The day had come. The deadline for power selection was just around the corner, and the pressure had reached its peak. For Aiden, the past two weeks of intense training had only raised more questions than answers. His body had grown stronger, his reflexes sharper, but his mind—his ability to combine his powers in a way that felt natural—was still in the process of solidifying.
He stood outside the power selection room, a large, intimidating hall nestled within the academy's central building. Students streamed past him, some with determined faces, others looking apprehensive, all heading towards the room where they would make the most important decision of their lives.
"Are you ready?" Riko asked, stepping up beside him. His usual calm was replaced by an edge of anxiety that Aiden couldn't help but notice.
"Do I have a choice?" Aiden said with a half-smile, though the knot in his stomach told a different story. The weight of the decision was suffocating, and he could feel the sting of doubt creeping in.
"You don't. But we can still work with what we have. Whatever we choose, we'll make it work," Riko said, trying to reassure him, though his voice lacked conviction.
Aiden nodded, but the unease didn't fade. He had spent the last two weeks trying to figure out how to combine his three chosen powers—Teleportation, Absolutely Reflective Field, and Black Hole Creation—into a cohesive strategy. But the more he trained, the more uncertain he became.
How would he make them work together?
His mind kept returning to the scenario that had haunted him for days—the monsters, the destruction, the helplessness they all felt as the creatures tore through the city. If his powers couldn't help him in a real-life situation, would he even be ready for what was coming?
Riko turned to him, sensing his internal struggle. "You're overthinking it, Aiden. No one knows exactly how their powers will evolve. You just have to trust yourself. Trust that you can adapt."
"Easy for you to say," Aiden muttered. "You've got Phase Locking and Gravitational Manipulation. You can phase through walls and control gravity—how are you not freaking out about what we're about to do?"
Riko paused, thinking for a moment. "You're right. I guess I am freaking out. But I'm not backing down. And neither are you."
Aiden let out a breath, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah. You're right. I can't back down."
The two of them shared a moment of quiet resolve before walking into the power selection room. The atmosphere inside was heavy, the air thick with the tension of all the students awaiting their fate. The room was massive, lined with rows of tall, gleaming metal panels, each one connected to a holographic interface that displayed the list of available powers.
Instructors stood at attention near the back of the room, their eyes scanning the first-years, ensuring that no one strayed from the process. At the front of the room, an older woman stood—head held high, her posture perfect. She was the head of the Power Selection Committee, and no one dared to cross her.
"Welcome," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "You are here to choose the powers that will define you. These are the abilities you will use to fight, to survive, and to protect what is yours. Your decision today will shape your future. Choose wisely."
Aiden swallowed hard. He stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest as he approached the interface. Riko followed, just behind him, his expression unreadable.
"Enter your choices," the woman instructed.
Aiden hesitated for a moment before typing in his three selected powers: Teleportation, Absolutely Reflective Field, and Black Hole Creation. As soon as he hit confirm, a series of lights flared up across the interface, illuminating his selections.
"Your choices have been recorded," the woman said, her gaze sweeping over him. "You will begin training with these powers immediately. Prepare yourselves for the challenges ahead."
"Next!" she called, signaling for Riko to step up.
Riko entered his selections—Phase Locking, Absolute Reflection, and Gravitational Manipulation—before standing back, his expression intense, though his body remained still.
"Good luck," Aiden said quietly, clapping him on the shoulder.
Riko gave him a nod, his eyes focused on the woman. "Good luck to you, too."
With that, they both stepped away from the interface, their minds already racing with thoughts of what was to come. The decision was made, and now the real work would begin. But as they filed out of the room, they couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much bigger battle.
Training Begins: The First Test
Later that day, the first-years gathered on the combat training field once again. The weight of their new powers hung heavily on their shoulders as they stood in neat rows, awaiting their first real training session.
The head combat instructor, Master Kellan, stood at the front, his eyes scanning the group. His voice was sharp, cutting through the nervous air like a knife. "Now that you've selected your powers, it's time to put them to the test. Don't think for a second that you're ready just because you've picked your abilities. Your true challenge begins now."
Aiden's heart skipped a beat as he stepped forward. His powers were vast, potentially devastating, but they were still untested. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to train with the abilities he had chosen. The thought of trying to combine them into something useful felt overwhelming.
"You'll each be paired with a training partner," Kellan continued, "and you will fight—no rules. Show me what you're made of."
Aiden looked to Riko, who gave him a small, grim smile. "Guess we don't get to ease into it."
"Nope," Aiden replied, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what happens."
The First Fight
Aiden and Riko were assigned to fight one another, a decision that didn't surprise either of them. They had trained together for weeks, but now, in front of an audience of first-years and instructors, it felt different. More real.
The whistle blew, and the two friends sprang into action.
Aiden wasted no time, using his Teleportation to disappear from his starting position, reappearing behind Riko. But Riko was quick. With a sudden flick of his wrist, Aiden found himself frozen mid-air, unable to move.
Gravitational Manipulation.
"I've been working on that," Riko said with a smirk. "Phase Locking isn't the only thing I've got in my arsenal."
Aiden gritted his teeth. He couldn't let Riko keep him locked in place. Using the momentum of his power, Aiden focused his will and activated his Absolutely Reflective Field. The shockwave from the force of the power rippled through the area, knocking Riko back and breaking his gravitational hold.
Riko stumbled, clearly surprised by the force of the field. "Not bad," he said, a little breathless. "But you're still too predictable."
Aiden grinned. "Guess we'll find out."
With a surge of energy, Aiden created a small Black Hole, pulling Riko in. But Riko, using his Phase Locking, dissolved into an intangible form, slipping through the event horizon and reappearing behind Aiden.
The two clashed again, their powers colliding in a spectacle of light and force. The ground beneath them cracked with every movement, their powers manifesting in ways that were still raw and unpolished.
Finally, Kellan blew his whistle. "Enough!"
The two opponents stood panting, their bodies bruised but their spirits intact. "You're both showing potential," Kellan said, his eyes narrowed. "But don't get too comfortable. This was only the beginning."
As the students gathered their things and returned to their dorms, Aiden couldn't help but feel the pressure mounting. This was just a taste of what lay ahead.
And with every fight, he could feel the weight of the battle they were heading into growing heavier.