The classroom was basically on mute. You couldn’t hear a thing.

Before I got to class, Lion explained how our EyE Class administration system worked. The school is divided into ten different sections based on living conditions, much like the way our world is already organized. Each section is overseen by a group of Grey EyEs.

Grey EyEs are typically incredibly intelligent. Depending on their strength, they can duplicate themselves a certain number of times. Each duplicate develops its own personality, but all duplicates remain linked by seeing through one another’s eyes at all times. This shared awareness allows them to instantly exchange information and retain everything they learn.

Because of this, their species prefers to be addressed as one person whenever they are together.

Our class leaders are Rg. Hexahedron.

Individually, they are known as Rg. Hermione, Xavia, Heona, Dice, Ramona, and Ondrea. Together, they become Rg. Hexahedron, the strongest Grey EyEs in their nation. They are highly trained to guide our class toward success based on each of our abilities.

Our class consists of Gold, Brown, and Emerald EyEs, allowing us to share the same living environment without additional resources between us.

Rg. Hexahedron stood at the front of the class, and all at once, every one of their eyes locked onto me.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

“~Miss Euphoria Fox.~”

“Yes, Rg. Hexahedron?” I answered.

She smiled.

“~I am looking forward to guiding you through your journey as a Gold EyE. You missed two very important days. Being that you are Victor Fox’s daughter, I expect you to catch up quickly with no problem… correct, Ms. Fox?~”

“Yes, ma’am,” I answered quickly.

Her smile widened.

“~Good. I came here as one to give you a proper introduction. Before the end of class, you will receive everything you need, including the device that holds your class schedule. Do not miss any calls. If we are reaching out to you, you answer. Missing a call is the same as being absent and will count against your attendance~.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“~Welcome to EyEU~.”

⸻

Our first class was led by Ondrea.

We were separated into soundproof, blast-proof cubicles so no one could see another student’s progress until the instructors decided it was time.

Honestly… I was relieved.

My ability hadn’t fully developed yet. My strength and speed were great, but my EyE abilities were practically nonexistent. I was almost positive I was the only one in class this far behind.

It embarrassed me.

I was Victor Fox’s daughter.

I was a Gold EyE.

I needed to get control of my abilities before Ondrea decided it was time for everyone to showcase what they could do.

Finally, she reached my cubicle.

“Ms. Euphoria Fox,” Ondrea said cheerfully as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

“Good morning, Rg. Ondrea,” I replied with a smile.

“Euphoria, I see from your test results that you haven’t been able to fully identify your ability yet. Is that right?”

My eyebrows lifted.

“Uh… yes, that’s right.”

I wasn’t aware the tests could detect that much.

Ondrea smiled.

“No worries. Based on your results, I believe there’s an interesting amount of power trying to push through. The problem is that your body isn’t allowing it to escape in a healthy way, so it’s essentially trapping everything inside.”

She glanced back at her chart.

“I also see you’ve been working consistently on your physical conditioning, which is great. Releasing that power gently will help free what’s been trapped. If you were very slowly releasing energy over time, this would be a different conversation. But this is a buildup issue at this point, so we need to do this very carefully.”

She looked back up at me.

“I noticed signs of heat on your chart. Can you describe what it feels like?”

I looked down at my hands.

“It feels… hot.

Really hot.”

“I see. Is there pressure as well?”

“Yes.”

“Can you do it whenever you want, or does it drain you?”

“I’m able to do it spontaneously.”

She smiled again.

“Can you show me?”

I turned away from Rg. Ondrea and held both hands out in front of me, palms facing the floor.

Heat instantly rushed through my hands as I focused.

Bright orange.

Then red.

Then a deep crimson that refused to fade.

I grunted as the heat intensified. Instinctively, I started pulling the energy back.

“I haven’t been—”

“Do not cease. Bring it back!” Ondrea shouted.

Startled, I forced the energy back. My hands brightened again before slowly dimming once more.

I turned toward her, confused.

“Don’t cease,” she repeated calmly.

I nodded and continued holding it.

Ondrea stepped closer, carefully avoiding the path of my hands as she examined them.

“You need to force the energy out. Hold it until your hands become completely overwhelmed.”

“I’ve done that before,” I said quickly. “I had to stop because it gets extremely painful. I thought my arms were going to explode.”

She watched as my hands slowly began glowing brighter again.

“This time, when you reach that peak of pain… don’t stop.”

My hands grew brighter.

The pressure returned.

Then the pain.

Sweat rolled down my forehead.

Ondrea stepped back, still focused on my hands.

My fingers began trembling.

Tears welled in my eyes.

“Dammit… this hurts!” I yelled.

“And don’t you dare stop,” Ondrea fired back, “or you’re going to have to do it all over again.”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I came to EyEU for a reason.

If I couldn’t get through this…

I didn’t belong here.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take another second…

The pain…

started fading.

My eyes opened.

The glow hadn’t.

A faint whistle echoed through the cubicle.

Ondrea’s eyes widened.

“Shit! Start pushing now, Euphoria! Let it out! Short blasts!”

I immediately forced the energy forward.

Spurts of fire exploded from my hands, illuminating the cubicle.

Fireballs erupted one after another—some large, others no bigger than my fist.

Each blast became steadier than the last until, finally…

A small, controlled flame danced in my palm.

The energy vanished.

My arms dropped to my sides.

I was exhausted.

Ondrea smiled brightly.

“It was actually fire.”

She looked genuinely excited.

“There could have been any number of abilities… but fire from a Gold EyE? That’s amazing.”

She laughed softly.

“There hasn’t been a Fire Gold EyE in eons.”

I was at a loss for words.

Not because it was fire.

Dad had always believed it was.

I was speechless because…

Maybe…

I wasn’t as far behind as I’d convinced myself I was.

“Now,” Ondrea said with a smile, “blast again.”

I lifted my hands once more and pushed that same surge of energy.

This time there was no waiting.

My hands immediately flared bright red before launching a fireball straight into the cubicle wall, leaving behind a black scorch mark.

Ondrea smiled.

“And class is over for you today. You may take an early break.”

She nodded toward the door.

“Stop by and see the Healer for our section so she can take care of your hands.”

I looked down.

My hands were dark red and purple, covered in blisters.

“You are not to practice on your own until they heal.”

She gave me a playful wink.

“And don’t worry. Once they do… you should be just fine.”

She smiled.

“You just had to rip the bandage off.”

She left the cubicle, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Lion told me many EyEs doubted Grey EyEs could teach abilities they didn’t possess themselves. After only a few minutes of watching Ondrea, I understood why no one questioned them anymore