The giant door opened. As my eyes adjusted to the bright light, I saw a surprising scene. It looked like a party of legends. To anyone else, it might seem like a normal party. But I could feel it-none of them were normal people.
No one here looked older than 18. By reading their minds, I could tell that they were all hiding their true abilities behind normal appearances. Just like me.
The hall was as grand as the door. The ceiling reached three floors high, with open space in the middle-big enough to fit an entire stadium.
Each floor had balconies and cabins around the edges. A spiral-like escalator stood in the center. Lights flashed softly around the hall, with music playing in the background.
Giant chandeliers hanging from above made everything glow even brighter. Long tables were lined with foods from all around the world. Mini robots were roaming around, serving juice and cold drinks.
Everyone was chatting, laughing, and eating. It all seemed so normal-like this was everyday life. But I was trying to figure out what unique powers each person had.
Just then, my watch vibrated. I looked down at it, and a robotic voice said:
" Lorenas, your room is on the 2nd floor, number 31/F."
I headed there. As I stood in front of Room 31/F, a robot scanned my body. The door opened with a sound. A voice said:
"Welcome, Eash Lonenas. Your serial number is 21-A."
I walked in and was amazed. If this room was five times bigger than my room, how big was the whole aircraft? But I noticed that each room had space for three people. With so much space, why this rule? Then I realized-it was probably designed to help us adjust to the new environment.
As I moved toward the area marked with my roll number, someone called out:
"Hey!"
Actually, he hadn't said it yet, but I had already sensed it and turned toward him.
I looked at him and simply said "Hello" while walking toward my bed.
I could hear his thoughts. He was thinking that he had never seen anyone like me-someone with no emotions on his face. But what could I do? I don't care what people think about me.
I walked toward the wall, and an invisible wardrobe opened. As I placed my things inside, I tried reading the boy's thoughts again. Glancing at him, I saw this info on my mental screen:
Name: Riyushi Izume
Age: 15 years, 7 months, 2 days
Height: 5'5"
Ability: Graduation in Mathematics
He was focused on a computer screen, trying to solve a very complex math problem. I mentally solved it in seconds and walked toward him.
He had neat black hair, glasses, and a slim frame. As I reached him, he looked up and smiled. I didn't say anything. I just moved the mouse pointer to the mistake he had made.
His eyes lit up instantly. Wow-so smart! He solved the problem right away. Then he stood up and shook my hand.
"Thank you! Riyushi Izume. You?"
"Eash Lorenas."
He pointed to a chair, and we both sat down. He seemed friendly. I heard we would have to share the same dorm room even in the main university, so it was a good idea to get along. I tried to match his energy.
"So, Eash. Just boarded this flight? You're from Bangladesh?"
"Yeah, and you?"
"Canada. Have you ever been there?"
I hardly ever leave the house, so I just said:
"Nope, actually."
He probably wanted to say more about Canada, but maybe sensed I already knew a lot. So I asked:
"Riyushi, how long have you been here?"
"Just a day. We'll reach PSTU in three more days. The previous batch is on vacation now, so they brought us all in together."
" Ohh. I see another bed here. Who's the third person?"
Just then, another boy burst into the room-messy Black hair, not too fat or thin, lively black eyes shining like 500-watt bulbs. Same height as me. My screen showed:
Name: Spark Godwin
Age: 16 years, 1 month, 17 days
Height: 5'8"
Ability: Extraordinary talent in Physics
"Riyushi! Viva exam is tomorrow. I'm so excited!"
Then he noticed me and held out his hand.
"And you?"
"Eash Lorenas. From Bangladesh."
"Spark Godwin, from America. Man, you're handsome."
"Not more than you."
Riyushi said,
"Seriously? The viva is tomorrow? So we'll meet the principal?"
"No doubt!"
I asked,
"You guys seem excited?"
They looked at me, surprised. From reading their minds, I could tell the principal was a very special and rare figure. Spark started explaining:
"Can you imagine? We're the first batch whose viva will be taken by Mr. Helhead himself. He usually only meets those getting the graduation award. And we just joined PSTU! What a dream!"
Spark was very energetic-typical B+ blood type. He said all that in one breath. I had to say something, so I replied:
"Oh, I see."
They were probably surprised again because I showed no emotion. I could tell they were thinking, "How is this guy so cold?"
But that's just who I am.
Finally, I asked,
"So what's the system like?"
I didn't need to ask-I already knew. But I wanted to keep up the conversation.
Spark explained quickly:
"Each viva is just 30 minutes. Only one person at a time. There will be enough gap between each viva. The principal can ask anything, but his main goal is to meet us new students. We'll have another viva at graduation to see how much we've improved."
"Hmm, got it. Did you prepare anything, Spark?"
"Nope. You, Riyushi?" Spark asked.
"What's the point? He wants to see our skills, not memorized answers," Riyushi replied.
"True," Spark seemed thoughtful.
Just then, the ship made a chime sound. It was midnight. As Riyushi turned off his computer, he said:
"Let's sleep. It's getting late."
Spark asked,
"Where are we now? It just hit midnight, right?"
"UAE." Riyushi replied calmly.
___
Now I'm wondering to myself. Wow, did I really talk this much? Three hours had passed.
I went to my bed and lay down. Thinking what is awaiting in future for me.
Be Continued....