After the presentation is fully over, the hero students gather in front of the stage, forming a queue. A few teachers are gathered at the stage, such as Ms. Malina and Mr. Reeves as well as Natalia Ravinoff and Bryce Bennett. Reeves and Malina are sitting at a table on the stage, while Ravinoff and Bennett are standing a bit further away.

The teachers are interviewing the students one by one. “Alright, next!” Reeves shouts. Then, Dulcea, who is the next in line, sits on the chair opposite to Malina and Reeves.

“Name?” Reeves asks politely.

“D-Dulcea Pythell, sir.” Dulcea says timidly.

“Dulcea, huh? That’s a rare name. Let’s see... Pythell, Pythell…” Reeves searches through the file papers he has. “Ah, here we go!”

Reeves pulls out the papers from the files. “Let’s see here... Dulcea Pythell, 16 years old. ...You’re a psychic, correct?”

“Y-Yes.” Dulcea answers bashfully, looking down at the table.

“Uh-huh. You came here from Minnesota? Why apply to the New York branch?” Reeves asks, slightly surprised.

“U-Uh…” Dulcea lifts her gaze towards the teachers. “I’ve heard good things... about this place. And b-besides…” She then lowers her gaze again. “I don’t have many fond memories there.”

“I see…” Reeves states, after which Bryce leans in and gets Stephen and Karen’s attention. “She’s had a rough childhood. Not many friends due to moving, and her father is missing. On top of that, she was bullied a lot in Minnesota. In fact, when she was found, she was protecting herself from bullies with a psychic shield.”

The teachers ponder on this a moment. “Got it.” Reeves whispers back to Bryce. He then looks at Dulcea, who is looking a little depressed.

“Afraid you won’t get friends here?” Reeves says a bit worriedly.

“Huh?” Dulcea wonders.

“We know about your background.” Karen squeezes in. “You weren’t very popular in your previous school, is that right?”

“Y-Yes…” Dulcea admits.

“Well, don’t worry. I’m sure people will accept you here.” Reeves tries to convince her. “Personally, I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior. In fact, there’s a zero-percent tolerance for bullying here in the academy.”

“Well, that’s what they all say…” Dulcea states quietly, lowering her gaze again, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Karen. “Hm?”

“N-Nothing!” Dulcea covers her mouth with her hands. Karen and Stephen look at Dulcea worriedly.

“Look, I know there’s a lot of prejudice towards psychics especially... but this school... is nothing like your previous one.” Karen explains, and Dulcea lifts her gaze.

“She’s right. Just like bullying, prejudice and racism are not allowed here. We’ll make sure of that personally.” Reeves swears.

“If you say so…” Dulcea says in a low voice.

Sometime after Dulcea’s interview, Richard is on the chopping block. He looks slightly annoyed.

“Richard Renner, age 17. And you have... crystal powers, it seems?” Karen inquires.

“Yes. And please call me Ricky. Only my gramma calls me Richard.” Ricky insists.

“Alright... Ricky it is.” Reeves agrees. “These powers aren’t genetic, it seems.”

“Yeah, I had these headaches before I awoke to the power.” Ricky explains.

“The doctors examined you, right?” Karen tries to confirm.

“They told me there was nothing wrong with me.” Ricky admits. “I honestly have no idea where I got these powers.”

Karen then realizes something when looking at the papers. “Wait... Renner... you wouldn’t happen to be related to Anthony Renner?”

Stephen glances at Karen. Ricky’s expression darkens a bit. “Yes... he was my father.” He answers sadly.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Karen apologizes equally sadly.

Natalia motions at Bryce to get his attention. Bryce leans in. “What’s the deal with Anthony Renner?” She whispers to him.

“He was killed in an explosion 13 years ago. It was a psychic running from an extremist group who caused the explosion.” Bryce answers her quietly.

“Poor boy.” Natalia feels sympathy for Ricky.

“I wouldn’t say that just yet. He has borne a grudge towards psychics ever since.” Bryce tells Natalia.

“That’s... unfortunate.” Natalia whispers back.

“And you’re from Colorado, right?” Reeves questions Ricky. “Why fly all the way to New York?”

“I just wanted a change of pace from my old home.” Ricky answers bluntly, leaning back on his chair. “And besides, New York probably has hotter women than Denver.”

“I suggest you keep that to yourself.” Karen glares at Ricky. He gulps in intimidation. “Y-Yes, ma’am!”

A little later into the chair comes Cyrus, who’s twiddling his thumbs, looking left and right nervously.

“You’re Cyrus Evertsen, yes? Age 16?” Reeves confirms.

“Yes, sir.” Cyrus says somewhat timidly.

“You’re the infamous Hacker’s kid, aren’t you?” Reeves inquires.

“A-Am I in trouble for that?” Cyrus gets afraid.

“Technically, we should confiscate the device your father gave you.” Karen explains. “But since our scouts found you before the police, we decided to bend the rules a little bit.”

“So... am I here illegally?” Cyrus questions anxiously.

“No. But if you had tried to use the device any more than you did, you would have been in trouble.” Reeves answers firmly.

“O-Oh.” Cyrus lets out.

“But we’ll handle the police if they come questioning about this. After all, you used the device for a good purpose.” Karen assures Cyrus.

Cyrus remembers how he used his power - a home-made gauntlet-like device - to protect a friend from bullies. He can’t help but smile a bit for his deed.

“But... we still have to ask... your father has been on the run for 7 years. He hasn’t tried to contact you in any way?” Karen still grills Cyrus.

“No.” Cyrus says bluntly, but still having an anxious tinge in his voice.

“I see.” Reeves states, returning to read the papers. “And you’re from Maryland... any particular reason you wanted to come to New York?”

“Well, I know this is the original Academy of Heroes.” Cyrus tells them. “I thought that this might be the best option I had for an academy about hero work.”

“Well, this is where the founders of the academy reside, so I don’t blame you for thinking that.” Karen remarks.

“I want to thank you for this chance! I know my father was a criminal, but I promise I’ll do my best here!” Cyrus pleads.

“No sweat, kid.” Reeves tries to reassure Cyrus.

Soon Sarah is in the chair for an interview. She has a bright smile on her face.

“And you’re…” Reeves starts, but he’s interrupted by Sarah. “Aaaaaaahhhhh!!”

Karen and Stephen flinch. Sarah slams the desk and leans in towards the teachers. Her eyes are shining.

“You’re Captain Patriotic himself! I can’t believe I’m in your presence!” Sarah fangirls out.

“Huh, a big fan, are you?” Reeves smiles rather embarrassed.

“Of course! I have, like, all of your merch! Seriously, you should see how my room looks!” Sarah boldly shines to Stephen.

“Before you let your inner fan take over, Ms. Lavanier... could we do the interview?” Karen tries to calm down the situation.

“Oh! Of course.” Sarah sits down, still smiling. Her breasts bounce as she sits down. While she’s sitting down again, her brother Johnny, who’s next in line, facepalms.

“Anyway, you’re Sarah Lavanier, Canadian, age 18. And you have wind powers... which you inherited from your mother, right?” Karen inquires.

“Exactly!” Sarah nods.

“You have been going to the Toronto branch for a few years along with your brother. What made you want to switch?” Reeves asks.

“You~” Sarah has literal hearts in her eyes. Stephen and Karen are not amused.

“I’m kidding! Me and my brother just wanted new friends from America, y’know? And the New York part of the academy is also very international, so that also affected our decision.” Sarah explains. She then rubs her pointer fingertips together. Her eyes also turn into lines.

“Though, the fact that The Vengeancers teach here also might have something to do with that, hehehe…” Sarah remarks mischievously.

Further back on the stage, Natalia and Bryce are watching the interview.

“She sure is hyper.” Natalia comments.

“Wouldn’t believe that from her some years back. Apparently, she’s suffering from depression, anxiety and insomnia.” Bryce reveals.

“What?” Natalia is a bit shocked.

“She had it rough at the beginning of high school. Mostly coming from the death of a friend.” Bryce states.

“Oh wow…” Natalia thinks.

“Well, I hope you and your brother have a good time here in New York.” Karen tells Sarah.

“Thanks!” Sarah says with a bright smile on her face.

Next on the interview line is Johnny, who is somewhat annoyed.

“Look, I’m... sorry if my sister was... forward with you. She tends to do that.” Johnny apologizes.

“No problem. It just seems she’s happy to be here.” Reeves counters.

“Moving right along, you’re Johnny Lavanier.” Karen quickly gets back on topic. “Age 18, you’re the twin brother of Sarah, correct?”

“Unfortunately. She’s a bit of a handful.” Johnny laments.

“You act like her older brother despite being the younger one of the two.” Karen notices.

“It’s not about the age; someone has to keep her out of trouble.” Johnny simply answers.

“Anyway, your powers are from the same gene as your sister, but you have plant manipulation powers, right?” Reeves tries to confirm with Johnny.

“Yeah.” Johnny says bluntly.

“According to your sister, you moved here to New York to get international connections, is that right?” Karen inquires.

“Yeah, but word of advice: I wouldn’t take anything my sister says about me at face value.” Johnny warns. “She exaggerates things. A lot.”

Karen and Stephen glance at each other. “Sure.” Karen answers with a bit of confusion.

Natalia and Bryce look at Johnny from further back. “He seems to be the complete opposite of his sister. Responsible too.” Natalia comments.

“Well, in middle school, he certainly wasn’t. In fact, he was the more immature of the two.” Bryce once again reveals.

“What do you mean?” Natalia questions.

“He has a history of bullying others and even some illegal activities later on in high school. He seems to regret those times though.” Bryce answers.

“Hmmm…” Natalia mumbles.

After a bit, Johnny leaves the chair. “Next!” Reeves yells, and Kaden comes to sit in the chair, positively excited.

“You’re Kaden Sunders, I take it?” Reeves assumes.

“Yes!” Kaden says excitedly.

Karen looks through the papers to find Kaden’s file. “You were recruited yesterday, if I understand correctly. We don’t have all the information about you on hand right now, but you should be able to at least go through the orientation classes now... and you were 17 years old, is that correct?”

“Yes, ma'am!” Kaden answers.

“Huh, powers of the sun. It’s not often we get those but rest assured, you will be trained here.” Reeves confirms.

“Awesome! I-I mean... thank you.” Kaden goes all polite.

“No need to be so formal. I’m not too fond of the "sir" myself.” Reeves explains. “Ms. Malina here hates it when you call her 'ma’am'.”

“No, I don’t. What gave you that idea?” Karen interjects.

“Oh. Well then.” Reeves understands.

With that, the interviews soon end and the hero students start looking for their classes...