Chapter 1 The possibility of telepathy

Chapter 1 The possibility of telepathy

The complexity of the nature of thoughts and the process of thinking is a subject that has fascinated philosophers, psychologists, and neuroscience alike. At the heart of this complexity lies the dual nature of thoughts; they are both ephemeral and profound, fleeting yet capable of influencing our deepest convictions and actions. Within this intricate web of cognition lived a girl named Elara in the quiet town of Mindale.

At the age of ten, Elara discovered she was anything but ordinary. She possessed a rare gift—the ability to transmit her thoughts directly into the minds of others, a form of telepathy. For most, this would be overwhelming, but Elara found harmony in the chaos. When she walked down the street, the thoughts of people around her played like music in her mind. Sometimes, she would stop in the middle of the street, almost causing accidents, but she would just smile and continue, immersed in her symphony of thoughts.

However, Elara's gift was not always so benign. Once, she casually revealed to her teacher that she knew about a dark secret: the teacher had bribed another to cover up an incident from her first year of teaching, involving a death caused by substance misuse. The teacher had accidentally pushed someone from the 14th floor, resulting in their death. To avoid the consequences, she bribed everyone who witnessed the event. Elara uncovered this secret by touching one of the bribed individuals and reading the fragmented, guilt-ridden memories that lingered in their mind.

The revelation led to the teacher's suspension and blacklisting from any future teaching positions. She was heartbroken and furious, especially when she saw Elara smiling as she was handcuffed. The teacher had always considered Elara her closest student, the one who brought her comfort during her hardest times. The betrayal cut deep. As she was led away, she thought bitterly, "How dare she betray me like this."

Elara stood at the edge of the schoolyard, her gaze drifting over the sea of students. It was 9:00 am, and the air buzzed with the energy of a new day. The minds around her were alight with thoughts as varied as the hues of dawn.

She tuned in, and the thoughts came through like stations on a radio:

**Channel 1**: A boy with headphones, eyes closed, lost in a melody. *I want to learn guitar,* he thought, envisioning himself strumming chords like his favorite musician.

**Channel 2**: A girl frowning at her homework book, pencil tapping anxiously. *How will I finish this homework? The deadline is tomorrow,* she worried.

**Channel 3**: A group of students lounged under a tree, their laughter light and carefree. *Yeah, it's almost party time,* one thought with a grin, excitement for the evening ahead.

Elara's ability to sift through these thoughts was like navigating a vast network of human experiences, each channel offering a glimpse into another's inner world. No one else could hear these silent broadcasts, but for Elara, they were as clear as if spoken aloud. Her unique gift opened doors to understanding and empathy beyond what most could imagine, shaping her future aspirations.

As she walked through the school corridors, her mind attuned to the thoughts of her peers, she encountered more:

**Channel 4**: A student staring out the window, daydreaming. *Maybe I'll become an astronaut. The stars look so peaceful.*

**Channel 5**: A girl sketching in her notebook. *This drawing isn't right. I need more practice to become an artist.*

**Channel 6**: A boy bouncing a basketball. *I hope coach notices me today. I've been practicing my three-pointers.*

**Channel 7**: A group of friends whispering. *Did you hear about the new student? I wonder what they're like.*

**Channel 8**: A teacher grading papers. *These essays are good, but they need more depth. How can I inspire my students?*

**Channel 9**: A student typing furiously on a laptop. *This code has to work. The competition is next week!*

**Channel 10**: A girl rehearsing her lines for the school play. *I must remember the cues. The opening night is so close!*

**Channel 11**: A student with a stack of books. *History is fascinating. These events shaped our world.*

**Channel 12**: A boy doodling in his math book. *Math is boring. I'd rather be playing video games.*

**Channel 13**: A girl organizing a charity event. *We need to help those in need. Every little bit counts.*

#### Merinkle's Fall and Rise

Meanwhile, Teacher Merinkle faced the consequences of her actions. Shamed by her community and family, she was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, with her connections and wealth, her sentence was reduced to ten years, along with fines and mandatory rehabilitation therapy. By the time she was released, Elara had vanished from Mindale, embarking on a journey in a parallel world.

Frustrated and vengeful, Merinkle almost abandoned her plans for revenge until she met Scientist 3. He offered her a mysterious water derived from the Melodiflora plant, a rare substance known to enhance mental clarity and intelligence. Without hesitation, Merinkle drank it, feeling a surge of mental acuity and strength.

Scientist 3, smiling at his successful experiment, offered Merinkle a position as a trainee scientist. With her teaching career ruined, she embraced this new path. After rigorous training and significant contributions to the APGA organization, Merinkle's name was cleared, partly due to her transformation into a new Arcanian and her invaluable work.

Merinkle, now armed with enhanced abilities and a renewed sense of purpose, set her sights on uncovering Elara's whereabouts and exacting her revenge. But Elara, navigating the complexities of her telepathic gift and the mysteries of the parallel world, remained a step ahead, her journey just beginning.