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In the bustling hardware engineering class, Gallus Siliconson found himself seated next to Thalia Cobalt, a girl whose presence was as subtle as the whispers of circuits on a motherboard. She was silent and mysterious, but had dangerous powers of Thallium, Cobalt and Arsenic. Thallium, a very toxic element, gave her the power to foreshadow people’s worst moments. Cobalt gave her a power similar to that of the founder of Cobalt Crescendo, the peaceful metropolis they resided in; an excellent sense of direction and could create a mind map of any place. Arsenic gave her the gift to sense whether or not something was poisonous.
As the professor droned on about circuit integration and the latest in silicon chip technology, Gallus couldn’t help but steal glances at Thalia. Her eyes were fixed on the holographic display, her fingers dancing lightly over the projected circuits, manipulating them with a finesse hidden beneath her silent nature. They were supposed to be seated together the previous day, but he was absent from class.
Gallus, feeling a surge of gallium-induced courage, decided to break the ice. “I’ve never seen anyone work the holo-circuits like that,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Thalia turned to him, her cobalt-blue eyes locking with his gallium-gray ones. “It’s all about understanding the flow, not just of the current, but of the potential it carries,” she replied, her voice as enigmatic as her powers. “It’s pretty simple once you get a hold of it.”
“That’s nice. One of my powers is silicon, so I already have a good grasp on hardware. I noticed that you don’t have any electricity-related powers.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, otherwise your eyes would glow a bit while you’re working.”
“Yeah, you’re right… my power is t-technetium…” she replied, stuttering slightly on her last word.
“Wait… so you’re…” he began, a hint of realization dawning on his face, his lips parting slightly as if about to utter a revelation. “R-”
Thalia’s eyes widened when she realized what she had said. She was just trying to find an element beginning with T, when she realized that she said the name of an element even worse than her real one. “No, I’m not! What I meant to say was that my element is titanium! Yeah, I always confuse titanium for technetium.”
“Oh, okay…” he replied, nodding slightly. “What power does it give you?”
“Like how titanium is really heavy, I can turn myself into a statue whenever need be.”
Thalia’s claim hung in the air, a lie veiled in nervous energy. Gallus, sensing her discomfort, decided not to press further. Instead, he smiled, a gesture of camaraderie rather than suspicion.
“That’s quite a unique ability,” Gallus remarked, his curiosity piqued but his tone respectful. “It must be useful in situations that require… a solid presence.”
Thalia let out a small, relieved laugh, grateful for the change in direction. “Yes, it has its moments. But enough about me. What about you? Any other powers hidden up your sleeve?”
Gallus leaned back in his chair, the image of silicon circuits still fresh in his mind. “Well, besides the obvious silicon-induced hardware affinity, I have a knack for detecting flaws in any system. It’s like I can sense the imperfections, the potential for failure, and I can fix them before they become a problem. Any errors, fallacies, lies, I can detect it easily.” he said, smirking slightly.
Her eyes shifted around nervously, as she realized that she had been caught, but she didn’t give up yet. “Let’s stop talking for a bit, and um… focus on the lesson.”
“Okay, but if it makes you feel any better, my other power is gallium, which lets me liquefy myself. I used to be bullied by practically everyone with a metallic power back in middle school for ‘not being a real metal’ or whatever.”
“What does that have to do with anything? But you know what does? The textbook on the table. So come on, we have work to do…”
Thalia’s insistence on focusing on the lesson was a clear deflection, but Gallus decided to let the topic of powers rest for now. He nodded and turned his attention to the textbook, allowing the silence to settle between them as they delved into the complexities of hardware engineering.
The lesson continued, and the two worked side by side, occasionally exchanging notes and ideas. Gallus couldn’t help but admire Thalia’s sharp intellect and the way she approached problems with a methodical calmness. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic energy that often surrounded those with elemental powers.
As the class neared its end, Gallus found himself reflecting on the day’s interactions. He realized that beneath Thalia’s mysterious exterior lay a wealth of knowledge and a kindred spirit. He made a mental note to learn more about her; not only about her powers, but also the person behind them.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and the students began to pack up. Gallus turned to Thalia, offering a genuine smile. “Thanks for everything,” he said. “Maybe we can partner up for the next project too.”
Thalia returned the smile, her earlier nervousness replaced by a sense of ease. “I’d like that,” she replied. “See you tomorrow, Gallus.”
With that, they parted ways, each with their own thoughts about the day’s revelations and the potential for what lay ahead. Gallus walked away with a newfound respect for Thalia, and a curiosity that went beyond the elements they wielded.
A few hours passed and classes had come to a close. Selena was just returning to her dorm, after a hectic day of classes. She had always been passionate of photography, ever since she was in middle school, hence why it was her major. She was walking by herself, peacefully. She looked around and saw everyone returning to their own rooms. She wondered what Aurelia was up to. She expected that Aurelia was probably around there somewhere, talking with people from her biochemistry class.
Selena’s steps slowed as she approached the dorm, her camera swinging gently at her side. The golden hour light was perfect, and she couldn’t resist capturing a few shots of the campus bathed in the warm glow. She framed the scene, focusing on the way the light played off the leaves and the old stone buildings, creating a serene tableau.
After a few satisfying clicks, she continued on her way, her mind wandering to Aurelia. They had been roommates for a week now, and their bond had grown strong. Selena appreciated Aurelia’s vibrant energy and her uncanny ability to bring people together.
As she reached their dorm room, the sound of laughter and animated conversation spilled out into the hallway. Selena pushed the door open to find Aurelia hovering in the air, surrounded by a group of their classmates, a mix of biochemistry majors and others from different fields. They were all discussing the latest campus news, their voices a lively chorus in the small space.
Aurelia caught Selena’s eye and waved her over. “Selena, come join us! We’re just talking about the Elemental Ball coming up next week.”
Selena smiled and made her way through the crowd, greeting familiar faces. “Sounds exciting. Are you going, Aurelia?”
“Of course,” Aurelia replied with a grin. “And guess what? I just got us invitations to the pre-party at Clara Caesar’s place. It’s going to be epic!”
The room erupted in cheers and excitement. Selena felt a surge of anticipation. The Elemental Ball was the highlight of the social calendar, and a pre-party hosted by Clara was sure to be unforgettable. From what they had heard from their seniors, the chlorine and cesium wielding fourth-year’s pool parties were always amazing. This was her last year at college, which made it a one-time opportunity for them freshmen to experience.
“Whoa, that’s amazing!” Selena squealed excitedly.
“I know, right?”
“But… what will your parents say?”
“My mom’s all about parties, but my dad isn’t. Still, they’ll definitely let me go. If you need further confirmation, feel free to stop by the Arts department and ask my mom. Yours?”
“They won’t mind as long as I don’t fall behind on schoolwork.”
The conversation about the Elemental Ball and the pre-party continued for a while, with everyone sharing their excitement and plans for the event. As the evening progressed, the crowd began to thin out, with classmates leaving for dinner or to catch up on studies.
Once the room had emptied, Selena turned to Aurelia, her expression thoughtful. “You know, I ran into Gallus today. He seemed… different. Like he’s dealing with something big. I think it’s what happened yesterday.”
Aurelia’s interest piqued, and she floated down to perch on the edge of her bed. “Gallus? He’s always been a bit of a mystery with his silicon and gallium powers. What do you mean by ‘different’?”
Selena shrugged, setting her camera aside. “I’m not sure. He was more introspective than usual. When I said hi, he simply smiled back. I thought he was busy at the time, but something just seems off…”
Aurelia nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. “Maybe we should invite him to the pre-party. He’ll definitely feel better after a nice party.”
Selena agreed with a smile. “That’s a great idea. We’ll talk to him and Nickolas tomorrow.”
“You know, he reminds me of one of my old friends back in my home-school days.”
“Really, who?”
“The only other girl around my age who lived on campus. She was really reserved, but she loved to tinker with electronics, just like him,” Aurelia replied. " She has such a quick intuition. Just by looking at something she could tell if it posed danger, thanks to one of her powers, arsenic. I think she must have moved to a different college, because I never see her around. We grew apart after 8th grade, so I don’t know much. She’s the dean’s daughter, actually.”
“Teacher’s pet, huh?”
“I don’t know, but I wonder what would happen if they became friends, both loving tech and all…” Aurelia mused.
As the night wore on, the two roommates chatted about lighter topics, their laughter filling the room. The promise of the upcoming festivities hung in the air, a welcome distraction from the rigors of university life.
And as they finally turned in for the night, the thought of the Elemental Ball, the pre-party, and the mysterious Gallus Siliconson lingered in their minds, each holding the potential for unexpected adventures and new beginnings.
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