Super Powereds: Year 3 Read Online Free PDF Page A

that his ability is imperfect,” Globe replied. “Too much power is a burden in itself. A sense of invincibility is even worse. If Vince truly believed himself the most powerful Super in the world, he would never know a moment’s peace. His entire life would be consumed by mission after mission, terrified that his not going would mean a weaker Hero failed or died.”
    “Or he could turn into a real asshole,” George pointed out.
    “I suppose that is also a possibility,” Globe conceded. “But I think the first is more likely.”
    “You’re the expert,” George replied. Conversation concluded, he began stuffing his face with food once more, preparing for the coming day’s battle.
     

1.
     
    It was strange being back on campus after a summer away. Hershel trekked down the winding sidewalk that would, eventually, encircle all of Lander. Branches would split off periodically, leading to any destination one might desire, but the main path wrapped around the whole campus, serving as both a guide and a divider from the outside world. It was comforting to trace the familiar cement walkway; it reminded him that no matter how much had gone awry last year, the school was still at least somewhat constant.
    A quick turn took him down one of the many splits, putting him on track to arrive at Melbrook in a few moments. He could have had his mother drop him off closer, but traffic was already reaching levels of utter insanity as wistful parents deposited eager students ready to resume, or begin, their independent lives. Besides, Hershel was making a point of taking the more physically taxing option whenever he could. Small as it might be, a leaky faucet can still flood a house if given enough time.
    The roller bag behind him bounced unevenly over the dividers. There wasn’t much in it—a few garments and some souvenirs from his summer. He’d left the majority of his belongings in his Melbrook dorm. Why bother moving them? It had been heavily implied that he’d be returning. Even if he hadn’t put on the show Vince did at the end of the year, Roy had definitely kicked a respectable amount of ass. And since he hadn’t been told not to come back, he was pretty sure they were in the clear. A part of him wondered who hadn’t been so lucky; however, that thought was so wrapped up in the empty room waiting for them in Melbrook that it was too painful to dwell on. Losing Nick was hard. What if someone else they cared about didn’t return?
    Hershel shook off that line of thought as best he could, focusing instead on maneuvering his way through Melbrook’s front door. It took a little more coordination than normal, since he had to deal with his cargo, but within moments, he had passed through the hallway and made it into the common room. There was just enough time to take a deep breath of familiar scent before a female voice grabbed his attention.
    “Hershel?”
    “Hey, Alice. Guess you and Mary beat me.”
    “We absolutely did, but that is so not the most interesting story at the moment.” Alice turned and yelled past the open door to the girls’ lounge she’d been walking through. “Mary! Come see this!”
    A slight blush crept into Hershel’s cheeks. He’d expected some reaction—the change was appreciable—however, this seemed a bit much. Mary popped her head out the door, her eyes widening slightly as they caught sight of her boyfriend for the first time in months.
    “Hershel?”
    “Yeah, it’s me,” he assured her.
    “You look great,” she said, stepping out and greeting him with a more affectionate hug. “I mean, you always looked good to me, but this is a heck of a change.”
    Hershel’s formerly pudgy form looked as though it had collapsed in on itself. His belt-overlapping stomach now tapered neatly into his pants—pants which were clearly a size or two smaller than they had been. His face had thinned noticeably, accentuating cheekbones that, while still not prominent, were now certainly discernible.