Paladin's Academy

Prologue Chapter 3: White Mask

Today is the day, exactly one month before classes start. They're doing the background interviews for the students who want to enroll in Paladin's Academy. I'll be honest; I'm a bit nervous. Not only is the scene heavily competitive, to say the least, but I lack one crucial thing everyone has, scratch that, needs, at a superhero school, superpowers. See, I was born quirkless; I was told about twenty percent of the population doesn't have quirks as well. It wasn't reassuring. I got picked on in middle and high school because I lacked powers. Every fight I was in, I was punching way over the belt. These kids could fly, have super strength, super speed, and all I had was my quick wits and charming personality. People called me crazy for taking the hero course in high school. They said it was "stupid" and "pointless," but I had one thing, one thing, that all these super kids lacked. I've got the will, the drive to better myself, the constitution to never give in, and to never give up. Hell, If I knew any better, I'd even call it my superpower.

Unfortunately, they don't count "superwill" as a superpower, so getting in has been made much more difficult. However, to feel "inclusive," all superhero schools, by law, must accommodate at least one non-powered superhero. I believe Paladins call this the "Anyone can be a hero Initiative" or "ACBHI" for short. Since most kids without superpowers give up on their dreams of becoming heroes, I may just have the edge over these clowns who still believe they can. None of these fools have ever won an amateur boxing tournament, or placed first in a regional chess match, or won the Tesla award at the science fair. So, I think the odds of me getting in are around two hundred percent, give or take a few decimals. 

I pack my stuff, make sure I got all my documents in my brown envelope, and put on some body armor, a black trenchcoat, and finally, a white domino mask. I check all my equipment, grappling hook, and smoke pellets, and finally head out. The travel to Paladin's Academy is gonna be a while. See, I'm a New York kid, and Paladin's is all the way over in the smaller state of New Hampshire. I woke up early today so I'll arrive there in around nine o'clock in the morning. Paladin's is quite fancy you see; the main campus is on an island by the city of Portsmouth. They call the island "Paladin's Island" for obvious reasons. The island is connected by a train station which they call, you guessed it, "Paladin's Station." After all that travel, I finally arrive at the main campus of Paladin's Academy.

You're probably sick of hearing the word "Paladin" by this point, believe me, I am too, but being enrolled in a school with that word means you are going to hear it a lot. The main campus is pretty sick, it would put something like the White House to shame. Silver and blue are the main color choices with their logo being a fancy "P.A." and the buildings themselves have a bit of a skyscraper feel with a mix of a medieval castle. I see people flying around and training, most likely students or paid actors. I don't know why they're here one month before the grand opening but hey, I won't judge. I enter the main building and talk with the receptionist, and ask her where the interviews are taking place. She, boringly, just tells me that they're on the third floor. Jesus, these buildings are small compared to the average New York building but hey, I'm not one to compare sizes. 

I take the stairs and make it to the third floor. The corridor is pure white and blue, on theme with the whole building. There is a sign that says "Applicant Interviews Here," well no shit. It seems that someone is currently being interviewed before me, and here I thought I was early. I sit down and wait for this "hero" to finish up their interview. I mean why the hell are they still interviewing people. Paladins should be fucking thankful that these jackasses wanted to apply here in the first place. There are THREE hero schools in America, and Paladin's is second best, the silver medal, a runner-up. While not bad, certainly not that great either. But honestly, you either get into the best one, Olympus University, the Goldilocks of the bunch, Paladin's, or the backwater one all the way out in Nebraska. NEBRASKA, the unlucky heroes residing there are all most likely inbred and spend their time taking care of farm animals. 

After God knows how long, the interview is finally done and the door finally opens. I sighed in relief since that must've been at least a good hour or two. But that sigh quickly transforms into a gasp as OH MY GOD, out comes a fucking chick. She's about 5'5, with long black hair, and while she doesn't have much on the front, she definitely makes up for it with the back. She's wearing a white jacket and a short black skirt. I quickly fixed my hair and leaned on the wall as I pretend not to notice her for a bit. Girls like it when guys don't give a shit about them. She walks out and thanked whoever she was talking with and as she closed the door and made her way to me I just leaned back and pretended not to care.

Before she went to the elevator, I "accidentally" bump into her dropping my brown envelope. I apologize and say, "Sorry about that, I didn't see you there"  as I quickly pick up the envelope with my lightning-fast reflexes. "Nah, don't worry about it. It must be the pre-interview jitters," she said as she looked me up and down to see if I was alright. "Jitters?" I said, dumbfounded, "I don't get nervous before a stupid interview," I said as I fixed myself. "Oh?" she said with a sarcastic tone. "I see; it must be talking to a pretty girl then." I quickly laughed at the remark as she seems to be quite full of herself. After chuckling, I introduced myself to be White Mask, "Oh," she paused, "we're using our made-up names, then I'm Techno-Knight," the girl says as she extends her hand out. I give a firm handshake and quickly remarked that "Well, guess it's my turn to be interviewed; I'll see you around Techno-Knight." She giggles as she says, "Hopefully, I'll see you around too." Before she leaves, she says, "Good luck, White Mask," as she waves goodbye. The elevator doors close as I get a moment to ponder. Huh, that's the first time anyone's called me by that name, feels good not gonna lie. Welp, time to get this stupid interview over with.