Abilities

After their work in the garden, Albert and the twins picked some ripen fruits and washed them in the kitchen. Vin and Ian had left Victoria's room just in time to eat the fruits. Victoria was weakened from her fever and drifted off to sleep while they were chatting.

"Have some fruits" Albert said to the two, placing the bowl of fruit salad on the table. On the side were forks for them to eat with.

""We picked them ourselves!"" The twins proudly announced.

"Thank you." Vin politely expressed before picking up a fork and munching on the fresh and juicy fruit with delight. Ian didn't speak but nodded instead, his eyes glistening as his mouth indulged in the delicacies.

"By the way, what're your abilities? I could guess from what the twins have been telling me but I think it'll be better if we all just shared." Albert suddenly suggested.

Iris put her hand up as if she was in class. "I can make different types of strings!"

She put her fingers together and pulled them apart to demonstrate. With her eyes glowing, wool started to appear from her parting finger tips. With her other hand, Iris did the same thing but instead of wool, what appeared was piano wire, sharp and thin. Eyes not glowing anymore, the threads fell from Iris' fingers and onto the table.

"It doesn't have a side effect on me personally but there is a limit on how much string I can make in a day. The limit has been increasing though." Iris explained joyfully.

"I can turn into different animals and I get really tired if I use it for too long." Atlas also put his hand up, his eyes glowing and body shrinking. The boy eventually turned so small that he could not fit his clothes, they fell on the chair into a pile as a little mouse squeaked around in them, trying to find an exit.

Iris chuckled and rescued her brother from his own clothes. "When he turns into an animal, he can understand what they're saying, it's very cool!"

Mouse Atlas was placed back on the chair where he undid his ability and turned back into a human. He was naked again and casually put his clothes back on without a hint of shame.

"I have telekinesis but it only works on metal objects." Vin announced, demonstrating by spinning his fork in mid air. "There doesn't seem to be a limit to how long I can use it, just depends on my mental state."

"..." Albert waited but Ian didn't seem to be willing to talk. He sat at the table in silence, head low as if ashamed.

"Ian's ability-" Vin started but was interrupted by the twins.

""Is Dreamtime!"" They exclaimed.

"When he tells people to sleep, they'll go to sleep."

"And when he tells them to wake up, they'll wake up."

"And the coolest thing is, he can choose what they dream!"

"But if he doesn't, they can choose themselves!"

"Hmm, that's a pretty cool skill." Albert mused. "You should be prouder of it."

Albert seemed to have gained a new habit as his arm automatically lifted and pat Ian, who was sitting beside him, 's head. Ian smiled bashfully at the praise and said nothing.

"What's your ability, Albert?" Vin asked curiously.

Albert smiled sheepishly. "I'm afraid my ability is not as cool as everyone else's. I can enhance the growth of plants. Nutrients, sunlight and water, etc is all compensated by my ability and it even improves the quality of the plant. I have to eat a lot to make up for energy loss from using my ability."

"That's why you ate so much." Atlas exclaimed in realisation.

"I was so surprised when you ate all the bread in one go." Iris echoed.

"I can eat seven servings in one sitting." Albert bragged.

""Wow""

"What is Victoria's ability?" Vin asked.

Albert thought back to when he asked Victoria that question. She turned to him with a perfect smile.

"Photographic memory." She stated. "That's all."

...That was a lie. Albert could sense her putting on a mask of falsehood and conceit. She was trying to sound nonchalant and casual but the slight tremble in her voice and the flawless smile that didn't match her usual style exposed her.

"...Her ability is remembering everything." Albert smiled and answered Vin. He didn't expose her that day. There was no point making her upset and needlessly guarded. Besides, Albert could tell that Victoria already knew that he saw through her. The two of them were just putting on a play, a facade for no one in particular's sake.

"How about...Mother and Father?" Iris questioned, her voice softening when the words, Mother and Father, left her mouth.

"Father's ability is to control all liquids. He becomes low on sugar as a result so he has to eat sugar tablets when he fights." Albert leaned in, prompting all the other kids to lean in closer. When they were close enough, he grinned and whispered. "This is a secret, well not really since it's just that Father doesn't know that we know. The thing is, Father has a massive sweet tooth. He is always eating lollies and chocolate. When someone asks, he'll say that he is recharging but actually, he just likes sweets."

Iris and Atlas both giggled. "And Mother? What about Mother?"

"She has super strength but she gets muscle pain after using it so she doesn't use it much." Albert leaned back and explained in a normal voice. "By the way, you guys are aware what kind of family this is right?"

They all nodded.

"Father told us the night we arrived here." Vin said.

"You sure you want this? You don't want a normal life?"

""This is a place that accepts us."" The twins spoke in unison.

"Besides, it was a path that we'd have walked on either way." Vin continued. It sounded precocious when said by a brat his age like he was trying to sound mature but he genuinely meant it. "No, we're already villains. Since that day."

"...Oh." Albert lifted his head and flashed a gentle smile. "You guys are such nice kids."

Perhaps they can fulfill Victoria's wish to create the best villain ever in his stead.

"We're home~!" The sound of the door unlocking and opening was followed by Joan's sweet voice. The children all glanced over at the entrance excitedly. Kin and Joan were walking in with Cain in tow, carrying an impossible amount of shopping.

"Welcome home, Mother, Father." Albert greeted with a smile.

"Welcome home!" The twins chimed.

"We bought you some new clothes today." Joan announced. "Come see if you like them."

The twin's eyes lit up at the sight of bag after bag piled up in the living room. They ran excitedly to the pile and opened them up like it was Christmas. Vin and Ian followed in subdued anticipation.

Left alone with Kin, Albert hesitantly opened his mouth to speak. "Father...do you think I'm weak?"

Kin glanced over at Albert and looked in directly in the eye. "Yes."

"I wish I was stronger."

"Why?" Kin asked. "You didn't used to care about this."

"If I was stronger, I could have protected Victoria."

"You did. You protected her, that's why she is safe."

"That wasn't protecting. That's called being a sandbag."

"..."

"Everyone else has strong abilities that can fight. I on the other hand can only grow plants. I can't even control them or make them grow really fast like in movies. I'm just a gardener, not a villain."

"...You can be stronger." Kin finally said.

"How?"

"Simple. Learn to fight. Be faster, stronger and craftier than your opponent. Don't give them the chance to use their ability. Then, you will prevail."

It was as if a blindfold was removed from his eyes. Albert felt as though he could see much clearer. There were so many possibilities. He could become stronger. He could became a villain that Victoria was proud of. For the first time since coming here, Albert felt a sense of purpose and something he wanted to do.