The Exceptions

Plans

*Quick Explanation! When people talk about power rankings, it goes as follows. The higher ranked the power, the more powerful it is. The higher ranked an exception is, the more restrictive it is. When Mirai and Dawn talk about their scaling, it is purely speculative, they haven't been ranked by an official ranker yet. Finally, rankings from worst to best go: F, D, C, B, A, S, SS. Thanks!!*

"Dawn, is that you?" Mirai yells, trying to signal to her friend. Dawn whirls around, visibly upset. "Oh god, what happened this time?" Dawn finds a chair in the dining area and sits down.

"Some kid mocked me again. He was probably jealous, as always." Mirai walks over and throws her arms around the pissed off Dawn.

"That sucks, we all hate those losers. They will never amount to anything."

"Dang girly, that's harsh for even you to say." smirks Dawn. Mirai shrugs and releases Dawn. She continues.

"So, what did you learn today?" Mirai simply replies.

"Well, about how people can increase their power in different ways. Some say it is because of their emotions, for others it's due to focus and training. But for most it is a little of both."

"Oh yeah, I remember learning about that. I definitely lean more towards the training side of things, but I wish I could just clear my mind enough to use my power better." Mirai's eyes begin to glow and a fork from across the table begins to lift off the surface, little by little.

"Wow, Mirai you are-" Dawn looks over at the psychic and sees her arm is outstretched and shaky. The fork clatters back to the table. "Ey! You did better that time. If you keep that up you'll improve for sure!"

"Thanks for the confidence, but it's going to take wayyyy more time to master than I hope."

"Well no shit Sherlock, you're wielding an A class or higher power!" Dawn marvels, feeling a little jealous.

"Yeah, with probably an SS tier exception. Wouldn't that suck? I mean look at you! You have a B tier power with a D or F tier exception. You are incredible with your power already!" Mirai says with a genuine smile. Dawn blushes.

"Awe girl you play too much, we are just tryna figure out where we exist and fit into the world." Other people begin to file into the mess hall. "K'mon, let's take our seats so we can get Lucian and just hang out." They spot Lucian from across the hall, seeming beaten and shaken. Dawn and Mirai rush over to him and help him sit down.

"Yo, what happened?" Asks Dawn.

"I'm so coldddd" he pouts. Dawn lights a small fire to try to warm him up. "Oh, and I fought the general!" He says with a smirk creeping onto his face.

"You hulking IDIOT!" exclaims Mirai. "How long was it this time, and what was it for?"

"The examiner got pissy with me, so I defended myself with words. I guess that gets you 15 minutes with El Fuhrer Frio." Dawn tries not to laugh as Mirai hurriedly asks if he was ok. As they begin to eat and talk, everything around them suddenly stops moving. They look around in confusion. A projection of a hand appears, and then fades as fast as it had emerged. The only thing that remained was a paper note left on the table. Huh, that's weird. Is this a test from the Academy?

"Did y'all sense that?" Dawn said.

"Yes Dawn, we all just went through it together." Lucian and Dawn start to discuss what just happened as Mirai picks up the note. Her face goes white. Or whiter than it already can, given her pale complexion. The two look up and see her face.

"R-r-read." stammers Mirai. The note read:

Hello? Is anyone there? I have no idea where my apparition appeared, but you are my only possibility of saving this place and your future defenders. You need to escape, now! Alert the officers of the building. The world, or what is left of it, is in serious danger. At midnight, you need to sneak out of your rooms. Make sure you bring a Junior class recruit named LUCIAN with you. I was not provided his last name. Meet in the exact area where my apparition vanished. We will talk and then you will be returned to the academy. Just do as I say and no one dies, hopefully. Have a great day. See you at the witching hour.

A couple lines down the note was signed by only an S. Dawn grimaces. This has to be a prank right? Oh frick why did I show Lucian?! Lucian immediately grabs the note and starts folding it and putting it in his pocket.

"Yo, I know your name was on that but k'mon, it doesn't mean it's just for you." Dawn says.

"Yeah c'mon, let's turn it into the higher ups!" exclaims Mirai.

"No way" says Lucian firmly. "If this is my ticket out of here, I'm not throwing it away. I want gone."

"We know you do, but it may not be safe!" Mirai exclaimed.

"It could be a prank by those other classmates, they're no goods." says Dawn.

Mirai shook her head. "Do you think a student has the power to stop time and teleport items? No! Even higher up military personnel can't stop time." The others nod solemnly.

"Well?" Lucian inquires.

"Let's do it," agrees Dawn. "I know the note says we will be returned, but what is at stake? Punishment? Human life?"

"I suppose it needs us." Mirai agrees.

"Let's also keep this a secret, I don't want to ruin our chance, especially with the General." Lucian says, as the girls nod. They proceed to eat and chat about how confusing this all is, before fist bumping goodbye and departing for regimental training. They agree to meet in the same spot at 11:59 at night, on the dot, for final minute preparations. No earlier, as to avoid the risk of getting caught.