Of Aliens, Magic, and Superheroes

It had been a few days since school started again, and Ben was already settling into his new routine. Unlike before, when he used to drag his feet to class, things felt different now. His mind worked sharper, his focus was stronger, and keeping up with his studies was effortless.

And, of course, people noticed.

He had expected some reactions—classmates whispering about his sudden change, teachers giving him skeptical looks—but what he didn't expect was for it to escalate this fast.

Right now, he was standing outside the principal's office, having been called in after his last class. His math teacher had barely said more than a few words before handing him a note and telling him to report here.

Ben wasn't nervous. If anything, he was amused. He already had a pretty good idea what this was about.

"Mr. Tennyson, you can come in now," the secretary said.

Ben stepped inside, and the door clicked shut behind him.

The principal's office was just as he remembered—large desk, stacks of paperwork, motivational posters on the wall—but this time, there were two teachers sitting in as well. His math teacher and his English teacher.

The principal, a middle-aged man with graying hair, folded his hands on the desk. "Ben. Thank you for coming. Have a seat."

Ben nodded and sat down. He immediately noticed the subtle glances between the adults in the room.

"We'll get straight to the point," the principal continued. "Your teachers have expressed… concern about your recent academic performance."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Concern? Did I do something wrong?"

The math teacher shook his head, adjusting his glasses. "No. That's the thing. Your scores are… well, let's say they're far beyond what we expected." He flipped through a folder, scanning the pages. "In the past, your grades were good, but nothing extraordinary. And now, in just the first few days, you've demonstrated knowledge well above your level."

The English teacher nodded. "Even in my class, your writing structure, your analysis—it's as if your comprehension has jumped by years overnight."

The principal leaned forward slightly. "So, we have to ask… is there something going on?"

Ben held back a smirk. They were suspicious, but they had no idea what to even be suspicious of.

"I guess I just started taking my studies seriously," he said casually. "I studied a lot over the summer, and it turns out… I like learning. Especially engineering and math."

The teachers exchanged looks again.

The principal sighed. "Well, whatever the case, we've reviewed your past records and your recent scores. Frankly, Ben… you're too advanced for this grade level."

Ben leaned back in his chair, feigning mild surprise. "So… what does that mean?"

The principal took a breath. "We're offering you the chance to skip grades. You could take an academic placement exam, and if you pass, you can move up significantly. Potentially even straight to your final year of high school."

Now that got Ben's attention. Skipping ahead that far? He knew he was aiming to accelerate, but this was faster than expected.

He pretended to think about it before giving a slow nod. "That's… a big jump. But I'm interested."

The principal nodded. "Of course, we'll need your parents' approval before anything is finalized. We'll be arranging a meeting with them this week."

Ben smirked internally. Perfect. I was going to convince them anyway. Now the school is doing it for me.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Ben sat in the principal's office once again, this time flanked by Carl and Sandra Tennyson. His mother sat with her arms crossed, her expression a mix of confusion and concern, while his father had a more neutral but skeptical look.

The principal sat across from them, the same folder of test results and academic reports on his desk. His math and English teachers were present again, both watching Ben with intrigue.

Carl leaned forward, glancing between his son and the school staff. "So, let me get this straight… you're telling me Ben suddenly went from being a regular student to high school senior material in a matter of weeks?"

Sandra frowned. "No offense, but… are you sure there hasn't been a mistake?"

Ben internally sighed. Should've seen that coming.

The principal gave a small smile, flipping open the folder. "We understand that this is unusual, but Ben's recent work has been nothing short of extraordinary. His math scores place him at a collegiate level, and his English comprehension is years ahead of his peers. Even his science teachers have noticed he's grasping advanced concepts effortlessly."

Carl raised an eyebrow. "Alright, let's say I believe that. What exactly are you suggesting?"

The principal folded his hands. "We'd like to offer Ben the opportunity to skip grades through our accelerated placement program. He would take an official placement exam, and based on his results, he could move up one or more years. In his case… he might even qualify to graduate by the end of the year."

Sandra blinked. "Graduate… this year?"

Carl let out a low whistle. "That's… a lot."

Ben pretended to look surprised, but inside, he was grinning. Come on, Dad, take the bait…

Carl leaned back, rubbing his chin. "Huh. You know, I joked about this the other day." He glanced at Ben. "Didn't I say something about you skipping grades?"

Ben grinned innocently. "You did. Guess you called it."

Sandra, however, wasn't convinced. "Hold on. Just because he's suddenly good at school doesn't mean we should rush him ahead. Ben, are you even sure about this?"

Ben turned to her, keeping his voice steady. "Mom, I've thought about this a lot. I spent the whole summer studying, and I realized I actually love learning—especially engineering. If I stay in my current grade, I'll just be wasting time. I want to push myself. I can handle this."

Sandra hesitated, still unsure. Carl exhaled through his nose, watching Ben closely. Then, to Sandra's surprise, he nodded.

"You know what? Let the kid take the test."

Sandra turned to him in disbelief. "Carl!"

Carl shrugged. "Think about it. If he takes the test and actually qualifies, then fine—he moves up. But if he doesn't? No harm done. It's not like they're forcing him to skip."

Sandra frowned, shaking her head. "I don't know… this just feels like a huge jump. You're telling me my son—who used to groan about homework—is suddenly ready to finish high school in a year?"

Ben met her gaze. "I get why you're worried. But I promise, I wouldn't push for this if I didn't think I could handle it."

Sandra sighed, rubbing her temples. "Skipping grades isn't just about schoolwork, Ben. What about your friends? Your social life? You'd be in classes with students years ahead of you."

Ben shrugged. "I'll manage. It's not like I was super close to anyone in my grade anyway."

Carl chuckled. "Yeah, he mostly spent time in his room."

Sandra shot Carl a look before sighing. "I still think this is too fast, but… fine. Take the test. But we're talking about this later."

Ben grinned. Step two, complete.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Ben sat in an empty classroom, a thick exam booklet in front of him. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the fluorescent lights above. A single proctor, an older woman with sharp eyes, sat at the front, watching him carefully.

"You'll have exactly three hours to complete this exam," she said, adjusting her glasses. "It covers mathematics, science, literature, and critical thinking. If you need anything, raise your hand."

Ben nodded casually. "Got it."

The proctor gave him a final look before pressing a button on a digital timer. "Begin."

Ben picked up his pen, flipped to the first page, and immediately held back a laugh. This was too easy.

The first math section had him solving algebraic proofs and calculus problems. He breezed through them, barely pausing to double-check his work. The science portion tested physics, chemistry, and biology. Half the answers he already knew instinctively, and the rest took only a moment to solve. By the time he got to the literature section, he realized the hardest part of the test was forcing himself to go at a normal pace. If he finished too quickly, it might raise suspicions.

So he deliberately slowed down, taking breaks to tap his pencil against the desk or stretch his arms.

About an hour in, the proctor started watching him closely. Ben could tell she had noticed something. The way her eyebrows furrowed when he flipped pages too quickly. How she kept glancing at the clock, as if double-checking how much time had passed.

She finally stood up, walking toward him.

Ben didn't look up, pretending to be deep in thought over a basic literature question. She stopped behind him, peering over his shoulder at his work. A moment passed. Then another.

Ben calmly wrote down an answer, feigning mild concentration.

Finally, after what felt like a silent interrogation, the proctor stepped back and returned to her desk.

Ben smirked to himself. Nice try, lady.

By the two-hour mark, he was done. He double-checked his work, making a few minor changes just to make it look like he had actually struggled a little. Then, with a casual stretch, he closed the booklet and raised his hand.

The proctor looked up, slightly startled. "Yes?"

"I'm done," Ben said smoothly.

She blinked. "Already?"

Ben shrugged. "Yeah. I checked everything twice."

The proctor walked over, taking his test with a neutral expression. She flipped through the pages, scanning the perfectly written answers.

"…You may leave," she finally said.

Ben grinned, standing up and casually strolling out of the room. As the door closed behind him, Gideon's voice echoed smoothly in his mind, linking through the Omnitrix's Neural Link.

"That was fun to watch."

Ben smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked down the hallway.

"Yeah, let's see if they even believe my results."

-X-X-X-X-X-

Ben sat in the school cafeteria, lazily stirring his drink as he waited. A few days had passed since he took the placement exam, and today, he was supposed to receive his results.

The moment he walked into school that morning, he felt the stares. Not just from students, but from teachers too. It wasn't hard to guess why.

Gideon's voice flickered in his mind through the Neural Link.

"I did a little digging. Your test results have been reviewed, and the faculty has been… debating what to do with you."

Ben smirked. Let me guess. They don't know whether to be impressed or terrified?

"Something like that."

His thoughts were interrupted when a student messenger approached his table, a folded note in hand.

"The principal wants to see you," the kid said before walking off.

Ben didn't even pretend to be surprised. He downed the rest of his drink, grabbed his bag, and made his way to the office.

-X-X-X-X-X-

As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the same setup as last time—the principal at his desk, his math and English teachers present once again. The atmosphere felt heavier than before.

Carl and Sandra were already seated, looking mildly impatient.

"Ben," the principal started, tapping his fingers against the desk. "We've reviewed your results."

Ben casually took a seat, resting an elbow on the chair's armrest. "And?"

The principal sighed, sliding a printed score report toward him.

"Perfect scores in every subject. We ran the results through multiple reviews, but there's no denying it—you're performing at a level beyond even our senior students."

Carl let out a low whistle. "Damn, kid. You really weren't joking about this whole studying thing."

Sandra, however, was less amused. "Does this mean he's actually skipping grades?"

The math teacher cleared his throat. "Given these results… we have two recommendations. Either Ben jumps straight to 12th grade and graduates normally, or he enters our early graduation program, allowing him to receive his diploma by the end of the semester."

Sandra's eyes widened. "That's… really fast."

Ben glanced at Carl, who looked like he was trying very hard not to smirk.

Ben knew exactly what was going through his head. If he agreed to this, Carl would lose their bet.

Sandra, on the other hand, looked between the faculty and her son, clearly torn. "Are you sure this won't… negatively affect him? I mean, socially? Developmentally?"

The English teacher offered a reassuring nod. "It's not uncommon for gifted students to accelerate their education. As long as Ben is comfortable with the decision, he should be fine."

Sandra exhaled, still frowning. "I just… I don't want him to miss out on anything important."

Carl placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Come on, San. We always told Ben to take his education seriously, and now that he's actually doing it, we can't backpedal."

Sandra sighed, turning to Ben. "And you're really okay with this?"

Ben met her gaze with full confidence. "Yeah. I'm not just doing this on impulse, Mom. I know what I want, and this is the fastest way to get there."

Sandra still looked reluctant but slowly nodded. "If this is really what you want… then fine."

Carl chuckled. "Well, I'll be damned." He turned to the principal. "Alright, what's the next step?"

"We'll begin the paperwork immediately," the principal said, already pulling out a few forms. "Ben will complete his final semester coursework, and by the end of this academic year, he'll officially graduate."

Ben smirked, leaning back in his chair. Step three, complete.

-X-X-X-X-X-

The car ride home was quiet, the soft hum of the engine the only thing breaking the silence. Ben sat in the backseat, arms crossed, watching the city pass by through the window. He could feel it—his mother was still processing everything, her tension almost palpable in the air.

Carl, on the other hand, was the first to break the silence. "So," he said, gripping the steering wheel with one hand while giving Ben a quick glance through the rearview mirror, "I guess this means you'll be graduating before Christmas."

Ben smirked. "Yeah. Looks like it."

Carl let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You know, I was only joking when I said you'd skip grades. Now I actually have to start worrying about you going to college before you even turn sixteen."

Sandra exhaled through her nose, arms crossed as she stared out the passenger-side window. Her voice, when she spoke, was measured, cautious. "I still think this is too fast… but I suppose it's happening whether I like it or not." She turned slightly to look at Ben. "Do you even know what you want to do after this?"

Ben didn't hesitate. "Engineering. Mechanical and electrical."

Carl grinned at that. "Now that's something I can get behind. You always liked messing with machines as a kid."

Sandra, however, wasn't convinced. "Ben… college isn't just about academics. You'll be surrounded by people who are much older than you. It's different from high school." She paused, her voice softening. "Are you really ready for that?"

Ben met her gaze in the mirror, his expression steady. "I know it's a big jump. But I can handle it."

Carl smirked. "Yeah, and if anyone gives you trouble, just remind them you're smarter than they are."

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. Not wrong.

Sandra sighed, rubbing her temples before finally nodding. "Alright. If this is really what you want, we'll start looking at colleges nearby."

Ben leaned back in his seat, waiting for just the right moment before saying, "Actually… I already have a place in mind."

Sandra turned fully to face him. "Oh?" Her tone was cautious. "And where would that be?"

Ben stretched his arms behind his head, keeping his voice casual but firm.

"MIT."

The silence was immediate.

Carl's grip on the wheel tightened slightly as he glanced at Ben again. "MIT? As in Massachusetts Institute of Technology?"

Ben nodded. "Yeah. They've got one of the best engineering programs in the world."

Sandra's expression was unreadable for a moment before she exhaled. "Ben, that's… that's not just some regular university. That's MIT. One of the most prestigious schools on the planet."

Ben shrugged. "Exactly."

Carl let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Damn. Kid aims high."

Sandra, however, wasn't smiling. "Ben… this is a lot. A few months ago, you were just a normal student. Now, in the span of weeks, you've jumped grades, and now you want to go to a school that people dedicate their entire lives to getting into?" She paused, her voice tinged with something more than just concern—it was worry.

"I just… I don't want you to burn yourself out," she admitted.

Ben met her gaze, his expression softening just slightly. "Mom, I promise you… I'm not rushing into this blindly. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Sandra stared at him for a long moment before sighing. "Well… I suppose we can at least look into their early admission requirements."

Carl smirked, shaking his head. "Kid's not even sixteen, and he's already thinking Ivy League."

Ben grinned. Step four, in motion.

-X-X-X-X-X-

The soft clicking of keys filled the dimly lit room as Ben sat at his desk, eyes flicking between multiple floating holographic screens. The glow of the displays illuminated his focused expression as he scrolled through the MIT admissions website.

Gideon's voice rang smoothly in his mind through the Neural Link.

"You know, this would be significantly faster if you just let me 'assist' with the application process."

Ben smirked, opening a new tab. "Yeah, but that would be cheating. Even geniuses gotta play by the rules sometimes."

"And yet, you have me drafting your essays."

Ben chuckled. "That's not cheating. That's smart delegation."

He skimmed through the eligibility requirements for early admission and let out a hum. "Okay, so they accept students as young as 15 if they show 'extraordinary academic and personal achievements.'"

"Check and check."

"Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate leadership, innovation, and excellence in STEM fields."

"Ben, you literally built an AI more advanced than anything on the planet, have a secret crime-fighting base, and just aced a placement exam. I think you're covered."

Ben grinned. "Yeah, fair point."

He navigated to the application portal, already picturing Sandra's reaction when he told her the process was halfway done.

A blank document hovered before him. This was the one part of the application that couldn't just be solved with intelligence—it required personality.

Gideon, of course, wasn't going to let him slack off.

"Your first essay prompt: 'Why do you want to attend MIT?'"

Ben stretched his fingers before cracking his knuckles. "Alright. Let's make this sound convincing."

He started typing.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've been obsessed with how things work. Not just the simple stuff like gadgets or engines, but the bigger picture—technology, innovation, the systems that define our world. Some people dream of saving the world with their hands. I want to build the tools that let them do it."

He paused, reading it over. Good start.

"MIT isn't just another university to me. It's a proving ground. The place where the brightest minds push boundaries, redefine what's possible, and shape the future. I don't just want to learn—I want to create, innovate, and leave something behind that changes the world."

Gideon hummed approvingly.

"Surprisingly heartfelt for someone who just finished scaring criminals half to death earlier."

Ben smirked. "I contain multitudes."

With his personal essays drafted, test scores submitted, and recommendation requests sent out, Ben leaned back in his chair, exhaling.

"That should do it."

Gideon's voice was smug.

"You're really enjoying watching this all come together, aren't you?"

Ben chuckled. "Yeah. This is just step one."

As he submitted the final portion, he cracked his knuckles. Now, all that was left was waiting.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Days passed. Then a week. Then two.

Ben didn't let it bother him. He knew how college applications worked—MIT wasn't going to respond overnight. In the meantime, he kept himself busy.

His mornings were filled with schoolwork, but it wasn't much of a challenge anymore. Everything felt too easy now. While his classmates struggled with equations, he already had them solved before the teacher even finished explaining.

"At this rate, you might actually die of boredom," Gideon teased one afternoon as he stared at the clock, waiting for the last few minutes of class to tick by.

Ben smirked. "Yeah, well, once I'm out of here, I won't have to sit through another one of these again."

His evenings were far more productive. Every night, he patrolled the city, keeping his presence known while making sure to stay strategic in what crimes he stopped. Gideon had been feeding more curated reports into his system, allowing him to focus on cases that would build his reputation without drawing too much federal attention.

"Public opinion remains in your favor," Gideon informed him one night as he perched on the edge of a skyscraper. "Though some law enforcement agencies are still calling for your capture, the lack of any concrete leads makes it difficult for them to act."

Ben grinned. "Perfect. Let's keep it that way."

He also spent time refining his base. While the core infrastructure was complete, there were always improvements to be made. The training area was expanded, the AI systems optimized, and he started experimenting with new forms of Plumber-inspired tech.

But the biggest project?

His next business move.

"So… have you decided yet?" Gideon asked as he stared at a blank development board on one of his screens. "What's the next big invention?"

Ben leaned back, fingers tapping against his desk. He already had an idea—something that could reshape social media forever.

But before he could say anything, a notification flashed across his screen.

MIT Admissions: Application Status Update.

He smirked. Right on schedule.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Ben clicked the notification, and a new window opened on the screen.

Dear Mr. Tennyson,

After careful review of your application, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under our early admission program. Your outstanding academic performance, demonstrated technical expertise, and exceptional problem-solving abilities have distinguished you as a remarkable candidate.

We invite you to attend orientation in January, where you will begin your coursework in the spring semester. Enclosed are further details regarding class scheduling, financial aid options, and student housing…

Ben barely finished reading before he leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"And just like that, you're officially a college student." Gideon's voice carried a hint of amusement.

Ben stretched his arms behind his head. "Yeah. Not bad for someone who was in sophomore year a month ago."

The realization fully settled in. He was going to MIT. By next year, he'd be walking through a campus filled with some of the smartest people in the world—and he was one of them.

But there was still one last hurdle to clear.

"Guess it's time to tell my parents."

"You want me to prepare a distraction in case your mother faints?"

Ben chuckled. "Let's just hope she doesn't kill me first."

Sandra sat at the kitchen table, flipping through a magazine while sipping her coffee. Carl was at the counter, scrolling through the news on his phone. It was a quiet, normal morning.

Then Ben casually walked in and dropped a thick white envelope onto the table.

Sandra blinked at it before setting her cup down. "What's this?"

Ben slid into the seat across from her, resting his chin on his hand. "My MIT acceptance letter."

Silence.

Carl's phone lowered slightly as he glanced over, and Sandra just… stared.

"Your what?"

"My acceptance letter," Ben repeated casually, gesturing at the envelope. "Got in. Orientation's in January."

Sandra opened the envelope with slightly trembling hands, pulling out the official letter. Her eyes moved rapidly across the words, her grip on the paper tightening.

Carl let out a low whistle. "Well, damn."

Ben waited. Three… two… one—

Sandra's chair scraped against the floor as she stood up abruptly, holding the letter as if she needed a second confirmation it was real.

"Ben, this—this is MIT," she said, voice a mix of disbelief and shock. "Do you understand how hard it is to get into this school? People spend their entire lives—"

"I know," Ben interrupted, completely unfazed. "That's why I applied."

Sandra sat back down slowly, still staring at the letter.

Carl grinned, crossing his arms. "Well, looks like you weren't kidding about getting serious with your future." He turned to Sandra. "See? Told you the kid could handle it."

Sandra gave him a glare before exhaling deeply, rubbing her temples. "This is happening way too fast," she muttered.

Ben leaned forward. "Mom, I know it's a lot to take in, but this is what I want. It's an opportunity I can't pass up."

Sandra didn't respond for a moment, but finally, she placed the letter down and met his gaze.

"You're absolutely sure about this?"

Ben nodded. "I've never been more sure about anything."

Sandra sighed. Then, to Ben's surprise, she reached across the table and placed a hand on his. "We're proud of you. I just… I hope you know what you're doing."

Ben smiled, squeezing her hand lightly. "I do."

Carl smirked. "Well, guess that settles it. MIT, huh? My son's officially smarter than me."

Ben grinned. "That was always the case."

Carl laughed. "Fair enough."

Sandra shook her head but smiled softly. "Alright. Looks like we have some serious planning to do."

Ben leaned back in his chair. Step five, complete.

-X-X-X-X-X-

The next few days passed in a blur of paperwork, phone calls, and planning.

Sandra had thrown herself into making sure everything was ready for Ben's transition to college. She spent hours researching student housing, course schedules, meal plans, and financial aid options, despite Ben already knowing most of the details. Carl, on the other hand, took a more relaxed approach—though every so often, Ben caught him staring at an MIT pamphlet with a dumbfounded expression.

"MIT," Carl muttered for the fifth time that morning as he flipped through the welcome packet. "I still can't believe it."

Ben smirked from his seat at the dining table, where he was finishing off a plate of eggs and toast. "You better start believing it. I move in after Christmas."

Sandra sighed, rubbing her temples as she scrolled through her tablet. "Alright, we've got housing confirmed. You'll be staying in one of the student dorms. We thought about an apartment, but… you're still technically a minor."

Ben nodded casually. That was fine with him. He could work around restrictions if necessary.

Carl leaned back in his chair. "So, how much is this gonna cost me?"

Sandra set down her tablet, smirking slightly. "Not a penny."

Carl blinked. "What?"

Ben leaned back, arms crossed. "Full-ride scholarship. Tuition, housing, everything covered."

Carl let out a low whistle. "Damn. My kid's going to MIT for free."

Sandra smiled, still slightly overwhelmed by everything. "It's a relief, honestly. I was worried about the cost, but this makes things easier."

Ben simply smirked, keeping his other income sources to himself.

The conversation eventually moved to logistics—when he would move in, what supplies he'd need, and whether or not Sandra could get through a conversation without bringing up her concerns about him being surrounded by older students.

Ben took it all in stride, keeping his responses calm and confident.

But while his parents were focused on college, his mind was already on his next step.

A floating holographic screen blinked to life beside him, displaying an unfinished development board—a prototype concept for a new social media platform.

Gideon's voice rang smoothly through the Neural Link.

"So… have you decided? Is this your next project?"

Ben tapped his fingers on the table. "Yeah. If I time this right, it'll blow up."

"You're confident in its success?"

Ben smirked. "Gideon, I'm about to introduce the world to Instagram."