The trio then moved towards the building where the classrooms and laboratories in which the little group of students held their study sessions.

- Since it’s a little late it’s better to stay close to this building – said Sam to Chris – But, if you look right there, at the end of this building section, there is the section of the Institute in which they carry on studies and experiments with DunkelLicht energy. Is there were many weapons are developed as well. Then, next to it is that building, higher than the other sections: that’s the Special Defense Department.

- I see… I hear you go on missions, sometimes. Isn’t that dangerous? – asked Chris.

- Oh it is! – answered Erik – But it’s also really fun! Well, they let us go only in missions in which the danger is very low, for now.

- Soon we’ll start a special training camp, this summer, in which they will teach us how to fight properly – added Sam to the explanation – All of us are enthusiast to fight against the ‘bad guys’!

- That’s amazing! You must be all brave and strong! – said Chris with admiration in his eyes.

- You will be able too, don’t need to be like that! – encouraged Erik.

- Actually… - Chris stopped, looked down and then continued with less enthusiasm – Truth is that I’m not able to control my powers. Actually, for some weird reason they doesn’t manifest at all.

- Really? That’s odd, indeed – said Sam – Usually it happens the exact contrary: people affected by this phenomena cannot control the instable but surely manifestation of energy flowing through them. It was thanks to Heisen that we can now at least control the flow and manifestation of energy to a certain degree…

- If the energy doesn’t manifest in your case, how is that you know about the fact you possess it? – asked Erik, filled with curiosity.

- I… There were witnesses that reported the crash of a meteorite on my house. My parents died, but somehow I managed to survive. Until recently, it was impossible for us to read the signals of DunkelLicht energy, but now here at Heisen there are such instruments. Thanks to those, I’d found recently that, as suspected, my body has been affected by the energy radiations. Somehow it just…

Ding! Dong! Dong! Dong! Bells rang, marking the end of the break period for those working and studying at Heisen.

- Ehm… - Sam felt a little guilty to bring out such delicate matter – Sorry for bringing that out. Let’s just go to the classroom for now, ok?

- Sure, don’t worry about me – assured Chris.

- More or less everyone has in his past a story similar to yours, so I can assure you we understand pretty well – as he said those words, Erik lowered his head, his eyes hidden by his long bangs, his smile somehow less natural than before.

Without adding anything else, the three students returned to their classroom. When they arrived, everyone else was already in there, ready for another lesson of literature. Miss Normann welcomed Chris and invited him to introduce himself to the whole class, inviting then the other students to do the same afterwards. Everyone agreed since it would be a perfect chance to skip some minutes of a normal lesson.

- Ehm... My name is Chris Mühle, and it is a pleasure to meet you all.

- Good Chris! – said Ms. Normann with a bright smile – Now, you know already Sam and Erik, right? Then, in order, please introduce yourself to Chris – incited the teacher to the students.

Chris took his time to take a closer look to Ms. Normann: the young and beautiful teacher had brown hair, long until her shoulders, tied tidily in a ponytail; brown eyes that shined of a unique light, filled with motivation and enthusiasm; her white almost pale skin made her seem more fragile than she actually was; her stature that of any girl in her teens, making her even more ‘adorable’. That added to her gentle temperament and charming smile, made Chris fall in love with this teacher at first sight. “I’m so lucky to have such teacher!”, he thought. Then, his attention was drawn by the annoying voice of someone he already met that morning, taking him off from his daydream.

- Andrés Vasco is the name, but just call me Vas! Got it memorize? – was Vas introduction.

- Also known as the ‘lunch thief’ – added Ste, making the whole class laugh.

- Common, Stephan! Do your introduction properly! – said the teacher, trying to contain herself of laughing as well for the funny comment.

- Well, the name is Stephan Reinhardt, but you can call me Ste! – said this time the ‘strong guy’, as Chris called him for himself.

- Then I go next – said another student Chris didn’t met before – My name is David Von Lilie, but you can call me Dave!

Dave was a ‘big guy’, in terms of Chris. Like a good giant of some fairy tale, Dave had a big body, thick beard and wild hair, long until his shoulders. His smile and friendly eyes made him weird to Chris since the outfit of Dave was the typical metal head set: dark leather jacket, black shirt with a picture of some metal band, black pants with chains hanging at both sides, and the classical heavy boots. “His friendly face and his outfit doesn’t match at all! Another weirdo, then…” was Chris conclusion. Dave sat down, then the boy sitting at his left rose to make his presentation.

- I’m Richard Armburst, but Ricky is fine. Nice to meet you – said the student, then sat down.

With his long curly light brown hair, his pale skin and thin physique, he almost gave Chris the impression to be a girl, until hearing his name. He had the outfit of a classic punk: ragged shirt, ragged jeans and bracelets. He also had a lock hanging on his neck as a necklace, which mad Chris ask himself about the reason of such unusual accessory. “Every single person in here is somehow so characteristic… I’m starting to feel like inside some kind of comic book!”, was Chris’ consideration. The next student that rose to introduce himself has the tallest of them all, thick and messy beard, short brown hair, a pair of glasses and an easygoing expression was his profile.

- My name is Gabriel Baumann, nice to meet you, Chris! Oh, everyone here calls me ‘Monkey’, so you can as well if you wish!

“He seems actually ‘normal’, weird nickname aside”, Chris thought. “Perhaps I could get along with him”. Next to Gabriel, the next student stood up, slowly. He had a half smile and eyes half opened, as if he was sleeping until that moment. He had written ‘carefree’ all over his face. Short hair, a brown leather jacket and jeans completed his profile. Friendly, he introduced to Chris.

- My name is Jonathan Franz, nice to meet ya!

“He’s fine, I guess. Maybe… just a little lazy” Once again, Chris couldn’t help but criticizes. Finally, the last student stood up. Of the three rows of desks, he was the only one sitting in the first row. For that reason and the desk filled with notes and books, he deduced that maybe that last one was the only one taking school seriously. He had fair skin, pitch black hair and eyes like nobody else. He was clearly Asian.

- Hi there! I’m Okami, nice to meet you!

“Asians are known for their dedication to study. I think he’s my best option to adapt well at this school”, Chris thought.

Presentations concluded and lessons finally started. Chris, carrying out his plan to adapt well in his new class, sat down next to Okami, in order to have some help.