Becoming the Recruit

I never really enjoyed school, but I knew it was something I had to do. That day, I was sweating a lot while stuck in detention next to Kirk, who just made the whole situation even more uncomfortable. Detention was definitely not the spot for chit-chat, especially with the strict teacher keeping a close eye on us. No one even thought about acting up.

Watching the clock on the wall, I eagerly waited for the moment I could escape this dull room. Today felt like it was going to be a bit unusual, like the universe was finally cutting me some slack.

At last, the bell for detention rang, letting us know our punishment was over. I quickly grabbed my backpack and headed towards the exit without delay. I didn't plan on hanging around to have a casual chat with the other detainees.

I decided to take a detour on my way back, steering clear of the regular haunts of the neighborhood troublemakers. The last thing I wanted was to end up in another argument with them. Today, I was hoping for a smooth day, just like any other regular day.

As I got to my front door, I pressed the doorbell, looking forward to seeing my mom's welcoming smile. It was kind of funny how she was always the one to open the door for me, even when I was feeling really nervous. Today had a unique vibe. I had this weird sense of calm, like things were going to turn out fine in the end. Perhaps, there's a chance that all the odd happenings surrounding my uncle might finally stop.

After a while, I finally felt at peace and ready to get back to my usual routine. Once I got out of my school outfit, I went downstairs to hang out with my little brother, Greg. That's just the way it was meant to be, you know?

As I was getting comfortable with my daily routine, I suddenly heard footsteps nearing the front door. I never thought of my mother as someone who would wear heels that clicked rhythmically. She ditched high heels a while back in favor of comfy sneakers. When the door swung open, I needed a moment to take in what I saw. It was that guy again, the one who keeps popping up in my life.

My Uncle Bruce just appeared in our living room, and I couldn't help but let out a shriek. "Hey, Connor," he said to me with an eerie sense of ease, like he belonged here as if it was the most ordinary thing ever. I asked right away where my mom was, but Uncle Bruce insisted I shouldn't ask more questions.

With a sigh, I sat down as Uncle Bruce motioned for me to take a seat. 

How did he manage to get into our house? 

Did my mom happen to give him an extra key or something? 

I had a bunch of things on my mind, but I wasn't sure if I should bring them up.

"Hey, do you want anything to eat or drink?" "I offered," I said, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence that lingered in the room. He didn't seem bothered by my weak efforts at being polite but still went along with it. "Water is good for me," he said casually, adding a few more words.

I just had to ask more questions. "No Gatorade or anything, just water?" I inquired, hoping to fulfill my duties as a gracious host. He totally caught me off guard with his reaction, turning his head and seeming way more open to what I was saying than earlier. "Gatorade would be great," he added before returning his attention to the piano in the corner of the room.

I strolled into the kitchen and casually opened the fridge to grab a Gatorade from the pack. "So, what flavor are we talking about here?" I shouted for his attention.

"It's up to you," Uncle Bruce replied, his voice softening as he laid his head down, closing his eyes. His reaction caught me off guard, and I found myself pondering if it was related to his profession. I grabbed an orange Gatorade and took it over to him, barely holding back a laugh at the idea of a spy needing a drink.

"So, I'm guessing you're a piano player, right? Sorry to interrupt your train of thought," Bruce said. I hesitated for a moment before closing the fridge, then gave a small nod. "I used to, but not anymore," I confessed. Uncle Bruce gave a little nod, looking genuinely interested in what I was saying. "So, how skilled were you before you decided to stop?" he asked casually, wanting to hear more details.

I pondered his question for a moment. "Well, I could play a simplified version of Mozart," I began. "But then I decided to learn some jazz."

"So, jazz, huh? Got any more thoughts on that?" Bruce said with a touch of curiosity in his tone.

It was kind of weird how this chat got going, but hey, it's better than holding everything in, right? "Oh, for sure, I'd say I was handling it quite nicely," I went on. "I've always had a bit of a struggle with throwing in the towel."

Uncle Bruce looked at me intently and said in a soft voice, "Take a seat, please." Sure, I did what he asked, even though I was a little uneasy about it.

Shifting slightly, he moved his right leg back down to the floor. "You've seen some stuff you weren't meant to, huh?" "So," he inquired, his voice soft yet inquisitive. With a slight nod, I realized I had come across something that was way over my head.

"Hey, there's quite a bit I gotta fill you in on," he said, adjusting how he was sitting again. "Hey, could you do me a favor and close the drapes real quick?"

I was so curious and excited as I swiftly did what he asked. It looked like we were finally getting closer to finding some answers.

"So, like, what went down last night, and maybe the night before, had to do with the TSA," Uncle Bruce started.

"Hey, what's up with TSA?" I inquired, feeling confused by the unfamiliar acronym.

"The Teenage Spy Agency," he made clear with a casual tone. "Although I was dealing with the eighteen-year-olds. They're a formidable group. You see, I am the CEO of our field agency, the Youth Mage Protocol Academy. We handle all sorts of mysterious occurrences that most people are unaware of. If these events were to be revealed, it would cause a lot of confusion and disorder.

"Chaos?" I found myself trying hard to understand the idea.

"There would be an illusion of law and order," he explained. "However, deep down, conflict would inevitably arise. The main goal of the TSA is to establish control over the most influential countries globally, allowing them to influence the less powerful ones."

"But they're spies, right? Why on earth would they try to conquer a whole country without anyone knowing about it?" I inquired, feeling increasingly puzzled.

Uncle Bruce let out a chuckle, his laughter growing louder, which left me feeling more doubtful. "You probably don't even realize the extent of our abilities, do you?" He asked with a clear sense of amusement.

He sat back, fixing his tie while looking straight at me with an intense stare. "We've got all sorts of magical skills - cloning, fire bending, water control, ice powers, lightning generation, mind control, wind manipulation, manifestation, and even body swapping."

"Body transference?" I hesitated, feeling disgusted by the idea.

"Sometimes, it can actually come in handy," he said casually, adding a few more words. "Yeah, it's got its perks, but man, it can also be seriously risky."

"Hey, what brings you here today?" I inquired, my thoughts moving quickly. If my mom had given him a spare key for grocery runs, she would have been back by now. She always zipped through shopping trips.

"You've stumbled upon some sensitive information, and it would be wise for you to come on board with us," Uncle Bruce responded casually.

I couldn't believe it. Spy? Me? And not just any spy, but a mage with supernatural powers?

"How am I supposed to become a wizard when I'm just an ordinary person?" I inquired, still attempting to make sense of everything.

"You're no ordinary person," Uncle Bruce said with conviction, adding more to his statement. "Remember when your arms seemed to glow with red veins? So, when you landed that punch, did the guy go flying and knock himself out? That's like your superpower, and you gotta figure out how to handle it. With your abilities, you could help us take down the TSA."

Glancing at my reflection, a grin slowly appeared on my lips. Me, a spy mage, using my powers to protect my home and loved ones? It was such a thrilling idea.

"Sure, count me in!" I couldn't help but burst out with joy. "Sure, I'd love to assist with that."

"Great, because I would've had to get rid of you if you said no," Uncle Bruce mentioned with a mischievous smile, leaving me puzzled yet excited about what was to come.