"Finally."
Mark circled a date on the calendar in his room.
It was the first of the month and the first day of his training to become a Master powerborn.
He glanced at the digital watch on his arm, beeping with a blue light. It was Natalya, reminding him to come to the arena.
But no, he was going to keep her waiting a bit.
He quickly completed his new workout routine, consisting of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 150 squats. Afterward, he took a quick shower and wore his sweatshirt and trousers.
In his wardrobe was the standard uniform for new Resistance recruits, specially made for him by Captain Savannah. But Mark had no intention to wear it.
He stared at himself in the mirror. He looked much healthier, which was in perfect contrast to the time when he was a prisoner.
"Alright, let's take a look at that system one more time."
Sitting on the sole chair in the room, Mark tried different ways to activate his system.
"I summon you!"
Silence.
"Wake up, system!"
More silence.
At this point, Mark was getting frustrated. With a loud yell, he kicked the chair and sent it flying right across the room.
"Hmm.. I'm getting stronger."
The system screen suddenly appeared.
[USER STATS]
Health - 100/100
Strength - 50/100
Speed - 40/100
Stamina - 40/100
Skill - 50/100
Agility - 30/100
Toughness - 40/100
"Didn't know 10 points could make that much of a difference."
[Display inventory?]
"Yes."
[POWER INVENTORY]
Total Power Slots: 3
SLOT 1: Lightning Summoning, Level 2 (P-Type: Weatherborn)
SLOT 2: Telepathy, Level 1 (P-Type: Mindborn)
SLOT 3: Empty
Mark was puzzled. The system could hear his words and his thoughts, but it didn't activate upon request.
He decided to try something else.
"Introduce system and make me an admin, or self-destruct."
[WARNING]
[System deletion results in immediate loss of life.]
[User safety prioritized. System Deletion Rejected.]
[Initializing..]
[Advanced Replication, Integration and Evolution System]
[Core Protocol: Power Copy]
A curt smile appeared on Mark's face. His plan seemed to have worked.
Until...
[ADMIN OVERRIDE DENIED]
"I insist," Mark snapped.
[ADMIN OVERRIDE DENIED]
Mark sighed, defeated
"Just tell me how to activate you."
[Voice Activation Key: "Activate Advanced Replication, Integration and Evolution System"]
"I am not saying all that."
[Modify Voice Activation Key? Y/N]
"Yes."
[State New Activation Key: ? ]
"I'm going to call you... Aries."
[New Activation Key: ARIES]
[SUCCESSFUL]
Mark smiled satisfactorily.
"Good. Aries, tell me all I need to know."
*****
The arena was a large hexagonal chamber, enclosed with alloy panels that faintly reflected the artificial lighting above.
The floor beneath was tiled, polished and lined with dynamic light grids at various intervals
At the center of the wide room was a circle, cut in half by a line running from one end of the arena to the other, perfectly dividing the room into two distinct spaces.
A few metres above the arena walls, there was the observation ring, well enclosed behind thick, transparent, reinforced glass.
It was originally built as a spacious training room for new powerborns, but instead, it was used primarily for one-on-one combat.
As he stepped in, Mark was fascinated by the arena, taking a moment to appreciate the architectural design.
His excitement peaked for a while until his gaze fell upon Natalya.
She stood in the center of the arena, fully dressed in the Resistance uniform. She wore the same intimidating look, but the beautiful scent that lingered around her told a different story.
"You're late, Mark"
"I am sorry. I got lo…"
"Save it." Natalya cut him off. She then pointed to a seat that stood in a corner of the arena and gestured to Mark to bring it closer.
Mark assumed the training was all physical, but it seemed he had another lecture coming.
"How much do you know about powerborn abilities?" Natalya began as soon as Mark had sat down.
"Not much, I guess."
"Tell me what you know."
"Well…" Mark pondered for awhile, "I know there are five major types, which control an aspect of reality... Each emits a different aura based on the type and color of the DNA strain… "
"Good. You understand the science behind it, but you have no idea how to use it properly."
"Does it really matter?"
Natalya shot a nasty glance at Mark, disappointed at him for asking such a stupid question.
"If you do not understand how to use your powers, you'll always lose to someone who has mastered theirs."
Mark swallowed and raised his hand to ask a question, but was interrupted.
"Think fast!" Natalya ordered, raising her palm at Mark.
A cold iceball headed directly for Mark, but he was too slow to react.
The ball smacked him right in the face and tossed him off the chair.
"What was that for?" Mark protested, picking himself up.
"Congratulations, Thornwell. You have the reflexes of a 12-year-old."
Mark had a comeback, but he decided not to test Natalya's patience. He wasn't ready to get hit with another ice ball.
"So, what did you just learn?" Natalya asked.
"That you're a terrible tutor?"
"Wrong. Try again. Take it a bit seriously, will you?"
Mark thought for a moment. He did notice something after all.
"You used your power without activating your aura."
"Good," Natalya responded in the same emotionless tone, which Mark interpreted as mockery. "How do you think that works?"
"Activating your aura enhances the intensity of one's abilities, but it takes a bit of time to charge up. Using your power without activating your aura gives a speed advantage, but it lowers the intensity of the attacks."
Natalya struggled to hide her dismay.
"That's interesting," she said, her voice betraying her calm demeanor. "Where exactly did you learn that?"
Mark shook his head.
"I just knew."
Natalya wasn't buying it. But she continued her lesson.
"Alright. How do you make proper use of that speed advantage in actual combat?"
Mark paused for a while before he spoke.
"Such a technique is best utilized as an opening move. One surprise attack to destabilize your opponent, then aura activation to unlock full strength."
"You are surprisingly knowledgeable," Natalya admitted with a thoughtful gaze. "If I didn't know any better. I'd say you were reading my mind. Are you, Mark?"
"No." He replied nervously.
Natalya paused for awhile, then she shook her head and continued.
"Alright, we'll move on to the next lesson. Skills."
Natalya began to pace in front of Mark, slowly. As she did so, she activated her aura, and a bright blue glowing snowflake appeared on her right hand, producing a cloud of cold vapor around her fist.
"As a general rule of thumb, the first ability that a powerborn unlocks becomes their main skill or specialty. This also varies among powerborns who…"
"… share a similar strain." Mark cut in. "Using ourselves as an example, we share the Weather strain, but my specialty is lightning generation and yours is cryokinesis."
Natalya couldn't take it anymore. There was no way Mark should have known that.
"Who taught you that?" She asked, deactivating her aura.
"No one."
"Was it the captain? Belford?"
"No, it wasn't."
Mark was as perplexed as his tutor. He had no idea how the information had gotten into his head. It was almost as if someone was whispering it to him.
"Are you reading my mind, Mark?"
Mark threw her a weird look.
"You know that's not possible. I'm not a mindborn."
I'm not really a Weatherborn either.
Natalya made a mental note to herself. This was something she had to discuss with the captain.
"I do have a question," Mark said.
"Ask."
"Does that mean every powerborn only has one power?"
"No," Natalya answered confidently. "Your specialty is a reflex power one can use easily, but you can always learn more skills within your category. As a Weatherborn, you can learn cryokinesis or wind generation. But it takes a lot more strength to use new skills effectively.
"Also, using advanced skills can wear you down easily, and the more skills you acquire…"
"…the more difficult it becomes to control."
"Good. Which is why the ideal maximum for any powerborn is three. Your specialty and two more skills."
To his surprise, Mark found the lecture very useful. But after a while, he grew bored.
Natalya was quick to notice this. She had more to teach him, but she had to save it for another day.
"Alright then. It's time for combat training."
A spark of excitement suddenly appeared in Mark's eyes. He stood up from his chair and kicked it away.
Natalya walked to the far side of the arena, pulled out a blue piece of clothing from her coat, and hung it on the wall. Then she walked back to the center of the room.
"If you can get past me and get that blue handkerchief in an hour, you win this round."
"Seems too easy," Mark replied pompously. "What are the rules?"
"None at all. Do whatever you want. Just get it before the timer's up."
Mark laughed, overestimating his strength.
"Alright then. Let's do this."
Mark's eyes began to glow, and a flicker of electricity appeared on his fingertips.
Natalya wore a mischievous smile. Similarly, her eyes radiated with a bright blue hue, and a cold mist slowly filled the room. She briefly set a timer on her digital watch, then folded her arms behind her back.
"Whenever you're ready, Mark. Come at me."