Project:Imagine

As Iris opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by an inky black void. The only light came from a swarm of glowing butterflies, each a different color, with various events flickering within their delicate wings. She marveled at the sight, trying to make sense of the scenes before her.

The first butterfly, a vibrant green, depicted a world slowly consumed by thorns and monstrous plants ravaging the lands. A palpable sense of despair emanated from its wings. Next, a light blue butterfly displayed an ice age engulfing an entire continent, its wings radiating feelings of self-hatred. An orange butterfly followed, its wings showing flames burning across the world, ending in a large explosion, with a powerful sense of betrayal woven through its images.

A light gray butterfly fluttered next, illustrating a massive war that consumed the world. Desperation permeated its wings, and something about it felt strangely familiar to Iris. The fifth butterfly, which was yellow, revealed a plague-ridden world where families suffered slowly. An incredible sense of loneliness seeped from its wings.

Then came a dark purple butterfly, its wings filled with visions of zombie hordes overtaking a kingdom. Regret glowed with its deep purple hue. A golden butterfly followed, showing scenes of mass destruction and radiating immense anger. The next butterfly, black as night, depicted images of great beings being slain, causing the very world to change. A profound sense of grief could be felt from this one.

The second-to-last butterfly was a deep crimson red, showing a fierce battle between brothers. The winner was unclear, but an overwhelming desire to protect pulsed from its wings. Finally, a multicolored butterfly fluttered into view. Within its wings, Iris saw fragments of each vision from the other butterflies, stitched together like a patchwork quilt. Determination emanated from this butterfly, along with that familiar feeling she couldn’t quite place.

As she watched the multicolored butterfly, Iris felt a strange connection, as if it held the key to understanding the chaos and emotions swirling around her. The visions seemed to call out to her, each butterfly a piece of a larger puzzle she was meant to solve.

“Images from a future that was never meant to be, but forced upon that miserable wretch, ©№₫♢♪☈,” the man sighed, pausing for a moment. “It looks like I’m not allowed to give spoilers yet,” he said, as he stepped into the light illuminated by the butterflies.

The man was 5’ 8” (1.72 m) with white hair and pale skin. A mole under his right eye contrasted with his glowing golden eyes, and black circular glasses sat on his nose. He wore a black suit with a yellow tie, adorned with a butterfly brooch pinned to his suit. Lastly, he wore a pair of white gloves.

“You may call me Fate. We are currently within the domain of your mind. I found that this would be the most private place for us to meet,” Fate said, his voice smooth and calming.

“Why did you bring me here?” Iris questioned, her voice trembling with confusion and a touch of fear.

“This place is boring, no offense, but I'm going to change this a bit,” Fate said with a mischievous smile as he snapped his fingers.

The inky black void transformed into a cozy jazz club. Floating instruments began to play the blues, their melodies weaving a soothing atmosphere. Fate gestured for Iris to take a seat as two plush couches appeared at either end of a small table. Various snacks materialized on the table, but when Iris reached for them, they disappeared like mirages.

“Please, sit,” Fate said, taking a seat himself. “It's best we hurry before you’re woken up.”

Iris hesitated before sitting down on the couch, her eyes never leaving Fate. The surreal nature of the situation left her wary, yet the ambiance of the jazz club offered an unexpected sense of calm.

“You have many questions, I’m sure,” Fate said, leaning back and crossing his legs. “I’ll do my best to provide the answers you seek, within the bounds of what I’m allowed to reveal, of course.”

Iris nodded, her mind racing with questions. The butterflies, the strange visions, and now this enigmatic man named Fate, it was all too much to comprehend at once. But amidst the chaos, a flicker of hope ignited within her. Perhaps, here in this strange yet comforting setting, she might begin to unravel the mysteries surrounding her.

“As for your first question, it's as I said, I simply wish to speak to you and to congratulate you,” Fate said with a warm smile.

“Why are you congratulating me?” Iris questioned, her eyes filled with fear.

“That night you were destined to die, yet thanks to your own luck, a bit of my help, and that miserable wretch, I guess I'll call him by his false identity, Nihil, for now, to avoid the spoiler filter anyway, you survived, for now,” Fate said energetically.

Iris sat there with a blank expression, unsure of how to react to this information. She couldn't speak or say a word; she simply sat there, frozen.

“I don't mean to stress you out, but you aren't safe yet. Your next ordeal will be very soon, so please prepare. I'll meet with you once it is over. Goodbye,” Fate said, his tone shifting to a more serious note.

“Wait, don't go,” Iris attempted to say, but Fate snapped his fingers, and she woke up.

As Iris woke up, she looked around the room she found herself in. She sat up in a rather comfortable bed in a bedroom that was larger than her original one. A desk, a wardrobe, and even a TV could be found in the room. There were two doors, one to leave the room and one that led to a bathroom. It was much better than the crappy school dorm the author of this webnovel lived in during his time at college.

The room exuded a sense of calm and safety, a stark contrast to the chaotic void she had just left. Iris took a deep breath, trying to process the strange encounter with Fate and the ominous warning he had given her. She knew she had to prepare for whatever was coming next, but for now, she allowed herself a moment of relief in the comfort of her new surroundings.

That sense of comfort would quickly end as Iris would suddenly hear a banging sound coming from her door, as a familiar person would be knocking on it.

“Hey sorry about this but I overslept and forgot to wake you up…or set up your alarm clock, anywhere there are uniforms in there for you, put them on are get out here,” Wallace said.

Iris quickly got changed into the uniform. It consisted of a sleek, dark navy shirt made from a durable yet comfortable fabric that allowed for easy movement. Along with black pants that were also durable and comfortable.

The collar was high and snug, providing extra warmth and protection. On the left chest, an embroidered patch displayed the emblem of A.E.G.I.S, a stylized shield with a pair of wings, symbolizing strength and protection.

The pants also had several pockets, for carrying essential items. Each pocket was sealed with a sturdy, easy-to-open Velcro flap

To complete the uniform, Iris pulled on a pair of black, reinforced boots that reached just above her ankles, providing ample support and grip. Lastly, she donned a pair of black, fingerless gloves that allowed for a better grip while still protecting her hands.

Iris left the room and saw Wallace leaning against the railing, sipping coffee from a white mug that said “World's Best Brother.” The third floor of the sprawling apartment complex stretched above her, with two more floors visible above her.

Wallace chuckled as he looked at Iris. “I forgot the trainees had to wear those tacky uniforms. It’s been a while since I've been stuck here,” he said, taking another sip of coffee.

“Where exactly am I?” Iris questioned, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

“This is A.E.G.I.S's Alpha Facility. There are three others, but this is the nicest to be in. This facility solely deals in the training of Awakened. Since we ended up, waking up late, we won't be able to get breakfast. I'll make it up to you eventually,” Wallace apologized.

“Um… alright, though I won't deny I'm pretty hungry, so let's hope lunch is good,” Iris said with a smile, following Wallace out of the apartment complex.

They got into an elevator that brought them to the first floor. The elevator was sleek and modern, with a polished metal interior and a digital display showing their descent. As they walked through the facility, Iris observed the clean, efficient design of the hallways. The floors were polished, and the walls were lined with screens displaying various informational updates.

Wallace led her through a series of corridors, each bustling with other trainees and staff members. Some were dressed in similar uniforms, while others wore more casual attire, indicating their different roles within the facility. The atmosphere was one of controlled activity, with people moving purposefully from one task to another.

“From now on, you’ll be attending classes, and you'll learn a variety of subjects from monster hunting to artifact usage and many others. You will also be expected to learn three other languages by the time you graduate, though it's recommended you learn more. For example, I know English, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Russian…” Wallace continued to list languages, his voice droning on, as Iris felt herself getting bored.

“This is a lot to remember,” Iris complained, her mind already feeling overwhelmed.

“You won't be expected to learn all of this just yet. Your first year will mainly just cover you trying to adjust to your ability,” Wallace explained, trying to reassure her.

As they walked through the hallway, they came across various photos with large words atop them that said “Valedictorian.” Wallace's photo was prominently displayed among them.

Wallace chuckled modestly. “That was, a long time ago, I miss my graduating class, now it's just me and Markus left,” Wallace said as his voice took on a sad tone.

“What happened to them?” Iris questioned.

“Envy,” Wallace, refusing to elaborate.

The surrounding atmosphere took on a heavy tone as they arrived at the destination, as they did, Wallace quickly returned to his standard demeanor.

“This will be your main classroom, your teacher is one of the few people within this facility who is sane, so everything should work out well, lastly I'll need you to wear this watch at all times,” Wallace instructed.

Wallace took out a white watch with a small screen on it and slipped it onto Iris’s wrist, Iris instantly began to touch the screen as she examined its various features.

“Let’s see there's a heart monitor app, an app that will give you directions to any room on this facility, a feature that lets you call your classmates, you can also send text…” Wallace once again began to drone on as Iris got bored.

“What astounding patience you seem to have, I’m sure Mrs. Stone will be thrilled,” Wallace said sarcastically.

“How many classmates will I have?” Iris asked, interrupting Wallace’s sarcasm.

Wallace began to count on his fingers trying to remember them all, as he then said, “In total, besides you, there will be six others, each with unique abilities much like yourself, they're all rather interesting children, also if the blonde one gets made, I recommend you duck,” Wallace suggested as he brought Iris into the classroom.

Iris entered the classroom and immediately took in her surroundings. The room had a familiar, almost comforting layout. Desks were arranged in neat rows, each equipped with the standard assortment of school supplies. At the front of the room stood a large blackboard, worn from years of use, with remnants of chalk dust clinging to its surface. A wooden table off to one side held a globe, slightly faded from time, and various educational tools, adding a touch of the ordinary to the extraordinary place she found herself in.

There were six other students in the room, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts or quietly chatting among themselves. They glanced up as Iris entered, curiosity flickering in their eyes. The diversity among them was striking, different ages, backgrounds, and even hints of their unique abilities reflected in subtle ways, the surrounding air around one would be colder or, have a rather sharp gaze to them.

The teacher stood at the front of the room, her presence commanding immediate respect. Mrs. Stone exuded an air of confidence and calm, with a gaze that seemed to assess each student with practiced ease. Her posture was straight and her demeanor unflappable, setting the tone for the class.

“I’m very sorry for being late, I accidentally overslept,” Wallace said, his voice filled with genuine remorse as he stood at the classroom door.

“I won’t complain, considering you managed to convince that stingy ba—*ahem*, Jonathan, into giving me a raise,” Mrs. Stone replied, catching herself before slipping into an accidental swear. Her tone was a mix of gratitude and slight exasperation, clearly appreciative but also professional.

“Be careful, you don’t want to lose to Markus in the running bet,” Wallace teased with a smile before stepping out of the room, leaving behind a faint echo of his light-hearted comment.

Mrs. Stone turned her attention to Iris, her gaze softening as she greeted the new student. “Good morning, Iris. Please, take a seat. We’re just about to begin.”

Iris felt a flutter of nerves mixed with excitement as she looked around the room. The classroom was bustling with the murmur of students settling in. The desks were arranged in neat rows, and Iris chose an empty seat near the middle. The desk’s surface was cool to the touch, grounding her and helping to steady her racing thoughts.

“Now I would like each of you to introduce yourselves,” Mrs. Stone said, her voice cutting through the murmurs of anticipation. “Say your name, your ability, and a fun fact about yourselves.”

A young boy with short, tousled brown hair and caramel-colored skin eagerly raised his hand, his somber brown eyes twinkling with excitement. “Hello everyone, it’s so good to meet you all! My name is Jacob Forester. My ability is called Doll Manipulation; I can control and animate toys and dolls. Oh, and my fun fact is that I’m really excited to be here!” Jacob finished with a bright, enthusiastic smile.

The room stirred with a mix of nods and murmurs of acknowledgment.

“Yeah, there was no need for the fun fact,” Charles said from the back of the room, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m pretty sure we could all guess that.

Mrs. Stone gave Charles a pointed look but chose to address the situation calmly. “You seem eager to speak. How about you go next, Charles?” she said, gesturing towards him.

Charles, a boy with medium-length blonde hair that partially covered his right eye, stood up with an air of indifference. His piercing blue eyes swept across the room. “Fine, but only to get this over with. I’m Charles Wells. My ability is telekinesis, and my fun fact is that you can go ahead and die,” Charles said dismissively.

Without warning, Charles extended his hand and a purple aura surrounded his desk. With a flick of his wrist, the desk was hurled across the room towards Mrs. Stone. The air crackled with the force of his telekinetic power, and the desk shot forward with frightening speed.

Mia’s eyes widened in alarm. With a swift, practiced motion, she summoned a barrier of shimmering water that materialized between the desk and Mrs. Stone. The desk collided with the barrier, splashing and dissipating into harmless droplets as Mia’s protective shield absorbed the impact.

Chaos erupted as students ducked for cover. Iris and several others scrambled to shield themselves from the debris, while Theo, a boy with a protective streak, clutched his sister tightly, trying to shield her from the falling fragments.

“Charles!” Mrs. Stone’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, as she straightened from behind the water barrier. Her expression was a mix of anger and stern resolve. “This is not how we behave in this classroom. Such displays of aggression are unacceptable.”

A violet stream of water erupted from Mrs. Stone’s hands, forming a powerful current that lashed out toward Charles. The water surged with controlled precision, wrapping around him and effectively restraining his movements. Charles struggled against the watery bonds, attempting to use his telekinesis to hurl more objects, but the effort was visibly taxing, and his attempts became increasingly feeble.

“I’ll deal with you later,” Mrs. Stone said, her voice weary but firm. “Now, who would like to introduce themselves next?”

The students, recovering from the commotion, shuffled back to their seats. The tension in the room had subsided, but an undercurrent of nervousness remained. A girl with short red hair and a single green eye raised her hand hesitantly. Her other eye was obscured by an eye patch, and her entire demeanor was marked by a noticeable shyness.

“Um… I can’t do this, Theo. You go first,” Celia said, her voice barely above a whisper as she hid partially behind her brother.

Theo, the boy with matching short red hair and a single green eye, stood up. His eye patch covered the opposite eye as his sister’s.

“My name is Theo Hill,” he began, his voice carrying a mix of confidence and protectiveness.

“My ability allows me to remove one of the five senses from another person. As for my fun fact, if anyone tries to pick on my sister, I’ll beat them up,” Theo added, his gaze narrowing as he glanced sharply toward Charles.

Charles, still bound by the violet restraints of water, managed to summon the strength for a petty act of defiance. With a sneer, he flicked an eraser at Theo, hitting him lightly on the head.

“Fine, that’s my last one,” Charles muttered, his voice tinged with fatigue. “I’m tired anyway.”

Mia, observing the interaction with a critical eye, decided it was time to release Charles from the watery bonds. With a subtle wave of her hand, the water dissipated, and Charles slumped back into his seat, grumbling softly.

“Don’t worry, Celia, you can do this. I believe in you,” Theo said with a reassuring smile, offering his sister a comforting pat on the back.

Celia took a deep breath, her face still flushed with nervousness. “M-my name is… my name is Celia Hill,” she stammered. “My ability is called… w-watcher. Um, it allows me to see anyone as long as I’ve marked them beforehand. My… my fun fact is that I—” She trailed off, tears welling in her eyes as the pressure of the moment overwhelmed her. With a soft sob, she retreated back behind Theo, seeking solace in her brother’s presence.

Theo gently wrapped an arm around her, his eyes reflecting both concern and pride. “You did your best, Celia,” he said softly.

Mrs. Stone, observing the tender sibling moment, offered a warm and encouraging smile. “It’s perfectly alright, Celia. You did your best, and that’s what matters. Now, let’s continue. Who would like to go next?”

Alice raised her hand timidly, stepping forward with a mixture of apprehension and resolve. She had striking crimson eyes and hair that was a unique blend of white and red. The glasses she wore were similar in style to Wallace’s, lending her a scholarly appearance.

“Can I go next?” Alice asked softly.

“Of course, Alice,” Mrs. Stone replied, nodding in approval.

“My name is Alice West,” Alice began, her voice steady but soft. “My ability is called the Authority of Reality. I’m not fully sure what it does— the nice doctor said I shouldn’t use it.” She paused, adjusting her glasses nervously. “My fun fact is that my favorite book is *The Wizard of Oz*.”

A murmur of interest and curiosity rippled through the class as Alice spoke. Her mention of a mysterious ability and a favorite book seemed to intrigue her peers. Mrs. Stone, ever the professional, nodded encouragingly.

“Thank you for sharing, Alice. I’m quite a big fan of that book as well,” Mrs. Stone said with a warm smile, genuinely pleased by the connection.

As she turned her attention to the rest of the class, Mrs. Stone’s gaze fell upon a student who had been sleeping through the entire session. The boy had medium-length cyan hair, piercing red eyes, and wore black square-framed glasses.

Without hesitation, Mrs. Stone conjured a small ball of water between her fingertips and launched it with precision at the sleeping child, instantly rousing him from his slumber.

“I would appreciate it if you would not sleep during my class,” Mrs. Stone said sternly, her tone carrying a hint of reprimand. “I am aware that your parents work here, Xavier.”

A somber mood spread among the students as the mention of Xavier’s parents sparked a wave of envy and sadness. Many of them were reminded of their own loss, feeling a sense of jealousy towards Xavier, whose parents were still alive.

“Anyway, Xavier,” Mrs. Stone continued, her voice firm, “Since you were not paying attention, I’ll repeat myself. State your name, your ability, and a fun fact about yourself.”

Xavier let out a resigned sigh as he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “My name is Xavier Walker,” he began, his tone indifferent. “My ability is Cryokinesis.” With a flick of his wrist, he created a small, shimmering shard of ice as a demonstration before letting it dissipate. “And my fun fact is that I want to go back to sleep.” He slouched back onto his desk, resting his head with a slight groan, clearly disinterested in the rest of the class.

“Alright, Iris, you’re the last one left,” Mrs. Stone said, shifting her focus to Iris. “Please introduce yourself.”

Iris took a deep breath, standing tall despite her nerves. “My name is Iris Blackwell,” she said clearly. “My ability is Pyrokinesis, and my fun fact is that I also love to read. My favorite book happens to be *The Wizard of Oz*.”

Jacob and Alice’s eyes widened with excitement.

“Wait, so you can control fire?” Jacob exclaimed, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. “That’s so cool! Can I see a demonstration, please?”

Iris hesitated, a sad look crossing her face. “I’d rather not use my ability right now,” she said softly.

Jacob’s excitement dimmed slightly, but he nodded understandingly. “Oh… okay. That’s alright, I guess.”

Alice, who had been listening intently, nervously raised her hand again. “Um, Iris, would you like to be friends? Since we both like similar things.”

Iris’s face brightened at the offer, her earlier apprehension fading. “I’d like that,” she said with a genuine smile. “I’d love to be friends.”

The classroom’s atmosphere shifted, as the students began to bond over their shared interests and experiences. The initial tension eased, replaced by a budding camaraderie among the young trainees.

“Alright everyone, settle down, please. You can all bond together when you head to the cafeteria. I do have a few things I'd like to explain to you all first,” Mrs. Stone said, her voice commanding attention as she grabbed a piece of chalk and approached the blackboard.

She started drawing, her movements precise as she sketched out the A.E.G.I.S logo and acronym. “My name is Mia Stone, but you can call me Mrs. Stone. As Charles and Xavier are quite familiar with, my ability is Hydrokinesis.” She briefly demonstrated by conjuring a small, swirling sphere of water from her fingertips, which she dismissed with a wave.

“Your primary objective here will be to train to become full-fledged members of A.E.G.I.S,” she continued. “The acronym stands for Advance Eradication of Ghouls, Interstellars, and the Supernatural.” She underlined the acronym with a flourish and drew a detailed version of the A.E.G.I.S logo.

“What exactly will we be doing as agents of A.E.G.I.S?” Jacob asked, his curiosity evident.

“Excellent question,” Mrs. Stone replied, nodding approvingly. “It is our mission to conceal the existence of any form of supernatural activity from the public. This includes rogue Awakened, monsters, ghosts, aliens, out-of-control artifacts, and various other dangers. We operate globally, though our resources have been stretched thin following a certain incident.” She drew a series of illustrations on the board, a ghoul, a monster, a ghost, an alien, and a mysterious artifact, each accompanied by a brief description.

She then sketched a figure in a black suit with sunglasses, reminiscent of “Men in Black,” to represent the covert nature of their work.

“Once a week, Wallace will perform stability tests on you to ensure there are no issues with your abilities. However, for Iris and Alice, these tests will be conducted twice a week. You will receive notifications on your watches when it's time for these tests.” Mia drew a simple watch on the board, emphasizing the importance of keeping track of time.

She then turned to a new section of the board and drew a crude but recognizable image of Wallace, his hair and glasses exaggerated for effect. Next to it, she sketched a library with a circle and lined through it. “The library is off-limits to all of you. It’s a rather dangerous place, and you are only allowed entry with an official agent or once you turn sixteen and are granted official proof of entry.”

Mia’s tone was serious but not unkind, conveying the gravity of the rules while maintaining an encouraging demeanor. “Remember, this is a place of learning and growth. Follow the rules, work hard, and you'll do just fine.”

With that, she turned her attention back to the class, her expression softening slightly. “Any more questions before we head to the cafeteria?”

The students looked around, a mix of excitement and apprehension on their faces, ready to start their new journey at A.E.G.I.S.