Deviant: No Longer Human

"You must have a myriad of questions, but how about you freshen up first?" Eleanor suggested, and Wang Xiao, still in awe that she spoke Mandarin, stared at her with wide eyes. "You know Mandarin?"

Eleanor nodded with a serene smile, "Yes, I also have a Chinese name, Bing Xueli."

Wang Xiao's eyes blinked in surprise, "You've been outside?"

Bing Xueli replied nonchalantly, "I occasionally go outside," conveniently omitting that her last venture beyond the village was around the early 2000s in the Earth calendar, explaining the outdated technology in their village.

Wang Xiao nodded, finding a newfound comfort in her presence. He made his way towards the river, eager to immerse himself, only to halt suddenly, realizing he needed to remove the hospital gown first.

He glanced back, finding Bing Xueli still observing him with curiosity.

*Rustle...*

Without hesitation, he swiftly disrobed and immersed himself in the water. Eleanor's lips twitched, a hint of a suppressed smile playing on her face. 'Quite bold,' she mused, her cheeks displaying a faint rosy tint.

As Wang Xiao emerged, Eleanor handed him fresh clothes, meticulously prepared beforehand.

"So, your name is Wang Xiao?" She nodded to herself as Wang Xiao confirmed his identity.

While slipping into the shirt, Wang Xiao nodded, "Yes, but how do you know I come from China?"

Bing Xueli replied, "You looked like them."

Wang Xiao's eyes narrowed, catching the subtle nuance. This revelation hinted at her extensive travels to various countries outside, deepening the mystery surrounding her.

Bing Xueli gracefully settled on the grass, inviting him to join her with a subtle gesture. "No need to be so guarded. If we had ill intentions, erasing your memories and manipulating you like a puppet would be child's play."

A shiver traveled down Wang Xiao's spine, the prospect of losing control instilling a deeper fear than the specter of death itself. Taking a measured breath, he cautiously took a seat beside her, observing Bing Xueli's contented smile.

"Now, are you curious about how much time has passed?" she asked.

Wang Xiao replied, "It's been five years... Amelia already filled me in on that."

Bing Xueli shook her head, her hair cascading like snowflakes in the gentle breeze. "No, it's not... It's merely been a year for you."

"What do you mean?" Wang Xiao's brow furrowed in confusion.

Bing Xueli delicately elucidated, "Our village is ensconced in a mythical energy that acts as a barrier, creating a temporal disparity. For every five years spent inside, only approximately one year elapses in the external world."

Wang Xiao absorbed this revelation, the weight of time manifesting in his contemplative expression.

Bing Xueli continued, "While it's a disadvantage for you, accelerating aging and curtailing your lifespan, normal PK users can live up to approximately 150 years. Nevertheless, it equates to only 30 years of life outside."

Wang Xiao let out a sigh, "An average PK user, not me... I'd succumb before reaching 80."

Bing Xueli's words lingered in the air like a weighty decision. "You're right. But I can't allow you to go outside. Otherwise, I would have to erase your memories before you leave."

Wang Xiao furrowed his brows, countering, "Both are equally dismal options. Don't you have something better?"

Bing Xueli nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Yes! Replace me, and then you are free to come and go whenever you want. No restrictions."

Confusion etched Wang Xiao's face, creating a puzzle of uncertainty.

What's this topic all of a sudden?

Bing Xueli sighed, a mix of weariness and resolve in her eyes, as she embarked on a detailed explanation. As Wang Xiao absorbed the information, a growing dilemma brewed within him. The more time he spent inside, the less time he would have with his family outside, and vice versa.

Bing Xueli's eyes glinted with a spark of determination as she leaned forward. "You can spend another five years in our schools, which teach students PK. By then, only total of two years would have passed outside. Although you would have aged significantly, learning PK can slow down your aging process."

Wang Xiao, intrigued, asked, "What's this PK?"

Bing Xueli explained, "PK stands for Psychokinesis. It's using the power of the mind to control things around you."

"Telekinesis?" Wang Xiao questioned.

Bing Xueli clarified, "Wrong. With PK, you can control anything, even your own body. But be careful, as you might burst like a balloon if you don't proceed with caution."

Wang Xiao, a mix of curiosity and caution in his eyes, remarked, "Sounds dangerous. So, what do I need to do?"

Bing Xueli's slender finger, like a conductor's baton, pointed gracefully at the cluster of small pebbles scattered on the ground. "Fixate on any one of them," she instructed, her voice a gentle command, "and let the currents of your latent power breathe life into it. The very stone will reveal the depths of your abilities."

Wang Xiao acknowledged with a subtle nod, his eyes transforming into focused slits.

The ambient light seemed to bend around his gaze as he honed in on the chosen pebble, determination etched into the lines of his face.

In that charged moment, it was as if the air held its breath, anticipating a mystical dance between man and matter.

"..."

The brief pause that followed was charged with unspoken disappointment. Bing Xueli's countenance, initially a canvas of patience, now wore the brushstrokes of letdown as the pebble remained steadfastly earthbound.

Wang Xiao's efforts, though earnest, yielded no manifestation of the elusive psychokinetic prowess.

The revelation hung in the air—the denizens from realms beyond had long relinquished the mystic prowess of PK.

Yet, Bing Xueli chose silence over disclosure, shielding Wang Xiao from the weight of a reality that threatened to clip the wings of his aspirations.

Wang Xiao, fully engrossed, embraced Yin Yue's suggestion. [Imagine the air particles near that pebble, harness their essence, and set the stone in motion], she directed.

"Hmmm?" Wang Xiao's brows arched, a moment of uncertainty before he delved into the task at hand.

Whoosh!!

A sudden surge of unseen force propelled the stone skyward, akin to a celestial dancer taking flight. Wang Xiao's expression flickered between amazement and self-amusement. "I messed up," he mumbled, a grin surfacing as he marveled at the unexpected achievement.