The Academy Full Of Special Abilities

Chapter 1: Titan Academy

I looked at the massive castle atop the hill. A castle surrounded by tall walls with only the towers visible. The hill where it stood was encircled by forest and a river. This castle measured almost half the size of our town. It had stood in our town for thousands of years. It was the castle where those with special abilities like us, who had potential in life, studied.

"Someday, I'll set foot there."

I turned to Lucas beside me. I snorted. "Yeah, right. You'd have to go without food for a month just to afford a pair of that school's uniform."

All of us in this place, in the town of Hesperia, were born with special abilities. But not everyone gets to study or even step foot in that place. Only the fortunate ones who can afford to spend two million silver coins, or half a million gold coins, can enter Titan Academy.

"You're such a dreamer, Shia. Is it wrong to have dreams?" Lucas replied.

He lay on the grass next to me and gazed at the azure sky above. We were on one of the hills at the edge of town, facing the castle school on the opposite side of town.

Since we were kids, Lucas had dreamt of studying in that place. I still remember, ten years ago, he started saving so that when he turned fourteen, he could enter Titan Academy. But after two years of working every afternoon after classes, or every weekend, and even early mornings delivering newspapers, he realized that no matter what he did, he couldn't save half a million gold coins.

Lucas had super speed. He moved fast. Sometimes you wouldn't see him, just a gust of wind when he passed by. He easily finished any job given to him. So, I thought maybe he could save up and get into that school.

But then there was the reality of his many responsibilities. He had four siblings and a sickly mother. His father passed away when we were twelve. That was when he stopped saving and focused on providing for his younger siblings.

Me? I never dreamed of going there. Honestly, I have no dreams. I'll turn eighteen next month. I'll be legal. I could leave this town if I wanted. But the problem is I don't know where I'd go or what I want.

I have no family. It's been two years since my grandparents, who raised me, passed away. Since then, I've been living alone in the house they left. Sometimes I'll go to Lucas' place. Sometimes, especially when I have money, they'll eat at my house.

I have the special ability of enhanced senses and control. I can shut down any of my senses if I want to. I can tolerate pain, blinding light, and extreme noise. But mostly, I can sense danger even kilometers away.

In reality, my ability is pretty useless. It has its uses, but not the kind that can sustain a living. I wish I had an ability like Lucas'. I want an ability I can use to work and earn money.

After you finish the basic education system here in Hesperia, you're on your own. Education is free from seven to fourteen years old. From seven to ten, you need to learn how to read and write. Eleven to fourteen is dedicated to studying your special ability.

If you have the money, you can continue your education at Titan Academy. That's where you hone the power or ability you have. The Ministry favors graduates from there. They have guaranteed jobs in the future.

If you're like us, who only had free education, you settle for extra odd jobs. We're part of the informal workforce. No specific job. Only Titan graduates have the right to permanent positions. You only get a permanent position if you have connections higher up. Sometimes, it's even a struggle.

At fourteen, you can start working. But it's limited to Hesperia. When you turn eighteen, that's when you can leave the town to find work. The town doesn't care what you do.

"I wonder what they're doing at this hour," Lucas asked, yawning.

I snorted. "Probably showing off their wealth. That's where they excel. As if the rich kids really know how to fight like they pretend."

Lucas sat on the grass. "Whoa. You seem personally offended there."

I rolled my eyes. The way he talks, you'd think he's exempt from what I'm talking about. "I just don't like the way they look at us. Remember when they visited the town? The way they look at us, it's like they've seen dirt on their shoes. When in reality, they're the ones who look dirty."

Lucas laughed. "Maybe they're just not used to seeing kids their age working. You know some of them have been in there since they were seven."

"You're right," I muttered. "They're the kind of people who don't know reality. They have all these fancy clothes, soft beds, delicious food, none of which they worked for."

"Are you jealous?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.

I gave him a sharp look. "Jealous? Ha! I'm just annoyed. In this world, things aren't fair. But because they're surrounded by their own kind, they have no idea how lucky they are."

The wind gradually picked up on the hill. The sky's color changed. It went from blue to gray. In the distance, a few dark clouds started to rumble with thunder and lightning.

I stood up. "We better head down. I still need to finish my job for Mrs. Cello before going home."

I glanced at Lucas. He wasn't there anymore. I rolled my eyes when I heard his voice from below.

"Hey, Shia! You're really slow. Come on!" He waved with a smile. He really gets cocky about these things.

I dusted off my old pants before hurrying down the hill to catch up with him. I had no idea that that afternoon might be the last time I'd see my best friend smiling.

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