Classes and Ranks were very important. The entire superhero system was built around these two things.
A hero's Class was determined at the time of their assessment. Once it was assigned, it was considered permanent, a direct reflection of the meta-energy inside them.
S-Class, A-Class, B-Class, and so on.
It was a label that determined how strong they were, how much recognition they'd receive, and how much impact they could have.
Ranks, on the other hand, were fluid.
While a hero's power couldn't grow stronger, their proficiency could. The better they became at using their abilities, the more skilled they were in the field, and the more missions they completed, the higher they could climb.
Rank was about skill. Class was about power.
This was why there was a popular saying: Heroes can't get stronger, only better.
This was also mirrored in the absolute law which was: Superheroes couldn't break the Class Barrier.
Once a hero was placed in a Class, that was it.
They could climb up the Ranks within that Class, but moving to a higher Class was impossible— unless they experienced another Enlightenment Event, at what point a reassessment test would be required.
This was the situation I found myself in.
I stood in the dark, empty assessment center, staring at the Power Measurement Unit in front of me.
What would my assessment be?
Even though I was alone, the silence in the room felt suffocating. The kind that made the air feel heavier, like I was intruding on some sacred space.
Maybe it was because I was nervous. I mean finally, I was going to be a Class that wasn't E.
With a beat of nervousness and hesitation, I reached forward, and once my fingers felt the machine, I pressed my palm flat against the cold, smooth surface.
Beep. The machine hummed to life.
A faint vibration ran up my arm as golden energy flickered out from my fingertips, burning with a quiet intensity.
Mine had reacted faster than Yelena Darkov's, however, it wasn't anything like the overwhelming, suffocating aura she had unleashed earlier.
Hers had swallowed the entire space in darkness. Mine was just a controlled, pulsing ember.
It glowed for a moment longer and then slowly dimmed away.
Then, the results appeared.
Meta Energy Percentage: 20%
I stared at the number.
20%.
That was… C-Class.
I exhaled, feeling an odd mix of emotions.
On one hand, I had jumped two whole Classes in a single day— something unheard of. But on the other, 20% wasn't exactly earth-shattering.
It was nowhere near Yelena's 85%, nowhere near the level of an elite hero.
Was this really all the Forever Core had to offer? After all that talk of... what was it again?
I looked down at my interface once again.
[Core Talent: Continuous Advancement]
[You are an endlessly evolving being. The Forever Core grows stronger and stronger.]
Wait. Hold on.
I had a simple grasp of it then but I think I understand it now.
'This is only the amount of meta-energy I have now. If I'm to level up to higher Classes like the interface said, then my meta-energy is going to increase.'
My mind spiked with excitement.
Other superheroes had fixed power levels. Their meta-energy never changed. They just learned how to use their abilities better over time.
But me?
My Continuous Advancement talent meant that I could increase my meta-energy. I could break the Class Barrier.
I couldn't control my avidity.
I had to test it. Right now.
I left the main assessment hall, striding through the empty corridors of the center until I reached the training facility.
It was a large, reinforced room designed for combat exercises. This is where newbies trained in preparation for their assessment.
On the perimeter were rolls of metallic walls and cameras installed in every corner to monitor battles.
The moment I stepped inside, light glowed on the ground then expanded through the hall until it was completely lit.
A mechanical voice echoed:
"Select difficulty level."
I swiped through a blue interface that appeared before me, and set it to Standard Combat Simulation – Tier 1.
Suddenly, the room shifted. Holographic projectors buzzed to life, forming the shapes of monstrous humanoid figures. Twisted, sharp-limbed creatures made of hard-light energy, their glowing eyes locked onto me with predatory intent.
"RockMonster, Class C Villain. And those are his minions." I narrowed my eyes. "The ISA used information of villains and monsters, integrating them alongside their powers and fighting styles to create training holograms. That way newbie heroes could learn to take them down."
Since I had no meta-abilities, I didn't have access to this place before.
But now...
I exhaled sharply.
"Initiate."
Immediately, the Forever Armor responded.
I felt it move, stretching out from deep within my body. Golden liquid metal poured out from my chest, snaking across my skin like living veins of molten energy.
Plates clicked into place, forming a sleek, reinforced armor that locked onto my body with a perfect fit.
My vision sharpened. My muscles thrummed with power.
I was ready for a fight.
Quickly, the Rockmonsters attacked, and I sped right in.
One lunged at me, aiming its claws straight for my throat. I twisted my body, pivoting low, then drove my fist into its gut.
Boom! The impact sent golden sparks flying as the hologram shattered into flickering pixels.
Another came from my left.
I sidestepped, my armored boots scraping against the floor, and shot out my palm—
"Incinerate!"
A burst of golden fire exploded from my hand, engulfing the creature in pure heat. It screeched before dissolving into nothing.
Two more. One was RockMonster boss.
They rushed me at once, their claws swinging.
I ducked, rolled between them, then launched off the ground with a powerful leap. My body twisted mid-air as I spun, delivering a brutal heel-kick to one's head.
The force sent it crashing into the ground.
RockMonster, realizing it was alone, turned to run.
I almost chuckled at how similar it was to the real RockMonster. But, I still wasn't letting it escape.
I lunged forward, golden energy bursting beneath my feet as I closed the distance in a second. My fist slammed into its back—
"Incinerate!"
Another wave of golden fire burst right through its chest, and then it crumbled into yellow holographic cubes.
Final enemy down.
Silence filled the room.
I didn't get the chance to celebrate how I had awesomely dispatched a Class C Villain when a notification popped up.
[New Ability Unlocked: Regenerate]
I blinked.
Regenerate?
The description explained it:
[A passive ability that allows the Forever Armor to automatically heal minor and major injuries and restore stamina over time.]
That was indeed greatly useful. So, would I continue to unlock more meta-abilities like this?
Another thought crossed my mind then. Since I had just defeated an enemy, even though it was training? Did I advance?
A notification appeared.
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
My thoughts rang. I needed to check my meta energy.
I turned and walked back to the Power Measurement Unit. Placed my hand against the surface.
The golden glow flickered again.
A moment later, the number appeared.
24.02%
I froze.
I actually… increased. I had just grown stronger.
Meta energy doesn't increase. That's what everyone always said.
But mine just did. The more I fight, the more powerful I get using Continuous Advancement.
I can actually break the Class Barrier.
I can keep evolving.
I can become an S-Class Hero.