Genius Not Included

Melanie couldn't be kept out for long. She was like a little scholarly bandit, going on classes she had no business going to and making off with all their little secrets. It was almost like a ritual of hers, waiting and watching until the perfect time, until she could just sneak in and take all of the wonderful information the other students kept under lock and key.

But the fact of the matter was, she was far too young. Cybernetics were way above her grade level no matter how it was sliced, and beyond that, her powers came from magic, innate skill, and training. Teachers could show her methods but not actual material. She would have to learn her magic on her own. So what was the point even? She was ahead of all of these guys on the learning curve anyways.

At least that's what she thought.

The door opened a little and she squeezed through. Normally, nightmares could become incorporeal and basically do whatever they wanted, but she didn't know how to yet. It was under investigation, though.

Once she was inside, she heard a yelling voice. "What are you doing here, young lady? I thought we made it clear you're too young for this course."

"I'm young, but I'm smart enough to be here! Come on!"

Older students turned to see this girl, barely into her teens, trying to argue with the professor, and laughed. But Melanie was very serious. Cybernetics were crucial to her plans for world dominion.

Melanie didn't care about the laughing children. She'd learned a long time ago that if you let them know how their jeering gets to you, then you lose the upper hand. And she be damned if she let anyone take the upper hand from her. She would rather die. Screw that.

She opened her mouth to argue with the teacher again, but was cut off by another student. Just by looking at him, the nightmare could tell that he was much younger than the other people in the class. Immediately, she realized that she could use this camaraderie that he apparently felt for her. Well, that and pity, but at the moment she'll take anything she can get.

Plus, she could just turn both of those feelings to her benefit later.

With a nod, Melanie walked to the chair and took a cybernetics kit out of her backpack. It was a basic one, barely used and decorated with black inky tentacle decals all over it, covering most of the plain white surface.

"Thank you," she said. "My name is Melanie."