The hivemind is conquering for me?

”Ok everyone, I am a little concerned about how far behind the majority of you was in this class. I know attending this college makes you feel prestigious and an ’elite.’ But to be an elite, you have to put the work in. Next week if you still cannot enter your Mindspace’s or haven’t been able to finish a single meditation, I will start issuing an academic warning. Three of those and you are expelled. And on that warning, you are all excused.”

Hailey had just finished her lecture on the Mindspace. She went into greater detail about what the Mindspace commonly looks like and the collective similarities all humans have in their Mindspace’s.

There was nothing said that I didn’t know this time, so I just sat back and playfully leered at the teacher to trip her up every now and then. But my attempts failed miserably as Hailey was very professional the entire time.

As I waved goodbye to my friends, as they had other classes to now attend, I stayed behind until almost everyone was gone and that was when Hailey threw a pen at me. ”Are you trying to make me lose my shit up there? What was with all those looks! My legs nearly gave out at one point! Not funny Apollo, not funny at all!”

”I thought it was pretty funny.” Janine chimed in from my left, prompting me to wrap my arm around her.

”See, Janine thought it was funny.” I declared as Hailey folded her arms.

”I also found it very funny! Yes, I could tell Hailey was trying so hard to keep a straight stoic face, but I know her too well. She was trying so hard not to look smitten. Adorably funny!” Gabrielle said from my right and so I wrapped my arm around her as well.

”See, it’s three to one for funny. Ergo, it was funny.”

...

...

...

”Oww!” I exclaimed in reflex as another pen was thrown at my head. Before laughing as I did my best to put my hands up in defeat. Hailey immediately smiled at my action and then walked forward. She then proceeded to sit on my lap before asking.

”So, no Orchid today?” She used her head to point to the empty seat by Janine.

”Nah, She and Sigfried had another session with Valerica yesterday that was actual training this time. She said she is done with people for the next few days after being bossed around by Valerica. She really does not like having her buttons pressed so I don’t blame her.” I explained, in the toned down version of events. What she actually said was,

’If Orchid sees another human in the next two days, Orchid is eating them.’ I therefore, with great foresight, decided it best she take a couple of days to relax. As I could tell when she was just venting and when she meant what she said.

”Oh, is that so?” Hailey asked, feeling emboldened, as she wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned in closer. ”In that case, do you want to come back to my office and make out? Janine is more than welcome, so stop giving me that glare.” She added on at the end towards Janine whom I did not see glaring, but simply innocently smiling.

Unwrapping my arm from Gabrielle, I then slunk it around Hailey’s waist. ”As nice as that sounds, I unfortunately have another class to get to in an hour and then detention with Hecate. Apparently being hospitalised last week didn’t get me off that punishment.”

Hailey suddenly opened her mouth in surprise remembering something before Gabrielle chimed in from the side. ”Thats right! It’s a class I am also taking! Xenology and exotic lifeforms!”

To my left, Janine then cursed. ”Shit. Was that today?” Her curse took me by surprise, so I followed up. ”Problem?”

”Yeah... Kind of. Fergus set up my combat class for today because I told him I was free during club the other day. See, this is why schools are supposed to have regular structure! Or you forget stuff like this.” She grumbled and folded her arms annoyed.

”Well, which would you rather do honey? If you want to go and do your combat, you can, I can tell you about everything that happened in the Xenology class later if you want?” I asked. Janine didn’t have to stick to me like glue after all, she was free to choose what she wanted. ’Though I don’t mind her fine behind being in close proximity at all times.’ I couldn’t help thinking.

”Hmm, Although I did want to take Xenology, I do want to stretch out my fighting muscles; they are getting soft again. Plus, I like Fergus and I’ve been put into a second year group to make sure I don’t stand out as much in my gear, so I’ll have Evanthe to keep me company. I’ll go and do that. If that’s ok?”

”Of course it is, silly Seppida. We’ll head back home shortly so you can change.” I said cheerfully before turning back to Gabrielle who was rocking quite an excited expression. ”Well, looks like the two of us are in a class together, that should be fun.”

’FUN! FUCK YES IT WILL BE FUN! FINALLY ALONE TIME WITH MY BABY!’ She screamed internally, but outwardly replied with. ”Yes, I agree. I cannot wait.”

...

My stomach demanded I give it nutrients on our way back home so we stopped off at Mary’s and ordered some grub, while we were waiting, my mind went back to what Hailey said at the end of class so I asked her.

”Hailey, you mentioned at the end of class that the majority of the students were behind? What was it like back in the day when you were here?”

My choice of words prompted Hailey to frown. ”Back in the day? Jeez babe, you make it sound like I am ancient. It was a few years ago and I was thirteen when I joined up, mind you.” She then looked up in thought before resuming. ”But to answer your question. No, it wasn’t like that back then. Everyone was pretty determined. Everyone tried their best and progressed quite quickly. That is why I am a little worried about everyone as I very much doubt it’s my fault they are behind, my lectures are very easy to follow, right?”

Hailey actually turned to Janine to ask that question, as to me basic Psionics were just that. Janine nodded her head. ”Yes, much better than Apollo trying to explain things. I actually understand what is going on.”

”Hey! Why the snipe on me?” I was insulted, but was then quickly distracted as the waiter had brought me a massive plate of chicken tenders and dip and I lost my train of thought.

...

While Hailey dug into her salad and Janine her sandwich, Gabrielle then spoke up. ”Maybe the school just got a bad batch this year? Dregs? I mean, didn’t what’s her name say the school had a record number of first years? Sure the natural talent has still turned up, but so has a lot of the less talented?”

Hailey finished chewing her food before nodding her head. ”Yeah, I suppose that is a possibility. I mean my classroom is packed. Back when- grr. When I first signed up, my class was about fifteen? I think. My mind was pretty occupied at the time. Compared to now and how many are behind... The number of those on the right track are about the same. Hmm. I’ll go and talk to some of the other teachers afterwards about this.”

”What happens to those that get expelled by the way? Because there are a lot of Psionic individuals here, but before meeting Apollo, I had never even met one. It’s like once they are gone from here they go poof! into the empire never to be seen again.”

Nerissa, who had been making herself a lovely golden ornamental background ,as usual, till now as she spoke up. ”That depends on their talent. First things first. Academic expulsion and being disgracefully expelled are different. Academic expulsion individuals can try to join the college again after two years, but those that don’t or are disgracefully expelled, there are still options for them.

Like I said, depending on their talent and specific power, a lot get picked up by the military, who get more emboldened to recruit these less powerful Psionic beings. Then there are private family militias who want to bolster their ranks with cheap Psionic users. Then there are also options to join a more nefarious life, like the gangs on Ecumenopolis 4. Those are rife with failed students. However, you need to remember Janine, Psionics are still incredibly rare, just because you have found yourself surrounded now, by Psionic individuals, 99% of the empire’s planets will never have a Psionic individual step onto their planet ever. Unless war draws them there.”

Hailey then chimed in. ”Plus regarding the academic side. That type of expulsion is mainly for those that haven’t taken additional academic courses. Said individuals are given more leeway as they are on a longer than usual academic journey compared to those just here for Psionics. Like Apollo’s friends in my class.”

...

Hearing my name being spoken, I clocked back into the conversation. With my mouth full of chicken, I asked ceremoniously and with grace.

”Whaa?”