Class Incognito

Den of the Wolves (1)

5 years have passed since I took up the name Marc Callahan Noan. And to my surprise, I can't remember who I was before. Granted the nightmares still occured, but not as much as it was before.

Now, I was 13 years old. As such, it was high time for me to head to one of the 5 academies of Deus Alma. It was mandatory but... I tried my best to stay calm.

"Big red! You ready yet? Elios is having another meltdown." Conner called out from my door. He and his brothers are now 12 years old this year, his teal eyes looked was the only thing that made him harmless. Now he sports a gray buzz cut suited him, since he will attend the security force just like he wanted. He awakened his ability of destabalization, in other words, he can disrupt other people's abilities. He's done that once on me, and I could tell he'll be one scary security cadet.

"Coming!" I called in reply and took a look at myself in the mirror. I've gotten over my autophobia and onomatophobia after accepting my new name. It was a brutal process, but overtime, while always talking with the kids in the orphanage, talking emotions with Keith, academic study sessions with Elios, and getting floored by Conner in fighting and martial arts. I recovered a lot. It was still there, in the back of my mind, but not as strong as before.

Now, I was feeling a bit confident seeing myself in the mirror, I sport a short pixie cut on my black hair, my red eyes were hidden behind black frame glasses like rubies on display, my cheek now bears a scar that runs down my chin. A reminder that Conner can and will beat me up if I don't take exercising seriously. Oh the scolding we got from mom when she saw us bloody and full of cuts.

"I said train to keep yourselves healthy not train to kill yourselves!" She said that time while lightly smacking us.

"And the sleeper finally awakens!" Conner grabs me by the neck, he was the tallest among all of us and we all had to deal with it.

"Conner... Let him go he can't breathe." Keith sighs and made him relax. His empathic powers were capable of doing that now.

Keith has grown out of his shy shell and is more outgoing, but still prefers to stand on the sidelines. His braided gray hair was so soft it made all of us, even mom jealous, his yellow eyes were brighter and sharper, like a chrysanthemum under the sunlight. Aside from his new foud power of transmission of emotions, he and I created a mental and emotional link with the four of us, to let us know how each other feels and to communicate with our minds. But it also meant hearing Conner talk 24/7.

'We should add a mute feature next time?' I transmitted to Keith one time.

'Yeah... Now I can hear the incessant voices even on my sleep.'

It was wholely spacious and warm in the Noan Orphanage. We house more than a hundred kids, all ranging from a delicate age of 3 to a hardened age of 9. As the oldest, I was responsible in the security of the whole place along with Conner and Elios. Mostly just me and Elios since Conner is busy playing with the rowdier kids. Elios and I take turns in giving the kids basic education.

Elios has grown up into a fine young man, aside from medium puffy gray hair, his red eyes became sharper and gives a distinct vermilion hue, he stands a bit taller than me, which made me question the God of Heights. The only issue I have with Elios is... His nagging nature.

"Marc, you're slacking off in training again."

"Marc you need to be more firm with the kids, don't be too lenient."

It was endearing, but he should keep it down a notch. But he still looks out for me and I for him.

Though everytime I interact with the three, I am reminded of Theodore and Lucy, I forgotten their faces but their gold hair and blue eyes were all I remember. And there's always that one time that I kept thinking a scenario where I really became their older brother.

"Big red... you okay? Did I grip you too hard?" Conner asked and it was my turn to put him in a headlock.

"Nah I'm fine!! Anyways, where's E?" I asked as Conner keeps tapping out.

Keith only pointed at Elios, who was pacing back and forth by the door. And we all sighed.

Another cute thing about Elios is... He is a worrywart when it comes to his grades. We kept telling him he's the smartest out of all of us, yet he doesn't believe it, and he keeps challenging me in both academics and sparring, which made me an easy target for Conner when it's his turn to wipe the floor with me.

"E... Calm down. I know the result is today, so you don't have to be too nervous." I let go of Conner and held Elios.

"What if the courier got lost? Or or... The letter was shredded accidentally. Marc I -"

"Keith, did you?" I turned to Keith and he only shook his head. Elios is beyond help from Keith's ability. Then we all hear the whistle of the courier, and all four of us bolted out the door. The courier was scared half to death because four kids were barrelling out like pitbulls. That's right, it was our acceptance letters.

Al four of us gathered by the table, and everyone was there, including mom and dad.

"Ready?" I asked and we all counted... 3, 2, 1.

We ripped open the letters and read them silently. When we finished reading, our silence was deafening.

"I got in..." Conner said as he sat down in disbelief. "I'm in Regis Dragonia... Guys?"

"Reus Fenix Institutes' Internim Apprentice..." Keith said in disbelief.

"Lupus Alma... Class 1-A. Big red?" Elios was shaking quietly.

Instead of telling them covertly, I showed it and read it aloud: "Lupus Alma. Class 1-B. I... I got in too..."

All the kids cheered, Mom and Dad were crying tears of joy and all four of us were in Cloud Nine. Then we explode in cheer with the rest of them. The whole manor was in full party mode and lasted until the dead of night, and for once Conner was in a lethargic state, he was shouting over and over "I'm going to Regis Dragonia!!" Until Dad and the other kids carried him to his room.

Keith was off his room, he was good at hiding his stress but he crashed and passed out easily. All that's left was me and Elios to take care of cleaning the aftermath of the party. Both of us have Telekinesis, but only I have the other branched out powers. Elios' telekinesis has a distinct red hue, mine was becoming a more clear sky blue. But the fact remains that Elios is still has better control.

"Congrats E." I said as we were taking a break outside, the night air was a bit chilly and we were drenched in sweat, so we only hvae a few minutes of talking.

"Congrats to you too Big red." Elios was smiling so widely it made me feel glad. "Still, it's a shame we couldn't be classmates."

"No worries, plus. I'm not that smart remember? Just come to me and Big brother will give you some neat insights you missed." I said while grabbing him by the neck and he playfully pushes me.

"You stink, get off. And that's no what I meant. You and I are on the same level in terms of academics, so why weren't you in Class A?"

Truth be told, I wanted to live where the spotlight isn't focused on me. So I told the interviewers that I want to be a Scholar for Class 1-B, and knowing the fact that all influential people will be there in that class didn't help at all. So no thanks. But that isn't any info I am willing to share to Elios.

"Don't worry, we still have the link to keep us company right? Just signal out if you need help." I said.

"Thanks for being my brother." Elios said quietly. He make look cold and apathetic and blunt, but he is as fragile as any kid could be.

"No worries. Besides, even if I'm not here, you can keep everyone in their toes. Well, that is after you finally lose all your hair because of Conner." I joked.

The first time I joke with them was during dinner one time, the shocked look on their faces was enough to keep me laughing. And they said it was a good change for me. Before, I wanted to be engrossed in books and tried really hard, but now... I am still fairly smart but, I wasn't trying too hard, I mean sure I'm studious, but I can be a bit of a slacker too.

"Hey, we should get inside, Mom will have our necks if she finds out we were enjoying the night wind while sweating like crazy men." I suggested and he just laughs.

Three months later, we all gathered outside the orphanage, all the kids were crying because they won't be seeing us for at least 5 years.

"Keith, don't be too nervous. You got this." Mom assured Keith and kissed his forehead, the kids who were taken care off by hugged him.

"Conner, my boy. Don't be too energetic and try to follow your commanding officer." Dad said.

"As for my two scholars... Take care of each other." Mom hugged us.

"Elios, keep an eye out for Marc. Don't let him play cards." Dad said.

"Dad?! I told you I only play for fun!" I pouted and they laughed.

"Or anything that involves gambling." Conner snickered and I smakcked him.

"I will Dad." Elios passively said.

"And Marc, make sure Elios is eating well. You know how overworking he can be." Mom reminded me and I nodded.

"I promise. Even if I have to shove it down his throat." I said and he and I laughed.

The first bus to arrive was from Lupus Alma, Elios and I looked at each other and we smiled back at everyone.

"Well this is it." Elios said as he hauled his suitcase.

"Yeah... Wish us luck?" I asked everyone.

"Nope." Conner said with a huge grin.

"Shant." Keith said in a passive face.

"These brats..." Elios fumed but I held him back and pulled him towards the bus.

The bus was bound for Clandesca, the Land of Advancement. Note worthy for its futuristic desgins and architecture. Another thing to note, is that Clandesca is under the sole jurisdiction of the School itself. The staff there are all professionals and not everyone can afford to be inside the school.

Elios and I got lucky with our scholarships as the Noan Orphanage's prestige, so we have to work hard in order to stay. And there it was, outside our window, at the center of the city, with the dire wolf proudly at its center. Lupus Alma Academy, my new home for the next 5 years of my life.