"So we've gotta play babysitter, now, Krewe?"

The students giggled at him, but he seemed completely serious, relieving the tension in the room a bit, but Headmaster continued to speak directly, ignoring the rude interjection.

"You'll be playing a big role in their experience, so please be respectful of them and their responsibilities. This week we have planned a--"

He paused. The pause was long, uninterrupted not even by a cough or breath. He surveyed the room until he finally stopped with his gaze aimed at Miya. It unsettled her, and she felt as if he was staring through her skin. It lasted a few seconds, and the crowd's eyes began wandering, eventually landing their gaze upon Miya, as well. Krewe smiled as if he had seen one of his own children for the first time in years.

"Welcome to Eastward Social Academy... Miss Miya. I have a special upperclassman in mind for taking care of you throughout your stay at my school. Be sure to enjoy yourself and study hard."

Miya sat, baffled, as the eyes of students locked onto her, their intrigue peaking. She felt like an exhibit, some circus act as she shrunk into her seat, embarrassed.

'Why did he look at me like that?! He singled me out amongst the hundreds of people inside the auditorium!'

He smiled, his grin spanning from ear to ear before vanishing without a trace, leaving the room silent. After a while, students began leaving one by one until Miya was left there, sure she was alone, but as she continued to scan the auditorium, her eyes locked on the figure of a boy with a strange, black face mask, looking blankly toward the stage before him.

'He must be just as lost as I a--'

His head turned toward her in an instant, and within the same instant, he vanished without a trace.

"Hehehe..."

He let out a small laugh as he loomed over her, goggles covering his eyes and his pale hair dangling over her face. Miya's heart sank as he remained silent, his terrifying aura forcing her into her seat.