Anna’s superpower

"A terrible forest fire took several lives today in Xishuangbanna forest in Tiannan. Experts say, it is likely man-made, but nobody has come forward with any information. Finding the culprit will be difficult.

In entertainment news, a woman tried to impersonate the famous poet, comedian, host and mathematician Zhang Ye today. A woman on the streets of Beijing claimed to be the industry's beloved hooligan but was laughed at. She cited an original poem about people unable to see the truth and promptly left. We are still waiting for Zhang Ye's reaction."

…

When Michael entered the room, Anna was already awake. She was reading a book on applied microbiology like nothing happened.

"Hi!" a sweet smile illuminated her face when she noticed Michael, a full minute after he sat on the chair next to her.

"How do you feel?"

"Extremely weird. Like I'm full of something. Like I ate too much and can't digest it."

"No more hallucinations? Have you spoken to the doctor?"

It was eight in the morning, less than an hour before the classes started. There was a chance the girl had woken up and stayed in bed, afraid to disturb anyone.

But she nodded, "He said I'm free to go. I'll have to take it easy the next two days, and it's best to skip classes, too."

"Good!" Michael's mood lightened, "Let me walk you to the dorms. Or do you want to stay here?"

"Turn around."

The youth turned his chair away, only to face Marie who was still sleeping.

"What's up with her?"

"They want to keep her longer," Anna said amidst the rustling of clothes. "She's the one who woke me up, shouting in the middle of the night about fire burning her. It's insane that both of us had hallucinations. The odds of that…"

'The odds are high like never before,' thought Michael and said, "If something weird happens to you again, make sure to call me. I'll help."

"Thanks. I'm done. Mm, I thought you'd leave the room when I asked you to turn around."

Michael looked at the shy girl and teased, "Why? It's not like you were naked, just some underwear. I looked away, isn't that enough?"

"Shameless!" Anna turned up her nose at her friend, her cheeks turning rosy and betraying her indignant pose.

They left the infirmary together and walked out of the school grounds. Initially, the residential buildings where the students stayed on the weekends and their families lived, did not belong to the school complex. The reason for that being, some rich children had armies of butlers and maids, and preferred to stay there all year round. Investigating those butlers to make sure they weren't spies or threatened the school would take weeks. Keeping them off the grounds was the safe choice.

However, after a coordinated mercenary attack and several cases of students and their family members being accosted on their way home, Graves decided to build a restricted residential area for the families. It would be separate from the school, but well-guarded and with a direct access to the grounds.

For the time being, everybody still had to stay where they were. Anna wanted to go home instead of being alone in the dorms.

"How is your research? Are the old folks treating you well?" Michael inquired.

"He-he, teacher is the team leader, and I'm the mascot, but I feel like everyone likes me more!"

"It's because you're so adorable."

"Mm. Oh, and I think we made a major breakthrough right before I… distracted them. We've managed to target the tumor in isolation. Auntie Wu said it's the first step."

"A big one," nodded Michael. Internally, he was shocked with Old Zhao's progress. The groundwork was complete, so it was time for him to seek out Buddy Earl. The man whose fame skyrocketed when he used steps one and two to create the complete cancer medication. He was also known as the world's greatest philanthropist, posting the medicine's formula and research steps online.

Business-wise, he was an idiot, and in the end, the drug slipped away from his hands. Other companies made billions, and Buddy remained a one-hit wonder.

In this world, he was still in his twenties, working in a think tank in California. Michael would need to spend a little money to poach him and invite him to Switzerland.

The friends chatted while they walked, and Michael left for school as soon as Anna locked her door.

She lay down on the bed and made a list of things she needed to do. There was plenty of time to do homework, so it could be postponed. Call teacher Zhao and ask for a two-day leave, water the plants, cook something. She learned cooking from Michael, a dozen of simple but hearty recipes.

On second thought, she would follow his example and eat some fruit. They were at least more pleasant than vegetables.

With a pear in hand, Anna filled a small watering can and poured a bit on the plants. She had chosen young sprouts of the modest kind, ones that didn't need water often. This way, even though she rarely came home, they wouldn't die.

One small plant had three tiny emerald leaves. They looked so cute that Anna couldn't help caressing them. Her fingers pleasantly tingled when she rubbed the tiny leaves.

She went to refill the watering can. Chewing on a pear, she continued revitalizing the soil in the pots. Strange warmth spread through her heart, as if she felt the plants reaching out with gratitude.

Anna almost choked on a piece of fruit. She coughed and took a moment to catch that feeling again. It wasn't the herbs that made her happy, but the fullness inside her diminished a little. She looked at her favorite plant with concern.

Huh?

How could a fourth leaf sprout in minutes?

Anna rubbed it again, and the tingling returned. She pushed a little, exerting an effort, and another leaf appeared right before her eyes. Not only that, but the plant grew by an inch in height and noticeably thickened.

The girl chewed on her fruit in contemplation. Half a year ago, she would have freaked out, but many strange things happened since then. Her mother's sickness came as a shock, and then the Chaos comet, Michael's strange abilities…

Michael!

"If something weird happens to you again, make sure to call me. I'll help." Didn't he say it just earlier today?

Did he know this would happen?

The girl's faith in God left her open to miracles, at least more open than most. And over the last four months, she came to terms with the fact that her friend had special powers.

Anna sent him a text and called her mentor to ask for two days off.

At the same time, Michael stood up with a jerk, "I don't feel well. May I be excused?"

Mr. Hwan, the school's resident strongman and physicist waved his hand towards the door. If anyone had a free pass, it would be his star student who never made mistakes in class.

"Thanks, Mr. Hwan!" Michael gathered his books and darted out of the classroom. He rushed through the empty halls with unnatural speed, not inferior to professional athlete runners. Anna's SMS was fresh on his mind, forever etched in his memory like any other piece of information he came across.

It said, "I just made a plant grow by an inch. Drop by if you're free."

He was ashamed at the girl's calm tone. He had freaked out the day before, worried about the distant future. She, on the other hand, kept her cool after discovering she had a superpower. If only he was more like her, there'd be no need for Control over Emotions being used every hour.

He covered the distance in five minutes instead of fifteen and normalized his breathing. Anna answered the door, surprised at his speed, and let him inside.

"What happened? Describe everything in detail!" he demanded, worried about her well-being.

"All right. Here, come with me."

The Russian girl led him to the windowsill with unhurried steps and pointed at a plant. It was about four inches tall, with five soft, fluffy leaves. "Now, watch."

She touched the plant, called on the fullness within her and pushed.

"What do you see?" interrupted Michael.

"Wait, it'll grow soon. Give it a second."

That told the cultivator what he wanted to know. Anna couldn't see her own energy field emitting green light, basking the sprout with it. But he could, and the sight was mesmerizing.

The plant took in the light and was invigorated by it. Like a child learning to walk and speak in a day, it reached for the sun and grew, thriving on the energy.

'Glory, what is this light produced by Anna's energy field called?' he took the opportunity to glean more information. When he came by it himself, the program rarely refused.

"Qi."

'Qi! Nervous system provides Mental Power, body conceives Life Force, and what originates from the energy fields is called Qi!'

"How is it?" asked Anna. The plant was now taller by two inches and grew more leaves. Calling it a sprout now didn't feel right.

"Amazing."

"Right? Am I a wizard like you? Can we help my mom together?" she asked, hope thick in her voice.

Michael's face went slack.

"What?!!"

.