Ethan sat alone at a corner table in Crystal Hall, pushing her food around her plate without much enthusiasm. The massive geodesic dome cafeteria buzzed with lunchtime activity, students of all descriptions moving between the various food stations and tables. Sunlight streamed through the transparent panels, illuminating the central fountain and tropical arboretum that gave the space its distinctive character.

She tugged self-consciously at the sleeve of her black dress jacket, still uncomfortable with how the uniform fit her new form. The black pleated skirt felt particularly alien, constantly reminding her of her transformed state. The white "Pacifist" band with its bold red lettering encircling her wrist stood out starkly against her pale skin, marking her as someone who should avoid conflict.

"Mind if we join you?"

Ethan looked up to see Jasper and a girl she didn't recognize standing beside her table, each carrying a tray of food. Jasper looked as athletic and energetic as ever, his athletic build and confident posture unmistakable even in the standard uniform. The girl beside him had a striking, disciplined demeanor—pale skin, short dark hair, and intense blue eyes that seemed to assess everything with military precision. Her uniform was worn with perfect regulation correctness, not a wrinkle or fold out of place.

"I guess," Ethan replied with a shrug.

Jasper slid into the seat across from her. "Ethan, this is Anya Volkov. She was in our Powers Theory class yesterday."

Anya nodded curtly as she sat down, her movements efficient and controlled. "You're the warper, correct? The one who teleported the testing apparatus."

"That would be me," Ethan confirmed, her voice flat. "The walking disaster zone."

"Abilities are only a disaster when poorly understood," Anya replied matter-of-factly. "I have osteokinesis—bone manipulation. When my powers first manifested, I shattered my left wrist and forearm trying to extend bone spikes."

Jasper grinned. "See? Everyone starts somewhere. My kinetic absorption took forever to control."

Ethan found an unexpected appreciation for her tablemates' matter-of-fact attitudes toward their powers. Unlike the counselors and teachers who approached everything with clinical interest, Jasper and Anya simply accepted powers as part of life—difficult, sometimes dangerous, but ultimately manageable.

Before they could delve deeper into their conversation, a shadow fell across their table.

A tall, imposing student had approached, carrying himself with the easy confidence of someone accustomed to deference. His uniform, though identical to every other male student's, somehow looked more expensive on his athletic frame. His dark hair was expertly styled, and his features had the chiseled quality of a classic statue—handsome in a way that suggested he knew it all too well.

"Well, well," he said, his voice carrying a hint of practiced charm. "You must be the new girl everyone's talking about." His eyes moved over Ethan with an appraising gaze that made her skin crawl.

"Not interested in talking," Ethan muttered, looking away.

The boy either didn't hear or chose to ignore her response. He leaned closer, resting his hands on the table. "I'm Rex Harding. I thought I'd come over and personally welcome you to Whateley." His smile was practiced, revealing perfect teeth. "Maybe I could show you around campus sometime? There are some... private spots worth knowing about."

Jasper shifted in his seat. "She's got a white band, Rex. Probably not the best person to harass."

Rex's eyes flickered to the "Pacifist" band on Ethan's wrist, but his smile didn't waver. "Oh, a submissive one? Even better. I like girls who know how to follow directions." His tone turned even more condescending. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle with you."

A wave of discomfort washed over Ethan, followed by the now-familiar tingling sensation that preceded her teleportation incidents. She tried to employ the breathing techniques Professor Reynard had taught her, but Rex's continued presence made it difficult to focus.

"Please leave," Ethan said, her voice strained with the effort of maintaining control.

"Come on, don't be like that," Rex persisted, reaching toward Ethan's arm. "I'm just being friendly."

The tingling intensified, spreading throughout Ethan's body. She could feel her power building, responding to her discomfort and anxiety.

"Rex, seriously, back off," Jasper warned, his expression growing concerned as he noticed Ethan's distress.

It was too late. Just as Rex's fingers brushed against Ethan's sleeve, there was a soft but distinct pop sound, and Rex vanished completely. Only his shirt remained, floating momentarily in the air before drifting to the floor where he had stood.

The cafeteria fell silent as students turned to stare at the floating shirt and then back at Ethan, whose face had gone pale with shock.

"I didn't mean to—" Ethan started, panic rising in her voice.

Anya placed a calming hand on Ethan's arm. "Breathe. Focus on stabilizing your energy now."

After a moment of stunned silence, worried murmurs began to spread through the cafeteria. Where had Rex gone? Was he hurt? A staff member from the cafeteria was already moving toward their table, his expression concerned.

"I could be confined to my room for this," Ethan muttered. "Or worse, expelled."

"I doubt it," Jasper said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "He was being a jerk. Maybe a little teleportation will teach him some manners."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kira Devereux watched the entire scene unfold with a mixture of fascination and alarm from her position at the far side of the cafeteria. She had been keeping one eye on the new warper girl since their first uncomfortable encounter, though she would never admit to anyone that she found Ethan intriguing.

When Rex Harding had approached Ethan's table, Kira had initially rolled her eyes—Rex's predatory attention toward new female students was well-known. But when the boy had suddenly vanished with that distinctive pop sound, leaving only his shirt behind, Kira felt a jolt of both concern and something else she didn't want to acknowledge.

She rose from her seat almost without thinking, drawn toward Ethan's table as the cafeteria staff moved in the same direction. The cafeteria was buzzing with shocked whispers and speculation, but Kira tuned it all out, focused entirely on the red-haired girl who looked pale with shock.

As she approached, Kira felt the familiar, unwelcome sensation of her shapeshifting beginning to manifest. It started as it always did—a slight prickling at the tips of her ears, then along the backs of her forearms. She concentrated on maintaining control, but her agitation made it difficult.

Before Ethan could respond to Jasper, the cafeteria staff member reached their table. "Ms. Anderson, you need to come with me to the administration building. The incident needs to be reported."

Ethan gathered her things with a sigh of resignation. As she stood to follow the staff member, Jasper gave her an encouraging nod. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

"Try not to teleport the security chief," Kira called after her, though her tone lacked its usual edge.

Ethan glanced back, surprised to see Kira standing nearby, arms crossed tightly to hide the fur threatening to appear. Their eyes met briefly before Ethan turned away to follow the staff member out of the cafeteria.

"So, you just randomly teleported another student?" Kira asked, intercepting Ethan before she could leave, her arms crossed tightly to hide the fur threatening to appear. "That's not exactly normal, even for this place."

"It wasn't on purpose," Ethan replied defensively, those striking sapphire blue eyes flashing with frustration. "I can't control these powers yet."

"Wow, that's comforting," Kira said sarcastically, struggling to maintain her typical aloof demeanor even as she felt her ears beginning to shift. "A walking, teleporting liability who can randomly send people flying who knows where."

Her eyes flicked involuntarily to Ethan's chest, and she noticed something that gave her an opportunity to deflect from her own discomfort. "And by the way, if you're going to walk around without wearing a bra, don't act surprised when guys like Rex come sniffing around. You're practically flaunting yourself."

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth—especially when Ethan's face flushed crimson and her arms crossed protectively over her chest. Kira knew better than most how difficult it was to adjust to body changes you didn't ask for. But lashing out was easier than admitting any kind of understanding or, worse, attraction.

"I'm not flaunting anything," Ethan hissed, obvious humiliation burning through her voice. "I'm just trying to get through the day."

Despite her harsh words, Kira found herself studying Ethan more carefully than she intended. There was something about the way Ethan carried herself—a mixture of vulnerability and defiance that Kira found oddly compelling. She caught herself staring and quickly reinforced her dismissive expression.

"I told you, I can't control it yet," Ethan emphasized. "What part of 'uncontrolled warper powers' is confusing to you?"

"The part where you're allowed to wander around campus like a teleportation time bomb," Kira retorted, but even she could hear the reduced bite in her own voice. She was making a conscious effort to control her shapeshifting, tension visible in her shoulders and jaw as she fought to keep her ears from fully transforming.

Jasper looked between them with undisguised interest. "You two know each other?"

"Unfortunately," Kira muttered, at the same moment Ethan said, "We've met."

Anya observed Kira with clinical detachment. "Your shapeshifting is manifesting," she noted, nodding toward Kira's slightly twitching ears.

Kira shot her an irritated glance. "Mind your own business." The last thing she needed was more attention drawn to her involuntary transformations. She'd spent years learning to suppress them, and this new girl had somehow managed to trigger them multiple times in two days.

As they argued, Kira felt her control slipping further—a patch of pastel pink fur had appeared on her forearm, and her ears were definitely more pointed now. The more agitated she became, the harder it was to maintain her human appearance.

"You mean to tell me you just accidentally sent someone to who-knows-where?" she demanded, returning her attention to Ethan, determined to keep the focus off her own shifting form.

"That's exactly what happened," Ethan replied. "You of all people should understand what it's like when your body doesn't do what you want it to."

That comment struck a nerve so precisely that Kira almost gasped. Her ears twitched more visibly, and she quickly pulled her sleeve down to hide the fur patch on her arm. How dare this girl—this newcomer—turn Kira's own issues back on her?

"Not the same thing," she said tersely, fighting to keep her voice steady. "At least my... issues... don't endanger other people."

The cafeteria staff member cleared his throat impatiently. "Ms. Anderson, we really need to go now."

Kira stepped back, her face flushed with a mixture of emotions she couldn't quite name. She watched as Ethan followed the staff member out of the cafeteria, feeling strangely conflicted about their interaction.

"Try not to teleport the security chief," she called after Ethan, surprised by the lack of real hostility in her own voice.

Realizing her ears were still partially transformed, Kira headed for the nearest restroom to compose herself, wondering why this particular girl had such a strong effect on her control.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That afternoon, Ethan sat in Introduction to Advanced Technologies, grateful that the reporting of the Rex incident had been relatively straightforward. The administration had taken her statement, recorded the details of what happened, and informed her they would be in touch once they determined next steps. No immediate punishment had been handed down, which was a relief, though she suspected this wouldn't be the end of it.

Professor Marcus Chen, a compact man with an enthusiastic demeanor and a tendency to speak with his hands, paced energetically at the front of the classroom. Unlike many of the other faculty, he wore an outfit that seemed deliberately casual—dark jeans and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, revealing forearms covered in intricate circuit-board-like tattoos that occasionally seemed to pulse with faint light.

"Advanced Technologies isn't just about understanding existing tech," Professor Chen explained, "it's about recognizing how mutant abilities push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible. The most revolutionary inventions of the past thirty years have come from collaborations between traditional scientists and those with paranormal capabilities."

Ethan found herself surprisingly engaged as Professor Chen discussed various case studies—mutants whose powers had led to technological breakthroughs, devisors whose creations defied conventional science, and gadgeteers who enhanced existing technologies in unexpected ways.

"The relationship between our minds, bodies, and the technology we create isn't as clear-cut as we once believed," Professor Chen explained, projecting a holographic model of what appeared to be neural pathways intertwined with circuit designs. "For some of you, your powers represent a bridge between human potential and technological possibility."

The class worked in small groups to analyze components of a decommissioned deviser device, theorizing about its function and design principles. The technical focus provided Ethan with a welcome distraction from the morning's events, allowing her to engage with concepts rather than emotions.

As the class ended, Professor Chen approached Ethan. "Ms. Anderson, I heard about the incident in the cafeteria. Warper abilities can be particularly challenging to calibrate. If you're interested, I have some technical papers on spatial manipulation theory that might give you a different perspective on your powers."

"Thank you," Ethan replied, surprised by the offer. "I'd appreciate that."

"Of course. Your next appointment is with Dr. Aguilar in Doyle Medical Complex, correct?" At Ethan's nod, Professor Chen smiled reassuringly. "Don't let today's events discourage you. Every student here has had moments where their powers got away from them. It's part of the learning process."

By the time Ethan reached Doyle Medical Complex for her mandatory counseling session, she felt marginally better than she had after the cafeteria incident. The academic environment of Professor Chen's class had reminded her that Whateley was, first and foremost, a school—designed to teach and support students like her, not just restrict and monitor them.

Dr. Raquel Aguilar's office was unlike anything Ethan had expected. Warm lighting, comfortable furniture, and plants created a space that felt more like a living room than an institutional office. Dr. Aguilar herself, a woman with warm brown skin and a gentle smile, greeted Ethan with a calm demeanor that immediately put her more at ease.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Dr. Aguilar said, gesturing to several seating options—traditional chairs, a small couch, even a couple of large floor cushions. "This is your space while you're here."

Ethan chose one of the chairs, sitting somewhat stiffly. "I'm guessing you've heard about what happened in the cafeteria."

"I have," Dr. Aguilar confirmed. "But I'd like to hear your perspective on it."

Ethan recounted the incident with Rex, but this time Dr. Aguilar asked questions that went beyond the mere facts—focusing on how Ethan felt before, during, and after the teleportation occurred.

"You mentioned a tingling sensation that spreads through your body," Dr. Aguilar noted. "Is that always present before a teleportation incident?"

Ethan thought about it. "Yes, I think so. It starts small and then builds until it feels like my whole body is vibrating at a different frequency."

"That's very useful information," Dr. Aguilar said, making a note. "Physical sensations often provide the first warning signs of power activation. If you can learn to recognize that tingling at its earliest stage, you might have more time to implement grounding techniques."

They discussed various strategies for managing emotional responses and recognizing power activation cues. Dr. Aguilar seemed particularly interested in the martial arts abilities Ethan had displayed during testing.

"Sensei Ito mentioned a 'quantum personality overlay,'" Ethan said. "Do you know what that means?"

Dr. Aguilar nodded thoughtfully. "It's a theory that applies to certain transformation cases, particularly those involving external templates or models. Essentially, when your physical form was changed, some associated skills and abilities from the template were transferred as well. In your case, the martial arts proficiency of the anime character."

"So I'm turning into someone else?" Ethan asked, unable to keep the worry from her voice.

"No, not at all," Dr. Aguilar assured her. "Think of it more like acquiring a skill set. The core of who you are—your memories, values, personality—remains your own. But you now have access to abilities you didn't consciously learn."

Ethan wasn't entirely convinced, but the explanation was at least somewhat reassuring.

"I'd like you to keep a journal," Dr. Aguilar said, handing Ethan a leather-bound notebook. "Record any incidents of power manifestation, the circumstances surrounding them, and your emotional state before, during, and after. This can help us identify patterns and triggers."

They spent the rest of the session discussing coping mechanisms for gender dysphoria and strategies for navigating the social complexities of Whateley. By the time they finished, Ethan felt more centered than she had all day.

"Remember," Dr. Aguilar said as their session concluded, "your goal right now isn't to completely suppress your abilities, but to understand them. Sometimes the path to control begins with acceptance."

As Ethan returned to the Melville Cottage, she encountered Kira in the dormitory lobby. Both girls froze momentarily, surprised to see each other.

"Hey," Kira said, her tone lacking its usual edge. "How did the... security thing go?"

"Could have been worse," Ethan replied cautiously, wary of another confrontation. "They just took my statement. No punishment yet, anyway."

Kira nodded, seeming unsure how to proceed. "Look, about what I said earlier, about the..." she gestured vaguely toward Ethan's chest, clearly uncomfortable with the topic, "...that was out of line."

Ethan blinked, stunned by what almost sounded like an apology. "It's fine. I'm still figuring things out."

"Yeah, well..." Kira's attempt at reconciliation was already faltering. "Just try not to teleport anyone else, okay? It makes things complicated for everyone."

"I'm doing my best," Ethan said, a hint of defensiveness returning to her voice.

"Your 'best' is terrifying," Kira replied, but there was less bite in her tone than usual.

A student passing by glanced at them and smirked. "Lover's quarrel?" he called out teasingly.

Kira's ears instantly began to shift, points emerging as her temper flared. "Mind your own business!" she snapped at the student, who hurried away, still grinning.

"We are NOT—" Ethan began, equally flustered.

"Don't even finish that sentence," Kira cut her off, her face flushed. "This is ridiculous."

"Why does that bother you so much?" Ethan found herself asking. "The idea that someone might think we're... you know."

Kira's ears twitched more prominently. "Because it's absurd," she said, but something in her tone lacked conviction. "I barely know you. And you're... well, you're..."

"Not really a girl?" Ethan finished for her.

"That's not—" Kira stopped, clearly uncomfortable. "I mean, you look like a girl now, even if you weren't before. That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?" Ethan pressed, surprised by her own boldness.

Kira seemed to struggle with her answer. "The point is that I don't do relationships. With anyone. It's complicated enough just dealing with my own issues without adding someone else's to the mix." She glanced down at the patches of pink fur now clearly visible on her arms. "Especially someone with even less control than I have."

There was a vulnerability in that admission that caught Ethan off guard. For a brief moment, the hostility between them seemed to dissolve, replaced by a strange sense of shared understanding.

"I get that," Ethan said quietly. "Believe me, a relationship is the last thing on my mind right now."

Kira nodded, an awkward silence falling between them. "I should go. I have... homework."

"Yeah, me too," Ethan replied, though they both knew it was an excuse.

As Kira turned to leave, she hesitated, then looked back over her shoulder. "For what it's worth, I hope they find that jerk Rex soon. Whatever he is, he had it coming."

Before Ethan could respond, Kira walked away, her fox ears still visible above her blonde hair. Ethan watched her go, more confused than ever about their strange relationship. It wasn't friendship, certainly wasn't romance, but it wasn't quite the antagonism it had initially seemed either.

As she continued toward her room, Ethan mulled over the day's events. The teleportation incident with Rex. Professor Chen's class. Dr. Aguilar's counseling session. And now this bizarre almost-moment with Kira.

Each interaction, each new piece of information about her powers, added another layer to the puzzle of her new existence. The martial arts skills. The quantum personality overlay. The strange relationship developing with Kira. None of it fit neatly into the simple narrative of "find a way to change back as soon as possible" that she'd been clinging to.

Opening the journal Dr. Aguilar had given her, Ethan began to write about her day, documenting not just the teleportation incident but also her conflicted feelings about the emerging abilities and relationships that came with her new form. As she wrote, she wondered how much of herself would remain recognizable by the time she found a way to reverse the transformation—if such a way even existed.

The question that haunted her as she finally closed the journal and prepared for bed was whether anything of her original self would remain when all was said and done—and whether she'd even notice when it was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End of Chapter 03

Hey All!

SO, this is 2 big things for me.

My First attempt at the wonderful Whateley Academy Universe!
AND
My First Contest Entry!

There will be 10 chapters in total for my entry plus 3 flashback chapters.
I will release them daily or so (so as not to overwhelm the front page)

Likely I will be continuing this series, and no my other series are not on pause. I did slow down on them just a little bit while I go this one pounded out. But they are not put to the side.

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TTFN Everyone.