The presentation began with an introduction. The lady in front of us was one of the directors of the institution, the institution is a government funded secret department that keeps the nation’s peace. There have been rare people who have been manifesting special abilities. In this nation, our nation, it was the six of us, but there are cases in other nations who have also found those with special ability manifestations. 

We were gathered because the government believes other nations might use those with special abilities to disturb our peaceful nation. We will be the only ones who stand between peace and an outbreak of war. In order to ready us we will be going through rigorous training based on our abilities to make them more powerful and refined. 

She explained the ranking system. We will be ranked one through six based on our week’s performance in training and academics. Rank one would go to the one who performed best and would be able to have a 30-minute visit with their family, one dessert of their choice, and an extra private training lesson. Rank two would get the dessert and training lesson and rank three would get the training lesson. Ranks four through six would get no special treatment. This system was to encourage us to be the best. We only get a few meal options every day, and it was never anything special, so a dessert would be a blessing. I assume all of us have a sweet tooth. 

The rules were explained to us as well. After seven years of training, we will begin going on partner or group missions. We are to travel in groups in case the mission goes south, we can help each other. After three more years of training, we will be put on individual missions, and one year later we will be put through a test that will determine our future referred to as the Final Testament. We will also spar with each other as a part of our training that will go towards our weekly ranking. Through every mission, training event, and the stay at the institution, we are not allowed to question orders. The head of the institution knows what’s best for the nation and was selected for her position for a reason. 

There were other things in the presentation like an introduction to all our abilities, except Aurora, and life in the institution was to be conducted. We had to follow a strict schedule created by the directors and approved by the head of the institution. Since all of our abilities were told in the presentation except Aurora’s, the audacious Ambrose asked, “What is Aurora’s ability?”

The director paused and looked stunned, as if she was not expecting that question or wasn’t aware herself.

Ambrose ignored her obvious reaction and continued, “Well, all of our abilities are in the presentation. What about hers?”

The director composed herself and told us, “That is on a need-to-know bases. The head of the institute and her ability trainer knows and that is what is most important.”

Given her response, it was clear no one knew, not even her. Which made me all the more curious… Think! What could possibly be so astonishing only those two could know? Or maybe she didn’t have a special ability at all and was just there to compare with normal kids. I’d feel bad for her, never even having the hope to rank as number one.

The presentation continued. It was extremely long and boring and by the end of it, it was already lunch time. Everyone was sick of sitting in those awful, plastic chairs for so long. We were all glad to finally stand up and go to the cafeteria. Ambrose was the quickest one to the cafeteria. I’m sure he had the worst time having to sit still and not talk. I slightly smiled at how hard it must have been for him to go so long without hearing his own voice. 

I waited in the hall for Aurora to come out, but of course Ombra was cowering behind her as the last one out. What does she even have to be afraid of? She has the ability to go in shadows. Why does she need to hide behind Aurora instead of just disappearing?

I think Aurora saw the annoyed look on my face because she broke the silence, “Wow, that presentation had a lot of information. I think I almost got lost taking it all in.”

“Yeah, I’m just happy we finally get a break and have the afternoon free,” I replied. 

“Y-yeah. It will be nice a-after that,” Ombra got out. I’m surprised she even spoke. Even if she is clingy and a bother, maybe I should try to be nice. At least she’s talking to me and she doesn’t seem too interested in talking to anyone other than Aurora.

We all eat lunch together and try to get to know each other. 

I find out that Morgan’s mom actually works for the institution. She is one of the scientists that created the security system to keep the peace from getting disturbed by “inner turmoil”. She described as a system that helps bad people from doing the bad things they want. Like the group called Insurgence. They are a group of rebellious criminals who disapprove of the institution. People say they want to bring war to our lands and hate that the institution will not allow that to happen. With this new system more and more members of the Insurgence have been captured and punished. I wonder if we will also help bring those people to justice.

Colbee was raised by a rich family, so when his special ability manifested, they hired someone to help him. It is pretty obvious his parents did not care for him after his ability. He said before his ability manifested their friends called them doting parents. Probably why he was a little surprised and embarrassed by Aurora’s compliment. He must have grown up thinking he ruined his parent’s lives. 

Ambrose bragged about how he was so popular, and his parents loved him because he was the child with the best looks. It seems his parents were as vain as he is. He talked for awhile but it was just basically repeating how handsome and cool he was. As if. 

Ombra did not say much, but she did say she grew up in the same village as Aurora. I guess that’s why she is so comfortable being bothersome to her. Apparently, her parents tried to help Aurora and her sister as much as they could, but it was a poor village they grew up in. It was the kind of lowly villages you hear about in other nations, not ours.

Aurora told us about her sister who was incredibly kind and the only family she had. Her sister was ten years older than her and had been working for as long as she could remember to support her. She read a lot of books and became someone the villagers relied on for little medical issues that weren’t necessarily bad enough to find and pay for a doctor visit. Aurora probably got her patience and kindness from growing up with her sister. It was blaringly obvious she didn’t have parents, and not even Ambrose could bare to bring it up. 

To lighten the mood from some of our tragic backstories, Aurora asked, “How do you think the institution was able to find us?”

Morgan was quick to answer, “When my ability appeared, my mom brought me into the institution thinking I was seriously ill. I used to have black hair and dark brown eyes, so she was terribly confused. After I was brought in, they learned about my special ability. They started to investigate other rumors of children whose appearances had changed. It was hard to tell which were real or just people seeking attention. And now we’re all here.”

“Your mom must have been really worried. I’m glad that you were not sick!” Aurora said.

“Me too. Now, I’ve gotten to meet all of you.” Morgan smiled. Aurora really does have a way of making everyone feel comfortable. 

“Yeah. Other than my siblings, people were intimidated by my remarkable ability. I think they were jealous,” I added.

“I feel better with others like me around,” Colbee said. I can tell he really meant it too.

Ombra of course just nodded and did not say anything. 

And Ambrose, in all of his smugness, lazily replied, “I guess I’ll be your guys’ friend even though I have plenty at home.”

We ate dinner and then went into the common room and played games. Before we knew it, it was already time to get ready for bed. “Please return to your rooms and wash up before lights out.” A robotic voice said through the common room speaker. 

We all went to our rooms and did as instructed. I don’t know about the others, but I was excited to start our training tomorrow. We would get up at seven, eat breakfast, go to academic classes in the morning, eat lunch, and train all afternoon. I can’t wait to get stronger! I just feel bad for everyone else. I’ll certainly get rank one… Oh! I wonder who I’ll spar with first. If it’s Aurora, maybe sparring with her will give me a clue on her ability! I begin to doze off imagining how amazed everyone will be.