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The bell of Elemental University chimed, signaling the start of another day. Selena, Gallus, and Aurelia found themselves seated in the auditorium for their first assembly. The room was filled with the soft chatter of young adults, which was broken by the thudding footsteps of their dean, Dr. Magnus Vanadium, who could project things onto surfaces, similar to magnesium’s role in photography. It was a convenient power, allowing him to create slides easily.
“I have called you all here, no matter which major you are, to talk to all of you. First of all, welcome to Elemental University, freshmen. I am Dean Vanadium. Here, no matter which major you have taken, your powers are integrated with your learning. I just want to give you an orientation. It may be boring, I agree, but these will prove useful for your whole college life.”
His gray eyes glowed white, and the screen behind him changed to a slideshow.
“First of all, be careful with your powers. While we encourage usage of powers in school, we do not encourage usage of powers against anybody, particularly those with oxygen powers, you are not allowed to turn off the oxygen on campus.”
Aurelia chuckled slightly, and glanced at Selena, who was sitting beside her. She lifted up her fingers, in a snapping position.
“Ari, no.” Selena said, “You cannot turn off the oxygen today. Not today, not ever.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes and smiled. “I don’t even have that power. My oxygen power is healing.”
The dean’s voice resonated through the auditorium, his words a blend of stern authority and fatherly concern. Aurelia leaned back in her seat, her fingers tracing the edge of the wooden bench in front of hers. She’d heard these rules before, but they bore repeating, especially for the incoming freshmen who were still wide-eyed with wonder at their newfound abilities.
Dr. Vanadium continued, pacing across the stage. “Remember, your powers are gifts, not weapons. Each of you possesses a unique combination of elements, and it’s crucial to understand their nuances. Oxygen, carbon, silicon, chlorine— these are not just chemical symbols; they’re the building blocks of your existence.”
Aurelia’s mind wandered. Her own elemental makeup was an intricate dance of gases and metals. Oxygen flowed through her veins, granting her the ability to heal wounds and mend broken bones. Gold shimmered in her hair, lending her an otherworldly glow. And helium—the elusive, buoyant element—whispered secrets of flight and levity.
Beside her, Selena shifted in her seat. Selena’s powers were different, a fusion of platinum and fire. She could manipulate color, melt and transform metals with a touch, and see through things using X-ray vision.
Dr. Vanadium’s gaze swept over the assembly. “Elemental University is not just a place of learning; it’s a crucible for self-discovery. You’ll face challenges, both academic and personal. Embrace them. Understand that your powers reflect your inner selves. They’re mirrors to your souls.”
Aurelia exchanged a knowing look with Selena. They’d spent countless nights discussing the intricacies of their abilities—the way everything was beautifully created, the chemical reactions that sparked between their elements. Selena’s sculptures often incorporated platinum filigree, while Aurelia’s healing touch resonated with helium’s ethereal lightness.
“But…” Dr. Vanadium continued, “with great power comes great responsibility. Your actions ripple through the fabric of reality. Use your gifts wisely. Heal, create, protect. And never forget that emotions can amplify your powers. Joy can ignite flames; anger can shatter mountains.”
Aurelia’s mind flashed back to a heated argument with Selena last semester. Their powers clashed—a tempest of fire and healing energy. The walls of their dorm room still bore scorch marks. They’d laughed about it later, but the lesson remained: emotions were catalysts, unpredictable and potent.
“As you embark on this journey,” the dean concluded, “remember our motto, Veritas et Elementa - truth in elements. Seek truth within yourselves, and you’ll unlock the full potential of your elements. Now, go forth, my young scholars. Explore, learn, and may your powers illuminate the path ahead. But first - I must warn you about something. Radioactivity. You have all heard about it from your parents. What are the dangers of radioactivity?”
Everyone stared at him blankly. All the students knew the answer, but none wanted to say it out loud. Radioactivity was a rather sensitive topic, and not one discussed with three hundred adults who had not yet attained enough maturity to not giggle and murmur among themselves.
“Must I do everything myself…?” he grumbled, before answering, “Radioactivity is when people have powers related to radioactive elements such as radon… or uranium. It causes the radioactive person themselves to have a shorter lifespan. The worst thing about it is that it harms their other powers as well. For example, if I have magnesium, vanadium and instead of carbon, I have uranium, it will make my other powers glitch. In the past, this has caused power outages lasting weeks…”
In the hallowed halls of Elemental University, where the air buzzed with the energy of countless elements, the topic of radioactivity was spoken of in hushed tones. It was the shadow lurking in the corners of elemental science, a force so potent yet so perilous that even the most seasoned professors approached it with caution.
Radioactivity, in this world, was not just a scientific phenomenon; it was a living testament to the volatile dance of creation and destruction. Those born with radioactive powers were marked by the universe itself, destined to wield a power that was as much a curse as it was a gift.
For these individuals, their very essence was a battleground. Elements like radon and uranium coursed through their veins, offering glimpses of immense power but at a grave cost. Their lifespans were cut short, not by the passage of time, but by the relentless decay of their own being. The radioactive elements within them waged war against the harmony of their other powers, causing them to glitch and falter.
The global community had learned, through trials and tribulations, that radioactivity could unravel the threads of elemental magic that held their world together. In the past, unchecked radioactive powers had led to catastrophes—power outages that plunged cities into chaos, wild surges of energy that reshaped landscapes, and heartbreaking tales of bright young minds consumed by their own abilities.
Thus, the inhabitants of this mystical world treated radioactivity with a mix of awe and dread. It was a reminder that even in a place where magic was as common as the oxygen they breathed, there were still forces that defied full understanding, forces that demanded respect and careful stewardship.
“Some of you may have heard the tale of Alithea Radon, an alumnus with the powers of lithium and radon,” he continued. “She had the power of luminescence, not unlike some of you. But this came with a grave danger. One fateful day, during an advanced elemental manipulation class, she attempted to demonstrate her control over her radiant powers. The classroom, filled with eager minds, watched in awe as she summoned the glow from within. But as the light grew, so did an unseen menace. The radioactive energy within her began to react uncontrollably, and a wave of energy surged through the room.
The outburst was sudden and devastating. Lights shattered, instruments overloaded, and the very air crackled with unleashed power. Her classmates scrambled for safety, but she stood at the center of the storm, her radiance now a wild, untamed force.
When the chaos subsided, the damage was clear. The classroom lay in ruins, and Alithea, drained of her strength, slumped to the ground. Her powers had caused a blackout that spread across the campus, leaving many without the elemental energy they relied on for their studies and daily life. She passed away not too long after.
The incident with Alithea Radon became a cautionary tale at Elemental University. It served as a stark reminder of the respect and restraint needed when dealing with radioactive elements. Since that day, back in 1999, our city has come up with a rule - all radioactive-born people are entitled to an extra discount on subsidized healthcare owing to their shorter lifespans, however, they are to be stabilized beforehand.”
A boy raised his hand. “But, Dean Vanadium, stabilization takes years, doesn’t it?”
“I’m afraid so… " he answered. “It takes five years. Most radioactive folks are considered lucky to live longer after this age though…”
Aurelia’s expression shifted subtly, a shadow of concern passing over her features. She leaned closer to Selena, her voice a soft murmur, “I’m glad our university is vigilant about radioactivity… Alithea’s accident in my father’s very first elemental manipulation class left deep scars. It traumatized him forever, forcing him to finally use his second degree in Mathematics. Now, he wields only two elements, xenon and gold, after the loss of nitrogen that day. I’ve heard him talk about it with my mom… he’s still scarred by it.”
Selena gasped slightly. “Whoa… that’s devastating, girl. I’m really sorry…”
“It’s all right. It isn’t your fault.” she replied, smiling sadly.
“Come on, after assembly I have to get to the library and check out books. Maybe we can find something nice for you.”
Aurelia smiled. Her friend was ever the bookworm.
As the last rays of the sunset peeked through the stained-glass windows of the library, Aurelia and Selena sat in silence, each lost in thought. The weight of history and the burden of their new information hung in the air between them, a silent acknowledgment of the path they had chosen.
Aurelia closed her eyes, a silent tribute to her father’s sacrifice and resilience. She knew that the road ahead would be stuffed with challenges, but it was a journey she was determined to undertake. For in the heart of Elemental University, amidst the echoes of elements, lay the promise of a future where knowledge would light the way, and the mistakes of the past would pave the road to a brighter tomorrow.
With a final glance at the fading light, Aurelia stood up, her resolve as unyielding as the elements themselves. “Let’s go,” she said to Selena, her voice steady, “there’s much to learn, and we have to get to bed.”
And with that, they stepped out of the library, shutting the door behind them, they smiled at each other, confident for the college life ahead.
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