The walk into the Nurse’s office was average, Alexa didn’t find anything interesting on the way and [Fan Girl] didn’t let Alexa nom Glory’s hair or even the finger, so all that Alexa could do was wait a few seconds there for the Nurse to check on Glory and sent them away.

  The girl woke up on her own when the Nurse broke a small container, some kind of [Smelling salts]. She said Alexa didn’t know that salt could smell like that.

  “...All-mighty Goddess of Life…why have you forsaken me,” Was the first thing that Glory said when waking up.

  “Don’t be a drama queen Blackthorn, we knew it was a possibility from the first moment Alexa sat in that chair,” Alan said from the door.

  “You are okay, Glory, Alexa’s guardian made sure you didn’t hit anything when fainting, and your vitals are in order,” The Nurse said from the side, Alexa didn’t see her taking her vitals in any way or form; perhaps Glory had some kind of sensor like the ones that [Elder] used? “Thank you for your help Miss Venti, we will take it from here. Teacher De’Medicci confirmed that the class will be hosted so you may return.”

  “Okay then, Alexa call me if you want me to pick you up. If not make sure your older sister gets you home,” [Fan Girl] said before leaving, Alexa didn’t have an older sister…

  Or was she referring to herself?

  “That may be me, the one she is talking about,” “It’s probably me.”

  Yeah, Alexa didn’t have any older sisters at all. Nope, no sir!

  “Okay!” Alexa decided to say and wave at [Fan Girl] for now.

  “....God is dead,” Glory added from the side.

  Alexa could get behind that statement, as far as she knew there was indeed a dead god…or two around she at least felt like that sometimes when this cursed world played against her best interests. Like when she wanted to watch more Magmo but there wasn’t any active stream, or when the yellow time travel that sometimes showed up with Magmo left.

  Times were hard for a young Alexa wanting to watch Magmo…

  “Come on then, to your classes.” The Nurse said ushering Alexa, Glory and Alan away from the Nurse’s office.

  Alexa could understand why they threw Alexa and Alan to the streets, but Glory?

  “She doesn’t want to be responsible if something happens to Glory; that is why she made sure to log the vitals using the inlaid sensors in our uniforms,” Alan said from the side when he noticed the confusion on Alexa’s face.

  “These log our vitals?” Alexa asked surprised, so everyone used clothes like that huh.

  “Those I’m not sure, but mine and Glory do,” Alan said, showing the interior of his blazer; there was a weird metallic disc there sewn to the blazer, “These log our Vitals to make sure we are okay…and to track us in case of kidnapping, of course there are more, but those are in places I can’t show.”

  “Gross,” Glory said from the side dusting her skirt and blazer, even though neither had been dirtied since [Fan Girl] caught her before she hit the floor, “But yes, most of the students in our class have some degree of tracking technology. Your…must be in the bracelet.”

  It was?

  Alexa didn’t think so? She knew there was technology to keep track of her vitals, namely Main Core, but the bracelet too? Then that meant that the Alexanders had lied to her!

  “[Notice, Big Brother Designation: Alexanders never stated that he wouldn’t keep track of host.]”

  “[Addendum, it is possible to ask the hidden library within the device for confirmation.]”

  Right, she could just ask!

  She would do so later! For now, she had more important things to do! Like going to class! They needed to arrive to the classroom so Glory could go out of control and show her hidden Core Power, start the fight and all so Alexa could get a new blueprint!

  Perhaps Alexa could nom someone by accident? Or a couple, then everything would be better, yes.

  “Let’s go then, ladies, let’s not keep our teacher waiting,” Alan said, pointing towards the hallway they needed to go through.

  “You don’t need to say it twice,” Glory answered and she started walking forward, the girl kept sneaking glances at Alexa’s right arm.

  Was she hungry? But her right arm was salty and slightly tasteless; Alexa hadn’t tasted the left hand, though, but she doubted that one was better tasting. Perhaps Alexa could make the taste better by increasing the diversity of meat used on her arm?

  Add some pork? Pig? Rat? Bacon? Alexa could probably get away with adding some bacon to her arm, then her arm would be not only used to grab and punch people, but also to snack!

  Her grabber would be a snacker! Or a Smacker?

  “Yes, that sounds like a good idea,” Alexa added her opinion, it was important to voice these kind of things, lest she forget them.

  “Then let’s go.” Alan said and started walking ahead, Glory followed suit and at the back Alexa started walking too.

  It was time for…The obviously foreshadowed combat!

  The reveal would be epic and Alexa was already preparing her astoundished face!

  —-------------------------

  Alexa was lied to!

  They arrived at the classroom, and nothing was waiting for them; well, there were plenty of people waiting for them, Glory walked to a group of girls who spied glances at Alexa from time to time and continued gossiping among them.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Alan excused himself with a small bow and did the same, only instead of spying glances at Alexa, they also did the same with Glory.

  And Alexa?

  Well, she sat on her place and noticed how there was a very convenient slot with the form of her bracelet. So she slotted it there, and sure enough, a golden eagle shone atop her seat.

  It made Alexa wonder if it would taste like chicken…

  “Greetings Lady Alexa, this humble one is CRADDLE. How may I serve you today?” Then while Alexa was wondering about that a small [Human] wearing a brown dress with a robe atop said dress appeared atop her desk, this small human was wearing atop her head a big fluffy-looking hat.

  “What does the weird bird that showed before you taste like?” Alexa decided to ask that first.

  As soon as the words left her mouth, the whole class turned into silence.

  “...The meat of most eagle species is known to be gamey and oily, while not quite close to most chicken meat. It does have some similarities, while it is said to be closer in taste to common beef and venison Eagle meat is more healthier overall.” The small [human] called CRADDLE answered Alexa’s question without missing a beat, “It is unknown what species of Eagle the Saintsworths emblem is, but the most probable species is that of a Bald Eagle since that is the most common and popular eagle on the United States of America.”

  “So it is not a real animal?” Alexa asked, nodding her head at the information. She didn’t know what a [Venison] or a [Beef] tasted like, but if it was used as an example, it ought to be tasty.

  “Correct, the emblem was originally based on the red-tailed hawk. Later it was adapted to common standards and to make it easier to design it was transformed into the current iteration that shares many aspects with the Eagle.” The CRADDLE person said, showing images of those examples on the weird crystal screen that grew out of her table. “Is there anything else I may help you with?”

  Was there?

  Not really.

  “Nope, thank you CRADDLE Person,” Alexa said, nodding at the CRADDLE person.

  “We live to serve. If you require anything please call upon us.” The CRADDLE person said, bowing to Alexa, “May the light of civilization shine upon you, Lady Alexa.”

  And like that, the CRADDLE person disappeared.

  “DID YOU SEE THAT?!?!?!” One kid at the farther end of the room said in a loud voice, “I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THESE SEATS HAD HOLOGRAPHIC CAPABILITIES!”

  “SHHH,” another kid said in front of that one who screamed, “She is the girl who pretended to be a fake Saintsworths before. Did you insult her? I think she is baiting for dissidents but got tired of pretending.”

  Alexa was doing what?

  She could do that? What was even that supposed to be?

  “You should be more surprised by the fact that she made CRADDLE answer something as inane as that.” Alan pointed from his seat.

  Rude. That was not an inane question, it was an important question! Now Alexa knew three types of meat! She could increase her eating endeavors! Before she only knew of Rat Meat, Human Meat, Hamburger Meat and Tofu Meat! And the most important of them all…Mango Meat!

  “That is nothing amazing,” Glory said aloud for everyone to hear, her voice sounded funny, like how [Eleanore] liked to speak when she wanted for Alexa to listen to her, “That is what is expected from a Saintsworths, they build up most of the important advances of civilization. That is just more proof of why we should strive to be the light that fuels the advancement of civilization.”

  At Glory’s words, the people around started groaning, and Alexa could see how Glory’s mood seemed to be darkening, as she could almost see her hair start to rise (Not really) as Glory prepared to release her hidden Core Power (No seriously, there was nothing to see there).

  “Okay, okay, that is enough!” And before anyone else said anything else or Glory could start her rampage (Like really, the girl just stood there balling her fists in annoyance), “Class is about to start!”

  Came the voice of the Teacher.

  “Rise! Salute!” And the voice of Glory as she stood, with her the other kids stood and so Alexa did the same, she didn’t remember this part…mostly because she hadn’t been there at the start of the class. But that was beside the point! “Bow! Sit!”

  And Alexa following the instructions did as the other people, of course since it was Alexa, she did it perfectly and in synch with the people beside her! Yes, she didn’t freeze, stood like a confused Alexa, and then sat back pretending as if nothing had happened! No sir! Not this Alexa! Maybe that Alexa over there? But not this one! Nope!

  …NOTHING HAPPENED MOVING ON!

  “Well, it is good to know that all of you are fine. So far it looks like most are here but let’s check.” The Teacher said walking to the front of the classroom, Alexa noted how most of his other reflections seemed to be more…calm. One even had a weird white thing stuck into one of his arms! It looked solid and covered in bandages. “CRADDLE, is everyone here?”

  “Full assistance, no missing students. You may continue with your schedule Teacher De’Medicci.” The CRADDLE person answered.

  “Good,” The Teacher said nodding as he sat into the desk instead of using the chair like a normal person, “Now…How many of you know the reason why the city is a mess?”

  Most of the people raised their hands, very few didn’t among those of course one was Alexa, since Alexa was different from the rest, she was especial!

  So she didn’t raise her hand! No sir!

  “Let’s go with the obvious answer, Miss Blackthorn.” The Teacher said turning to Glory.

  Was this it? Was she going to go wild?!?

  “We suffered the attack of not one but two high dangerous individuals in one day, the city inhabitants are checking up if their defenses and following proper procedures, in this case is [The Scrambler] protocol and [The Theater Master] protocol.” Glory answered and then sat down.

  “As expected from the Blackthorn heiress, perfect and to the point.” The Teacher said, nodding his head, “CRADDLE assign the correct extra points, now for a more nuanced answer….Harmonia, you are up.”

  Alan nodded his head and stood at the mention of his name, “Tell me what do you have to add to your classmate’s answer.” The Teacher said pointing at Alan.

  “The presence of [The Scrambler] means that in the near days, we will have plenty of empty jobs in some areas, this time he showed up near the banking district; in the best case scenario, the stock may take a hit, and some people will lose their savings.” Alan started pointing out…a very fair point.

  Alexa hadn’t thought about that, but if not only the minions got affected and the people that worked in the weird [Bank] got affected, then people forgetting the work they did would mean it was a mess right now right?

  “The fact that we had also [The Theater Master] in the scene only makes it more of a mess, since anyone that was scripted into his [Show] ended up exposed to a double dose of an S-List Villain. While [The Theater Master] is more nuanced and rarely leaves side effects, if someone was wasted into a role that put him at risk of exposure to [The Scrambler], then it means that we may just have more victims than usual.” Alan ended his answer on that and sat down.

  “...CRADDLE, points.” The Teacher said, most of the faces behind him seemed sad at the answer that Alan had given, the face that was tied into this [Reality] however didn’t show anything, “And now for the extra points…Saintsworths, you are up. What do you think will happen.”

  Alexa’s turn came!

  But she was busy making sure she was ready for the imminent crazed explosion of action from Glory’s Core!!!

  “Alexandra Saintsworths, your answer?” The Teacher said, pointing at Alexa with his cane, which was not intimidating… unless one paid attention to the reflection beyond the cracks in Reality, those pointed at Alexa with swords, long sticks with ominous-looking blades stuck at the end, hammers, [Gun] type weapons…And one pointed at her with Mister Squeaky…The most dangerous of them all!

  “Amm…” Alexa said standing up, “...Most people will….go about their life in a new job and identity?”

  Alexa at least thought so.

  “...Elaborate,” The Teacher said, lowering his cane. “How can they continue their life if their life got stolen from them?”

  “Well…they wake up as a new person, right?” Alexa said, mentioning what she had been told about how people ended up after facing the scrambled guy.

  “...that is an oversimplification of the fact that their minds are stripped clean, their souls replaced, and their life overturned.” The Teacher said with obvious anger in his voice, “But yes, in a very oversimplified way they indeed just ‘wake up as someone else’.”

  “Then…the people at my apartment said that if someone was having trouble with their new identities they would get help to fix their faces and bodies,” Alexa said fumbling with her backpack bringing one of those fliers that asked people to go to an address on [Vulcanus] sector to see a [Shapeshifter Core] user who could help people with small modifications for free. “So if someone has problems with their bodies and new minds they just need to go get that fixed and carry on!”

  Alexa didn’t see the problem, “If they don’t like the old face with their new [Consciousness Stream] they can just change it and carry on. They are still alive, after all.” Maybe the Tiffany person could also do that and fix her body problem?

  “...that is…” The Teacher said as some of the faces behind him started laughing as before, unlike before when some of those cried, these looked more like they were thinking about something, most of them laughed thought, “...Is a very simple way to see a complex problem, you fail to take into consideration the people they will leave behind, the family that they will never see, the suffering of the people that remember them and will never see again.”

  “But they aren’t those people.” Alexa said pointing out the obvious flaw on his statement!

  “Beg you pardon?” The Teacher asked back, confused, “They are, even if their mind changes, they still are the people from before. The blood doesn’t lie.”

  The blood didn’t lie?

  But Alexa had changed her blood before, she changed it like four times in that day…

  “Their [Consciousness Stream] is different, the body is just some meat and bone. But what was in there…” Alexa said pointing at her head, “Is no longer there, if they were the same as before then they would just need a [Mind Core] user to return them to normal, but that doesn’t work right?”

  Or at least that was the impression that Alexa got from the scrambled guy and the theater guy. That what they did wasn’t quite right the effect of a [Mind Core]. When Alexa threw the package, for example, it shouldn’t have landed where it did, and yet it was almost as if the throw would make it no matter what. As if that was the only obvious outcome.

  “...CRADDLE, evaluate the answer. Give the points, announce the result.” The Teacher said, staring at the ceiling.

  “Glory Blackthorn manages to evaluate the problem and states the correct procedure. Fails to evaluate the ramifications of a missing leadership in place but trusts the correct procedure to persist. Grading Answer….B.”

  Glory frowned at that but nodded nonetheless.

  “Alan Harmonia states the obvious problem and possible risks on our infrastructure, cleverly states a possible crash in the stock market, and has actively attempted to profit from it. And moved forward to fix the issue by sending a reminder to his family to deal with possible issues. Grading Answer….B+.”

  There was a row of gasps, and the funnier one came from Alan, who almost choked on something.

  “Alexandra Saintsworths…No…Scanning….Scanning…Identity confirmed, Alexa Saintsworths…Evaluating…”

  And then again, another gasp from the people around; for some weird reason, Glory was staring weirdly at her.

  What?

  The CRADDLE person didn’t say anything wrong? She was Alexa, not Alexandra! She was not naggy!

  She was Alexa!