Acclimation

In the largest building of the entire complex that was Tower Prep, the hallways were empty but if one was to talk through the corridors, they would pass by numerous classrooms of varying subjects all filled with students and a teacher.

The teachers were world-class, the brightest minds in their field, and were teaching courses that were so in-depth and ahead of their time, that even the lowest level classes were master's degree material...the highest level classes covered advancements that if known to the outside world, would be considered science fiction.

The program at Tower was strict, the teachers were talented and the students were all special. They were a cohort of individuals born with a unique 'gift' that varies from person to person, although very few of such gifts could be unique...

While walking the empty hallways on his rounds, Headmaster was taking his stroll slowly while contemplating the 'gifts' people like him had...

One of the more common abilities (not to say that it is common, just more abundant than others) for the gifted was "Hyperswasion", a gift that would allow an individual to persuade someone to do something that they would otherwise not do....a subtle form of natural hypnotism, if you will, that came in many varieties...

The most gifted individuals who have trained and graduated from Tower Prep can simply stare into the eyes of another to have an effect, while it sometimes comes in a specialty....such as certain women having a more powerful version that only worked on men.

This was a very simple example, but many individuals with varying abilities walked these halls...

...

The headmaster walked past a classroom containing many people, he looked through the glass and saw an elderly man with rounded glasses.....someone the "Headmaster" recognized from the show in his past life....an interesting gleam emanated from his eyes as he decided to enter the classroom.

The sudden opening of the in-progress class's door caught everyone's attention.....when the teacher saw who entered his class, a look of surprise filled his eyes before he greeted the man.

"Headmaster, welcome to my class!.....may I be of assistance?..." the man was oddly respectful and a little fearful, something the students took note of...

"I need nothing at all Biology, please continue your lesson...I was simply making my rounds and got interested..." with a leisurely attitude, Headmaster made his way to the back of the class and took a seat after un-buttoning his suitcoat's top button.

With a nervous sweat forming, Biology quickly collected himself and nodded in affirmation before continuing..." right....where were we class? Ah! I remember..."

"....the aforementioned subspecies is found in the area ranging from Southern Queensland to Tasmania, of which the D. maculatus is only one example..."

.....

As the Headmaster listened to the world-class biology professor teaching master's level Vertebrate Zoology knowledge to barely high-school-aged young individuals, a subtle smile graced his lips.....his attention was focused on two people in this class who he knew to be Travelers...they looked enraptured with Biology's lesson, already acclimated to this new environment they found themselves in...

'They haven't even tried to escape as Mr. Rango is doing now, oh probably should call him Mr. Archer now.....he is the only non-sheep diver so far hah...' thought the Headmaster while smiling wisely...

The Headmaster came to this class because his spy informed him of two Travelers nearby as he was instructed to...he communicated with the spy via the Headmaster's 'gift', the leader of this mysterious preparatory school was a telepath. A very rare talent amongst the small group of gifted people, and the reason why he is feared...

...

After watching the students and teacher for a while, Headmaster slipped away.....just as he closed the door to the classroom, he got a notification on his PDA...he took out the device to see an incoming call from one of his monitors...

"....yes monitor? What is it?"

"Headmaster, there is a new student out of uniform trying to break into orientation. I've already informed him that the building was closed but he refuses to comply...what should I do?..."

A playful light flashed in the Headmaster's eyes as he replied softly...."It's fine, after he takes a look inside to satiate his curiosity, bring him to my office....I'll handle Mr. Archer..."

....

The Monitor was surprised that the Headmaster already knew the troublesome student's name but decided to simply follow instructions.....after leading Mr. Archer to the destination, she opened Headmaster's office door and ushered Archer in before quickly retreating...

...

Ian found himself standing in the so-called "Headmaster's Office" with the exit door being shut behind him. The room was now deadly quiet, with only a smiling middle-aged man with silver-grey hair looking teasingly at him....almost like his attempted escape and breaking of many rules (according to that monitor who left) was of no concern to him...

After a few tense seconds of silence, the Headmaster looked down towards his computer screen....a screen facing away from the young man so Ian couldn't see what was displayed....however, the Headmaster began reading aloud...

"Ian Archer....attributes; intelligence, loyalty, and courage..."

"Flaws; stubbornness and a quick temper..."

"Psychological profile reveals a sensitive core, still misses the dog he lost three years ago..."

Before the Headmaster could continue reading what Ian now knew to be his "file", he interrupted the man as it was getting unnerving...." where'd you get that?..."

The Headmaster seemed unbothered by the interruption as he kept the subtle smile on the corner of his lips as he turned to face Ian and replied...."just sit down here, please..."

The Headmaster watched as this new student took a seat in front of his desk, the new student tried putting on a relaxed demeanor but it was easy to tell that the young lad seemed shaken...with that, the Headmaster continued...

"....excels at all sports, particularly martial arts...I heard you ran into the buffer team, considered joining?"

Ian scoffed before he replied with no small amount of malice to the men who jumped him..."not a team player..."

"Not yet..." the Headmaster replied.

"...despite excellent leadership potential, subject prefers to go his own way....you know Ian, you're a very interesting young man. I hope that we can become friends..." the Headmaster said with that same smile, Ian was wanting to slap it off his face.

"Look, am I under arrest?..."

"No.."

"...in some kind of reformatory school? Juvenile hall?..."

"No..."

"Then what is this place?..."

With absolutely no hesitation whatsoever, the Headmaster answered...."the big question here Ian, is who are you?.........why did you take on that bully the other day?"

After a few seconds of silence, the answer came in a quiet voice, " he came after my friend..."

"Real reason? He was a challenge...I'm sure you wanted to help your friend, but I think you wanted to test yourself even more. Tower Prep was built, exclusively, for students like you....young people who feel like they are out of step with the rest of the world, when the fact is, that everybody else is lagging behind."

Ian rolled his eyes inwardly halfway through the speech as this jargon seemed so rehearsed it sickened him...

"....and Tower Prep is where exactly?"

The Headmaster smiled a little more at that question before continuing...."where you are geographically is not as important as where you are mentally. As a student here you will follow a stringent program to master what we call, your unique potential..."

"I don't believe any of this..." Ian was sure that he was in a dream, he had to be...he must have fallen asleep while playing Treasure Bandits.

"It's a very challenging program Ian, but I think it's exactly the kind of test you've been looking for...a lot more challenging than getting a top score at Treasure Bandits..."

Ian's head whipped around and stared dangerously at the Headmaster...."how do you know a game I play?..."

"Lucky guess..."

The Headmaster's reply irked Ian so he figured he would get back at the man..." so, Headmaster?.... Is that it? Just one name?.....Like Pink?...Rihanna?"

The mirth never left Headmaster's face and with the smile everpresent, he answered the cheeky young man..." the staff here are addressed only by their titles; Biology, Math, I think you've already met Coach...it keeps things simple, yet respectful."

"Any other questions?..."

Ian leaned forward in his chair before answering...."yeah, one big one..."

Before he could ask the question, however, the Headmaster already spoke his answer...

"Yes, your parents know where you are..."