Seven pairs of eyes fixed on Hayashi Ren, all with the same puzzled look.
They still had no idea how he had run a test in their dreams. Everyone knew Ren was the studious one who had no powers.
Was it Professor Charles?
At that thought, Colossus, honest by nature and fairly close to Ren, nodded without hesitation. "If it is the professor's assignment, I am in."
Iceman glanced at Rogue in the crowd and asked, "How long will this mission take?"
Ren's smile held a hint of irony.
He had interest in Bobby, an Omega level mutant who had done well on screen.
He felt little warmth for Rogue.
Hounded and persecuted outside, she finally reached the school and did not try to study or learn to control her power. She drifted through her days, and the moment Bobby showed her a little care, she had nothing but romance on her mind.
There is a time for hormones.
As expected, when Ren used mind magic at midnight to enter their dreams and run the assessment, Rogue was the first to be eliminated.
Perhaps she would grow later and become a qualified X-Man.
For now she had looks and nothing else in Ren's eyes.
The thought passed in a flash, and he answered plainly. "It is not dangerous. If you need to return, you can take leave at any time, but you must keep this confidential."
"Then I am in," Bobby said with visible relief.
Seeing the two agree, Sunspot Roberto shrugged. "In that case, count me in too."
Storm tensed at once.
Ren turned to the Shifter, Kevin.
That Mimic-like transformation was invaluable in many situations, and Kevin also had a touch of telepathy.
Those two together had carried him through the dream exam.
Ren had hopes for him.
Unfortunately, Kevin now stood at Pyro John's side.
So did Calvin the Mimic, Lucas Bishop, and Petra.
They had been the ones sparring across the field earlier.
Birds of a feather.
Pyro was a campus star, and other standouts naturally formed a circle around him.
Classic fraternity culture, even at a mutant school.
"Sorry. If this is not mandatory, I am not interested."
Right on cue, Kevin refused without a flicker of doubt.
Calvin and Petra traded a look and shook their heads.
Lucas Bishop seemed tempted, but after a glance at Pyro in the crowd, he kept his peace.
"OK."
Ren did not push. He nodded to Iceman, Colossus, and Roberto. "You have thirty minutes. Meet at the school gate in half an hour."
He turned to go.
Kitty and Ichikawa Chika fell in behind him.
"That is it?"
Storm blinked.
Ren was not the same as before.
He was no longer keeping his head down. His edge showed, his actions were forceful, and there was a domineering certainty that brooked no argument.
In a way, it reminded her of another man.
Magneto.
"Charles, do you even know what you are doing?"
Questions churned in her. She meant to dismiss the students, then go to the headmaster's office and demand answers.
Pyro's angry shout cut across her thoughts. "Ms. Ororo, this selection is not fair."
Storm turned, surprised. "What is unfair?"
"Why did I not dream or take the exam?"
Pyro stepped out, glaring at Ren. He had clearly been stewing. "If even Bobby got a B, I would be at least an A. Why am I not chosen?"
He did not truly want the mission.
He hated being ignored by Ren.
"You…"
Iceman's face darkened.
He was about to speak when Ren stopped.
"I told you not to waste my time. You did not understand something that simple?"
Ren turned, calm eyes resting on Pyro. "Last night's dream exam did not include you. Where would your A have come from?"
"You…"
Pyro's face flushed scarlet.
He had never imagined he was not overlooked, but dismissed.
In front of everyone, the humiliation was bare and blazing.
Young blood boiled.
His self control blew apart.
In a flash of anger he pulled a lighter from his pocket. "Look down on me, will you? I will make you pay."
CLICK!
The lighter flared, and with a sweep of Pyro's hand the tiny flame surged into a roaring blaze hurtling toward Ren.
Gasps broke out.
"John, are you insane…"
Storm's face went white. She instinctively moved to summon a gale.
Before she could act, a crisp SNAP! cracked by her ear. A forcefield sprang up, shoving her and the other students back. In a blink they landed a hundred meters away.
"What…"
Storm's heart lurched. She looked to Ren.
As expected, aside from Pyro's clique, Ren alone still stood where he had been.
Facing the flood of fire, his mouth curled, open contempt written on his face.
Yes, contempt without disguise.
"You know nothing about fire."