Maik was somewhat dismayed with the current turn of events, and not least of which due to the incredulity that his hosts were clearly feeling with regard to his proclamations and explanations.

  It seemed as though, unlike Boyd's classroom, most of the school was of the firm belief that this was some kind of mass delusion phenomenon. That or some kind of stress response to the weirdness everyone was feeling coupled with the complete loss of all advanced tech. They just weren't hearing what the teen was saying and were in the middle of making it plainly clear that they didn't want to hear what he was saying.

  The principles tone was clearly laced with pain and effort, factors that undoubtedly contributed to the undercurrent of agitation in the woman's voice as she rubbed the side of her forehead. “Young man. This is the most progressive and well funded high schools in all of central Florida. I assure you, if there were any legitimate grounds for this...”

  She takes a moment to hold up the note pad and reference the title. “Qigong nonsense you've brought me then we would most assuredly have a class on the topic. If not, then at the very least, we would have well documented literature on the subject.”

  Her ire slowly shifted from Make to Boyd after taking on a disappointed motherly tone that seemed meant for the late teen. “Now, I can understand a youth like you grasping at such straws in this situation.”

  Then her tone was fire and brimstone as she focused on Boyd though. “Buy you should know better.” Boyd lowered his head and looked ashamed as the various angry glares from the assembled head faculty bore into him.

  The principle continued. “I knew letting you take on a main stream class would cause trouble, with the kinds of ideas you tend to espouse too, but this !”

  Her gesture to the teen standing beside the chastised teacher was as cutting as her words. “Get back to your class and see to it that proper order and discipline is maintained, and Maybe, Maybe ! You will only get knocked back down to a substitute teaching position when this is all over. Dismissed.”

  Well that accomplished a Whole Load of Jack, which was quickly followed by shit. The outcome was less than optimal. Bitch.

  Maik and Boyd passed other people who were waiting in the same line they had waited to meet with the principle. They had actually had to wait in that line for around 40 minutes and now the line was even longer than before.

  Is it really such a wonder that she had no patience for us. We have nothing more than eye witness testimony as evidence that what we proposed was useful and even then its just one step above circumstantial evidence. Existential Dread. Oh yeaaaaah. You could totally be right and we are all suffering from a mass delusion. Or maybe its just us, drooling on our self in the corner somewhere, probably tied up for our own safety by now too. Flat rejection of that idea. That's the spirit. If we really have gone this crazy then we may as well make the most of it. But if were not... Understood. Logically, we can only act upon the information we have available. Long have we come to terms with that fact. We shall continue with standard procedure then and act as though our perceptions are reality. What about Mr. Boyd ? We already have a thing going back at class but maybe he could use some encouraging words ? Bribe Him.

  Maik waited until they were outside of easy ear shot of the those still waiting in line to see the principle before starting up conversation. “The line was even longer when we left than when we arrived.”

  Boyd's voice was distracted, his gaze lightly downcast. “Uhh huhh.”

  Insufficient. We're going to need to put some more emphasis into this to make it work. Adjusting.

  “uhh I guess it makes sense that the principle wouldn't have time to hear us out given how many people are clamoring for her time. It would have been good for her to be able to take an hour or 2 to sit down and meditate using these exercises but I can see how someone in her position just doesn't have the time right now. I guess we'll just have to produce some solid results and that's going to take time. When we get back to class I think it would. Be best... If ?”

  Maik trailed off after Boyd stopped, leaving the teen to walk another couple paces without him. Turning back to look at one of his more favored teachers, Maik didn't like the look he was getting back, full of contempt and scorn. Whether those emotions were directed at Maik or himself the teen didn't know.

  The middle aged man voice was... almost hostile. “You speak as though you've already got things figured out.”

  Oh we very much do not. We're just better at accepting this crazy situation due to how often we question our own sanity. Self affirmation. Hush, he's still talking.

  “And Given the reactions of the other students, heck even my own experiences had me thinking that you did have some kind of handle on the situation, somehow.”

  Boyd looked disappointed and a little defeated. “But now that I look I can see that your still in a lot of pain by the way your walking funny.”

  The teacher starts pointing out Make's issues both verbally and with hand motions. “Your posture is off too. I didn't really notice with how rough everyone was looking and with you just sitting back at class but looking at you now.” Boyd starts shaking his head.

  Correct his misunderstanding. We cant tell him were in the middle of a sex change transformation.... Can we ? The situation is quickly spiraling out of control so we need to tell him something.

  Maik blurts out a response before Boyd can continue. "It doesn't seem as though the effects of using the alteration points are instantaneous. It seems to be taking time before the body can finish adjusting to the changes we select. Uhh, As to how long... Well I don't know."

  Boyd's chin juts out as the man tilts his head with an affronted look in his eyes. “So what, like you chose one of those..” The teacher makes air quotes. “Other races ? Should I expect pointy ears or something ?”

  Maik swallowed with nervous apprehension. We simply can not tell him about the change we have made. Then how about the change we intend to make. Tell him that we have already made the race change. We intend to make that change as soon as we have more alteration points any way. Approval.

  Maik offers Boyd a weak smile. "Well... Kinda... Yes, I have selected a race change, but that's because its a higher tier. However. No, I don't think that I will get pointy ears. I'm still... and I will still, be very human when the transformation is complete."

  The math teacher rubs his face, exasperated. "Good God Damn It. SIGH !... So what does this tier 4 race give you ?"

  That is an excellent question. Upon further reflection, it would most likely have been a good idea to verify that information before stepping onto this path.

  Analytical Pointed looks at Creative with an admonishing gaze. Higher tier should mean better, right ? Yeah. Bigger is better and I'm all about bigger and better. What you need is a bigger foot in your ass. But whats done is done. Now we have to sell it.

  From Boyd's perspective Maik had just kind had a brain fart and was staring off a nothing for a moment before any words finally came out. "..... Uhhh. I mean. It is a higher tier so.... It, should be better ? Maybe."

  Boyd looked away. Unable to look Maik in the eyes. He tried to look back at Maik once..... Then twice...... and finally managed to maintain eye contact the third time. "Why ? Why would you do something. Something that drastic without knowing what would happen ?"

  Maik was about the consider a response but Creative took control. "Do you know how to drive a tank ?" Boyd looks at Maik funny but shakes his head. "Okay. So. Imagine that you were offered a tank now. And all you have to do is drive the tank off the parking lot and its yours. Limited time offer."

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Boyd squints at Maik while giving the late teen the side eye. "... But it wasn't a limited time offer."

  Maik clenches both fists to keep a frustrated outburst inside before responding. "I know that now. But at the time... Not so much. I just kinda went for it. You know. It was an impulse purchase.

  Boyd collects himself and pointedly addresses his like they were a small child with poor impulse control. "The moment you understand what having a higher tier race does. You tell me. Got it." Maik swiftly agrees and the resume heading back to class.

  As they walked Boyd questioned Maik about what they had figured out so far. The late teen went on to describe the benefits from each of the Chi skills he had managed to verify through the interface thus far and how they had figured each of them out. This was followed by the late team extrapolating on the effects that the mind & body skill had on increasing the speed with which Maik's transformation was progressing.

  "Yeah, from the looks of things I would say that the mind & body skill is the most powerful so far, as that one seems to have almost doubled the speed at which my body is changing."

  They reached the building that housed Boyd's class and spotted a small group of students loitering around the door and in the hallway.

  Maik doesn't pay it much mind and instead focuses on how to proceed. “We should work on passing around the instruction manual I produced and maybe even start on another group that I can quickly run through the training process, like I did with you and the others. I should still have enough Chi to do one more group of that size.”

  Boyd did a double take, almost faltering in his stride but quickly recovered. “The purple bar, Your running close to empty I take it ?”

  Maik nods. "Yeah, I've been going pretty much none stop, even while changing and its kinda wearing me out. My visions even getting fuzzy now.”

  The strained way the late teen was walking conveyed as much about how tired he must be. “I want to rest, I really do but Boyd..” Maik puts his right hand on the teachers left arm to halt the middle aged mans advance. “Tell me honestly. How bad is it out there, you know, out there ?”

  There is a long pause while the teacher mulled that question over. It looked like today had been taxing for the math teacher. More taxed then Maik had ever seen Boyd, even after the scare of a school shooting just the next county over last year. Maik could see much of the weight which bore down on the teachers shoulder as Boyd contemplated the answer.

  A reassuring pat on the hand was how the teacher started the reply. “Its rough out there, and we probably aren't going to be able to send the students home, not today at least but we have provisions and people are working hard to get everything back up and running. I mean...” Boyd gestures up. “The lights are still on, so its not the end of the world, just another natural disaster, like a hurricane. Now come on, lets get back to class so you can take a seat and rest up some.”

  Maik was strained and he hurt but the power that filled him also filled him with wonder and a craving to keep at it, to advance, to progress and become stronger. The pain still did a fair bit to dampen that drive though, so he didn't push the matter further as they made their way past the loitering group of students.

  Back in the classroom the atmosphere was tense. Some people were making copies of the instructions sheets while others stood guard over them. There was actually a standoff between the second group and a third group of students that seemed to want to get at the 1st group that was making the copies. There were also a couple other teachers in the room. Boyd Quickly relieved Nathan by introducing him to Maik. “Daley, change of plans. Do me a big favor and lead Nathan here through the beginner training until he has the first tier 3 skill, would you ? Also Check with your friend to see...”

  But he was cut off by a voice that Make only recognized because of how much it had pissed him off earlier today. “Oh, back from the principles office so soon ? Must not have gone well, seeing as your just dragging yourselves back with such ragged expressions. Not only that but you are already showing favoritism to your class pet ? I guess your back so soon because the principle saw through your offer for the snake oil that it really is. So why not stop holding out on the rest of us ? We deserve just as...”

  It was Eugene that stopped him. The guy never did have any patience for hypocrisy. “A man, which is it ? Are they pedaling worthless snake oil and it doesn't matter or is what Maik's figured out so valuable that he needs to stop what hes doing to personally tutor you ? Cus you can't have it both ways man.”

  Make was rather thankful for the save as the complete and utter conflicting nature of Mr. over priced shoes argument had his brain short circuiting. Boyd wasn't fairing much better, from the look of it. But now they had recovered and Boyd dismissed the boy to address the 2 other teachers in the room, one of whom was standing beside that complainer girl from earlier.

  Maik wanted to leave Boyd to it and go speak with his friends, but instead he gestured for one of them to come over. It was James who answered the call, Jose seemingly busy staring down the leader of the third group of students. Make wasted no time and got strait to the point. “The fucks going on man ? There's almost 3 classes worth of people in here."

  James just shrugged with his trademark smile and cocked his head towards a rather flabbergasted Mr. overpriced shoes who was busy having and loosing a staring contest with or their supersized Mexican friend. “Well Tristyn over there..”

  He points for emphasis and then waves when the boy in question notices James pointing. “So yeah, that guy. Well he took off as soon as you and Boyd left to invite some of his other friends over and they've been trying to take over reproducing the instructions you wrote up...”

  The jock delighted in presenting a mocking imitation of Tristyn's earlier arguments. “I just thought that, sense your all tired from the exercises, that it would be more helpful to bring others in to make the copies.”

  Suppressing a groan was an act of will. Still, Maik sighed deeply, head tilting back as he stretched his back. “Sigh. Nnnnnnuhhh. They never mention how the phrase 'No rest for the wicked' seems to also mean no rest for the righteous.”

  Turning his gaze to check out the hushed argument between the 3 teachers almost tempts Maik to just let Boyd handle them. Boyd might need our help. We earned a break. The point man is outnumbered and behind enemy lines men. He needs reinforcements. Despite the pain the teen smiles to himself.

  James raises an eyebrow at the facial expression of asking what was so funny, but Maik waves it off before suggesting with a sideways whisper. “I don't like how their ganging up on Boyd. I like that fact that one of them was brought here by this Tristyn fellow even less... Speaking of, whats the deal with the other teacher, who is she ?”

  James grinned, an infectiously mirthful thing that made you want to get in on the fun as he whispered back. “Well that's Miss Harper and shes here on behalf of Elisha. I know Mr. Boyd's your favorite teacher but when Tristyn started trying to rally support from the rest of the class to... procure all the copies of the instructions here Elisha smacked him down with her sliver tongue. You know how she is. The fool actually stormed out announcing 'Ill be back.' like a total cartoon villain, ha haaahh. Anyways. That's when Elisha decided to go invite Harper over to even the scales and its been a standoff ever sense.”

  So Boyd isn't surrounded. Its the other way around. Can we rest now or is there more food ? Want sit. I think we can move on from here. Still I think it would be a good show of solidarity if we sent over some reinforcements. You just want to tell someone to reinforce Boyd. And just how often would we get to use a line like that ? This is a golden opportunity. Fine but then we sit.

  Turning to James and then eyeing Nathan after a moment of consideration Maik starts outlining his thoughts. “Could you take over for Elisha in dealing with the students siding with Tristyn and Miss Davis so that she can go over to reinforce Boyd ?” James lightly shakes his head while grinning but nods affirmation so Maik continues. "I want to go over and offer Harper and some of her supporters the speed run course that you guy got earlier and get to work on that. Is there any word on when more food will be sent out way ?”

  James and Maik both looked up at the clock. 2:48. The jock grumbled while his brow furrowed. He turns to Maik, his voice lacking the usual joviality. In fact the young mans gaze only grew more and more desperate the longer he talked.

  “School days almost over. You hear anything about whats going on out there ? Because what I've been hearing is pretty bad. They say none of the cars are starting in the parking lock and that all the vehicles on the road stalled and wont start either. I hear that there are wrecks all over and on just about every street but no medical services are able to get to them.”

  It is true that we are both 18 and technically adults now but are still in high school, even if it is the last semester. Tell him to suck it up. Its not that bad, right ? I mean, Boyd would totally have told us if it was that bad out there, right ? Boyd has been a good teacher and has worked with us so far in this situation. Reluctant agreement. Desire rest. Still, maybe we bring up the subject of these rumors with him later when we get the chance ? That would probably be prudent. Agreed.

  Maik puts a reassuring hand on James shoulder and offer is best, calmest smile. “I asked Boyd about it after the principle pretty much threw us out for talking crazy talk...” The look on James's face said that he was going to need more information about that comment but Main continued. “Boyd told me that while it was rough out there that there were professionals working to restore order and service out there. I mean, they got the light working and foods being delivered, right.”

  The Jock nodded as though those word were a life line to help him make it through the day before shaking himself of the melancholy and plastering his signature self assured smile back on. “We can ask Sara about checking on the food. Shes just been helping Stacy tend to the people who seem to be having it the worst, though everybody is awake now, there are quite a few who seem to be in a lot of pain.” The jock eyes Maik up and down as they make their way over to the girls, his facial expression asking if Maik was alright better than most words could.

  The teen shrugged it off just before they reached Stacy and Sara. “I selected some physical modification right off without considering the possibility that they wouldn't happen instantly and now I can feel some of my bones changing shape.”

  Stacy had looked up as they approached and caught the end of that statement. “Oh ? So you went with more than just perception then ? How are the eyes by the way ?” She was looking Maik over with the critical eye you only see from someone who was aiming to go into the medical field when they graduated. “You didn't go furry on us did you ? Your walking kind of funny.”

  Maik snorted a laugh and 2 other people grumbled a complaint. This drew the late teens attention to a couple students seated against the wall. Even at the current early stages of their transformation one could tell that their faces were changing shape and starting to sprout fur.

  I say we take out our 10 foot pole and Not touch that subject with it. Fascinating. I wonder what bonuses they will get. Will they be fluffy ? Focus, we have work to do.

  Maik shakes off the errant thoughts and turns his attention back to Stacy. “No, still human, just a modified version that offers me... more options.” That wasn't lamely evasive at all. “Anyway we have a rough plan on how to help Boyd deal with... whats her face and Miss Harper.”

  Maik pointedly addresses Sara just as James was leading Elisha over to join the conversation “We were hoping that you could check on the food situation and that Elisha here..” A quick gesture acknowledges her presence in the conversation. “Could provide backup by reinforcing Boyd against... Davis, that's her name.”

  All 3 of the girls roll their eyes but it was Elisha who voiced their opinion. “She isn't evil Maik. She just... Concerned about recent event, just like the rest of us.” The look on Maik's face when he pointedly eyes Tristyn changes her tune, though she does glance at Stacy first. “Hes just having trouble dealing with the current situation. But fine. I'll help any way I can. How did things go with the principle any way ?"

  What follows is a recap of events and Maik's personal reasoning as to why the head faculty were so unwilling to hear Maik out. Grim faces regard the late teen for delivering such depressing news, so Maik moves on to outline the rest of the plan of action he and James had gone over as well. Maik further goes on to pass on the assurances which Boyd had imparted upon the late teen back in the hallway. With everyone caught up to speed Maik and Elisha make their way over to try their hand at diplomatic relations.