Page 3 of The Not So Super Hero
“Bailey Schaefer.”Bailey took the hand Amery offered for a quick shake.
“I’m assuming you are a Mutant Studies major.You planning on going the political or medical route?”Amery questioned, seeing as the class was literally called Mutant Studies 101.
“Medical,” he replied.“You?”
“Same thing,” she announced, sounding very proud, which she should be.Mutant Studies was a very fresh major, even more so the medical aspect of it.After all, 150 years of mutants seemed like a lot, but it certainly wasn’t politically or medically.Most of the research only hit the ground about 30 years ago.There were many trying to get into mutant studies now that it was so acceptable and growing dramatically, so it was definitely a triumph if you got in.
“Do you have one?”Amery suddenly asked, twirling her pen in her hand.“A mutation, that is.”
“No, you?”
“Nope.”Amery made a cute pout.“A fourth of the population has already evolved, but we’re left in the dust.Boo!”
Bailey nodded, thinking over the percentage Amery mentioned that grew each year.Studies estimated that perhaps in another 100 years half the population could be mutants.Mutant was the term given to those humans that fell into the 25% that possessed supernatural abilities.
During a time, for about the first 60 years, mutants were feared, shut out from the rest of the world until people quickly realized that a political side had to be formed for mutants or it was going to be disastrous.Well, worse than it already was.It took some time.It was still in effect really, but most rights were given back to mutants that were once taken away.
Most mutants appeared normal.Some had side effects of their own abilities, but most could pass off as everyone else, which was a cause for uproar.People wanted them marked or in uniforms to tell them apart.Though that quickly fell through, since it easily put a target on their back for hate crimes.The sudden appearance of mutants was difficult, still was, however, the world slowly getting by.Each year, they were treated more and more like everyone else.
For a while, it felt as if the entire world was on hold.Technology took a drastic downfall when mutants first arrived.Some were used for their own abilities.It put a sort of “halt” on the evolution of everything.It was tough times, or so Bailey read.
“I knew a Level 1 with enhanced smell.Imagine what it was like taking a shit,” he commented.Amery gagged.
“That would be awful!”She cried, throwing her hands over her nose.“No way, I’m good.Enhanced smell is not worth it.”
Moments later, their professor walked in, successfully cutting off their conversation.Both Amery and Bailey watched in slight awe when the woman got to her desk, waving her hand across the slightly drooping plants she had rested there.In a second, the plants stood upright, their color returned and in full health.
“Welcome to Mutant Studies 101.I am your instructor, Professor Lou.I hope we get along during this semester.Sorry to announce that I am only a Level 2 mutant.”Professor Lou slogged her way around her desk.She leaned back, pressing her weight against the desk while she twirled her finger around one of her plants.The attention caused a couple of flowers to bloom.
“The most I can do is grow flowers and heal some minor injuries,” Professor Lou explained, her dark brown eyes observing the class.“In this class, we will learn more about that, about Levels, about mutants, the people who possess mutations, and the basics of it all, honestly.Feel free not to answer, but how many mutants are here?”
Bailey and Amery turned their heads to watch 21 out of the 50 students raise their hands.
“Terrific, we have quite a lot here with us,” Professor Lou exclaimed, clapping her hands happily.“I may ask for demonstrations later on, but again, feel free to decline.This class will not force you to do anything you are not comfortable with.Except for tests.You’re going to have to put up with those, sorry.”
A few laughs broke across the room before Professor Lou went on explaining the course, much like Bailey’s first professor did.She focused on her plans, attendance, the grading system, and so on.Before Bailey knew it, the class had ended.
“Level 2 or not, that’s still pretty cool,” Amery stated at the end of class.She and Bailey headed to lunch in the Student Center in the middle of campus.“It’s simple, but totally cool.I mean, since people with powers like Professor Lou popped up, the amount of deforestation has dropped drastically.Imagine in another 50 years what it will be like.Our air is going to be pure as fuck.”
He snorted.
“Sometimes I think the appearance of mutants was the universe’s way of telling us to stop fucking everything up and use your abilities for good.’”
“You’re forgetting that not everyone does, though,” he countered.Amery puffed out her cheeks cutely, then released the air in an annoyed whistle.
“Villains are just ungrateful bastards.They should be more outstanding like Scorch and Frostbite!”
Bailey was pretty sure he heard a hint of a girly sigh at the mention of the famous heroes.He gave Amery a look that translated to ‘I totally heard that loving tone in your voice.’Amery giggled, then waved dismissively.
“Oh, come on,” she said.“You know they’re both hot.They’re twins, a hot guy and a hot girl.I gotta say we Northeasterners have the best of luck with superheroes!”
He rolled his eyes, shaking at Amery’s giggles and flushed face.She pressed a hand to her cheek, pretending to be bashful and batting her eyelashes while staring at Bailey for a response.He looked about, wondering why she wanted a response and, in the end, completely agreed.“I guess they’re both pretty hot.”
“Besides, both of them should fascinate us.They’re Level 9’s.They’re so rare, aren’t they?”Amery said.
“Yeah, Level 8 to 10 is the rarest.”
A good thing too, seeing as most of them possessed such immense power, they could demolish an entire city if they wanted.It was why the Mutant Officer Registry, or MOR, was formed.It hired and registered mutants as part of the military, allowing them to fight against other mutants who went rogue or partake in heroic actions that would have required far more work and suffering if not for them.
