POTENTIAL: TWENTY-ONE

*Greetings, Psychics!*

*It is I, the author, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas! This holiday season has brought us temporary relief and peace from the demanding responsibilities in life, and I hope you all have the best Christmas you can ever dream of.*

*As you might have noticed, I have published the first volume of this novel, which is the IDENTITY VOLUME where the protagonist discovers his true identity and purpose. Originally, what I had in mind before starting this story was to give you only 10 free chapters. However, since it's Christmas and this season is a season of giving, I have decided to give the first volume for free.*

*This means that the succeeding volumes (POTENTIAL, FLAW, and VIGOR) will be paywalled and will require certain currencies to unlock. Just like the first volume, the remaining three volumes will have 20 chapters each. And a little heads up, if you crave to see Alex fight again, these three volumes will satisfy you. Enemies become friends, friends become foes, reality and fiction will be blurred, and the world will be at stake because of a shocking reason. So, sit back and be intrigued by The Mindbender's Journey.*

*Follow me on my social media:
Facebook: Jan Mangahas WP
Tiktok: @jan.mangahas.wp*

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**ALEX POV**

"You know, it's been a while since we have this," Maica exclaimed with a smile while walking beside me.

"Like walking to school together?" I clarified, to which she nodded. She's right. It's been a long time since we missed this.

"Am I included in that?" Sky suddenly asked, seemingly absorbed in the physics book he was reading.

"We'll think about it," I joked, making Maica laugh. We burst into laughter, but Sky still had a serious expression. We reached the school, still laughing at our inside jokes. It was a great time, but we stopped as we passed through the gate.

"I never thought I'd come back to this school," Maica mumbled, looking at our school slowly filling up with students. Delford University.

"Me, too," I agreed, recalling the happy days Maica and I spent together.

"Are we just going to stand here?" Sky asked, breaking the silence, and then walked into the school. Maica and I followed but we were immediately halted when our names were called. We turned and saw Trisha running towards us.

Maica and I decided to reconcile with her a week ago. We felt she genuinely regretted everything she had done, so we forgave her. She also agreed to keep our secrets because she had no choice. Sky had threatened to kill Trisha if she revealed the truth.

"I'm glad I caught up with you. I wanted to invite you to have lunch with me later if it's okay." Maica and I exchanged glances, waiting for each other's response.

"We're in," Sky answered, prompting us to look at him. We just stared at him, waiting for his reason for agreeing, but the school bell interrupted us. Maica and I nodded in response to her invitation. Trisha's lips curved into a smile, showing how happy she was, which also brought a smile to our faces.

"Let's go." Trisha joined us, and she separated when she reached her classroom. It didn't take long for us to reach our classroom, which was still noisy as usual. However, everyone fell silent when the three of us entered.

The whole school had learned that Sky had warned people about the bomb threat. Add Maica's sudden return and her decision to remain friends with me despite having killed someone ten years ago. Everyone was seriously staring at us, which was kind of intimidating. Their gazes were like Superman's eyes emitting lasers.

"Ignore them, just sit," Sky suggested telepathically, and Maica and I followed suit. We headed to our seats and sat down. Just then, the professor arrived, alleviating the tension created by our classmates.

Prof greeted us and acknowledged Maica's return, asking her how she was. I knew Prof still had many questions, but he chose to restrain himself and started the lecture. But before he could talk about our current topic, someone called him from outside the classroom. Prof went to talk to the person outside, and I decided to use my clairaudience to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Transfer student?" Prof asked.

"Yes, sir. The Dean said she should be allowed in here," the girl replied, whom I guessed was the Dean's assistant.

"Is that so? Alright, I'll take care of it."

"Thank you, sir."

Prof nodded and then returned to the middle of the classroom. It seems there will be a new addition to our class. He paused for a few seconds and said, "Well guys, our class is about to get bigger again." The room filled with whispers as Prof finished his statement. "Come in, young lady, and introduce yourself."

A girl of the same age as me walked into the classroom and stopped beside the professor. She smiled as she faced us and then bowed. How polite.

"Hello! I'm Quinn Reese. Nice to meet you all," she introduced herself, and the other boys greeted and welcomed her. Her voice was cute, adding to her overall charm.

"That smile of hers is annoying."

"Tell me about it," a girl whispered again on my side. I rolled my eyes and looked at Quinn once more. She's kind of cute, actually, with her smile. Prof pointed to Quinn's seat, and she went there immediately. I followed her gaze until she sat down.

"Interested?" I turned to Sky, who was still engrossed in his book. I just glared at him and focused on the book we were going to use for our lecture. The class officially started with the topic of Virology, focusing on the study of viruses.


******

"Your assignment to be passed tomorrow will be sent to you by your Class President. Mr. Fulton, don't forget," our professor reminded our Class President.

"Yes, sir."

Prof gathered all his things and then headed towards the door to leave the classroom. I also packed my things and put them in my bag. My phone vibrated, notifying me of a received message. I opened it and found out that it was from Trisha.

From: Trisha
11:58 am
Meet me at the school canteen.

I clicked the text box and typed certain words. After finishing, I immediately sent it. Fortunately, the two had just finished packing their things.

"Trisha said we should meet at the canteen," I informed them as I bid farewell. Sky was still reading his book, and I was getting annoyed. "Sky? Can you stop reading, even just for an hour? That's why you're bad with girls because you lack social interaction," I complained while glancing at the girls who were giggling and swooning over Sky.

"He's so handsome!" one exclaimed.

"Is that the guy you said is bad with girls?"

Look at this guy, so arrogant! Oh well, if I can't hold back anymore, I might hit him."

"Tsk! Whatever," was my only response, and I hastened my steps with Maica. I didn't mind leaving him behind; after all, he could take care of himself. He survived a decade alone, so what's an hour?

"Excuse me?" I halted in my thoughts and walked when someone apologized to me. I looked at her and saw Quinn, smiling enthusiastically at me.

"Quinn?!"

"It's good someone finally called me by my name. All of our boys calling me names, and it's kinda embarrassing," she joked, making me smile.

"Do you need anything?"

"Well, not really. I was just thinking if I could join you for lunch."

I glanced at Sky and Maica, who seemed unsure whether to allow Quinn to eat with us.

"We are eating with Trisha. It might be awkward to bring her along," Sky pointed out, which made sense. However, I didn't want to turn down our new classmate. She needed someone to be with, just like what Maica did for me on the first day of school.

"You and Maica can go with her. I'll accompany Quinn for now."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I turned to Quinn, who still had a bright smile. "Sure, Quinn. But for now, I'll be the one accompanying you, as these two have other plans." Quinn's face lit up with happiness upon hearing my response.

"Okay, we'll go then. Enjoy your meal!" Maica bid farewell cheerfully, and they left with Sky. Quinn and I also left and headed straight to the canteen. As usual, there was a crowd, so we lined up to order. After half an hour, we were seated at a table.

"That was fast," Quinn remarked, surprising me. Quinn chuckled when she noticed my puzzled expression. "Sorry. In my previous school, it would take an hour to queue up."

"Is it the students?" I asked while starting to eat my ordered food.

"No. It's the staff. There's a shortage of personnel, so the service isn't that fast," she explained, and I nodded along. I didn't expect Quinn to be quite talkative. It was only her first day, but she conversed as if she had been our classmate for a long time.

"Hi, Quinn," one of our male classmates greeted her along with his friends. These boys were like the bullies in our classroom, acting like they were kings.

"Hello! We're classmates, right?" Quinn clarified, smiling at the classmate who disrupted our lunch. It was evident from Quinn's face that she had no idea about these guys' backgrounds. Well, she had just transferred, so I couldn't blame her.

"Yes! We're classmates, right, boys?"

"Oh, there you are, Alex!" one of them asked me seriously. From Quinn, their attention shifted to me after one of their friends acknowledged my presence. They smirked as if they had some malicious plans for me. I looked at Quinn, and I sensed her curiosity about our current situation.

"Is everything alright, Alex?" Quinn asked, showing concern. I nodded and forced a smile. I bowed my head and continued chewing my food, even though my appetite was fading.

"He's fine, Quinn, but I should warn you." I stopped chewing upon hearing what their leader said. I caught a glimpse of their leader whispering something to Quinn, and I knew it was about me, perhaps the supposed killing incident ten years ago. "So, Quinn, be careful next time, especially when you're with Alex." I felt their sharp gazes on me even if I didn't see it. I couldn't do anything but let them be and continue eating.

"Let's go, boys. I'm hungry." The five of them left quickly, leaving Quinn and me with tension between us. I continued eating, pretending not to be bothered. I noticed Quinn staring at me, and I could feel her disappointment.

So, I decided to address it first. "I killed someone ten years ago," I confessed, looking at her. To my surprise, there was no hint of fear on her face, just a serious expression similar to Sky's. I grabbed the soda can I bought and took a sip.

"It's okay." I almost choked on my soda due to Quinn's unexpected response. I looked at her, and I was astonished to see her smile again.

"You heard me, right?"

"Yes, Alex. Loud and clear. And I have no problem with that. You were eight years old at that time, and I'm sure you didn't mean to do it," she explained before returning to her meal. I just stared at her while she continued eating. At this moment, I could say Quinn was different.

******

The school bell rang, ending our last class of the day. It's a good thing that the topics were interesting, so I didn't fall asleep, unlike Maica. Sky, on the other hand, seemed indifferent to the discussion - just staring out the window as if in a drama scene. But at least he wasn't reading a book.

"Don't forget your assignments for tomorrow!" reminded our class president, which some of our classmates responded to. While packing my things, I overheard the conversation between Quinn and her group who disrupted our lunch earlier. Out of curiosity, I used my clairaudience to eavesdrop on them.

"We'll walk you home, Quinn," the leader of the group offered.

"Oh, no need. I can manage."

"It's dangerous to walk alone, especially in this weather. The crime rate is high, and besides, you're a girl."

"Really?"

"One student here got robbed."

"That's scary."

"That's why we'll accompany you to make sure you get home safely."

"Alright, fine."

"Are you okay with that?" the leader eagerly asked.

"Yes. It would be ungrateful of me to decline your offer."

"Great!"

I rolled my eyes upon hearing the excited cheering of the group. I finished packing my things and headed towards the door.

"Alex?" Quinn called me, causing me to stop. I looked at her, realizing that she wasn't the only one staring at me - the guys were too. When I observed them, I could tell that these guys had some intentions. "Are you going home?"

"Yes, we have some errands to run."

"Alright! Take care!"

"You too!" we bid our farewells and finally left the classroom. We reached the school gate, which was somewhat crowded with students heading home just like us.

"Are you close?" Maica asked, munching on snacks.

"Sort of," I nodded while chewing. I grabbed some of her chips and started eating too.

"She's too friendly," Sky suddenly commented, making us think he was busy reading a book again, but he wasn't.

It's a miracle he's not reading. Maybe he woke up from what I told him yesterday.

"What's wrong if she's overly friendly?" Maica asked, and I agreed.

"Too much is bad," the young man briefly replied.

"So, you're saying a person is bad if they're too friendly, is that it?" I implied.

"Not sure."

"You know, Sky, you read too many books. You haven't personally met her, so it's easy for you to judge her," I replied in irritation. Who wouldn't be annoyed with someone who judges a person they've just met? I know his point is about first impressions, but in Quinn's case, whom I talked to and got to know, it's wrong.

"Alex is right, Sky," Maica concurred.

It's good that I have an ally.